Early Risers.

[RhBBob]

As you do when reading a book I had an image in my mind, years later that image came to life - Joan Hickson. The only time that has happened. Joan Hickson was Miss Marple

Morning awl

 

It's quite scary when that happens !  The other day my newspaper decided that Holly's partner on daytime TV was Paul Scofield (rather than Phillip Schofield)  In my ever-wandering mind, the film image of Thomas More - 'A Man For All Seasons' - appeared.  

[Gwiwer]

Good Dafter Noon.

 

Half way through the Ban Collar Day weekend for those playing in England, Wales and Cornwall.  It is most uncommonly warm and sunny in an equally uncommon break with tradition.  Neighbours have been sighted on the common lawns upon the Hill disporting minimal amounts of clothing.  In my heart and in my dreams I am somewhere on a sandy beach backed by rocky cliffs and listening to the gulls cry and the sea slop gently against sand and rock.  And I am in spirit with all those gathered right now in Penzance hoping to wrest back the title of "Most pirates in one place" from that upstart town of Hastings.  Whoever heard of "The Pirates of Hastings"?  

 

There hasn't been time to read the past couple of days-worth.  Please accept greetings appropriate to your circumstances.

 

Youngest nephew and his partner enjoyed two days with us.  Having safely reached the Hill late on Wednesday evening we spent Thursday ambling down the river through Twickers to Richmond then took a bus into Kingston for a shopping trip.  Hers, not ours, although all three of us managed purchases.  SWMBO has been at work normally so we became four at dinner and chatted into the evening.  Friday saw us at Kew Gardens in perfect weather.  They hadn't realised it was quite so big and full of things to see.  And at 5pm SWMBO provided us with the rare honour of a buggy-ride around the entire site.  Very few visitors ever get that.  Those who find walking difficult are able to travel on the Kew Explorer for a small fee which resembles one of the Dotto land trains often found at seaside resorts.  Those of a particular mind may wish to note that this is hauled not by a diesel-powered "wild-west" steam locomotive-outline vehicle but one or other of the only two electric Land Rovers ever built.  Yes they do have people willing to pay the gardens entry fee plus the fare just for "haulage".  Landy nerds are out there, it seems.

 

Dinner was enjoyed in the Coach & Horses on Kew Green before SWMBO headed home and I escorted our guests back to Clapham Malfunction Junction.  All through the past three weeks we have been asked to avoid using this station on this particular day owing to the severe reduction in SWR services due to the Siege of Waterloo.  In the end our train up ran normally and was lightly loaded, we found the station less busy than it might otherwise be at 8pm on a Friday but the SWR down services were in the now-usual disarray.  No matter since we required the Southern service which was running nicely thank you.  Guests were put aboard the correct portion of the Coastway Splitter (front 8 for Littlehampton, rear 4 for Eastbourne) and we parted with the promise they could return soon.

 

Having all manner of issues from ASD to Attachment Disorder and severe anxiety they were not looking forward to travel on their own but having safely come up with me they had already done the journey and duly reached home without incident, messaging me as requested to confirm as much.  That was their first unescorted rail trip ever; both are aged 28.  I count it as a major success in overcoming stress and anxiety in their lives that they managed it, and managed it well.

 

Since when I have been laundering sheets and towels, cleaning and tidying the house and shopping.  I am promised time off to "go out" later in the sun.  SWMBO is busily attending to the final touches on her PhD thesis which must be completely written by next month.  

 

Tomorrow the seaweed-feelers promise us no fewer than 28 degrees of unbroken sun.  I am sure there will be some travel involved to a shady place preferably where good food and good ales are served.  

 

Have a safe Holiday Moanday all.  Or just a safe regular one for those living elsewhere.

[BSW01]

Afternoon everybody

 

As my last post was on Thursday evening, I've not been able to catch up on all that's been going on.

 

Well the last few days has been very hectic, Friday morning Vickie and Ian had an appointment with the specialist autism nurse and her team, so Vickie had booked the day off work. The team have been reviewing Ava's case and they were formed them that the team are of the opinion that Ava was not autistic, which is great news.

 

Friday was also one of the rare occasions when Ian was not working, so they both dropped the kids off and stayed for a chat for a while, before heading off out for tea. They then came back later and picked them up, once again stopping for a while. Well, they ended up stopping a lot longer than a short while, it was nearly dark when they went, not that we mind as it's always nice to see them all. One of the things discussed was Ava's condition and the fact that she is not autistic. They are both pleased and relieved about this. She has settled into her new school and the amount that she has improved over the 5 months or so that she's been there is really becoming apparent, especially in her reading.

 

On Friday we had a guest (Evie) stay over night. On Saturday after breakfast we went to collect Ava and then we both took them to the Trafford Centre, where we spent most of the morning. The afternoon was then spent in the garden and they both particularly enjoyed watching the wildlife in the pond (well what's left of a). They enjoyed it so much that we are now thinking of including a small pond in the new garden design!

 

Today has seen me tackle a couple of small jobs on the to do list, so tomorrow will be spent in the workshop!

 

Enjoy the rest of the Bank Holiday!

Edited August 27, 2017 by BSW01

[AndyID]

Also as Thelma`s mother in the Likely Lads which also stared Bill Owen as the father of James Bolam`s character [ I can`t for the life of me remember his screen name]

 

More info here https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Likely_Lads

[PeterBB]

I have just returned from my once every two weekly run out with my Citroen Berlingo van to charge the battery etc. The said vehicle is now on borrowed time as it will be surplus to requirements after my layout's final exhibition here in Hull in November. 

A pleasant drive of about 30 miles or so only spoilt by the bank holiday cockwombles. The road I use back is a dual carriageway but typical of local planning it is marked with two lanes both ways and parking bays. They make the left lane hazardous to those who don't know the width of their vehicles.  At the junction leading on to this test of nerve, most of us take the righthand lane. Today I watched as a henwomble set off from the left lane, marked turn left, and roared ahead at a speed of well over 30 M.P.H. to undertake the 4 cars ahead of me. When we arrived at my right turn junction the traffic lights were red but the filter light came on as I moved out to gain that lane. I made a point of stopping alongside the speed demon, blew my horn and waved in a friendly manner.

Just in case no one noticed yesterday, there was another rugby match at Wembley. Hull R.L.F.C. took on Wigan Warriors and to quote the Duke of Wellington, "It was a damn close thing." 

Come on you 'ull!

From never winning at Wembley, the Airlie Birds have done it twice in succession now.

That other team in East Hull who's name escapes me at the moment, will be so sad.

 

 

I have no clear recollection of the incident(s).

 

I too hoped that Hull would beat Wigan ... XN times winners ... so in this case was pleased to see the result.

Peter

[81C]

We are lucky in our close we have our own take on Reg Prentice Kenny Everetts DIY expert 

 

 https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=kenny+everett+characters+reg+prentice&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjPwOO71PfVAhUGM8AKHaE7AlcQsAQILw&biw=1920&bih=930

 

Most of you know I was a Home improve before I retired so my knowledge of power tools is pretty good, I've been listening to this guy who lives across the road who has had me in stitches most of the afternoon,

he's been forcing a electric jigsaw a cheap one with a blunt blade through some cheapo laminate flooring it's chipping the cut line no end every so often the blade snags and the saw jumps out of his hand.

There is a chop saw sitting there so I'm waiting for the next piece of wood fly off into his car or for him to start screaming that he's chopped some fingers off.

So GDB you are not alone.  

[45156]

Back after a fairly tiring walk round two car boots, then the "next stage up" - ie the local antique sentre, where I managed to blag a mint copy of Power Of The Royal Scots for a fiver by negotiating direct with the dealer, and getting it down by a substantial amount compared to his original asking price, by just giving him the cash, and not involving the till (15% markuo there) and not using a card (5% markup there as well).  Both parties happy, and my collection of books is improved, and the big gaps on shelves from the sales of surplus slowly start to shrink until 30747 points out that there's too many again.

 

Mrs Next door has gone on holiday and I have been looking after her greenhouse and picking all the ripe tomatoes.  Now have several large bowls of them, and have just turned up a recipe for cream of tomato soup which I will try tomorrow.

 

Back at some stage, but at least two more boots in the morning.

[roundhouse]

Beautiful skies down here but it's busy as expected. However Penzance is full of pirates... Yaaar !

[Gwiwer]

Beautiful skies down here but it's busy as expected. However Penzance is full of pirates... Yaaar !

Have they announced the total yet?

[The Stationmaster]

Lawn successfully mown.  Jungle area (very) partially mown as I couldn't be bothered to delve out the extension cable and face another dozen (at least times) of the mower coughing itself to a halt on a diet of long grass.  But at least the lawn is now suitably stripey.

[TheQ]

Late afternoon ,Awl

25 further blocks laid I calculate a further 80 required on this section once the lintel for the bin cupboard is installed.

 

Then the afternoon was spent at the local fete, it was of course held in blue skys and sunshine, what else would you with a direct line to him up stairs. The Bishop of Norwich was attending after holding a service near the site of the Eccles church which technically was never disestablished, just washed away.

 

We were entertained by a light aircraft practicing aerobatic just of the coast.

 

Two railway books were acquired at a hugely expensive £2.

 

A little girl of about 6 or 7 won a 6ft teddy so she was happy.

 

Time to find something to eat

Edited August 27, 2017 by TheQ

[Gwiwer]

 

 

The Bishop of Norwich was attending

Do you know the Bishop of Norwich?

[TheQ]

Do you know the Bishop of Norwich?

No but the local vicar does:) , come to that we have two vicars that are that are members of the sailing club so they will know the bishop as well...

I vaguely knew one of the previous Bishops of Norwich as my aunt was a missionary and later worked for the church commissioners. As a child we had a picnic at Hengistbury head, and my aunt with the future bishop looked after us three children.

[roundhouse]

Have they announced the total yet?

A guard on the St Ives to St Erth train said the total was down on last year but didn't hear what the total was.

 

The number of coaches on th St Erth to Exeter services trouble though and it's packed. Luckily we did get seats as were right by the last door. Did empty a little at Hayle oddly

Edited August 27, 2017 by roundhouse

[Gwiwer]

 

 

Do you know the Bishop of Norwich

 

 

No 

He's a terribly good chap but he forgets to pass the port
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/foodanddrink/foodanddrinknews/6231365/Pass-the-port-Why-do-you-pass-to-the-left.html

 

A guard on the St Ives to St Erth train said the total was down on last year but didn't hear what the total was.

The number of coaches on th St Erth to Exeter services trouble though and it's packed. Luckily we did get seats as were right by the last door. Did empty a little at Hayle oddly

 

Reports are that the attempt has failed by "a few" which matches the previous attempt.  77 pirates short of the record last time but 660 more wristbands were sold than were needed to take the honour.  Which means that around 743 people who paid to be a part of it were elsewhere during the count.  This year the suspicion is that some were in the pubs (as before) but many were on the beaches thanks to the superb weather.  And some who would have liked to be there simply couldn't because there was no additional transport laid on and no extra car parking either.  

 

Hayle beach is five miles long, half a mile wide at low tide and is reported to be full end to end today.  I've seen that once or twice.  It's both scary and amazing.  Add on the mile and a half of Porthkidney Sands which most locals use over at Lelant and that's a lot of people going to be in need of After Sun tonight

Edited August 27, 2017 by Gwiwer

[BSW01]

Do you know the Bishop of Norwich?

I don't know the bishop of Norfolk either, but I did once have tea with the bishop of Manchester, the late Sir Stanley Booth-Clibborn. I'd been working on the central heating system of the bishop's palace and once I'd found and rectified the problem he made me a cup of tea and I explained how his system worked and what I'd found to be the cause of the problem.

 

The problem turned out to be the frost stat, it had been wired up as the room stat and vice-versa. How the hell do commisioning engineers get away with this sort of stuff?

[Horsetan]

Do you know the Bishop of Norwich?

No, but there might be an actress who does....

[Tony_S]

I don't know the bishop of Norfolk either, but I did once have tea with the bishop of Manchester, the late Sir Stanley Booth-Clibborn. I'd been working on the central heating system of the bishop's palace and once I'd found and rectified the problem he made me a cup of tea and I explained how his system worked and what I'd found to be the cause of the problem.

The problem turned out to be the frost stat, it had been wired up as the room stat and vice-versa. How the hell do commisioning engineers get away with this sort of stuff?

I can't recall meeting a bishop but I would be far more likely to understand his or her central heating problems than port passing.

I have recalled I have met someone who was a bishop but they only had one church in their organisation. A very nice church though (Wren).

Tony

[pH]

Beautiful skies down here but it's busy as expected. However Penzance is full of pirates... Yaaar !

Even from several thousand miles away, I can tell that's not a picture of Penzance (with or without pirates).

[Gwiwer]

I met a past Bishop of Truro more than once, and have met at least two others in times long ago.  One would have been the Bishop of Barking and the other of Chichester.  

 

My late father regularly met (and once irritated) a bishop in his church-going days.  He would refer to him, correctly as "Your Grace" and irritate him by introducing my mother by name as "and here is my Grace".  He thought it was amusing.

[Horsetan]

....My late father regularly met (and once irritated) a bishop in his church-going days.  He would refer to him, correctly as "Your Grace" and irritate him by introducing my mother by name as "and here is my Grace".  He thought it was amusing.

Grace Under Fire?

[Gwiwer]

Grace Under Fire?

 

She put up with him for 65 years

[roundhouse]

Even from several thousand miles away, I can tell that's not a picture of Penzance (with or without pirates).

We avoided the pirates of Penzance.

 

Trains heading toenzancecwere generally running late at the time we boarded at Redruth so maybe some pirates didn't make it. Stopped off at the Star at Cowlais by bus from St Erth then open top bus to St Ives where the photo was taken.

The 4 coaches from St Ives were rather cosy once the full platform of people with kids surf boards bucket and spades etc boarded.

 

Plenty of Pirates at St Erth heading to St Ives.

 

Now back at Par with a pint of a not so local ale by Cameron's!

[AndyB]

I met a past Bishop of Truro more than once, and have met at least two others in times long ago.  One would have been the Bishop of Barking and the other of Chichester.  

 

My late father regularly met (and once irritated) a bishop in his church-going days.  He would refer to him, correctly as "Your Grace" and irritate him by introducing my mother by name as "and here is my Grace".  He thought it was amusing.

 

Good job they didn't have the Bish round for dinner.... 

Would you like to say Grace, your Grace? 

Say what to her?

What? 

Grace!

Yes? 

Say Grace. 

Yes? What do you want.....

[BoD]

Evening all.

 

Today I had the opportunity to say to someone "Tell me, were you born a cockwomble, have you been practising or were you suddenly enlightened".

 

You should have heard the woosh as it went over their head.