The Untied Kingdom? - the British thread 2021

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  • We're very fortunate as a local company that makes such cakes for big supermarkets always donates quite a number for our church fairs.

    In other news, I bought a couple Belgian chocolate and cream choux buns from W'**tr*se this morning ... They were reduced as they must be eaten today: who am I to argue?
  • Sadly Marks make very good gluten-free lemon drizzle and coffee and walnut cakes, which we can often score at half price.
  • SarasaSarasa Shipmate
    Coffee and walnut cake is my favourite. I had it instead of lunch in a rather nice farm café near Wye in Kent when we did a bit of the Pilgrim's Way in 2019. The best I've ever had. My husband is partial to a good lemon drizzle cake. His sister makes amazing ones, I'm much less good at it.
    I was on a retreat once at St Beuno's in North Wales when sheep invaded their lawns. Jesuits are not very good at getting sheep to go where they are supposed to, but it was entertaining to watch.
    Still no movement on our house move and I am getting very fed up about it all.
  • I have memories of chivvying sheep back out of a garden, all in wellies and nightclothes. That was a live in house-keeping job.

    Why were the sheep in wellies and nightclothes?

    I'll get me coat...
  • kingsfoldkingsfold Shipmate
    I quite like coffee cake but on reflection I'm heading for Nigella's ginger/ walnut / carrot confection.

    You mean this one? It's fantastic! I tried it out sometime during lockdown: I loved it as did all the people to whom I donated slices (I live alone - making a cake that size solved the carrot glut issue, but left me with too much cake. So I shared!)

  • *Too much CAKE* = oxymoron...
    :wink:
  • MrsBeakyMrsBeaky Shipmate
    I have memories of chivvying sheep back out of a garden, all in wellies and nightclothes. That was a live in house-keeping job.

    My parents house, it's more likely that I'll be "persuading" a herd of milking cows back out, as there's a farmyard next door. And kept awake by a milker complaining her calf is off to market in the morning.

    When we were training to go and work cross-culturally as mission partners we lived in a cottage on a farm. One day the cows escaped from their field and invaded our vegetable patch. Cue husband rounding them up by going into the garden and playing his saxophone loudly.....unorthodox but it did the trick!
  • O come on - you can't leave it there!
    :lol:

    What tune did he play? Enquiring minds need to know...
  • MrsBeakyMrsBeaky Shipmate
    As far as I can recall (it's 37 years ago!) he started with a little number from "Youth Praise" called "Can it be true?" which he had learned at his church youth group but quickly segued into playing random notes in a jazz style. Really loudly.
  • Goodness! I remember *Can it be true?* when it first appeared, back in the late 60s (Youth Praise, IIRC).
    :open_mouth:

    It's actually quite a good tune (I can hear it in my head this minute as ever is)...
    :smile:
  • BoogieBoogie Shipmate
    edited March 17
    We live near Park Cakes - the firm which makes all the cakes for M&S.

    They have a shop where they sell seconds (misshapes, mistakes with icing etc). You can get a huge red velvet cake, for example, which cuts in 16 large slices - which they use in their cafes - for £4! Millionaires shortbread is 50p for a 1Kg bag etc etc.

    I get my coffee morning cakes from there - and my coffee mornings are very popular. I’m looking forward to being allowed to host them again. 🙂
  • Goodness! I remember *Can it be true?* when it first appeared, back in the late 60s (Youth Praise, IIRC).
    :open_mouth:

    It's actually quite a good tune (I can hear it in my head this minute as ever is)...
    :smile:

    YP book 1, No.36, from what I remember. All together now ...
  • Nooooo! 😧
  • Bishops FingerBishops Finger Shipmate
    edited March 17
    Well, each to his own - but I was 15 when Youth Praise 1 first came out, and it was very popular in the 14+ Yoof Group at the church I was attending at that time.

    The Yoof Group was quite large (80-100 or so on a Saturday evening, 50 or so at the Sunday evening service in church, and the post-service meeting). There were enough musicians/singers of reasonable talent to form our very own Praise Band, although IIRC this was limited to performing in the church hall, and not in the church itself.

    The somewhat later Psalm Praise also became popular, at least in the lower echelons of the C of E, and one or two items have become classics (Tell out, my soul, and Faithful vigil ended spring to mind).
  • Ethne AlbaEthne Alba Shipmate
    .( I ve just covered my copies of YP 1 x 2 and Psalm Praise, in pages from old gardening magazines.

    Had to.
    Mr Alba shuddered every time he walked past any of them!)
  • Bishops FingerBishops Finger Shipmate
    edited March 17
    Ethne Alba wrote: »
    .( I ve just covered my copies of YP 1 x 2 and Psalm Praise, in pages from old gardening magazines.

    Had to.
    Mr Alba shuddered every time he walked past any of them!)

    :lol:

    Well done for keeping them, though! What goes around, comes around - and the post-Plague church may well have need of them...however shuddersome poor Mr Alba might think them...
    :naughty:
  • Baptist TrainfanBaptist Trainfan Shipmate
    edited March 17
    One or two items have become classics (Tell out, my soul, and Faithful vigil ended spring to mind).

    True, but "Tell out" is usually sung these days to "Woodlands" rather than the YP tune, and I've sung "Faithful vigil" to "North Cotes" or "Eudoxia". Then there are "Christ Triumphant", again not usually sung to its original tune; and "Go forth and tell", often sung to "Yarnton", which I dislike.

  • Bishops FingerBishops Finger Shipmate
    edited March 17
    One or two items have become classics (Tell out, my soul, and Faithful vigil ended spring to mind).

    True, but "Tell out" is usually sung these days to "Woodlands" rather than the YP tune, and I've sung "Faithful vigil" to "North Cotes" or "Eudoxia". Then there are "Christ Triumphant", again not usually sung to its original tune; and "Go forth and tell", often sung to "Yarnton", which I dislike.

    Yes - I was thinking of the words, rather than the tunes (though I quite like the YP/PP tune for Tell out my soul ). The metres are not too outrageous, so there is plenty of choice.
  • PigletPiglet All Saints Host, Circus Host
    I vaguely remember my brother and sister having copies of Youth Praise - I'm seeng an orange-covered book with white writing. I don't remember much about the contents - by the time I was old enough to possibly appreciate them, I realised that I didn't, and had migrated further up the candle.
    On the subject of CAKE, I think I'll join in the chorus for lemon drizzle, or failing that, cherry. It's just as well I don't live anywhere near Boogie's 50p-for-a-kilo (a kilo?????) millionaire's shortbread emporium - I'd be the size of a house and have no teeth.

    It all made me feel very peckish - just as well it's supper time (salmon baked with potatoes, broccoli and green beans).
    In other news, because of the vandalism perpetrated by a few little toe-rags, Lothian Buses are withdrawing all services from 7:30 this evening.

    They say it's only for the evening; the night buses will operate, and they hope things will be back to normal in the morning. Their spokesperson was quoted as saying:
    We understand that we provide a critical service for key workers and those for whom travel is essential and we can only apologise to these customers who we know will be inconvenienced by this decision.
    "Inconvenienced" would be putting it mildly: if I have to get a taxi each way from the station to work and back I'll practically be paying for the privilege of working for the NHS.

    I love my job and my colleagues, but there are limits ...
  • "Yarnton"

    A stupidly heavy tenor for a six bell tower, at a shade over 22cwt.

  • Piglet wrote: »
    I vaguely remember my brother and sister having copies of Youth Praise - I'm seeing an orange-covered book with white writing.
    That was Book 2.

  • NenyaNenya Shipmate
    That's horrible @Piglet . I do hope things are back to normal tomorrow and you are not "inconvenienced" at all.

    I've just finished what I had anticipated being my last Zoom of the day and have remembered another that I should maybe swing into...
  • PigletPiglet All Saints Host, Circus Host
    What worries me is that if the buses really aren't running, you won't be able to get a taxi for love or money.
  • la vie en rougela vie en rouge Circus Host, 8th Day Host
    kingsfold wrote: »
    I quite like coffee cake but on reflection I'm heading for Nigella's ginger/ walnut / carrot confection.

    You mean this one? It's fantastic! I tried it out sometime during lockdown: I loved it as did all the people to whom I donated slices (I live alone - making a cake that size solved the carrot glut issue, but left me with too much cake. So I shared!)

    That's the one, and very yummy it is. I too am struggling with the concept of too much CAKE - given that it keeps a couple of days, I could totally eat the whole thing by myself. :mrgreen:
  • kingsfoldkingsfold Shipmate
    kingsfold wrote: »
    I quite like coffee cake but on reflection I'm heading for Nigella's ginger/ walnut / carrot confection.

    You mean this one? It's fantastic! I tried it out sometime during lockdown: I loved it as did all the people to whom I donated slices (I live alone - making a cake that size solved the carrot glut issue, but left me with too much cake. So I shared!)

    That's the one, and very yummy it is. I too am struggling with the concept of too much CAKE - given that it keeps a couple of days, I could totally eat the whole thing by myself. :mrgreen:

    Could and should are two different things. I'm rather trying to avoid the "could" option....
  • My favourite homemade cake, double ginger, is from one of the Good Housekeeping books (my fav book for cake recipes - they always come out like their pictures). There is chopped glace ginger in the cake and the syrup from the jar in the icing. It's a heart attack on a plate, though, for 2 people without sharing. It'll have to wait for a bit.
  • Ethne AlbaEthne Alba Shipmate
    Ah @Piglet , i did wonder if the Lothian buses announcement would affect you.
  • HuiaHuia Shipmate
    The topic of worn sheets reminded me of the school holidays when all four of us kids caught a streaming cold. Mum ripped up a sheet and gave us several bits each. They were far better than ever the softest tissues you can buy.

    Mine go to the SPCA for dogs
  • FirenzeFirenze Shipmate, Host Emeritus
    It seems the suspension of bus services is evenings only - post 19.30 - by which time @Piglet should be home in Linlithgow.

    I'm not sure why the buses have become targets - possibly they just look more vulnerable semi empty.
  • Although it's not easy for said canines to hold the bits of cloth in order to wipe their noses.
  • MiffyMiffy Shipmate
    My favourite homemade cake, double ginger, is from one of the Good Housekeeping books (my fav book for cake recipes - they always come out like their pictures). There is chopped glace ginger in the cake and the syrup from the jar in the icing. It's a heart attack on a plate, though, for 2 people without sharing. It'll have to wait for a bit.

    Please go easy on the delicious but densely calorie-packed comestibles, folks. I’m trying to watch my weight and even a sniff of cake goes straight from my mouth to my waistline.
  • HuiaHuia Shipmate
    Although it's not easy for said canines to hold the bits of cloth in order to wipe their noses.

    I'll have you know BT that Christchurch dogs are Very Clever* (and need a lot of cleaning up done after them).

    * Of course that cats are even more clever - and better at cleaning up after themselves.😺
  • SarasaSarasa Shipmate
    Hope your bus turned up this morning @Piglet and you managed to catch it. Buses in London (well our part at least) were on strike yesterday. Usually it wouldn't bother us being retired, but my husband was off to do a video shoot for someone and had to cancel, much to his annoyance.
    The other annoying thing was a phone call from the estate agent who we are buying our new house from. Probate is going to take at least another ten weeks. Aggghhhh!
  • NenyaNenya Shipmate
    I've been thinking of @Piglet too and hoping her commute was straightforward.

    I'm sorry to hear of the hold-ups on your house, @Sarasa . So frustrating!
  • BoogieBoogie Shipmate
    Miffy wrote: »
    My favourite homemade cake, double ginger, is from one of the Good Housekeeping books (my fav book for cake recipes - they always come out like their pictures). There is chopped glace ginger in the cake and the syrup from the jar in the icing. It's a heart attack on a plate, though, for 2 people without sharing. It'll have to wait for a bit.

    Please go easy on the delicious but densely calorie-packed comestibles, folks. I’m trying to watch my weight and even a sniff of cake goes straight from my mouth to my waistline.

    I’m trying to lose Covid Kilos too.

    I have a light breakfast - easy to do.

    I have a light lunch. Very Hard to do while watching Mr Boogs tuck into huge, tasty sandwiches made with homemade bread!

    But I have lost a pound a week and I’m very keen to keep that up without going on a diet.

  • Oh frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!
    We have a zoom PCC today!

    Can life get any better? 🤣
  • NenyaNenya Shipmate
    Oh frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!
    We have a zoom PCC today!

    Can life get any better? 🤣
    "You have no authority in this meeting @TheOrganist !" :lol:
  • PigletPiglet All Saints Host, Circus Host
    Good luck, @TheOrganist!
    The absence of buses was indeed only after I was happily ensconced in the flat with the bears, and things were back to normal in the morning.

    I'm still v. pissed-off though: if I don't catch the 7:33 (or whatever it is), I end up waiting for about half an hour, as the (so-called) 7:58 is rarely there before 8:10. If the 7:33 ran that late every day I'd be laughing.

    I'm going to investigate buses from Haymarket to Shandwick Place - it would cost me an extra £10 a week, but might be worth it to get me in earlier.
    In other news, it's a glorious day in Embra, and socks have been temporarily discarded*.

    And I'm probably going to get to meet my new great-nephew at the weekend. :heart:

    * I know, I know - casting clouts and all that, but for all I know, this might be summer.
  • Overcast and occasionally drizzly day here.
    A very productive morning where I have done my emails, marked a stray essay, given a telephone tutorial, prepped a tutorial for tomorrow evening and updated myself on the subject I'm teaching. But unfortunately I am now going to have to mark essays all afternoon before going to a meeting at 5pm and I'm really not in the mood.
  • BoogieBoogie Shipmate
    Oh frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!
    We have a zoom PCC today!

    Can life get any better? 🤣

    Is Jackie Weaver invited? 😏

  • Baptist TrainfanBaptist Trainfan Shipmate
    edited March 18
    Piglet wrote: »
    In other news, it's a glorious day in Embra, and socks have been temporarily discarded*.

    * I know, I know - casting clouts and all that, but for all I know, this might be summer.
    Nothing to do with clouts ... but socks should never be discarded (except on the beach). They look particularly good on men, with sandals. [Devil]

  • Baptist TrainfanBaptist Trainfan Shipmate
    edited March 18
    Boogie wrote: »
    Oh frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!
    We have a zoom PCC today!

    Can life get any better? 🤣

    Is Jackie Weaver invited? 😏
    I understand that she is unavailable.

  • FirenzeFirenze Shipmate, Host Emeritus
    Spent a good part of the day in the garden - turning compost, trimming shrubs, but also just sitting in the summerhouse watching the sun catch the petals of the crocus and the first green blades of the monbretia.
  • NenyaNenya Shipmate
    Really pleased to hear that the buses were back on for you @Piglet . Hope there's a way forward with your commute.

    I've had a really nice day - after all of yesterday's Zooms (six in the end :flushed: but some were fairly short and one was the sort where you could do other stuff online without anyone noticing... not that any of you do that I'm sure...) I had a clear morning today. I whizzed out for a walk in the sunshine before lunch and have had a catch up with an old work colleague this afternoon. Another Zoom meeting this evening but it'll be an interesting one.

    Bangers'n'mash for tea. Not a huge favourite of mine but Mr Nen always gets excited about it.
  • PigletPiglet All Saints Host, Circus Host
    It was really warm as I trundled along Princes Street having gone bear-hunting in M&S, and found a very agreeable Paddington (and a cute little baby-grow thingy) for the aforementioned great-nephew.

    It's amazing how small newborn babies are: there was a picture on our family What's App today of Coen (the littlest one) beside Rosie (the next one up, who's six months old), and she's literally twice his size.

    The weather could stay like this until October and I wouldn't be complaining.
  • PigletPiglet All Saints Host, Circus Host
    Sorry for double-post, but I'd like some advice.

    I had a letter in the post today informing me that "the occupant" of Château Piglet doesn’t have a TV licence. I'm well aware of this fact: the occupant of Château Piglet also doesn't have a TV (and when she acquires one, she'll obtain the aforementioned document tout suite).

    What's bothering me is that they mention downloads and BBC I Player (neither of which I've used), but does this mean I have to get a TV licence for my laptop and Tablet?

    If I click on a link to (say) a clip from Have I got News for You on Facebook, does that make me an evil criminal, deserving of a £1,000 fine?
  • BroJamesBroJames Purgatory Host, 8th Day Host
    No you’re all right with Facebook, YouTube etc., but you shouldn’t watch programmes on iPlayer.
  • You have to have a TV licence if you watch anything from i-player or other broadcast TV whether it's on a TV, laptop or tablet. And if you are somewhere else using your tablet off the power source you are still covered by it.

    If you don't watch any TV at all, you shouldn't have to pay for one. There's a link here telling you how to do it. But the TV licensing authority weren't easy to convince back in the days of TV sets being required to watch TV that I really didn't have one, so I'm not sure how easy it will be in these days when you can watch on so many other devices. We used to play spot the TV detector van, both here and at my parents', who also didn't have a TV.
  • Nenya wrote: »
    One was the sort where you could do other stuff online without anyone noticing... not that any of you do that I'm sure...
    Oh no, perish the thought (uncrosses fingers).

  • PigletPiglet All Saints Host, Circus Host
    I don't think I've ever watched anything on I Player (presumably listening to the radio broadcast from King's at Christmas doesn't count), but I don't relish the idea of trying to prove that to some jobsworth. Having said that, I also don't wish to pay for something I haven't got.

    If they did come to the house, there'd be a terrible temptation to tell them to go away and catch some actual criminals.*

    * Don't worry - I'd never have the nerve!
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