A Traveller in Time

I write now in the hastiest haste I have been in for some while as I know that the next few days will really be Too Busy to Blog.

After yesterday's post about the Moondial I felt I really had to add a note about this equally good (and to my mind even better) children's TV series.  

It stars the lovely Sophie Thompson, sister of Emma, and was made in the 1970s.  It is based on a book by Alison Uttley of Little Grey Rabbit fame and centres on the Babbington plot ~ a failed attempt to free Mary Queen of Scots.  I like it because it relates real historical events albeit not quite as they were played out.  

And just before I go ~ and in a similar vein ~ a recent read our whole book club enjoyed was 'How to Stop Time' by Matt Haig.  Not exactly a time travel book but . . . . well you'll have to read it. Highly recommended by Me

Back soon

Po xx

half-term hols

The school half term break was great.  Lots of people called by ~ friends and family and I managed to see all of both families ~ yay! ~ despite Kezia and Jago being both deep into G.C.S.E revision.  Some for a couple of hours and coffee and cake, some for longer with games in the garden and some over-nighters with meals, hot choc and bedtime stories. 


All three of the Pips stayed one night and, after dropping Dpip off with Frankie and collecting Cl, we headed off to Belton House.  This lovely National Trust was where the children's 'Moondial' series was filmed back in 1988 and also where we joined the NT in the first place.   

It's a really good adaptation of the book by Helen Cresswell.  We were all hooked when our girls were small and I recently bought it on DVD so that we could look at it before we visited.  The Pips all loved it and so did I ~ it's a time travel book.  


We took a picnic, had a good walk around the grounds ~ with L spotting all the relevant locations ~ and then took a tour of the house (although the action takes place mainly in the grounds).  When we went first all those years ago (at Stella's insistence as she loved the story so much) you could actually touch the moondial ~ which is the gateway to the past ~ as shown in the DVD cover but now it is all roped off.   Here are some photos of our day:

The house and the walk

Moondial ~ Eros and Cronos








 





Cl, Kpip and L larking about

Vista!






Then it was the long drive home with the girls chatting away, dinner, Cl collected by Stella and bedtime for the Girly Pips.

Last week has been busy busy busy.  

Back soon

Po x

Sunday

I spend half my life being grumpy.  Yesterday was a case in point. 

I sped off to The Range quite early to buy bedding compost for the new plants but had forgotten that I would need £1 for a trolley (yeah yeah ~ my own fault).  The queues were ridiculously long too so I postponed the planting idea until today. 

My temper was not improved at the EU election Count in the afternoon. We zoomed through counting and were finished by 6.00 and then had to wait until 8.00 before we were able to leave. Lord!  I was so cross.  (also my own fault as I knew we had to be in line with the other countries but hadn't taken that into account)  In all honesty it wasn't really too bad though as I had nice chats with Da and Li who were also there and the table I was on was a jolly one so we had a good laugh while waiting for the clock.  

Home and looked at 'Britain's Most Historic Towns' documentary (Bristol yesterday) and 'Years and Years' which was good although a little disturbing.  


Today . . . .

. . . was actually GOOD!

An came round for coffee and so we could both do the online flight check-in for our trip to Berlin and to book our car parking.  I always have a good laugh with An.  She and I have completely different views about so many things but fortunately it never gets in the way of our friendship.  

Then I did manage to get some compost at the nursery as well as two lupins.  I really like lupins!  Then a quick lunch in the garden and a couple of hours planting and generally tidying up.  I have taken photos but will post later when the flowers have grown and will make more of a show.   

Hopefully I will get some knitting done this evening ~ I am lagging behind on a jumper which should have been for Rpie but he is growing at such a rate that it will have to be for his little sister now.  Heigh ho . . .

Back soon

Po x

Sunny Saturday

Photos
Started well this morning with a trip to Enfield to collect Dpip's photos ~ will show when I get my one up on the wall alongside Kezia, Jago, Cl and L.  I have a studio shoot for each grandchild when they are nine (although Dpip only just got in at the end of April and will be 10 on Monday!).  


New Hope

Went to the New Hope's Charity Garden Day.  The girls and I had been before yonks ago ~ when Frankie was still in a buggy!  New Hope is a Homeless Charity based in Watford and has been in existence for about 30 years although the garden event predates it.  I met Da there who had come with her daughter and two of the grandchildren and visiting family.  The local community choir were singing and there was lots to see: chickens (competing with the choir), gardens, plants and accessories to buy and tea and cakes to enjoy.  I missed out on the poetry readings as I wanted to get back home because Stella, Rpie and Npie were coming round.  Photo is of my plant haul for planting up tomorrow.


Coffee in the Shade

Stella came round with Rpie and Npie and we sat in the garden under the shade of the pine tree.  Rpie had milk and biscuits, played on the climbing frame and the swing and generally larked around with the little car and the football.  Npie was happy with anything to hand!

Stella and I had a couple of mugs of strong coffee and discussed the election, the state of the country, exams, the school system, Tennyson's 'Idylls of the King' and going to Paris.  

For some reason Rpie is obsessed with the idea of seeing the Eiffel Tower.  He was delighted to bring round and show me a rather large model of the tower which his uncle B had given him.  No-one seems to know where this yen to visit the tower has come from but the family are hoping to go on a day trip and I have wheedled an invite.  Yay!  I have never been to Paris.   

And then they went home, I tidied up a bit, listened to a podcast and read a bit of a very funny book called 'More Anguished English.  

Back soon

Po xx

Board games

Do you like board games?  And which ones do you play? 

Women's Group was a Ja's house on Wednesday evening.  I really enjoy the evenings when we are at Ja's as she always asks a question and it's interesting to hear everyone's answers.   And the board games were on the agenda this time.  

Lots of people named ones from our childhood: like 'snakes and ladders' and 'ludo' which were ones that our family played ~ although generally we played cards: rummy, Newmarket and sevens mainly.  But when I was ten and we had an afternoon of games at school to celebrate the end of the autumn term, someone brought in Monopoly ~ and I was hooked!

Later on (when we were adults) we used to hold Trivial Pursuit evenings with friends which was great fun ~ we laughed a lot and the wine flowed and altogether we had some very funny evenings indeed.  

There was one Christmas when 'The Game of Life' was all the go and one of the girls (they were both teenagers at this point) received it as a present.  It happened that that year Boogy's parents came for Christmas Day and we played one game.  One!!!

I almost lost the will to live!  It lasted about five hours ~ and it seemed like fifty five!  And I don't think we ever played it again.     

Stella and Rich introduced me to Carcassone which is another good one although I think I liked the very charming illustrations and playing pieces almost as much as I enjoyed the games.  

Another favourite ~ which I play with Stella, Rich, Kezia, J and Cl ~ is Codenames.  You play this in two teams, one against the other and I think it is my fave for the time being.  It's easier to play than to explain ~ not that it's complicated! ~ it's just that you need to see it!

And finally . . . the Exit Game.  Which is brilliant!  I tried to explain this game to friends but wasn't up to the job and made it sound very dull.  Which really it isn't!!  

So I won't even try to explain and I won't post an image because there are a variety of different scenarios (ha!).  I played with Stella, Kezia and Cl on Christmas Day and just loved it.  If you like puzzles and playing with a team then I think you would like this one.  

The EU Election 

I spent 16 hours yesterday at the polling station for the EU election.  I don't think anyone was very happy about having to hold this election it as we should by rights have left the EU by now and not need any MEPs.  The little team of three (including me) is very nice and despite everything (fairly low turnout) the day passed relatively quickly.  

Then back at the Town Hall this morning for verification of votes (just over two hours so not bad).  And back again on Sunday for the Count.  

The nice thing about the Town Hall stints is seeing people I used to work with and having a bit of a catch up.  And coffee with Da when it was all over was good too.  

Back soon

Po xx

Grandchildren . . .

Kim made me smile by asking if the grandchildren are in college yet.  Well not quite ~ although the three oldest are now taller than I am.  

Here is the bookcase in my sitting room with (from left to right:

The 3 Older Pies
J (now 14), C (now 13), Ke (now 16)

then:
The Pips
Dpip (10 next Monday), L (12), Kipip (now 7)

followed by:
Rpie  (now 3)

and finally:
Npie (born last September so almost 8 months)



I should ask the older ones if they would mind me using their 'real' names ~ they are unusual but not  (well apart from Ki) invented!  and much nicer than with the suffixes tagged on.  

That's all for now.

Back soon

Po x

Catching up ~ hahaha

I'm laughing because ~ probably! ~ more posts than any other are titled 'Catching up' or are at least the main thrust of that day's writing.

'Catching up' this time means (mainly) catching up on reading other blogs I like but also 'stuff' around the home and other activities ~ mostly enjoyable but some are very time consuming too.  

Last week was RIDICULOUS and the forthcoming one will be little better.  You would be forgiven for thinking that retirees have more time but in fact I am finding that the reverse is true.  Today I am:

• doing a little research on Tennyson and finding something to read from 'Idylls' for Tuesday's poetry goup
• preparing for a short (really short but nonetheless needs preparing!) talk at a study group on Wednesday
• writing another short piece for a newsletter (deadline Wednesday)
• reading up on what I need to do as a poll clerk on EU election day on Thursday ~ done it before so that's not too bad
• finishing a stitching project for an upcoming birthday
• sorting papers (aaarghh!)
• house work (aaarghh aaarghh!!)

Tomorrow I will probably be at the museum for a couple of hours (not sure yet ~ depends on other factors)

Dpip stayed last night (after the Cup Final ~ poor old Watford hammered 6 - 0) and we went to early mass this morning.  After that I was supposed to be helping at the Canal Festival but several gremlins made their way into the works and that had to be abandoned.  And I came home.

So why am I writing my first blog post for aeons and aeons?  Procrastination Pure and Simple.  

Best wishes to anyone who hasn't given up on this poor neglected blog.  

Back soon (crossed fingers)

Po x

Kong Harald and the Northern Lights ~ Part Two

Hmm!

Well I said I would be back 'soon' but Life got in the way ~ some good and some pretty awful. 

The rest of the Lapland trip was AMAZING too.  We travelled to the North Cape which was totally thrilling ~ vast areas of snow and beautiful views of sea, snow and mountains.  The North Cape is the northernmost part of mainland Europe ~ and it felt like it ~ although there really were heaps of other people also trolling about in the snow. 

On the way back south we called in at Tromso where we went to a Midnight Concert at the Cathedral.  Wonderful!!  It was a bizarre sort of experience though ~ the music was beautiful with a singer, a cellist and a violinist (I think!  hard to remember now) who did quite literally present their concert at midnight.  But ships call in every day ~ lots of them ~ so there were far more passengers at the concert than just from the Kong Harold ~ and it was strange to think that these musicians tun up every night, play for an hour or so and then go home.  I wonder if they ever think of having just an ordinary 9 to 5 job?  Which is rather  prosaic view I suppose.

Then further south again and a snow-mobile trip.  I'm glad I got to actually drive it as it was very exciting speeding over the frozen lake.  Very cold too but oh! I wouldn't have missed it for the world.  It is more difficult than it would at first appear but we had quite detailed instructions from our Sami guide before we togged up in suits,boots, gloves, hat etc so that we all looked like versions of the Michelin man.  When we arrived back the guide took us into a Sami hut, gave us hot drinks and caake, related tales  of Sami life and sang a song.   I have recently watched a documentary on herding reindeer in Finmark which was fascinating and I'm so pleased to have experienced the cold and the arctic vistas at first hand.  I feel very privileged!

Our last call was at Trondheim where I took the trip to the Cathedral ~ splendid!  and on our last night we had the most stupendous blizzard and there was talk of the Beast from the East which had apparently arrived in England and would we actually manage to get home!  We did!  although the journey home was not one I would wish to repeat.  

I do have photos which maybe I will post next time I am here. 

I have not visited the blogosphere in ages ~ not since the last time I posted in fact so I have a lot of catching up to do.   Life has been so busy that it has been hard enough just finding time to read emails so I apologise for not visiting my fave blogs in aeons.  Hopefully 2019 will return to some semblance of peace and tranquility. 

Back soon (hopefully!)

Po x

Lapland UK ~ A digression

A slight detour today so that I can answer Kim's question about meeting with the Sami people who live in the far north Arctic regions.  

This would have been possible but I had chosen the Dog Sledding excursion on that day.  There were so many available exciting trips to be made that really it was difficult to choose.  I think I would have gone on every one if only I had that time-travel thing Hermione Grainger had!   I did, however, have a warm-up drink in a traditional Sami tent after the snow-mobile trip.  But more of that in another post.

I have, in fact, been privileged to meet a Sami family and  reindeer in their fabulous tent at Lapland UK back in the winter of 2009.   I went with Stella & Rich and Frankie & Alex and all their families at that point (Dpip was a baby).  

Lapland UK    (here is the link: www.lapland.co.uk) 
was at that point located in the south of England and you would be invited by Santa himself!  It was a marvellous afternoon in which the children (and us ~ we enjoyed it almost as much as the Pies and Pips!) met the elves, made cookies, did some toymaking (a hobby-horse head), heard stories, had a super meal in a really lovely, cosy dining room, went ice-skating on the frozen pond (Lpip who was only two and three-quarters had help!), met a Sami family and their reindeer (four I seem to remember) all ensconced in their warm and windproof tent and finally got to trudge through the snowy forest to Santa's home where he welcomed us all in, asked after the children's friends (!!) and gave them gifts.  

The children enjoyed it tremendously and were thoroughly taken in ~ apart from Kpie who at six and a half noticed that the snow was 'a bit fake' (it was finely shredded paper!).  

All in all we thought it was a great trip even if it isn't exactly Lapland!  But a great deal cheaper (and warmer) and quicker journey time and was something that the children still remember with affection.  I would love to go again with Kpip and Rpie; and feel sorry that Dpip, who was six months old then, has missed out ~ he certainly wouldn't be fooled now!  It is considerably more expensive now than it was then, however. 

But we did get to meet genuine Sami people and their reindeer in a genuine Sami tent.    

Back soon with more Tales of the Northern Lights

Po x 

Kong Harald and the Northern Lights ~ Part One

I would suppose that there is something very strange about a woman who has been to Norway and seen the Northern Lights within the last two months and yet who chooses to write instead about the incompetence of the gas people . . . 

I didn't take this photo but I've had it for a while as my Facebook profile pic

So . . . my wonderful holiday aboard the MS Kong Harald cruising north (and then south) through islands off the coast of Norway . . .

My friend A and I took the 12 day 'we will give you a free trip if you don't see the Northern Lights' package although In fact we did see them on the first day out of Bergen.  Passengers were alerted over the tannoy and there was a huge rush back to cabins to tog up with warm clothes and then get up on deck!  I have to say that on that first sighting we were rather disappointed ('NO' from the crowd ~ I have been listening to Nillson's 'The Point'!) as we could see very little due to cloud cover and what we could see was somewhat static.  The colour, too, was a sort of dirty grey-green quite unlike the photos one sees.  Although I have to say that the chap standing next to me aimed his camera at them and they were certainly such as one would expect.   So I think the colours are enhanced through a lens.  

After three quarters of an hour on deck in the freezing cold we went back inside feeling a little bit cheated.  However . . . things got a whole lot better after that!!  We saw the lights several times and although they weren't as bright as the photos they were truly beautiful.  We never saw the emerald greens and reds but the paler greens and pinks whirled and swirled for us.  One time A and I were sitting right in the bows on the 'bar' deck and really did have a grandstand view but I think I preferred standing outside breathing in the freezing air, just watching the sky and then tingling as I came back into the warmth. 

Seeing the Northern Lights was not the only reason for the trip, however.  I prefer cold climes to warm and had always wanted to see Scandinavia and on this trip I certainly saw some great scenes.  Sailing between the islands and through the fjords was a delight and we went on a few 'expeditions' too: 

The Old Town Bridge in Trondheim

We called in at Trondheim which is a beautiful city where A and I roamed around while the ship was docked. This is the Old Bridge (known as the 'Portal of Happiness') in Trondheim.

Stunning, beautifully painted buildings by the river in Trondheim.

The houses all over Norway were painted in a range of muted colourways.  I loved seeing them clustered on the shores as we sailed past ~ like children's little toy villages.

Bed (reconstruction) in the Viking Museum

We signed up for a Viking Feast which was good fun and very tasty.  As part of the entertainment, one of the Viking women played on an instrument rather like a recorder but with a higher register; I was amazed at how similar the tune was to Scottish folk songs as played by the band Capercaille ~ you can hear the Scandinavian influence!  It was exciting being out under the clear Arctic night skies ~ no pollution such as we have here in Hertfordshire! ~ and crunching over the packed snow. 

More items in the Museum

After the feast we were able to take a look in the small museum.  The photo above is of a massive bed: about 7 feet across and made of stout timbers and the one to the side is of furs, masks and household implements.  

Husky (semi-detached!) Homes

This  photo was taken where I went on a Husky Sled.  The little houses are for the dogs who live two-by-two and side-by-side.  Beautiful dogs who then run twelve to a team.  I LOVED it!  It was totally thrilling to be zipping across the snow wrapped in furs and pulled by the team. Despite my snood, hood, mittens and all the rest of my gear I don't think I have ever been so cold and I thought my fingers were going to drop off.  I wouldn't have missed it for the world.

Husky Puppy (bred at the centre)

After the ride we went into a small hut where we had hot coffee and the most delicious chocolate cake I have ever had.  We all sat round tables and I was with a group of Japanese people.  They spoke no English and I spoke no Japanese but we seemed to have lots to laugh about. One of the drivers brought some of the puppies in to see us.  My photo doesn't really do justice to this little one; she was very sweet.  

Wood burning  stove and counter for hot drinks and chocolate cake

The hut was toasty warm and quite delightfully rustic.  And smelled like Heaven!

A 'Santa' exterior 

As we left it was beginning to get dark.  It really looked far prettier than this but my camera skills are not great.  







I am ending here as I think this post is quite long enough ~ and I haven't even reached the North Cape yet!

Back soon with Part Two

Po x

Gas

Early this year I, and all my neighbours, received notification that a country-wide update of all gas piping will take place.  We were warned that gas to the road would be turned off all day and that on the same day access to our homes at 8.00 a.m. would be needed in order to turn gas off at the meter and later, and more importantly, to reconnect.  Fortunately for us, however, we would be granted five days notice in order that we could make 'arrangements'.   

Time dragged on and it was almost time for my hols ~ when I would be away for 12 days with no-one in for either the 8.00 a.m. access or the switch back on when the work was completed.   When I called the office, they confirmed that the time frame for the work included my holiday period. I alerted the daughters who would be kindly feeding Tully in my absence so they could at least tell me if and when the work would be done and be present if possible.   

Well I returned from the Fjords and the Northern Lights ~ and there had been no work and no advice that it was imminent.  Which was just as well since England suffered a particularly cold, snowy February.   

On Sunday I went away for three days staying with friends in Devon.  Lo! and Behold! on returning home through wind and rain late afternoon on Wednesday I found a card in the mail pile (obviously posted through the door) letting me know that work would start at 8.00 a.m. that day.   No heat and no hot water!  Which is bad enough but what about the five days notice?  The card hadn't arrived by 9.00 a.m. on Sunday when I left!  Needless to say I had not even asked Frankie, who had been on Tully Duty, to look out for it.  

The most irritating things: 

i)  all companies these days seem to have 'partners' and there seems to be little or no communication and one gets passed from pillar to post with minimal result.  I made two calls on Wednesday night and five during the day on Thursday in which the person on the phone promised that I would be called back with a time for re-connection ~ which never happened.  And it was always the 'other company's' fault.  It was such a shambles that in the end I took the 'complaint' option rather than the 'enquiries' and that seemed to do the trick.  And the fitter chappie was a speedy, neat worker and even put back the things he had to move from the meter cupboard.
ii) everyone I spoke to kept saying 'you didn't give them access'.  I couldn't give them access because I didn't have the promised five days notice!!!
GRRRRHH

The road is a mess!  It and our driveways been dug up and will need to be re-tarmacked, there is mud everywhere and temporary fencing is preventing access to some drives so that parking is even more restrictive.   It's all rather unpleasant.  The photo (I nearly didn't post it because it is so horrid) of my drive and part of the road shows how ugly it is with the mud and all those yellow boards covering the holes but, of course, it will be cleared up ~ eventually . . .

P.S.  One the bright side: my home and I are toasty warm . . . and I shouldn't be such a moany old biddy.  

Reading Matters . . .

It does to me anyway!  A quick rundown of five books on my 'I am reading' list:

Four stars: don't miss     One star: don't bother

The Battle for Christabel ~ Margaret Forster 

****

Well written story of what happens to a small child when her unmarried (and rather unstable) mother dies.  Unwanted by the grandparents, who still wish to have a say in her future, she is placed for adoption.  Adoption, however, is not as easy a process as her family envisage because the girl is of mixed race which then has to be written into the choice of a family.  The tale is told in the first person by the mother's erstwhile friend (who also, while still acknowledging a certain sense of responsibility, has no wish to take the child on).   Although quite a harrowing tale in many ways this was such a good book that I would have no hesitation in recommending it as a 'Good Read'.

The hundred year old man who climbed out of a window and disappeared ~ Jonasson (translated from Swedish)

***

This was an extraordinary tale of a man, Allan, who does indeed behave exactly as the title describes.  It is certainly a very funny book and, like Forrest Gump, he meets and influences all the major players of the twentieth century.  The book was subsequently made into a film which I would like to see (but haven't yet).  It became a bit of a cult read at one point and I did enjoy the bizarre nature of Allan's adventures but ultimately I found the totally off-the-wall situations just a little bit boring.  I felt it could have been cut by about a fifth.

My Brilliant Friend ~ Ferrante

**

This was a book club read and some of us liked it and others didn't.  I found it tedious and totally missed the point about Mafia involvement (although it was set in Naples ~ you would have thought I would know!).  I felt that the characters were not well drawn and I had difficulty in remembering who everybody was and didn't really care about any of them anyway.  I have given it two stars as I could appreciate the points my friends made ~ just found it hard to engage with the story myself. 

The Storyteller ~ Picoult

****

I have read a couple of other books by Jodie Picoult and this is by far the best so far.  It's the story, told in (much!) later life, of two brothers growing up in Nazi Germany and their participation in events during the Second World War.  That's the basic plot and I will say no more ~ mainly because I don't want to give anything away!  Just read it!  I thought it was marvellous.

A Life like other people's ~ Alan Bennett

****

Who doesn't love Alan Bennett?  This is a memoir of his parents' lives, other family members and his own childhood.  As you read you can almost hear him speaking.  Gentle, humorous, kindly, entertaining ~ Alan Bennett at his best!

New Fence!

We inherited two apple trees when we moved into Ticklepenny both eaters  although, sadly, the squirrels and birds devoured most of them each year.  Still, they looked lovely and were shady in summer and blessed with a profusion of blossom each Spring.  Our daughters never did much climbing and neither did the older grandchildren . . .  But Kpip was fearless!                                                                                                Here she is aged four and on her way to the top where she would sway and thus shake the branches at risk of life and limb!  She had a lot of fun up that ole tree.

Well the heavy and very wet snow we had just before last Christmas brought it down ~ it crashed into the fence and was more or less completely uprooted.  It couldn't be saved and we had to resign ourselves to the fact that Kpip would never climb it again and poor little Rpie would just never get a turn.  So it was removed and all but the stump disposed of.  The winds in January and February brought down first two and then two more fence panels and the garden was a sorry sight for a while.  And, worse! I felt very exposed!!

Happily my lovely neighbour, Ricky, came last week and installed a new fence with which I am more than a little delighted.  And a sturdy, locking, gate.  

Roll on Summer and Happy Times!

Back soon

Po xx

Best laid plans and all that

So today I was going to:
do some housework and ironing
sort the mail/paperwork
finish stitching a card
blog about books I have read
go to book group

But . . .

Ricky and the chaps, who were going to come tomorrow to start on the fence, were able to come today.  Which was good.  Especially as they fully expect to come again tomorrow and probably finish ~ Hoorah!!

And they managed to demolish the old fence, tidy up in preparation for construction and then started a bonfire.  Yay!  There it is (the bonfire) up in the corner.  

But, of course, I never can resist a bonfire so out I went, started chatting and before I knew it was chucking wood on with wild abandon.  In the end the fire was so big that I was rather afraid to leave it to go out to book group.  Quite apart from the fact that, with insufficient time for a bath and steeped in wood smoke I would probably NOT be a hugely welcome guest!

So no stitching, no book group, a feeble attempt at blogging . . . but a least the paperwork is done and preps for the fence are well in hand.

And . . . tomorrow is another day.

Back soon

Po x

Happy Birthday!

Aged  a little over 19 months in this photo . . . and already full of mischief (nothing changes!)

Ah, bitter chill it was . . .

Freezin' it is ~ as cold as the Arctic!

Frankie nipped round today so we could use my Costco card for her to buy large pizzas for tonight's Confirmation session.  We were almost blasted off the car park!  There has been snow almost all weekend although beginning to disappear now ~ thank goodness ~ but a Siberian wind still.   

Other than Frankie's visit I have been keeping warm and researching for tomorrow's Poetry Group ~ G K Chesterton whose 'The Donkey' I have always loved.  I have focused on his time living in Beaconsfield which is not far from here and home, of course, to the lovely Bekonscott which we visited a few times when the girls were small.  I ought to nip over there and look at the Chesterton related sights!  when the weather is warmer though . . . 

And really,who am I to complain of cold weather?  Here I am (out of choice!) at Norway's North Cape last month.  Now that was cold!  and fabulous!

Back downstairs now for a warm fire, tea, knitting and 'Civilisations' on The Box.

Back soon

Po xx

Back!

Out on a limb for ages . . . and ages . . . and ages . . .

But I am getting to be really cheesed off with the negative comments on other media ~ too much gloom, doom, abuse and negativity.  

So I am re-entering the blogosphere where contributors seem on the whole to be kinder and more tolerant.  

I would like to catch up with everyone . . . .   but I think I will just have to jump in to 'where it's at' right now . . . 

Bis bald

Po xx

The Taxidermist's Daughter

I thought this was a great book and would certainly recommend it as a Good Read.  I love to read a book where I learn something new ~ this time it was information and details on taxidermy.  Not something I want to try for my self but fascinating all the same.

The story takes place over less than a week in the very wet Summer of 1912.  The 'daughter' of the title lives with her father in an isolated and rapidly deteriorating house in the marshes of an estuary in Sussex.  The descriptions of the house and the area are atmospheric and disturbing and made even more worrying through the daughter's amnesia over events which happened 10 years previously.   There is mystery upon mystery, well rounded characters and a sound plot line.  

I have not read Kate Mosse before despite being constantly recommended to read the Labyrinth books.  Maybe when the Pile in the Conservatory has diminished somewhat!

Last night was Book Club (2) at B's house.  We had been reading David Nobbs' (of Reggie Perrin fame) story of Henry Pratt.  This was my choice as I had read it before and I found it laugh-aloud funny.  

It is quite a sad story of a boy from the time he was born until he is 18 but so exaggerated and written in such hilarious one-liners that I hadn't really cottoned on to how dreadful his life was.  But it's dreadful in the sense that Buebottle's is.  I mean poor Bluebottle was 'deadded' every week but sprang back in the next episode.  

I'm not sure whether the book is comprehensible to anyone other than a Brit as much of the humour relies on dialect and Yorkshire customs ~ and specifically in the 1930s to 50s. 

Earlier in the day I had been to the Museum which was nice. The idea was to view old maps of the area and then catalogue.    Pat and I spent ages poring over them  and noting the differences from today so we didn't get an awful lot done really.   But there' always next time ~ and it's good to familiarise oneself with the artefacts!  

Back soon

Po xx