BF, the clouds that are missing from your Firmament are in mine; it's not been a bad day (and ridiculously mild), but not much in the way of Sun Shine.
It mattered not a jot or tittle; apart from a sojourn to Tessie's at lunchtime to re-stock fridge, larder and wine-rack I was far too busy to notice what the weather was doing. I cleared up the Stuff that was left over from Friday, and decided to stop in to get all but one (admittedly humongous) voice-file finished. Tomorrow's another day ...
Because I didn't get home until after six, I thought, sod it, and got scampi and chips from the chippy. I know I shouldn't have, but I was zonked enough that I didn't care.
A long day here, I’ve been working all day and have just got out of an evening tutorial (course overview/poverty and young people). Tea was a quick oven cooked sausages and butternut squash.
I am currently relaxing with a glass of organic lambrusco, which is much nicer than the 80s version.
I went on Saturday to an amazing concert by the young Welsh triple-harpist Cerys Hafana. Unfortunately my wife wasn't well enough to come, but I bought the new CD which is wonderful. Modern Welsh folk music which is totally unique.
Not a good day.
I expected an engineer to come and do some sort of work on our meters sometime between 8am & 5pm.
Mr RoS had got up early to clear a space in the garage for access to said meters. I cleared all the less-frequently-used kitchen utensils that live in the boiler cupboard in the kitchen, and moved furniture in the sitting room so that he can walk straight from the door to the meter display screen.
He had neither appeared nor phoned by 4:15, so I decided to compose a stiff email ready to send it once 5pm was passed - then my eye travelled to the top R hand corner of the computer screen, and I read the date - Monday October 6th not, as I had thought all day, Monday October 7th
Ten minutes later he phoned to confirm that he will be here tomorrow, Tuesday Oct 7th, and we are his first job, so he will be with us at about 8am.
Sorry to hear Mrs BT is still unwell @Baptist Trainfan . Hope you enjoyed the concert. Hope the engineer has been @Roseofsharon .
I am taking myself off this morning for some shopping and a coffee and time with my book at my favourite watering hole. Seeing a couple of friends this afternoon.
Completely overcast here so not holding out much hope of seeing the supermoon this evening.
Rather louring sky. But I shall have to go out presently as I have £150 in unbanked Premium Bond prizes (and, yes, I have tried to get them paid directly to my account. Not that it isn't pleasant to see the familiar envelope on the mat and think This Time...)
Another nice day here, and the washing has been hung out so I hope it doesn't change its mind and start raining. I've also sorted out my sock draw and the baskets in the hall that has hats, scarves and gloves. I think I need a couple more pairs of gloves, as I like to be colour co-ordinated and none of the gloves I have go with my scarves and hats.
Off for coffee with friends this afternoon and between now and then I need to get my head round the agenda for a meeting tomorrow night.
The weather forecast promised grey-but-dry. I just started putting out the washing when I detected the faintest of drizzles, so stopped and brought it in again.
Swimming was swum, shopping was shopped, some service preparation has been done, wife feeling slightly better but still droopy.
Grey here. I need to dry some washing but don’t trust the weather to stay dry.
This morning I have done some work admin. I should really be studying this afternoon but Mochi is very clingy and won’t get off my lap.
Another lovely autumn afternoon in Arkland the Ramshackle*, with some Cloud, some Sun-Shine, and a pleasant westerly Zephyr. It was, I think, rather Phoggy early this morning (not unusual on a tidal river!), but the Phogg and Cloud had largely disappeared by the time I returned to the Ark from the weekly Pilates session (which was a good one).
I got back just in time, as the Tide was, as forecast, beginning to flood the road that leads to the Ark's mooring. Neighbour M was just tying up his new Ark - a one-time Broads cruiser - his former boat having been towed to another mooring, prior to being lifted onto the hard-standing for cleaning up (and successful sale, M hopes). Other Neighbours foregathered to observe proceedings, and several Bottles of BEER were raised to toast the new arrival...
Luncheon today is SPAG BOL, one of Tess Coe's 'Prepared Meals For Incompetent Singletons'. Parmesan CHEESE and Black Pepper will be added, and more BEER (Italian, of course) will be quaffed.
*I use the word ramshackle, because it's an accurate description of Arkland generally. My Sister loves the ramshackleness and informality - I suspect that, were it not for my brother-in-law, whom she loves dearly, and who has some serious health issues, she'd move here herself...
Duly got to the bank, which is in a mall, so also went to supermarket to get a few things priority one, scones for Mr F. Which item got left behind by the self-service till?
Well, never mind. Have a full-scale online order delivering tomorrow. Also it's the day for the fish van man. And I'm expecting a parcel of yarn, so a day packed with excitement.
As for the rest of today, I am guiltily aware of unplanted plants and bulb, but it's been raining on and off, so it'll be the reading and knitting. Autumnal dinner of meat loaf and cabbage.
I’d like a fish van to come round here. Apparently one sometimes visits the science park.
Studying has been done and I completed all the referencing of my secondary sources and did the primary ones which I have in printed form. So Thursday I just need to hunt down the online originals for the eighteenth century primary sources. History research can be amazingly straightforward in the digital era, I can read eighteenth century medical books in several accessible sites and even find contemporary book reviews of them.
Mr Heavenly is having a get together with old colleagues so I have ordered some Indian street food, including Indian sweets which always remind me of home because patients used to buy them as gifts for the nurses in Luton.
We had a free morning, which was rather too long to mooch around the resort once it started to rain. Then on to Cartmel Priory which is well worth a visit, followed by delicious carrot, apple and lentil soup served with a warm cheese scone, just the job on a wet day.
You're less than half an hour’s drive away from me. And I agree about Cartmel Priory. There’s a good novel about its founder William Marshal: The Scarlet Lion by Elizabeth Chadwick.
Your soup sounds rather yummy @puzzler. I've never been to Cartmel Priory, but have been in that neck of the woods looking at sites of historic interest to Quakers.
My meet up with friends was very nice as always, we planned ahead and have decided on when we are going out for Christmas lunch. The place we went to last year ran out of red wine, so we're thinking somewhere different this year.
I also spoke the the audiologist ahead of my appointment on Friday and ordered the aids I want. I'm also going to try a different ear mould fitting as well. Expensive but hopefully worth it.
We had a free morning, which was rather too long to mooch around the resort once it started to rain. Then on to Cartmel Priory which is well worth a visit, followed by delicious carrot, apple and lentil soup served with a warm cheese scone, just the job on a wet day.
Ooooh! I remember Arnside and Cartmel from childhood visits. 🤩
... The place we went to last year ran out of red wine ...
You mean you drank it all???
Another busy day - just when I think I'm getting to the point where I might get cleared up by the end of the day, someone drops another load of stuff to be done. Oh well, I suppose it keeps me in wine food.
I haven't had proper supper; when I came in from work I just wanted something quick before going across the road for Night Church, so I had a couple of butteries and some CHEESE, and now I can't decide whether I'm hungry or not.
Sending a gentle hug to Mrs BT - hope she feels better v. soon.
Today's visit from the energy company's engineer went smoothly. Apparently the communication hub of our smart meter (fitted nearly 18months ago) was faulty and has not been passing information back to it's masters. I could never read the display and had no idea how it was supposed to be telling us anything, so quickly stopped looking at it, but was a bit puzzled about our bills being estimated. I guess we will soon find out if we have been underpaying.
My mistake about the date of the appointment yesterday is a bit worrying, after the farce of the non-functioning oven last month. Think I may be beginning to lose the plot.
As Mr RoS has never had much grasp of the plot anyway we may soon be descending into permanent chaos.
... The place we went to last year ran out of red wine ...
You mean you drank it all???
Another busy day - just when I think I'm getting to the point where I might get cleared up by the end of the day, someone drops another load of stuff to be done. Oh well, I suppose it keeps me in wine food.
I haven't had proper supper; when I came in from work I just wanted something quick before going across the road for Night Church, so I had a couple of butteries and some CHEESE, and now I can't decide whether I'm hungry or not.
Sending a gentle hug to Mrs BT - hope she feels better v. soon.
A very nice walk with the Ramblers this morning walking round a new country park on the site of an old colliery. Not quite finished yet, so it'll be good to go back in a year or so and see how it has bedded in.
I'm now off to knit some poppies for a display at the Town Hall for Remembrance Day.
A windless but cloudy day in Arkland the Calm, where some Sun-Shine is promised for later. They'd better get a move on - it's pretty well dark by 630pm...
Nothing achieved today, but Shopp Ing is programmed for tomorrow. Meanwhile, lunch is once again SPAG BOL - somehow I managed to buy two (at different times) with the same eat-by date.
I have answered loads of emails, re-written 2 tutorials and I am now having a sit down with a cup of tea and some cheese. I am teaching this evening; an introduction to studying public health, and definitions of health and well-being.
A dry day today thankfully and not too windy. The sun only came out briefly but it was not cold.
Today’s travels started and ended with the coach but also included a heritage railway, Haverthwaite to Lakeside, and then by boat over to Bowness.
A dry day today thankfully and not too windy. The sun only came out briefly but it was not cold.
Today’s travels started and ended with the coach but also included a heritage railway, Haverthwaite to Lakeside, and then by boat over to Bowness.
How is the company @Puzzler? Meaning the people, not the coach firm! 🙂
Yes, people are very friendly. When we are all out and about I’m on my own ( and can please myself) and bump into others they all smile or chat or ask if I’m ok, which is nice, apart from one couple who ignore everyone else to the point of rudeness. I’m sitting opposite two sisters, one local, the other from near Chippenham - very friendly. Thanks for asking @Boogie.
Glad to hear you're having a good time, Puzzler; re the couple who ignore everyone - just ignore them - it's their loss, not yours!
Another dry day here, but beginning to cool a little. Work was busy again, but I managed to get all but one voice file done, which can happily wait until tomorrow.
Supper was the STEAK* I bought on Monday, but have only now had the time/energy to cook, and it was very nice.
* Pace Nen and Firenze - I know that Wednesdays belong to chickie frickie, and steak is for Saturdays, but it was just the way the cookie** crumbled.
** there wasn't an actual cookie - it was quite a big steak, and I wouldn't have had room.
Another lovely autumnal afternoon in Arkland the Arcadian, with a gentle nor'-westerly breeze.
Tess Coe has been visited, everything on the list purchased and a late lunch (LAMB CHOPS) is being attended to by the Dragon. There is also, of course, BEER, and lunch will probably be followed by a time of Sitt Ing and Think Ing (or just Sitt Ing) in the Wheelhouse, to catch the rest of the Sun-Shine.
I have had a most enjoyable couple of days with my sister in law who was visiting from California. My brother had been hoping to come too but was prevented by just having started a new job.
In very pleasant autumnal weather we wandered about the scenic bits of Paris. She also wanted to go shopping because she says that in Europe you can get more interesting things for cheaper prices than at home.
She flew out this morning to visit her relatives in Romania.
Seeing that the Ark doesn't actually - ahem! - go anywhere, is there an actual wheel (let alone a binnacle) in said Wheelhouse?
There is indeed a Wheel - the original, no less - though the engine (a four-cylinder DAF diesel) has not been run for some years. A modicum of TLC and two new 12v lorry batteries would be required before the Ark could be moved under its own power, but the Wheel, propeller, rudder, and chain-link steering gear are all still in situ! Not to mention anchors fore and aft...
Another dry, not unpleasant day here, rather spoiled by my going base-over-apex on my way to work. I'm not sure what I did, whether I tripped over my own trotters or was ambushed by a paving stone. Either way, I landed on my snout (which is still a bit tender to the touch), and I suspect that by tomorrow I'll have aches in places I didn't know I had places.
Stupid piglet.
Supper was pasta with prawns and veggies, because it's easy.
A busy day today. I had my lip reading class followed by lunch in one of my favourite cafes and then on to my bookshop shift. Then straight off to a meeting about our town's new repair cafe venture that we're launching next week.
My husband cooked tea - it was a bit of a mash up. Fried tofu in taco spices in a flatbread with salad and olives. It worked and was rather yummy.
Home again. Lovely scenery, but I have gained half a stone. Back to the washing and the shopping as my fridge is empty. I enjoyed the break, but quite glad to have nothing else booked at the moment.
Princess Anne visited our parish. She was interested and well-informed, she listened, she talked, she seemed unhurried and pleased to be with us.
We, obviously, put our best foot forward and told her what a great parish we are! We do all these things! And we do them well! And as the visit went on, I felt more and more that everything we were saying about being a great parish was true!
I'm currently bathed in a warm glow of loving my church and all the people in it.
Princess Anne visited our parish. She was interested and well-informed ...
She always is. When she came to the Cathedral in Newfoundland and was introduced to the Dean, she said, "I believe your organist used to be at St Magnus Cathedral". She had bothered to find that out.*
* well, OK, maybe someone had found it out for her, but it's the thought that counts. She is most definitely a good egg.
Luckily my rapid unscheduled descent didn't result in a visit to A&E, but I did have rather more aches and pains than usual today.
I've had another busy day, but at least today I got nearly everything done, so I can have a nice relaxed weekend.
Ouch @piglet, I missed that you'd has a tumble upthread. As someone else given to tripping over I sympathise and hope the aches and pains disappear soon. @North East Quine , what a good day, and great that Princess Anne did what dignitaries are supposed to do. She obviously has a good team around her.
I went into city to the east and finalised my hearing aid purchase. I think I've made the right choice as the ones I'm now wearing are very comfortable and seem to be tuned to allow me to hear as much as is possible given how rubbish my ears are at doing their job.
This evening I've been to the monthly soiree at the house of a local councillor. She's from a different party to me, but we're both very much on the same page when it comes to doing the best for our town.
My husband is off in Milton Keynes meeting up with friends. I assume he's having a good time as he hasn't actually responded to my text messages.
Today started sunny but descended into a dark greyness that felt wintery, even though it didn’t seem as cold as earlier in the week.
Busy morning of the usual comms and writing a tutorial (on designing a poster in PowerPoint). I spent this afternoon in online archives tracking down copies of eighteenth century books on psychiatry and I have now finished the bibliography for my research proposal. I need to record a short presentation on it next week.
Tea was haddock with sautéed potatoes, and onion and grated courgette in cream, followed by plum yoghurt. I am now having some pink fizz.
I am another who admires Princess Anne, for her dedication as a "working Royal".
She twice visited the charity where I worked as caterer, and I remember a very odd conversation we had, during her first visit in 1986, about egg curry, and of an experience she had somewhere abroad, eating hard boiled eggs that, she said, tasted of iron filings.
I have always been impressed when she has appeared at a public engagement in an outfit she had worn years ago, but has had subtle alterations made to bring them up to date.
We were told the dress code was "smart day wear" which all the women of the congregation had interpreted as "wear a frock." Clearly Princess Anne hadn't received the memo as she was wearing sensible shoes, navy trousers and a tweed jacket. The tweed jacket looked beautifully cut and was no doubt expensive, but she did seem to have "dressed down" while the rest of us had "dressed up". I liked it. I wasn't one of those who spoke to her, but everyone she spoke to felt she was paying attention to them, and I don't think anyone felt overawed for more than a minute or so. She asked good questions and seemed interested in the answers.
Comments
BF, the clouds that are missing from your Firmament are in mine; it's not been a bad day (and ridiculously mild), but not much in the way of Sun Shine.
It mattered not a jot or tittle; apart from a sojourn to Tessie's at lunchtime to re-stock fridge, larder and wine-rack I was far too busy to notice what the weather was doing. I cleared up the Stuff that was left over from Friday, and decided to stop in to get all but one (admittedly humongous) voice-file finished. Tomorrow's another day ...
Because I didn't get home until after six, I thought, sod it, and got scampi and chips from the chippy. I know I shouldn't have, but I was zonked enough that I didn't care.
I am currently relaxing with a glass of organic lambrusco, which is much nicer than the 80s version.
He is a remarkable chap. I had an online lesson with him a few years ago
I expected an engineer to come and do some sort of work on our meters sometime between 8am & 5pm.
Mr RoS had got up early to clear a space in the garage for access to said meters. I cleared all the less-frequently-used kitchen utensils that live in the boiler cupboard in the kitchen, and moved furniture in the sitting room so that he can walk straight from the door to the meter display screen.
He had neither appeared nor phoned by 4:15, so I decided to compose a stiff email ready to send it once 5pm was passed - then my eye travelled to the top R hand corner of the computer screen, and I read the date - Monday October 6th not, as I had thought all day, Monday October 7th
Ten minutes later he phoned to confirm that he will be here tomorrow, Tuesday Oct 7th, and we are his first job, so he will be with us at about 8am.
I am taking myself off this morning for some shopping and a coffee and time with my book at my favourite watering hole. Seeing a couple of friends this afternoon.
Completely overcast here so not holding out much hope of seeing the supermoon this evening.
Off for coffee with friends this afternoon and between now and then I need to get my head round the agenda for a meeting tomorrow night.
Swimming was swum, shopping was shopped, some service preparation has been done, wife feeling slightly better but still droopy.
This morning I have done some work admin. I should really be studying this afternoon but Mochi is very clingy and won’t get off my lap.
I got back just in time, as the Tide was, as forecast, beginning to flood the road that leads to the Ark's mooring. Neighbour M was just tying up his new Ark - a one-time Broads cruiser - his former boat having been towed to another mooring, prior to being lifted onto the hard-standing for cleaning up (and successful sale, M hopes). Other Neighbours foregathered to observe proceedings, and several Bottles of BEER were raised to toast the new arrival...
Luncheon today is SPAG BOL, one of Tess Coe's 'Prepared Meals For Incompetent Singletons'. Parmesan CHEESE and Black Pepper will be added, and more BEER (Italian, of course) will be quaffed.
*I use the word ramshackle, because it's an accurate description of Arkland generally. My Sister loves the ramshackleness and informality - I suspect that, were it not for my brother-in-law, whom she loves dearly, and who has some serious health issues, she'd move here herself...
Ha! Those Netherlanders get everywhere...
Well, never mind. Have a full-scale online order delivering tomorrow. Also it's the day for the fish van man. And I'm expecting a parcel of yarn, so a day packed with excitement.
As for the rest of today, I am guiltily aware of unplanted plants and bulb, but it's been raining on and off, so it'll be the reading and knitting. Autumnal dinner of meat loaf and cabbage.
Studying has been done and I completed all the referencing of my secondary sources and did the primary ones which I have in printed form. So Thursday I just need to hunt down the online originals for the eighteenth century primary sources. History research can be amazingly straightforward in the digital era, I can read eighteenth century medical books in several accessible sites and even find contemporary book reviews of them.
Mr Heavenly is having a get together with old colleagues so I have ordered some Indian street food, including Indian sweets which always remind me of home because patients used to buy them as gifts for the nurses in Luton.
My meet up with friends was very nice as always, we planned ahead and have decided on when we are going out for Christmas lunch. The place we went to last year ran out of red wine, so we're thinking somewhere different this year.
I also spoke the the audiologist ahead of my appointment on Friday and ordered the aids I want. I'm also going to try a different ear mould fitting as well. Expensive but hopefully worth it.
Ooooh! I remember Arnside and Cartmel from childhood visits. 🤩
Another busy day - just when I think I'm getting to the point where I might get cleared up by the end of the day, someone drops another load of stuff to be done. Oh well, I suppose it keeps me in wine food.
I haven't had proper supper; when I came in from work I just wanted something quick before going across the road for Night Church, so I had a couple of butteries and some CHEESE, and now I can't decide whether I'm hungry or not.
Sending a gentle hug to Mrs BT - hope she feels better v. soon.
My mistake about the date of the appointment yesterday is a bit worrying, after the farce of the non-functioning oven last month. Think I may be beginning to lose the plot.
As Mr RoS has never had much grasp of the plot anyway we may soon be descending into permanent chaos.
Thank you.
I'm now off to knit some poppies for a display at the Town Hall for Remembrance Day.
Nothing achieved today, but Shopp Ing is programmed for tomorrow. Meanwhile, lunch is once again SPAG BOL - somehow I managed to buy two (at different times) with the same eat-by date.
I have answered loads of emails, re-written 2 tutorials and I am now having a sit down with a cup of tea and some cheese. I am teaching this evening; an introduction to studying public health, and definitions of health and well-being.
Tea will probably be chicken curry.
Today’s travels started and ended with the coach but also included a heritage railway, Haverthwaite to Lakeside, and then by boat over to Bowness.
How is the company @Puzzler? Meaning the people, not the coach firm! 🙂
Another dry day here, but beginning to cool a little. Work was busy again, but I managed to get all but one voice file done, which can happily wait until tomorrow.
Supper was the STEAK* I bought on Monday, but have only now had the time/energy to cook, and it was very nice.
* Pace Nen and Firenze - I know that Wednesdays belong to chickie frickie, and steak is for Saturdays, but it was just the way the cookie** crumbled.
** there wasn't an actual cookie - it was quite a big steak, and I wouldn't have had room.
Tess Coe has been visited, everything on the list purchased
In very pleasant autumnal weather we wandered about the scenic bits of Paris. She also wanted to go shopping because she says that in Europe you can get more interesting things for cheaper prices than at home.
She flew out this morning to visit her relatives in Romania.
There is indeed a Wheel - the original, no less - though the engine (a four-cylinder DAF diesel) has not been run for some years. A modicum of TLC and two new 12v lorry batteries would be required before the Ark could be moved under its own power, but the Wheel, propeller, rudder, and chain-link steering gear are all still in situ! Not to mention anchors fore and aft...
No binnacle, though.
Stupid piglet.
Supper was pasta with prawns and veggies, because it's easy.
You will probably have black eyes. But you are not stupid just unfortunate.
My husband cooked tea - it was a bit of a mash up. Fried tofu in taco spices in a flatbread with salad and olives. It worked and was rather yummy.
Princess Anne visited our parish. She was interested and well-informed, she listened, she talked, she seemed unhurried and pleased to be with us.
We, obviously, put our best foot forward and told her what a great parish we are! We do all these things! And we do them well! And as the visit went on, I felt more and more that everything we were saying about being a great parish was true!
I'm currently bathed in a warm glow of loving my church and all the people in it.
* well, OK, maybe someone had found it out for her, but it's the thought that counts. She is most definitely a good egg.
Luckily my rapid unscheduled descent didn't result in a visit to A&E, but I did have rather more aches and pains than usual today.
I've had another busy day, but at least today I got nearly everything done, so I can have a nice relaxed weekend.
F&C for supper, because Friday.
@North East Quine , what a good day, and great that Princess Anne did what dignitaries are supposed to do. She obviously has a good team around her.
I went into city to the east and finalised my hearing aid purchase. I think I've made the right choice as the ones I'm now wearing are very comfortable and seem to be tuned to allow me to hear as much as is possible given how rubbish my ears are at doing their job.
This evening I've been to the monthly soiree at the house of a local councillor. She's from a different party to me, but we're both very much on the same page when it comes to doing the best for our town.
My husband is off in Milton Keynes meeting up with friends. I assume he's having a good time as he hasn't actually responded to my text messages.
Busy morning of the usual comms and writing a tutorial (on designing a poster in PowerPoint). I spent this afternoon in online archives tracking down copies of eighteenth century books on psychiatry and I have now finished the bibliography for my research proposal. I need to record a short presentation on it next week.
Tea was haddock with sautéed potatoes, and onion and grated courgette in cream, followed by plum yoghurt. I am now having some pink fizz.
She twice visited the charity where I worked as caterer, and I remember a very odd conversation we had, during her first visit in 1986, about egg curry, and of an experience she had somewhere abroad, eating hard boiled eggs that, she said, tasted of iron filings.
I have always been impressed when she has appeared at a public engagement in an outfit she had worn years ago, but has had subtle alterations made to bring them up to date.
Her visit has given all of us a boost.