It's the sort of significant day for me where I might expect to have a parcel or two to unwrap. About a week ago a large and anonymous parcel in brown wrapping (stop sniggering at the back) arrived which I assumed was an early arrival, so I hung on to open it.
This morning I opened it, and the mystery deepens. Its a dslr and lens with a sad note from Nick the Nikon about how his previous owner was seduced by mirrorless, and how he hoped he'd fit into my orphanage for lost cameras, and could Tammy (the lens) stay too?
I know the likely group of people from whence the sender came but, beyond that, I have no idea which one it was. Its very kind, though, and Nick & Tammy are definitely going to stay!
I went back to the restaurant where we ate on my birthday as they had overcharged me, by charging for individual dishes instead of the fixed price. No problem getting a refund.
Still catching up with myself today.
The other week we went to a restaurant and ordered "a la carte". When it came to the bill the server noticed that my wife's dishes all figured on the cheaper fixed-price menu and adjusted things accordingly. We were quite impressed!
I'm travelling from Bristol to Manchester by bus on Sunday. I enjoy the ride and I take plenty of snacks. I looked at bottles of cold coffee (which I enjoy). They were £2.50 a bottle! So I shall take my own in a flask. Cards and presents for the northern lands are all prepared. 🙂
Usual morning of admin and comms for me, still in a quiet zone at work. But this afternoon I’m giving a lecture on inequality, lifestyles and public health. I’ll have an early finish the afternoon but need to do some housework.
Another fine Sun-Shiny day in Arkland the Clement, after a clear but chilly night (full Moon is imminent). There are now a few Clouds in the Firmament, but the opportunity has been taken to indulge in Sittage and Quaffage in the Wheelhouse - well, it's worthwhile IMHO to take every opportunity to enjoy what Sun-Shine They deign to allow us...
I even tottered back onto terra firma with my Picky-Up Thingy, after returning from Tess Coe, to clear up some plastic debris which has been lying around since the last high tides brought it close to the Ark. Such debris is a danger to wild life, especially birds, and I was dismayed to learn that avian flu is also decimating the Swan population further east. Our local Swan family (cob, pen, and two cygnets - now almost fully-grown) has not been seen recently, so I hope they haven't succumbed.
BTW, after my visit to Tess Coe today, it occurred to me that a number of comestibles which I formerly enjoyed no longer seem to be available.
1. PILCHARDS (but you know about that - at least junior Pilchards i.e. Sardines have made a comeback);
2. TOAD-IN-THE-HOLE has disappeared from the Prepared Meals cabinet - one pack was sufficient for two meals:
3. SALMON FILLETS with Lemon & Parsley - there's a choice of either plain or with Sweet Chilli (yuck):
4. SCAMPI, again from the Fish/Seafood cabinet:
5. BREAKFAST-INNA-TIN (Beans, Sausages, Mushrooms etc.) - very acceptable when I was working a night shift, and we had a break at 3am.
Changes in demand? Difficulties in supply? Very much a first-world problem, I know...
Just back from our Christmas meal with our local Ramblers group. The company was excellent, the pub very nice and the food not at all bad for a mass catering event for 50 people. After three courses I am totally stuffed. At least I went for the five mile walk before hand so hopefully I worked some of it off beforehand.
The rouge family Christmas tree is up. Early, I know, but we're going to be in foie gras land for the Christmas holidays, so at least we'll get our money's worth. It's looking quite jolly.
I haven't made mince pies yet because Captain Pyjamas still isn't allowed to eat them after having his tonsils ectomied.
I Have Done A Thing! An over-the-top-of-the-microwave shelf thingie with hooks came up on my Farcebark feed, and I thought, I need all the extra space I can get, so I ordered it. Of course, I hadn't really twigged that I'd have to assemble the bloody thing, but I set to with the (microscopic) instructions, a bag of screws and an Allen key. It's now ensconced above my popty-ping, and although the shelf bit (which is extendable) currently only has a container of cornflakes on it, I have plans for Other Useful Things to find a home there.
And I only had one screw left over - I have no idea where it's supposed to be ...
Once I'd done that, I couldn't be bothered to cook, so I ambled over the road and got scampi and chips. As I'm going out for supper with friends on Friday, the chippy would have missed out on my custom; that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it.
It' a very wet and miserable day today. I had my lipreading class in the morning where only two of us managed to make it, followed by a quick dash home for some lunch before my bookshop shift this afternoon. That was very quiet as the weather obviously was putting people off venturing out.
Rained a lot here too. I was working from home in my customary spot in the conservatory and struggled to follow a couple of online meetings due to the racket (not a terrible loss, they were the sort where I listen along while getting on with work).
A damp and dreary day in Arkland the Depressing, at least until Sunset...the Sky is now clear, and the Moon is shining brightly. There will probably be a frost overnight, but hopefully some Sun-Shine tomorrow. Arkland is quiet, with hardly anyone around, but there are tell-tale wisps of aromatic Wood Smoke rising above several Arks, proving that there are at least a few denizens still alive and well...
Feeling somewhat flaky this morning, I've stayed below decks all day in the warm, but I have at least managed to write some Christmas cards. Lunch was plain Salmon Fillets n'Chips, but the evening is drawing on, and some SOUP is called for.
Wet here too. Mr Bee & I went shopping in the city centre. Snug and dry in there, but very busy as to be expected. Shopping successfully done, we had scheduled a gardener to prune our hedges but he postponed due to the inclement weather. Looks to be a cold clear night ahead; the moon is glorious.
It wasn't a bad day here; mostly dry and cool. I'd forgotten to get fusilli yesterday (and actually my bag would have been too heavy if I hadn't), so I pootled along to Tessie's at lunchtime and put right the omission. I also got some more MINCE PIES, because nearly Christmas, and another bottle of Villa Maria, because special offer. I only buy one bottle at a time if I haven't got the trusty trolley, but £2 off is too good to pass up on what is probably my favourite wine.
Very quiet day at work; I was scrabbling about looking for things to do, and left a beautifully empty in-floor. I don't imagine it'll still be like that tomorrow, but heigh-ho.
Supper was pasta with prawns, green beans and broccoli.
The fourth day this week with nothing specific happening during the day, but the fourth consecutive evening out.
I’ve been catching up with admin and small but necessary tasks. I’ve now got curtains up in the new spare room.
The rain came in the night but it was fine this morning so I popped over to Aldi and bought a few extras that weren’t on my list. Torrential rain thereafter.
There is a Christmas Tree Festival in the Parish Church starting tomorrow so I plan to go along. The previous vicar banned it for reasons only he understood, but it was very popular in the community, so I am glad it has been restarted.
Yoga this morning and we had a relaxation themed week which was pleasant. I actually had time to go for coffee with the ladies afterwards and I met an old friend’s parents in the cafe. I used to run the local toddler group with her, and discovered from her parents that my friend’s younger son had been studying the same course with my younger son for the last 3 years (he finished the bachelors degree last year, my son is now doing the masters year). I’ve just checked with my son and apparently they did know each other but didn’t know they were from the same place!
This afternoon I finished editing and referencing the introductory chapter of my dissertation, and have started doing some reading for the next chapter.
Tea was posh sausages with pear and Brighton blue salad. Weekly bible study group afterwards.
Yesterday morning I went swimming first thing. Later on my wife had Elders' keep-fit and I had a local Ministers' Christmas lunch at a Toby Carvery (not really my thing but it wasn't bad). In the evening we went to a presentation/fundraiser about Palestine by the Amos Trust which included some excellent dance by a group of West Bank young people, interspersed with harrowing images and sounds; then poetry and some songs from Martyn Joseph. A thought-provoking and mentally draining evening!
The area around Our Cathedral is being given over almost wholly to the worship of Mammon at the moment, with the Xmas Market in full swing, and the Dickens Christmas Festival over the weekend. Roads are closed, car parking (especially for the disabled) is difficult, and the traffic is dense...I know this, as I tried unsuccessfully to get to Tess Coe earlier today...
The Cathedral has cancelled most of its usual services on Sunday, except for the Eucharist (brought forward an hour to 930am). No BCP Communion, no Mattins, and no Evensong - but there will be two Carol Services, one at 1230pm and the other at 3pm, hopefully catering for the crowds thronging to the Xmas Market and Dickens thingy.
A beautiful Moonlit night in Arkland the Chilly was followed by a morning of Mist and Hard Frost, now replaced by the standard Cloud and General Gloom.
A late lunch is GAMMON STEAK n'CHIPS, which I must rescue from the Dragon immediately.
I’ve just posted my first Christmas cards, not many as I ran out of stamps. They fell straight out of the box as it was so full!
I couldn’t go and buy more stamps as my daughter was with me and she was in a rush to get back for a supermarket delivery. We were a bit disappointed with the Christmas Tree festival, not as many trees as usual, but at least it happened.
IIRC, the Christmas Tree Festival you mention has only just recommenced - if so, it may take a year or two for people to get back into the swing of it, so to speak.
The Arkland Office has been decorated for the festive season, and very tastefully IMHO. A fair-sized imitation tree (with baubles), some gold lights and stars in the windows overlooking the car park, and some sort of small sticker thingies (no actual glue IYSWIM) depicting holly leaves and berries on the plastic screens (left over from Covid!) near the reception desk. Nothing overdone, and I duly congratulated the Office Ladies, which pleased them mightily. I will give them a larger box of CHOCOLATES this year...
Our first Christmas card via the postal service arrived yesterday, although Mr RoS brought one home from his book group last Tuesday. (Not meeting again until the end of Jan.)
I will start writing ours tomorrow.
Had a lovely view of the full moon through the kitchen window at 5 o'clock yesterday, and again through the bedroom window at 7am this morning.
A cold but sunny start tot day, so we took ourselves off to Nymans for a walk around the gardens. It being pre-Christmas there was a 'Fairytale Walk" for the children (we went the wrong way round), and apparently something exciting was happening in the house, as there were a dozen or so pushchairs parked outside, and a queue of mums, grandparents & tots waiting to go inside. We gave that a miss.
We had intended to have lunch there, but decided that the restaurant would be busy & noisy, so took ourselves elsewhere to eat.
We've received a couple of Christmas cards now but they don't go up anywhere until a few days after my birthday, so that I can enjoy my cards first.
I walked up to town and had a very nice lunch and catch up with a friend I don't see that often. Then coffee with another friend. Then got soaked with rain on the walk back. Now home and dry and looking forward to spaghetti bolognese for tea, washed down by a glass or three of wine.
Dash to the Health Centre and a little light grocery shopping - for which I should have dressed more warmly. Especially as it involved a wait at a bus stop on a road, busy at the best of times but now with added roadworks. For the best part of 10 minutes I could see my bus, stuck in unmoving traffic.
Purchases included a seasonal bouquet of pine cones and bits of foliage. Stuck these in a large jug with some seed heads of fennel and crocosmia from the garden. This, plus a bauble or two, will be the totality of Christmas decor chez Firenze.
Cool but dry in West Lothian, and I hope it stays that way, as I don't fancy getting my coiffure, such as it is, banjaxed as I pootle along to the Four Marys pub to meet some friends from Scottish Voices for a pre-Christmas eating-and-drinking session. I suggested that the female elements (most of us) don our glad rags, so my new sparkly top is getting its first outing. Being the clumsy oaf that I am, it'll probably need its first laundering tomorrow ...
I've had a look at the menu, and I think my main course will be DUCK.
I mustn't drink too much though, as I've got choir practice in the morning. Why do I do these things???
The minimalist Crimbo Decs chez Firenze sound most tasteful, which reminds me to have a look in Tess Coe, next week, for the simple wooden Nativity scene I think they have on sale.
I, too, dote on DUCK, preferably shredded, with Spring Onions and Hoisin Sauce, but roasted is fine. Our local Mallards (Charlie Drake and Jemima Puddleduck) keep a low profile around this time of year...
Been doing festive stuff - end of term invoicing and practicing seasonal music.
In a moment of weakness I agreed to play the organ for Xmas eve midnight communion(Prayers please: I'venot played an organ properly since I was 18)
I, too, dote on DUCK, preferably shredded, with Spring Onions and Hoisin Sauce, but roasted is fine. Our local Mallards (Charlie Drake and Jemima Puddleduck) keep a low profile around this time of year...
We're very fond of Linda McCartney's vegetarian shredded duck, it is excellent in wraps with salad.
I spent most of the day pootling around at home, though some ironing was done. I headed out for a meeting this afternoon which raised a couple of items I needed to chase up. I've sent one email, but have decided trying to write serious emails after having had half a bottle of wine isn't sensible and I'll do the other one tomorrow.
This evening I am singing Messiah, for the umpteenth time, but when ‘And the glory’ begins, that for me is the start of the Christmas season.
We have had only three rehearsals, part of which had to be spent on material for a concert in January. Last Monday we sang every chorus. It was enormously satisfying to perform to our DM’s exacting details, at a sparkling pace. I felt sorry for our new members, quite a few this year, but there is a page of instructions to work on and they obviously have, to their credit.
As we have a long gap between rehearsal and concert ( but not really long enough for me to go home) a friend and I are eating out at an upmarket Italian restaurant. Normally I only eat a very plain sandwich before a concert, so I shall choose carefully. Half a bottle of wine awaits my return, but I do need to be up in time for the 9.15 service tomorrow.
Hope the concert goes well @puzzler. Not being able to sing, (my husband once told me to shut up when I was attempting a carol at Midnight Mass) I do envy those that can.
Again a day without much planned. I'm off into town to pick up a red onion and a bottle of wine for tonight shortly and will be making some random stuff from the freezer soup when I get back. The red onion is going to be a garnish for veggie burgers and chips for tonight's tea.
Having finished knitting and pressing the cushion I am giving my sister in law for Christmas I need to spend this afternoon sewing it up.
A bad night and a bad start to the day as I was trying to catch up on a bit of sleep while Mr Nen, late for something he was going out for, was thumping around getting ready :rolleyes: .
I have a coffee date with friends but am watching the weather as I got soaked yesterday and am not minded to repeat that today.
Nen - grumpy, tired, and hoping the day gets better.
Another dismal day of Wind and Rain in Arkland the Drear, where I, too, am feeling tired and grumpy. Fortunately, I don't really need to go to a shop today, though there are Christmas presents waiting to be bought - they can wait until Monday, as this weekend's traffic in Our Town is likely to be too much for me to cope with.
There is a nice PORK PIE for lunch, so that'll cheer me up.
Thank you @Bishops Finger . I had a nice coffee and chat with friends and managed to stay dry both going there and getting home. I'm feeling a bit rough with tiredness, though.
This evening I am singing Messiah, for the umpteenth time, but when ‘And the glory’ begins, that for me is the start of the Christmas season.
We have had only three rehearsals, part of which had to be spent on material for a concert in January. Last Monday we sang every chorus. It was enormously satisfying to perform to our DM’s exacting details, at a sparkling pace. I felt sorry for our new members, quite a few this year, but there is a page of instructions to work on and they obviously have, to their credit.
As we have a long gap between rehearsal and concert ( but not really long enough for me to go home) a friend and I are eating out at an upmarket Italian restaurant. Normally I only eat a very plain sandwich before a concert, so I shall choose carefully. Half a bottle of wine awaits my return, but I do need to be up in time for the 9.15 service tomorrow.
As noted in an earlier discussion, do be careful with Handel's Comma. You know, "...and we, like sheep..."
Busy day so far. Today is the last day of the local university library’s exhibition on medieval medical manuscripts so we went there this morning. Then back for a bacon and egg baguette for lunch before getting on with the Great Tidy. I’m now having a break with a cup of tea then I’ll go for a half hour walk before returning to the tidying.
Comments
This morning I opened it, and the mystery deepens. Its a dslr and lens with a sad note from Nick the Nikon about how his previous owner was seduced by mirrorless, and how he hoped he'd fit into my orphanage for lost cameras, and could Tammy (the lens) stay too?
I know the likely group of people from whence the sender came but, beyond that, I have no idea which one it was. Its very kind, though, and Nick & Tammy are definitely going to stay!
https://flic.kr/p/2rJJack
Usual morning of admin and comms for me, still in a quiet zone at work. But this afternoon I’m giving a lecture on inequality, lifestyles and public health. I’ll have an early finish the afternoon but need to do some housework.
I even tottered back onto terra firma with my Picky-Up Thingy, after returning from Tess Coe, to clear up some plastic debris which has been lying around since the last high tides brought it close to the Ark. Such debris is a danger to wild life, especially birds, and I was dismayed to learn that avian flu is also decimating the Swan population further east. Our local Swan family (cob, pen, and two cygnets - now almost fully-grown) has not been seen recently, so I hope they haven't succumbed.
Hope the new arrivals settle in!
1. PILCHARDS (but you know about that - at least junior Pilchards i.e. Sardines have made a comeback);
2. TOAD-IN-THE-HOLE has disappeared from the Prepared Meals cabinet - one pack was sufficient for two meals:
3. SALMON FILLETS with Lemon & Parsley - there's a choice of either plain or with Sweet Chilli (yuck):
4. SCAMPI, again from the Fish/Seafood cabinet:
5. BREAKFAST-INNA-TIN (Beans, Sausages, Mushrooms etc.) - very acceptable when I was working a night shift, and we had a break at 3am.
Changes in demand? Difficulties in supply? Very much a first-world problem, I know...
I haven't made mince pies yet because Captain Pyjamas still isn't allowed to eat them after having his tonsils ectomied.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/VjCZMqgo72r3iY8q6
And I only had one screw left over - I have no idea where it's supposed to be ...
Once I'd done that, I couldn't be bothered to cook, so I ambled over the road and got scampi and chips. As I'm going out for supper with friends on Friday, the chippy would have missed out on my custom; that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it.
I'm sure it's not the first time you've had a screw loose.
Feeling somewhat flaky this morning, I've stayed below decks all day in the warm, but I have at least managed to write some Christmas cards. Lunch was plain Salmon Fillets n'Chips, but the evening is drawing on, and some SOUP is called for.
Very quiet day at work; I was scrabbling about looking for things to do, and left a beautifully empty in-floor. I don't imagine it'll still be like that tomorrow, but heigh-ho.
Supper was pasta with prawns, green beans and broccoli.
I’ve been catching up with admin and small but necessary tasks. I’ve now got curtains up in the new spare room.
The rain came in the night but it was fine this morning so I popped over to Aldi and bought a few extras that weren’t on my list. Torrential rain thereafter.
There is a Christmas Tree Festival in the Parish Church starting tomorrow so I plan to go along. The previous vicar banned it for reasons only he understood, but it was very popular in the community, so I am glad it has been restarted.
This afternoon I finished editing and referencing the introductory chapter of my dissertation, and have started doing some reading for the next chapter.
Tea was posh sausages with pear and Brighton blue salad. Weekly bible study group afterwards.
The Cathedral has cancelled most of its usual services on Sunday, except for the Eucharist (brought forward an hour to 930am). No BCP Communion, no Mattins, and no Evensong - but there will be two Carol Services, one at 1230pm and the other at 3pm, hopefully catering for the crowds thronging to the Xmas Market and Dickens thingy.
A beautiful Moonlit night in Arkland the Chilly was followed by a morning of Mist and Hard Frost, now replaced by the standard Cloud and General Gloom.
A late lunch is GAMMON STEAK n'CHIPS, which I must rescue from the Dragon immediately.
I couldn’t go and buy more stamps as my daughter was with me and she was in a rush to get back for a supermarket delivery. We were a bit disappointed with the Christmas Tree festival, not as many trees as usual, but at least it happened.
The Arkland Office has been decorated for the festive season, and very tastefully IMHO. A fair-sized imitation tree (with baubles), some gold lights and stars in the windows overlooking the car park, and some sort of small sticker thingies (no actual glue IYSWIM) depicting holly leaves and berries on the plastic screens (left over from Covid!) near the reception desk. Nothing overdone, and I duly congratulated the Office Ladies, which pleased them mightily. I will give them a larger box of CHOCOLATES this year...
I will start writing ours tomorrow.
Had a lovely view of the full moon through the kitchen window at 5 o'clock yesterday, and again through the bedroom window at 7am this morning.
A cold but sunny start tot day, so we took ourselves off to Nymans for a walk around the gardens. It being pre-Christmas there was a 'Fairytale Walk" for the children (we went the wrong way round), and apparently something exciting was happening in the house, as there were a dozen or so pushchairs parked outside, and a queue of mums, grandparents & tots waiting to go inside. We gave that a miss.
We had intended to have lunch there, but decided that the restaurant would be busy & noisy, so took ourselves elsewhere to eat.
I walked up to town and had a very nice lunch and catch up with a friend I don't see that often. Then coffee with another friend. Then got soaked with rain on the walk back. Now home and dry and looking forward to spaghetti bolognese for tea, washed down by a glass or three of wine.
Purchases included a seasonal bouquet of pine cones and bits of foliage. Stuck these in a large jug with some seed heads of fennel and crocosmia from the garden. This, plus a bauble or two, will be the totality of Christmas decor chez Firenze.
Meat loaf for dinner, and a lorra red wine.
I've had a look at the menu, and I think my main course will be DUCK.
I mustn't drink too much though, as I've got choir practice in the morning. Why do I do these things???
I, too, dote on DUCK, preferably shredded, with Spring Onions and Hoisin Sauce, but roasted is fine. Our local Mallards (Charlie Drake and Jemima Puddleduck) keep a low profile around this time of year...
In a moment of weakness I agreed to play the organ for Xmas eve midnight communion(Prayers please: I'venot played an organ properly since I was 18)
Movie night with littlest twanglet as Mrs Twang is out at a festive do.
We're very fond of Linda McCartney's vegetarian shredded duck, it is excellent in wraps with salad.
I spent most of the day pootling around at home, though some ironing was done. I headed out for a meeting this afternoon which raised a couple of items I needed to chase up. I've sent one email, but have decided trying to write serious emails after having had half a bottle of wine isn't sensible and I'll do the other one tomorrow.
We have had only three rehearsals, part of which had to be spent on material for a concert in January. Last Monday we sang every chorus. It was enormously satisfying to perform to our DM’s exacting details, at a sparkling pace. I felt sorry for our new members, quite a few this year, but there is a page of instructions to work on and they obviously have, to their credit.
As we have a long gap between rehearsal and concert ( but not really long enough for me to go home) a friend and I are eating out at an upmarket Italian restaurant. Normally I only eat a very plain sandwich before a concert, so I shall choose carefully. Half a bottle of wine awaits my return, but I do need to be up in time for the 9.15 service tomorrow.
Again a day without much planned. I'm off into town to pick up a red onion and a bottle of wine for tonight shortly and will be making some random stuff from the freezer soup when I get back. The red onion is going to be a garnish for veggie burgers and chips for tonight's tea.
Having finished knitting and pressing the cushion I am giving my sister in law for Christmas I need to spend this afternoon sewing it up.
I have a coffee date with friends but am watching the weather as I got soaked yesterday and am not minded to repeat that today.
Nen - grumpy, tired, and hoping the day gets better.
There is a nice PORK PIE for lunch, so that'll cheer me up.
I hope your day is indeed improving @Nenya .
Stir fry for tea because Saturday. There is WINE.
As noted in an earlier discussion, do be careful with Handel's Comma. You know, "...and we, like sheep..."