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

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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

My responses to your previous comments

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jacqueline Bisset

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

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Canal-side Walk - 54F - SW at 3mph - Steak and Chips

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We had a lovely walk this morning. Starting off at the Langley Mill end of the Nottingham/Cromford Canal - not a great distance but I managed it with only one stop for a sit down. We went outwards via the footpath and returned along the canal bank. This bridge is almost at the end of the walk. Lots of photogenic things and I thoroughly enjoyed myself. Y was very patient because, being a rambler, she wants to stride purposefully forward.

There's been quite a lot of work down there too (still the same council) and small areas have been fenced off into wild-life friendly enclosures.

Talking of which I acquired a good specimen for my bird collection. A tree-creeper no less. If you look closely you can see what big feet he/she has.

He was creeping up a post however rather than a tree. The picture won't win any prizes - but I don't want it to, it's just a record-shot for my collection and to illustrate the blog.

We didn't see many people. Family with bicycles, families with dogs. men with dogs, a fisherman with fishing tackle ....that sort of thing .....

When we got home, after a sit, I cooked Steak, mushrooms, eggs, and chips. For pudding Y did hot Syrup pudding and Custard. Not very 'obesity-clinic' but it IS Sunday.

My responses to your previous comments

Rob .... Strange about the localised nature of the Virgin 'outage' as they called it. It was restricted to NG16 which must mean you aren't NG16 I suppose. Anyway, I was happy enough with my 'dongle' and quite enjoyed being sort of self-sufficient. And Vodafone were most helpful. I had a box flash up saying I had exceeded my limit. But I hadn't in fact, and a very helpful young lady, probably in India, talked me through upping my monthly limit from 50mbs to a respectable 2500mbs, at no extra cost.

I actually watched the Nimmo Brothers YouTube link which I posted and I liked them. Quite a grungy sound I thought, And they aren't kids which is nice.

Bob ...... Bad luck about the horses. But console yourself. If you had actually backed them, they would probably have lost.

I thought folks would like your 'bike on the pit-tip' collage. Such a poignant picture. Are you sure the cyclist's body isn't in the water ?

You are quite right about tonights's telly viewing. Thank goodness for BBC iPlayer and Catchup TV.

Re - Headstocks. Reg's explanation is first rate but I think Jill, and everybody else too, would like to see a shot of Clipstone's headstocks, dramatic as they are. You took some from the bus I seem to remember - if your impeccable filing system etc ......

Re - JBW. There is no fakir to stand comparison.

Jill .... Sound advice with the Kerria. Cutting back to ground level works wonders for many plants.

Glad you enjoyed the 'collage' and Reg's piece about 'headstocks' is faultless. It doesn't need adding to. And we all seem in agreement about pies too.....

And you are right about the sunshine. It lifts everyone's spirits. Particularly after such a long, hard, winter.

Yvonne ..... As you say, fancy you missing the internet ! Never thought ... ...

I know your approach to pain makes sense. But even you can't always control your face. And when your bursitis strikes, a big wince is inevitable.

I'm sure the Sports Desk will be pleased with your input. But shouldn't you be reporting ladies tennis and lacrosse and things like that. Rather than Soccer, Ice Hockey and Rugby League ! ...... I speak in jest ! And when you see Margaret Mulligan and have a snippet about Lachs .... you can WoW them all.

Reg ... Thanks for the spot-on explanation of 'headstocks'.

When I was at Langold, a pal of mine was the Engine-Wright. What a skilled job ! It's probably different now but in those days he had to work out how to stop the cage precisely at the bottom of the shaft. Or at different seams on the way down. This of course varied from time to time and ropes stretched, and shrank. And lives depended on his skill.

Like 4 ticks, son David had a temp. job at Northern Foods - to begin with, squirting hot jelly in the hole at the top of pork pies.

He went on to work for them full time and was making a good career for himself in management. Then he decided on a complete career change and now teaches Maths.

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I had a nice chat to David this morning and secured Sky's permission to use a few lines of her poetry. She has been collecting together 20 poems to send to her adult Poet friend who wants to see them.

She wanted to complete that assignment before I published anything. They are on holday now and on Friday morning are off to Shropshire with the Caravan. Here's hoping they have a lovely time and great weather.

Quotation time ......

"Keep your face always toward the sunshine - and the shadows will fall behind you"

Walt Whitman

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Busy, rewarding, beautiful day - Definitely Spring

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My first picture has to be Helen's Duck. She sent it me on 6th March for publication in the hope of identification. It was on the Cromford end of the Canal.

To my untutored eye it looks like a Mongrel Mallard. But we hope Roy may be able to 'name that duck'. It may be another of his 'Eh up me' s.

My second job is by way of an experiment.

Please click here and if it works you should be able to hear the birdsong I recorded at 4.30am yesterday morning. Again, I would be delighted if someone could say Robin or Chaffinch or Blackbird etc.

Sorry, it doesn't seem to work at this end. But I'll leave it live - it might work on somebody else's computer. ..... Back to the drawing-board.

The snap on the left intrigued me, it looked as if the vapour-trails were converging on the rising sun.

This morning I took some pictures, remembering Y's border where she needs a record of empty spaces. Then I sorted out the bird feeders. After a light lunch I went and shopped so we don't have to rush about tomorrow when Yvonne returns from her grannying duties.

It was fortunate she was there because Elli had to kept off school due to a bad cough and Y was able to do the necessary.

My afternoon photographs were the Langley Mill Boat Basin. always photogenic

The picture on the right appealed due to its symmetry, and proper water. If Pete (Mannanan) reads this post he will enjoy the picture. No canals on the Isle of Man you see.




My responses to your previous comments

Yvonne ..... Ha Ha ! Thats what comes of waking up feeling good !

I thought "just show me that dragon what's troubling my darlin' girl" and I'll sort the blighter out. I think I must have had one of those weird lucid dreams. It'll be nice to have you back tomorrow.

You are right about the weather. This afternoon was super here too. If you are game I would like to plan a trip to Montecute House (with overnight stay) and see the National Portrait Gallery Exhibition of portraits of Tudor Women. Your favourite period !

Bob .... I'm confused with the days now. If you say 'tomorrow' yesterday, is it 'today' today. If you catch my drift. I hope you enjoy your Veg Curry whenever you have it. Those Aubergines sound a real bargain. Can you freeze them?

For anyone who is interested in Urban Farming this is a link to last week's The Food Programme which was about Cuba's approach. please click I had sent it to Bob and Rob and both thought it important. Bob suggested blogging the link - so there it is.

Ages ago I said to Y "If the house remains unsold long enough, the large garden will prove a plus point rather than a disincentive"

I fully accept the deserved wrist-slap for my reference to americans being of caucasian stock. I was only thinking of the Pilgrim Fathers not everybody else. Sorry !! How prejudiced of me.

Rob ..... My apology is abject ! And I completely retract my caucasian description of americans. See above in my comment on Bob's comment.

Re ploughing with oxen. Hasn't Dennis a photo of similar in Spain ? Or are they towing a cart ? I remember one picture clearly, the cart one, but have a vague recollection of another.

I don't know if the Sports Desk would be intending to cover the Rugby ? If not I think we must record the English victory over the French. So nice to see Martin Johnson with a smile on his face.

Jill ..... I didn't think you were being racist at all. It just reminded me of my friend and his unwillingness to contemplate reading a book on racism by an american (it is Stewart A. who we are talking about Bob). Absolutely no need for apology, and I'm absolutely sure no-one was offended. Hides like rhinocerouses etc...

You are also right about the Wells Fargo cow catchers ! It was a convenient shorthand.

Oh dear oh dear, - as you say they are making it difficult for you. Doubtless on purpose ! ..... But you are intelligent and tenacious. Pity the poor people who are neither. They would have given up ages ago and the Council would have clocked another victory. You go for it gal ! ..... The blog is behind you.

Reg .... That's great stuff Reg. Jill will be delighted.

I would quite like the job of serving a writ on Boris if the chance arises. I can offer good work experience on this one. Not that I dislike Boris - he seems the sort of chap you could enjoy an hour with in the pub.

And he seems to have some very good ideas about London too.

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

"Patriotism is a kind of religion; it is the egg from which wars are hatched"

Guy de Maupassant

If anyone wanted to study the art of the Short Story writer they could do worse than buy a copy of his short stories. Each one a beautifully crafted jewel.

"Sleep tight - catch you tomorrow"

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Weekend Off - 47F -Weather still 'Iffy'

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You may be becoming satiated with Trent Bridge pictures so this may well be the last. Unless a fellow WoW-er offers me something specifically for inclusion.

The picture on the left appeals because of its front to rear crispness. The reason is simple - 50mm lens at f11 which is adequate for a good depth of field.

During the night, on radio, I heard Les Dennis on With Great Pleasure and was favourably surprised. He had unexpected depths and came across as a very nice chap !

This morning I took Y to the railway station to commence her trek to Palmers Green. It was surprising how few vehicles and people there were about. Can it be the recession? No problem with parking and there didn't seem to be the usual throng milling around in the entrance area. She later texted me to announce her safe arrival but, having spoken on the phone around 8.30pm , her journey after St Pancras was horrific.

After the railway station I went to Maplins on Radford Boulevard for a few bits and bobs. I wanted a mini vacuum cleaner like Reg's so my D80's innards will be pristine, and I also needed a couple of headphone extension cables for ease of radio-listening in bed. I opted for 1½ metre length. Also needed were some smaller headed Phillips screwdrivers.

The snap on the left, on my mobile phone, is not a competition winner but will I hope convey the feel of the place. It has the same effect on me as IKEA - I could spend hours in there just browsing. As you know, I am no 'handyman', but the packs of tools look so bright and efficient. After that I went to the Aldi next door for some 'food essentials' until Y returns on Tuesday.

Photos for the WoW Album for Trent Bridge continue to arrive and I have enjoyed the activity and little tasks necessary to upload them. Then I circulated the Picasa Web Album link to those involved to keep them up-to-date.

TJ rang to make sure I was OK - she is so good at 'thinking about my welfare'.

During the morning I also sorted out my AntiVirus issue with ESET. They were most helpful and easy to deal with. So - another item ticked off my to-do-list.

Looking forward to going to Long Eaton tomorrow and seeing them all and getting up-to-date.

My responses to your previous comments

Jill ..... You and I must stick together about County Hall, irrespective of Bob's support for the extension. I think Y is in our camp too although we didn't have time to discuss it in depth.

Food is tricky ! This morning for instance I decided on two boiled eggs with bread & butter, a 'once every ten months' breakfast decision. As you said earlier, tea and toast takes some beating. I've 'gone off' muesli because it sticks to my teeth. Full English is for holidays, or IKEA of course and I'm not keen on porridge.

Like Y, I love your Voltaire quip ! - très imaginatif madame.

Bob ..... We love corned-beef hash but I don't even need to look in my 'obesity clinic' handouts. The general rule is - "If its really nice, its bad for you".

Congratulations on your pastry too. My hands are too warm I understand. My Mum used to say you need ice-cold hands to make decent shortcrust.

Thanks for the architectural info and opinion. I knew we could rely on you.

David Jones certainly is enlightened. A joy to be with and v. good for an hour in the pub. I am fairly sure you will have met him at our house during one of our periodic 'thrashes' perhaps at 199 Derby Road. We don't seem to do them anymore. Just the odd sausage-fest.

Yvonne ..... I will try to remain unbiscuited during your absence. But nibbling instead of cooked meals is a temptation. When you return we'll resume with a will.

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Quotation time .......

"Nothing makes it easier to resist temptation than a proper bringing-up, a sound set of values - and witnesses"

Franklin P. Jones

Lots of bits and bobs to do tomorrow and if the light is OK I must do some record-photography in the garden. There is a border Y wants recorded ao she knows where the gaps are, for the next planting. Better than drawing a plan. BTW, Y has taken the Casio to London because she needs some up-to-date people pictures.

"Sleep tight - catch you tomorrow"

Hope I haven't forgotten anything

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WoW at Trent Bridge - Busy Day - Short Blog Post

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"WoW-ers preparing to storm Trent Bridge".

Ten WoW-ers decided to chance the uncertain weather forecast and we were reasonably lucky.

The light wasn't brilliant, but enough for some photographs and we had our chip cobs in The Nurseryman at Beeston (I couldn't find a decent link, so there isn't one). The baguettes were first-rate but had been ordered before Helen and I reached the pub. I was intending to have something a little more 'obesity-clinic'. However, I only ate a few chips and Reg took a snap of my leftovers (which he has kindly e-mailed to Y in support of my story).

I suspended publication at that point intending to return, but was overtaken by sleep. So it is now 7.30am the following day, if that makes sense. Although the picture on the left was with a conventional lens I was able to try out my pinhole after Reg's 'housekeeping' and can report an enormous improvement. It is a relief to know that it was free-floating crud within the camera body and on the sensor and not some deep seated problem. Thanks Reg !!

Getting onto the embankment was a problem. All the ways I knew 50 years ago have been altered and I finished up doing a hair-raising and doubtless illegal u-turn and a sharp left to get to roughly from where this snap was taken.

Firstly I had tried to approach via The Meadows but each road leading to our destination was blocked off and we finished up back on London Road.

I have undertaken the job of 'collator' of WoW pictures and the pictures (I shall have time now Nat Trust free) are already coming in. Thanks chaps. WoW-ers are encouraged to send me up to three pictures from every outing whereupon I will standardise the sizing to 1024 x 768 pxs and create a WebAlbums folder for each WoW. It is a job I shall enjoy doing. I intend to make the folder only be accessible to named people which should deal with any potential picture- thieves and copyright.

My responses to your previous comments

Jill..... What about chocolate at night ? Easy to digest, fattening and satisfying. Only snag is it goes all over the pillow if one dribbles. I'm constantly in trouble for this. Anyway, I'm giving it up because it isn't quite 'obesity clinic' which should make it ideal for you.

Those progs about Heston Blumenthal with guests are a hoot. He is quite dotty but very entertaining and he does explode quite a few cooking myths I find.


Bob ..... Thanks for the picture-plaudits. Agree about most vicars. They just seem disinclined to take the trouble to research enough biographical info about the deceased. So painful and inadequate for the family particularly.

Pete (Mannanan) ...... Thanks for the praise. n.b. That's a link to Pete's website folks.....editor

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Quotation time .......

"The trouble with weather forecasting is that it's right too often for us to ignore it and wrong too often for us to rely on it"

Patrick Young

I haven't given a link to his name because Google presented me with 22,300,000 pages and I couldn't decide which Patrick Young.

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"Have a nice day - catch you tomorrow"


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WoW at Whatstandwell - then Codnor Reservoir

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A most pleasant WoW day with a good turnout of 7. We went first to the Cromford Canal at the Whatstandwell end and the chaps enjoyed a good, if muddy walk starting along the Canal towpath. The link takes you to the Derbyshire CC site about the Canal in general.

See Picture 1, although this was looking back towards where the cars were parked. The light was good and a nicely romantic sort of mistiness over the more distant trees. Reg tells me there are distant plans to desilt and open up the section I have illustrated.

We had our chip-cob at the Cliff Inn at Crich and the link is to the best website I could find but I'm afraid it isn't very good. The site doesn't do the pub justice. The landlady has been in the pub for ages and the chip-cobs are first rate. Also, some interesting beer which I heard the chaps discussing.

Their walk wasn't too long, neither was lunch, and now the days are just that little bit longer we decided to visit Codnor Park Reservoir during our return journey. A sanctuary for water-fowl and anglers by the look of it. And only a couple of miles from Brinsley. Terry, whose first day out with us it was, swapped cars so I didn't need to drive back to Reg's to drop him off. He really enjoyed himself too.

Y also had a good day and managed a quick trip down to Nottingham. She needed to go to Bromley House and a couple of other visits and says what a boon her MP4 player is, as an anti loudy and screaming kids.

After I'd sorted my pictures out I managed an hour's quick kip and then felt in the mood for preparing tea. We finished off yesterday's 'spagbol' so preparation wasn't onerous. Then we had Lidl rice-pudding which was great and in my case with a big dollop of raspberry jam in the middle !

My responses to your previous comments.

JBW ..... Good point about 'where do I keep my PC to go with the memory-stick'? I know you ask in jest. The memory stick is suprisingly useful.

Sorry I had to reject your second comment, because the ball-point pen cum memory stick sounds an excellent idea. But, if I had accepted your second 'comment' I would be morally bound to accept multiple submissions from everyone else too. Anyway, you were kind enough to e-mail me saying you fully understood.

Rob ..... Ha Ha ! Good joke. I really need a memory stick which I can ring, to give me a clue where the car keys are don't I? This is getting complicated.

Next time we chat we must discuss 'Son of an Evening with .....' I'm not anti because there is so much easily understood stuff I could continue with. And I know that you, plus Elaine of course, keep churning good pictures out ! The pin-hole stuff was very interesting and would stand further exposition.

Glad you had such a good time at Sileby ! And Gianpiero Ferrari sounds as if he will be interesting at EPS.

It is good to have Jill back from her cruise isn't it. Pictures have been promised.

Helen C ..... Ha Ha ! witty you. It will be good when you are back to WoW-ing. I'm sure Jill won't take offence about 'knitting' - she is an expert, a member of groups, and prominent in the field. And, when she tells us all about it, she and her 'knitting chums' seem to have a great time. Alcohol is regularly consumed which I'm sure adds to it.

Kevin B ..... I was almost sure it was Brian Hanrahan. And, if you read Jill later on she says that, although the quote was mentioned, the lecturer didn't claim it as his own.

Jill .... The consensus seems to support your view about the 'UK map' sky. Almost certainly 'improved'.. Isn't it a shame. You can't trust anything at all.

My guess is that you will be delighted with Sky. We know several very happy users. And Ro will love the 'sports coverage'.

Thanks for further info about your holiday. You certainly had lots of choice of things to do. The idea of the tickets lasting all day is good, even if one trip lasting all day would be a bit heavy for us. We like 'doing our own thing' but tour-operators are usually most co-operative. On one holiday of ours the coach driver, setting off with our fellow-guests on a full day tour, dropped Y and me off at the Rijksmuseum in the morning. Neither of us had actually seen The Night Watch. We had a full day there and eventually made our own way back to the Hotel. Quite an adventure.

Sorry about the sexist quote. But anyway the author was a woman ! I guess that makes it worse ?

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Quotation time ........

"Museums, museum, museums, object lessons rigged out to illustrate unsound theories .........................."

D. H. Lawrence

"Sleep tight - catch you tomorrow"


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Good WoW day - at Bakewell - then Miners Standard

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Our WoW took us to Bakewell and the above is the Old Bridge taken from a newer bridge. The lady in the red coat on the seat was a bonus. The chaps found me a good parking spot near the Agricultural Centre and without having to walk far I found plenty to occupy me. After their walk the weather deteriorated. The day has been much milder, 48F at the moment and the wind has completely died down.

For lunch we returned to The Miners Standard at Winster and had a pleasant lunchtime, Lively conversation and some laughs. This framed notice intrigued us because we wanted to know what 'Sutlers' were.

According to the landlord they were a sort of early 'procurement officer' for the military. My Etymology Dictionary fully endorses his opinion.

sutler

"person who follows an army to sell food to soldiers," 1590, from M.Du. soeteler "small tradesman, sutler, camp cook" (Du. zoetelaar), cognate with M.L.G. suteler, sudeler "person who performs dirty tasks," M.H.G. sudelen "to cook badly," M.Du. soetelen "to cook badly." Probably related to Du. zieder, Ger. sieden "to seethe" (see seethe).

Aren't online Reference Books magic ?

There was much discussion as to the difference (if any?) between Ale and Beer. It was noted that India Pale Ale and Mild Ale sound correct but Bitter Beer is right. Perhaps Bungus, with his knowledge of the licensing trade can assist?

The chip-cobs were well up to standard and there were actually two varieties of vinegar -

Sarsons and Lichfields. Well !

I felt I had to find room for this cute junior gull who was perched on a piece of driftwood just offstage right front of Picture 1.

For the photographers it was on my 70-300mm VR Nikkor, at the long end. The gull must have been 40yards away. This vibration-reduction technique really works like a charm and I love the lens !

This evening we watched Andrew Graham-Dixon on BBC 4 doing Travels with Vasari and it was excellent. He made a first-rate programme of it.

Vasari's "Lives of the Artists" was one of my first year set-books and I still have that well-thumbed and heavily annotated volume around somewhere. Andrew Graham-Dixon is an engaging chap and a tops art-historian. I feel I ought to re-read Vasari and that can't be bad.

Re links. Y tells me that yesterday's link to Survivors was to the original series and of little interest to anyone. Please click here for a page about the current series. Sorry folks for getting my links in a twist !

I can't possibly move onto 'comments' without a resounding thank you to Jill for my hand-knitted, fingerless gloves personally designed for cold WoW days.

When I got home from WoW a mysterious package had arrived through the post. I honestly had no idea before opening the package that I would find these delightful and so useful gloves.

They feel so comfortable and lovely and warm and just the job for camera-clicking at this time of year.

Thank you Jill !

Photograph courtesy of Y, who took it for me !


Comments

bungus ...... I accept the opening paras as a reasonable enough account.

It is my intention to try your highly recommended Aldi marlin. Each time we visit Aldi I intend to buy some and each time I forget. It has been written on shopping lists, programmed into my phone etc., all to to avail. Perhaps God doesn't want us to eat marlin (an anagram of 'lame train' by the way - could this be something to do with it?)

30 seconds is more than enough to miss out on a sunset ! They don't hang about do they ?

Speaking on a mobile phone is obviously something you have forgotten, not 'not learned' because I distinctly remember being at Northern College and exchanging the spoken word with you.

Jill ........ Please see above re my gloves.

You are probably correct about £4.99 for my Tesco electric jug. Whatever it was, it works perfectly and isn't at all slow, which some of them are.

No. I don't add beer to batter. Maybe someone else mentioned it. Ages ago I used to add a half-teaspoon of 'golden egg' for added crispness. But you can't get it nowadays.

Poor you and your electric gates ! I've heard of gated-villages but a gated house must have been quite scary.

Join you in being sorry about Woollies ..... Do you remember 'nothing over sixpence'. Those were the days.

I hope bungus has e-mailed you the Radio Nottingham stuff about the 'mystery blanket' gang and Debbie Abrahams. There are pictures and I definitely recognise at least one square from the pictures you sent me. A black and white one of interesting design.

Quotation time ....... I would love to have spent that 'hour in a pub' with Mark Twain......

"I have been through some terrible things in my life, some of which actually happened"

Mark Twain

Y is bombing off to Burton Joyce tomorrow and I am having a quiet day 'at home' prolly most of it in kip - unless something fires my burners ! There often is - I'm pleased to say.

I've downloaded a programme called Photology please click here if you are interested, which claims to sort out your old photos into 'landscapes', 'people', 'faces', 'red' etc., without you having to wade through them adding tags. I shall play arounbd with it and if it's any good I'll publish more details.

In the evening at EPS we have "An evening with Uncle Roy". I'm looking forward to it.

"Sleep tight - catch you tomorrow - sometime"



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WoW at Newark - I was absent

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I am indebted to Reg for both of the lead pictures because I wasn't able to WoW today. Breakfast at Ikea and 'lamp' buying took priority plus some legs-therapy lying down.

The chaps went to Newark on a lovely sunny morning and enjoyed a walk round the river. By lunch-time the weather deteriorated and they had what sounds like a mediocre chip baguette at The Bridge at Oxton. Apparently the baguette was great but the chips were not.

The bridge shown however is the one at Newark, adjacent to the castle, and please click here for some local history. An important snippet of which is that, in 1216 at Newark Castle, Friar Tuck poisoned King John in revenge for his murder of Maid Marion.

And, as if by magic, Reg's picture 2, is of a moored boat, the Friar Tuck.!

Y and I breakfasted at IKEA, for £1.90 for the two of us including our free coffee. After that we bought a new halogen lamp for my room and thence to Lidl for a more general re-provisioning. Then home, lay down, and this afternoon we managed to put some of Y's pictures on her MP4 player, a lengthy job because I couldn't find a more nimble method than to drag/drop each file individually.

STOP PRESS - John Sergeant has withdrawn from Strictly come Dancing. Clicky here for details. He gave a very dignified press conference. And although the judges were unanimous in claiming he should have stayed, I feel their relentless sniping must have finally reached him. I can't say that I personally am very interested in even watching it on Saturday.

Comments

bungus ...... I feel you are a little confused about blog-transmission times. The time shown at the foot of the blog-post is the time I began the blog, not the time I finally published it.

I haven't made up the "trees the same shape as their leaves" bit, but I can't remember its source.

I'm afraid your assumption that only pictures you have saved to Web Albums would survive a PC crash is correct. Picasa is very helpful though in that burning your pics onto CDs/DVDs is very straightforward. With Picasa open, if you look at a folder you will see, just under its title a row of icons. The fourth one along is to create a CD/DVD, if you hover your cursor over it, you will see the text.

Things are recoverable from google by opening your google account, for which, unfortunately, you will need your password. Perhaps Danny could help.

Thanks for carrying on with the Haikus.

Jill ...... Thanks for not being really anonymous. I get so confused. Not kidding about 'neat', nor about tree-shapes.

American humourists, from Twain onwards can be very amusing. The proud tradition is carried forward by P. J. O'Rourke.

I'm with you in suspecting that John was 'persuaded'. But Y feels that, being such a strong character, it must have been his own decision, un-pressurised. She also had a good read in the web-site.

kevin ..... thanks for your advice but I am reasonably abreast of things like disc-maintenance. For some time I've used 10bit SmartDefrag, an excellent little programme which runs in the background defragging your disc/discs on a 24/7 basis.

anonymousrob ...... As above to Kevin. You are right. There is a 'school of thought' that is anti-defragging. I generally have a good clear out each week with CCleaner which is preferred to Windows own Disk Cleaner. It's a freebie and the title is a link to a download page should you fancy it.

A meeting in a suitable Codgers Cafe sounds a great idea! You can put me down for a place and I'm sure Bungus will feel likewise.

You must ask Bungus to e-mail you the sans pantalons picture. I would not be so bold as to blog it.

I actually hope that you are right and that John Sergeant does indeed take a few with him !

Re broadband/ modems/ analogue systems/cookies/startup menus/registries et al. Having opened a can of digital worms I intend to firmly close it again. We try to keep this journal fairly free of technical discussions. It was all Jill's fault for asking in the first place,

You are doing fine on the Fashion Desk but, if you can return to the Sports Desk for a moment, Y tells me that the German match was a very good game to watch and Fabio Capella was well pleased.

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Quotation time ............... The unanimity of the Strictly judges in belated support for John Sergeant makes this paricularly relevant.....

"So this is how liberty dies. With thunderous applause"

George Lucas

"Sleep tight - catch you tomorrow"


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Y at Burton Joyce - EPS this evening.

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All the pictures are from yesterday's WoW and you can see what a pretty village Alport is. Unspoilt is the word which spring to mind. It is unfortunate that people have cars but they need them there more than we do in the Eastwood/Brinsley area.

Picture 1 is mine (some more chocolate box for Bungus) but I'm relieved he doesn't necessarily use the phrase as a term of disapproval. Picture 2 is by Helen and shows me trying to capture the pretty cottage (shown yesterday) in some decent light. My leather coat is genuinely distressed and at 40+ years old is entitled to be distressed. Y has never liked it and calls it my gestapo coat. But yesterday with such a cold wind it was just what was needed. The coat repels wind and water with equal panache and is extremely comfortable to wear.

Picture 3 is again by Helen and shows Reg and Denis (incy wincy) discussing the finer points of Mill-races, weirs, and charming country bridges.

I have achieved a lot today. Carphone Warehouse were given an ultimatum. Either fix my phone so I can receive calls and all other functions, or give me my money back.

They chose the former. The girl who had originally served me had messed things up. I daren't go into detail because it becomes confusing. Basically by putting my old Sim card into my new phone meant that I retained my old number.

So I had to spend time this morning circulating to everyone who I had informed that my number had changed, that it hadn't. (see what I mean about confusing) Not straightforward because I got several 'mailer daemons' but I hope things are now sorted. I'm pleased because I really like the phone. It has a pleasantly solid and well-made feel.

Another, more pleasant task has been to install my recently arrived Photoshop Elements 7 on the Office PC. A genuinely user-friendly piece of software more suited to my needs and abilities (sounds like the Communist Manifesto dunnit?) than the full grown-up version ! And it installed in a straightforward and intuitive manner which should save me from becoming a 'Reg-botherer' again.

I decided on an early blog because it's doubtful that I shall feel up to it when return from Eastwood. A 'volunteers evening' is planned and I have offered to 'do' something about Picasa, Picasa Web Albums, and Blogs, if anyone is interested. My guess is they will all want to concentrate on Photoshop anyway - their choice isn't it ?

Denis (incy wincy) has offered to bring prints and talk about them till tea-break. I've asked him to be sure to bring the infra-red 'dunes and life-belt stand' picture because I am keen to see the actual mounted print rather than a digital image on a computer screen. Reg sounded a little worried that not enough people would bring things - but I feel sure that it will be like an adaptation of the 'Peter Principle' i.e. that 'work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion'.

The other reason for an early blog is because neither of us has started packing yet. I also need to download some 'podcasts' etc., onto my MP3 player and DAB radio so I have to hand something to listen to. From National Service days I remember that Deutsche Welle was a bit heavy going (but now, having found a link, the script is in English). I don't expect the radio will be though. Nordwest Deutsche Rundfunk was easier on the ear but, having found a link, I note that it closed down in 1955 !

Comments

bungus ...... Interesting about Jessica's homework. Is the 'cupboard' referred to, the 'naughty cupboard' ?

The grandchildren never cease to amaze. Millicent, speaking on the phone with great confidence, told me a few minutes ago that Grandma isn't very good at the card game 'pairs'. (The cards are dealt face down, randomly, on the floor) You can turn one over but then if it doesn't match, you have to replace it face-down and try to remember where it is. If you get 2 matching, you pick them up and score 1 point. At 3yrs, Millicent beats Y every time, and genuinely, because Y doesn't 'let her win' - there's no need to.

Re 'energy saving'. And there's me thinking that plug-ins are software extensions to Firefox and similar open-source programmes.

Re chip-cobs. There were, under the mountain of first-class chips, rather nice wholemeal seeded cobs.

Re Ann's picture. I may be 'unkind to seal pips' - I don't know because I've never eaten any. Don't they get stuck behind your teeth ?

Re 'taste-less fish'. If all there was to eat was some obscure, easily farmed fish, that didn't have any flavour, I would join Helen and Sandra and become vegetarian. I wouldn't go as far as 'no animal products' because I would be happy to get my protein intake via the cheese-board.

Like you I can sleep almost anywhere - when I can sleep at all, that is. As soon as we are back from the Rhine, I aim to tackle the cake-recipes.

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A conversation yesterday about English weather brought to mind a J. B. Priestley quote but I'm damned if I can find it. It was to do with putting his hand on the wood of his desk and knowing the tree had experienced March winds, snowy Februaries and the July sun....... Ah well ! This one will have to do ..............

“If there is one thing left that I would like to do, it's to write something really beautiful. And I could do it, you know. I could still do it.”

Addicted to Priestley's essays before moving onto the novels, I had a good grounding. And I consider 'An Inspector Calls' perhaps the most powerful play of the 2oth Century. He was responsible I think for my early lurch to the left, from which I have never straightened. There is a connection to the currently popular "The Suspicions of Mr Whicher" by Kate Summerscale.

Might catch you later - Might not !

Gorgeous Sunday - Canal Walk

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After my regular and much cherished Sunday morning chat with David, this morning, with the weather being so lovely, we decided on a walk along the Canal Bank and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.

So much to see and nice Erewash Valley stalwarts to talk to as they walked, jogged, cycled or canoed past. (a good example of their niceness is that while messing about I unbeknowingly dropped a filter from my camera -bag. We carried on walking and ten minutes later a jogger who had been going in the opposite direction found it, turned round and caught up with us. "I think you dropped this" he said, proffering my Cokin x4 filter). What can I say !

I took my wheels (of course) and we managed quite a long distance, with a couple of sit-down pit stops. Y loved it and I was so comfortable sitting on top of the bridge I could have stayed there all day. A side effect of my 'wheels' is that I can walk at a much quicker pace than without them.

Picture 2 is a 'water-boatman'. Ages since I've seen one. There were several on the canal and, yet again, my Nikon 'vibration reduction' lens performed well. I didn't expect to get this sharp at 300mm. Aren't I having fun with it?

This one was temporarily static, but mostly they were scudding about quite quickly. Reg has told me something about changing the VR to 'active' for moving objects. I shall have to read the instructions.

Y is, as I predicted, racing along with her laptop. Without any assistance at all she can now cope with e-mails, finding the result of a football match, and navigating e-bay to track down a missing Poldark video. Not to mention loading her 'Vista for Dummies' DVD and learning how to play it 'full screen'.

This evening we watched the 'Strictly come Dancing' results show ! We must be the only people not annoyed by Brucie. Anyway, our votes did the trick and John Sergeant stayed in. Phil Daniels and Flavia went out and I'm not suprised. In this morning's Telegraph Bryony Gordon said he danced like a mixture of a corpse and an ironing-board. She's got a way with words .......

Comments

Jill ...... The premature publication was due to the problem with using the 'blog this' procedure with pictures. They were far too big and I had to revert to tried and trusted methods. (you wouldn't expect me to suffer with 'premature publication' at my age, would you).

Great to hear your adventure was such a success. You are quite right about obsessives, what ever the obsession. From Photographers and Knitters to Ramblers through Morris Dancers and Penny Whistle players - all potentially problematic differences are levelled by the common interest.

Whatever Shakesperean scholars we may have, will find little to carp about re your quote about the ravelled sleeve etc......

I too enjoyed the Robert Hughes programme 'The Mona Lisa Curse'. He made some good points, and I have enjoyed reading his material for a good while now.

4 ticks ..... Your Friday comment did appear twice. But that is better than not at all (like Rob's - see below).

Talking about the cider making you feel happy quickly - my Fentanyl Patches have the same effect on me. The other day I missed changing them in the morning due to having a bath, then the boilerman coming, the having to do something else - so I forgot. Had a painful and depressing day. When I remembered and changed them around 6pm - WOW .... inside 2o minutes my pains had gone and I felt on top of the world !

incy wincy .... we need to talk on the 'telling bone' or exchange e-mails. Or speak to Reg. There are 'issues' as young people call them.

I don't know what to say about the 'wedding picture'. Did someone download it from the blog ? Or obtain it from another source?.

bungus ...... Like Jill, your Dr Johnson quote is quite accurate enough for the purpose. Without looking it up I think it starts off being about a woman preaching.

Re. big blokes dancing - there have been several examples on Strictly....... Darren Gough, the fast bowler, atcually won, Peter Shmeichael the goal-keeper, and a couple of others spring to mind. But of course you are glued to the X factor.

My county-trial was only as a schoolboy - but I suspect that I was guilty of being occasionally irritating even then.

Thanks for your advice to keep pressing buttons on the earphones ! Are you sure this doesn't constitute 'boggering about' with them ?

See other comments - no - it wasn't a typo in the Blanchard's Bakery sentence. All will be revealed at an appropriate time.

anonymousrob ...... Sorry about your vanishing-comment. Is it a touch of dongle-trouble ?

Unhappily I feel you are right about incy wincy's photo-ideas. And he couldn't copyright that particular one because he didn't take it...... How it was obtained remains a mystery. Perhaps Elaine or yourself sent it to them ?

As Professor Fletcher always says "Don't look for a complicated explanation when a simple one fits the facts." It is known in academic circles as 'Occam's Razor'.

Strangely enough, as a non-sports listener, during the night I often listen to Radio 5. The 'Up all Night' show is very good. Particularly when it's Rhod Sharpe.

reg ..... see above comment to incy wincy.

I've e-mailed you re the 'bubbles' picture and I suppose it would be best if I took the picture myself. Unfortunately, with one thing and another, I have not left myself much time. I may well decide not to enter.

Picture 3 is also performing duty as the quotation slot. Yet another page from my 'Tennyson-selected' quotes.



My only regret is that it is such a small book ! Never mind, I mustn't be greedy.

That train must be due - surely !




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Missed out on WoWing - At home day

Sorry about a last week's picture (Milldale Bridge) but I had to offer my apologies at WoW today. Awful night; cat napped for 20 minutes at a time before the pain woke me up. I gave up around 3am and comfy-chair plus hot pad and plenty pain killers eventually eased it off.

But I couldn't face the journey to Buxton. It is hilly and the Museum hosting the Exhibition isn't in the easiest of places. However, I am keen to hear about it. Perhaps Anonymous Reg could append a few words for the record. From his comment, Rob also would like to hear about it. Y, sweet girl that she is. offered to do me a chip cob for lunch!

So the Bandstand at the Winter Gardens, and that fabulous Georgian Crescent will just have to wait to be photographed at some more propitious time.

Last week Brian told me that siskins have a sort of crested look; so what these are seems uncertain. Also we have had some new visitors. Smaller than sparrows, around blue tit length but slimmer, and browny grey with very pale creamy chests. They feed at the goldfinch feeder shown and are very easily scared away. I wonder if they could be linnets?

Talking about bad legs at Margaret's yesterday and she said that her friend was awaiting her third hip replacement. I knew what she meant but I had this image flash of Rolf Harris's 'Jake the Peg, with his wooden leg'.

Comments..... I don't think Bungus, that unkindness is being shown to £3.50 carveries, and I accept that The Snooty Fox is an honourable exception. Brinsley Lodge down the road offers steak-dinners 2 for £5 but I don't think I would risk it. It isn't snobbishness but we eat good quality products at home and going out to eat sub-standard meals however cheap, holds no attraction. And again, I am not saying that 'more expensive means better' . We shop at Lidl, not because it is cheap (which it is) but because the produce, especially continental and deli stuff, and fish, and tinned fruit et al is exceptionally good.

My favourite film I'm almost ashamed to say is Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid. There are some excellent modren films though. Some are awful but whenever we go the cinema we are more often pleased than not.

Madeline...thanks I now have the correct version of WordWeb from your link. It must have just been a 'grrr..'

Quick quote then I'm off........... I must have used this before:-

"What is written without effort is in general read without pleasure"

Samuel Johnson

Burton Joyce day tomorrow and my Camera Club in the evening. I aim to conserve my energies so I can magage it. Our own Paul Alexander is the lecturer, and we are all looking forward. Google tells me that Paul has limited edition prints available, but McAfee Siteadvisor gives the website an unequivocal [X] so I haven't dared open it! I must ask him why tomorrow evening.

....Enjoy these two. Sleep tight. Catch you tomorrow, but it might be late.

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Hardwick Hall the future - Weather still foul

Before we leave WoW and Milldale I wanted to share with you this pretty cottage which is right down near the disabled car-park at the bridge.

Be assured that I have forsaken my pursuit of camera-club judges and milky water and will deal with important things like Hardwick Hall, the weather, and crossword puzzles.

'Group terms' can also be left to simmer, especially as we overgrown schoolboys were degrading the issue towards bawdiness. I know Chaucer started it off, but we lack his poetic
turn of phrase.

In spite of a busy day, we finished the crossword except for one tricky one.
20 Across ? The down clues which contribute the letters seem correct. But I can't think of even one word with a U blank R ending.

This afternoon with other Mansfield Centre committee members we went to a meeting with regional people to discuss Hardwick Hall and possible future Hardwick developments. We met in a room at The Baptist Church, with a lovely warm, peaceful atmosphere. Nearly two hours flew by in an enjoyable and constructive meeting. We discussed children's play areas, the farm-shop, the shop and restaurant, and many other things. I feel it would be improper, without committe approval to go into details, so I won't. It was encouraging to learn from Peggy that volunteers at The Hall buy their meat in the farm shop!

Comments.....I think I'm about uptodate now. Thanks for the water-support Pete and you, if anybody, should know. For new readers Pete, or Manxislander, is a life-boat man on the Isle of Man and his fascinating blog contains super pictures and details of life on the Island.

Continue with your interrogation of the pearly barley people Jill. So long as you don't encounter another who blames a computer for the 'Jayne Austin' spelling We shall keep our finger on the pulse !

Matt is at his brilliant best again today and I wanted to share this with you non-Telegraph readers. I always hope Matt won't feel that this is a breach of his copyright, because I restrict myself to a few 'steals' a year. And I am sure he would feel that, as this modest publication is strictly not for profit, it's OK. When I say 'not for profit' it is an actual issue. Google certainly don't pester me, but have asked me a few times if I want to be part of their Adsense scheme. It would mean in effect that the blog would carry advertising for which I would be paid a meagre sum, per click. The idea doesn't interest me at all. I don't want our accountant to have to declare 2p a month, to HMRC.

Quotation for the Day.....I wanted a suitable quote to do with this awful weather. But January seems to have left poets cold ! Ha Ha! Shakespeare muttered something in 'Winters Tale' about the 'winds blowing through and through' but it was hardly a classic, even if, no doubt, the source of the cliché about the 'wind blowing through you'.

....Clicksmilies is/are back, thank god. Sleep tight folks and I'll hope to catch you tomorrow.

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Ikea - Goggles to TJ - Walk- Casserole

A busy day. A Karen day so as usual we got out of her way. She can zoom round, play her music and sing to her heart's content - possessed as she is of a lovely singing voice. Sometimes when she is in another room we don't know if it is Karen or the record's vocalist.

We went to IKEA for breakfast and a look round. Then Y needed to go to Decathlon (next shop) for some swimming goggles for Ruby, which we then delivered to TJ's because she is going down to her sister's at the weekend and will take them with her.

On our way back we stopped at a nice walk The Papplewick Trail and enjoyed a little toddle along it as far as the waterfall. Perhaps not Niagara but pleasant enough on a warm October afternoon and it produced, lower down a delightful babbling brook noise. A lovely bench where we had a necessary 'sit'. And then back home. We finished preparing the beef casserole that had been cooking on just under 100C since around 8am. I started it before going for my blood-test first thing. Incidentally, no-one has rung me from the clinic so I guess I'm stable for another week at least.

I popped some dumplings in (we really are determined with this dieting aren't we?) and ate it while we watched Claudia do her Strictly come Dancing bit. Y pronounced it delicious and liked the gravy so much she used her dessert spoon ! You Jill, and Bungus, would have definitely needed your rounds of bread for mopping up purposes. Nothing difficult - cheapest possible shin-beef, carrots, celery, mushroom and a leek in the stew-pot. 2 bay leaves, a litre of stock from 2 Kallo stock cubes, a crushed clove of garlic, a little flour and a pinch of salt and some pepper (I always use white which I think has more flavour than black) and then, as I say, ten hours at just under 100C.

Comments I agree with you all about anagrams. They should not just be nonsense. I was quite proud of 'get up brewery clown' and sometimes the crossword setters hit a winner! Haven't had time to read the latest Yarnstorm yet Jill but I will. Maybe you could grow a dwarf Liquidamber in a tub; you would have to take advice.

And tradesmen's names - I used to love the Solicitors - 'Sue, Grabbit and Runne' who Private Eye always used to be in contention with.

No suitable quote for the day. I'll must try harder.

Sleep tight folks. It's WoW-day tomorrow and a trip to Nottingham Arboretum is in the offing. I don't like aviaries - but I don't have to go down that end do I?

Norfolk Photo-jaunt - Y with TJ

The reason for my enigmatic blog post of Thursday is that, for security reasons, I didn't want to make too much of my absence from Radiogandy Mansions on a weekend jaunt, predominately photographic, with Bungus.

On Friday we travelled as far as Holbeach and stayed with Norman and Gill at Elloe Lodge, where Y and I have stayed before. As always we were most welcome and it was nice to see them again. In the evening we tried a chinese restaurant we have visited before but it didn't work out. Atmosphere all wrong, drinks too expensive, that sort of thing. We managed a quick sunset snap before leaving for an altogether better chinese restaurant that Norman had recommended. Quite excellent this one. It is a pleasure to report that I slept well. You could expect my leg to be trouble, following the driving, but it wasn't. Our 'Full English Breakfast' was good, and I contacted Y around 9am, she was nearly en route to TJ's - they will have a lovely time and also sort out Y's new 'phone.

When we left Holbeach it was not too long a drive to Swaffham for the market, then Great Cressingham and The Vines. Please click for their website. It really is as nice as it looks. My bedroom is ace ! But I have banged my head on a beam three times already.

The reason you can read this, is that broadband internet access is only an extra £2 a day. Seems most reasonable to me. Especially when viewed against nearly 10 quid last night for a pint of lager for Bungus, and a Kaliber for me, at the upmarket chinese restaurant. So, I ran up a temporary aerial, cranked up the Lister diesels and Radiogandy was 'on the air'. Figuratively speaking of course.

Picture 2 is Bungus photographing the wonderful bridge at Sutton, so well known to A17 users. If Reg is reading I am 'inching forward' with PhotoShop but have loads of questions for him. I found a nice bookshop in Swaffham but my only purchase was a postcard to send to Colin and Lyn. The market, as Bungus predicted was very good and we copped for a lovely sunny day and a bright blue sky.

Lots of exciting things to explore in the neighborhood. We have already visited Castle Acre Castle which as you will see from the link was well worth a visit. What we need to do now is decide on an evening meal ! All this fresh air and excitement has given me an appetite.

Quote for the day. Didn't pack my usual reference books so, here goes :-

" Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep"

Piet Mondrian

We shall have to see what culinary delights the Swaffham area offers. Sleep tight everybody. Catch you tomorrow.