Thursday 31 July 2008

Thursday.

Photo of Ann (and steed) taken earlier this year when we were cycling round nearby villages. Stayed in and worked in workshop today as Co-op was delivering new beds, which they did early this morning. That was the easy bit. The real difficulty is getting the Council to pick up the old ones. They will do so on payment of £20. The beds have to be left outside, as they cannot (apparently) be expected to knock on our door, or enter a house. They also cannot be expected to give a time of arrival, or guarantee a day - or anything. Payment has to be in advance. Given the extremely high rates we pay, it seems that we cannot expect anything much in return - certainly not helpfulness over the 'phone. I suppose we get the government and local government we deserve !!!!!!!!!! Oh well - I feel slightly better for a winge. I think I might feel really better if we got together and did something about it - I think that was called democracy - remember that? Quaint, old fashioned, idea, wasn't it. Goodnight all. Ann has just read this over my shoulder and says that I am a grumpy old man tonight. She is right, but if it's only tonight I suppose that's not too bad. Mustn't grumble. Goodnight.
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Wednesday 30 July 2008

Wednesday.

This morning I was down to read the lesson at early service (7.30 am). As we are now in an interregnum the Rural Dean came over to take the service (very sporting of him considering the early start). My reading was 28th chapter of 1 Samuel, about how Saul gets the witch of Endor to raise the spirit of Samuel to advise him, and rather wishes he hadn't, I should think, as the advice isn't at all encouraging. The spirit of Samuel ends by telling Saul that he and his sons will be joining Samuel during the course of the day. Good solid Old Testament stuff. At breakfast the Rural Dean mentioned Saxstead Church. We know Saxstead (Ann's Aunt Mary lived there for some years) but neither of us could remember the church. The R.D. said it was a lovely little church and told us how to find it. As we planned to go to Framlingham this afternoon, we made a slight detour and went and had a look at it, see picture above. It's a nice little church, but all the bench ends bar two have suffered the attentions of either Henry VIII's mob or Cromwell's. Probably the latter. It's still a lovely, peaceful, little church. Got some brass I want to clean before bedtime (which it nearly is) so must knock off now. Goodnight all.
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Tuesday 29 July 2008

Tuesday.

Diss game. This one is more in the nature of a crossword clue :-
Norfolk town sharp tool can be nasty.
You have (as Ed suggested) a week - but if I forget please remind me- and I know I might forget the answer, but I've got it written down. Warm regards, goodnight all.

Tuesday.

Sorry. dropped a notebook on me keyboard and seemed to have made a muck of that last one. Let's try again. Poem (of sorts).

Only the Coney.

Does nobody care that the hare's getting rare ?
Whilst the habit of the rabbit's to inhabit everywhere.

And isn't it funny that our friend the bunny,
with it's toothy grin, and it's nature sunny,
can't be given away ?
While a hare costs money !

Shooting rabbits showed no profit
when the mixi put us off it,
and we hardly liked to scoff it -
Rabbit meat.

Harold hare is bigger lugged.
Served up roasted, stewed, or jugged,
and it's got us really bugged,
that though Bugsy's mug is sweet,
Harold hare gives tastier meat.

Tuesday.

Photo of your blogger taking a photo to blog. (Hope that's alright, Ed. It is of course, one of yours, and,as you're a professional photographer, I should have asked first. Sorry).
Anyway..... a lighter touch. Pome :-

Monday 28 July 2008

Monday.

This morning we motored over to Wisbech, picked Gran up, then on to Guyhirn, where we met up with Barbara and Alan at the Oliver Twist for lunch. Usual excellent lunch there. We try and meet up annually with Barbara and Alan. Ann and Barbara were neighbours and childhood friends. In the seventies and eighties several of our friends intended, on retirement, to travel round the world, or follow the sun. Barbara and Allen were the only ones to do so. When Allan retired (I think ten years ago), they bought a very well fitted up mobile home, and every year since then, about October/November time they have locked up their permanent home and headed south in their mobile one. They usually return home about six months later. Barbara keeps a log/journal of their travels (with photoes) and fascinating reading it makes. We usually manage to weekend with each other during the summer months (or at least- as this year- get together for a meal out) and catch up on all the family news. This year Allen managed to pick up the tab ahead of me, and was adamant that it was his turn. Think he may be right but I must be swifter off the mark next year (actually Gran also wanted to pay the bill, and says she intends to do so next year- we'll see). Called on Mick and Erica on the way home for a cuppa and cake. Good to see them. Been a sociable sort of a day. Goodnight all.

Sunday 27 July 2008

Still Sunday.

Back with you. As I was saying, been a lovely weekend. Daughter Sarah, her husband Mikey, and grandchildren Lucy and Guy spent the weekend with us. They came on Friday evening. On Saturday morning, after polishing off the Telegraph Prize crossword, we all went down to Felixstowe Ferry for the crabbing. In two sessions we caught 85 crabs, some of them of almost edible size. But we put them all back, holfing a crab race down the Yacht Club's runway to the water. It's quite something to see a crowd of crabs skittering sideways back to the river, their claws held defensively high. Today we went to David the Dean's last service. The snapshot is of grandson Guy coming down the upper vestry steps. We all then went to the deanery garden for a farewell picnic. Next photo is of Ann and senior choir member Margaret Jarvis. She has sung with the choir for over eighty years, since she was in her teens. The next shot is a more general one of part of the picnic. After lunch Sarah,et al, set off for home. Things seemed quite quiet and after supper Ann fancied a walk along a beach, so we got in the car, drove down to felixstowe, and had said good walk along the front in the cool of the evening. As I said earlier, been a lovely weekend. Goodnight, and God bless you all.

Sunday.



Been a lovely weekend. Sorry, being called for supper - so more later.
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Friday 25 July 2008

Friday.




Success. Snaps of boats and scenes along the Orwell.
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Friday.

Last year, in a raffle at the Deanery garden party I won a boat trip for two, aboard the Orwell Lady, from Ipswich Docks to Harwich and back. Today we took the trip. We went by 'bus into Ipswich, had lunch at the Ipswich Institute (very good it was, too), and then walked round to Ipswich Docks and took the trip. Lovely day for it, although an hour into the voyage, I was glad I'd had the forethought to take along a sweater, and was glad to pu it on. The boat was full to capacity, and a good time appeared to be had by all. Got home at about 6.40 pm. We're expecting Sarah, Mikey, and part tribe for the weekend
but we got home before them. Will try and put up some more river snapshots now.
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Friday.

The answer to yesterday's example of the Diss game is (of course) :- Diss custard of Tunbridge Wells. And I'm surprised everyone didn't get it. There were NO comments with answers. Perhaps I didn't explain the game very well. I'd better not try the Diss game on blog again. More perhaps later.

Thursday 24 July 2008

The Diss Game.

A highly moral Norfolk chef (he specialised in puddings and their accompaniments) and wrote letters of complaint to the newspapers. He came originally from a town in Kent. Answer tomorrow, if I remember, and if I can remember the answer.

Still Thursday.

Ann has just got home. She and Brenda and Judy have travelled up to Diss (in Norfolk) today, using their Senior Citizens' 'bus passes. I used mine a great deal yesterday and the day before in London - it's a great scheme. Talking of Diss, some years ago daughter Ruth and I were walking through Diss when we saw a sign over a shop door that amused us. It called itself Diss Services !! We then came up with a word game that can be played in the car. It is called the Diss game. You describe what a company supplies to the public, and why it works (or doesn't), then the other players have to guess the name of the firm. Couple of examples :- A soft furnishing company in the Norfolk Town, it had lots of new ideas - Diss Coveries; The town football team which wasn't a bad team, but never quite got the idea of the team spirit - Diss United ; a head hunting firm whose recommended employees didn't always live up to expectations - Diss Appointments. You get the idea I'm sure. To be played by families on long car journeys. Better knock off now - choir practice this evening.

Thursday.

Snapshot of corner of the garden.
On Tuesday we went to London by train. Delivered crossbow I've been making for grandson Matt's 15th birthday. I was pleased with it. So was he. Tuesday afternoon went to Bonham's to view arms and armour sale. One or two quite nice pieces. Bit disappointing. Stayed over at youngest daughter's. Wednesday afternoon Ann and I took Matt and Beth to V. and A. At about 3p.m Matt and I walked round to Bonham's. Price's were incredibly high. For the first time in a good many years (at a major sale room) didn't buy anything. Bit worrying. Back to liz's by 'bus. Matt cooked a very decent curry, and home by train (about 2230 hours). Feeling a bit drained this morning. The effect of two days in London, I suppose. Going to knock off for lunch now. More later perhaps.
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Monday 21 July 2008

Monday.

Same village - Nayland- lane beside the churchyard.
Just finished supper. Cold roast mutton with bubble and squeak (perhaps better explain that- bubble and squeak is the traditional name for a dish of -usually- cold boiled potato and cabbage,etc., that has been reheated in a frying pan-said to be an onoematopaeic name because of the noises it makes whilst frying- but I never heard such rude noises from any well behaved frying pan), and in this case with redcurrant jelly to go with the cold mutton - mint sauce goes just as well (matter of personal taste, I suppose). Anyway one of my favourites. Hoping to pop up to London tomorrow -by train- to deliver a small crossbow I have been making for grandson Mattew, for his fifteenth birthday. And to view a sale that I may- or may not- bid at eventually. So must grab what's left of an early night. Goodnight all.
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Still Monday.




Don't quite know how I did that. Still you get the idea of Nayland. Nice little place. We then went on to Sudbury, where we did some shopping. Got senior daughter Sarah, husband Mikey, and their two youngest, Lucy and Guy, weekending with us, so we did some stocking up of provisions. Then home and late lunch of mutton (with redcurrant jelly) sandwiches. More later, perhaps.
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Still Monday.

Next stop was the village of Nayland, which having been once a market town is full of buildings like this. The next village is Stoke by Nayland, which would seem to indicate that it was once a suburb of Nayland, but is now much the more important of the two. Will now try and put up one or two more pictures of Nayland.
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Still Monday.

......The next small town, where I was able to take a photo of Ann standing next to the local wine shop whose notice board was (as I hope you can see) advertising 'stunning champagne'. I take it that the beverage being advertised could be used as a Micky Finn. Didn't buy any, though, so don't worry about accepting a drink when you next visit.
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Monday.

This morning we had a run out in the car. Firstly to the above garden centre which had got us a honeysuckle of a type Ann wanted. Near the car park was the above tree, which had beenn heavily pollarded, decapitated, and left. Now, as you can see, the lower bole of the tree has burgeoned out in a great green frill. What a survivor !! We collected the honeysuckle, then motored on to :-
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Saturday 19 July 2008

Saturday.

Photo is of grandchildren Lucy and Guy making a new friend opposite William's pub last Sunday.
This morning Helga called and had coffee. She had with her a friend of hers who we'd met before - Rosemary. Rosemary (like Helga originally) is German. Also like Helga she speaks perfect English. Unlike Helga, she is interested in, and collects, antiques. So she and I spent a very happy hour comparing notes. Also this morning Martin L. called and collected a clock I have been doing up. Large, late Victorian wall clock. Not really early enough to be interesting, but Martin is a friend. And anyway, the clock was solidly well made and I rather enjoyed doing it, so must try harder not to be a snob about 19th century items. Martin was pleased to have it going again. Scrabble club this afternoon. Three good games. Won the first. Phyllis won the second. The third, rather unusually was a draw between Phyllis and Kevin. Very pleasant afternoon. Spent evening in workshop. Went well. Roast mutton for supper. Very good. Off to bed now. Goodnight all.
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Thursday 17 July 2008

More Thursday.

Not Rotarians, Round Tablers - or the other way round- can't remember. But very appreciative, and a good meal (pub grub but decent). A lovely evening. Goodnight all.

Thursday.

Snapshot of Ann and son in law Lasse seen through the kitchen door last weekend. Been busy making a ramrod today for one of a pair of pistols, circa 1790. It's easy when one is missing from a pair because one is still there to copy. Also doing various odd jobs. This evening having a meal with a men's group (round tablers I think) then giving a talk afterwards on The History of Guns. Quite looking forward to it, although it's about a year since I've given one. Ann's going to choir practice, and I've had to make grovelling apologies to choirmistress for having double booked. Still, I think it's the first practice I've had to skip this year. Ann's off across to see Gran tomorrow, but I think I really must stay at home and get on with some work - we'll see. More later perhaps. Depends on what time I get in.
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Tuesday 15 July 2008

More Tuesday.


Junior granddaughter Freja being (very convincingly) a bunny rabbit.
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Tuesday.

Snapshot of a rose bush that Carl and Judy brought us when they came to see us last year. If you're reading this C. and J. you can see how well it's doing. This afternoon we drove over to Stanstead Airport in convoy. Ann and myself in our car with grand daughters Amelia and Georgia, and Ruth, Lasse, Tuva and Freja in their hired Audi. Ruth and tribe are flying home to Sweden, and Amelia and Georgia are going with them for a fortnight's visit. They (and their respective families) stayed with Ruth and Lasse last year, and they both decided that they loved Sweden and wanted a return visit. They both thoroughly enjoyed swimming in the lakes, fishing from Lasse's boat, cooking the resulting catch in the open air, and eating it. So they're doing it again this year. It's great that our grandchildren are able to enjoy such a privileged childhood. It's been lovely having them to stay, and it feels very quiet to be Darby and Joan again. Nearly bedtime, so goodnight all.
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Sunday 13 July 2008

Sunday.



Nephew Edward (my godson) acting as official photographer at Gran's do. He is a professional photographer these days, and I think (having seen some of his stuff) a good one. Got to say that - he reads my blog.

Sunday

Previous photo is of Gran enjoying party to celebrate her hundredth year. The above photo is of all of us here, i.e. daughter Ruth, granddaughter Tuva, Ann, grandaughter Freja, and son in law Lars, just before we set out for Gran's party. We were on the road by 9.30 a.m. and got to nephew William's pub, were party was to be held, just after 11.30 am. The rest of Gran's extended family were with us by noon. Gran claims 35 living descendants, which (as she says) isn't bad for an only child. William had done us proud, sandwiches, salads, chicken drumsticks, vol au vonts, etc. etc. Plus two cakes, a fruit cake, and a sponge cake. There were 53 of us, ranging from Jack, at 4 months, to Sid, in his nineties, and Gran in her hundredth year (and all points in between). The 'do' was held in the two end rooms of the pub, and the back garden (with a large, shady awning). Very little speechifying (thank goodness) but a great deal of real, honest, socialising. And, of course, very much catching up of news and relations not seen for a few years. Met one great nephew of eight years for the FIRST time - seems a decent little chap. Ten of our eleven grandchildren turned up (they are all pretty good at turning out for family occasions). Found that some of the great neices are turning into sophisticated young ladies.
A brother in law of mine summed it all up for me as:- "Isn't it nice to meet at a family get together that isn't a funeral ?" Knew just what he meant. And this one was a joyous occasion. Gran is a great lady. She is much loved by all her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, and her company is enjoyed by all of them. It is possible to have a companionable silence with her, or a light, enjoyable chat, or occasionally to discuss serious things seriously. Despite her age, and whilst retaining her principles, she has a surprisingly open minded attitude to most things, and a good way of giving an honest opinion without ever giving offence. Long live Gran, say I. Goodnight all.
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Sunday.

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Saturday 12 July 2008

Saturday.

P.s. Thinking about it, I think the spelling is rattatouille.

Saturday.

Yesterday evening we had dinner with a friend. The only other guest we knew was Heather from up the hill. The other three guests are members of our hostess's gardening club. Hostess lives in a very elegant, tall, narrow, regency house near the church, with a tiny courtyard garden, which she'd been planning to show her three out of town guests. It had earlier been a very wet afternoon and evening so that plan had to be shelved. Despite that it was a lovely evening. We ate in Eileen's basement dining room (and there, by the way goes our hostess's anonimity !!!). She is a very good cook. Starters were chicken and asparagus served on scallop shells, followed by a chicken pasta dish with rattatouie (spelling ?). Pudding was a sort of fruit meringue rather like a queen's pudding. We then went back up to the drawing room (with a view down the garden) for coffee. Good, lively conversation throughout the (very enjoyable)evening. Broke up about eleven, having all obviously enjoyed ourselves, and ran Heather home (she having walked down). There's a lot to be said for a quiet life in small town England.
Today got on with some work in the morning; Lasse and Ruth brought us in an Indian lunch (which he knows about) from the restaurant, a great treat for us. Usual scrabble club in afternoon. Three good games. Sandwich supper from leftovers (cold meats, etc.). Off to bed now. Goodnight.

Saturday.


Youngest grandchild, Freja, this morning, in hat she'd bought in charity shop redy for her Great Gran's party tomorrow. More later.
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Thursday 10 July 2008

Thursday.

Snapshot of youngest granddaughter, Freja, doing a spot of gardening. Generally speaking, she trots round after her Granny trying to help with the gardening or meal preparation or whatever. This morning we motored across to Snape for the annual antique fair ( had been given a freebie ticket for three). Ruth and I went in at opening time, and Ann took the two girls on to Aldeburgh, where they paddled and played on the beach and (by all accounts) a good time was had by all. I bought a small brass tobacco box, and met a great many old friends and aquaintances, some of whom remembered Ruth, and were pleased to see her again, and some of whom hadn't met Ruth before, but were pleased to meet her anyway. Like most large antique fairs (whichever side of the counter you are) it rapidly turned itself from a business occasion to a social occasion. Ann and the girls came and found us at about 2pm, and we all had a final walk round the fair. Got home about 5p.m. Had main course of supper, then Ann and I had to rush off to choir practice. Went well, then home for pudding. Off to bed now. Goodnight all.
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Wednesday 9 July 2008

Still Wednesday.


Another jar of flowers from the garden. Daughter Ruth, her husband Lasse and their two girls, Tuva and Freja, arrived from Sweden yesterday, for Gran's party on Sunday. Staying a week. Lovely to see them. Spent today pottering, playing scrabble, chatting, and generally catching up. Lasse had to go to the surgery this morning. He thought he probably had pneumonia (to which he is subject), but it was some sort of infection and he is now on a course of antibiotics, and is in bed, sleeping it off. Rained all day. Had to get up early for 7.30 am service. Read O.T. lesson (Samuel 1, chapter eleven). They were, generally speaking, a ferocious lot in Old Testament times. Just had supper. Cold meats, boiled new potatoes in butter, and salad, followed by strawberries. Lovely summer meal - wish the weather was a bit more summery. Must close. Goodnight all.
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