Monday recovery day - Y in Galley

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

My responses to your previous comments

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Quotation time ......

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

Artemus Ward

Definitely an 'hour in the pub with' candidate.

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

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A relaxing morning after our Haworth trip yesterday.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

My responses to your previous comments

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Quotation time ....

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

James Boswell

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

My responses to your previous comments

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

H. L. Mencken

"Sleep tight - Catch you tomorrow"



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

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

These all seem to be settled and feeding.

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

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


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

My responses to your previous comments

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

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

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

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

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

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

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No quotation tonight.

"Sleep tight - catch you tomorrow"


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

My responses to your previous comments

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Quotation time .....

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

Gian Vincenzo Gravina

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"Sleep tight - catch you tomorrow"



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WoW at Southwell Minster - 70F - No wind

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

My responses to your previous comments

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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No quotation tonight - too tired to sort one out !

"Sleep tight and I'll catch you tomorrow"


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

My responses to your previous comments

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Al Boliska

"Sleep tight - catch you tomorrow"

On the mend - 60F - heavy rain - awful

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


My responses to your previous comments

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Quotation slot .....

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

Margaret Millar

"Sleep tight - catch you tomorrow - God willing"




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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

My responses to your comments

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Quotation slot ......

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

Frank Leahy

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

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Friday - Great holiday - Lucky with Weather

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

My responses to your previous comments

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Benjamin Franklin

Brave man ! Some would say 'foolhardy' !

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WoW-ing at Colwick - very hot - 88F - little SSE breeze

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We met at Reg's at the usual time and eventually decided to visit Colwick Country Park where Denis captured the mandarin duck.

The chaps parked me near the Colwick Park Hotel which has just re-opened after extensive refurbishment. Helen had heard that some medieval wattle-and-daub work had been found and retained.

I was selected for the role of being cheeky enough to go in and ask probing questions. Needless to say, no-one knew anything about wattle and daub but they were really pleasant and helpful, and I was invited to have a mooch around and take as many photos as I liked. I collected a glossy and nicely produced brochure.

All in all, a good place to go and Y tells me that Tracy uses it for work-related entertaining.


The sun was blisteringly hot but the chaps enjoyed their walk and I enjoyed messing about in the immediate area. There was a completely wild, and wide, strip between the main roadway and the Race-Track and I managed quite a few wild-flower snaps for subsequent identification.

Also I saw some unusual butterflies but I wasn't fast enough.

At lunch time we stopped for chip-butties but, the weather wasn't right for them, and only 2 people ventured. The others has something lighter or, in Bill's case, nothing to eat at all. I think the pub was The Nag's Head but, in the absence of a website with a photograph it is difficult to be sure. Reg can't remember for sure either, so it isn't just me. It's this heat frazzling our brains.

You perhaps remember me telling you about the nurse-practitioner's authoritative advice about avoiding 'bruising' whilst taking blood samples ?

The picture on the left tells the story and needs no comment from me .........

Anyway - I have received the results back and my level is 2.6 (this is good) and they didn't want me to have another test till 14th July. We are on holiday then but, after consulting the anti-coagulant clinic, I'm going in on the 7th July, where I just so happened to have already booked an appointment !

Y has had a good Wimbledon day. Unfortunately her stroky-hair chap Djokovic was knocked out. And Andy Roddick beat Hewitt in a very good match which she thoroughly enjoyed.

Earlier today Derek brought round a bag of 3lbs of gooseberries. And talk about good neighbours - they had been topped and tailed !

John is back. Great trip in the camper, and as soon as he has sorted himself out he will pop over and give us a full account. Really looking forward ......

My responses to your previous comments

Bob ..... Re 'blood tests'. I think my nurse's explanation can perhaps be taken with a pinch of salt etc....

The 'duck' watering cans seem to be popular. I suppose there is a natural affinity.

I seem to remember the Playhouse 'performance'. We seemed to do such a lot in those days. Judging competitions, doing readings etc....

Pete ..... Likewise me with Manamans Cloak Pete. I often visit but don't sign your guestbook unless I've got something really interesting to say. I managed to give you a plug on WebUser forums the other day in a thread about 'passions'.

Eventually I think the 'powers that be' will realise that people are turning away from the grunters-and-screechers matches. If it hits ticket sales it will be surprising how quickly silence is restored.

Jill .... And you shall have a duck watering can. I'm going to call in at B&Q tomorrow, after I've dropped Y at the tram and buy you one. Then I'll parcel it up and send it.

Re all those gooseberries. Friends and neighbours will be the recipients plus of course the freezer. See above re topping/tailing.

When we had an excess of raspberries I used to make raspberry fool which is very popular. Gooseberry fool is too !

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Quotation time .....

"That beautiful season the Summer!
Filled was the air with a dreamy and magical light;
and the landscape
Lay as if new created in all the freshness of childhood."

Longfellow

I remember as a boy being thrilled to bits with The Song of Hiawatha. The romance of it and those flowing repetitive cadences. I used to read it aloud to myself.

"Sleep tight - Catch you tomorrow"




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Nice Saturday - 72F - no wind - Shopping

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Picture 1 is a collage showing my herb bed and the bit of garden I am currently working on - slowly. At my rate of progress I should be all the way round the garden by 3rd May 2016. But of course we hope not to be here by then and I shall have another little bed to care for painstakingly. The clematis has been cut-back sharply where it climbs the garage wall and the grey stain on the brickwork is where most of the plant used to be. A few days rain and the bricks will all look the same colour.

The second picture is of a delicate pink rose which climbs the trellis which is at a right-angle and behind me where I stood to photograph the herb bed.

It's name eludes me but it has the look of a David Austin variety. I know his roses seem expensive but they are healthy, robust and repay you with years of vigorous growth.

His website, in which I have linked you to his English Rose collection, is pleasant to browse around. We just need the scents and perhaps a barely audible background of summer evening birdsong.

This morning we went shopping to replace essentials (I do seem to use a lot of this Lactofree milk) but we witnessed a 'sign of the times' incident in Lidl.

The lady in front of us had bought a whole tray of tins of tomatoes, 4 across and 6 deep. This was a problem to the check out girl who is programmed to deal with single tins. "There are 24 tins" said the shopper helpfully. The sum 4 x 6 = 24 defeated the cashier and she had to tap each tin with her forefinger until she reached 24. Goodness gracious me ! I think times tables must be frowned upon by current educationalists. I must seek David's opinion.

Y has watched some tennis, but didn't want to watch the women screechers and grunters (see her comment). At tea-time I sat and watched some of the Murray v Troicki match and I could see that Murray wasn't really being extended.

Tomorrow afternoon, depending on the weather, the tennis, my state of health etc., we may go up to Laxton because they are having an open day which Stuart Rose told us about when he came to do his National Trust lecture. Google however is a little tight-lipped about it and I'd better check in the morning. We shall be very close to Bob's but don't aim to call in because the arrangements are so unsure and neither he nor we approve of unannounced, unplanned visits.

My responses to your comments

Bob ..... As you say, we must agree to differ over the issue of flower shades. Same with painting really I think - I love strong contrasty colours.

Jill ... We are in agreement over hot-weather food. Fish seems right. Beef stew or Lancashire hot-pot would make the stomach turn, in contemplation alone.

Y has explained about my Van/Band error. I wasn't actually there and subsequently misheard her report.

Weather not right for Glastonbury - it's supposed to be torrential rain and mud !

Yvonne ..... Can't disagree about the women's tennis in general. But I think you are wrong about the style of game. I recall that women often stuck to the baseline and it was the men who went in for the serve/volley type of play.

I certainly don't remember any of the ladies you mentioned, or Margaret Court, Steffi Graff etc., rushing up to the net very much. Perhaps Billie Jean King did - I can't remember clearly enough.

Rob ..... As you say - technology marches on. I'm sure your ferry driver knew his way. Or perhaps he relies on his Sat/Nav.

Even though too short I'm glad you enjoyed your holiday and a montage of snaps will be most welcome.

Peter G .... Message received and understood. Over.

Well done. I'm real proud of you.

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

"But he that dares not grasp the thorn should never crave the rose"

Anne Bronte

"Sleep tight - Catch you tomorrow"




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A good day - nice meal - good company - 68F

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My e-bay acquired lens cap arrived from Hong Kong this morning and I've been very satisfied with the transaction. I completed the purchase on 19th June and here it was. Item including postage £3.39p as against the official Nikon replacement at £8.89p from a shop or by mail order. And the latter would have attracted additional shipping costs.

An added attraction to the one I have bought, is the thread-loop to attach the cap to your camera to obviate future loss. Miss Wongrm can be assured of my future custom should the need arise.

We've had a lovely day. I didn't sleep too well and was in the garden around 6.30am doing some little tidying-up jobs. Then around 9.30am we went over to Peter & Joan's prior to going out for Joan's Birthday, to The Woodend at Huthwaite. Peter and I managed some time with his PC and I was able to help with a few 'workarounds' which will make his computing-life easier and more satisfying. In my opinion, at 80, he does remarkably well but what is more, he is eager to learn.

He went and collected Jean and we eventually set-0ff in both cars because it made sense for us to come home directly rather than drive back into Mansfield. Moreover, it allowed Y some extra Wimbledon time this afternoon.


When we got home I fancied a 'kip' rather than tennis, after which I watered and it is nice to see the first flower on my petunia hanging-basket - father's day prezzie from Long Eaton. Please see picture on the right.

We have some lovely coloured petunias. There is one in the front which is purple and white striped and looks really jazzy. I'm sure a snap will eventually surface. Y and I both like brash flamboyant flower colours, dahlias, petunias, and things like that. It says much about our 'common' tastes.

For tea Y made scrambled egg on ciabatta toast, with the two remaining eggs from Alex. She got the consistency just right and the beautifully rich yellow colour shouted 'home reared eggs'. They tasted great too.

My responses to your previous comments

Bob ..... I accept my mistake over the venue of Sandra's smoking problem. It just sounded like the same sort of place.

Re the entertainment. I am still trying to find out better particulars. Basically it was two blokes making weak jokes and leading community singing of songs like 'My old man said follow the band'. But I now realise that I have probably been too critical because I heard this morning that several people had enjoyed it very much.

The intransigence you encountered in Newark Morrisons is only too common and, if anything, is on the increase.

If Diogenes will permit me my laptop I would be more than willing to share his barrel.

Roy .... Ludlow is one of our favourite Shropshire towns, apart from the supermarket now plonked in the middle. Friends of ours live near Craven Arms and whenever we go we seem to have good weather.

Give my best wishes to little Basil and tell him I have every confidence in his ability to transcend these minor hurdles.

Jill .... No doubt the photographs have exaggerated the size of the garden. Whilst large it falls well short of 'grounds'.

I am happy to withdraw my remarks about 'entertainment suitable for an old-folks home'. They were unnecessarily discriminatory. Of course people are entitled not to be treated as if they are unintelligent and have lower standards. Sorry !

The Woodend Pub meal was fine, especially so considering that it is basically a £3.50p carvery. I asked for the 'vegetarian option' and was served, quite speedily, with a brocolli and brie bake, with which I had a selection of the veg from the carvery hotplate. No criticisms at all. Joan felt that the stuffing balls, stored on the hotplate and under strong lights, had gone rather hard-cased. None of us had room for pudding.

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Quotation slot .......

"........... second childishness and mere oblivion, Sans teeth, sans eyes, sans taste, sans everything"

Shakespeare - As you Like It

"Sleep tight - I'll catch you tomorrow"
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Good trip to Long Eaton Carnival - the weather held

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

My responses to your comments

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

It would be fun to make it again though !

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

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

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

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

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

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

Quotation time ......

"A lawn is nature under totalitarian rule"

Michael Pollan

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

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

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

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

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

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

My responses to your previously crafted comments

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

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

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

I yield my position on their's.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Quotation slot .......

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

Dick Gregory

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





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