I like that! I think S's one is the same - probably called "Oktop" or some such name. It's quite a nifty wee thing; if I was going to have to dry clothes outside I'd probably buy one, but that won't be an issue in the new château.
I've now received an inventory of what the seller is leaving - although there's no mention of cutlery or crockery, there's enough furniture that I'll be able to move in, plus white goods, kettle, toaster and microwave. Now I can think of what I want in the way of small appliances - whizzy-whizz for making SOUP, food processor for making pâté, possibly a small slow-cooker (for lamb shanks - yum).
Preemies in the NICU are often given crocheted octopuses to occupy their tiny hands, it stops them pulling on their tubes and wires. Captain Pyjamas had one my Mum made.
I've been quite the domestic goddess today. This morning the market and then the speech therapist with Captain P, who's taking rather a long time to talk. After that while he was napping I did Wash Ing and made lentil SOUP for tonight's dinner, which included proper homemade stock from a chicken carcass we had hanging around. He ate his tea, we did a bit of Shop Ing and then I made my first ever madeleines of which I am quite proud
I made a homemade tomato sauce to go with chirozo sausage and pasta. Unfortunately, the lid of the pepper mill broke whilst grinding so we had rather a lot of whole peppercorns in it. I then forgot that the paprika from the corner shop is hot, not smokey. The end sauce was like a hot puttanesca which I had to serve with creme fraiche as well as cheese to calm down.
I am currently relaxing with a beer and seem to have consumed a whole bar of very delicious almond nougat.
We've seen two houses today that we are keen on. One is amazing but has a very small north facing garden, the other is smaller but has a lovely garden and needs much less work. Unfortunalty we can't offer on either yet, but at least we know there is stuff out there.
Is Captain Pyjamas being bought up bilingually. I had a friend with a child who was dual language English and Bangla and she took her time to get going in either language.
I've had a lazy day, apart from doing a bit of admin to do with the flat. This involved phoning the lawyer who dealt with Dad's estate, and hearing a couple of lovely Orkney voices, which made me feel homesick.
Supper was pork sausages, braised red cabbage and mashed potatoes, all from a delivery S. got a while back from Donald Russell and it was really nice. Sometimes I forget how nice something simple like sausage and mash can be.
I noticed when I googled it for the link that it was based in Inverurie - I don't think it had occurred to me that it wasn't local to Edinburgh. We've had a few things from them now - they were advertising a half-price package of various cuts on TV - and they've all been quite delicious.
I noticed when I googled it for the link that it was based in Inverurie -
Bit of trivia: Inverurie is mentioned in a Canadian folk song in Gaelic(!) from 1810-20, from the Red River settlement in southern Manitoba. The substance of the lyrics is that this is a hellishly cold land that the narrator wouldn't wish upon his worst enemy back home.
Ooh yes it does. Last week I had off and took a cycling tour through Scotland from home - north of Perthshire - to Stranraer (because you can get the train back from there). The bit of Perthshire around Aberfeldy and Kenmore was spectacular - especially setting off to cycle in early morning mist.
We are off tomorrow for a week on the glorious Isles of Scilly. We have never been there in the Autumn so I am really looking forward it as this is my favourite time of the year.
The day after we return Little Beaky is coming to stay with his mother and little brother so I am currently charging around like the proverbial blue arsed fly!
The first Mrs BF and I went there for our honeymoon in the early Spring of 1978. (O! The dear dead days of long ago!).
It was sn*wing in Penzance shortly before our helicopter flight took off, but every day we spent in the islands was beautifully fine and sunny - the clarity of the air was wonderful.
... Inverurie is mentioned in a Canadian folk song in Gaelic(!) from 1810-20, from the Red River settlement in southern Manitoba. The substance of the lyrics is that this is a hellishly cold land that the narrator wouldn't wish upon his worst enemy back home.
That's bloody rich coming from someone in Manitoba!
It appears to be another nice day, and having exercised the hoover and applied for a few more jobs (!!!) I'm now going for a little amble.
Things are beginning to move on the flat: I've received some paperwork from my solicitor, and am waiting for him to phone me back with details. He's also sent a provisional bill, which is considerably less than the estimate I had from another lawyer for the flat in Dunfermline.
My sister-in-law is booking a removal bloke (who's a friend) for Saturday 24th, so I should be able to get the keys the day before and have a little while to get my bearings before all my Stuff arrives (especially my bears).
It's something of which I'm very short - I have no sense of direction whatsoever, and couldn't navigate my way out of a wet paper bag. Think "Captain Slow" from Top Gear but worse ...
As long as I have sufficient surfaces for them to sit on, the bears should be quite content.
The first Mrs BF and I went there for our honeymoon in the early Spring of 1978. (O! The dear dead days of long ago!).
It was sn*wing in Penzance shortly before our helicopter flight took off, but every day we spent in the islands was beautifully fine and sunny - the clarity of the air was wonderful.
There was a *brisk* wind, however...
Enjoy!
I have only visited Scilly once, but we are always planning to go back.
Some time before your honeymoon, my wife's parents went to St Mary's for their honeymoon. They went out on the Scillonian (the ferry) and the trip was so bad my mother-in-law insisted on getting the flight back! I used to ask whether they used a biplane or a hot air balloon, but I was a cheeky son-in-law (I should have asked whether they used a tame pterodactyl like in The Flintstones)
We did a day trip to Scilly when staying in Penzance. We were supposed to be flying out but it was foggy, so it was a ferry both ways. I was fine, but my husband was a bit queasy and several people were decidedly green.
We still haven't had an offer on our place but have now seen two very different places that we are considering offering on. One is very similar to our current house with a bit more room and a much larger garden. The other is a modern house on an estate, and is probably the more sensible option. As my husband says we can't do anything about either so no use thinking about it too much.
The Scillonian has a reputation for rough riding - something to to with the currents that converge near Land's End, I believe.
We've watched passengers disembark from the ferry on arrival. They looked so ill. I couldn't do it as I get really seasick. Due to COVID the only planes flying are from Land's End and they are tiny so a little bit invigorating/ nerve wrecking but only a 20 minute flight. This will be our 8th visit to the islands. Such a special place.
The little airport on St Mary's must be one of the smartest in the country. IIRC, it consists of a small, modern-ish terminal building, a square of concrete for the chopper, and nicely-kept smooth grass runways!
There must be a few other buildings dotted around, and a number of small planes, but what a contrast to Gatwick or Heathrow...
At one point, probably in the early 1980s, when the (then) only car ferry to Orkney was away for a refit, she was replaced by the Syllingar, which had been borrowed from the Scilly Isles. Syllingar was the Norse name for the islands, and is mentioned in the Orkneyinga Saga. I never sailed on her, but David did, and said he had a dreadful crossing. 😵
Here endeth the history lesson ...
In other news, I managed two separate amblages today, the second one round the reservoir with Larry and his humans, which was nice. Then Piglet's Pancetta Pasta for supper (which was also nice).
Just FYI, if anyone plans on sailing to any of the west coast islands and discovers that the MV Isle of Arran is serving the route the general advice is to sail another day, on account of it being an ancient, slow tub with no stabilisers for heavy seas.
We are babysitting again today and making the most of it. Anuka is great fun.
My son and family live in a building with five flats. They have regular meetings and today is one of them. The subject is improving the garden. It is huge with a stream and wood at the bottom as part of their land, but very steep - so they are discussing having steps built and setting up a shared veg garden.
I don’t think my newly built planters at home will be short of water! They are planted with winter greens and spring bulbs and my brother is keeping an eye on them. I don’t think he’ll have much to do. 🙂
Would it be possible to affix a funnel to the ceiling to direct the drip into a length of the sort of tubing sold for home brewers to collect the water somewhere useful?
I am trying not to get up because downstairs is waiting a lot of Wash Ing Up which would normally be done by the dishwasher, which is now not working but awaiting an engineer coming next Wednesday. I can only do one drainer load at a time as I'm not going to do Dry Ing Up as well. Currently I have all the mugs and cutlery draining, as most urgent. I did all the food tins as they went straight in recycling.
Last night I spent hours not sleeping and am trying to catch up.
It seems very gloomy out beyond the curtains, drawn in case of painters on the scaffolding - but they seem to be having a day off.
Would it be possible to affix a funnel to the ceiling to direct the drip into a length of the sort of tubing sold for home brewers to collect the water somewhere useful?
Hmm. Might be worth a try...
OTOH, yet another coat of waterproof paint on the deck itself would probably solve the problem. There must be a tiny pinhole somewhere, which needs blocking up...
The Drip™ may be caused by condensation, so I intend to have a go at preventing that from occurring within its vicinity.
When I came upstairs to the study about half an hour ago, it was chucking down rain, but now a strange Bright Light has appeared in the sky, parts of which have turned a mysterious blue colour, so I'll probably attempt an Amble.
I have had some exercise today - cleaning the downstairs loo - but I'm not sure if that really counts.
There's a small steak defrosting on the counter, which will be accompanied by potatoes, mushrooms and tomato for supper. Maybe I ought to amble as far as the supermarket and get in some WINE.
After a damp and overcast start it has Turned Out Nice here and Mr Nen and I have had a walk and taken in a coffee at our favourite watering-hole.
I must get on with planting the bulbs in my garden tubs. I discussed it with a gardening friend who told me it was a bit too early to be doing it... but that was some weeks ago...
Glad to hear you're enjoying your grandparently duties, Boogie!
I went swimming again and did 475 metres which, for me, isn't bad ... this afternoon Herself got me doing a bit of gardening so I'm quite tired. I'm hosting a Zoom Bible study later so I must Stay Alert!
I went swimming again and did 475 metres which, for me, isn't bad ... [...]
Ah, that is a very good thing to do! I should pull myself together and ask at the local indoor pool how they'd want vistors to proceed, virus and all that. Snorkelling masks, anyone?
Seriously - how are they doing it at your favourite swim-in watering hole? Enquiring mind wants to know!
1. You have to prebook and come at the set time.
2. You are supposed to be swim-ready, i.e, trunks on underneath your clothes.
3. Enter pool area and walk in one direction only.
4. Strip off clothes, leave belongings on individual tables by the pool (lockers not in use).
5. Swim!
6. Shower and change more or less as normal in changing room, maintaining social distance.
7. Leave by fire exit.
I spent the whole morning answering emails and the afternoon doing admin and talking to students. This evening I have a two hour tutorial and then a Zoom bible study. I'm not sure I'm going to make it....
Some plants arrived yesterday and I really need to get them planted tomorrow if I can.
Online tutorials are normal to me; I've taught them for years and know how to do them well (we use an interface called Adobe Connect). But the beginning of term is always intense and our tutorials tend to be at anti-social times.
I went swimming again and did 475 metres which, for me, isn't bad ... [...]
Ah, that is a very good thing to do! I should pull myself together and ask at the local indoor pool how they'd want vistors to proceed, virus and all that. Snorkelling masks, anyone?
Seriously - how are they doing it at your favourite swim-in watering hole? Enquiring mind wants to know!
Our local pool has put a video on its webpage showing what to do. I haven't been swimming since February, but the video clip is encouraging.
1. Prebook for a set time. You are allocated a numbered changing cubicle.
2. Arrive. Follow arrows on floor. Leave your shoes outside the changing room.
3. Get undressed in your allocated cubicle and leave your clothes there (lockers not in use)
4. Follow arrows to the poolside
5. Swim!
6. Pass briefly under a shower to rinse only. No shampoo or shower gel to be used.
7. Get dressed in your allocated cubicle
8. Exit changing room and put your shoes on.
9. Exit following the arrows.
Maybe I'll risk a swim sometime soon. I was trying to build up my speed. I can swim 1Km with no problem, just not very fast.
We're back from our house looking jaunt. More viewings here, but still not any offers. We're dithering between two we've seen. If we do get an offer I think a day trip to see one of them will help me decide one way or the other.
Thank you, BT and NEQ. Seems feasible, if awkward.
However, one question I must ask: No compulsory shower BEFORE going into the pool? Not everyone will arrive cleanly from work or their home, I'd say, or will they?
Thank you, BT and NEQ. Seems feasible, if awkward.
However, one question I must ask: No compulsory shower BEFORE going into the pool? Not everyone will arrive cleanly from work or their home, I'd say, or will they?
Good point! I've just watched again and no, no shower beforehand. There's a one-way system round the changing room which goes past the showers on the way out between the pool and cubicle but not on the way into the pool.
I'm in the habit of showering beforehand, so I wouldn't like that.
S. has been swimming a few times a week since the club/gym/pool where she's a member opened up again, and I thought the "no-showering-beforehand" was a bit odd. I think it would bother me even more that you can't wash your hair afterwards - swimming pools make my hair even more of a disaster area than usual!
In other news, I'm just back from a lovely feed at the Bridge Inn at Ratho (sort of the "last supper" as pubs and restaurants are closing tomorrow until at least the 25th) with my niece and her husband (and Rosie, with whom I was permitted cuddles* - she's getting cuter by the minute).
* I think it's allowed because S. is allowed to do granny duty, and we're the same household for now.
A scenario for your consideration: your spouse is having a bath. Their parents phone. Do you
a) say "she's having a bath, can I get her to call you later?"
Or
b) panic at the necessity of speaking your second language on the phone, manage "one minute please", and give the phone to your spouse mid-ablutions with the pursuant risk of electrocution?
Supplemental question: which one of these options did husband en rouge go for? (At least it wasn't a shower and I think my Dad was quite tickled at the novelty of talking to someone in their bath.)
It very much depends on the time of day. David was a total night-owl, and would often be in the bath at times which many people might consider rather odd. I generally just said he'd nipped out to Tim Horton's to get coffee, rather than admit he was in the bath at 2:30 in the afternoon.
Thank you, BT and NEQ. Seems feasible, if awkward.
However, one question I must ask: No compulsory shower BEFORE going into the pool? Not everyone will arrive cleanly from work or their home, I'd say, or will they?
Good point! I've just watched again and no, no shower beforehand. There's a one-way system round the changing room which goes past the showers on the way out between the pool and cubicle but not on the way into the pool.
I'm in the habit of showering beforehand, so I wouldn't like that.
We are encouraged to have had a shower before coming. Obviously not possible for people coming from work.
Comments
I've now received an inventory of what the seller is leaving - although there's no mention of cutlery or crockery, there's enough furniture that I'll be able to move in, plus white goods, kettle, toaster and microwave. Now I can think of what I want in the way of small appliances - whizzy-whizz for making SOUP, food processor for making pâté, possibly a small slow-cooker (for lamb shanks - yum).
Yes, a less-common option, but well done, that Boy!
A propos of that plural - 'send me a duck-billed platypus, and while you're about it, send me another one!'
I've been quite the domestic goddess today. This morning the market and then the speech therapist with Captain P, who's taking rather a long time to talk. After that while he was napping I did Wash Ing and made lentil SOUP for tonight's dinner, which included proper homemade stock from a chicken carcass we had hanging around. He ate his tea, we did a bit of Shop Ing and then I made my first ever madeleines of which I am quite proud
I am currently relaxing with a beer and seem to have consumed a whole bar of very delicious almond nougat.
Is Captain Pyjamas being bought up bilingually. I had a friend with a child who was dual language English and Bangla and she took her time to get going in either language.
Supper was pork sausages, braised red cabbage and mashed potatoes, all from a delivery S. got a while back from Donald Russell and it was really nice. Sometimes I forget how nice something simple like sausage and mash can be.
Bit of trivia: Inverurie is mentioned in a Canadian folk song in Gaelic(!) from 1810-20, from the Red River settlement in southern Manitoba. The substance of the lyrics is that this is a hellishly cold land that the narrator wouldn't wish upon his worst enemy back home.
All my sons friends children are bi or tri lingual and the older ones translation skills are phenomenal!
Anuka is being brought up trilingual. Mum speaks exclusively Georgian to her and Dad English. She lives in Germany so kindergarten will be in German.
A by product of this is that we are all learning some Georgian! ( We already understand German ‘tho don’t speak it with confidence yet)
The day after we return Little Beaky is coming to stay with his mother and little brother so I am currently charging around like the proverbial blue arsed fly!
The first Mrs BF and I went there for our honeymoon in the early Spring of 1978. (O! The dear dead days of long ago!).
It was sn*wing in Penzance shortly before our helicopter flight took off, but every day we spent in the islands was beautifully fine and sunny - the clarity of the air was wonderful.
There was a *brisk* wind, however...
Enjoy!
It appears to be another nice day, and having exercised the hoover and applied for a few more jobs (!!!) I'm now going for a little amble.
Things are beginning to move on the flat: I've received some paperwork from my solicitor, and am waiting for him to phone me back with details. He's also sent a provisional bill, which is considerably less than the estimate I had from another lawyer for the flat in Dunfermline.
My sister-in-law is booking a removal bloke (who's a friend) for Saturday 24th, so I should be able to get the keys the day before and have a little while to get my bearings before all my Stuff arrives (especially my bears).
As long as I have sufficient surfaces for them to sit on, the bears should be quite content.
I have only visited Scilly once, but we are always planning to go back.
Some time before your honeymoon, my wife's parents went to St Mary's for their honeymoon. They went out on the Scillonian (the ferry) and the trip was so bad my mother-in-law insisted on getting the flight back! I used to ask whether they used a biplane or a hot air balloon, but I was a cheeky son-in-law (I should have asked whether they used a tame pterodactyl like in The Flintstones)
The Scillonian has a reputation for rough riding - something to to with the currents that converge near Land's End, I believe.
Those Dragon Rapides were neat-looking little chaps, no?
We still haven't had an offer on our place but have now seen two very different places that we are considering offering on. One is very similar to our current house with a bit more room and a much larger garden. The other is a modern house on an estate, and is probably the more sensible option. As my husband says we can't do anything about either so no use thinking about it too much.
We've watched passengers disembark from the ferry on arrival. They looked so ill. I couldn't do it as I get really seasick. Due to COVID the only planes flying are from Land's End and they are tiny so a little bit invigorating/ nerve wrecking but only a 20 minute flight. This will be our 8th visit to the islands. Such a special place.
The little airport on St Mary's must be one of the smartest in the country. IIRC, it consists of a small, modern-ish terminal building, a square of concrete for the chopper, and nicely-kept smooth grass runways!
There must be a few other buildings dotted around, and a number of small planes, but what a contrast to Gatwick or Heathrow...
Here endeth the history lesson ...
In other news, I managed two separate amblages today, the second one round the reservoir with Larry and his humans, which was nice. Then Piglet's Pancetta Pasta for supper (which was also nice).
My son and family live in a building with five flats. They have regular meetings and today is one of them. The subject is improving the garden. It is huge with a stream and wood at the bottom as part of their land, but very steep - so they are discussing having steps built and setting up a shared veg garden.
I don’t think my newly built planters at home will be short of water! They are planted with winter greens and spring bulbs and my brother is keeping an eye on them. I don’t think he’ll have much to do. 🙂
The Drip* it drippeth drippily.
*As aforementioned, in the deck of the Ark)
I am trying not to get up because downstairs is waiting a lot of Wash Ing Up which would normally be done by the dishwasher, which is now not working but awaiting an engineer coming next Wednesday. I can only do one drainer load at a time as I'm not going to do Dry Ing Up as well. Currently I have all the mugs and cutlery draining, as most urgent. I did all the food tins as they went straight in recycling.
Last night I spent hours not sleeping and am trying to catch up.
It seems very gloomy out beyond the curtains, drawn in case of painters on the scaffolding - but they seem to be having a day off.
Hmm. Might be worth a try...
OTOH, yet another coat of waterproof paint on the deck itself would probably solve the problem. There must be a tiny pinhole somewhere, which needs blocking up...
The Drip™ may be caused by condensation, so I intend to have a go at preventing that from occurring within its vicinity.
Wish me luck.
When I came upstairs to the study about half an hour ago, it was chucking down rain, but now a strange Bright Light has appeared in the sky, parts of which have turned a mysterious blue colour, so I'll probably attempt an Amble.
I have had some exercise today - cleaning the downstairs loo - but I'm not sure if that really counts.
There's a small steak defrosting on the counter, which will be accompanied by potatoes, mushrooms and tomato for supper. Maybe I ought to amble as far as the supermarket and get in some WINE.
Sss...the Yellow Face...we hates it, yess, we doess, Preciouss...
I must get on with planting the bulbs in my garden tubs. I discussed it with a gardening friend who told me it was a bit too early to be doing it... but that was some weeks ago...
Glad to hear you're enjoying your grandparently duties, Boogie!
Seriously - how are they doing it at your favourite swim-in watering hole? Enquiring mind wants to know!
2. You are supposed to be swim-ready, i.e, trunks on underneath your clothes.
3. Enter pool area and walk in one direction only.
4. Strip off clothes, leave belongings on individual tables by the pool (lockers not in use).
5. Swim!
6. Shower and change more or less as normal in changing room, maintaining social distance.
7. Leave by fire exit.
Some plants arrived yesterday and I really need to get them planted tomorrow if I can.
Our local pool has put a video on its webpage showing what to do. I haven't been swimming since February, but the video clip is encouraging.
1. Prebook for a set time. You are allocated a numbered changing cubicle.
2. Arrive. Follow arrows on floor. Leave your shoes outside the changing room.
3. Get undressed in your allocated cubicle and leave your clothes there (lockers not in use)
4. Follow arrows to the poolside
5. Swim!
6. Pass briefly under a shower to rinse only. No shampoo or shower gel to be used.
7. Get dressed in your allocated cubicle
8. Exit changing room and put your shoes on.
9. Exit following the arrows.
ETA - masks to be worn to and from the cubicle.
We're back from our house looking jaunt. More viewings here, but still not any offers. We're dithering between two we've seen. If we do get an offer I think a day trip to see one of them will help me decide one way or the other.
However, one question I must ask: No compulsory shower BEFORE going into the pool? Not everyone will arrive cleanly from work or their home, I'd say, or will they?
Good point! I've just watched again and no, no shower beforehand. There's a one-way system round the changing room which goes past the showers on the way out between the pool and cubicle but not on the way into the pool.
I'm in the habit of showering beforehand, so I wouldn't like that.
In other news, I'm just back from a lovely feed at the Bridge Inn at Ratho (sort of the "last supper" as pubs and restaurants are closing tomorrow until at least the 25th) with my niece and her husband (and Rosie, with whom I was permitted cuddles* - she's getting cuter by the minute).
* I think it's allowed because S. is allowed to do granny duty, and we're the same household for now.
a) say "she's having a bath, can I get her to call you later?"
Or
b) panic at the necessity of speaking your second language on the phone, manage "one minute please", and give the phone to your spouse mid-ablutions with the pursuant risk of electrocution?
Supplemental question: which one of these options did husband en rouge go for? (At least it wasn't a shower