The entire warm sunny day has been spent indoors, receiving or making phone calls and receiving or sending emails. There are a final two emails to send but it is nearly ten pm.
I am about to stroll up the village and watch a fab sunset!
We have W***rse, with L*dl next door, in one direction, and A*da in the other, all about 3/4 mile away, plus Ald* a tiny bit further in a different direction. All are uphill for walking home (but there are Buses).
W***rose is only five minutes walk away and it’s where the bottle bank is ( our new authority doesn’t have glass recycling) so a good excuse to pop in and buy stuff. I am trying to make more use of the stalls in the market square, in an attempt to shop local, though I haven’t quite yet worked put which is the best fruit and veg one. There is also a cheese stall that is testing our commitment to veganism, and we may succumb this weekend. Our main food problem is that none of the supermarkets round here stock the frozen parathas that were a staple of lunches in London. We even drove ten miles to the nearest big T*scos but they didn’t stock them either.
If those parathas are a usual part of stock in the London area (they aren't round here), can you order them to click and collect at any of the supermarkets?
Expotition into London today for a face-to-face hospital appointment for my daughter; new consultant at a different hospital.
Today is my birthday. I have lots of chocolate, books and pink champagne, as well as the small ochre velvet chair I wanted. It is currently in the lounge but it will shortly be in my office so I can sit and read away from my desk.
It's been raining all day here. Clearly FOOD is called for. A jam sponge has just emerged from the oven. ICE CREAM will have to be eaten with it, because I've received the list of supplies Captain Pyjamas needs for September, and among other items, he's supposed to have an empty plastic ice cream tub. It's a sacrifice, but one that I shall force myself to make .
Many happy returns, Heavenlyannie, and postdated good luck,CK! xx
You'd almost think someone didn't want me to get home of an evening; yesterday it was just missing a bus (twice) and today it was the 17:15 being cancelled.*
Grrrrr ...
Now on the 17:35, which is slow (has an extra stop). Swear-words.
* If I'd known it was going to be cancelled I'd have stayed in M&S long enough to buy the handbag that was silently begging me to buy it.
Happy Birthday @Heavenlyannie , hope it's been a good one. Hope you and the kitten aren't too wiped out by your trip to London.
We took ourselves off to local cathedral city today for a mooch. It's changed a lot since I was last there forty years ago, and on the whole for the better. We went on an interesting guided tour of the the ancient part of the place, had lunch in a vegan restaurant (good tea, somewhat dull panini, but at least it was vegan) and fell asleep on the train home. As it is only 30 minutes away on the train, we shall be going back often as there is so much yet to explore.
Haircut this morning. Majority of hair now its natural colour after decades of assiduous dyeing: this turns out to be white. I may get the odd wash in/wash out colourant. Hands up those of us who remember Harmony in its triangular box?
Too hot to go into the garden until late afternoon. Besides which, areas of me hurt from large amounts of weeding yesterday.
Buffalo sausages and cheesy polenta currently in the oven. Dinners for the next while are liable to be oven/microwaved: I don't fancy standing over a hot anything.
Thanks all, it was a good consultant's session - not the proper consultant, but the gatekeeper, who is referring her on to someone who is de facto the EDS specialist. Hallelujah! It was the lack of control of her symptoms when she's already on the what is recommended to be the highest doses of the medications she's on did it, not that she was particularly bad today. Much more like seeing the similar specialist in Sheffield in May 2018, and not like any of the visits elsewhere since.
And she's had her first vaccine, although apparently she spent her time in the tent firmly saying "the allergy clinic says I can have it" repeatedly as they demurred.
Hot sunny afternoon in London, I didn't quite finish the culottes I was making, they still need a waistband and hemming. My daughter did finish the skort she was making, but not the jacket before we left.
That's good news @Curiosity killed , hope this is the start of much improvement for the Kitten and well done to her for standing her ground about the vaccine.
Blue skies and sunshine here. Mr Nen and I are meeting up for lunch with someone we know from university, whom we haven't seen for 40 years, and his wife (whom we've never met). This summer has somehow been a lot about reconnecting with people we knew from the Christian Union at uni and it is, shall we say, Interesting.
I spent some time sorting through things in my other bedroom, searching for sandals. I knew I couldn't find a pair of navy ones, but assumed, until yesterday morning, that I must have thrown them out when the soles broke down, and forgotten. But I found I couldn't find a pair of blue ones that matched part of the pattern in my blouse, so now think both pairs have got buried somewhere. But not where I searched yesterday. I found a load of court shoes I am unlikely to wear again, so will have a look at them later with regard to Oxfam. I also went through the built in wardrobe where summery things and winter coats hang out, and now have a storage type bag full of cotton and other type skirts to go to Oxfam today. I am not that person any more. Some of them are very pretty, and there's a scattering of Indian cottons, but I wear trousers nearly all the time now, and I've kept a few for suitable occasions. A couple of frocks are in there as well, and there are more to be looked at, too.
[...] I didn't quite finish the culottes I was making, they still need a waistband and hemming. My daughter did finish the skort she was making, but not the jacket before we left.
I had a lovely birthday dinner at a pub in Grantchester last night. Starters was tempura whitebait and octopus (husband had tempura soft shelled crab which was a step too far for me), mains was a Japanese fusion of crispy noodles, sushi rice, chicken, edamame etc which was very nice. Pudding was orange and lemon posset with the lightest of shortbread. I accompanied this food with kir royale spritzers. Good food all round, even the dour husband was impressed.
Today I need to prepare some comments on some documents in preparation for a meeting tomorrow.
Sorry, @Heavenlyannie, apologies for not wishing a Happy Birthday wishes yesterday, I meant to, but was otherwise engaged. Happy Birthday for yesterday.
Trotted round to corner shop for Essentials. Got the cucumber, but shock horror - no vanilla ice cream! But just then the gelato delivery man arrived. But they only had 2 litre bottles of lemonade (not going to drink that much Pimms. Probably.) But 'tother shop had smalls.
I remember Harmony, @Firenze! My husband and I have just returned from Bath where we had a wonderfully civilised brunch at the Pump Rooms, complete with lovely piano music being played in the background. This was to use a voucher my son and daughter in law bought for me for my birthday last year and runs out next month. We thought we’d go before, so called, ‘Freedom Day’, which is when we’ll probably be battening down the hatches again, especially with cases rising steeply again in our area. Certainly, it seems to have already arrived in some cases - yes, Sports Direct staff, I’m looking at you - all young people, none at all wearing masks 🙄. Needless to say, I didn’t linger or buy anything.
Indeed. It would be too much to expect sense in England, but it may be that at least some supermarkets (hopefully my local Co-Op, and Tess Coe) will see fit to carry on requiring masks, and limiting the number of customers in the store at any one time...
Our local Tesco's has been breaking the rules pretty much throughout. First lockdown we had one in one out policy and queues around the car park outside, but not since then. In theory there's a counter on the door with red and green lights, but scuttlebutt says that the counter is turned off. No-one has seen the red lights in operation, even when the place has been heaving. It's about 50:50 whether masks are worn or not.
However, having travelled on the tube yesterday and seen far too many people not wearing masks, I was delighted to hear that Sadiq Khan (London Mayor) is requiring masks to be worn on all London transport after Monday, with the backing of Grant Shapps, the secretary of transport.
Our local Tesco's has been breaking the rules pretty much throughout. First lockdown we had one in one out policy and queues around the car park outside, but not since then. In theory there's a counter on the door with red and green lights, but scuttlebutt says that the counter is turned off. No-one has seen the red lights in operation, even when the place has been heaving. It's about 50:50 whether masks are worn or not.
However, having travelled on the tube yesterday and seen far too many people not wearing masks, I was delighted to hear that Sadiq Khan (London Mayor) is requiring masks to be worn on all London transport after Monday, with the backing of Grant Shapps, the secretary of transport.
Our local Tess Coe has the red/green lights etc., but perhaps I've just been lucky (or prudent) enough to go at off-peak times - usually the middle of the day - when it's by no means heaving with customers.
Almost the only people not wearing masks have had exemption cards, or so I take them to be, hanging round their necks...
As to Mr Khan, well, we have here another sensible grown-up in a position of authority. Call me cynical, but I wonder if Mr Shapps is backing him because votes...
I'm trying to figure out the connection to @Wesley J's sans culottes. As usual, I did not attend the military parade down the Champs Élysées, not because I have any objection to it, but because it would involve getting up early on a public holiday. We did spot a fleet of helicopters overhead on their way back to the heliport.
I'm not sure what the social distancing rules are about the fireworks this year, but in any case they are much too late to go to with Captain Pyjamas so I think we'll watch them on the telly. If we don't watch them we'll hear them anyway - we're not that far from the Eiffel Tower and from rouge heights it sounds like a war zone.
I did notice it was 14th July and thought, "Bastille Day", but as w*rk was a bit fraught today, I didn't even pause to associate it with dear La Vie! Hope you had a nice relaxing day despite the Loud Bangs.
It got up to 22° in Embra today, but felt warmer than that; I think the technical term is "bloody hot", and it's going to get worse.
I pity my nephew and his heavily-pregnant wife, who are moving house (along with the Adorable Archie) on Friday, which is also forecast to be somewhat scorchio.
For those who are interested (probably not many) I did go into M&S to buy the aforementioned handbag, and resisted the temptation to go down to the food hall and buy things I don't need.
It was quite warm in Arkland today - still is - albeit a bit muggy. Mustn't grumble - at least I haven't had to put on a Pullover, or turn on the electric heater...
Some preparation (brushing off the Flaky Bits) of the foredeck has been achieved, prior to applying some nice Paint tomorrow (hopefully).
First time out of Wakefield today since March 2020, as meeting a friend in Halifax. Very pleasant day mooching round the piece hall and scoffing food. My lunch was so big I'm currently heating the leftovers for tea and will be sharing with MuminElmet (lamb kofta and chips, but all fresh made with properly dressed salad and a flatbread the size of a toddler).
First time back in a train too, managing to get back before commuter hell kicked in. Cinema on Friday (the booking site says I'll have the screen to myself) and meeting a friend on Saturday. Like others I'm making the most of this week before chaos ensues next week, made more difficult by school holidays.
I'll be finding out how the rules are changing at work, tomorrow. Can't wait
For those who are interested (probably not many) I did go into M&S to buy the aforementioned handbag
I'm pleased to hear it. I love a nice handbag.
We were treated to lunch by the university friend we met up with and it was a very pleasant occasion. We took the scenic route home and that was lovely.
I'm home alone this evening, toggling between about three different programmes on TV and eating too much of the things I shouldn't eat. >rolleyes<
La Vie, can I please ask a favour? Mr S has a new pair of boots, which he refers to as his beetle crushers, and I would dearly love to know the literal translation (not what a French person might call a pair of boots with heavy soles, but literally!)
It's a sort of family joke thing and my French has sadly faded away since my A-level
Google translate says this: concasseurs de coléoptères
Google translate is in no way a reliable source, but, Coleoptera is the scientific name for a beetle so I think it may not be far off a literal translation.
Comments
I am about to stroll up the village and watch a fab sunset!
Darn it.
I ate them.
All of them!
Expotition into London today for a face-to-face hospital appointment for my daughter; new consultant at a different hospital.
I'm off shortly for lunch with friends, always a nice occasion.
Today is my birthday. I have lots of chocolate, books and pink champagne, as well as the small ochre velvet chair I wanted. It is currently in the lounge but it will shortly be in my office so I can sit and read away from my desk.
Hippo, birdie, two ewes!
Hippo, birdie, two ewes!
Hippo, birdie, @Heavenlyannie,
Hippo, birdie, two ewes!
(Altered to avoid copyright infringement
Happy Birthday @Heavenlyannie!
I hope all goes well, Curiosity killed and Kitten! <votive>
It's been raining all day here. Clearly FOOD is called for. A jam sponge has just emerged from the oven. ICE CREAM will have to be eaten with it, because I've received the list of supplies Captain Pyjamas needs for September, and among other items, he's supposed to have an empty plastic ice cream tub. It's a sacrifice, but one that I shall force myself to make
My wife has bought herself a drum carder with that aim in mind.
You'd almost think someone didn't want me to get home of an evening; yesterday it was just missing a bus (twice) and today it was the 17:15 being cancelled.*
Grrrrr ...
Now on the 17:35, which is slow (has an extra stop). Swear-words.
* If I'd known it was going to be cancelled I'd have stayed in M&S long enough to buy the handbag that was silently begging me to buy it.
No matter: I'll be going past again tomorrow ...
We took ourselves off to local cathedral city today for a mooch. It's changed a lot since I was last there forty years ago, and on the whole for the better. We went on an interesting guided tour of the the ancient part of the place, had lunch in a vegan restaurant (good tea, somewhat dull panini, but at least it was vegan) and fell asleep on the train home. As it is only 30 minutes away on the train, we shall be going back often as there is so much yet to explore.
Too hot to go into the garden until late afternoon. Besides which, areas of me hurt from large amounts of weeding yesterday.
Buffalo sausages and cheesy polenta currently in the oven. Dinners for the next while are liable to be oven/microwaved: I don't fancy standing over a hot anything.
A couple of ewes - is that the same as a double-ewe?
Sorry....
And she's had her first vaccine, although apparently she spent her time in the tent firmly saying "the allergy clinic says I can have it" repeatedly as they demurred.
Hot sunny afternoon in London, I didn't quite finish the culottes I was making, they still need a waistband and hemming. My daughter did finish the skort she was making, but not the jacket before we left.
Blue skies and sunshine here. Mr Nen and I are meeting up for lunch with someone we know from university, whom we haven't seen for 40 years, and his wife (whom we've never met). This summer has somehow been a lot about reconnecting with people we knew from the Christian Union at uni and it is, shall we say, Interesting.
Very glad that everything went well with C Kitten. Very good to have medical people who listen!
Today I need to prepare some comments on some documents in preparation for a meeting tomorrow.
However, having travelled on the tube yesterday and seen far too many people not wearing masks, I was delighted to hear that Sadiq Khan (London Mayor) is requiring masks to be worn on all London transport after Monday, with the backing of Grant Shapps, the secretary of transport.
Our local Tess Coe has the red/green lights etc., but perhaps I've just been lucky (or prudent) enough to go at off-peak times - usually the middle of the day - when it's by no means heaving with customers.
Almost the only people not wearing masks have had exemption cards, or so I take them to be, hanging round their necks...
As to Mr Khan, well, we have here another sensible grown-up in a position of authority. Call me cynical, but I wonder if Mr Shapps is backing him because votes...
I'm trying to figure out the connection to @Wesley J's sans culottes.
I'm not sure what the social distancing rules are about the fireworks this year, but in any case they are much too late to go to with Captain Pyjamas so I think we'll watch them on the telly. If we don't watch them we'll hear them anyway - we're not that far from the Eiffel Tower and from rouge heights it sounds like a war zone.
It got up to 22° in Embra today, but felt warmer than that; I think the technical term is "bloody hot", and it's going to get worse.
I pity my nephew and his heavily-pregnant wife, who are moving house (along with the Adorable Archie) on Friday, which is also forecast to be somewhat scorchio.
For those who are interested (probably not many) I did go into M&S to buy the aforementioned handbag, and resisted the temptation to go down to the food hall and buy things I don't need.
Some preparation (brushing off the Flaky Bits) of the foredeck has been achieved, prior to applying some nice Paint tomorrow (hopefully).
First time back in a train too, managing to get back before commuter hell kicked in. Cinema on Friday (the booking site says I'll have the screen to myself) and meeting a friend on Saturday. Like others I'm making the most of this week before chaos ensues next week, made more difficult by school holidays.
I'll be finding out how the rules are changing at work, tomorrow. Can't wait
We were treated to lunch by the university friend we met up with and it was a very pleasant occasion. We took the scenic route home and that was lovely.
I'm home alone this evening, toggling between about three different programmes on TV and eating too much of the things I shouldn't eat. >rolleyes<
It's a sort of family joke thing and my French has sadly faded away since my A-level
Google translate is in no way a reliable source, but, Coleoptera is the scientific name for a beetle so I think it may not be far off a literal translation.