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

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

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

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

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

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

My responses to your previous comments

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Thanks again.

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

"Sleep tight - Catch you tomorrow"

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




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Jobs sorted – bedroom tidier - 48F W wind 0 mph

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If the title intrigues you, my 'weather page' intrigued me too. How can you have a West Wind at 0 mph ? How do they know ? I must ask Tim at the Club - he works in the Met Office locally.

An ‘at home day’ for relaxing together.

This morning I spent an hour plus, trying to make my bedroom tidier and I think I’ve succeeded. My photo-mounting boards and equipment are under my bed. (I once had a pal who kept welding rods under his bed so perhaps not that unusual a place for picture-mounts).

If you were unkind enough to think 'it doesn't look very tidy to me' - you should have seen it before !

We both did all sorts of jobs and by afternoon Y had back-ache so we both decided on a lie-down. Of course, carrying a 6yr old up the stairs at Palmers Green couldn't possibly be anything to do with it !

For main meal we had a Fray Bentos chick & mushroom pie, shredded sweetheart cabbage together with sliced leeks, carrots, and Maris Piper mash with swede mixed in. And although I’m trying to be ‘obesity-clinic’ aware, I mashed the potato with around half an ounce of butter. Not much, but it made a difference. Y did Angel Delight for pudding, delicious, so real cordon bleu stuff in the Radiogandy household. It is lovely to have her back – although I got told off for taking a picture of the African Violet on the kitchen window-sill while she was washing up.

The African Violet immediately made me think of Jill's/Bob's comment about hairy little yellow balls. Don't know why.

If the font does strange things today it's because there's been another googlemail 'outage' and I started the blog in Word and then copy/pasted when I got a connection. Google mail will loose many many customers if this happens much more. It is the third in around 6 weeks. It doesn't affect me greatly but if you are running a busy commercial Office it just wouldn't be good enough. Come back Mr. Gates. all is forgiven.

Two things I must remember to mention. Our 'S' registered Honda sailed through it's MOT test again.

Another is that Reg can remember a radio catch-phrase from wayback when, about

'It simply come to pieces in my hand !'

I think I also sort of remember it but its source eludes me. Google can't solve it, being convinced that I want to know about piano pieces played with the left hand, and arpeggios. Perhaps a job for 'nifty googler' !

My last picture, taken this evening and looking West, shows the vapour trails left by the aircraft returning from yesterday's Eastbound mission,

They seem to converge on the setting sun, as yesterday's converged on the rising sun. This is a little weird and explanations would be welcomed.

My responses to your previous comments

Pete ..... Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery is well thought of and has the best collection in the country of the work of the Pre-Raphaelites. Y's favourite artistic grouping.

Like you, we are both Museum lovers, as is Bob, and I think Jill. And I would guess, the others too. If you love beauty, and photographers do, they are a must. Having said all that I suspect that Brian S isn't 100% in favour. Places of endless fascination though and I would demonstrate to keep access free. It is what 'knowledge' should be all about.

p.s. I have 'accepted' your second comment, just for today. But I set up a bog rule of ONE comment per day and if I bend it for you, I would have to bend it for everyone else. cheers Graham.

BTW Pete, do you know you can now obtain White Blu Tack which doesn't show through even lightweight paper.

Bob..... I don't watch the sub-titles and radio doesn't go in for them much. The news on telly irritates me because of the journalists waving their arms abolut pointlessly. And I know it makes us bad people but neither of us can watch when someone is 'signing for the deaf'. I've threatened to cut a piece of cardboard just to fit over the right hand bit of the screen.

I also find annoying News 24's habit of repeating the same clips of film endlessly. After I've seen the same bit 4 times I tactfully retreat to another room.

Your Mansfield day by bus sounds good fun ! Particularly the Museum. BTW I understand Wetherspoons may be in trouble. I do hope they survive. The founder has contributed a lot.

Yvonne ..... Always a pleasure to cook for you darlin' ..... And yes, my fellow WoW-ers are very good re my mobility problems. When planning a walk they always bear in mind photo-opportunities for me and somewhere interesting to park. And there is always an offer of help with my wheels.

I hope they had a good day today and that someone sends me pictures for the Picasa Web Album portfolio.

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Quotation time ..... A little philospohical this, but cunning and I like it .....

"The most perfidious way of harming a cause consists of defending it deliberately with faulty arguments."

Friedrich Nietzsche

Better to have him 'inside the tent p***ing out, than outside the tent p***ing in' as LBJ memorably said.

"Sleep tight - Catch you tomorrow"


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Y back safely - 43F with 5mph E wind - coolish

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This great picture is by Trevor Naylor at EPS who organises the Competitions. The picture is entitled "Instructions from Above" which says it all really. It appeared last week in Trevor's '10 picture Essay' and as soon as I saw it I wanted it for the blog because I felt you would all enjoy it.

I collected Y from the tram on time and she has had a grand time but, as usual, is happy tired. She felt she had been really useful as well as having loved seeing everyone.

The following Panorama was from pictures yesterday just by the side of The Great Northern pub and people are beginning to arrive now to sort out their boats for the coming season.


My responses to your previous comments

Pete (Mannanan)..... Glad you enjoyed the canal pic, so I guess you will enjoy the above one too. Wish there had been a little more sparkle in the light but we can't control the weather. Not as nice as yours. BTW what lovely daffodil pictures in your Ramsey Ramblings. (please open this link to see them folks).


Bob ..... It is amazing what a little touch on the Picasa pedal will achieve. I thought your pictures were very interesting but I guess the 'wood shapes' need to be seen in the flesh to be appreciated to the full.

I spoke to Roy on the phone this afternoon and he also feels that Helen's Duck is a sort of hybrid Mallard and not of some exotic species.

The aircraft that fly east must I suppose return in a westerly direction. When you think about it I suppose it is only where the sun is low in the sky that they become interesting and noticeable.

Shame about our swimming girl Rebecca coming second. She did after all break the world record but the winner broke it by more. I heard her interviewed on the radio and she is a lovely modest and demure girl.

Yvonne ..... I remember our Birmingham Canal outing very well. Most enjoyable and I think we knew Pete's point about their miles of waterways outstripping Venice. And the Art Galleries are good too. And less tourists.

Jill...... Glad the 'process' continues. I would be very surprised if an address could be excluded for a 'writ serving'. Things might have changed I suppose but it used to be very straightforward. The Officer pursued the person and gave him the writ. If they refused to accept it in their hand, it was OK to sort of throw it at them which was accepted as valid service. Refusal to accept was not an option.

The bees will have staggered back to their homes today considering themselves foolish for venturing out in the first place.

Your Spring sproutings are well in front of ours up here in the Nottingham Tundra.

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Quotation time ......

"It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold: when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade."

Charles Dickens

I have decided against WoW-ing tomorrow. Y has been away for several days and I don't want effectively to walk out of the house just as she is walking in. An unwinding type Rest Day is called for. Lots of jobs to do anyway.

I seem to have accepted that I was wrong about Wells Fargo but I wasn't sure so I decided on abit of research. If you open this link please click you wont see much evidence in the early days of Railway Trains and cow-catchers. In fact the stage-coach depicted in the header looks remarkably akin to my smiley. So there !

"Sleep tight - Catch you tomorrow"



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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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Restful Day - 57F - Bumblebee appeared

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No apology needed for reproducing Rembrandt's "Night Watch" which hangs in the Rijksmuseum. The reason for reproducing it is that some art-historian has finally unravelled the identities of all the militiamen, 365 years after Rembrandt painted them. They were all prominent Amsterdam businessmen and politicians. Great painting and if ever you have the chance to see it, please do.

My day has been mostly in bed with leg/back ache but my own fault. Today was the day to change my Fentanyl patches. I took the old ones off, put the new ones ready, had my shower and forgot all about them. And I suffered for it. Drug-dependent I'm afraid.

My responses to your previous comments

Yvonne ..... Lovely to hear from you in London, via the blog. What fun !

Glad the girls enjoyed 'Wells Fargo', and Elli being very 'matter of fact' about her shawl being a memory of you when you've died. Kids can be very practically minded.

Bob ..... So people have a better idea of the 'hideaway' you discovered in the woods I am putting the picture you e-mailed me here, on the right.

I hope I'm not being obtuse but I was confused by your comment - 'teenage brothers (known for 30 years)" - how can this be ? I ask myself, and I haven't got Yvonne here to explain what is no doubt obvious to most people.

Jill..... I think many outlets favour the empty display box. DVDs and Computer Software nearly always. But there is usually a notice telling you to take the box to customer-services or similar to have the item put in your box.

I haven't watched the photography programme yet. It will be on BBC i player. I agree with you over most co-productions though. You reminded me of a colleague whose wife wanted him to read a book about racial-prejudice. "I'm not racially prejudiced at all" he announced and then, when she passed the book to him he said "I'm not reading that - its American".

However, I know you well enough to know you are not racially prejudiced at all. Being critical of an american approach to culture is NOT racial prejudice. Americans are, after all, of Caucasian stock. My blogger spell checker keeps telling me that american should have a capital A. An instruction I ignore by the way. "What insufferable cheek" I always think.

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Quotation time .......

" Prejudice is the child of ignorance."

William Hazlitt

When I was a boy I chanced upon a collection of Hazlitt's Essays and have been hooked ever since. What an odd boy I must have been !

"Sleep tight - catch you tomorrow"

For people who enjoyed the Wells Fargo smiley - here is the train



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Long Eaton - 49F but 10mph W.wind - Pictures

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I went to Long Eaton as planned and had a lovely time with David and Helen. I was sad not to see the girls but they were having a pre-planned sleep-over at Helen's Mum and Dad's. Lots of lovely news though and both of them are doing SO well at School and elsewhere. Not only are they avid readers but both like writing things too. I read some outstandingly good poetry by Sky (which I haven't got clearance to publish yet) and one of Brooke's recent certificates is at the centre bottom row of the collage.

One day recently, over a meal, David said he was no good at drawing faces. They always finished looking like miserable men. Brooke disappeared to her room and wrote him an illustrated manual - with suggested curves for eyebrows and things. His efforts should improve now.

This collage shows a 'new' extension to the dolls house and also a table made by Helen's Dad who is brilliant at making things. There are some pastries manufactured by David for the bread shop (please note the convincing cornish pasties, a skill David learned when working as a manager for Northern Foods) the £1 coin was for scale.

On arrival home I decided to take a nap and arose to the afternoon sun.

Appearing on the wardrobe door, my lay figure is making it up with the crocodile.

I must admit to a little stage-management with this one. What I really wanted was a clear bit of sky where hand approaches snout for a Michelangelo Cistine Chapel Roof moment. But I got fed up with waiting.

Another task was opening a bag of Maris Piper potatoes and putting them in storage boxes. When I lifted the one illustrated out of the bag I really took heart.

A few days ago I had put a £1 in a British Heart Foundation collection box and here was my reward.

Yet another picture I'm afraid. Reg told me yesterday he had been party to a conversation at EPS where it was suggested that my pictures might be sharper if I moved the pinhole further away from the picture-plane.

So, this afternoon I tried it mounted on the front of about 1½ inches of Kenko ext.rings.

Here is the result - and I do believe it is sharper. Nowhere near as good as Tim's results on film. But an improvement.

My responses to your previous comments

David .... Indeed Yes ! Reminiscent of Mitchells who, when I drove past yesterday, are still trading, with their usual selection of wares laid out on the pavement.

Wasn't it great when you asked for something and a Mitchell disappeared (as you say somewhere, under the castle rock) and then returned with exactly what you needed - those were the days.

Jill ..... We find, re Les Dennis, that most prominent entertainers are possessed of greater depth than their stage persona indicates.

You would certainly be welcome for breakfast. Re the 'ten months'. I'm afraid it is just one of my silly literary affectations. Like 'idea 6,324'. I consider non-specific qualifiers like several, many, few etc. are boring.

Yvonne .... You are quite right to be furious with Decathlon. If it is their anti-shoplifting policy to only display empty boxes they should have told you so. And potentially so disappointing to a little girl.

I can just see you vaulting the barrier at Kings Cross. Perhaps if you took a run at it !

Bob ..... Funny thing about colour rendition in cameras. And blue is so much affected by light. But do agree that some look in keeping with some structures and out of place on others.

Glad you recall The Reverend David Jones.

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Quotation time .......

"If the King's English was good enough for Jesus, it's good enough for me !"

Ma Ferguson

Governor of Texas circa 1920

I had a go at some flower pictures earlier today but the strong gusty wind and intermittent cloud formed less than ideal conditions. Better luck tomorrow perhaps. Plus of course, some more messing-about.

"Sleep tight - catch you tomorrow"

Wells Fargo is specially for Y. Its one of her favourites.

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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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Y at BJ - Me at Camera Club - 54F - 12mph W wind

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I had more or less decided to keep the above in reserve for any upcoming 'most boring panorama' competition but decided instead to blog-it. It might interest Pete in the Isle of Man. Our County Hall is in a splendid position on the banks of the River Trent but, oh dear, that extension on the right-hand side of the picture. In my humble etc., it wrecks the looks of an imposing building.

This house, also on the riverside, looks most impressive.

The building seems to me reminiscent of either Le Corbusier or even Frank Lloyd Wright- and we have Helen C to thank for the snap.

My knowledge of architecture is not as thorough as Bob's and I hope he will put us right.

Y has been over to Burton Joyce today and will have been busy busy because Lisa is ill and isn't going shopping. I delivered her to the tram and we hope Steven will run her into town on the return journey. She has a jacket potato in the oven, on the timer, to look forward to when she gets home. Our paths might cross at 7pm when I shall set off for EPS.

Yesterday evening we watched and enjoyed The Baroque on BBC 4 Waldemar Januszczak, the presenter. has however some annoying characteristics. He insists on walking away with his back to the cameraman while talking over his shoulder. He no doubt thinks this looks good but after the tenth example it begins to pall. The content of the programme and the art-history was excellent though. But Baroque, for me, is too flamboyant and fussy. Simplicity and strong lines suits me best. Having said that, many individual artists of the period i.e. Velasquez, Caravaggio, and particularly Rembrandt are marvellous.

My responses to your previous comments

Bob ..... My single reliable commenter ! Thanks Bungus.

Glad that you at least had good weather yesterday. Ours was good in the late afternoon but by then we were home with cameras put away. Not that I can only be happy in my environment with a camera in my hand, I am not an under-training Japanese tourist..

I loved your 'fishermen link'. Great pictures and a good read. Well found ! I'm pleased it is in the blog.

Re vicars. I am lucky because the Reverend David Jones has promised to do the necessary. Unless he pops off first of course. And he says it doesn't have to be a Christian occasion because he can take off his Anglican priest hat and don his 'chum' hat.

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Tomorrow Y goes to London and I shall have a messing-about type 'shangri-la'. I just hope she doesn't overtire herself. Sometimes Debra thinks her Mum is in her 5os rather her 70s. On Saturday morning I'm going over to Long Eaton. Looking forward to that.

And I must think 'obesity clinic' and not nibble whilst unsupervised !

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

"The first priest was the first rogue who met the first fool"

Voltaire

That Voltaire - now he knew a thing or two ! ....... I have several things I need to research and that will keep me out of mischief anyway. See you tomorrow.

p.s. I may reopen after EPS - depending if there is anything I want to add. On the other hand, if 'done-for' I shan't. Don't be inhibited from comments however.

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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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Ikea for Breakfast - Obesity Clinic - No wind - 46F

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Morrisons Carpark view at just after 5pm after my trip to the Obesity Clinic of which more later.

Today was a Karen day and we decided to leave her to get on with it and go to Ikea for breakfast. We both had the small version and the bill was £1.86p for the two of us, including coffee. And the coffee was unusually good this morning. Most surprising, the shop was not busy. No parking porblems. We bought book and magazine storage boxes and my 'tidy up bedroom and office' venture continues. After Ikea Y went to Decathlon for some swimming goggles for Ruby and I tried unsuccessfully to track down a mini vacuum cleaner at Comet, for my cameras. Reg is going to 'do' my Nikon tomorrow but I ought to have one and keep the insides clean and dust free on a regular basis. Then we did general shopping and had lunch.

Just after 4pm I attended the Obesity Clinic. It was in fact a one-to-one interview and weigh-in with one of the senior practice nurses. She was conscientious and thorough and I am going to do my best. We know most of it anyway and I am to keep a food-diary and have another appointment in a fortnight. One thing of great interest is that our bathroom scales show half a stone heavier than the one at the Doctors. This pleases Y greatly.

I aim to WoW tomorrow and the weather-forecast is better for the south of the County than it is for Derbyshire. So appropriate decisions will be made outside Reg's just before 10am.

Nothing on the telly this evening which appeals to me, so I'll stick with my radio. I try to watch the TV News, in order to be sociable. But this constant and OTT gesticulating of the reporters is a major annoyance. Radio reporters may do it, I don't know, but at least I can't see them. Thanks to the BBC's wonderful 'Listen Again' service I actually listen to what I select and at a time to suit me.

On Radio 7, in Big Toe Books, Tony Robinson is reading The Toby Man by Dick King-Smith. I know it is a children's book but I'm enthralled. I want to be having adventures on the open road with Digby the dog and Evil the ferret, while making cooking fires with collected wood and my 'tinder box, flint and steel' which we have stolen from a tinker.

My responses to your previous comments

Yvonne ..... I must accept your version of the Brittany trip. How ungallant of us ! Now, you shall always have a window-seat.

Good news about the bathroom scales isn't it ? You have instantly lost a ½ stone. Perhaps we should courier them to Jill and then she can instantly gain ½ a stone.

Bob .... Pity about the Wren. Any wren-picture is guaranteed immediate publication in this organ. Eventually I shall snap one myself. I must research their favoured 'snap' and then put some down in a photogenic spot.

I have heard about yokeless eggs before. The link is an interesting read. One word for them is 'fart' eggs which is kind of logical.

You have interpreted my remark about 'pain killers' and a side-effect correctly. Forward planning is necessary.

Segue to Art Criticism. I've never understood it either.

Complete conceptual leap now but there must have been a connection. On the radio this morning (where else) there was a useful discussion about young people and 'Text speak'. Will Self made the excellent point that we have in fact moved back 300 years or so when people spelled words and phrases as they sounded and as they saw fit. A gr8 time was had by all don't u no ? To begin with I was completely anti, but have now softened my attitude. I don't suppose it matters much - it is what people have to say that is important.

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

"Absolute faith corrupts as absolutely as absolute power".

Erich Hoffer

The link takes you to a YouTube of a few more quotes.

"Sleep tight etc.........."



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Windy Monday - 44F - 7mph W - Colder than that !

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Somebody. probably Bob or Jill, liked our ancient little mint-sauce jug so I decided to offer a multi-view collage. The centre picture shows it standing on a normal sized 'coaster' so I felt the statutory 50p piece was redundant. I chose that shot also for the centre-piece because I like the reflection of my bedroom window therein. Its age must remain uncertain but I can't remember acquiring it so most likely it is a family piece. Cousin Kenneth would know because his recollection of the contents of my childhood home at Ashbourne is much clearer than mine. And more acquisitive ! Whenever we go over to his place I keep seeing things I remember. Not to worry, I haven't got a hang-up about possessions.

Picture 2 is from my Hairy Bikers Cook Book. Bob said he hadn't fared well with a Vegetable Curry so I thought I would publish the recipe I used on Sunday.

Looking at it I am a little ashamed at the annotations. Many years ago I was successful with the story "The Book Reviver" which Heinemann published.

The thrust of the story was about an eccentric old codger who takes exception to people writing pencil comments in Library books and makes it his business to erase them. (The comments that is, not the people). I can only plead that cookery books one owns, are in a special category. Someone else's book, or a Library copy, would remain sacrosanct.

We've had a lovely restful day. Re the title of this blog-post - from the temperature and wind-speed you would imagine "quite mild". It isn't. Its viciously cold. In my bedroom en suite loo there's no heating and I have felt no desire to linger therein with my RPS monthly magazine. Good job I haven't been hitting the pain-killers too hard. They have a certain side-effect.

Just a brief aside about qualifiers like 'very'. One of the Radio 4 editors this morning was talking about 'really'. He says that occasionally he is forced to allow a 'really' but he frowns on the multi-really, really. He definitely draws the line at the 'really, really, really' that he sometimes encounters. I will be really really careful in future.

My responses to your previous comments

Yvonne ..... I think you are wise not to name names, and we will leave the identity of the 'smelly men' unstated. They weren't that smelly anyway but you were wedged in a bit. But we did, as I remember, mostly ensure you had a window-seat.

Bob ...... I suppose my aversion to 'dialects' is an aversion to people speaking forcefully in a way I can't understand and who make no effort to make themselves intelligible. The people in the programme seemed too pompous to bother.

Mostly, as you know I love local 'speech', Erewash Valley, Mansfield and North Notts, Derbyshire, Yorkshire, Geordie, Norfolk ----- as I'm doing this list I realise how many I do actually enjoy. Maybe it was just the people I didn't take to.

Thanks for the fun quotes. All good. Even the Sports Desk.

Rob .... Lovely Haiku - much appreciated. The verse form suits you.

Indeed - 'those were the days my friend' - well worth a link so I've made it one. In fact, to the original Mary Hopkin version. As I recall, she didn't prosper after falling out with Lennon & MaCartney.

Jill .... Can't add much to all this weight-gain advice from your blog-chums. I just hope you aren't burning up too many calories with those knitting needles. I bet that, when you get to an easy bit of a pattern your needles are simply a whirr ! Does you compact do videos ? If so I bet that helpful granddaughter of yours would act as camera-man ? We would all love to see you going full-tilt.

Or Carrie could YouTube you. Talking of which this link is to Carrie's Youtube about her house. I know our readers will be fascinated. She is quite a girl !

I'm not 100% about your Lech Walesa suggestion for Bob's 'Woodman'. I'm still scratching my head !

Your Brown's afternoon tea sounds splendid. And a sincere thanks for the details. These particularities are so important to the blog, forming as it does, a historical record.

I was fortunate to stay at Browns wayback en route to Canada with my Mum and Stepfather (who wasn't a man to stint himself). One of my contacts was a Police Inspector chum stationed at West End Central. He gave me a number to ring and a person to speak to etc.etc. ....

This evening we watched The Book Quiz on BBC 4 and I meant to link you to the actual programme. However, too quick off my blocks, 'cos it isn't available yet. So the link behind that title is to an actual quiz you can fill in and instantly see how well you did. Have fun ! By-the-way, the programme is always slated by the critics. The Guardian in particular is quite venomous. Dunno' why.

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Quotation time ................ While searching for a suitable London quote I was side-tracked when I read this. It was so charming I wanted to share it .......

"Any member introducing a dog into the Society's premises shall be liable to a fine of one pound. Any animal leading a blind person shall be deemed to be a cat."

Rule 46 , Oxford Union Society, London.

"Ordinary Tuesday tomorrow - Karen coming - Ikea breakfast for us"

"Sleep tight - catch you all being well"


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

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

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

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

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

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

My responses to your previous comments

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Quotation time ......

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

Thomas Hardy

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

"Sleep tight - catch you tomorrow"


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Satisfactory Saturday - Meal sorted - 50F but 13mph SW

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I am coming to an end with my crocus pictures and anyway, they won't be around for much longer. Then come the daffs, tulips and hyacinths.

Herb-wise I've managed to keep some parsley going through the depths of the winter in a sheltered spot by covering it with a large plastic container. The chives have already started to grow and I have thyme and sage. Plus of course my prolific basil on the kitchen window-sill.

Today has been good. Y and I worked together in the kitchen to complete almost every stage of tomorrow's curry. There were 3 good reasons. (1) It was fun (2) curries improve overnight and (3) less faff in the morning allowing us to be relaxed with our guests.

The picture on the right is Bob's hand carved/sculpted 'woodman'. A delightful piece of Art and he definitely reminds me of someone - who, will eventually emerge.

I particularly like the slightly pained and bemused expression on his face. As if someone has tried, unsuccessfully, to kick him in the googles. That he has decided to wear a Jane Fonda type wonderbra also appeals.

In all seriousness Bob, it is great ! Congratulations !


My responses to your previous comments

Yvonne ..... The Jenny Joseph 'When I am old....' poem is wonderful isn't it ? It fully deserves the universal acclaim it has received. The link I have posted is to The Poetry Archive where there are recordings of some of her readings.

Bob ..... OTTP ? Think about it. Think P-hotography. I obviously need to telegraph my punches more clearly. Likewise the crocodile/alligator.

I think 'loose covers' is the better decision. No doubt new furniture could be obtained more cheaply but that is what it would be, cheap furniture - and you want at least 20/30 years wear out of it don't you ?

A certain type of crossbred Labrador can be called a 'dudley' apparently, but you wouldn't hang one from a mammoth's tusks I suppose.

Jill ...... Oh that it were possible - to e-mail you a couple of stones ! To be fair to Dr Barrett, she didn't introduce the obesity clinic. Y sort of 'steered the conversation' in that direction. Anyway, I freely accept that I would find moving about, rising from chairs, etc., easier and probably less painful if I shed a couple of 1lbs.

Likewise, if your doctor didn't tell you to put weight on I don't think you should be too concerned. You looked fine when we saw you at your wedding anniversary, and from your letters and blog comments, you seem to eat a varied diet, with protein and other essentials. And you don't smoke which I think is much more important.

This evening we watched a couple of the multiplicity of programmes about photography. Alan Bennett narrated one about Ravilious which was interesting. The narration and pictures were fine but the deeply unattractive people in it were abit off-putting. The one we enjoyed most however was about Lartigue The pictures had a magical quality and the presenters and interviewees were charming.

The crocuses were all planted by the local council plus volunteers, a few years ago. And all the work and expense have been worth it because the display has been ace ! And the daffs still to come.

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Quotation time ......

"Photography is something you learn to love very quickly. I know that many, many things are going to ask me to have their pictures taken and I will take them all"

Jacques-Henri Lartigue

The link is to a YouTube interview with the great man. In French, but the bits you can't translate are covered in the sub-titles anyway. I included it because it was the best of several.

"Sleep tight - catch you tomorrow"

A Good Friday - not the official one but Good anyway

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As yesterday's crocuses found favour I thought you might like a few more........ My OTTP reputation is peerless. Many years ago I had a county-trial you know !

These flowers are on the roadside verge opposite and I haven't exhausted the possibilities. As we were driving home this morning I spotted yet another angle.

This morning was my first appointment with Dr Barrett our new GP. Y and I were both delighted . She is a mature lady with a charming hint of geordie accent and exuding common-sense and competence. She has upped my Fentanyl Patch dosage a little and I am to attend the obesity clinic. I knew it was bound to come and I will do my best - honest !

After the doctors we went to Lidl and Morrisons and shopped for Sunday when we are entertaining Helen and Julian, and Rob and Elaine, to lunch. I am cooking the Hairy Biker's Vegetable Curry that I kitchen tested a couple of weeks ago. After our Fish & Chips and Mushy peas I retired to my room for a lie down and almost immediately a man come to measure up for the new loose covers we are having in the big room. The existing ones are nearly 15 years old and beginning to look a little distressed. But they were well made by John Lewis and we have enjoyed them. The furniture is too good to ditch. We have chosen the material, and the man has measured the furniture so watch this space. But don't hold your breath because he estimated 6 to 8 weeks.

When I went back to my room the late afternoon sun had created an action tableau from the lay figure and a wardrobe door. I thought the picture could be entitled 'Don't jump'. The 'spectrum' by his right arm is the chance result of a prism on the Victorian mirror.

I won't start the 'pinhole' thread again. Suffice it to say that Reg took 2 sample pictures with my pinhole lens on his camera and there is far far less 'crud'., so it seems proven that the problem is within my Nikon. Yesterday evening Roy gave me the pinhole lens which Bill has drilled for me and at first try, it is as good, if not better than the commercially produced one.

I need to thank Bob (Bungus) for Picture 3. It is the Wikipedia Woolly Mammoth and his text inscription sounds most encouraging.

We could definitely use the creature on all future WoW trips, except perhaps for visiting Exhibitions in Libraries.

The quick-release hooks look ideal for camera bags, and Brian's tripod and perhaps even, a saddle could be fitted for my personal use. Isn't there something called a Howdah or similar which would be even better

Snap-tin I understand but what on earth is a 'dudley' ?

As you will have noticed I didn't reopen yesterday's blog-post. The EPS evening was most enjoyable as these 'skills evenings' usually are. It got going immediately and there was that pleasant hubbub which comes from contented camera club members. My modest Picasa 3 corner was very successful. Ernie was very taken with the programme - he didn't realise how function-full it was and we went through lots of things. Terry joined us with interest because his son-in-law has been sending him links to Picasa Web Album stuff. Ernie's pictures were excellent. He is a very good photographer but somewhat judge-shy ! I think Roy said that I should feel honoured to see them. But I became somewhat tired and uncomfortable so, after tea and a biscuit, I came home.

My responses to your previous comments

Jill .... Wendy Cope would always have been a good guess for the 'When I am old' poem. And for the 'spring poem' I had no idea.

In retrospect I agree about D'Artagnon 'dart'ing about. See remarks above re OTTP.

Re The Miners Strike, I couldn't face it. Doing the 'archive' for it was my responsibility and they weren't happy times.

An interesting menu at Fi's pub ! All I know about pigs cheek was that it was a constituent part of my Mum's brawn recipe. I always seemed to get the bits with hairs still attached. Not a favourite.

Pete (Mannanan) ..... We own the same Jenny Joseph 'When I am old...' book. Beautifully produced, small, and, as you say 'pride of place' stuff. n.b. I have made Pete's name a link to the Ramsay Ramblings blog bit of his website.

Bob ....... As above- thanks for the WoW Mammoth. I intend to publish your 'woodman' picture tomorrow. Pressures of space dear boy !

The Honeywood File sounds promising. 'Wry English humour' is a phrase which keeps cropping up in the reviews. Didn't realise it dated back to the 1920s though.

Please see above comment to Jill about the Miners Strike. Y found the police-torture in Red Riding too hard to take. From personal knowledge I can reassure people that it certainly didn't occur. Violence - Yes. Torture - No. If it had happened I would have known about it. And if John is reading the blog a comment would be helpful, because he was there, on the front line.

I must distance myself from your reproof of Jill with her walking stick. My stance would be "Go for it Gal !".

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Quotation time .....

"A signature always reveals a man's character - and sometimes even his name"

Evan Esar

Not much to draw on for that link. Certainly no YouTube which surprised me.

"Sleep tight - Catch you tomorrow"


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Still cold-ish at 42F - but wind change - NE at 2mph

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The beautiful drifts of Council crocuses make one think that Spring must be in the offing. And so far the birds seem to be leaving them alone, mostly. I've seen birds, the varmints, simply peck through the stems and leave the flower lying there. They don't eat them or anything. Just vandalism ! Perhaps ASBO is actually an acronym for Anti-Social-Bird-Order.

After dropping Y at the tram I stopped briefly on the way home to photograph crocuses. We had made excellent time - virtually no traffic, it is so unpredictable. Then coffee, newspaper, crossword, mess-about with my pictures, an hours kip - pretty darn nice really. And you can probably tell from my tone that I'm feeling fine. The National Trust Day, followed by a WoW day, seems to have done me good rather than 'floor' me. That also, like the A610 traffic, is unpredictable.

The crocus on the left is one of our garden ones. I've given it the full close-up treatment and the bright orange 'anthers' seem to be saying "Come on you Bees". But it is way too cold at the moment.

This evening it is our Camera Club meeting and I'm looking forward to it. Just those stairs ! But we shall all have a laugh. It is a "bring along your laptops and we can discuss problems" evening.

My responses to your previous comments


Jill ..... Thanks for you kind words about the snaps. Helen C will be pleased because the lead picture was hers. Pied wagtails do 'get around' and flat surfaces, be they car-parks or bowling-greens, seem to appeal to them.

At your suggestion I googled Baroque knitting yarn in 'google images' and the snap on the right was the best. Your verbal description was accurate and I guess the wool would have a very specialised and limited function. One certainly wouldn't fancy socks for instance.

I am glad you have decided on a stick. They are excellent for reassurance and the collapsible ones are quite unobtrusive. As you say, you can always accidentally whack someone with it. I get this picture of Jenny Joseph's poem about getting older. Just because she restricts herself to running her stick down the public railings you don't have to follow suit.

Bob..... Woolly mammoth will do. I didn't fancy being a beached whale.

I love the poem "“De spring is sprung, de grass is riz......" Do we owe thanks to Ungleby Cowpertrew ? Or was the author anon ?

Thanks for The Sports Desk update.

I listened to the David Attenborough programme about Percy Edwards in the middle of the night thanks to BBC's 'Listen Again' service. A nice idea. It was presented as a panel game with guests Bill Oddie and others being asked whether a clip was the actual creature, or Percy Edwards ?

Y watched the David Attenborough TV programme, or at least, part of it. Apparently it seemed to be all about sardines....... And as Y said "Once you've seen one sardine ....."

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Quotation time .......

"Enjoy where you can, and endure where you must"

Goethe

The link is to his Wiki-page. No YouTube unfortunately.

Interesting news this morning, The Queen now has a 'twitter' page and Tim Berners Lee helped her set up her website ! WoW-ee !

Not wishing to become embroiled in the daily political grind but one item interested me about Sir Fred's pension. Harriet Harman said -

"It might be acceptable to a court of law, but it isn't acceptable in the court of public opinion".

That sounds to me suspiciously like recommending 'mob rule' and the 'lynch-party'.

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p.s. I may return this evening, after EPS. Depends how I feel..... editor

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