Seeing that the forecast for yesterday had said on three consecutive days that were would be unbroken sunshine from dawn to dusk, I did a big wash on Thursday evening, and left the spun & folded clothes sitting damply in a bowl ready to be hung out first thing. I even put a second wash in the machine as soon as I got up.
Then I opened the door and saw the thick mist, the sopping wet lawn and the drips decorating tree branches and clothes line.
An hour late, the sun broke through, and I filled the clothes line, and carted a folding airer full of 'smalls' out into the garden, before dashing up to the surgery for the second ECG in a week.
No idea why that had been asked for, and neither did the nurse who had also done the previous one. Eventually it turned out that the Dr wanted two to compare, and the most recent one had been in 2018 - so nothing to worry about. Nurse took blood for my "heart health" check while I was there, which means I don't have to go back for next week's appointment.
Home in time to get the day back on schedule, so out for lunch, followed by a nap, then get the well-dried washing in, folded & put away. Quite a full day for a Friday.
I had coffee with friends, a mooch round the shops and then home. The predicted rain having not arrived, I had a quick lunch and then went hell-for-leather to get the lawns cut. This I managed (along with Much Muttering about the dog owner(s) who think it's acceptable not only to allow their dog(s) to do its/their business on my front lawn but also to not clear it up ) and was just putting everything away as the first dampness arrived.
I now feel justified in showering, getting into comfies and spending the rest of the day with TV, internet and book. I may change this evening's menu - I am not sure the Nen Tummy is quite in the mood for stir fry.
A dreich sort of day here. Usual Saturday morning potter for the paper, then mushroom/potato/leftover chicken korma soup for lunch. Spent a couple of hours in proof-of-concept pieces ahead of the Myeloma Big Knit (or in my case Wee Crochet) in October. The idea is little woolly flowers with a gilt button (of which I have an inordinate number) as the centre.
Grilled lambie bits with tzatziki for dinner, preceded by Cocktail Nite.
It rained here this morning too. As a result, I thought this afternoon would be a good time for some gardening I wanted to get done, to wit pulling up weeds then decompacting the soil and sowing parsnips in one of the beds.
I was mistaken. The first 5 cm of the soil were quite soft, but further down it was rock hard. The work is now done and I am expecting to ache tomorrow. Husband en rouge is making pork and mirabelles for dinner.
As I live in Arkland's Cripple Creek, where several of my Neighbours also have temporary or permanent mobility issues ...
The other Cripple Creek being in Colorado, and once connected to Florence by a narrow-gauge railway. (No, not the Florence in Italy!).
Yes - I had that railroad at the back of my mind, so to speak. 3-foot gauge, and lasting only 22 years (1893-1915), it nevertheless seems to be well-known amongst ferroequinologists...
Mostly dry today in Arkland the Windy, but, feeling very tired from a busy time yesterday, I haven't been out at all - not even to sit in the Wheelhouse for as long as it takes to drink a glass of BEER.
SOSSIDGES n'CHIPS are cooking, and I may see what I can find in the way of films on YouTube later.
Lovely day here in Abruzzo. Husband went ebiking this morning while I walked to village across the lake and back. We met later at a cafe. I’d already eaten so I enjoyed an Aperol Spritz while husband ate his salad. Late afternoon I went to Mass in the local church, it was either luck or divine guidance that I happened to be out for a stroll and passing the church at the time. Then this evenings meal was really good. We’ve gone vegetarian this week and I have probably eaten more cheese than is good for me, but it is so nice.
It was in Carlisle too; when we left the Cathedral for the pub, it was chucking it down, and we got Very Wet.
No matter; we had sung nicely, and while it was sad saying farewell to K, our accompanist, who's going to a new job in Denmark, we had a very jolly time.
When I got on the train home, there was a carriage-full of chaps also having a very jolly time, and singing lustily and with good courage (well, it might have been Courage, but it could have been another type of beer ...).
Home safely, and very knackered. I'm definitely contemplating giving church a miss tomorrow; the last time I got up that early was my last day working in Edinburgh, and I'll be happy not to repeat the experience any time soon.
I am also giving church a miss this morning but will be heading up to a coffee shop with my book and a friend will be joining me there for coffee and chat after the service.
I did a roast chicken dinner for myself yesterday and made sure there was enough to plate up for a second meal this evening. So no cooking for Nen today - yay! Fortuitously, there's still some wine left to wash it down with as well.
I’m still undecided whether or not to go to church this morning. The service is in a further village at 11 instead of my usual 9.15, but I’ve been invited out to a late lunch at 3 pm then on to Evensong preceded by a rehearsal, so I’ll probably stay in this morning. It is sunny at the moment.
Yesterday I bought wallpaper, just for one wall, which now means new curtains too, when I get round to it. The paper I really wanted had to be ordered, with no guarantee it would be here in time. Why didn’t I plan ahead?
I did go to church in the end; I'd noticed that the bloke who sends out the pew sheets in advance had remembered to put David on the "in memoriam" list (it's the anniversary of his death this coming Friday) and decided I should be there to hear his name read out. Luckily the gentleman who was doing the intercessions read out the whole list, rather than just saying "those listed on the pew sheet" which some of the intercessors do.
Now to catch up on some of those lost zzz from yesterday morning ...
RIPARIG David - and well done! the man leading the Prayers.
It may not be appropriate for the name of everyone who is ill to be read out in church, especially if they're printed on the bulletin/news sheet/whatever, but the names of the Faithful Departed to be commemorated should indeed be read in full.
Sun-Shine and Cloud this afternoon in Arkland the Calmer, with yesterday's strong sou'west wind changing almost abruptly round to gentler nor'nor'easter.
This did have the effect of making this afternoon's tide somewhat higher than predicted, flooding the road alongside Cripple Creek, and forcing Neighbour F to wade through a foot of (cold) water in order to move his car to safety...he was just in time, he says, and all is well...
I've moved my own chariot to a spot which should be safe from any unlooked-for incursions overnight (said he, hopefully).
We have been through the Forest of Dean many times and never seen a deer although there are signs warning of them, so we were very surprised to see 3 roe deer hinds running across a road in the Beacons this afternoon!
Unlike @Piglet I didn’t get to church this morning. The time just ran away with me. I did manage to make a pear and blackberry crumble to take to lunch and a pear cake though I messed up the quantities so it might be a bit heavy.
Lunch was late. My daughter forewarned me as her husband, who was in charge of the cooking, had popped over to the pub and got his timings wrong. We ate at 4pm instead of 3, which meant a bit of a rush for me . I wasn’t late for choir practice, but I wasn’t efficiently organised. We had some reinforcements but as I was reading a lesson I needed to sit beyond the choir stalls, using a music stand. There was no copy of the lesson available apart from a pew Bible, which I find a bit small to read from. I normally print my own copy, increasing the font size, but my printer had gone wrong at a key moment. It was not an easy read ( John 7, v 14-36) but I tried to make sense of it and the visiting minister praised my reading publicly! I do pride myself on not making any mistakes. After all I have been reading in public for 70 years.
The Introit ( Bruckner’s Locus Iste) went awry for a few bars, thanks to our one tenor who came in on a wrong note at a key entry, but everything else was ok. The pointing of the Psalm was fiendishly tricky. The minister recounted an experience of another service where the choir was not good and he was informed afterwards that his face showed his pain- but not today - so he can’t have noticed. (He did sing “ O Lord, save the Queen” though. ) In the congregation was a young man with a fine tenor voice, looking for a church choir. It would be great if he joined us, but I won’t hold my breath.
Thanks BF!
Oh Puzzler, I feel your pain - and I bet I know which bit of Locus iste you're talking about! What you need at that point is a couple of trusty altos, who can be relied upon to come in on the middle C, and then let the tenors take over and think they got it right.
I'd have thought we were past the "God save the Quing" stage by now, but maybe not ...
Laundry has been laundered, and snoozage achieved.
Fancying something quick and easy with pasta for supper, but a change from cacio e pepe, I found a recipe for a sort of pesto, made with toasted slivered almonds, basil and garlic and then mixed with olive oil, cherry tomatoes and grated Parmesan*, and though I say it what shouldn't, it was bloody good: definitely a keeper!
* It was meant to be Pecorino, What I Did Not Have; is that sort of interchangeable with Parm?
I've arrived safely in NZ. Long, long journey but all good. Slept for 10 hours and now looking at the beautiful view (Beaky daughter lives in a very lovely but isolated rural area) and drinking copious amounts of coffee. First time we've done this journey in six years and our bodies definitely felt it!
We have been through the Forest of Dean many times and never seen a deer although there are signs warning of them, so we were very surprised to see 3 roe deer hinds running across a road in the Beacons this afternoon!
Never seen a deer there but we did nearly run into a wild boar at twilight a few years ago!
Glad to hear you've arrived safely @MrsBeaky and hope you have a wonderful time.
Bright sunshine here this morning; I am pottering around doing domestics and enjoying a fairly quiet day to myself. Mr Nen doesn't get back from his trip until late tomorrow evening but tomorrow is a busy one for me.
I've never seen deer close to Casa Nen, but they are not far away: we've seen them occasionally on nearby roads (both alive and sometimes, sadly, deceased). However, we have a badgers' sett nearby and I've enountered badgers along the path that runs along the front of our house, and we also have a thriving fox population. Early yesterday morning there were two very healthy-looking adult foxes romping around at the front. They are thriving and healthy because we have a neighbour who feeds them and the badgers every night. :rolleyes:
I've had a nice lazy sort of day (bank holiday). Stayed too long in bed, then had breakfast of a BUTTERY and orange juice, then ambled to the post office to return a top I'd ordered that wasn't right (my fault, not theirs - I ordered the wrong one). I've re-ordered, the right one this time (I hope!).
Then a little Expotition to M&S to stock up on groceries they have that Tessie's doesn't, and not too bad waiting times for the bus.
Last day of the holiday. I didn’t go walking today as yesterday’s walk was so nice and today’s ’easy’ walk sounded a bit tough. Instead I had a lazy morning, lunch by the lake and then caught a bus to meet my husband for a bit of a trip round the town where the walk finished. I was pleased that my librarianship skills and my Italian didn’t let me down as I caught the bus with no problems.
Glad you got to NZ safely @MrsBeaky.
Today was the day I felt I should have put on the winter dressing gown rather than the summer. Up (too) early after a dream featuring two people I didn't particularly expect to hear from - but in fact there was a message from one, and a phone call from the other. Sadly, this last was from my SiL in France to say her cat had been badly injured by a car in her absence and had to be put down.
A bright blue morning, but cold, giving way to a cloudy but equally chilly evening.
A chilly night, followed by a cool, dreary, and windy day in Arkland the Darkling, where a great pall of Cloud (like unto the very Fumes of Mordor) is covering the Firmament.
Pilates was a bit of an Ordeal, but I survived, and will shortly be consuming (I hope) some nice LAMB CHOPS with Chips and Pickled Red Cabbage. There are Bananas for later, which I intend to squish, and spread on HOT BUTTERED TOAST. A reversion to childhood, if ever there was, though My Old Mum would never have bought Seeded Brown Bread (probably because it hadn't been invented 70-odd years ago).
A variety of social delights await me over the next few weeks. On Thursday morning, Neighbour S is coming to give the Dragon's chimney a second sweep, and then immediately after that I have a lunch date with The Ladies Who Lunch. We are meeting at a local Golf Club, which I've never been to before, but they have (I'm told) a very good restaurant offering traditional English fare.
My Sister visits at the weekend, en route to a wedding in Somerset, so there will be Dining Out, probably at Italian or Greek places, as she is vegetarian. Then, next month, I have flu jab, shingles jab, and the Car's MoT to look forward to...
A chilly night, followed by a cool, dreary, and windy day in Arkland the Darkling, where a great pall of Cloud (like unto the very Fumes of Mordor) is covering the Firmament.
Here it has been cool, sunny and breezy - in fact an Excellent Drying Day. And I've cut the lawn.
Pilates was a bit of an Ordeal, but I survived.
Ditto swimming although in fact I was slightly faster than usual.
Then, next month, I have flu jab, shingles jab, and the Car's MoT to look forward to...
Well, at least the car won't have a needle stuck into it. We've had shingles jabs; flu jabs are booked; we're too young for Covid ones.
My son and grandson came today and completely cleared the upstairs room ready for redecoration next week ( carpets, curtains, a cupboard moved downstairs, a filing cabinet into the garage). I can hardly get into my bedroom now! Then pruning of ivy and picking of pears.
Early night tonight ready for an early start, leaving here at ten to six to pick up my daughter ready for another long train journey to the Dorset coast, with Pullman dining. Slightly complicated as there are so many roads closed for overnight roadworks. The forecast is sunny but chilly.
Another grandson and his step-dad are leaving even earlier to fly to Spain to attend the Forest match.
@Puzzler, I'm still getting over the early start on Saturday ...
It wasn't a bad day here at all; when I went out at lunchtime (to get my hair cut) it was lovely, and it was still fairly lovely when I ambled homewards (and to get my nails done - it's been a pampering sort of day!).
Work wasn't too busy (ominously, I saw nothing of either B or A today, although they were both in ... ) It did however mean I got everything done, which was helpful as I didn't have time to stay on and get things finished.
Supper was leftover quiche, along with cooked meat and salads bought in M&S yesterday, because I didn't think I'd want to be bothered with cooking when I got home.
I appear to have acquired a Very Nasty Cold, probably from the flight, which is somewhat taking the edge off things here. I'm hoping I don't pass it on to Beaky husband as it's school holidays and we're meant to be having fun with the Kiwi grandchildren 😬
Pain about the cold @MrsBeaky . There was one doing the rounds of the holiday Im just back from. I hope I haven’t caught it, but I seem to have developed a bit of a cough, hence not being in bed yet.
We’re staying the night with my brother. Great to catch up with him and my nephew. He’s just started sixth form and is loving it.
We went off on a short holiday to Vienna on Saturday and arrived back yesterday. A very busy itinerary and we walked about 7 miles a day. My hip managed well with walking until later in the day when I was tired but it kept me awake at night. It was better last night though after a less active day.
Itinerary
Saturday: anatomy museum in the ‘lunatic tower’. A seemingly odd choice but it was the only day it was open and I especially wanted to see the building which was an old lunatic asylum.
Sunday: Upper and lower Belvedere, mostly art and especially church art, and some sparkling gold rooms. St Charles’ Church and the Art History museum, which is like our National Gallery.
Monday: St Stephen’s cathedral, a traditional Viennese cafe for lunch, then the state apartments in the Hofburg palace. We popped into the butterfly house next door to unwind.
Tuesday: visited the Danube before flying home.
Local food: we ate schnitzel with lemon potatoes, sacher torte, and Anna torte (the best cake I have ever tasted). Mr Heavenly also had beef consommé with shredded pancake, and pancake with plum sauce. Lots of wheat beer and this year’s cocktail, Sarti spritz.
I'd happily visit that museum in that tower! One day I want to return to Dresden, visit the Ernemann tower, and take photos of it with one of the cameras I have that use it as a logo.
I hope @Heavenlyannie that you travelled at least once on Vienna's wonderful Trams...
A Sun-Shiny, cloudy, windy day (the usual mixture) in Arkland the Autumnal, where the East Wind from Mordor has at least blown away the apocalyptic Gloom of yesterday.
Feeling still rather fragile from Pilates, I nevertheless sallied forth this morning lunchtime to Tess Coe (remembering everything on my mental list ), to the garage for petrol, and to the Arkland Office to pick up a package. All this exercise has acted as a useful work-out, and I feel better now than I did when I first crawled out of my berth...
Lunch is SALMON FILLETS - Tess Coe seem to be a bit short lately of my favourites (those which come ready-garnished with Lemon and Parsley), but I could buy some Lemon Juice, I suppose. I hope Salmon isn't going the way of Pilchards, which are still nowhere to be seen...
A busy day tomorrow - Chimney Sweeping at 11, followed by a date with The Ladies Who Lunch at 1230. I've warned TLWL that I might be a bit delayed, if Neighbour S takes a little longer over the sweeping than we anticipate, but They said They'd wait for me...
We are also back from our holiday, one of the best we've had, good walks and good company. Washing is now underway and I've spent the afternoon looking at planning applications ahead of a meeting tonight. I'm not feeling great so I might send in my apologies.
I enjoyed Vienna when I went @Heavenlyannie, but felt I only scratched the surface of what there was to see.
BF - I hope you're not actually doing the Sweep Ing yourself before joining the ladies who lunch; I have less than fond memories of a chimney sweep who used to frequent the pub my colleagues and I went to after work on a Friday, and it was obvious from his general demeanour that he'd come straight from work ...
Another not bad day here; it was lovely when I pootled out at lunch time to get some SOUP from a local cafe.
Supper was once again cold meat and salad, but none the worse for that.
Glad everyone's enjoyed their assorted Holly Days.
BF - I hope you're not actually doing the Sweep Ing yourself before joining the ladies who lunch; I have less than fond memories of a chimney sweep who used to frequent the pub my colleagues and I went to after work on a Friday, and it was obvious from his general demeanour that he'd come straight from work ...
<snip>
No, no - Neighbour S wields the brushes (from above - he stands on the deck, and pushes the brush down the chimney), whilst I stand by below with the trusty Hoover, ready to open up and clear the Dragon's maw...we anticipate that there will be very little Soot to hoover up, but it's best to make sure.
I have less than fond memories of a chimney sweep who used to frequent the pub my colleagues and I went to after work on a Friday, and it was obvious from his general demeanour that he'd come straight from work ...
Mr Nen has returned from his travels - a late flight which was also then delayed meant that he didn't get home until 3am but he had a great time and was really glad he went. He told me all about it on a coffee date this morning.
This afternoon has been home-based with domestics.
Mostly sunny, but Decidedly More Chilly.
Glad everyone's been having some good holidays. I hope you feel much better very soon @MrsBeaky .
My day out yesterday was very long but enjoyable. A slight miscommunication meant that my daughter picked me up at 5.45 am which I was quite glad about as the 35 minute drive to the station was foggy, and on the return journey the train lost 40 minutes, delayed by a freight train, so I was home about 11.15 pm.
The food and service were excellent. We had the option of getting off at Bournemouth, Poole or Weymouth. We opted for Poole and had time for a harbour cruise. The harbour coastline is 100 miles long so there was plenty to see. The weather stayed fine but a bit chilly when the sun went in.
Meanwhile grandson and his step-dad who flew out for the Forest match did not see it as the lad became ill and so step-dad stayed with him in the flat they had booked. My daughter tells me this is the second episode with similar symptoms, so further investigation is needed. They are due home soon.
I had a good lunch with The Ladies Who Lunch, though the venue was a bit basic - a golf club bar, with no waitress service, and with no marked car parking spaces for disabled people (on the basis that disabled people don't play golf...? ). I won't go there again, but I wouldn't dissuade anyone else IYSWIM.
I found a space close to the door (my Guardian Angel was putting in some overtime, I think), and the COD n'CHIPS were excellent, as was a very tasty sort of vegan cheesecake (Lemon and Berry Delice) I had for afters. Prices were very reasonable, too.
The golf club is right on the far side of Our Town, out in the country, where the lovely autumnal colours are beginning to appear on the Trees. As it's quite a Sun-Shiny day, the drive to and fro was pleasant.
Meanwhile, back in Arkland the Windy , the Chimney has been swept (only about an inch of Soot had to be hoovered up from the Dragon's Maw), and a short extension to the Chimney (about 60cm) has been put in place to increase the draught. Neighbour F has been to collect the Coal (2.5 tonnes), and is busily unloading it from his trusty trailer as I write. Firing up the Dragon may take place tomorrow...
To round off a Good Day, friend Mr D has delivered a jar of his latest Sweet n'Spicy Plum CHUTNEY, which I will sample later with some nice CHEESE.
I'm still using some plum chutney that a friend sent me last winter - it's delicious.
It's a bonny evening, but the Nights Are Definitely Drawing In; it's only 7:15 and the sun's dipping below the buildings across from my flat.
Work was decently but not scarily busy, and supper was the last of the salads I got in Marks & Sparks on Monday, with a nice glass of WINE.
I've been eating CAKES for a good cause; one of my colleagues does a humongous load of baking around this time of year in lieu of a Macmillan Coffee Morning, and she left several boxes of Exceedingly Good Cakes* in the office kitchen (along with a box for donations) the other day.
Surely food that you eat for charity doesn't have any calories ...?
Comments
Then I opened the door and saw the thick mist, the sopping wet lawn and the drips decorating tree branches and clothes line.
An hour late, the sun broke through, and I filled the clothes line, and carted a folding airer full of 'smalls' out into the garden, before dashing up to the surgery for the second ECG in a week.
No idea why that had been asked for, and neither did the nurse who had also done the previous one. Eventually it turned out that the Dr wanted two to compare, and the most recent one had been in 2018 - so nothing to worry about. Nurse took blood for my "heart health" check while I was there, which means I don't have to go back for next week's appointment.
Home in time to get the day back on schedule, so out for lunch, followed by a nap, then get the well-dried washing in, folded & put away. Quite a full day for a Friday.
Off to the cathedral this evening to hear the sixteen
We are very glad we live so close to the hallowed halls of learning
I now feel justified in showering, getting into comfies and spending the rest of the day with TV, internet and book. I may change this evening's menu - I am not sure the Nen Tummy is quite in the mood for stir fry.
Grilled lambie bits with tzatziki for dinner, preceded by Cocktail Nite.
I was mistaken. The first 5 cm of the soil were quite soft, but further down it was rock hard. The work is now done and I am expecting to ache tomorrow. Husband en rouge is making pork and mirabelles for dinner.
Yes - I had that railroad at the back of my mind, so to speak. 3-foot gauge, and lasting only 22 years (1893-1915), it nevertheless seems to be well-known amongst ferroequinologists...
Mostly dry today in Arkland the Windy, but, feeling very tired from a busy time yesterday, I haven't been out at all - not even to sit in the Wheelhouse for as long as it takes to drink a glass of BEER.
SOSSIDGES n'CHIPS are cooking, and I may see what I can find in the way of films on YouTube later.
No matter; we had sung nicely, and while it was sad saying farewell to K, our accompanist, who's going to a new job in Denmark, we had a very jolly time.
When I got on the train home, there was a carriage-full of chaps also having a very jolly time, and singing lustily and with good courage (well, it might have been Courage, but it could have been another type of beer ...).
Home safely, and very knackered. I'm definitely contemplating giving church a miss tomorrow; the last time I got up that early was my last day working in Edinburgh, and I'll be happy not to repeat the experience any time soon.
I did a roast chicken dinner for myself yesterday and made sure there was enough to plate up for a second meal this evening. So no cooking for Nen today - yay! Fortuitously, there's still some wine left to wash it down with as well.
Yesterday I bought wallpaper, just for one wall, which now means new curtains too, when I get round to it. The paper I really wanted had to be ordered, with no guarantee it would be here in time. Why didn’t I plan ahead?
Now to catch up on some of those lost zzz from yesterday morning ...
It may not be appropriate for the name of everyone who is ill to be read out in church, especially if they're printed on the bulletin/news sheet/whatever, but the names of the Faithful Departed to be commemorated should indeed be read in full.
Sun-Shine and Cloud this afternoon in Arkland the Calmer, with yesterday's strong sou'west wind changing almost abruptly round to gentler nor'nor'easter.
This did have the effect of making this afternoon's tide somewhat higher than predicted, flooding the road alongside Cripple Creek, and forcing Neighbour F to wade through a foot of (cold) water in order to move his car to safety...he was just in time, he says, and all is well...
I've moved my own chariot to a spot which should be safe from any unlooked-for incursions overnight (said he, hopefully).
Last day of walking tomorrow.
Lunch was late. My daughter forewarned me as her husband, who was in charge of the cooking, had popped over to the pub and got his timings wrong. We ate at 4pm instead of 3, which meant a bit of a rush for me . I wasn’t late for choir practice, but I wasn’t efficiently organised. We had some reinforcements but as I was reading a lesson I needed to sit beyond the choir stalls, using a music stand. There was no copy of the lesson available apart from a pew Bible, which I find a bit small to read from. I normally print my own copy, increasing the font size, but my printer had gone wrong at a key moment. It was not an easy read ( John 7, v 14-36) but I tried to make sense of it and the visiting minister praised my reading publicly! I do pride myself on not making any mistakes. After all I have been reading in public for 70 years.
The Introit ( Bruckner’s Locus Iste) went awry for a few bars, thanks to our one tenor who came in on a wrong note at a key entry, but everything else was ok. The pointing of the Psalm was fiendishly tricky. The minister recounted an experience of another service where the choir was not good and he was informed afterwards that his face showed his pain- but not today - so he can’t have noticed. (He did sing “ O Lord, save the Queen” though. ) In the congregation was a young man with a fine tenor voice, looking for a church choir. It would be great if he joined us, but I won’t hold my breath.
Oh Puzzler, I feel your pain - and I bet I know which bit of Locus iste you're talking about! What you need at that point is a couple of trusty altos, who can be relied upon to come in on the middle C, and then let the tenors take over and think they got it right.
I'd have thought we were past the "God save the Quing" stage by now, but maybe not ...
Laundry has been laundered, and snoozage achieved.
Fancying something quick and easy with pasta for supper, but a change from cacio e pepe, I found a recipe for a sort of pesto, made with toasted slivered almonds, basil and garlic and then mixed with olive oil, cherry tomatoes and grated Parmesan*, and though I say it what shouldn't, it was bloody good: definitely a keeper!
* It was meant to be Pecorino, What I Did Not Have; is that sort of interchangeable with Parm?
Never seen a deer there but we did nearly run into a wild boar at twilight a few years ago!
Bright sunshine here this morning; I am pottering around doing domestics and enjoying a fairly quiet day to myself. Mr Nen doesn't get back from his trip until late tomorrow evening but tomorrow is a busy one for me.
I've never seen deer close to Casa Nen, but they are not far away: we've seen them occasionally on nearby roads (both alive and sometimes, sadly, deceased). However, we have a badgers' sett nearby and I've enountered badgers along the path that runs along the front of our house, and we also have a thriving fox population. Early yesterday morning there were two very healthy-looking adult foxes romping around at the front. They are thriving and healthy because we have a neighbour who feeds them and the badgers every night. :rolleyes:
Then a little Expotition to M&S to stock up on groceries they have that Tessie's doesn't, and not too bad waiting times for the bus.
STEAK for supper with greens and potato salad.
Glad you got to NZ safely @MrsBeaky.
A bright blue morning, but cold, giving way to a cloudy but equally chilly evening.
Pilates was a bit of an Ordeal, but I survived, and will shortly be consuming (I hope) some nice LAMB CHOPS with Chips and Pickled Red Cabbage. There are Bananas for later, which I intend to squish, and spread on HOT BUTTERED TOAST. A reversion to childhood, if ever there was, though My Old Mum would never have bought Seeded Brown Bread (probably because it hadn't been invented 70-odd years ago).
A variety of social delights await me over the next few weeks. On Thursday morning, Neighbour S is coming to give the Dragon's chimney a second sweep, and then immediately after that I have a lunch date with The Ladies Who Lunch. We are meeting at a local Golf Club, which I've never been to before, but they have (I'm told) a very good restaurant offering traditional English fare.
My Sister visits at the weekend, en route to a wedding in Somerset, so there will be Dining Out, probably at Italian or Greek places, as she is vegetarian. Then, next month, I have flu jab, shingles jab, and the Car's MoT to look forward to...
Ditto swimming although in fact I was slightly faster than usual.
Well, at least the car won't have a needle stuck into it. We've had shingles jabs; flu jabs are booked; we're too young for Covid ones.
Early night tonight ready for an early start, leaving here at ten to six to pick up my daughter ready for another long train journey to the Dorset coast, with Pullman dining. Slightly complicated as there are so many roads closed for overnight roadworks. The forecast is sunny but chilly.
Another grandson and his step-dad are leaving even earlier to fly to Spain to attend the Forest match.
It wasn't a bad day here at all; when I went out at lunchtime (to get my hair cut) it was lovely, and it was still fairly lovely when I ambled homewards (and to get my nails done - it's been a pampering sort of day!).
Work wasn't too busy (ominously, I saw nothing of either B or A today, although they were both in ... )
Supper was leftover quiche, along with cooked meat and salads bought in M&S yesterday, because I didn't think I'd want to be bothered with cooking when I got home.
We’re staying the night with my brother. Great to catch up with him and my nephew. He’s just started sixth form and is loving it.
Itinerary
Saturday: anatomy museum in the ‘lunatic tower’. A seemingly odd choice but it was the only day it was open and I especially wanted to see the building which was an old lunatic asylum.
Sunday: Upper and lower Belvedere, mostly art and especially church art, and some sparkling gold rooms. St Charles’ Church and the Art History museum, which is like our National Gallery.
Monday: St Stephen’s cathedral, a traditional Viennese cafe for lunch, then the state apartments in the Hofburg palace. We popped into the butterfly house next door to unwind.
Tuesday: visited the Danube before flying home.
Local food: we ate schnitzel with lemon potatoes, sacher torte, and Anna torte (the best cake I have ever tasted). Mr Heavenly also had beef consommé with shredded pancake, and pancake with plum sauce. Lots of wheat beer and this year’s cocktail, Sarti spritz.
Back at work today.
Now you'll need a holiday to recover!
I'm back from Portugal - a sunny holiday with five girl friends. Much Chatting and Many Cocktails. 🍸 🍹
Now a week to recover! 😂
A Sun-Shiny, cloudy, windy day (the usual mixture) in Arkland the Autumnal, where the East Wind from Mordor has at least blown away the apocalyptic Gloom of yesterday.
Feeling still rather fragile from Pilates, I nevertheless sallied forth this morning lunchtime to Tess Coe (remembering everything on my mental list
Lunch is SALMON FILLETS - Tess Coe seem to be a bit short lately of my favourites (those which come ready-garnished with Lemon and Parsley), but I could buy some Lemon Juice, I suppose. I hope Salmon isn't going the way of Pilchards, which are still nowhere to be seen...
A busy day tomorrow - Chimney Sweeping at 11, followed by a date with The Ladies Who Lunch at 1230. I've warned TLWL that I might be a bit delayed, if Neighbour S takes a little longer over the sweeping than we anticipate, but They said They'd wait for me...
I enjoyed Vienna when I went @Heavenlyannie, but felt I only scratched the surface of what there was to see.
Another not bad day here; it was lovely when I pootled out at lunch time to get some SOUP from a local cafe.
Supper was once again cold meat and salad, but none the worse for that.
Glad everyone's enjoyed their assorted Holly Days.
No, no - Neighbour S wields the brushes (from above - he stands on the deck, and pushes the brush down the chimney), whilst I stand by below with the trusty Hoover, ready to open up and clear the Dragon's maw...we anticipate that there will be very little Soot to hoover up, but it's best to make sure.
Mr Nen has returned from his travels - a late flight which was also then delayed meant that he didn't get home until 3am
This afternoon has been home-based with domestics.
Mostly sunny, but Decidedly More Chilly.
Glad everyone's been having some good holidays. I hope you feel much better very soon @MrsBeaky .
My day out yesterday was very long but enjoyable. A slight miscommunication meant that my daughter picked me up at 5.45 am which I was quite glad about as the 35 minute drive to the station was foggy, and on the return journey the train lost 40 minutes, delayed by a freight train, so I was home about 11.15 pm.
The food and service were excellent. We had the option of getting off at Bournemouth, Poole or Weymouth. We opted for Poole and had time for a harbour cruise. The harbour coastline is 100 miles long so there was plenty to see. The weather stayed fine but a bit chilly when the sun went in.
Meanwhile grandson and his step-dad who flew out for the Forest match did not see it as the lad became ill and so step-dad stayed with him in the flat they had booked. My daughter tells me this is the second episode with similar symptoms, so further investigation is needed. They are due home soon.
And you went an interesting way via Oakham, also round London (which I once did, on a scheduled train, in 1972!).
I had a good lunch with The Ladies Who Lunch, though the venue was a bit basic - a golf club bar, with no waitress service, and with no marked car parking spaces for disabled people (on the basis that disabled people don't play golf...?
I found a space close to the door (my Guardian Angel was putting in some overtime, I think), and the COD n'CHIPS were excellent, as was a very tasty sort of vegan cheesecake (Lemon and Berry Delice) I had for afters. Prices were very reasonable, too.
The golf club is right on the far side of Our Town, out in the country, where the lovely autumnal colours are beginning to appear on the Trees. As it's quite a Sun-Shiny day, the drive to and fro was pleasant.
Meanwhile, back in Arkland the Windy
To round off a Good Day, friend Mr D has delivered a jar of his latest Sweet n'Spicy Plum CHUTNEY, which I will sample later with some nice CHEESE.
It's a bonny evening, but the Nights Are Definitely Drawing In; it's only 7:15 and the sun's dipping below the buildings across from my flat.
Work was decently but not scarily busy, and supper was the last of the salads I got in Marks & Sparks on Monday, with a nice glass of WINE.
I've been eating CAKES for a good cause; one of my colleagues does a humongous load of baking around this time of year in lieu of a Macmillan Coffee Morning, and she left several boxes of Exceedingly Good Cakes* in the office kitchen (along with a box for donations) the other day.
Surely food that you eat for charity doesn't have any calories ...?
* Mr Kipling, eat your heart out!