Good to hear of churches outgrowing their space, @Roseofsharon. Ours was comfortably full though far fewer children in the children's church than usual. The weather here is very dull and cold. It's hardly been light the last two days which is a bit depressing.
Ha! We are promised Wind and Rain later in the week - if there's too much of it, I'll send some your way...
A minor contretemps this afternoon, with Smoke* issuing from parts of the Dragon other than the top of the chimney (outside, of course)
The leak appeared to be from the bottom of the chimney at the sootbox, where it joins the Dragon. I took the opportunity to hoover out some soot, thinking that might be the problem, but then found a crack in the fire-cement. I always have a pot of fire-cement in stock (as you do), and a small amount was duly applied - so far, with positive results, as all the Smoke is now proceeding all the way up.
Mind you, it took a few minutes to sort it all out, and so there was quite a lot of Smoke wafting around the saloon and galley, causing the alarm to sound. The air has now cleared, and I'm celebrating by quaffing BEER.
(* I use Smokeless Coal, but there's always a small amount of Smoke as the Coal catches fire, and the initial gases burn off. After a few minutes, there is no Smoke, but plenty of Fire!)
Got through a full on week of work whilst post lurgy - so been pretty sleepy all week.
Weird full circle moment mid week: I ended up working in the building literally next door to what was my first (temporary and grim) halls of residence as a green behind the gills student mumble cough years ago. Doing what I trained for where I trained for it, is strangely validating as I often feel a bit of a fake/outsider.
Visited a lot of charity shops etc yesterday failing to get some new suitable trousers for work.
I will have to go to the usual suspects and fork out proper money after all I think!!
Nice joint of gammon today.
Expect beer quaffing to accompany ironing later
I had intentions which involved Iron Ing, but then a message appeared on What's App to say that my niece and her family and my sister were going to a (relatively) nearby carvery for an early supper, so I pootled down to the station and hopped on a train to Edinburgh Park, where my nephew-in-law picked me up.
Very nice afternoon, decent carvery, good company and trains that were almost on time.
<snip>
Visited a lot of charity shops etc yesterday failing to get some new suitable trousers for work.
I will have to go to the usual suspects and fork out proper money after all I think!!
<snip>
You’ll be lucky. I went round ‘proper shops’ in our nearest small city. M&S has a pocket handkerchief size menswear section. I was not tempted by plasticky looking trousers advertised as “65% recycled polyester rich”.
The only fabric I found (elsewhere) which I liked was unfortunately a greenish shade which is not me. Also I’m not sure about trouser turn-ups these days.
@Bishops Finger a F/friend at Meeting for Worship this morning also described the weather as glum. It’s remained so all day.
But Meeting itself was enlivened by the visit of a 3 week old baby, along with his parents, aunt and a family friend. His family all spoke during Meeting but he remained silent but for a few snuffles. Was so good to welcome him as we have no regular children any more.
I’ ve been very lazy today. My usual 9.15am service was replaced by a 10am joint Covenant service with the Methodists, but I decided it was too cold to venture out , though that church would definitely have been warmer than ours, which was perishing for Evensong, plus an hour’s practice beforehand.
Choir outnumbered the congregation, and we were only 10.
Our Place used to have a monthly said BCP Evensong (with hymns) followed by Benediction (with hymns and incense), and attendance was usually 7-10, including 3 or 4 visitors from other Places.
We now have weekly Evening Prayer, mostly attended just by FatherInCharge and Madam Sacristan, but at the moment FInC is flying solo...
<snip>
Visited a lot of charity shops etc yesterday failing to get some new suitable trousers for work.
I will have to go to the usual suspects and fork out proper money after all I think!!
<snip>
You’ll be lucky. I went round ‘proper shops’ in our nearest small city. M&S has a pocket handkerchief size menswear section. I was not tempted by plasticky looking trousers advertised as “65% recycled polyester rich”.
The only fabric I found (elsewhere) which I liked was unfortunately a greenish shade which is not me. Also I’m not sure about trouser turn-ups these days.
Next has been good for suits over the couple of years so here's hoping....
Another quiet day in Arkland the Less Glum, as the Big Yellow Face graced us with Her presence from time to time.
The mains power was off from 10am until 4pm whilst Important Work was carried out to the point where the Magic Electrical Fluid enters the Arklandic infrastructure, so I'm now catching up on various bits of the internet - I don't like using my PC on its battery, as it doesn't last very long.
In view of today's events across the Pond, I'm keeping away from news channels...sufficient unto the morrow is the evil thereof...
We had a very brief power cut at work today; it barely lasted a couple of minutes, but it was enough to turn everything off so we had to wait for it to turn itself on again, and decide whether it was going to remember all the Stuff we'd done beforehand ...
I'm reminded of an occasion in my previous incarnation as a legal typist, when we had a power cut and the boss (not the most practically-minded of men, and also as mean as cat-shite) told us we ought to take our coffee break while the power was off (and so that we wouldn't waste any woman-hours).
With an electric coffee-machine and kettle - silly bugger. :rolleyes:
Another not bad day here - still dry, still cold-ish but not uncomfortably so, and by working a few minutes extra I got everything done.
Supper was smoked-haddock fish cakes with veggies, followed by some CHEESE.
Today began, as planned, with a cherry-picker outside the door as workmen were due to lime point our gable end. So far so good. Once they got up there (Mr Cats had a couple of rides and loved it) they discovered that the chimney was in a perilous state. So now the main job became rebuilding it, and sourcing the right stone as our streetscape is A listed (Scottish classification). All going well, though job obviously going to be longer and more expensive than planned. Then when they were beginning to pack up they needed their extension, which was coming in through an upper window. When it was unplugged and chucked down to them, the window slipped out of my hands and crashed down. Single glazing (listed streetscape) and the whole lower pane shattered. But did not fall out. Hoping that it stays non windy tonight so that the glass remains in the frame until the local joiner comes tomorrow….
Usual grey day here. I did my usual Monday morning of admin and communications followed by my usual afternoon of marking. Then at 5.30 Mr Heavenly and I set about removing the contents of the overloaded kitchen filing cabinet, bookcase and drinks cabinet to elsewhere in the house before moving the heavy cabinets etc across to the other side of the kitchen, so the electrician can access the area to run electricity to my garden office. We might take the opportunity to have a tidy out and rearrange.
Mr Heavenly has just gone to the chippy for fish and chips as we can no longer get to the cooker. Mochi was hiding under a bed upstairs while the disturbance was happening but has now sat on my knee for a reassuring stroke.
The NE Man says that if he had realised that retirement would mean being in the same house as me when I do my tax return, he might not have retired. There may have been swearing.
Apart from that, retirement has its very pleasant aspects. Yesterday we drove to a nearby village. I photographed a gravestone for which our church holds a bequest, and then we went for a walk. The village war memorial is on a small hill just outside the village; I have driven past hundreds of time, but never walked up to it before. Then we wandered through a park and round the ruins of the old church and kirkyard, which has a morthouse. I spotted the grave of Prince William's 5x gt grandparents; I didn't know they were there. And I spotted a verse on one stone: The Spring will come but not for me
The leaves will clothe the forest tree
The Spring will come and flowers will bloom
But 'twill be o'er my grassy tomb
I too like reading gravestones @North East Quine . That's a fine verse.
My cousin is spending a couple of days with us. She's headed off to bed early as she is worn out after spending the weekend on grandma duty. Hopefully tomorrow she'll be full of vim for the walk we have planned followed by dinner in our favourite Indian restaurant.
Apart from that, retirement has its very pleasant aspects. Yesterday we drove to a nearby village. I photographed a gravestone for which our church holds a bequest, and then we went for a walk. The village war memorial is on a small hill just outside the village; I have driven past hundreds of time, but never walked up to it before. Then we wandered through a park and round the ruins of the old church and kirkyard, which has a morthouse. I spotted the grave of Prince William's 5x gt grandparents; I didn't know they were there. And I spotted a verse on one stone: The Spring will come but not for me
The leaves will clothe the forest tree
The Spring will come and flowers will bloom
But 'twill be o'er my grassy tomb
Your walk yesterday sounds rather like the beginning of a ghost story by M R James - The Spring will come, but not for Me would make a fine title! - with you yourself as The Antiquary to whom Eldritch Things happen as a result of your camera work...or maybe as a result of not walking widdershins around the kirk ruins...or maybe because you stepped between two Sinister Gravestones in order to look into the morthouse...
The Big Yellow Face has deserted Arkland the Bereft, which was very Foggy at 3am today, but is now back to grey and chilly. Pilates has been survived, together with a brief Expotition to an almost deserted Tess Coe, and I'm now back in the warmth of the Dragon for sleepage, restage etc. etc. after Lunch.
Speaking of which, Lunch is to be something I've not tried before, to wit, Singapore Noodles. The dish consisteth of vermicelli noodles, chicken, char siu pork, and prawns, all in a spiced coconut sauce. Well, that's what it says on the label, along with instructions to put it in the popty ping for 4 minutes...
I quite like Chinese/Indonesian dishes, so, if this one is tasty, will seek out more of Tess Coe's East Asian offerings.
The Big Yellow Face only appeared here for about half an hour. It is still grey out there.
I have written a presentation for doctorate students on looking after their mental health and well-being. I was supposed to do marking this afternoon but there was noise and distractions in the house (one of which was Mochi harassing me because she was scared of the workmen). The electricians have been and sorted out the new office’s lighting and sockets, just the heating to wait for now. They managed to damage some plasterwork slightly and didn’t screw in the skirting so Mr Heavenly is contacting The Manager to get that sorted.
I've been putting it off but the mending basket won't empty itself so this week I'll be darning, sewing on buttons, and sorting through it all. The biggest job is detaching the "feet" of babygros and sleep-suits and lengthening the legs thereof - why do manufacturers assume all babies have short, stubby legs? 😡
Mostly I find the ready meal versions of recipes disappointing, fussy cook that I am. AIR you can get a decent SN by just buying a pack of the noodles alone and wok-ing them with such bits and pieces as you have to hand.
Speaking of woks, one is in the oven (with lid) quietly incubating Red Cooked Pork. In the other I'll presently be stir frying Brussels sprouts with dried chilli and Szechuan pepper.
That sounds very industrious @TheOrganist.
We had a bit of sun this afternoon. However we went out for a walk with my cousin this morning when it was still dull and grey. We enjoyed the walk though. Shortly we're heading to our favourite Indian restaurant for dinner. At the moment there is a debate as to whether it is possible to go to a pub and not be tempted by alcohol during dry January.
Whenever you have visitors, Dry January (whatever that is ) is suspended.
I didn't see any of the Big Yellow Face today, but as I walked home, there was the remains of what was probably a very decent sunset.
@Heavenlyannie, you have my sympathy re: electricity and the disruption thereof. Scottish Power, in their infinite wisdom, are currently digging up the pavement outside my office; apparently something was Done Wrongly at some point in the past, and now has to be Put Right. This right-putting is going to involve depriving us of Electrical Power for a good chunk of tomorrow, and the Powers That Be have decreed that one of my colleagues and I will come in to work in the morning, and work until the lights go off and then bugger off home ...
What could possibly go wrong?
I'm all in favour of spontaneous, unearned days off, but as most of the bosses can work from home (and I can't), I suspect there will be a mountain of gargantuan proportions to be got through on Thursday.
Memo to self: open the window-shutters when I get in, so at least when the lights go off I won't be left in total darkness.
This evening's supper was STEAK with POTATOES, mushrooms and garlicky green beans because that's what I fancied.
Went to see my Cardiac consultant today( Tuesday) No new medicines but he didn't say he would see me in 12 months time !!!! My daughter took me and came in with me so she can report back to She who must be oboyed
@Firenze - the Singapore Noodles were very tasty. A little spicier than I anticipated, but none the worse for that, and I shall probably buy them again.
This morning Mr RoS & I had our annual check up for those with chronic diseases. Usual stuff, weight, BP, & blood tests. I have a whole raft of those, having a whole raft of chronic diseases, but it is waiting for the result of the glucose one that bothers me - always a possibility of slipping into diabetic levels, as I could (and often prefer to) eat almost anything between two slices of bread.
Pleased to say that we both 'passed' the memory tests!
One of the reasons my diet is reasonably low carb is because diabetes in rampant in my family (one grandparent, both parents, several siblings) and I know I am inclined to it as I had diabetes in my second pregnancy. Most of my weekday cooking is low carb.
Usual admin and planning this morning and I am about to have lunch (omelette?) before another round of marking.
Not particularly, but it's only offered to people over a certain age. My wife had hers done as a single dose a couple of years ago; I'm slightly younger and had mine - now given as two doses six months apart - last year.
It used to be offered between certain ages, but I think they have broadened that now. I was offered it once but ignored the suggestion. I took it up the second time.
I had the shingles vaccination when I was seventy. Only the one though.
Today I was supposed to be going walking with the Ramblers but my ankle which has been painful for a while was really bad last night, maybe due to going walking yesterday or wearing was new and rather stiff boots out last night. Instead I spent a couple of hours in our urgent care centre getting it checked over. Decided there was nothing serious so just pain killers and a bit of rest. It’s annoying as the walk was round a National Trust property and cake had been promised.
I suspect I'm Older and more Pheeble than either you or Mrs BT, so I wonder if I've been offered it before - and, obviously, did nothing about it!
I was 70 last February and, although I requested it when my wife had hers done, I was not allowed to have it before then! We're in Wales and YMMV in England.
In other news, the sun is shining brightly - hurrah! (I can hear BF already gearing up to say, "It won't last, You Mark My Words"!).
In other news, the sun is shining brightly - hurrah! (I can hear BF already gearing up to say, "It won't last, You Mark My Words"!).
Well, it won't . Are we not all bracing ourselves for Storm Éowyn? Mr Nen is already making similar gloomy remarks and checking the garden to make sure everything that can move is tied down.
Meanwhile, we've been out for coffee and I'm heading out this afternoon to try and find a birthday gift for a friend. It's a bit like Christmas - it always catches me out and I always mean to get organised earlier for it, but I never do.
Yesterday we saw Nenlet1 and the GrandNenling for coffee and lunch which was very lovely .
I'm hoping that the worst of her will miss Arkland the Perennially Windy, but gusts of up to 55mph are forecast.
A good name, although the real Eowyn might not be flattered. She was, after all, a feisty lass, with a very positive role to play. Granted, if you happen to be a Nazgul, YMMV.
Glad I didn't retire the supplementary heater to the cupboard. It's a still, raw, grey day, but scheduled to liven up more than somewhat on Friday. Fortunately I don't think we're under any necessity to go anywhere that day.
Teams call with a colleague towards the end of the day, and we both decided that Friday would be a good day to stay in. One of her neighbours is mending a fence post for her tomorrow that went in the last storm. Should be well tested...
We've just been out to look at planets, having realised that the haze mostly cleared after sunset. Could see 5 planets with the naked eye - Venus, Saturn, Mars, Jupiter, and Earth. Not bad from a suburban back garden!
Well, stuff that for a lark. Having assumed that I would only be in the office for an hour or so, I went in casual clothes (basically the same as normal office clothes, but jeans instead of smart trousers) and didn't bother taking any lunch with me. What happened? Scottish Power decided that they couldn't do whatever it was they were going to do today (something to do with the flat above next door not being able to have access), so they're going to have to do it at night. So, goodbye nice lazy day.
Happily, most of the staff came in rather than working from home, so it also meant goodbye to Himalayan heaps of work accumulating for tomorrow, and I actually left with Everything Done.
Supper was a risotto with prawns, mushrooms and tomatoes, because use-by dates, and it was rather nice.
Apart from two choir rehearsals, Monday and tonight, I have done nothing to speak of so far this week. Bone idle. Just didn’t fancy going anywhere on my own.
Tomorrow after a haircut my daughter and I are lunching out then driving to another town for a change. On Friday my French group is having lunch out at Côte, and on Saturday I am going to a Come and Sing ( Elgar’s Music Makers). It is an easy 40 minute drive, weather permitting.
That sounds like a lovely way to spend the reminder of your week @Puzzler . You've been working hard on your tidy house project, so a few days of pleasurable activities are just right for lifting the spirits and getting a second wind!
@Piglet, I'd much rather have the reduction in stress than the slow day at the office. Failing to take lunch would make me think, hmmm what treat can I give myself, but you are probably better than me!!
The washing machine has been making a knocking noise for a few days so tonight I put it on when Mr Heavenly was doing some work in the kitchen. He has since got his tool box out, taken the washing machine to pieces and diagnosed worn dampers, watched a YouTube video on how to change them and is now going to order new parts. He can be remarkably useful to have around the house.
Tea was steak and ale pie with stir fried mushroom and cabbage.
36 years ago today, @Clarence and I went on our first date. We had fondues (plural because all three courses were fondue, culminating in a Mars Bar fondue) at The Swiss Centre (of blessèd memory) in Leicester Square. Then we came out at close to midnight to find my car clamped in Coventry St. Starting as it turned out we would go on 🥰
Comments
A minor contretemps this afternoon, with Smoke* issuing from parts of the Dragon other than the top of the chimney (outside, of course)
The leak appeared to be from the bottom of the chimney at the sootbox, where it joins the Dragon. I took the opportunity to hoover out some soot, thinking that might be the problem, but then found a crack in the fire-cement. I always have a pot of fire-cement in stock (as you do), and a small amount was duly applied - so far, with positive results, as all the Smoke is now proceeding all the way up.
Mind you, it took a few minutes to sort it all out, and so there was quite a lot of Smoke wafting around the saloon and galley, causing the alarm to sound. The air has now cleared, and I'm celebrating by quaffing BEER.
(* I use Smokeless Coal, but there's always a small amount of Smoke as the Coal catches fire, and the initial gases burn off. After a few minutes, there is no Smoke, but plenty of Fire!)
Weird full circle moment mid week: I ended up working in the building literally next door to what was my first (temporary and grim) halls of residence as a green behind the gills student mumble cough years ago. Doing what I trained for where I trained for it, is strangely validating as I often feel a bit of a fake/outsider.
Visited a lot of charity shops etc yesterday failing to get some new suitable trousers for work.
I will have to go to the usual suspects and fork out proper money after all I think!!
Nice joint of gammon today.
Expect beer quaffing to accompany ironing later
Very nice afternoon, decent carvery, good company and trains that were almost on time.
And cuddlage from Rosie and Alex. ❤️❤️
The only fabric I found (elsewhere) which I liked was unfortunately a greenish shade which is not me. Also I’m not sure about trouser turn-ups these days.
But Meeting itself was enlivened by the visit of a 3 week old baby, along with his parents, aunt and a family friend. His family all spoke during Meeting but he remained silent but for a few snuffles. Was so good to welcome him as we have no regular children any more.
Choir outnumbered the congregation, and we were only 10.
We now have weekly Evening Prayer, mostly attended just by FatherInCharge and Madam Sacristan, but at the moment FInC is flying solo...
Next has been good for suits over the couple of years so here's hoping....
The mains power was off from 10am until 4pm whilst Important Work was carried out to the point where the Magic Electrical Fluid enters the Arklandic infrastructure, so I'm now catching up on various bits of the internet - I don't like using my PC on its battery, as it doesn't last very long.
In view of today's events across the Pond, I'm keeping away from news channels...sufficient unto the morrow is the evil thereof...
I'm reminded of an occasion in my previous incarnation as a legal typist, when we had a power cut and the boss (not the most practically-minded of men, and also as mean as cat-shite) told us we ought to take our coffee break while the power was off (and so that we wouldn't waste any woman-hours).
With an electric coffee-machine and kettle - silly bugger. :rolleyes:
Another not bad day here - still dry, still cold-ish but not uncomfortably so, and by working a few minutes extra I got everything done.
Supper was smoked-haddock fish cakes with veggies, followed by some CHEESE.
Usual grey day here. I did my usual Monday morning of admin and communications followed by my usual afternoon of marking. Then at 5.30 Mr Heavenly and I set about removing the contents of the overloaded kitchen filing cabinet, bookcase and drinks cabinet to elsewhere in the house before moving the heavy cabinets etc across to the other side of the kitchen, so the electrician can access the area to run electricity to my garden office. We might take the opportunity to have a tidy out and rearrange.
Mr Heavenly has just gone to the chippy for fish and chips as we can no longer get to the cooker. Mochi was hiding under a bed upstairs while the disturbance was happening but has now sat on my knee for a reassuring stroke.
Apart from that, retirement has its very pleasant aspects. Yesterday we drove to a nearby village. I photographed a gravestone for which our church holds a bequest, and then we went for a walk. The village war memorial is on a small hill just outside the village; I have driven past hundreds of time, but never walked up to it before. Then we wandered through a park and round the ruins of the old church and kirkyard, which has a morthouse. I spotted the grave of Prince William's 5x gt grandparents; I didn't know they were there. And I spotted a verse on one stone:
The Spring will come but not for me
The leaves will clothe the forest tree
The Spring will come and flowers will bloom
But 'twill be o'er my grassy tomb
My cousin is spending a couple of days with us. She's headed off to bed early as she is worn out after spending the weekend on grandma duty. Hopefully tomorrow she'll be full of vim for the walk we have planned followed by dinner in our favourite Indian restaurant.
Your walk yesterday sounds rather like the beginning of a ghost story by M R James - The Spring will come, but not for Me would make a fine title! - with you yourself as The Antiquary to whom Eldritch Things happen as a result of your camera work...or maybe as a result of not walking widdershins around the kirk ruins...or maybe because you stepped between two Sinister Gravestones in order to look into the morthouse...
The Big Yellow Face has deserted Arkland the Bereft, which was very Foggy at 3am today, but is now back to grey and chilly. Pilates has been survived, together with a brief Expotition to an almost deserted Tess Coe, and I'm now back in the warmth of the Dragon for sleepage, restage etc. etc. after Lunch.
Speaking of which, Lunch is to be something I've not tried before, to wit, Singapore Noodles. The dish consisteth of vermicelli noodles, chicken, char siu pork, and prawns, all in a spiced coconut sauce. Well, that's what it says on the label, along with instructions to put it in the popty ping for 4 minutes...
I quite like Chinese/Indonesian dishes, so, if this one is tasty, will seek out more of Tess Coe's East Asian offerings.
I have written a presentation for doctorate students on looking after their mental health and well-being. I was supposed to do marking this afternoon but there was noise and distractions in the house (one of which was Mochi harassing me because she was scared of the workmen). The electricians have been and sorted out the new office’s lighting and sockets, just the heating to wait for now. They managed to damage some plasterwork slightly and didn’t screw in the skirting so Mr Heavenly is contacting The Manager to get that sorted.
Mostly I find the ready meal versions of recipes disappointing, fussy cook that I am. AIR you can get a decent SN by just buying a pack of the noodles alone and wok-ing them with such bits and pieces as you have to hand.
Speaking of woks, one is in the oven (with lid) quietly incubating Red Cooked Pork. In the other I'll presently be stir frying Brussels sprouts with dried chilli and Szechuan pepper.
We had a bit of sun this afternoon. However we went out for a walk with my cousin this morning when it was still dull and grey. We enjoyed the walk though. Shortly we're heading to our favourite Indian restaurant for dinner. At the moment there is a debate as to whether it is possible to go to a pub and not be tempted by alcohol during dry January.
I didn't see any of the Big Yellow Face today, but as I walked home, there was the remains of what was probably a very decent sunset.
@Heavenlyannie, you have my sympathy re: electricity and the disruption thereof. Scottish Power, in their infinite wisdom, are currently digging up the pavement outside my office; apparently something was Done Wrongly at some point in the past, and now has to be Put Right. This right-putting is going to involve depriving us of Electrical Power for a good chunk of tomorrow, and the Powers That Be have decreed that one of my colleagues and I will come in to work in the morning, and work until the lights go off and then bugger off home ...
What could possibly go wrong?
I'm all in favour of spontaneous, unearned days off, but as most of the bosses can work from home (and I can't), I suspect there will be a mountain of gargantuan proportions to be got through on Thursday.
Memo to self: open the window-shutters when I get in, so at least when the lights go off I won't be left in total darkness.
This evening's supper was STEAK with POTATOES, mushrooms and garlicky green beans because that's what I fancied.
Point taken re home cooking, though.
Pleased to say that we both 'passed' the memory tests!
Usual admin and planning this morning and I am about to have lunch (omelette?) before another round of marking.
Today I was supposed to be going walking with the Ramblers but my ankle which has been painful for a while was really bad last night, maybe due to going walking yesterday or wearing was new and rather stiff boots out last night. Instead I spent a couple of hours in our urgent care centre getting it checked over. Decided there was nothing serious so just pain killers and a bit of rest. It’s annoying as the walk was round a National Trust property and cake had been promised.
I was 70 last February and, although I requested it when my wife had hers done, I was not allowed to have it before then! We're in Wales and YMMV in England.
In other news, the sun is shining brightly - hurrah! (I can hear BF already gearing up to say, "It won't last, You Mark My Words"!).
Meanwhile, we've been out for coffee and I'm heading out this afternoon to try and find a birthday gift for a friend. It's a bit like Christmas - it always catches me out and I always mean to get organised earlier for it, but I never do.
Yesterday we saw Nenlet1 and the GrandNenling for coffee and lunch which was very lovely
By air mail?
I'm hoping that the worst of her will miss Arkland the Perennially Windy, but gusts of up to 55mph are forecast.
A good name, although the real Eowyn might not be flattered. She was, after all, a feisty lass, with a very positive role to play. Granted, if you happen to be a Nazgul, YMMV.
We've just been out to look at planets, having realised that the haze mostly cleared after sunset. Could see 5 planets with the naked eye - Venus, Saturn, Mars, Jupiter, and Earth. Not bad from a suburban back garden!
Happily, most of the staff came in rather than working from home, so it also meant goodbye to Himalayan heaps of work accumulating for tomorrow, and I actually left with Everything Done.
Supper was a risotto with prawns, mushrooms and tomatoes, because use-by dates, and it was rather nice.
Tomorrow after a haircut my daughter and I are lunching out then driving to another town for a change. On Friday my French group is having lunch out at Côte, and on Saturday I am going to a Come and Sing ( Elgar’s Music Makers). It is an easy 40 minute drive, weather permitting.
@Piglet, I'd much rather have the reduction in stress than the slow day at the office. Failing to take lunch would make me think, hmmm what treat can I give myself, but you are probably better than me!!
Tea was steak and ale pie with stir fried mushroom and cabbage.