Chatterbox LXXXIII AKA TONY

[Seatallan]

Blimey....

EM- what a lovely day you had! I've not been to Avebury for yonks. Must remedy that.

[suffolk]

I was at college with someone who was that sort of very strict vegan ... he maintained that One Man & His Dog was cruel because the dogs were being made to herd the sheep ... he knew nothing about Border Collies

[TeresaFoodie]

Well this has been an eye opener for someone who became vegan in 1984! I've learnt something very new today!

[StokeySue]

I was Jay Rayner’s warm up act this morning

OK that might be overstating it just a bit

Jay was Robert Elms guest on BBC London this morning, so the program was focused on food, specially lost restaurants and he asked about the German restaurant - Schmidt’s - that was in Charlotte Street. As a one time customer I called in and we had a chat about Schmidt’s and German and Jewish restaurants and delis

The lady from the council had just been about support for the visually impaired, and this time I have notes I can access when I get back next week

Enjoying the sun, hope you are too

[Seatallan]

Ooooh!! What a fab day Sue, and on more than one level!!

[Zosherooney]

Flippin eck, that is very extreme and funny at the same time Suelle.

We have had another day shifting stuff, I have a pile to go through on Thur. & Fri. when he should be out of the way. We have also 'done' the potting bench area, I have piles of pots to offer the local gardening fraternity or they go to the tip.....

I have cleaned (properly) the fridge for the Hobbit House (Patsy take note!), it works and has shelves and no light! Mr. Z. gave his best but it needed further attention.

Preferred builder has been and questions answered, we have another one visiting tomorrow at 8am Come 5pm tomorrow we will have made our final decision for phase II.

Fab day for washing and drying quilt & sheet, now back on bed and the grass is cut too. Garden is smart. Ding spicy chicken & veg casserole with cous cous, preceded by tomato, mozzarella and basil with croutons. Baked apple stuffed with sultanas and cinnamon and or apple charlotte and greek yoghurt if needed...

Early night I think with an early start tomorrow. I am out for a 65th Birthday Girly lunch at a local hostelry. Won't be doing anything from about 11am onwards....

[cyprusmoira]

Good Morning Wild Ones, I was woken at first light by the sound of hard core being transferred into a truck. One of Effie's many uncles has a stone transporting business, last week I noticed that a large pile of stone had been dumped, this morning the stone was scraped up by a JCB, moved across the road to a waiting truck. It was very noisy, it even woke up Pug.

I went to Schmidts once as a child, we must have been in London to see a pantomime or something similar. I wonder why we went there? We usually went to the Hong Kong restaurant in Shaftsbury Avenue on such occasions.


Moira

[icelesley]

Good morning wild ones. Looks like we are in for another lovely day. The beasts are going to have a bath they are keeping their heads down hoping I have forgotten........NOT OH ordered a VAX carpet cleaner yesterday, it should arrive today I think he is trying to tell me something, I regularly steam it but this will deep clean apparently

[suffolk]

Good morning all
Another gloriously sunny morning

[earthmaiden]

Morning all!

What an exciting thing to happen Sue!

I've got a Vax cleaner. The trouble with such things is finding places to keep them. Most of mine is in the shed with some bits in the cupboard under the stairs . I had a professional cleaner round a few years ago and thought afterwards that the Vax was just as good so it pays for itself after a while.

Veganism is quite complicated really. There are pitfalls round every corner. I noticed that even Iceland had a vegan section yesterday. The current trend has taken off very quickly. I am not sure what started it.

Another nice day. Hairdresser this morning. Not sure about later, remembered last night I had forgotten to wood stain the shed and gate for winter and I'm back at work tomorrow

[PatsyMFagan]

I gave a load of books to charity first thing, and lots of DVD's, mainly horror. I decided I don't need those in my collection anymore. The gentleman in the shop told me he would have to go through each one to make sure there weren't any, erm, 'adult' themed discs in there. I thought this a bit of an odd thing to say. Felt a bit creepy actually. Coukdn't wait to get out. I'll move along the high street to Keech next time I think!

This could well be standard practice if dvd's are being re-sold … when I was volunteering at the Caff at Harefield Hospital, we took lots of books, cd's and dvd's in for anyone to buy … then someone found a porno one amongst the dvd's ... . It's the same when I take unwanted magazines into the surgery for the waiting room … they have to be vetted before they are put out on display too

[PatsyMFagan]

Looking forward to GBBO vegan week tonight. I wonder why they didn't call it plant based week as per the current trend?

If you watched QI last night, you'll now know that not all plants are suitable for vegans.

Apparently hardline vegans say that plants which are fertilised by bees which are transported around the country in portable hives, so that they are in the right place at the right time, aren't acceptable to eat, as it's cruel and unnatural for the bees. Avocados and almonds were two of the products mentioned.

I think this takes place in the USA more than here, but apparently it's a big agricultural industry to supply bees to fruit and nut farmers, on an 'as needed' basis.

This popped up on my facebook page ... I wondered what it was all about

[PatsyMFagan]

I have cleaned (properly) the fridge for the Hobbit House (Patsy take note!), it works and has shelves and no light! Mr. Z. gave his best but it needed further attention.

I will add that to my inspection notes Zosh

[TeresaFoodie]

Morning all.

Wall to wall sunshine here.

I think my mum's coming over shortly so I'd better get my skates on. I'm racking my brains on where we can go for coffee and possibly lunch where Sainsbury's can be avoided. I am pushing my mum for a boycott. Their standards have gone right down the chute. It might be time to trial the cafe on the very edge of town on the way to the Downs. After that, a trip to Aldi to stock up and then the book cull continues.

Have fun!

[liketocook]

Good morning everyone,
As the song say "What a difference a day makes"......
After three days of wind & rain the sun is shining so it's gardening for me today . It's time for me to compost the remaining bedding plants and empty the greenhouse. I'm not sure if I'll get it all done but hopefully will make a good dent in it as it's back to wind & rain tomorrow.

[cyprusmoira]

We had to go into deepest Limassol for an appointment, I picked up the latest Lakeland shipment, it is mostly freezer related, including their defrosting spray.

Moira

[Meganthemog]

I gave a load of books to charity first thing, and lots of DVD's, mainly horror. I decided I don't need those in my collection anymore. The gentleman in the shop told me he would have to go through each one to make sure there weren't any, erm, 'adult' themed discs in there. I thought this a bit of an odd thing to say. Felt a bit creepy actually. Coukdn't wait to get out. I'll move along the high street to Keech next time I think!

This could well be standard practice if dvd's are being re-sold … when I was volunteering at the Caff at Harefield Hospital, we took lots of books, cd's and dvd's in for anyone to buy … then someone found a porno one amongst the dvd's ... . It's the same when I take unwanted magazines into the surgery for the waiting room … they have to be vetted before they are put out on display too

This reminded me of a story my friend told me. Her late mother established an animal charity with two shops. One day my friend had a phone call from a concerned neighbour - apparently her mother had made a wonderful window display of DVDs and videos cascading down the shop window - after she'd seen Donna does Dallas and Flesh Gordon she realised that these were probably not suitable merchandise. My friend hot footed it to the shop!

[Chinchilla_lady]

Afternoon All

The DVD tales remind me of many years ago when I was was a dental nurse, one rather racy lady patient always left us copies of Playgirl magazine in the book pile. Very popular lunchtime reading for 6 16 and 17 year old girls, we used to look forward to her visits, happily she underwent rather a long course of treatment. I dont think there were many editions of Playgirl published though, bit of a case of seen one, seen 'em all.

[icelesley]

Afternoon Wild Ones. The said Vax Platinum has arrived and yes EM like you I have nowhere to store it whats more I get a free steam cleaner too, I already have one but OH thought it is OK its free So nowhere to put that either. I will just have to store it in his man cave (aka the garage)

The weather is glorious. The beasts are bathed and all their bedding is on the whirlygig thingumy drying nicely. OH has gone for a shower so towels and his clothes will be washed and dried too, we have rain forecast tomorrow and Friday so I shall strike whilst the sun is hot.

[cyprusmoira]

Back from Pissouri, when I parked Arte, Zola's husband shooed me away from my usual parking place under the lemon trees, he is a grumpy so and so. I parked elsewhere. During the course of the afternoon I had seen Phitos, one of the sons, carrying chairs about, nothing unusual there, it is a taverna. However I was suprised when leaving to see a couple of men recaning chair seats in the old fashioned way. To be correct they were using reed to reseat the traditional kareklia chairs, there was a car with a load of reeds on top, the driver would not have been able to see through the back window. Of course no one had a camera or a decent one on their phone.
I did not know that this traditional craft is still continued commercially.

Moira

[TeresaFoodie]

Well, what a gloriius day out there! As predicted, my mum wanted to have lunch in Sainsbury's cafe! So we did. Now, I am not sure if their powers that be have been reading comments made on a local FB group about their rapidly falling standards recently, but we both noticed how the staff were literally tripping over themselves to be polite, helpful, all the tables were spotlessly tidied up, a full rack of customer newspapers, no baked bean juice splattered all over the rims of our plates. We shared a bigger veggie breakfast and it was pioing hot and quick at coming out. A huge improvement!

T8me to wander up for my Suguru monthly and contemplate dinner options.

Re accidental charity shop porn sales. I would assume they check each one individually to avoid embarrassment! It was the way the man in our charity shop went on and on about it in a strangely seedy and get me out of here way!

[Grasshopper]

I was at college with someone who was that sort of very strict vegan ... he maintained that One Man & His Dog was cruel because the dogs were being made to herd the sheep ... he knew nothing about Border Collies

Indeedy!

Grasshopper

[cyprusmoira]

Good Morning Wild Ones, I rolled up my bedroom blinds to see Andreas next door, on his roof painting. It is a pitched roof. I do hope that he is safe.


Moira

[Zosherooney]

Busy fun day yesterday and hit my sack @ 9pm, watched most of the Apprentice then slept until 2.58am !!!! Quit at 5.12am and as Mr. Z. Has gone to work today, assembled his food picnic.

At 12pm I attended a 65th Birthday celebrations yesterday and most of her presents were gin or booze related !!! The 14 of us then piled onto the community bus and we lunched at the Greyhound at Bromham. They did what they describe as a 'light' plate (varied) but we all had that and a pud. Very reasonable at £15 a head with prosecco to boot.

Mr. Z. went to the gentlemans brekkie at our local pub in the morning and he then removed a wall full of pyrocanthus as it is the wall of the utility room which will be coming down at the beginning of November. We have to dispose of 2 sets of wooden (some rot) doors early into phase II and I am hopeful that a local pub which normally hosts bonfire night might be happy to add them to the pile. I shall call them later and check.

So more turfing out of stuff and sifting through the pile that Mr. Z. has left for me. Most of it is old curtains which I thought might come in handy as dust/covering sheets to elleviate the dust situation.

I have taken a large brill out of the DF for supper and can't decide whether to fillet it or cook it on the bone ?

Have a good day everyone

[icelesley]

Good morning wild ones. Overcast with rain and thunderstorms forecast Food shopping again today, veggies need replenishing again see you later

[TeresaFoodie]

Morning all.

A flying visit from me. CAB induction imminent. Eek! Have fun all and catch you later!

[suffolk]

Good morning all

A flying visit from me too ... we're heading south to visit DD ... see you later folks ... enjoy your day!

[cyprusmoira]

Andreas did not fall off the roof, phew
I had to get some pages laminated so went to the Lyssi shop. Lyssi is amazing, the British community insist that it is a Tardis , it sells newspapers, sweets etc, it also sells stuff for the beach, everything from inflatable crocodiles to beach wraps. But its glory is its stationary, office supplies and artist materials. If you want HP printer cartridges or special Japanese papers they have them. They will do double sided to double sided copying, all sorts of electronic stuff.

We are debating where to go out to supper this evening

Moira

[liketocook]

Good afternoon everyone,
Sounds like a handy shop to have nearby Moira
It was tipping it down when I got, one of those days where it so gloomy you feel as though you could touch the clouds. It dry up for a bit so I made the most of that and got a few outside bits done. It's back to gloom now and we have weather warnings for wind & rain tomorrow and Saturday so I've battened down the hatches so to speak in the garden. I then spent ages putting together a gift basket for my friend's birthday present, I used a lidless shoe box covered in wrapping paper as the base. Wrapping isn't really my forte but I'm pleased with the end result.
It's feet up for a bit and no doubt a snooze and then I have a heavy date with my pantry cupboard which has got rather messy I wonder what gems I'll find that I had forgotten about. I used to have inventory lists pinned to the inside of the cupboard door but it got out of date and I binned it then never quite got round to doing new ones.

[Zosherooney]

I just have to sit down and you lot are my excuse ! I have been on me pins since just before 5am. I have been through all my sacks and there are lots of them, of curtains/fabrics etc. Have binned a lot and there is a pile of stuff for the charity shop - if they will have it. Some (a couple of sacks) 'useful' (current) fabrics which, if I ever get a spare moment will use to upgrade other stuff.

[TeresaFoodie]

How was your heavy date ltc? I have to say I am very envious! Good news your trotters are up Zosh!

I got back from town after a three hour volunteering stint, ate lunch, relaxed, fell asleep and missed the best part of the afternoon! I've just prepped for a mushroom and broccoli noodle stir fry which I plan to devour while GBM desserts are on later, then I bet I'm not the only one here who has a date with an Italian, a Scotsman and a Frenchman at 9pm. Ooh, it's all about dates today greedy lot!

[Ratatouille]

Evening all

We got back at about 5.00pm after a drive made frustrating by the stupid woman on the sat nav who kept trying to take us through ploughed fields and became hysterical when we cam to massive road works and couldn't take the road she wanted us too. We think there should be an option as regards routes to choose the one which will prevent as much angst and frustration as possible

Any way, last night we had one of the best, most exciting and beautiful looking meals we have ever had. The woman, Anne- Sophie Pic, has a massive talent and such a light invntive touch. More on the subject elsewhere.,
The hotel is very modern and only has 10 rooms. We were a bit stunned to find the bed w spent a lot of time visiting vineyards and producersas right in the middle of the room ! However it, the bed, was massive and comfortable. The staff were really well trained but kind and helpful and the breakfasts were utterly amazing.

We spent a lot of time visiting wine makers and have brought back rather a lot of bottles. It's a long time since we had a winebuying trip but when we were offered some wines which "would be perfect in 20 years" Mr R pointed out that we would probably not be in a position to appreciate them

I'm realy tired now - all that food and wine not to mention arguing with the voice of the sat nav!! See you all in the morning.

[Zosherooney]

Rats, sounds idilic ......

Tezza, hope the situation suits.....

Suffs. hope your day was enjoyable.

Start of works is now 22nd Oct I have gone into overdrive.... So shattered now. Patsy will be PM-ing you tomorrow.

[suffolk]

Night night all ... will read back tomorrow ...

[cyprusmoira]

Good Morning Wild Ones, where did my post go to?

That sounds a splendid trip, Rats. My brother tells of a trip to Canada where the satnav tried to take them through a lake.

We went over to Pissouri last night, there is a turn in the main highway where you get a panoramic view of Pissouri. Last night there was a crescent moon, the evening star hanging in a purplish sky over the village, it looked v romantic. On the way back I was not driving so could watch the lightning over the mountains

[Zosherooney]

He's gone to work and I have the large vehicle today to make a visit to the skip with what we are parting with.

Very Very windy out there, be careful if driving. Fluffs are not happy with the wet wind and I can feel a duvet day on the cards.

The Brill went back in the fridge as Mr. Z arrived home with oodles of posh and very fresh sushi some excellent salads. Some were shared with lovely neighbours and quite a lot are in our fridges for other meals over the coming days Still very sad that the supermarket concerned (W) are wasting huge amounts of perfectly good food. On the other hand we are very pleased and it helps not having to spend on food for us. I have totted up the amounts over the last few months and they average out at £60 a fortnight. Not to be sniffed at.

[icelesley]

Good morning wild ones. It's raining. I forgot to pick my script up from the chemist yesterday so I need to go out again today. is anyone watching the royal wedding today ??? I think I have a prior appointment along with several members of the royal family I am sure there will be a condensed version on the news tonight.

[suffolk]

Good morning all
An amazing fiery sunrise this morning followed by the best most amazing huge flawless rainbow over the village !!! Never ever seen one like it.

[earthmaiden]

Morning all! Just popped in for a quick look - I am supposed to be working .

The rainbow sounds lovely Suffs. Last night when I was driving home there was the sort of heavy rain that makes it hard to see and it was quite grey but up in front was the huge round setting sun blinding everyone. Most peculiar. It was a sad journey home after the horrible accident on the M4. Driving past the spot this morning you would never guess anything like that had happened such a short time before. Perhaps we should have it brought home to us more (obviously not by using distractions on the actual motorway).

Good to catch up with the news - your little break sounded lovely Rats an I hope, Tezza, that you enjoyed your first day at the CAB.

I secretly like watching royal weddings and things and have recorded it. I, like many others, think it seems a bit ostentatious for a lesser member of the family but a lot of weddings are very ostentatious these days. I know all the arguments about the cost of security to the nation and all that goes with it ... one could discuss the ins and outs ad nauseum.

[TeresaFoodie]

Morning all

A wild and windy day here. I have a long old chat on the phone with my mate planned for this morning. Both excited about our synchronised volunteering! Me, CAB and loved it, my friend at her local library starting next week. Both of us have a warm feeling of not yet being on the scrap heap! Out with my mum for lunch , I think. I do need some smart-ish trousers and a few groceries. I forgot all about the royal wedding! I'll have it on in the background.

That little lot should pretty much fill my day until dinner time when I think a Friday night pizza creation is in order.

Have fun all!

[Chinchilla_lady]

Good morning all
An amazing fiery sunrise this morning followed by the best most amazing huge flawless rainbow over the village !!! Never ever seen one like it.

We had one too about 7.10 am. The garden was bathed in a glorious red glow in the sunrise, by the same I got the camera, got the right angle for a picture the sun went behind a cloud, typical.

Just been out and potted the rest of the autumn bedding, just the garlic and shallotts to go in next month. Now I have to make a list of goodies to bake for the cattery Christmas fair and the shopping list for the ingredients.

[scullion]

what royal wedding?

[liketocook]

How was your heavy date ltc?

I stood them up aka I didn't get round to it. It's back on today's "to do"

Good morning everyone,
Forecasted storm arrived in the early hours and is still going strong. Apart from some dislodged pansies everything else outside seems intact.
Housework beckons today and with all the manky weather my floors are filthy, nothing a good mop wont sort out though.
I'm cooking for a friend's birthday on Sunday so want to get the bulk if the cleaning done today so I can concentrate on the food prep. I can't do mammoth cooking sessions these days so will spread the load over a couple of days. There will just be four of us so for once it's not mega portions to make. I'm going with a vaguely "Italian" theme of crostini/puff pastry pinwheels/antipasti to start, pork & fennel meatballs with green lentil stew, herbed baby roast spuds and buttered savoy cabbage for main followed by tiramisu. If I have time I might make some carmelised oranges.

[cyprusmoira]

The weather has been odd here too, woke to an overcast sky and very distant thunder, no rain but we now have blue sky.
Fish Pie for supper, all part of the attempt to clear the fridge prior to defrosting.

Moira

[suffolk]

The rainbow we saw this morning is all over the local press ... here it is over Norwich station

and over Cromer

[cyprusmoira]

That was splendid, Suffs. When are you expecting the mothership?

Moira

[suffolk]

[Ratatouille]

Afternoon everyone

Technology is getting up my nose at the moment. My laptop seems to be sulking because I haven't used it for a couple of days. Windows began an update last night and wouldn't let me turn it off. This morning it wouldn't let me turn it on, it took ages to get
any pages at all then up came all sorts of things I don't want and don't understand. It has taken me over an hour to get it back to where it was.

Had to do some shopping this morning. We don't usually go to the supermarket on a friday but the Apt branch of the troisieme age club clearly use it as their HQ so it was fairly difficult to do anything.

Those pictures are brilliant Suffs. We just have sunshine and a little breeze but coolish, I had to put a sweater on this morning. :scare

We both fancy something simple tonight so I have mussels for moules frites.

[Zosherooney]

I'm back from the dump and shopping. I only had loo rolls and lime cordial on the list.......£150 later....... Lots of summer wear reduced in ASDA, some guest ales for him and some Mexican beer as we are round to fiends on Sunday for tacos.

Hobbit House garage door now does not catch (for how long, I wonder).....

I walked down the slope to bring back the bins and there was a lot of cracking of branches going on. I would not be at all surprised if there are some trees down in the village before the w/e is over.

[Zosherooney]

I spoke too soon. We were without power for 45 mins, it is on at the moment but would not be surprised if it trips out again....

Brill is filleted and I have microwaved the head and bones for the extra fish and will make a bit of stock for the RTC prawns I bought in ASDA. I have a mango and some chillis so that is another dish sorted.

Nice rainbow Suffs.