Better Day - Some rain some Sun - 61F

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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

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

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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.

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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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

My replies to your previous comments

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Quotation time ......

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

Mirabel Osler

"Sleep tight - catch you tomorrow"




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Torrential Rain - Heating On - 47F - 6mph NE wind

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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 Luther

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Nice Friday - Ikea breakfast with Peter & Joan - 55F

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This picture from John is one of his v.g. pictures of water.

Good decision John to have the tower break the skyline of the middle-distance hill. It makes the picture.

Reminiscent of Scotland's much photographed Eilean Donan Castle. Too much photographed some would say, a bit like the Taj Mahal.

John tells me they are 'tearing themselves away' from the Cote d'Azur because the weather is getting hotter and hotter. They aim to head up through Switzerland on their way to the UK and should arrive home sometime in July. ....... What a holiday?

Here, back at base, we have had a very pleasant day. Peter and Joan came over quite early and we went to IKEA for one of their fabled breakfsasts. It all worked out well and they enjoyed their meal. The four breakfasts and free coffee came to the exorbitant total of £3.96p.

But IKEA aren't daft are they ? After breakfast we all went for a browse round the store. We bought several things and P & J actually bought a table !

The Iris picture on the left was taken yesterday evening in the light of the setting sun. The light was only like this for a few minutes but fortunately I had my camera handy.

This afternoon, after a nap I was inspired to carry on gardening and continued to de-weed the circular bed in the front. Then I planted some petunias to go with the already planted geraniums, but I still have vacant places. The tomato plants are still thriving and I have replanted basil seed. Next job is to clear a bed where Y can plant some coriander. If that sounds as if I'm delegating, it is only because Y always seems successful with coriander and this afternoon I noticed in my seed box an envelope of our own seed !

It has just started raining. To water in my petunias !

My replies to your comments

Bob ..... I remember Retford quite well although I was never actually stationed there. Very oldie-worldie. As you know I feel there should be bye-laws requiring Town Centres to have a Wilco.

You certainly did well to find a pint of Ruddles at £1.29p.

I, like Jill, think you are wrong about the colour to which Lupins revert. I'm sure it is blue. Borne out by those which have gone feral on the motorway verges at the moment. All blue. At least, round here they are.

Jill .... Well done with the Radio 4 newsletter (e-mail refers). I just leave mine in my in-box where it is easy to refer to.

Yvonne ..... Of course you make the important point about buses. I don't use them at all do I? Which makes me completely unqualified to utter about the subject. Mind you, that doesn't usually stop me does it?

Once I would have envied June her Alaska trip. When I was about 14 I read Pierre Berton's book about The Gold rush and was completely captivated. Those place names - Skagway, Anchorage, Dawson City seemed so romantic to a teenage youth.

Just browsing now - Alaska is the only place where you can travel 600 miles in a straight line without encountering a barbed-wire fence.

Debbie .... Thank you for your comment on my post about Watnall Farm Shop on October the 3rd, 2008. I think you must have done a blog-search to trawl for comments about the Shop. Good luck to you. The pies are excellent.

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Quotation time ......

"Good apple pies are a considerable part of our domestic happiness"

Jane Austen

Sleep tight - catch you tomorrow



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Yaris plus Garmin - irresistable - 71F - 9mph NE wind

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An opening shot especially for Y. Dry-stone walling, a stone gate-post, and a field full of this year's amazing buttercups. 2009 has certainly been 'The year of the Yellow Flower'. Firstly the daffodils were good, then the dandelions were unusually good, and now the buttercups are outstanding. In Derbyshire at least, there are rolling fields full of them. And such a pleasant yellow too, much better than rape.

Our destination was Carsington Water and the Sat/Nav took us via Wirksworth - not the way I would have gone - but an excellent route, lots of narrow country lanes with grass growing in the middle. The above shot was from our first coffee-stop.

We had a great time at Carsington. A good place to be - plenty of different interests. Next time we've promised ourselves we'll hire a rowing-boat or an unflatable. Lets just hope the current blog-thread about 'capsize' doesn't prove an omen.

Just before you get to the nearest bird-hide is a carefully nurtured pond with a bridge over and I noticed several blue dragonflies darting about. My Collins Wildlife book allowed me to identify them as Common Blue Damselflies. The snap is the pick of a not very good bunch, all the rest are already in the recycle bin.

A knowledgeable? bystander told me they were laying eggs.

I know nothing about the habits of dragonflies, so I am more than willing to yield the description if anyone knows better.

Another picnic was enjoyed. A flask of coffee of course, but we took some lemonade, some filled cobs, and a selection of fruit. We ate it looking over the water - always attractive to English people. The urban myth is that it stems from our history as a maritime nation.

Last night, thanks to iPlayer we watched Ian Hislop's 'The Changing of the Bard' on BBC 4. The programme was about the Poets Laureate, since Dryden, all the way through to Carol Ann Duffy. We both love his 'impish' sense of humour. Andrew Motion came over very well again.

If you don't fancy actually watching the programme (which is what I have linked you to) click here for some text about it.

My responses to your previous comments

Bob .... Yeah we know all that. What we wanted from you was something that links 'capsize' to a boat overturning. How can it possibly have anything to do with 'cap' or 'size'.

I'm sure your tomatoes will be fine. A resilient species. On one of ours we actually have a tiny little truss already.

Reg .... I will indeed give the Sat/Nav a test (to your house) a week on Wednesday probably. Incidentally my very best wishes go with you all to Bempton Cliffs and I also know that you are aware why I feel it would be too much for me.

Re Hayley. My guess is that the admission of the under 18s won't much affect the 'offpeak members' - except of course for School Holidays.

You are probably right about the 'sneaky' way they are using the alleged results of a vote to support a change that they had decided on anyway.

jbw ..... Thanks very much for the Sat/Nav info. And also for the further particulars in your e-mail. Your point about their value after dark is first-class.

I must research the matter of 'Landmarks'. On the device itself is a 'help' page with loads of info. therein. Always worth scrutinising 'help' pages, in my experience. It's the same with 'right-click' menus. Folks don't realise what a wealth of info is there at their fingertips.

Yvonne ..... It sounds as if you got Hayley membership just right. Trust you.

They obviously need to raise more money and the under 18s is just one method. Lets hope it doesn't spoil it for you, or for Reg and Maureen for that matter.

We agree 100% about our Sat/Nav. Good fun. The loud 'bleeping' when in a speed-restriction area with cameras, is a bit irksome. But better that than a speeding ticket I suppose.

It seems we have a lot to learn yet. But it's going to be an attractive 'learning-curve' not a niggly one.

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Quotation time ........

"The poppy opes her scarlet purse of dreams"

Scharmel Iris

Strange poet. Strange chap. He probably talked to his Sat/Nav.

Just an excuse to use a Bob poppy picture as an endpiece


Sleep tight - Catch you tomorrow
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Activity filled Day - 48F - Cloudy and Cool

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The pictures are from later in the day, and show where Y goes swimming. Today 6 lengths. Jacuzi, and walk home. The Hayley Centre is beautifully situated in pleasant parkland and everything looks in 'good order' - no litter, edges trimmed, grass neatly mown - that sort of thing .

Today we crammed a lot in. Took Library Books back, collected tablets, went over to Joan's for coffee and then to The TreeTops for lunch. Whilst at Joan's we booted-up Yvonne's laptop with the vodafone dongle so Joan could see some correspondence Y wanted her to see.

We had a good chat about wildflowers because Joan really does know the subject well. We identified several pictures from my Cromford shots and she put me right about my umbellifers, my ranuculaecea and my avens etc.. I have so much to learn but she lent me a good book.

After lunch I dropped Y off for her swim and she walked home via The Headstocks, all while I had a much needed lie-down. The chair in the Treetops hadn't suited me at all and eventually I had to give up and go and sit in the car. However, after getting home and taking pain-killers, I rallied enough to go out and de-weed part of the ring border in the front lawn (Y had already more-or-less cracked it) and then we planted some Geraniums, which have done well there before. Excellent, well-rooted plants, some from Aldi and some from Morrisons - they were all good. The we watched Springwatch and enjoyed it. I wish Kate Humble would do less gesticulating though - it must be contagious. Chris Packham the new presenter is good and knowledgeable and quite honestly, although I am sorry he is ill, we were ready for a change from Bill Oddie.

The third picture is from my Cromford collection and shows Viper's Bugloss. Now there is a name to conjure with. I shall have to research how it came to be thus named.

Sorry if the snap is a little dull but the flower was growing in a heavily shaded area and what you see is a fair representation of how it was.

I've decided to try and WoW tomorrow, unless I wake up feeling awful. Helen is turning out and when Reg rang me he said there was talk of going to Darley Abbey near Derby. It sounds like an interesting place and, if their website is any indication, it should be fun.

My responses to your previous comments

jbw ..... I have seen your 'mobile-phone cum sat/nav' up at EPS. I think the point was however that the satellites themselves, up there in the sky, might be reaching the end of their useful .......

Pete B ..... We are all loving this TT info. straight from where it is all happening. Please keep it coming.

Yvonne ..... Now you've mentioned it, bells rang, and I'm not sure if David and gang's invasion of Debra's was not post Le Mans rather than the IofM TT. No doubt when he returns from Holiday he will sort it out.

He sent me a holiday-picture on my mobile this afternoon but I'm unsure how to move it onto my computer because it looks like a video rather than a still.

Jill...... Glad you have sorted out your picture problem. I thought it was impossible to push a USB in the wrong way round. Hope you haven't caused any damage.

What an interesting piece about the Hebe and the bees and butterflies. I've never seen one that popular ! Must have been a memorable sight.

I already knew about sewage-works and tomato plants, and they always look so healthy. Am afraid I personally wouldn't be able to use it as a source though. Bob might !

Please give Jenny our best wishes !

Bob .... Re-introducing past species to this country always worries me. Why bother ? If they turn up of their own accord so be it and they should be cherished but there seems to be more important 'green' issues that need to be worked at.

The Poetry Archive is a very valuable resource and Andrew Motion is to be congratulated for his work on it. Little compares with a poet reading his/her own work. There are exceptions but they are rare.

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Sleep tight - Catch you tomorrow

This is one of Y's favourites - Good enough reason to use it


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Yvonne at Burton Joyce - 60F - 5mph NW wind

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Another Dovedale shot which reminded me of boyhood was this scree which we used to slide down on our backsides. It is rather steeper than it looks from this angle and the one towards the centre of the snap is the one. The other one, on the lefthand side is rubbish. Go and check it out if you don't believe me !

Y has been over at Burton Joyce and managed not to get drenched because the showery weather had continued. Fortunately better weather is forecast for the Bank Holiday weekend. Lets just hope.

The second picture is from a little further down the riverside and close to where the Dipper nest is. Dovedale doesn't change much.

Today I've been quite busy. Sorted the Picasa WebAlbum for WoW at Newark, and Dovedale. Tidied up some gardening projects - I put outside the geranium seedlings I pricked out for Betty. But then brought them in again because it occurred to me that they me be greenhouse varieties rather than for the border.

Caught up on some reading and then prepared a meal for Y's return. The day has zoomed by. No time for the crossword.

My replies to your comments

Yvonne ..... Thanks for your nice comment about the pictures, Apparently Dippers like fast-flowing rivers in hilly country. So the Dove is an ideal place for them.

Bob ..... Sorry about the young greenfinch. We have a bumblebee who would like to join us in the 'big room' and crashes (not fatally) into the window a couple of times a day.

Incy Wincy Denis ... Many thanks for your praise for the dipper picture. It is due to that 70-300nn VR Nikkor which really is a gem of a lens.

Thanks also for your good health wishes. Whatever - I am happy in myself.

Jill ..... The RSPB website is lovely isn't it? To be able to hear a snippet of the bird's song at the click of a button is so helpful.

I agree with you about the Griff Rhys Jones programme about Poetry. He did the topic no favours at all and sounded most of the time as if he was taking the mickey. Thats ok I suppose but he just didn't sound genuine.

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

"Poetry is a deal of joy and pain and wonder, with a dash of the dictionary"

Kahlil Gibran

Sleep tight - catch you tomorrow

A first-class WoW at Dovedale - 60F - Little wind

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This morning I decided to WoW.

After picking up Helen and dropping Y at the Hayley Leisure Centre we went over to Reg's and Dovedale was selected as a venue. Quite a long way I suppose but it proved worth it.

We were lucky with the weather which stayed fine and there were a few brief periods of sun. We parked in the bottom car-park and, thanks to my wheels, I managed to walk as far as the Stepping Stones. The snap on the left is almost compulsory if you visit. And of course many boyhood memories came to me. Informal competitions were held to see who could run across the stepping stones quickest. There were several unplanned 'dips' and The Dove is a cold, cold river. We used to swim in it, further down, at Mappleton where the river is wider and deeper and lengthy periods in the water were not popular. Shall we say 'bracing' !

The 'chaps' went off on their customary trek but I found plenty of interest. Possibly the main thing was this 'Dipper' which I had noticed. I decided to sit down on my wheels chair and observe him/her and managed a few reasonable shots with my 70-300mm treasure.

Then, after staying still for some time the bird flew into this hole in the bank which closer observation revealed to be their nest. The 'dipping' is to collect water-borne insects and other fodder and you can see he has a beak-full.

Picture 3, below and on the left, is the nest and, after I'd found it I was hoping for an action shot of the bird flying in, or out. I sat there for probably 5 minutes but no luck.

When I got home and researched it I found this excellent website, by the RSPB of course, and when you have found your bird, you go to it via an alphabetical chart to particulars. And there's a button to click to hear it's song. Great fun !

For chip-cobs we went to The Cliffe Inn at Crich where we were greeted with the landlady's usual bon-homie and v.good chip-cobs. I had a cheese-cob instead and the home made 'Beetroot and Orange Chutney' was delicious.

When I arrived home I was delighted to open my blood-test result and find my INR level bang-on 3 - exactly where it should be. In consequence, I don't need to be re-tested till the 9th of June and there's no change to my Warfarin dosage.

Yvonne's good experience at the Hayley was great to hear about and she obviously enjoyed herself muchly. It is going to be 'her thing' and I have promised not to muscle in on it.

My responses to your previous comments

Bob ..... Anglesey Abbey is near Cambridge not in Wales. I think I know how it got it's name but I can't remember.

The Big Issue can be v.good and it's heart is in the right place. The 'arts' coverage is often surprisingly good. Mind you, so is The Telegraph's.

Yvonne ...... So glad The Eastwood Hall, Hayley experience worked out so well and I promise not to interfere.

At lunchtime Reg told me that one can eat there and the Restaurant is first class. But prohibitively expensive. You can read his comment about the Jacuzi and the human wave-machine !

Perhaps, if you have more leaflets to deliver, it would be worth taking some kitchen-tongs with you. You could then push the leaflets right through and remain un-injured.

Jill ..... Re vegetables. There's undercooked and undercooked. We quite like al denté and dislike greens boiled till mushy and tinged yellow.

You and I can certainly sit in a swimming-pool lounge and be onlookers. We could amuse ourselves taking the mickey out of the actual swimmers and doing the Telegraph crossword.

Re my Tree book. No complaint about the pictures or the quality. But I wish it were a bigger book, with more entries.

Reg ..... I'll vouch for you. Definitely in Dovedale, followed by Crich.

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"Sleep tight - 10.30pm too late for a quote - catch you tomorrow"


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Good WoW at Strelley - Strong 13mph Westerly - 57F

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This collage is made of 2 of John's photographs from Dune de Pilat and John describes the lower picture as the biggest sand-dune in Europe. 103 metres high !

I love the simplicity of the upper image and John seems to have an excellent 'eye' for a picture. Particularly water !

Keep the pictures coming John - it's great to hear from you, and to see the snaps of what you are doing is the icing on the cake.

My day, following yesterday's action-packed Tuesday. has been comparitively quiet but none-the-less enjoyable.

When we met up at Reg's for WoW, there was much discussion as to venue. In the end, Strelley was chosen, which is just round the corner. I wanted to do some wildflowers and the last thing one wants is a 13mph wind rattling all the subjects about. However, I got some results and decided on a collage in an effort to disguise the errors a little.

There were 9 attendees but, due to his troublesome leg, Roger decided to come round with me rather than tackle the walk with 'the chaps'. The 'collage' is on the left.

Helen has just e-mailed me with some information on Courses for Wildflower identification.

I know there's a wealth of information on-line and in books but they don't seem to work for me. I need someone to point at a plant and say "This is Herb Robert" and then let me take a photograph of it.

There are courses available and I would guess one needs to go at different times of the year because of the transient nature of the subject matter.

Our bridle path route took us over the M1 via a narrow bridge and we both decided to snap some motorway traffic with an attempt at speed-blur.

I don't know how Roger fared but my best effort is on the right.

The trick is to achieve a long exposure time, with a tiny aperture (f22 in this case) preferably with a tripod, which I didn't have with me needless to say. I did my best with the camera braced against one of the stanchions of the Motorway bridge super-structure.

I don't know what you think but it seems to me that the 'blurr' is more pronounced on traffic which is going away from us than it is with traffic approaching !

There is probably a technical reason and perhaps one of more expert members can enlighten us ?

Y is at Burton Joyce tomorrow and I have a more-or-less free day. But I have lots of jobs that will fill it.

My responses to your previously crafted comments

Bob .... Epson ARE good. Brian recommended the model I have and it is still going strong. I forgive it the occasional glitch because the results please me so much. John once visited and, seeing some A4 pictures, said in his inimitable manner "Did you print those Father?". But I am afraid I don't really like printing - mainly because of the faff involved in cutting mounts (incidentally Brian will cut those for you too if you ask him) so I have a tendency to stick to projected images.

Your 'game-dealer' Stuart Rose, seems a very affable and knowledgeable chap. Apparently it was 'on the cards' some years ago that the National Trust would buy Laxton. Certainly some method of preserving it should be devised. It is a living museum and so important to the study of Agricultural History.

Now. Come on ! Everybody knows you drink Rimbaud, not eat it. A glass of a good mature 'Rimbaud de pays' is crisp on the palate and excellent with chips.

Jill ..... Re the Great Tit chicks. Miles says he has counted 6 and he is a pretty reliable source. We can only hope they fare better this year. Although, when calamity struck last year, all the children were very matter-of-fact about it.

I loved the wren story. The are very noisy little birds aren't they ? One wonders how so much sound emanates from such a tiny body. Please keep us informed.

Steel bands have such a mellow sound, and one can understand the relationship with mellow yellow. I tried to find a YouTube steel band that was just right, to link you to. But I failed.

Re your blue-ey tinge in your pictures. You can remedy a lot in Picasa, which I am sure we persuaded you to download. If you have it, we will talk you through the necessary in the near future.

Thanks for asking about my 'blood' and I am delighted to be able to tell you that the level is just about perfect. It is 3.1 and I don't need it tested again for a fortnight. If it is 3-ish then, they will probably risk leaving me for a month.

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Quotation time .......

"When rage and hot blood are his counsellors"

King Henry 1vth Part 2

I've not felt like that for 3 decades. Midly 'miffed' is about my extreme.



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53F - 9mph NW wind - hence chilly - Done lots though !

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This morning I received 2 pictures from John who has now left Brittany and they called in at Parthenay, a Medieval town with the Citadel (shown on the left) and fortifications.

Picture 1 in the collage was taken from the fortifications. The message type (from John's mobile phone to my computer) only allows for the briefest of captions, so I can't bring you up to date on their travels. I'm sure more information will arrive in due course.

David texted me to say that they are in Whitby for the weekend and again, I look forward to hearing more.

Our day has been busy. Y found more to do in the Garage, but mostly cleaning up and tidying things. She hasn't generated more tip-material. I decided to brave the cold wind and do some more work in the garden. I cleared a small section of weedy border and did a small amount of work on my little herb garden. Once I get started gardening I really enjoy it and carry on until done-for. My kneeling device with the handles is a godsend and although getting down and then eventually up again isn't easy, it is at least possible and I don't feel at risk of falling over.

It pleases me to report that my basil seeds have germinated. I only set maybe 5 seeds (on 24th April) because what shall I do with the plants ? Probably Reg and Maureen will accept one and so will Peter and Joan. Derek and Betty next door usually do, and then bring us swaps which is nice.

I managed to sort out a picture. They all looked rubbish and then I realised the cause - I hadn't changed the camera back from spot-metering the moon in the early hours of yesterday morning. Simple, straightforward carelessness ! Take 40 lines.

Picture 3 is to show JBW the Whittards coffee which I prefer and mentioned previously.

So as to get the freshest of fresh flavour I grind the beans in fairly small quantities. Probably 2 days supply, no more. Unground the coffee doesn't go stale and lacklustre.

Y's liking for 'instant' (Carte Noir) is because she doesn't like her coffee as strong as mine. However, when we entertain, I do a large cafetierre and she isn't pedantic about it.

Another reason for grinding my own is that the fineness of the ground varies, depending on whether you are to produce Espresso, Cafetierre, or Filter.

Thats enough about coffee thank you .... editor

My responses to your previous made comments

Bob ..... I agree about the virtues of Council Tips. We too have a charity called 'Family First' who will collect some things but are incredibly picky. We wanted to dispose of a dining table and 6 chairs. They didn't want the table, and would only take 4 chairs, leaving the other 2. In the end we have given up asking them - they manage to make you feel guilty for having the audacity to try to give them something. No doubt a staffing-problem but still an offput.

Re the 'artist' and his/her work. The big difference is that Carol Ann Duffy's poetry is oustandingly good whereas Hitler's paintings were crap.

Jill ..... It seems your Council is more enlightened than ours, who remain good in many other ways.

Re DAB Radios. The picture on the right is my little Sanyo portable which is a DAB Radio, an FM Radio and an MP3 player all rolled into one. The children bought it for me for my 70th and it has been a gem.

I photographed it together with its earphones to show that it is quite small.

It was bought from John Lewis and I guess it would be doubtful if the model is still currently available. John Lewis anyway would be a good place to start your search because they are still a reliable and helpful firm and their assistants generally have a good enough knowledge of their stock to be of genuine help to customers.

Glad the 'party in the park' was a success. Obviously the weather was kind, and I'm glad there was an available 6yr old to help you with the gate !

You are right thag the head at the bottom of the blog was Aristotle, but, there is a certain similarity ..........

Yvonne ...... How we have acquired a mystery rucksack I don't know ! I hope you will now leave the Garage. You have done a brilliant job and thanks for sorting out my bird-feeders stuff, and the garden liqiuds etc..

It is YOU who decides to have The Daily Mail ! We could always have 2 copies of The Telegraph ! What The Mail said about Carol Ann Duffy was just plain untrue and I'm glad I was able to dig out the two clips for you which explains the true position.

JBW .... Although your further contribution to the 'coffee thread' was via e-mail I thank you for it anyway.

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

"If this is coffee, please bring me some tea; but if this is tea, please bring me some coffee"

Abraham Lincoln

"Sleep tight - Catch you tomorrow - May be late because of BJ Carnival"
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Lovely Day - 58F 7mph SW wind - Nails day

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These pictures arrived by e-mail from John this morning but devoid of accompanying text so I can't really tell you the location. He did mention the rose-granite rocks so maybe these are they ? Rob probably knows.

This morning was busy. Y had her hair cut in Eastwood and then we went over to Sherwood for her 'nails' service at her new place.

It certainly looks jazzy and more efficient than the last one on Carlton Hill. I seem to remember it wasn't too clean. Y took her MP4 player with her so she didn't have to attempt to follow conversations in Vietnamese. They did a thorough job and meanwhile I did a little shopping and browsed new charity shops. A 'find' presented itself, a book of Man Ray and the fact that some of it is in French matters not at all.

When Y emerged we came back home because I had an 'obesity-clinic' appointment at 2pm. My nurse-practitioner is very pleased with me. Another 6lbs have vanished bringing me well under 21st. My method is not to specifically avoid anything but simply to eat less. I almost feel that having been so ill is cheating. She wants to see me a fortnight hence so I must ensure I don't start to creep up again.

The sun has been unexpectedly bright - I hope it is so in Durham, for Jill and Ro. At home this afternoon I wanted to try to capture the brilliance of the inner surface of some tulips without burning out any of the red petals.

After all that messing-about I cooked some Quorn fillets with grilled tomasto, oven baked wedges, courgettes and some mange-toute. It worked well and we are quite happy with Quorn and it certainly has a place in our diet.

I was on the verge of WoW-ing - it seems ages since I've seen them all - but I've just rung Reg to say I'll wait another week and then see how I feel. If the weather is as good as it has been today Y and I will go out somewhere, just for an hour. Joan rang an hour or so ago and Y is very pleased her chum has returned home. She misses her, and the occasional chat !

My responses to your previous comments

Pete ..... The Ice cream in blocks is Walls, as Y mentions, but we are out of it so I can't post a photograph. As soon as we have replenished - a piccie will follow.

Bob ..... You are right about the territorial nature of the blackbird. I suppose particularly so at the moment in the mating season.

The flavours are interesting. We have just bought some Twinings 'Green Tea with citrus' which stresses on the packet that one shouldn't leave it to brew for more than 2 minutes.

Yvonne ...... You are doing great with Virgin Media - but we lost the internet again during the night. And I know it isn't our devices at fault, because everything works fine with the Vodafone dongle.

I suspect you are also right about the strength of a handwritten letter. I particularly liked your closing 'sally' that you would have e-mailed them but you couldn't get on the internet !

I also agree about Vince Cable. An impressive man with a lot about him, and an air of integrity. He seems to have more gravitas than Nick Clegg his leader.

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To tired to dig out a quote, or a cartoon - Sorry !


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Almost there - Pleasant day - 56F 2mph E wind

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Y pointed out, quite correctly, that this view as published yesterday, didn't look good. I had inadvertently left the camera set up for portraits. So it softened everything. (Nikon don't like your subjects to have sharp wrinkles)....... This one looks better.

We've had a good day even though I'm still so weary all the time. David called in for an hour this morning which was super. He didn't bring the girls. As he said, preparing the household for a trip out is a big and time consuming job. In any case their liveliness can be a little tiring. It was lovely to hear all the news. He also brought me a bag me of offcuts of material, blue front black/ rear, to use as backdrops. Thanks Helen they are just right.

The roast pork loin was delicious and for tea Y has just served a tasty ham salad with tiny pak choi and tao choi leaves which are unexpected nice served cold.

When I looked at yesterday's tulip collage I noticed that I hadn't included a yellow one so picture 2 is to make amends.

Most of the daffs have now finished and the next thing will be bluebells.

This morning when opening the front gates for David I noticed that our large-ish bed of 'lilies of the valley' are on the point of flowering.

This afternoon Yvonne has watched the Manchester United v Everton Match and was pleased with the result. It means that, in the final, Chelsea will have Everton as their opponents rather than MU.

I caught the exciting penalty shoot out.

My responses to your previously made comments

Yvonne ..... You are quite correct about my accordion and Denis on keyboards. But I was never satisfied with the quality of my accordion-playing. Hence, it came to an end.

I understand that, if Sky get Wimbledon it will be essential to have it. Plus our dissatisfaction with Virgin media.

Mind you, although we are only talking about 1 full day, since the TV man came we haven't had to shut down/reboot. Watch this space.

Jill ..... Tulip colour is such a personal preference. Y prefers subdued where I seem to go for vivid. I could'nt join you in liking double ones - they never look quite right !

I agree with you about Tilly and the tooth-fairy. It will be taken care of.

My taste buds in general are fine. It is just that I seem to have lost my liking for very strong coffee and orange-coloured tea. At the moment, milk and a slice of lemon in tea seems attractive whereas I would once of dismissed it as a drink for women and w**fters.

The weather seems promising for your Durham sojourn. Remember to take a ganzey because it is, after all, the frozen north up there. Cuthbert awaits you !

Bob .... Thanks for your good wishes. I think 'normal' is a place on the map I shall probably need a sat nav to return to.

Roy .... The basil I grow is a minature leaved variety called 'Minette' which roots very easily and is simple to keep going. It likes living on kitchen window sills so will not objject to being taken on holiday in a caravan. I keep several plants on the go and every so often I snip a cutting off and root it in a stem vase.

There is a 'cutting for you' now rooting. If you open the above link you will see what it looks like.

Helen C ..... Thanks for your comment. The 'coughing normally' = coughing devoid of blood.

Please feel free to use a bottle top. One can't copright ideas anyway - not that I would want too anyway.

Here is another one. Not too much manipulation - I simply put the bottle on the windowsill where the background was predominately dark then, in photoshop>select>inverse>and darken the background even further.

For Jill's benefit, and everybody's, I have rotated the image through 180°

You must tell us whereabouts at Moorgreen the bluebells are because we would both like to see them.

I am so much recovered it would be good to see the WoW-ers. Perhaps best for starters would be too join you in the pub for an hour.

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Quotation time ......

"The only way to entertain some folks is to listen to them"

Kim Hubbard

I cant find a decent link to him/her. There seems several Kin Hubbards and I don't know which one. So, please click here for more of his/her quotes.

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