My baptism involved having water poured over my head, the church usually did did full immersion but had recently been bombed by the IRA and our temporary home (where we were for several years during the repairs) didn’t have a pool.
There’s no roaming sheep round here but there are often cows on the commons in the centre of the city. Husband has considered buying a robot sheep for our lawn as we currently pay someone to mow it.
Tea was mushroom risotto with venison steak, fried peppers and creme fraiche.
I have just spent a lot of money getting my car serviced and through its MOT. After I paid the bill, the garage man said he had to ask me a few security questions before giving me my car key back.
Golly!
And "does this look like the woman who brought her car in earlier / yesterday / whenever" wasn't sufficient? How about "does the name on her credit card match the name she booked the car in with?" or "does she have her driving licence?"
It’s in person art class today. All very well managed, masks, tables far apart, one way system, good ventilation etc.
But I’m a bit embarrassed to go, as my hands are working very badly so my work involves scribble and no detail or dexterity. I’m working hard at getting over that psychological block as they are all lovely people, especially the teacher - and I know they’ll understand.
And, of course, everyone is wondering why I don’t have a puppy with me.
((Boogie)) That must be tough for you as you enjoy your art (and puppies) so much. It sounds like you have supportive friends at the class and they and your teacher might be able to offer suggestions for adapting your abilities. I hope it goes well.
I've been to Waitrose this morning, and am now doing some work on an internal conference presentation. I have a meeting with a colleague later who I've never met before and who is doing work similar to mine.
I wasn't honestly sure if I had misunderstood you. That sounds rather lovely (and fragrant), what I now want to see is a colour chart with patches of different coffee for comparison!
I've seen a portrait painted by a proper artist in coffee (on the back of a menu). There was a story behind it. The subject was one of my sister's godmothers, was an old girlfriend of my father's who married one of his friends and they remained friends. She was amazing looking and the painter was dining in the same restaurant that she and my father one night, he was so struck by her that he painted a picture with what was available and then presented it to her at the end of the meal. It was framed in their house when we stayed there as children. (I can't remember the artist's name, for certain, but it might have been Paolozzi.)
Indeed so. Talking of sepia tones has reminded me of this, first seen by me on mugs and tea towels at the shop of the New Room in Bristol: https://i.imgur.com/wKw7mPHh.jpg
Indeed so. Talking of sepia tones has reminded me of this, first seen by me on mugs and tea towels at the shop of the New Room in Bristol: https://i.imgur.com/wKw7mPHh.jpg
Alas, that link told me: Zoinks! You've taken a wrong turn.
Meanwhile, it's a quiet afternoon in Arkland, with some nice warm sunshine.
I've taken the opportunity of waking the sleeping Dragon (aka the Rayburn range) from his estivation, in order to sweep him out, and check the condition of his grate. The chimney outside has already been repaired, and equipped with its new *witch's cap* to keep the rain from entering it. A small fire was lit, and all seems well, as the smoke went up the chimney as intended.
Coal has been delivered - the most eco-friendly solid fuel procurable, with a fair content of recycled organic material - but for the time being I rely on my little electric heater (which resembles a wood-burner, but ain't) for the chilly evenings and/or mornings. A friend has also supplied me with several bags of seasoned wood (old fruit trees, I think).
Once the Dragon is back in operation, I shall save using a good deal of electricity and gas, as he supplies hot water, and does most of the Cook Ing IYSWIM.
Indeed so. Talking of sepia tones has reminded me of this, first seen by me on mugs and tea towels at the shop of the New Room in Bristol: https://i.imgur.com/wKw7mPHh.jpg
Alas, that link told me: Zoinks! You've taken a wrong turn.
(Zoinks is today's New Word, I think...)
Very strange - I just tried it again and it worked fine and zoinklessly.
Indeed so. Talking of sepia tones has reminded me of this, first seen by me on mugs and tea towels at the shop of the New Room in Bristol: https://i.imgur.com/wKw7mPHh.jpg
Alas, that link told me: Zoinks! You've taken a wrong turn.
(Zoinks is today's New Word, I think...)
Very strange - I just tried it again and it worked fine and zoinklessly.
A very nice day visiting a local town we haven't explored before. The church was not only very beautiful but had a wonderfully welcoming feel.
This evening I have my first on-line Italian class. In theory I know a reasonable amount of the language, but no doubt it will go completely out of my head.
Ah - that's better! I couldn't make anything of the first one except for a few nerdy science jokes.
There were a few spitters of rain as I came home from work, and it seems to have settled down to a rather damp night. Oh well, it is the first day of Autumn, so I suppose it's entitled to rain ...
Supper chez Piglet was prawn, mushroom and tomato risotto.
The paint (which is actually *Black Tar Varnish*, but nowhere near as thick and sticky as the word *Tar* might suggest) forms a waterproof skin on the iron hull, and is therefore good at preventing leaks...
Alas, it doesn't last for ever, and a good coating needs to be applied every year or two, especially along the waterline (which is the bit one has to get down on the Mud of the river-bed in order to reach). I'm not sure if it will be possible to do the job this year, at least in its entirety.
Do you have to Dry Dock the Ark, or haul/lift her out of the water, in order to get at the Parts that are Difficult to Reach? (Alternatively, wait for a flood to deposit her on Mount Ararat, or at least the local equivalent).
Strictly speaking, the Ark should indeed be put into a dry dock (somewhat scarce around here now) or onto a slipway (also scarce), but in practice it's sufficient to tar the hull as far down as possible, whilst standing on the mud...
Most people here have platforms they can stand on - pallets are very Useful Things! - tied to the vessel, and capable of being slid along the mud as required. I have my Eye on a couple of redundant pallets, owned (I think) by one of my neighbours, which might be available.
The problem is that the physical effort required, legs-wise, is more than I can manage now, although actually applying the paint is easy-peasy using a radiator roller. Believe it or not, it is possible to slosh a coat of tar to a 70 foot vessel in only about three hours, even with occasional breaks for BEER.
Baptist Trainfan, the tearoom at St. John the Baptist church in Cardiff had their own version of that by the serving hatch, produced using paint sample charts, and the colours given suitable “holy” names. Very useful when you like weak tea! I don’t know if it’s still there as the tearoom is upstairs and I can’t get to it.
We had a friend we haven't seen for a while come over for coffee and lunch and she and I sat talking in the sunshine on the patio well into the afternoon.
Care of the Ark sounds complicated and Potentially Messy; though I guess certain things to do with the care of a house are the same.
Mr Nen is out for tea so I made myself an omelette. Not a thing I do very often and it was definitely a bit unusual (I should have cooked the mushrooms for a few minutes first, methinks), but quite tasty all the same.
You've probably heard of omelette Arnold Bennett (it's got smoked haddock, cheese and bechamel sauce in it). Well, I sometimes make what I call an omelette Gordon Bennett* - cook some chopped bacon, then add red peppers and mushrooms and cook for a bit before adding the eggs (to which you added a pinch of mixed herbs), then top it with sliced tomatoes and grated cheese and finish it off under the grill.
I can take no credit whatsoever; I don't know what the opposite of green fingers is, but I have it. I can, however, appreciate the efforts of my fellow townspeople, and give them thanks and encouragement whenever I see them watering, raking and dead-heading.
I'm looking forward to a rather sociable weekend: a Shipmeet in Edinburgh tomorrow, and lunch in Kirkliston with some of my awesome family on Sunday to keep me company on the second anniversary of David's death (by toasting his memory, obviously).
((Piglet)) enjoy the the social occasions this weekend.
We have a picnic to go to on Grantchester Meadows with husband’s office. I’m in too minds about it, I am quite tired and anxious at the moment and I can’t work out if meeting with others will do me the world of good or whether I really need a rest. Certainly I could do without staring at these 4 walls so I will be going but will take a book just in case.
I often find if I don’t want to go somewhere it is a good idea to make the effort and go, but I don’t always manage to take my own advice.
Hope this is as good a weekend as it can be @piglet.
Our son has decided to come up for a visit. He should be arriving by 9.00 which means he must have got up at a daft hour to get the train.
I’m off to Bristol to see both my sons, my DIL and Enkelin! Staying till Tuesday.
I’m at Birmingham waiting for the next train. Poor Mr Boogs is at home Zaba and Tatze sitting. He’s coming to pick me up on Tuesday while my brother dig sits. I was scared of the journey alone and rather disabled, but all is well and people have been very kind.
I was meant to be heading off to a friend's party and an overnight stay in an Air BnB with Mr Nen. However, I'm not feeling well (digestive stuff) and although I've tried to convince myself things are easing, they aren't. So Mr Nen is going alone - I've just waved him off.
Thinking of folks at the shipmeet and hope you have a lovely time with the family @Boogie .
I had an unexpected visit from a friend (the girl who was my bridesmaid) just before I left for Edinburgh; she happened to be passing and dropped in for a chat. We've arranged to meet for lunch in a couple of weeks, which will be lovely.
Then I had a nice little amble over to the butcher's where I got a lamb shank, which will feed me next weekend.
The Shipmeet was lovely - good food and excellent company. Now heading home on the train.
Glad shipment went well . I’ll try
to make the next one.
We went for our flu jabs today. Great, but they also gave me the pneumonia one and my right arm is now more or less out of action. I’m trying the red wine cure.
So sorry you're not well, Nen hope it's short lived and you feel better soon.
Thank you. I feel much better this morning, just a bit fragile and washed out. I have got myself breakfast in bed, tucked up with a cup of tea and my laptop and journal.
Nenlet1 paid me a surprise visit yesterday afternoon after hearing I was home alone. It was so lovely to see her at the door - I cried. Seeing her and having some proper mother-daughter time was better than going to any party.
Time I thought about getting up - I'm heading out to Kirkliston to meet some of the family for a fairly early lunch, and I don't want to be rushing around at the last minute.
Yesterday’s picnic went well, it was the company’s 7th birthday so there was birthday cake. I met some new staff and a couple of the office dogs were there, including a cute Westie puppy. In the evening we had the usual Saturday evening family online games with my older son.
I’m just going to have some porridge and go for a walk. A lazy day today until the evening service.
Comments
There’s no roaming sheep round here but there are often cows on the commons in the centre of the city. Husband has considered buying a robot sheep for our lawn as we currently pay someone to mow it.
Tea was mushroom risotto with venison steak, fried peppers and creme fraiche.
Golly!
And "does this look like the woman who brought her car in earlier / yesterday / whenever" wasn't sufficient? How about "does the name on her credit card match the name she booked the car in with?" or "does she have her driving licence?"
But I’m a bit embarrassed to go, as my hands are working very badly so my work involves scribble and no detail or dexterity. I’m working hard at getting over that psychological block as they are all lovely people, especially the teacher - and I know they’ll understand.
And, of course, everyone is wondering why I don’t have a puppy with me.
I've been to Waitrose this morning, and am now doing some work on an internal conference presentation. I have a meeting with a colleague later who I've never met before and who is doing work similar to mine.
I love swimming but I’m so lazy about all the getting undressed/dressed again bit!
Thank you @Heavenlyannie. It went really well, was really relaxing and my scribbled attempts were fine. Next week painting with coffee!
You just use it like brown watercolour - the painting turns out like a sepia photo.
Here is a good example @Baptist Trainfan
https://tinyurl.com/273xf3vc
Alas, that link told me:
Zoinks! You've taken a wrong turn.
(Zoinks is today's New Word, I think...)
I've taken the opportunity of waking the sleeping Dragon (aka the Rayburn range) from his estivation, in order to sweep him out, and check the condition of his grate. The chimney outside has already been repaired, and equipped with its new *witch's cap* to keep the rain from entering it. A small fire was lit, and all seems well, as the smoke went up the chimney as intended.
Coal has been delivered - the most eco-friendly solid fuel procurable, with a fair content of recycled organic material - but for the time being I rely on my little electric heater (which resembles a wood-burner, but ain't) for the chilly evenings and/or mornings. A friend has also supplied me with several bags of seasoned wood (old fruit trees, I think).
Once the Dragon is back in operation, I shall save using a good deal of electricity and gas, as he supplies hot water, and does most of the Cook Ing IYSWIM.
Very strange - I just tried it again and it worked fine and zoinklessly.
Alas, I have been zoinked once more...
This evening I have my first on-line Italian class. In theory I know a reasonable amount of the language, but no doubt it will go completely out of my head.
Thank you! Most diverting.
I am un-zoinked, and will go off to join The Methodist Church instanter...
There were a few spitters of rain as I came home from work, and it seems to have settled down to a rather damp night. Oh well, it is the first day of Autumn, so I suppose it's entitled to rain ...
Supper chez Piglet was prawn, mushroom and tomato risotto.
O what an exciting life I lead! when Paint Ing and Shopp Ing are the two greatest highlights (apart from Pilates on a Tuesday, that is).
😎
And Paint Ing is better than Stopping Leaks!
Alas, it doesn't last for ever, and a good coating needs to be applied every year or two, especially along the waterline (which is the bit one has to get down on the Mud of the river-bed in order to reach). I'm not sure if it will be possible to do the job this year, at least in its entirety.
Why, I may have to Send Out for a Man Wot Does!
Most people here have platforms they can stand on - pallets are very Useful Things! - tied to the vessel, and capable of being slid along the mud as required. I have my Eye on a couple of redundant pallets, owned (I think) by one of my neighbours, which might be available.
The problem is that the physical effort required, legs-wise, is more than I can manage now, although actually applying the paint is easy-peasy using a radiator roller. Believe it or not, it is possible to slosh a coat of tar to a 70 foot vessel in only about three hours, even with occasional breaks for BEER.
Proper thing too.
Care of the Ark sounds complicated and Potentially Messy; though I guess certain things to do with the care of a house are the same.
Mr Nen is out for tea so I made myself an omelette. Not a thing I do very often and it was definitely a bit unusual (I should have cooked the mushrooms for a few minutes first, methinks), but quite tasty all the same.
* the results can be a bit unpredictable
I'm looking forward to a rather sociable weekend: a Shipmeet in Edinburgh tomorrow, and lunch in Kirkliston with some of my awesome family on Sunday to keep me company on the second anniversary of David's death (by toasting his memory, obviously).
We have a picnic to go to on Grantchester Meadows with husband’s office. I’m in too minds about it, I am quite tired and anxious at the moment and I can’t work out if meeting with others will do me the world of good or whether I really need a rest. Certainly I could do without staring at these 4 walls so I will be going but will take a book just in case.
HA, I think you're wise to go - as you say, it'll be better for you than staring at the walls! I hope the sun shines for you.
I'm now off to work out which train will get me where I want to be for the Shipmeet later.
Hope this is as good a weekend as it can be @piglet.
Our son has decided to come up for a visit. He should be arriving by 9.00 which means he must have got up at a daft hour to get the train.
I’m at Birmingham waiting for the next train. Poor Mr Boogs is at home Zaba and Tatze sitting. He’s coming to pick me up on Tuesday while my brother dig sits. I was scared of the journey alone and rather disabled, but all is well and people have been very kind.
Thinking of folks at the shipmeet and hope you have a lovely time with the family @Boogie .
I had an unexpected visit from a friend (the girl who was my bridesmaid) just before I left for Edinburgh; she happened to be passing and dropped in for a chat. We've arranged to meet for lunch in a couple of weeks, which will be lovely.
Then I had a nice little amble over to the butcher's where I got a lamb shank, which will feed me next weekend.
The Shipmeet was lovely - good food and excellent company. Now heading home on the train.
It's still supposed to be mandatory here.
to make the next one.
We went for our flu jabs today. Great, but they also gave me the pneumonia one and my right arm is now more or less out of action. I’m trying the red wine cure.
Nenlet1 paid me a surprise visit yesterday afternoon after hearing I was home alone.
Good to hear the shipmeet went well.
I’m just going to have some porridge and go for a walk. A lazy day today until the evening service.