The Trivial Round, The Common Task - the British thread 2026

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  • FirenzeFirenze Shipmate, Host Emeritus
    There's a vast Dobbie's outside Edinburgh with Food Hall, Soft Play Area, Restaurant, Clothes shops, vendors of greenhouses, aquaria, bicycles, hot tubs and I dare say scented candles. They don't seem though to have the Butterfly World any longer. Why do you never get Earwig World?
  • BroJamesBroJames Purgatory Host
    Firenze wrote: »
    There's a vast Dobbie's outside Edinburgh with Food Hall, Soft Play Area, Restaurant, Clothes shops, vendors of greenhouses, aquaria, bicycles, hot tubs and I dare say scented candles. They don't seem though to have the Butterfly World any longer. Why do you never get Earwig World?

    Seen one earwig, seen them all, maybe?
  • One of our garden centres (part of a small long-standing local chain) has an excellent shop where one can view and purchase reptiles.
  • BoogieBoogie Heaven Host
    BroJames wrote: »
    Firenze wrote: »
    There's a vast Dobbie's outside Edinburgh with Food Hall, Soft Play Area, Restaurant, Clothes shops, vendors of greenhouses, aquaria, bicycles, hot tubs and I dare say scented candles. They don't seem though to have the Butterfly World any longer. Why do you never get Earwig World?

    Seen one earwig, seen them all, maybe?

    Hedgehogs love them 🦔
  • CaissaCaissa Shipmate
    Do we have any Shippies who live in the Southampton area? Hoping they are all safe.
  • SipechSipech Shipmate
    I live a few miles away and have family there. My soon-to-be ex-brother-in-law is a police officer there, but given his current status vis-a-vis our family, I honestly don't care if he was one of the ones hurt.
  • Marking meeting over and I am now watching the inaugural lectures of two colleagues who are new professors, speaking on sexuality and ageing, and death and grief.
  • SandemaniacSandemaniac Shipmate
    My 99th pint of blood is in the bag. Should hit my century about the start of September.
  • Wet and Windy Wednesday in Arkland the Dishevelled, though the Sun-Shiny intervals They promised for this evening have materialised.

    Feeling somewhat tired and achy after yesterday's torture Pilates session, I've spent much of the day in Snoozage and Restage, in order to be able to get to Tess Coe tomorrow.

    I had hoped to be able to do a little bit of Paint Ing on the Ark, but the threat of Rain at various times over the next few days has put me off making the effort...
  • NenyaNenya All Saints Host, Ecclesiantics & MW Host
    Another zoom meeting shortly and then I'm done. It's been a dull day - not the weather, as I've been glad to see the rain, but I haven't left the house beyond sorting out the bins and that's never great for a sense of wellbeing. I'm also trying to read the book for my real life book group and finding it disappointing and am reading it on Mr Nen's Kindle as it's the only way I could get hold of a copy. I dislike Kindles.

    I could, and should, have got into the garden in between the showers as being out there always lifts my mood and there's always something to do, but I didn't and that's my own fault.

    Hey ho - tomorrow's another day and I've got an old friend from where I used to live coming to see me which I'm looking forward to.
  • PigletPiglet All Saints Host, Circus Host
    I've just voted in the banknote thing: hedgehog, fox, puffin, owl, bumblebee and fritillary. Why didn't they have a robin? :confused:
    Mixed weather today: dry when I left for work, trying to rain at lunchtime and absolutely pishing when I was coming home. I got Very Wet.
    Because I had a piece of blue cheese left over from one of those cheese selection packs, and I really only like it when it's disguised, I made a pot of broccoli and blue cheese SOUP and had some for supper with sourdough bread.
  • DafydDafyd Hell Host
    Piglet wrote: »
    I've just voted in the banknote thing: hedgehog, fox, puffin, owl, bumblebee and fritillary.
    Pine marten rather than fox, and kingfisher rather than owl, but otherwise the same.

  • RoseofsharonRoseofsharon Shipmate
    Back in the day (20+ yrs ago) - when I was an activities organiser for an Elderly Care Home the garden centre trips were very popular with the residents - particularly in November, when there wasn't much opportunity for getting out and about. By then the Garden Centre was gaily decorated and stocked with Christmas goodies, so full of gift-shopping opportunities, but too early to be crowded with small children wanting to see Santa.
  • PuzzlerPuzzler Shipmate
    My nearest garden centre, about a mile away, is Blue Diamond which is very comprehensive. There are about ten others within 15 miles. Each has its own particular attractions, but all are good for somewhere to go especially when you don’t need anything but just want to get out for a while and maybe meet up with a friend in the café.

    More gardening was achieved by daughter and me yesterday between the showers. A busy day with small tasks from my To Do list. Choir in the evening. My out-of-tune friend was away and a new member asked to sit next to me which was lovely.
    Today I am getting ready for a weekend away in North Yorkshire, including the NY railway of course.
  • Many years ago we rented a holiday cottage in Guernsey, on the Le Friquet Butterfly Centre. The centre is now Blue Diamond's HQ.

    Our local centre, once Blooms, became Wyevale about 10 years ago, then Blue Diamond. The plant selection and quality have been much improved since BD has been running it. Mind you, the cafe is now huge - I think that's where they make most of their money.
  • The RogueThe Rogue Shipmate
    Why do garden centres have cafes? How did it start?
  • I suppose the same question could be asked of the larger supermarkets.

    There is, alas, no cafe in Our Town's smaller Tess Coe, to which I went this morning, dodging the heavy showers and blustery gales of a typical Old Weather-style June day. All went well until I got back to Arkland the Tempest-tossed, but I managed to get the Shopp Ing into the Ark before the heavens opened. Parking the car properly in its usual spot (some 100 yards away) will have to wait until later.

    SALMON FILLETS with CHIPS (and Painkillers) for lunch.

  • I suppose the same question could be asked of the larger supermarkets.

    There is, alas, no cafe in Our Town's smaller Tess Coe, to which I went this morning, dodging the heavy showers and blustery gales of a typical Old Weather-style June day. All went well until I got back to Arkland the Tempest-tossed, but I managed to get the Shopp Ing into the Ark before the heavens opened. Parking the car properly in its usual spot (some 100 yards away) will have to wait until later.

    SALMON FILLETS with CHIPS (and Painkillers) for lunch.

    "When upon life's billows ...". Presumably the salmon, chips and painkillers are three countable blessings.
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