Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum
General Subjects => General Forum => Topic started by: fermi de Sousa on January 03, 2012, 08:53:04 AM
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I'm very happy as the frame for the "new" Shade house is finally being made into a real Shade house!
Here's our friend Michael starting work on the base. He's wanting a change in career and we're happy to pay him to do the work [we would've made a hash of it!]
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And after 40oC temperatures already this year we really need it to be completed soon!
Yesterday the baseboards were going in to make the floor level [we'd never have thought of that!]
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Happy, happy, happy!!
cheers
fermi
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40oC! 20oC is what we're getting at the moment! :( Kids not impressed with their summer holidays so far!
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Well, most people here would be glad if the temp was 20oC. I have experienced 35oC here in Norway but that is extraordinary! Abroad I've been to Cyprus and been relatively fine in 42oC but I prefere 25oC ;D
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It all depends on the humidity. I visited two of the 'Furnaces of China' Wuhan and Nanjing where temperatures in the summer are over 40C - I was not uncomfortable as it was a dry heat.
Here in England temperatures of 25C in summer - rare but possible - cab be unpleasant becaus of the humidity.
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Same here, humidity is the problem. Anthony will have noticed that most days Alexandra in Central Otago is the hottest place in the country, into the 30s and will get warmer as the summer goes on but the air is dry so it's quite bearable. Auckland and Tauranga are both humid as it rains a lot there even at this time of year. My climate is more like that of Alexandra, being over Saddle Hill from Dunedin so even though everyone in the country assumes Dunedin is close to the Antarctic, we frequently have summer temps in the 30s here, if only occasionally, in the city itself. While much of the upper South Island and the North Island have had non stop rain and some appalling flooding, I am crying out for rain, even a mm or two would be very welcome.
Of course Alex can be the coldest place in winter but still nothing like north or central Scotland. ;D
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I prefer heat, that's why we always went in that direction during our summer holidays. 8)
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Fermi
For members in Scotland, could you explain the concept of "a shade house" ? As we seem to live in perpetual shade maybe we could do with a "light house" - not the maritime variety !!
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Tom,
with the summers we get an "Alpine-house" would be the equivalent of a glass oven! With temperatures over 40oC at times we really need shade more than light! At least during the summer.One friend suggested putting the shade-cloth over our whole house as well to help keep us cool - we opted for a portable air-conditioner instead! During winter the frost is damaging enough to defoliate some plants even under shade-cloth!
cheers
fermi
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So you could live in upper North Island but have a summer place in Central, like Annabel Langbein. Have you come across her yet? Central has all the advantages too, of apricots, cherries, peaches and all the rest, straight off the trees. Nothing better. :P Also the best climate in NZ for oncos and the more difficult junos. ;D And the hills smell of thyme, and there's some decent (Plunket Shield and one day) cricket there too. OK, so I like the place.
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My ideal shade house would be made of wooden 2" laths separated by an inch of space. It was like this when we lived at Lindisfarne (local, not UK) and was the best I ever had for primulas, meconopsis and many other cool-loving plants. I remember having a hundred or so P. reidii both blue and white in flower at once, wonderful sight and overpowering scent which filled our whole 2 acres of garden. Of course it had to be watered but the cooler atmosphere and protection from the sun were what did the trick for such plants. I prefer laths to shade cloth because with the latter the shade is constant whereas with laths it moves as the sun moves, making for a dappled shade which plants seen to like. Cloth does decay in time but the laths need to be of treated timber for life over 20 years.
We can buy shade cloth in 30% shade up to 60% I think. Mostly I've used 50% which seems reasonably successful. It does get covered with algae eventually and I found with my tunnel which had the same cloth (knitted) but white rather than dark green, that plants grew much better with the light coloured cloth, presumably because of the reflected light. But that too is now very green with algae and the growth is less strong. It needs a good hose down with a water blaster but I can't afford the water for this. Will be buying water by the end of next week if we don't have serious rain.
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Should have said that a shade house here and no doubt in Australia too, has both walls and ceiling or roof of shade cloth or laths, with a doorway (in my original) or a door of the same material. This is better than an open space, to keep out cats and stray children in a nursery. One has control over who enters and who doesn't as always my most precious things were in there. Because the ceiling or roof is of the shade material, there is some dripping in wet weather but I never find this a problem and am careful not to position seed pots under any drips which come in the same places each time.
My original had wide beds made of railway sleepers but the present version has working level benches down the sides and a grownlevel row of trays doen the middle. It is 12m x 4m while the lath house was about 20m x 5m if I remember rightly.
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Will be buying water by the end of next week if we don't have serious rain.
My second lot arrived yesterday (24000 litres) . A small price to pay for such a good seed harvest season . Driest December since records began , little wind and lots of sun . Really is the Costa del Clutha
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Lesley - really interested by your description of a shade house with wooden laths. The thought of 100 Primula reidii in flower sounds like heaven! I am not sure I should be tempted to grow this again in such a dry part of the UK, but it would be nice to have such a structure to grow ferns and many woodland perennials. Claude Barr in America, who probably had temperatures similar to Fermi, shows a picture of a lath house in his book 'Jewels of the Plains', and grew extremely exciting plants there.
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Will be buying water by the end of next week if we don't have serious rain.
My second lot arrived yesterday (24000 litres) . A small price to pay for such a good seed harvest season . Driest December since records began , little wind and lots of sun . Really is the Costa del Clutha
24000 litres of water are what I get on my property every day from the sky ;D (But I'm not that happy about it - should have been in the other thread :-\ )
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Trond , I think there has been a mix up . You have obviously been sent our weather by mistake and we have received the south of France's weather . Not sure where your weather has gone to .
Tim-Dennis Hughes at Blue Mountain Nurseries (Tapanui NZ) has a large lath house (slat house he calls it ) which is about a half acre in size . He grows lots of rhodos and azaleas in it .Not far away in a drier, windier area there is (or maybe was-Brenda is not there now) a very cool fernery built in the ground on a completely flat paddock . They dug a big hole with a digger(3m deep and 5m square) and put a shadehouse roof over the top . The ferns did very well . Water was leaked in from the top and then pumped back up from the bottom
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I guess my first wooden one was 50 years ago, when shade cloth as we know it today wasn't around much, if at all so laths/slats were the only option. Actually thanks Steve, I couldn't think of the word slats but that was what I meant. I think the Americans use the word laths when talking of building a patio or something similar.And that comes from an ancient American magazine I have somewhere, early "Better Homes and Gardens" maybe. Shadecloth is less expensive and easier and quicker to erect but I still prefer the shade provided by slates.
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I guess my first wooden one was 50 years ago, when shade cloth as we know it today wasn't around much, if at all so laths/slats were the only option. Actually thanks Steve, I couldn't think of the word slats but that was what I meant. I think the Americans use the word laths when talking of building a patio or something similar.And that comes from an ancient American magazine I have somewhere, early "Better Homes and Gardens" maybe. Shadecloth is less expensive and easier and quicker to erect but I still prefer the shade provided by slates.
Lesley, slate, isn't that a kind of rock? ;D ;D
Anyway I don't need laths or slats but I could use some slates to pave the path.
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I guess my first wooden one was 50 years ago, when shade cloth as we know it today wasn't around much, if at all so laths/slats were the only option. Actually thanks Steve, I couldn't think of the word slats but that was what I meant. I think the Americans use the word laths when talking of building a patio or something similar.And that comes from an ancient American magazine I have somewhere, early "Better Homes and Gardens" maybe. Shadecloth is less expensive and easier and quicker to erect but I still prefer the shade provided by slates.
Lesley, slate, isn't that a kind of rock? ;D ;D
Anyway I don't need laths or slats but I could use some slates to pave the path.
Touche (with an acute) Trond. I usually proof read before I post but missed that one. I could use some slates too. There are a lot of old houses in Dunedin roofed with slates. I think the slates were actually brought from the UK by early settlers and those who built their houses. I'm not aware of slate mines in NZ but as Roger would point out, I'm not aware of much these days. (He's hoping that I haven't noticed there is yet ANOTHER old car in the driveway. >:() I have!
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Lesley, hope you don't mind I teased you a little. I couldn't resist. . . and as an English speaking person....
I too do try to proofread but I am certain a lot of mistakes go unnoticed . . and you are all too polite to tell ;)
No slate in NZ or just no slate mines? Strange - you have enough rock!
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I associate lath with lath and plaster inner walls of houses http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lath. The lath being thin pieces of timber on a frame, rather like slats. Slats are often used as the base of a bed, on which sits the mattress. They are bowed so as to be springy. I don't think there are any roof graded slate deposits in New Zealand?
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Trond you are welcome to tease me. Many people do and I don't mind at all. They know they'll get back what they give, at some time.
We have a lot of schist which is a little like slate and slivers into very thin slices but it is rotten rock basically and can be crumbled by hand in many cases so not suitable for roofing. Makes lovely crevices though. ;D
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Read in one of the Sunday papers that the composer Frederick Delius was in fact a Yorkshireman, born in Bradford and lived there until his late 20's-are you listening Lesley? This of course enhances my view that all of those endowed with culture and high intelligence were born in God's hallowed acres ;D
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Read in one of the Sunday papers that the composer Frederick Delius was in fact a Yorkshireman, born in Bradford and lived there until his late 20's-are you listening Lesley? This of course enhances my view that all of those endowed with culture and high intelligence were born in God's hallowed acres ;D
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Of course we were ;D 8) ;D
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;D 8)
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I understand he couldn't bear it though - whether the weather, the stigma or the stinginess or what - and eventually went to France where he stayed until he died.
Not one of my favourite composers. The music seems to wander all over the place and have little structure. Odd, when you think of all those stone walls. ;D
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Stigma!! stinginess!! Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo not in Yorkshire ;D
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Trond you are welcome to tease me. Many people do and I don't mind at all. They know they'll get back what they give, at some time.
We have a lot of schist which is a little like slate and slivers into very thin slices but it is rotten rock basically and can be crumbled by hand in many cases so not suitable for roofing. Makes lovely crevices though. ;D
Don't hesitate paying me back ;) ;D
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My daughter was trying to explain to her French friend what 'Yorkshireness' was like. The best she could do was tell her how her grandad made his new shed door out of his old shed door!
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My daughter was trying to explain to her French friend what 'Yorkshireness' was like. The best she could do was tell her how her grandad made his new shed door out of his old shed door!
Then my uncle was a Yorkshireman - he made a outhouse of an old kitchen cabinet. You had to back in to seat.
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My daughter was trying to explain to her French friend what 'Yorkshireness' was like. The best she could do was tell her how her grandad made his new shed door out of his old shed door!
Then my uncle was a Yorkshireman - he made a outhouse of an old kitchen cabinet. You had to back in to seat.
Proof, I think you will find... that the Scots have infiltrated everywhere! ;D 8) ;)
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My daughter was trying to explain to her French friend what 'Yorkshireness' was like. The best she could do was tell her how her grandad made his new shed door out of his old shed door!
Then my uncle was a Yorkshireman - he made a outhouse of an old kitchen cabinet. You had to back in to seat.
Proof, I think you will find... that the Scots have infiltrated everywhere! ;D 8) ;)
Or vice versa!
BTW, King Gillebrede of the South Isles is my 24th great grandfather ;)
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Or vice versa!
BTW, King Gillebrede of the South Isles is my 24th great grandfather ;)
No, not vice versa ..... the Scots are the original "careful" people I'm sure ;D
King Gillebrede, eh? I thought you seemed to have a regal bearing :o
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Or vice versa!
BTW, King Gillebrede of the South Isles is my 24th great grandfather ;)
No, not vice versa ..... the Scots are the original "careful" people I'm sure ;D
King Gillebrede, eh? I thought you seemed to have a regal bearing :o
Strange nobody has noticed yet - especially my wife seems to ignore it completely ;D
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Of course! It is not fashionable these days to be impressed by aristocratic lineage.... your wife is playing it cool. Or perhaps she is embarrassed by her husband's Scottish ancestry....... :o :-X
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What do us poor serfs in the south do faced with all these Yorkshiremen and Scots? It seems if you can't beat 'em join 'em!
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My daughter was trying to explain to her French friend what 'Yorkshireness' was like. The best she could do was tell her how her grandad made his new shed door out of his old shed door!
Says it all really. :) I notice David that you have no comment to make regarding my assessment of Yorkshire WEATHER! ;D
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Recently renewed contact (through a facebook search she did - social contact websites do have their uses!) with my now 35-year-old adopted daughter who first contacted me when she was 18 but with whom I then lost contact again, only to find that I have a little granddaughter I didn't know about - so I now have twice as many grandchildren as I had before Christmas. Unfortunately they live in Perth, Western Australia (my adopted daughter and her little girl that is, not my grandson and his mum, who live just down the road). To be clear, I didn't adopt her. She was adopted. Does that make sense?
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How exciting, Martin.... that is a good news story from facebook.
And aren't they a pretty pair? 8)
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How exciting, Martin.... that is a good news story from facebook.
And aren't they a pretty pair? 8)
Indeed. Life gets messy sometimes, but it can still throw up nice surprises. :)
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And through the medium of facebook I'm finally getting to see scanned photos of my daughter Jo's childhood with her adoptive parents.
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All quite emotional. But also very lovely.
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Martin, the two youngest of my 5 grandchildren live in Perth too. Too far even from here. And their mother has - as we might say here - thrown a wobbly, and won't let them come home for holidays as was agreed, even though my son is happy to pay all costs. The "b" word has passed my lips on several occasions. John went over pre-Christmas to see them only to find they had been removed to another state for the duration. Not a good situation I'm afraid.
I'm happy for you with your new-found daughter and hope you can both share some good contact and friendship in coming months and years. Families can be such fragile things.
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Martin, looking at those pics, your daughter has not changed much since she was 8.
I can only imagine what sort of feelings you must be experiencing.
Glad to hear they are good.
:)
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Thank you. I knew nothing about her until she contacted her birth mother and then me after turning 18. Her mother was a girlfriend of mine when I was in my early twenties who found out she was pregnant after we split up. Her parents apparently persuaded her to have the baby and put it up for adoption. I knew nothing about it until she phoned me when she was 18, having got my name from her birth mother and found me by searching the Gloucestershire telephone directories.
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My daughter was trying to explain to her French friend what 'Yorkshireness' was like. The best she could do was tell her how her grandad made his new shed door out of his old shed door!
Absolutely typical, but I'm a Yorkshireman without the necessary technical skills ;D
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My daughter was trying to explain to her French friend what 'Yorkshireness' was like. The best she could do was tell her how her grandad made his new shed door out of his old shed door!
Says it all really. :) I notice David that you have no comment to make regarding my assessment of Yorkshire WEATHER! ;D
Only that it's got to be better than Devon's Lesley! ;)
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Martin, the two youngest of my 5 grandchildren live in Perth too. Too far even from here. And their mother has - as we might say here - thrown a wobbly, and won't let them come home for holidays as was agreed, even though my son is happy to pay all costs. The "b" word has passed my lips on several occasions. John went over pre-Christmas to see them only to find they had been removed to another state for the duration. Not a good situation I'm afraid.
Lesley, sorry to hear about the problems with your son's kids. It must be very painful for you. Hope the situation resolves itself or at least improves with time. We really need a "hug" smiley icon on here for people who need a big hug. :-* :-* :-*
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You're right Martin, we DO need a hug smiley. I'm sure Maggi can find something. :)
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My daughter was trying to explain to her French friend what 'Yorkshireness' was like. The best she could do was tell her how her grandad made his new shed door out of his old shed door!
Are you suggesting there are other ways to do it?
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Ah - but the French would do away with the door and invite you to dinner!
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You're right Martin, we DO need a hug smiley. I'm sure Maggi can find something. :)
Here's a selection.... for all occasions......
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My daughter was trying to explain to her French friend what 'Yorkshireness' was like. The best she could do was tell her how her grandad made his new shed door out of his old shed door!
Are you suggesting there are other ways to do it?
That's just what Ian said, Gerry! :D
He made a new garage door out of the house back door. 8)
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Thank you Maggi. Come here, Lesley...
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How do we save the hugs icons and insert them into a message?
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How do we save the hugs icons and insert them into a message?
Click on the image to enlarge it.... then right click on it to save it in your chosen file. Then, to add to a post you can just type the attach= (in the square brackets), and add them to a message as you will.
I have quite an extensive file of these gifs to play with.... though perhaps not as many as Rita Gilgemyn!
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Thank you Martin. I feel better all ready, and thanks to you too Maggi. I knew you'd have something. I'm not sure how to insert a YouTube video (should look up the instructions) but perhaps Brian would add this morning's gorilla one to this thread. It was beautiful and I especially liked the way the huge silverback showed his family this new species then quietly fielded them all away.
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Here is the note and link for the video Brian sent us ... it is delightful.
"Mountain Gorillas are among God’s most magnificent creatures, but have been savaged by ignorant humans for centuries.
There are now only 720 Mountain Gorillas left in the wild, and in Uganda the tourism business to observe these incredible
animals is a major source of income. BUT…in this unbelievable video clip, a troupe of gorillas, led by the alpha male
(the ‘Silver Back’) actually comes right into the lodge where tourists stay on gorilla-watching trips. What happens next is
just…just stunning."
http://ourlighterside.com/2011/12/27/touched-by-a-wild-mountain-gorilla/
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Has anyone else experienced the total joy that is 'The Artist'? Silence is truly golden.
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Can you expound a little please Cliff?
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Today was the happiest (at least one oft the happiest days) day in the year of a Pleione enthusiast. ;D
A parcel from I. Butterfield with all the new varieties I ordered arrived and the bulbs look healthy and great as always! :D I'm really looking forward to see them in flower this spring.
Regards Thomas
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Can you expound a little please Cliff?
My apologies Lesley ... there is a superb motion picture on release in the UK at the moment entitled; 'The Artist' and I urge people to see it if at all possible.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1655442/
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My daughter was trying to explain to her French friend what 'Yorkshireness' was like. The best she could do was tell her how her grandad made his new shed door out of his old shed door!
Are you suggesting there are other ways to do it?
;D ;D ;D
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Here is the note and link for the video Brian sent us ... it is delightful.
"Mountain Gorillas are among God’s most magnificent creatures, but have been savaged by ignorant humans for centuries.
There are now only 720 Mountain Gorillas left in the wild, and in Uganda the tourism business to observe these incredible
animals is a major source of income. BUT…in this unbelievable video clip, a troupe of gorillas, led by the alpha male
(the ‘Silver Back’) actually comes right into the lodge where tourists stay on gorilla-watching trips. What happens next is
just…just stunning."
http://ourlighterside.com/2011/12/27/touched-by-a-wild-mountain-gorilla/
It's my Bob he's come back :'( :'( :'(
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Re: My pet.... dogs, cats------ reticulated pythons???
« Reply #64 on: January 14, 2011, 07:49:00 PM » Quote Modify
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Here's my little friend we are very close (in looks as well she who must be obeyed is prone to say). I sometimes take him to Tesco's but always have a hell of a time with him around the banana counter but never have any difficulty at all with queues at the tills or indeed the car park. Mrs N took him shopping to Exeter on the park and ride and the bus driver accepted my bus pass. Funny, I don't see any resemblance at all
By the way his name is Bob after one of my favourite characters in Blackadder.
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My little friend.jpg (37.88 KB, 635x773 - viewed 33 times.)
« Last Edit: January 14, 2011, 08:03:14 PM by David Nicholson
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My daughter was trying to explain to her French friend what 'Yorkshireness' was like. The best she could do was tell her how her grandad made his new shed door out of his old shed door!
Eck lass, 'e wudder made it outa his neighbor's newish shed door!!!
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'is neighbour were Lancastrian and wouldn't 'ave understood. ::)
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I see the war of the roses is alive and well.
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Excuse me, I need to try inserting a hug. OK, Cliff can have it.
[attach=1]
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Hmm, didn't work as I thought. I didn't understand Maggi's instructions probably.
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Gee Anne ... it worked well for me! :-* :D ;)
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Hmm, didn't work as I thought. I didn't understand Maggi's instructions probably.
Reopen your post, Anne, as if to edit it... you'll see what I have done to get your hug in the right place ..... if you know what I mean.... probably over-excited Buttercup now...... :-[
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What's the 1 in the [attach=1]?
[attach=1]
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ahah!
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Two sunny days off work this week :) :) I am truly happy. We restarted the Grand Plan in the garden and today I spent several hours re-acquainting myself with my greenhouse after a long period of extreme neglect. More please!!
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What's the 1 in the attach=1?
As you have worked out... it's to find the file... after all, there may be up to ten of them in any one post :D
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Two sunny days off work this week :) :) I am truly happy. We restarted the Grand Plan in the garden and today I spent several hours re-acquainting myself with my greenhouse after a long period of extreme neglect. More please!!
Two sunny days is a blessing.
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Click on the image to enlarge it.... then right click on it to save it in your chosen file. Then, to add to a post you can just type the attach= (in the square brackets), and add them to a message as you will.
I have quite an extensive file of these gifs to play with.... though perhaps not as many as Rita Gilgemyn!
You're too kind Maggi.... ;D
[attach=1]
[attach=2]
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20,001 !
Just had a message from a Forumist who spotted that I had made my twenty-thousandth post.
Of course, that makes this one 20,001... and makes me a space oddity, I think! :-[
Not sure whether this is a cause for cake or consultation with doctor, but heigh ho, I think I'll opt for a lie down and cake... not necessarily in that order.
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Congratulations, Maggi! You deserve a medal!
Thank you for all your attention, your time and your knowledge!
Lina.
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Roll on the next 20,000. Every post worth while Maggi.
Angie :)
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Thanks, Lina and Angela.... I'm here to keep things ticking over, you know....it's really just a case of sharing tea and cake with friends! ;)
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Maggi, My car just rounded 80,000km in 2 1/2 year. How many years have you gone ;) (This forum I mean ;D )
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Many congratulations Mrs. Forum ! ;) :-*
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Thanks, Lina and Angela.... I'm here to keep things ticking over, you know....it's really just a case of sharing tea and cake with friends! ;)
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Ah but Maggi you keep this forum such a pleasant read. I have been on another forum( Koimag) to learn about keeping koi and it needs someone like you. Sometimes the members are so rude to each other and I think that this is such a shame. I am so happy that we have a lovely forum and if it were not for you it would not be the forum that it is. So lets all look forward to the next 20,000 Maggi posts ;).
Hope you never pack in like some cars do ;D ;D ;D
Angie :)
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You are, indeed, Ms. EverPresent Maggi and, hoping you will forgive the crude analogy, but are the oil in the system.
Paddy
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..... and the chocolate ;D
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Maggi, My car just rounded 80,000km in 2 1/2 year. How many years have you gone ;) (This forum I mean ;D )
I think it is five years on this version of the Forum, Trond.
I have no idea how many posts I clocked up on the previous version. Probably better not to know :-X
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You are, indeed, Ms. EverPresent Maggi and, hoping you will forgive the crude analogy, but are the oil in the system.
Paddy
Was a little worried that you thought me thick and rich, Paddy, but I think I'm convinced that's not what you meant!
(Ian seems to think rich and thick would be marginally less worrying ::))
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Maggi, My car just rounded 80,000km in 2 1/2 year. How many years have you gone ;) (This forum I mean ;D )
I think it is five years on this version of the Forum, Trond.
I have no idea how many posts I clocked up on the previous version. Probably better not to know :-X
20 000 in 5 years! My wife thinks I am hooked on this "internet thing" :o
Here's a small bouquet for you in stead of tea and cakes: (Not a fresh one as it isn't much to pick now but it has kept well)
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Well, I must admit, I AM hooked on this particular internet thing. :)
Then again,
I have volunteered to be the moderator and to be the "hostess" , so to speak, of the Forum, so of course I must be here a lot. It would be terribly boring for me if I were only to read everything and help folks with their little posting problems and not share my own experience too. I must have some distractions ;D
Also I am the "post box" for all emails to info@srgc.org.uk, for general queries and for a lot of the Seed Exchange help that is requested so I must be active for that so being here is needed for that too. Then there is the work for the International Rock Gardener..... so, you see, I am in this chair for many hours a day....so I suppose that's the answer for my activity in the Forum.
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I do not criticize you, on the contrary I am full of respect! You do a tremendous job here and I am very glad such people exist ;)
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Bless you, Trond, I did not for a moment think you were criticising me... it simply occurred to me that some readers might think that I was ONLY here for fun, when I hope I am performing a useful service as well.
From the kind words given, it seems that is so! ;) :D
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It would be an absolute shambles without you Maggi. Forums run well if they are moderated well and that as well as some first class and responsible posters is the major reason our Forum is successful.
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The success of the Forum is well shown by the number of SRGC members using it and joining the club because of it. That being said, one cannot please all of the people all of the time and there are those, mostly not full SRGC members, who do not agree with some aspects, for whatever reasons.
The level of success in giving members from around the world their own "group" and in sharing so many plant experiences, so freely, and in raising the profile of the SRGC is, I think, our best feature.
edited to add:
( My Dad always said it was better to be useful than decorative :))
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"You're the cream in my coffee....." and all that,
likewise, the sweetener when things go a little sour from time to time. May you reign for ever and e,e,ever Queen of Queens. (with apologies to GFH)
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You've got me singing that old song now... even though, from 1928, it's a long way older than both of us, Lesley- must have heard our Mums singing it :D
I love the idea of some Handel... might give me ideas above my station though :-X Perhaps we can get a music button after Fred's finished with the scent button?
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A bloom from the garden today for you, Maggi.
Paddy
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What a perfect gift, Paddy. Thank you. :-*
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Just noted that my time logged in is 31 days, that's a whole month. Well if that's the case all I can say is I have had so much fun and offcourse I can't forget about all the advice and friendship that I have received in that time. Roll on the next 31 days of fun.
Angle :)
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What, not a mention of Bobby Burns Day?
Shame, I'll have to drink the Macallan alone...
Stores have run out of haggis here.
johnw
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My Frit seeds are germinating - including Chitralensis. 60+ pots of Crocus have germinated and more to come.
Found two twin spathed Galanthus in the garden - unknown source
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A bloom from the garden today for you, Maggi.
Paddy
What a beautiful flower, and you're not so bad yourself Maggi. 8)
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Flattery will likely get you flattened, Darby :D
Happy Birthday, Anthony...... ( 27th in NZ!!) .... hope it's a great day for you, old man 8)
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What, not a mention of Bobby Burns Day?
Shame, I'll have to drink the Macallan alone...
Stores have run out of haggis here.
johnw
By coincidence, to go with our vegetarian haggis, Cindy had made a sauce with with an infusion of 10 year old Macallan. Strangely, or luckily, I am not a whisky drinker, so the bottle is used infrequently. I spent half my working life in distilleries and bonded warehouses and saw that if you started drinking you probably would not live over the age of 40.
Testing between 600/1200 casks of whisky from every distillery in Scotland on a daily basis, was just work. I never really thought that it was a desirable product.
What was interesting were the characters I met and worked with. I could write a book with some of the stories,
The usual celebrations were held in Ayr, especially in the new Burn's Centre in Alloway and the local radio stations were full of it. I should have taken a few pictures of the cottage and new centre to show what they look like. I am always surprised at the "celebration" world wide of his birthday. When my sister worked in Tehran, in the time of the Shah, they had a St. Andrew's society in the British Embassy and celebrated Burn's night with active participation of other expat communities.
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Tom I wonder if I worked in a chocolate factory if I would feel the same about chocolate as you did with whisky. I would be willing to give it a try how much tasting did you say you had to do. ::) ;D
Angie :)
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This is possibly the reason for Peter Stringfellow looking like he does? ;D
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;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
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This is possibly the reason for Peter Stringfellow looking like he does? ;D
Funny you should say that.... got this the other day......
[attach=1]
A doctor on his morning walk, noticed the old lady pictured above:,
She was sitting on her front step smoking a cigar, so he walked up to her and said ,
"I couldn't help but notice how happy you look! What is your secret?"
"I smoke ten cigars a day," she said. "Before I go to bed, I smoke a nice big joint.
Apart from that, I drink a whole bottle of Jack Daniels every week, and eat only junk food.
On weekends, I pop pills, have s*x, and I don't exercise at all."
"That is absolutely amazing .....
How old are you?"
"Forty," she replied
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Love it Maggi ;D
Angie :)
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I hope I look as good when I get to forty. ;D ;D ;D ;D ;)
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Wasn't that Iggy Pop?
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Flattery will likely get you flattened, Darby :D
Happy Birthday, Anthony...... ( 27th in NZ!!) .... hope it's a great day for you, old man 8)
As the Chinese girl said to the stamp collector "philately will get you everywhere". Thanks Maggi, you'll catch me up again soon. 8) Rather bitter sweet today as my Mum had wrapped up two shirts and my sister sent them surface mail to arrive for my birthday.
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Oh Anthony, that was a bittersweet moment. Shows how your Mum felt ....a very nice memory of her for you.
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There's even one for Lucy, but had planned to bring that one.
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I wish you a very happy birthday today Anthony. Hope the weather is warmer than here - well it usuallly is, but not always. Anyway, have a good time and a nice cake hopefully.
John, the statue of Robbie Burns which graces the Octagon in Dunedin's centre is on a similar base but he is sitting, book in hand if I remember rightly. It is usually topped with a seagull doing what seagulls do so well and so often so that cleaning the statue is the major item in the city council's annual budget predictions. ;D
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Thanks Lesley. It's raining here today. The other day I cooked mussels according to a recipe from the 'Fresh!' book you so kindly sent for our arrival a year ago this week. Tonight we are going to the Vector Arena and to the Orbital restaurant in the Sky Tower tomorrow night.
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Lesley - Lots of gulls but lots of rain here too. I think most spend their time on Sir Walter Scott, who frequently sports a cigaette butt, at the opposite end of Victoria Park.
johnw
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Lesley - Lots of gulls but lots of rain here too. I think most spend their time on Sir Walter Scott, who frequently sports a cigaette butt, at the opposite end of Victoria Park.
johnw
I thought I'd finished reading, but then spotted the last three words of the sentence. ::)
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I was really pleased today to meet fellow forumist DaveyP, along with a considerable number of lurkers at the Blacksmiths Nursery talks and snowdrop sale. It was a very sociable event meeting fellow nutters who I haven't seen since last Spring, and beyond. A lovely day ;)
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You can beat an egg but you can't beat the Scottish National Poultry Show - a great day out. Next year 19/20 January 2013 at Lanark Agric Mart (see also www.fancyfowl.com (http://www.fancyfowl.com)
There must be other rockers that like poultry (and not just to eat),so some random shots - note over 4000 cage exhibits (= maybe 5000 birds) so just part of one the 3 halls on view.
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Some really neat looking chooks there!!
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Last year I sent some cuttings to a forumist without any thought of a reciprocal arrangement.
Today in the post I couldn't believe my eyes :o :o :o :o. Three flowering sized Pleione ALBIFLORA ;D ;D ;D ;D
My Christmas wish list must have worked :D
I thought I would never get this species.
What a great place this is :D
What generous people gardners are :D
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Graham that was a nice surprise for you.
Well whoever gave you these Pleiones will know they will be grown well.
Angie :)
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Graham that was a nice surprise for you.
Well whoever gave you these Pleiones will know they will be grown well.
Angie :)
I will certainly do my best Angie :)
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And we are happy for you Graham. You know we'll need a photograph when they're in flower. :D
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I have spent the last 6 weeks making the covers for my new plunge frames and finally finished today! It can snow now. At last the real gardening can begin properly.
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My, that does look good. Hard work but a great finish.
Anyone care to place a bet on the likelihood that no severe weather will come in Anne's area this season?
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I have spent the last 6 weeks making the covers for my new plunge frames and finally finished today! It can snow now. At last the real gardening can begin properly.
Plans please that I can hand them to my hubby. They look great.
Angie :)
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Here, here, well done Anne :D
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Very neat job Anne, I wish mine looked as good as that. What did you use to cover the hinge area at the apex, is it roofing felt?
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Very impressive Anne.
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They look wonderful, Anne.
Would look even better in my backyard!!! :)
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Peter, it's pond liner - more flexible than roofing felt, which would crack.
Maybe you all ought to wait and see what happens in the next bout of horrible weather before you ask me how I made it, although, being on the edge of an airfield and open to the westerlies, I have taken the precaution of providing extra straps to stop the lights taking off (I hope) This is referred to around here as the 'belt and braces' approach. ;D Maggi, I don't think anyone should take that bet, even with Murphy's law on your side.
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Very impressed. 8) Wish I'd tried that 10 years ago in Dunblane!
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They've worked so far!
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Unable to work outside, I spent a while putting pink labels in the pots of seedlings showing buds, which haven't flowered before. Now I can have fun watching them grow! Do I need to get a life?
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Anne
You already have one that many would envy :)
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They've worked so far!
They sure have..... and how smart they look with their snow covering. Just think of all those cosy, safe plants under there.... does your heart good to see it.
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It does make pollinating a bit difficult at the moment. Does a stigma have to be warm for the pollen tube to grow? That's the downside of bulbs in baskets - it's not easy to bring inside for pollination.
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It does make pollinating a bit difficult at the moment. Does a stigma have to be warm for the pollen tube to grow? That's the downside of bulbs in baskets - it's not easy to bring inside for pollination.
I avoid pollination during very frosty weather if the flowers aren't being kept frost-free under cover, in case the frost damages the pollen as it grows down the stigma. I don't know if the pollen needs warmth to pollinate but I worry that its growth down the tubes might be very fragile and susceptible to frost damage.
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You're probably right, Martin. I only just saw this posting. It was sunny and warmish(!) this afternoon, and the plants in the frames had lots of pollen running, so I spent an hour on my knees in the snow pollinating, then closed the frames up again quickly to retain some heat. The things we do for seeds. I'm now crossing my fingers. I can always do it all again later if the weather improves, but didn't want to miss my chance.
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I should think the pollen will have germinated and grown down the tubes to the ovules by the time the frost comes back tomorrow night. Anthony Darby once answered a question I asked about speed of growth of pollen down the stigma tubes of flowers by saying that under a microscope you could actually see it moving, so it must be pretty fast. And once the ovules are fertilised it should be okay. Anyway, your frames look quite well insulated and the frosts aren't supposed to be as hard as last week.
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Anne,
please can we have the plans and materials list for your snow frames? After the recent snow falls which crashed all my small tunnels, I am now in the business of making something more sturdy. Having just finished potting up 5,000 pleiones ;D ::) ;D, I am left with time on my hands. A frame project would be most welcome. :) :)
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I'll go out and take photos of its construction if the weather is OK tomorrow. I should have taken photos as I went along, but then you'd have seen all the backward steps and alterations I had to make to my original plan!
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Had a wonderful potatoe for supper this evening, Vales Sovereign. Turns out it was bred in Scotland. We rarely see UK varieties in the stores here due to the ban on importing potatoe varieties from Europe and beyond. It is said to be tolerant of warm or cold, dry or wet. They were without blemishes and having been grown in Prince Edward Island this is amazing, PEI had a terrible season with little sun, extreme rains and cold temperatures.
Now I suppose someone will tell me it has E.A.Bowles' genes. Don't laugh.
johnw
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Never heard of it.... and it was bred about 70 miles away! But I know Henry Taylor will have! He worked at SCRI Mylnefield.
http://varieties.potato.org.uk/display_description.php?variety_name=Vales%20Sovereign
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Had a wonderful potatoe for supper this evening, Vales Sovereign. Turns out it was bred in Scotland. We rarely see UK varieties in the stores here due to the ban on imported potatoe varieties from Europe and beyond. It is said to be tolerant of warm or cold, dry or wet. They were without blemishes and having been grown in Prince Edward Island this is amazing, PEI had a terrible season with little sun, extreme rains and cold temperatures.
Now I suppose someone will tell me it has E.A.Bowles' genes. Don't laugh.
johnw
John, how was the potato cooked?
Are they floury or waxy?
Have you tried the blue potatoes?
We were able to get them at the farmers market in Moncton about 7 years ago then they disappeared.
Blue flesh with a much heavier texture more like a sweet potato but very good.
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Maggi - Did you notice the pink marks round the eyes? Not a disease, ours were identical.
Here's another link which is much more effusive:
http://plantingseeds.org/Planting_Seeds/vales-sovereign-the-new-king-of-great-british-potatoes/
I don't know how it would stack up against the wonderful varieties you have over there. Isn't Paddy a potatoe connoisseur?
johnw
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Helen - They are not floury or starchy but very tasty. Threw them in a slow cooker stew about 45 minutes before the end. They're awfully pretty too, most varieties have been in very poor shape this year.
They came in a blue and clear plastic bag, Rustic Comfort by Foodtrust (they have a website foodtrust.com). Two five pound bags for $4; I know you will say you can buy a 50lb bag of potatoes for $25 up there. ;)
johnw
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Helen - If you remind me in April I will send you a few Pink Fir Apples (with an impeccable lineage I might add) to get going up there. Wow what a taste, knobby little fingers though and unpeelable.
johnw
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Maggi - Did you notice the pink marks round the eyes?
We only get pink eyes after a heavy night out. :D
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Maggi - Did you notice the pink marks round the eyes?
We only get pink eyes after a heavy night out. :D
Here they'd be black.
johnw
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;D ;D
Pink Fir Apples are our favourite. I grow just a few to have at our Christmas eve dinner. All the family makes sure I have PFAs available.
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My plants from Japan has arrived. I am so happy, because I was afraid they would freeze, it's been so cold. But the plants had survived the journey well, and they appear to be of good quality.So much of the plants, you can not see yet, but the roots were fine, and there are several shots.
The plants were from Yuzawa-Engei. They were very nice to deal with.
Now I'm only waiting for spring so I can plant them outside.
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Helen - If you remind me in April I will send you a few Pink Fir Apples (with an impeccable lineage I might add) to get going up there. Wow what a taste, knobby little fingers though and unpeelable.
johnw
Ha, Ha, I know the story of that lineage. Good spuds, though odd shape.
Here, we grow British Queens, Homeguard and Golden Wonders. All are of the floury kind and we wouldn't put a waxy potato in our mouths - well, maybe cold with mayonnaise but not for dinner.
Paddy
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That's good news, Ulla. This isn't a good time of year for plants in transit.[attach=1]
Sounds like the Japanese nursery made a good job of packing them for their long journey.
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Helen - If you remind me in April I will send you a few Pink Fir Apples (with an impeccable lineage I might add) to get going up there. Wow what a taste, knobby little fingers though and unpeelable.
johnw
Ha, Ha, I know the story of that lineage. Good spuds, though odd shape.
Here, we grow British Queens, Homeguard and Golden Wonders. All are of the floury kind and we wouldn't put a waxy potato in our mouths - well, maybe cold with mayonnaise but not for dinner.
Paddy
Thanks, John, will remind you for sure.
Paddy, I agree waxy potatoes are great for potato salad but really like them boiled as babies with mint and served with lots of butter and p&s.
Maldon salt!!
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Strange as it will go just as fast for plants from Japan as it does from the UK or mainland Europe to arrive.
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Strange as it will go just as fast for plants from Japan as it does from the UK or mainland Europe to arrive.
That does not surprise me at all! we can have packages take weeks to get to Ireland- just a hop over the Irish Sea.
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The plants were from Yuzawa-Engei. They were very nice to deal with.
See Sachio Yuzawa's advert in January edition of The Rock Garden.
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]
Paddy, I agree waxy potatoes are great for potato salad but really like them boiled as babies with mint and served with lots of butter and p&s.
Maldon salt!!
Perhaps I should try Maldon salt. The last time I bought rock salt the package proudly proclaimed: " Extracted from 3 million year old deposits in Germany. For 'best before' see base of package."
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]
Paddy, I agree waxy potatoes are great for potato salad but really like them boiled as babies with mint and served with lots of butter and p&s.
Maldon salt!!
Perhaps I should try Maldon salt. The last time I bought rock salt the package proudly proclaimed: " Extracted from 3 million year old deposits in Germany. For 'best before' see base of package."
Yep, you should definitely try it, Gerry. ;D
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]
Paddy, I agree waxy potatoes are great for potato salad but really like them boiled as babies with mint and served with lots of butter and p&s.
Maldon salt!!
Perhaps I should try Maldon salt. The last time I bought rock salt the package proudly proclaimed: " Extracted from 3 million year old deposits in Germany. For 'best before' see base of package."
;D ;D ;D
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My first true belly laugh for a while! Very good.
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The sell by date is a reflection of the type of packaging. You'll notice mineral water in plastic bottles has a shorter shelf life that that in glass bottles. It always amazes me how many people actually buy water in bottles. ::) We drink tap water. I'm surprised no one thinks of bottling air!
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The sell by date is a reflection of the type of packaging. You'll notice mineral water in plastic bottles have a shorter shelf life that that in glass bottles. It always amazes me how many people actually buy water in bottles. ::) We drink tap water. I'm surprised no one thinks of bottling air!
My Swedish friend Sten Beckman sent me a film capsule, labelled "Gothenburg Botanic Garden Air " as a consolation for not being on a trip to Gothenburg with a bunch of SRGC chums..... I treasure it still.
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I was once given a tin of genuine London fog. :) :) It disappeared. ;)
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I was once given a tin of genuine London fog. :) :) It disappeared. ;)
A bit of luck that, Maren.... isn't it meant to make you cough ? ::)
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I was once given a tin of genuine London fog. :) :) It disappeared. ;)
In Nova Scotia it's done up in 40 gallon oil drums with no expiration date. Can post.
johnw
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I have a bottle of "h2go" water which I fill up from the tap. The expiry date on it is13/07/13. How can they be so specific? My daughter Lucy found some yoghurt in the fridge with a best before date of December 2011. It's still perfectly edible (she didn't; I did).
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I am enjoying a cheese - the expiry date is a year ago. It is very good! (I also have a glass of red wine ;) )
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I am enjoying a cheese - the expiry date is a year ago. It is very good! (I also have a glass of red wine ;) )
Now the wine I can cope with, it's the cheese at this time of night that does for me :(
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I am enjoying a cheese - the expiry date is a year ago. It is very good! (I also have a glass of red wine ;) )
Now the wine I can cope with, it's the cheese at this time of night that does for me :(
This time of night? The evening has just begun! BTW, don't you eat very late dinners, and aren't you an hour after me anyway?
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It's still perfectly edible.
Unlike the carton of cottage cheese I found when cleaning out the fridge at the weekend. Expiry date 12 March 2011. It resembled the grey cat from over the road, quite as furry and even smellier. Hate to think how many millions of mould spores I released into the air but we don't seem to have suffered.
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I called on a friend at lunch time once. He was sitting down to lamb chops and asked if I could reach into the cupboard and hand him down the mint sauce. A very dodgy looking bottle it was too, so I suggested he checked the sell by date. He said he would, after he'd finished eating. The best before date was sometime in 1984! He moved into the house he was then living in sometime in 1987, so must have brought it with him when it was already out of date! :P I suppose vinegar would ensure it would last at least as long as an un-iced Christmas cake?
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My vegemite has January 2011 expiry date. :o
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Well I know the cocoa tin said expired January 2012, but I saw it as a perfect opportunity to make chocolate cake ;D 8) ;D
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Helen : should we send an emergency food parcel? :-\
Brian:An excellent example of the creative and lateral thinking employed by the members of this forum. 8)
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Thanks Maggi but where would you get vegemite?
When I first came to Canada I could get tiny jars at one of the supermarkets, they stopped selling it about 5 years ago.
Good news is, today I got an emergency food parcel from my ex in Oz.
2 big jars of vegemite, 2 tins of keens curry powder ( comfort food) AND two tubs of Gumption.
I am sooooooooo Happy I am doing the Happy Dance!!! ;D ;D ;D
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Glad that Mafeking has been relieved, Helen.
two points :1) we can buy vegemite here. (Though Ian says since it is already fossilised when it goes into the jar, why would a "best before date" be a worry ? ::) )
2) What is "Gumption" in a tin?
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Helen
Is marmite the same as vegemite? If so I have seen one or the other at Pete's Frootique in the UK section.
Tell me more about Keen's curry. Have you found Major Gray has gone into a slide of late?
johnw
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Glad that Mafeking has been relieved, Helen.
two points :1) we can buy vegemite here. (Though Ian says since it is already fossilised when it goes into the jar, why would a "best before date" be a worry ? ::) )
2) What is "Gumption" in a tin?
Maggi, you either love or hate vegemite, no in betweens.
Gumption in a tub. It's ( was) an Aussie brand of cleaning paste. The tub lasts for ages and it is great for all sorts of things, cleaning stainless steel, baths, even glass stovetops.
A few years ago the company was bought out by an American company, think Chlorox or something like that.
I have written to them several times asking why they wiill not sell it in North America and they didn't reply.
It is heaps better than anything else on the market. (my opinion of course)
http://www.productreview.com.au/p/clorox-gumption-multi-purpose-cleanser.html
If you can't beat them, buy them out !! >:(
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Helen
Is marmite the same as vegemite? If so I have seen one or the other at Pete's Frootique in the UK section.
Tell me more about Keen's curry. Have you found Major Gray has gone into a slide of late?
johnw
John, Marmite is very different to vegemite in taste, at least I think so.
Couldn't eat marmite.
Keen's Curry powder is the one I grew up with, my mother made curried chicken ( not to be confused with chicken curry) and curried salmon and always used a sprinkle in egg sandwiches and salmon rissoles ( well more than a pinch)
From Wikipedia.
In 1841, 22-year-old carpenter Joseph Keen sailed to Australia from Britain with his bride, Johanna. Following Johanna's death in Sydney in 1843, Joseph left for Van Diemen's Land where he soon married Annie (Nancy) Burrows and became a father of 16 – nine daughters and seven sons. Joseph and Annie settled at Browns River, Kingston, south of Hobart, where they established a bakery, small manufacturing outlet and a general store. Here, Joseph produced and sold his own sauces and condiments including his own special blend of curry powder.
Within a decade, Joseph's curry powder was known throughout the colony and his produce was winning awards: he received a medal for his spice mix at the 1866 Inter-Colonial Exhibition in Melbourne and an honourable mention for his spicy sauce at the 1879 Sydney International Exhibition.
In 1915, after both Joseph and Annie had passed away, the couple's sixth daughter Louisa and her husband Horace Watson took over the family’s curry-powder business. Horace was a colourful character, and daringly transformed land at the foothills of Mount Wellington, overlooking Hobart, into a large advertising sign: using heavy stones painted white, he formed the words 'KEEN'S Curry' in letters 15 metres high. Public uproar resulted, but Horace won the right to use the land as an advertising sign. In a university prank in 1926, the letters briefly read 'Hell's Curse', and students altered it again in 1962 to promote a theatre production. In 1994 the landmark read 'No Cable Car' as a protest against a proposed development. However the sign has been restored after every change.
While renowned in Tasmania, KEEN'S Curry Powder became a household name right across Australia in 1954, when the formula and rights were sold to Reckitt & Colman Australia Ltd (currently, Reckitt Benckiser (Australia) Pty Limited) - more than a century after Joseph set sail from England.
Reckitt & Colman Australia had long been the manufacturers of a different product - KEEN'S Mustard.
In 1998, both the KEEN'S Mustard and Curry brands were acquired by McCormick Foods Australia Pty Ltd.
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Helen
Is marmite the same as vegemite? If so I have seen one or the other at Pete's Frootique in the UK section.
Tell me more about Keen's curry. Have you found Major Gray has gone into a slide of late?
johnw
John, Marmite is very different to vegemite in taste, at least I think so.
Couldn't eat marmite.
I think most British would say they couldn't eat vegemite. I love marmite toast.
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Specially for David Nicholson and his fellow Yorkies
Four old retired guys are walking down a street in London . They
turn a corner and see a sign that says, “Old Timers Bar - ALL drinks 10p.”
They look at each other and then go in, thinking, this is too good to be true.
The old bartender says in a voice that carries across the room, "Come
on in and let me pour one for you! What'll it be, gentlemen?" There's a fully stocked bar, so each of the men orders a martini. In no time the bartender serves up four iced
martinis—shaken, not stirred—and says, "That'll be 10p each, please."
The four guys stare at the bartender for a moment, then at each
other. They can't believe their good luck. They pay the 40p, finish their martinis, and order another round.
Again, four excellent martinis are
produced, with the bartender again saying, "That's 40p, please." They pay the 40p, but their curiosity gets the better of them. They've each had two martinis and haven't even
spent a £1 yet.
Finally one of them says, "How can you afford to serve martinis
as good as these for a 10p a piece?"
"I'm a retired tailor," the bartender says, “and I always wanted
to own a bar. Last year I hit the Lottery Jackpot for £25 million and
decided to open this place. Every drink costs 10p. wine, liquor, beer—it's all the same."
"Wow! That's some story!" one of the men says.
As the four of them sip at their martinis, they can't help
noticing seven other people at the end of the bar who don't have any drinks
in front of them and haven't ordered anything the whole time they've been there. Nodding at the seven at the end of the bar, one of the men asks the
bartender, "What's with them?"
The bartender says, "They're retired people from Yorkshire ..
They're waiting for Happy Hour when drinks are half-price”.
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Cheeky ;D ;D ;D
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Isn't vegemite the vegetarian option of Marmite? edited: Shows what I know they're both similarly vegetarian, Wikipedia full of information!
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Brian
I thought they both had the same origin so do not understand why they taste so different ???
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Brian
I thought they both had the same origin so do not understand why they taste so different ???
They don't even smell alike.
Marmite is horrid stuff. ;D
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Well it says
Vegemite is made from used brewers' yeast extract, a by-product of beer manufacturing, various vegetables, wheat and spice additives. It is salty, slightly bitter, and umami or malty – similar to beef bouillon. The texture is smooth, and the product is a paste. It is not as intensely flavoured as British Marmite and it is less sweet than the New Zealand version of Marmite.
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Well it says
Vegemite is made from used brewers' yeast extract, a by-product of beer manufacturing, various vegetables, wheat and spice additives. It is salty, slightly bitter, and umami or malty – similar to beef bouillon. The texture is smooth, and the product is a paste. It is not as intensely flavoured as British Marmite and it is less sweet than the New Zealand version of Marmite.
In other words, it's just right ;D ;D ;D
Btw, Brian, yesterday I found the first of your G. libani seed hatchlings!!
I only bagged them up a few weeks ago. Very happy to have it and sure more will follow, so thanks again.
One more thing to be happy for.
;D
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Cheeky ;D ;D ;D
You see Ron I don't know why but there's a view on this Forum (especially from members overseas; soft southerners; macho northerners and those who don't fit anywhere) that Yorkshiremen are tight. We're not tight, just careful. Very careful! :P
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I am enjoying a cheese - the expiry date is a year ago. It is very good! (I also have a glass of red wine ;) )
Now the wine I can cope with, it's the cheese at this time of night that does for me :(
This time of night? The evening has just begun! BTW, don't you eat very late dinners, and aren't you an hour after me anyway?
Trond, although I haven't (quite!) got to the porridge dribbling stage I have got to the stage where eating much after 1900 means a disturbed night for me, and most importantly a disturbed night for she who must be obeyed. It wasn't always such and years, plus the absence now of a gall bladder means I have to be careful. I used to be able to cope with a few pints on a Friday night as well as fish and chips on the way back home from the pub. These days I give the fish and chips a miss ;D
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I like Marmite. Haven't seen the need to try Vegemite, but if it is less intense I would need to put more on my toast for the same effect? I didn't know the NZ version of Marmite was different. Haven't tried it yet. Lots of NZ jarred/tinned foods are different. I haven't found a decent curry or sweet and sour sauce yet. The ones I've tried are insipid. My daughter loves Heinz tomato soup. Watties seems to have the same logo as Heinz, so must be the NZ? She doesn't like Watties tomato soup, but fortunately we can get Heinz tomato soup and tomato ketchup (for chips), so she's happy.
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very, very, very careful. But generous! ::) ::) ::)
If you ever pine for fresh haddock/ halibut/ lemon sole etc David, let me know and I'll send you the best of Yorkshires catch. FOC 4 u.
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I was born in Derbyshire, so that doesn't qualify a s a soft Southerner.
Also have Scottish blood so appreciate the value of things :)
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I was born in Derbyshire, so that doesn't qualify a s a soft Southerner.
Also have Scottish blood so appreciate the value of things :)
;D ;D ;D
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Cheeky ;D ;D ;D
You see Ron I don't know why but there's a view on this Forum (especially from members overseas; soft southerners; macho northerners and those who don't fit anywhere) that Yorkshiremen are tight. We're not tight, just careful. Very careful! :P
You speak for yourself David. I'm tight. Very tight.
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My vegemite has January 2011 expiry date. :o
Does this give you an excuse not to eat it, or a thrill that it is such a good product? I prefer Marmite, myself. ;D
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Helen
Is marmite the same as vegemite? If so I have seen one or the other at Pete's Frootique in the UK section.
Tell me more about Keen's curry. Have you found Major Gray has gone into a slide of late?
johnw
John, Marmite is very different to vegemite in taste, at least I think so.
Couldn't eat marmite.
I think most British would say they couldn't eat vegemite. I love marmite toast.
Marmite is very good with a thickish smear of marg or butter, on Weetbix (Weetabix to you.)
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Anthony, Wattie's was Wattie's was Wattie's started by Sir James of that ilk, until the whole caboodle was bought out/taken over by Heinz but Heinz retained the Watties name for NZ public. Best quality tinned veg and fruit on the market here, as distinct from the stuff that comes in from Taiwan, Korea, Italy etc.
There's nothing remotely sweet about marmite, the thought is ridiculous. I went to read the small print on the jar but I broke my glasses yesterday morning and am wearing an old pair (I look like Deirdre Barlow before her transformation, owl-like) so until I get to the optician, small print isn't an option for me. Even then..... ???
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I wouldn't have sent Helen those seeds if I'd known she was going to be so rude about Marmite! ;D ;D
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I think most British would say they couldn't eat vegemite. I love marmite toast.
Marmite is very good with a thickish smear of marg or butter, on Weetbix (Weetabix to you.)
Weetabix - oh god!!! :D :D Toast, definitely. I avoid Marmite except when I am in England, otherwise it does horrid things to my butter consumption! But on toast (or just plain good bread), please!!! Weetabix ... I am still trying to get round the idea :o :o ;D ;D
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Weetabix is what the British renamed the Australian cereal called Weet-bix. I usually eat them four at a time with milk (and occasionally a dollop of cream to relive my non-homogenised youth) and soft brown sugar. 8)
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My vegemite has January 2011 expiry date. :o
Does this give you an excuse not to eat it, or a thrill that it is such a good product? I prefer Marmite, myself. ;D
Horses for courses, Lesley.
Nothing as good as buttered vitawheats ( now those I REALLY miss, nothing remotely like them in Canada that I have seen) with vegemite.
Yummm.
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I wouldn't have sent Helen those seeds if I'd known she was going to be so rude about Marmite! ;D ;D
Oh dear Lesley, am soooooooooooooo sorry to hear that, especially since I had something extremely RARE to send you!!
Will have to look around for a vegemite lover!!
;D ;D ;D ;D
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Lesley,
NZ Marmite IS sweet compared with the UK version of which I'm particularly fond. In NZ "Our Mate" is the equivalent of UK Marmite.
I have found even baked beans out here are not so savoury as the UK version. New Zealanders seem to have a very sweet tooth.
Kim
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I'll have a look for "Our Mate" then. I think I've seen it in the supermarket. I don't like weetbix with milk, they just go to sludge but crisp with butter and marmite, OK.
I think NZers DO have a sweet tooth generally. Look at the way our kids gulp down soft drinks and garbage of that kind. And I'm partial to an ice-cream or two on a hot day. Mind you, by the time I've ploughed my way through a large cake of chocolate, I really long for a good salty cheese. ;D
Helen, I take back every word I said. ;D
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I'll have a look for "Our Mate" then. I think I've seen it in the supermarket. I don't like weetbix with milk, they just go to sludge but crisp with butter and marmite, OK.
You must eat much more slowly that I do. They are far too dry to eat without milk. I had a "melting moment" with lunch (which was various bits of left over cheese on toast with Pinot Noir jelly sold for going with cheese - btw jelly is not jam) today. Couldn't eat it all as it was too dry. My mouth got gummed up! :P
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I enjoyed the Yorkshire joke. An Irish friend once told me that copper wire was invented when a Yorkshireman and a Scot were fighting over a penny. ;D
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;D ;D ;D
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I enjoyed the Yorkshire joke. An Irish friend once told me that copper wire was invented when a Yorkshireman and a Scot were fighting over a penny. ;D
hahahahaha, I love it!!
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I'll have a look for "Our Mate" then. I think I've seen it in the supermarket. I don't like weetbix with milk, they just go to sludge but crisp with butter and marmite, OK.
I think NZers DO have a sweet tooth generally. Look at the way our kids gulp down soft drinks and garbage of that kind. And I'm partial to an ice-cream or two on a hot day. Mind you, by the time I've ploughed my way through a large cake of chocolate, I really long for a good salty cheese. ;D
Helen, I take back every word I said. ;D
Lesley, I forgive you ;D ;D ;D
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I'll have a look for "Our Mate" then. I think I've seen it in the supermarket. I don't like weetbix with milk, they just go to sludge but crisp with butter and marmite, OK.
You must eat much more slowly that I do. They are far too dry to eat without milk. I had a "melting moment" with lunch (which was various bits of left over cheese on toast with Pinot Noir jelly sold for going with cheese - btw jelly is not jam) today. Couldn't eat it all as it was too dry. My mouth got gummed up! :P
I have them (only rarely though, probably if I've forgotten to replenish the rolled oats for porridge) with my morning coffee. The melting moments I know are two flattened biscuits of a pale yellow colour, firm texture but literally melt-in-the-mouth, and held together with icing. Very yum.
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I think this particular bakery has the melting moments wrong, as they should be as you described Lesley.
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Not sure if I should be happy or horrified. I see I have spent 60 days and almost 2 hours logged into the forum. I need to get out more ::)
I suppose I could do worse things with my time.
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It's winter, Roma, where else could you be? ;)
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Not sure if I should be happy or horrified. I see I have spent 60 days and almost 2 hours logged into the forum. I need to get out more ::)
I suppose I could do worse things with my time.
Roma think of the money you are saving not going out ;)
Angie :)
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I, a mere 55 days! No need to worry about addiction then. ;D
I don't think I've saved much money Angie. If I were not a Forumist I would never have heard of Chadwell and Pavelka and Holubec and Pilous and others. Or maybe I'd have heard of them but not had the extra push to do something about them. ::) THAT's my addiction. ;D
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Are you all enjoying Channel Four's wonderful tribute to Gerry Rafferty? Fantastic memories.
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Are you all enjoying Channel Four's wonderful tribute to Gerry Rafferty? Fantastic memories.
Yes I was ;D
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Are you all enjoying Channel Four's wonderful tribute to Gerry Rafferty? Fantastic memories.
Yes I was ;D
Me too. First heard him with the Humblebums in Aberdeen YMCA in 19?? .... well, :-\ in the last century, shall we say ?
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What a voice ... what a songwriter.
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Could handle a guitar too ;D
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Not sure if this is Good news or Bad ?
Flatworms may hold the secret to immortality.......... ???
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/why-flatworms-may-hold-the-secret-to-immortality.html
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It's a smiley little thing isn't it. :P
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I'm surprised to read there's a brain in that sliver of slime. It's different from our native version which has stripes. I saw one yesterday while cleaning trays. Didn't notice any eyes either. I'll look more carefully next time.
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I'm surprised to read there's a brain in that sliver of slime.
I have the same feeling about some members of the current UK government.
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Do you mean the brain or the sliver of slime Gerry? or both? Our govt with its inanely smiling leader is working its way towards oblivion by doing nothing about anything.
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I have carried out experiments on fresh water flatworms by slicing their head end between the eyes. Each side then regenerates a new missing side, so you end up with a two headed flatworm. Any one want to try this with members of the Cabinet? ;D
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Do you mean the brain or the sliver of slime Gerry? or both? Our govt with its inanely smiling leader is working its way towards oblivion by doing nothing about anything.
On second thoughts, no brain just slime.
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I have carried out experiments on fresh water flatworms by slicing their head end between the eyes. Each side then regenerates a new missing side, so you end up with a two headed flatworm. Any one want to try this with members of the Cabinet? ;D
Anthony that gives me the creeps :o Was you one of those little boys that was always chopping things up ;D
Angie :)
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I have carried out experiments on fresh water flatworms by slicing their head end between the eyes. Each side then regenerates a new missing side, so you end up with a two headed flatworm. Any one want to try this with members of the Cabinet? ;D
Well, the minister responsible for higher education is referred to as "Two Brains". When I hear him speak I find it difficult to detect any evidence of one.
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I have carried out experiments on fresh water flatworms by slicing their head end between the eyes. Each side then regenerates a new missing side, so you end up with a two headed flatworm. Any one want to try this with members of the Cabinet? ;D
Anthony that gives me the creeps :o Was you one of those little boys that was always chopping things up ;D
Angie :)
No. This is practical biology in the class room. It seems to be a dying art.
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You couldn't do that Anthony if the flatworm had a name, like Ted or Jack or Dave. ???
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Well, the minister responsible for higher education is referred to as "Two Brains". When I hear him speak I find it difficult to detect any evidence of one.
Gerry, our opinions coincide exactly ;D
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You couldn't do that Anthony if the flatworm had a name, like Ted or Jack or Dave. ???
I have a friend called Paul. The first time I corresponded with him I called him Mr.......... He wrote back and said "call me anything you like, but not Mr.......! That's my Dad's name!", so I now address him as Dave in my emails. Not sure you could have a flatworm called Dave as they are male and female, so would have to have a name that fits both................. ;)
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Davidia? :)
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The last minister (Reverend Callum McCorquodale) in St Kessog's Church in Callander (it's now the Rob Roy Centre) grew up in Lewis. One of his school friends was called Davidia Macdonald. Unfortunately, her middle names were "Lloyd George"! ::)
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"Davidia", reminds me of the comment I heard made of a lady named "Virginia" - "Virgin" for short but not for long.
Paddy
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Big Nine Paddy, 8) 8) 8)
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I'm so happy about something...surely I must be...? but not the cricket. I've decided to become a South African. ::)
As for someone of the management team saying of Jesse Ryder "Cut him some slack. He's only 27" Good God, other 27s are married and bringing up families, running businesses and making fortunes, fighting and dying in wars, saving the environment and the world, leading their countries, and not getting boozed in a pub because they couldn't get their acts together on a cricket pitch. This is a young man who has promised much and delivered very little, and that, infrequently.
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I had the misfortune to watch a snippet of softball (a variant of the Olde English game rounders) a couple of weeks or so ago, with some 'legend' batting. He hit the ball but was so fat he got another player run for him! ::)
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I had the misfortune to watch a snippet of softball (a variant of the Olde English game rounders) a couple of weeks or so ago, with some 'legend' batting. He hit the ball but was so fat he got another player run for him! ::)
Anthony, shouldn't this be in the moan moan thread? ;D ;D ;D
Or did it make you happy watching the runner? :o
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The batter was rounder than the runner presumably. :) Cricket here in Dunedin today, start of a 5 day test. But it's raining! With any luck the 5 days will provide enough playing time to finish what would otherwise probably be a 3 day game, judging from the way NZ is playing at present. ::)
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Lesley, I would be happy to be able to watch some cricket at the moment, no matter how bad.
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Actually Helen, the cricket's not bad at all pro tem. South Africa batting first were 7 for 191 at close yesterday, after a rain-delayed start. They got to about 50 then their 3 top batters all went out in the space of 4 balls! Smith the Capt, Kallis (for a duck) then A B de Villiers, Chris Martin doing the damage. The forecast for the next day or two is reasonably OK so the game should complete anyway. Too soon for predictions. But yes, I'm pretty happy so far. :D
PS Your 3 precious seeds arrived yesterday. I'll be going out to sow shortly. Thanks so much. I'll report any progress.
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191 for 7 ..... well, well.
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Actually Helen, the cricket's not bad at all pro tem. South Africa batting first were 7 for 191 at close yesterday, after a rain-delayed start. They got to about 50 then their 3 top batters all went out in the space of 4 balls! Smith the Capt, Kallis (for a duck) then A B de Villiers, Chris Martin doing the damage. The forecast for the next day or two is reasonably OK so the game should complete anyway. Too soon for predictions. But yes, I'm pretty happy so far. :D
PS Your 3 precious seeds arrived yesterday. I'll be going out to sow shortly. Thanks so much. I'll report any progress.
Glad to hear the seeds finally arrived, Lesley.
Was starting to wonder if they had been impounded.
I am happy to say I sowed 4 seeds in a baggie and they germinated in about 8 days.
Was very happy to see them.
I miss cricket but now the AFL season is starting and I am getting very twitchy, I wish they would get an Oz channel in Canada.
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Surely its the Rugby League you miss most?
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Surely its the Rugby League you miss most?
Don't miss it at all, Ron.
I don't like any of the games with Rugby in the name.
I miss seeing my Collingwood Magpies, trounce the opposition ;D ;D ;D
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We dont see much Rules Football anymore here.
I do remeber a guy called, I think it was, Platton or something like that. Long haired guy, I really enjoyed watching the game at that time. Was he Collingwood?
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We dont see much Rules Football anymore here.
I do remeber a guy called, I think it was, Platton or something like that. Long haired guy, I really enjoyed watching the game at that time. Was he Collingwood?
You probably mean Platt the rat, he played for Hawthorne.
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No it was definately Platten (?) , Mick I think. Talking around 1980's.
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OOps , sorry Helen. Of course you were correct. My minds not what it was. It was 'the rat' John Platten I was thinking of. :-[ :-[ :-[
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I can't see the point in Aussie Rules. ;D It was created to keep cricket players fit and would certainly do that, but, like grid iron, seems to be a peculiarity of one country. :-\
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I can't see the point in Aussie Rules. ;D It was created to keep cricket players fit and would certainly do that, but, like grid iron, seems to be a peculiarity of one country. :-\
Anthony, you might feel differently if you sat and watched a few 'good' games.
Grid iron is so slow, Aussie Rules is very fast and nothing more exciting than seeing your team beat your worst enemy by 1 point. ;D
I think there is a lot more skill involved as well as physical fitness.
Not to mention fantastic marks. Now I am making myself sad just thinking about what I am missing...........boohoo.. :'( :'(
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191 for 7 ..... well, well.
139 for 5. :( Too many players on "day boo" ::).
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No it was definately Platten (?) , Mick I think. Talking around 1980's.
Helen wasn't born then. ;D
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8)
I really messed that post up! :-[ :-[
We used to get some Rules Football on 5 when it first started and we thought it was good stuff. But its not been here for years. Shame , it is good!
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Well we've struggled to 243 I think, for 9, at least slightly more then the SAs. Chris Martin, great bowler that he is, will go out first ball probably. His batting average is approx .008 :o
Such a perfect day yesterday I should have gone to the test but being a perfect day, decided to pot instead. More of the same today, another beauty. :)
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No it was definately Platten (?) , Mick I think. Talking around 1980's.
Helen wasn't born then. ;D
Hahaha!!
I wish!!
Hmmmm, no I don't.....
Lesley, we had a great day today too, yesterday was -17C in the morning, today was +18C in the arvo.
Still finding it hard to believe.
Glad I still have lots of snowcover.
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I finally have a new publisher for my books in Germany after my old publisher went into administration, so my books will continue to be published there, and I just read the blurb about me on their website and can't help blushing:
http://www.luebbe.de/Autoren/Details/Martin+Baxendale
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It translates through google as Germany's most successful British artist but I think they mean cartoonist. Still....blush!! (what, no blushing emoticon?)
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:-[
I think that's what you're after isn't it? 5th from the right in the emoticons.
Congrats on finding a new publisher. Well done!!
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Though when you think about it, it sounds good but doesn't really mean much. Paul, I always thought that emoticon was for embarrassment. I'd say a blushing emoticon should be like that but with a smile (or better still a half-smile, like the one next but one along to the right - I need to hybridise the two to get a blushing one ;D )
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Thus: :-[ x :-\ = blush emoticon.
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You're right, it is the embarrassment emoticon..... but isn't that sort of what a blush is anyway? ;D
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I tend to smile when I'm embarrassed. But then I'm British - we apologise when people step on our toes ;D
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Fair point. :D
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I'm happy because two of New Zealand's craziest driving rules become a thing of the past tomorrow at 5 a.m. Rule one, until now, is when turning right you give way to a car turning left; rule two, until now, is when approaching a T junction cars turning right into the stem of the T had to give way to a car coming out and turning right!!! :o
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Maybe you'd better rethink this one Anthony. In the first place, it's not tomorrow it starts, but on March 25th. And rule one, until now has been when turning LEFT you give way to the car turning right. Now - or from the 25th - if we're turning right, we let the car up ahead turning left, go first. You're right about the T one, but the new one seems silly to me as the traffic will back up behind the waiting car and stuff up the flow. I won't be letting Roger out in my car for at least a month. ::)
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Quite right Lesley. I got myself in a knot about that first one putting "until now" instead of leaving it out. Here are pics from the AA. In the dark I won't have to puzzle out whether a car coming towards me is actually indicating to turn left as the indicators are so close to the headlamps as to be invisible.
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Having driven Cape Reinga to Bluff and lots between, I was blissfully unaware that these weren't the rules already :-X ::)
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Anthony, you are driving at the wrong side of the road! When driving at the right side, it is make sense to give way to a car on you right side ;D
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Anthony, you are driving at the wrong side of the road! When driving at the right side, it is make sense to give way to a car on you right side ;D
I blame Napoleon!
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Have a look at this Anthony. http://www.nzta.govt.nz/traffic/around-nz/new-rule-quiz.html
Susan
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No problem. I've been driving this way for over 40 years, until I got to NZ. I then had to unlearn it. Now the New Zealanders will have to unlearn what they've been doing for years, although I've noticed that some ignored the old rule, which then became a bit of a lottery: should you stop or go? Also, a car would stop to let me turn right, but the car behind it would then overtake causing me to brake suddenly. I've seen several crashes that look as if this was the cause. I think the new rule will take a while to sink in and we will be living in interesting times! :o
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If everyone buys a camel ( Australia have plenty spare) there would be no problems on the roads.
( Camels are the worlds next investment opportunity, when the oil is gone it's camel power ;D )
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If everyone buys a camel ( Australia have plenty spare) there would be no problems on the roads.
( Camels are the worlds next investment opportunity, when the oil is gone it's camel power ;D )
And I happen to have a couple of sets of very smart camel dressings from the middle east, (wonderful colourful tribal textiles).... so I can set up a wedding camel hire business... ;D
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If everyone buys a camel ( Australia have plenty spare) there would be no problems on the roads.
( Camels are the worlds next investment opportunity, when the oil is gone it's camel power ;D )
And I happen to have a couple of sets of very smart camel dressings from the middle east, (wonderful colourful tribal textiles).... so I can set up a wedding camel hire business... ;D
Picture please, Maggi ;D ;D ;D
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Watch the rugby did you yesterday Ian Y? :P
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Not sure how I can manage that without a camel, Helen. They're in storage at the moment so not readily accessible. I'll ask the BD if he's game to fetch them out for me.
And yes, David, he watched all the rugby yesterday...... I got him calmed down enough to enjoy the triumph of the Welsh! ;)
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Not sure how I can manage that without a camel, Helen. They're in storage at the moment so not readily accessible. I'll ask the BD if he's game to fetch them out for me.
Storage, now there's a place I don't want to go.
Our basement is gradually filling up with stored things. ::)
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If everyone buys a camel ( Australia have plenty spare) there would be no problems on the roads.
( Camels are the worlds next investment opportunity, when the oil is gone it's camel power ;D )
Do you know which country is among the more important exporters of the rare bactrian camels? - at least in Europe -
Norway! ;)
(http://www.dyreparken.no/imagehandler.ashx?file=%7e%2fDocuments%2fDyr%2fKamel%2fKamel01web.jpg&width=490&height=490)
http://www.dyreparken.no/dyr/Pattedyr/Kamel/
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What did Prince Charles say about camels? Something about being able to emit foul smells from both ends. I know they must have been designed by a committee! They are the most uncomfortable mode of transport ever invented?
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If everyone buys a camel ( Australia have plenty spare) there would be no problems on the roads.
( Camels are the worlds next investment opportunity, when the oil is gone it's camel power ;D )
Do you know which country is among the more important exporters of the rare bactrian camels? - at least in Europe -
Norway! ;)
(http://www.dyreparken.no/imagehandler.ashx?file=%7e%2fDocuments%2fDyr%2fKamel%2fKamel01web.jpg&width=490&height=490)
http://www.dyreparken.no/dyr/Pattedyr/Kamel/
I hope you don't have to sit on the pointy bits!!!
:o
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Watch the rugby did you yesterday Ian Y? :P
That was unkind David. ;D
Well done the Welsh. All down to their NZ coach of course! ;D
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I understand there are literally many millions of camels in the north and centre of Australia, mostly wild and increasing at a huge rate. I believe there was a move to harvest them for food at one stage.
I've also read they can be very loyal and even affectionate to their handlers. Wouldn't want one kipping on my bed. :o
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Having driven Cape Reinga to Bluff and lots between, I was blissfully unaware that these weren't the rules already :-X ::)
You are not alone there Ashley. In October when being driven by an Australian visitor to our annual Trillium weekend gardens, I had to be the passenger seat "driver" several times. Fortunately it was centred in a smaller city and on quiet country roads.
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Lesley,
At least now your Aussie visitors will be driving correctly.... given your rules now match ours. Good to see that NZ is finally modernising. :P :P
;D
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Two things irk me: the number of cars driving at night with no lights on and people just accept it, and people who make their vehicles into armoured personnel carriers with lethal bull bars.
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Two things irk me
Only two :o, you must be very tolerant! ;)
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Oh, I'm sure I could think of more Peter. I'm always baffled by car design: why do we now have orange indicator bulbs that fade through time instead of clear bulbs and the orange plastic cover? Why are front indicators so close to headlamps that you can't tell if a car coming towards you in the dark is indicating or not? Also, why do people drive with their front fog lamps on when the only fog is between their ears?
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And.... if you get a bactrian camel they have built in crash force dampeners for the driver ;D
Both species are perfectly capable of taking care of jay walkers too.
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Two things irk me: the number of cars driving at night with no lights on and people just accept it, and people who make their vehicles into armoured personnel carriers with lethal bull bars.
Bull bars now illegal in UK. Given the Government is consulting (apparently) about doing away with an annual MoT Test for vehicles over 3 years old (various times are being suggested-bi-annually, tri-annually etc) I find it annoying to see how many vehicles are used with defective lights. The defectiveness (is there such a word!) ranges from:- lights missing; lights badly adjusted- some to the extent that they have more chance of seeing Boeings than of seeing me;top of the range cars, more often than not 4x4 types, with lights so strong they could replace the Blackpool Illuminations of my childhood, and try driving any distance with one of those following you!
The absence of reflective lane marking studs; red reflective studs marking motorway hard shoulder margins, and the orange studs that define the edge of the motorway carriage way and the crash barrier zone from huge sections of motorway also irks me together with the current system of switching off the lights on lit sections of motorway between mid-night and 5am. If this practise is to continue reflective lights are surely a pretty cost effective safety measure.
Rant over, sorry, should have been in the Moan category ;D
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Rant over, sorry, should have been in the Moan category
No lad, moaning keeps you happy ::) ::)
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In New Zealand you have a Warrant of Fitness (WOF), which you can get for about NZ$20 if you shop around. For cars less than 6 years old it's every 12 months; for cars older it's every 6 months. Just over 6 months ago mine passed with a faulty front side light. It failed for the same reason a couple of weeks ago. The difference? The first WOF was done by a garage that only does WOFs; the second by a garage that also does repairs! Am I cynical?
A Warrant of Fitness inspection includes the following safety checks:
Tyre condition (including tread depth)
Brake operation
Structural condition (rust isn't allowed in certain key areas)
Lights (are all bulbs working?)
Glazing (is your windscreen safe?)
Windscreen washers and wipers (do they work?)
Doors (do they open and close safely?)
Safety belts (must not be faded or damaged; buckles must work properly)
Airbags (if fitted - SRS light should work correctly)
Speedometer (must be working)
Steering and suspension (must be safe and secure)
Exhaust (there must be no leaks and the exhaust must not be too loud or too smoky)
Fuel system (there must be no leaks).
BTW Here in New Zealand car insurance is not compulsory! :o How does that work?
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No sure whether this should be in the happy or moan topics.....
I've just passed 100 days time on this forum. Scary!! :o
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Fred, I thought in your picture the camel driver was looking to see what was wrong with the carburettor!
I agree with you too, that we all should drive camels instead of petrol/deisel powered vehicles. Think of all the extra employment opportunities that would make, for poop-scoopers, while the material could be made into gardener-friendly compost products. Of course there would have to be some sort of harness available so the animal could pull load of sand etc.
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Two things irk me: the number of cars driving at night with no lights on and people just accept it, and people who make their vehicles into armoured personnel carriers with lethal bull bars.
The no lights on must be an Auckland thing. I don't see it down here though I'm always asking Roger to put the lights on at sunset. His "I can see" answer gets my "but others may not be able to see you" reply. Sunset to sunrise is the legal requirement for lights on but many now drive with them on all the time. I do. In the south of course, the definition between day and night is much less obvious than in the north, it being daylight in Invercargill for instance, in mid summer until 10pm, just a little earlier here.
I was once years ago pulled up by a police car after 10pm, driving without lights, the reason being that at the time I lived in the country and was usd to driving in the dark, with lights but going home from a concert, the town streets were so bright I didn't realize my car lights weren't going.
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Vivienne is teaching physics as part of her science remit. Like the physicists who are teaching microbiology, she is having to tackle a subject alien to her, so she decided to use some YouTube in her lessons: Stitch this, as they say ;D http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xaeLh-h94P0
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I'm so happy because this morning I have potted singly, 29 Blandfordia punicea. Michael, if they survive the trauma and if they grow on - they're very tiny - I'll unpot a few and send them. No promises at this stage though. :-\
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Congratulations, Lesley. One of these years I want to try tackling Blandfordia again. I've struggled the couple of times I've tried, but found out they like more water than I thought they did. I'll work out a microclimate for them in my garden and try again. Well done with germinating so many seedlings. Good job.
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Well thanks for that Paul. I wasn't too sure about how to keep them from now on though I thought they might like plenty moisture. I'll keep them quite damp and in the tunnel probably until the spring.
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I'd always thought they liked it quite dry, but apparently they send their roots down into permanent moisture zones. Therefore ideal next to large rocks etc, which shelter their roots, and the Botanic Gardens has them planted in raised areas above light bogs (i.e they are above the bog, but have more or less permanent moisture below). They need good drainage around the crown though I think. The Bot Gdns also grow them well in largish pots.
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Vivienne is teaching physics as part of her science remit. Like the physicists who are teaching microbiology, she is having to tackle a subject alien to her, so she decided to use some YouTube in her lessons: Stitch this, as they say ;D http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xaeLh-h94P0
Brilliant ;D :) ;D
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Just got home after three hours of ballet in the local cinema, Kenneth Macmillan's interpretation of Romeo and Juliet, beamed live from the Royal Opera House via satellite. Very impressive stuff.
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I'm so happy because this morning I have potted singly, 29 Blandfordia punicea.
Lesley - Did I not see somewhere a label dated 2009 on your newly sprouted Blandfordia pot? I thought I was mad as I am still watering my pot dated January 2009. Do you think there's hope or am I mad?
johnw - 0c (what a difference a week makes!)
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I am really happy!!!!
Today my husband got a new hip and everything went well. He has a bad hart condition, so we both were very nervous about the operation. He is still in I.C. but if he stays stabil, he can switch to his room tomorrow. :D
Lina.
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Hey, Lina, that is great news!
Please give Henk our very best wishes for a good recovery from his surgery. I'm sure it will not be long before he is well enough to be home with you and being looked after in comfort. 8)
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Wish your husband all the very best for a full and speedy recovery please, Lina ... I'm certain you have saved him some gardening jobs for when he is much fitter? :D
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Maybe he can help me in June cutting the hedges. ;D
Thank you for your kind wishes.
Lina.
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I'm very happy for your husband Lina and for you. Such ops are always a worry for both the recipient and the family. So pleased it went well and that you can both enjoy an easier and less painful life as a result.
John - you have caused me to "out" and confess something I hoped I could hide forever. When new seed arrives, from whatever source, the first thing I do, because I want to handle it and do SOMETHING, is write the labels and date them. Usually I put the source but sometimes I forget (being more careful this year). It's the date they arrive and the date I intend to sow them but sometimes it doesn't happen that way and it may be a month later or even months, or, in a few extreme cases, a couple of years later that they get sown if something has been put on top of the packet(s) and I've mislaid them. (I still haven't found Physoplexis comosa from 2001.) This means that the date on any label you may see in one of my posts can be very misleading and in fact, the Australian species from Marcus, the Blandfordia, the Richea and Patersonia and a couple of others were not, in fact, sown until early 2011, about April I think. The Blandfordia germinated in early spring, maybe August/Sept so what are in the posted picture are only about 6 months old.
Having made the confession, I rush to say that anything very precious, like your Shortias, rhodos and such, IS sown, immediately.
They say confession is good for the soul, and in fact so far this year, my seed sowing is totally up-to-date. Yes, really.
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John - you have caused me to "out" and confess something I hoped I could hide forever. ... so what are in the posted picture are only about 6 months old.
So by inference I am mad? ::)
johnw
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John I was about to say that what hope there may be depends on how mad you are. ;D The question remains though, does Blandfordia germinate resonably quickly after sowing, even if the seed is quite old, or must it be fresh? You will have read here that Michael Campbell in the Rep of Ireland has also had trouble germinating it and we know he can do just about anything. For me, it seems the former is true but of course you and I have vastly different climates, especially though winter when we rarely have more than, say, -4 or -6C, snow only very occasionally and then only lying overnight except in a very few instances when it might lie for 2 or 3 days tops. We never have weeks of frozen ground.
I think I read in one of the Bulb Logs that Ian has his seed outside until it germinates then brings it under cover. I do the reverse nowadays, mainly though because of space constraints. The pots sit in my tunnel (knitted cover, not sheet plastic) then as soon as germination starts, they go outside, even in mid winter unless it's something like the choc cosmos that would get frosted. Anything hardy goes out and I find the germination keep on keeping on. Maybe the source plays a part and I have to say that usually Marcus Harvey's seed has been very reliable for me.
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Lina,
All the best for your husband's recovery. 8)
Lesley,
I have visions of you sitting out there knitting a tunnel cover. Now THAT would be a big job? What wool did you use? Large or small needles? ;D :P
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I'm so happy that I've put the papers in for finalising my late wife's Estate today. Not nearly as difficult as I expected, thankfully.
Now I'll be even happier when they come through approved!! ;D ;D
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Couldn't face it Paul so I hired a large team of little gnome-like critters who sat for hours and knitted furiously, into long, 6ft wide rolls.
I'm sure you know the kind, it's a sort of windbreak/shadecloth and has a knitted appearance instead of just woven over and under. It lasts forever but gets green with algae after a time. Mine is white but it comes in green and black as well and I think also in a buff colour. I'd take a picture of it but right now I can't be bothered.
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Lesley,
It's what I always think of as "shadecloth". Definitely durable, as long as you don't get somewhere it can slowly unravel. I always tend to fold the cut ends over when attaching to anything, so that the pulling stress is not on the cut ends. It really does seem to last forever. 8) I'm glad the gnomes were obliging. You can't always get good gnomes these days. ;)
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Maybe he can help me in June cutting the hedges. ;D
Thank you for your kind wishes.
Lina.
Lina great to hear that your husbands operation went ok, any operation is always a worry. Hopefully he will be able to help you with the hedges. My husband had a bad back last year so I decided to cut them myself. I didn't make a good job.
Angie :)
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Angie,
You only did a bad job so that you could use that excuse the next time they were needing trimming. We know the truth!! Just like men doing the housework.... if we do it badly then we don't get asked to do it again. ;D ;D ;D
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Angie,
You only did a bad job so that you could use that excuse the next time they were needing trimming. We know the truth!! Just like men doing the housework.... if we do it badly then we don't get asked to do it again. ;D ;D ;D
Don't tell him :o ;D
Angie :)
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Had a great day today, sun was shinning at Kirriemuir and the plants were looking so lovely. Every time we visit Ian Christies nursery we are always so spoiled. Not only do we come away will fantastic plants but we are given lunch as well. I have never met such generous folks as Ian and Ann. Its just such a pleasure to visit their nursery.
I will be a happy bunny planting all my new plants tomorrow :).
Thanks Ann thanks for the lunch, you are too kind :-*.
Angie :)
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Nice afternoon in the garden; Magnolias, Cherries and Primroses all in flower.
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Well I'm pretty sure I'm so happy, because hopefully the picture doesn't lie and for the first time in 4 or 5 years, I at last have 2 pods on Gentiana depressa. The one on the right is, in fact, a double pod and the other with the curly bits at the top, on the left of the plant, is single but still very fat and firm. If I'm right, I'll at long last be able to fulfil the promises made to at least 2 Forum members, perhaps in about a month, by the state of them.
We've had some beautiful weather since these two flowers opened with no rain and the flowers and now pods haven't gone to mush as has happened in the past when I thought there were pods forming. There's a third flower not open yet so maybe it too, will make seed. The only other pod I've ever ripened gave me over 100 sdlgs, so I'm very hopeful these will be as prolific. Unfortunately I lost the lot except one when I potted them up, too small or too dry I think.
And no, in spite of the date, this is NOT an April Fools' Day trick. :D
I'll cover this trough at night from now on, not because we're having a few light frosts - it should stand those all right, but because the marauding cats are still marauding in spite of the addition of Marley to our household. They never dared when Teddy was with us. >:(
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Giles,
is that a Hartley greenhouse? i love the idea of having louvres in the doors. :)
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Hartley? I thought he wrote books on fishing flies. ;D
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Estate papers are now approved. All done, sorted and worked out. Yeah!!!!!!! Definitely a load off my mind. ;D
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Good news Paul. 8)
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While there are certain water issues about which I am unhappy at present, I am VERY happy about the outdoors concert which has been continuing for days now, from daylight 'til dark. I think we have about a dozen pairs of bellbirds this year and in the autumn they always get het up and sing - or should that be ring - furiously for hours on end. The weather has been warm, sunny and windless for maybe a fortnight and the air is full of what amounts to a non-stop carillon. Different pairs have different songs and when they're all going at once, the sound is glorious. They'll go on while the good weather remains, only strong wind or heavy rain stopping them. Th autumn song is quite distinct from that of spring, summer or winter.
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Is it different from this one Lesley?: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1tHv2zcbbjo I hear a lot of tuis and they sound very similar to this bellbird.
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Anthony, speaking of bellbirds, you might enjoy this poem.
From one of my favourite Aussie poets.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wpvxfLG4Pn4&feature=related
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I bought myself a new (well new second hand anyway) car today. ;D ;D I get it next week once money sorted and plates changed over (I have peronalised plates from my days of running a business). Midlife crisis.... never!! ;D
Did I mention I'm ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
I'll be even moreso next week when I get the car. ;)
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Paul, "a change is as good as a rest" - go for it, you deserve some amusing diversion.
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Thanks Maggi. I've actually been looking around for a couple of weeks, so it wasn't just a spur of the moment purchase either. I've done too many of them in the past and I was determined not to do that this time. I had my price possibility and stuck to it..... 8)
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And here's a quick pic. Bright red, but came out slightly pinky as only on the camera phone, not my proper camera.
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Wow, Paul!
You can buy a lot of big plants, shrubs and trees and take them home in your pickup! (is this a propper word for the car?)
Good choice.
Lina.
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Bea-ute Paul!
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Lina,
We know them here as a Ute, not a pickup. Same sort of thing I think. I tend to think of the American pickups as being larger 4-wheel drive types, whereas this is a normal car in that regard. I was tossing up between this 6 cylinder and a V8, but I preferred a few things about this one, and it was slightly cheaper. I love the colour, and red ones go faster. ;D
And Yes Anthony, I do think is Bea-ute!! ;D ;D
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Good grief! What an extraordinary car... never seen one like that... a hybrid between a saloon and a pick-up ??? 8) Great colour, of course. That might turn out to be a pick-up car in more ways than one, Paul :-X ;)
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And here's a quick pic. Bright red, but came out slightly pinky as only on the camera phone, not my proper camera.
Paul, you have gotten a new car for your plants, I see! And the colour fits in your beds too ;D
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Trond, I'm actually intending to use it to take some of the weeds away.... and possibly on rare occasions carry new plants in..... but only very rarely!! Honest!! ;) It will brighten the driveway, that is for sure. 8)
Maggi.... yes.... :-X would be best!! :P
The slightly disturbing thing is that in 90 minutes the car pic has been opened and viewed by more people than any picture in the Australian Plants at the ANBG Canberra 2012 (http://www.srgc.org.uk/forum/index.php?topic=8885.msg241039#msg241039) topic I started 10 days ago. One has to wonder whether we have more car hoons here than gardeners? ;D ;D
I'll take it as a compliment to the car. ;) I am very glad people are enjoying it.
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Good God! Does it have flashing lights and a siren? :o
A pick-up here is usually a half ton or 1 ton small truck.
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Extremely common here in New Zealand of various makes, including Ford, Toyota, Holden etc. There's one that occasionally parks round the corner from us with the top open slightly at the back so it is open a few inches and slopes down to the front so two dogs inside are contained but can see out and get air. They were designed to allow farmers to carry bales, sheep, tools etc but still take the family into town in comfort as some of them have two rows of seats like a saloon or estate car. Here's the ultimate Ute, the Toyota Hilux: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JspHqoegTkc BTW, Hokey Pokey is pieces of puffy candy, rather like the inside of a Crunchie bar. Still think this ad is really funny.
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Good God! Does it have flashing lights and a siren? :o
A pick-up here is usually a half ton or 1 ton small truck.
Why Lesley, you thinking it is a police car? :D Or are you meaning they're going to take me away to a psych ward (perhaps not a bad thing! ;D)?
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Why Lesley, you thinking it is a police car? :D Or are you meaning they're going to take me away to a psych ward (perhaps not a bad thing! ;D)?
Thought you had a new job with the fire brigade. ::)
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For the record, hokey pokey is made by heating sugar and a little water syrup to toffee temperature then quickly stirring in baking soda. Mustn't let the toffee burn or it tastes horrible and you can't get it out of the pot.
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So, exactly like the inside of a crunchy bar :D!
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Yes, the inside of a Crunchy bar IS hokey pokey. :D :P
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Wish I'd said that! ;D Crunchie is one of the few bars of my youth that I still indulge in.
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I was in a few bars in my youth too :P
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;D ;D ;D
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Brillant Paul, you need to spoil yourself sometimes.
I am thinking the same as everyone else is, how much plants could you put in that boot. Maybe its the thought of all that carrying space that has attracted all us plants people ::)
Enjoy ;)
Angie :)
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Maybe it is. Can't be very tall plants though, at least with the hard top on. Can be removed, but not a simple and easy snap-one snap-off type thing. Allen keys (or however that is spelt) etc and there must be some way to disconnect the electrics. It automatically locks when you lock the car, which is a feature I like. :D
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I was in a few bars in my youth too :P
David,
I hung around a few baas bars in my youth too.... I grew up on a sheep farm. :P
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You know what gum boots (wellies) are for then?! ;)
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I was in a few bars in my youth too :P
David,
I hung around a few baas bars in my youth too.... I grew up on a sheep farm. :P
Paul ... the difference is, the bars used to fleece David!!! :D
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But I'm sure he woolly enjoyed it.
No, Anthony.... what are they for? ??? (where is that innocent smiley with a halo?)
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Keeping your feet dry! ::)
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Is that what they're for? Darn, I always thought they were used as a hat. Makes MUCH more sense now. Growing up would have been so much easier if I'd known that. ::)
:)
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The mid North Island town of Taihape (pronounced approximately Tie-happy) has an annual gumboot throwing contest. Ah for the far-off and funny days of Fred Dagg. ;D
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I'm not sure how many of you will have visited Totnes here in Devon? It's a quaint little Town and is said to have more "weirdos" per square yard than any town in the UK. "Weirdos" is not my word but it certainly has a fair proportion of population who have a somewhat different (shall we say!) approach to life than the majority of us and this probably stems from the philanthropic approach to life at the nearby Dartington Hall and the musicians, poets etc turned out at Dartington College over the years. So, a rest home for ageing hippies.
A couple of examples. A bloke who thinks all the ills of the world can be cured by a potion based on baking powder; and another chap who carts around a mammoth gong and thinks that by looking suitably mournful and striking his gong over anyone prepared to stop by him he too will cure the ills of the world.
We passed through Totnes today, as we do quite often, and on the outskirts of the town is a sign saying "Welcome to Totnes". Underneath that someone has spray-painted "Twinned with Narnia"
Well, it made me laugh!
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It made me laugh too!
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The bit about the baking powder is probably quite true, given that many/most cakes have baking powder in them. ;D
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The mid North Island town of Taihape (pronounced approximately Tie-happy) has an annual gumboot throwing contest. Ah for the far-off and funny days of Fred Dagg. ;D
Fred D is now happily ensconced in Oz as a satrical commentator as his alter ego John Clarke www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kAF8eXl9r4
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kAF8eXl9r4)
cheers
fermi
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Yes, we mourn his loss daily. ;D
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And I thought all Australian TV had to thank NZ for was Neighbours at War.
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Rob,
Don't forget Coastwatch. I know far more about the NZ bag limits and Paua quotas than I do about any Aussie fishing limits. ;D
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How could I have forgotten that - or Motorway Patrol. Saying that Aussie TV isn't much better. The latest version of Gardening Australia seems to believe we're all newcomers determined to fill the entire garden with choko's and chooks. Doh!
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Rob,
I watched part of the first episode of this series and have stopped watching it completely now. I used to always watch it with Stephen hosting, but the tone of the show has dropped so far now that it is embarrassing. :-[
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Paul,
The next couple of episodes were no improvement on the first. The program may have needed reinvigorating, but the new main presenter's emphasis on vegie's and community gardens seems to make several of the older folk entirely redundant. Still, there's always Gardeners World - it plainly has a much bigger budget and, for all it's faults, covers a wider range of topics.
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Can't say, except these factual programmes, I find much of NZ TV anything but awful, except perhaps "7 days"? Some of the ads are funny though, but every 7 minutes! And what's with TV 1 after 9 o'clock in the morning? It's just one long continuous programme of adverts selling naf all useful! Curious how the current UK government would scrap the BBC license fee. Sky is more expensive and you still have to suffer adverts, and then, when you think no-one is looking they create a new channel and call it Soho. They then put all the latest "must see" programmes on this "you will have to pay extra to watch it" channel! I suppose it's because some rich entrepreneur is not making a killing at the general population's expense that the BBC gets rubbished?
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Paul,
The next couple of episodes were no improvement on the first. The program may have needed reinvigorating, but the new main presenter's emphasis on vegie's and community gardens seems to make several of the older folk entirely redundant. Still, there's always Gardeners World - it plainly has a much bigger budget and, for all it's faults, covers a wider range of topics.
And.... I'm guessing that is on Pay TV?
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....... Curious how the current UK government would scrap the BBC license fee............ I suppose it's because some rich entrepreneur is not making a killing at the general population's expense that the BBC gets rubbished?
.
Not curious at all - Murdoch & those in his pocket have been campaigning against the BBC for years.
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You lot are depressing me... can't you moan to each other privately?
This is a Happy thread
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Well at least you Aussies HAVE a garden programme. We have nothing at all. The reality programmes are what Mark S rightly calls cr@p and 90% of TV1, our so-called public broadcasting channel, is more of the same. As for Coastwatch, I've thought seriously of complaining to someone about this, TV1's programming people I suppose. FGS, how many Bl.... paua do we have to see? And Piha Rescue, I WELCOME when someone drowns as it's exactly the same programme week after boring, after deadly dull week. Maybe of interest to .0001 of the population who swim there but to the rest of us? Sorry Paul, I didn't realize you suffered in this way as well. There must be some horrible reciprocal arrangement whereby we and you get the worst of each other's TV programmes.
And now, to add insult to almost fatal injury, we're to have a NZ version of America's (UK's. Australia's) Got Talent. All this rubbish should show between 2 and 5am. or better still, not at all.
Sorry Maggi, I didn't start it but you know I'm so happy when having a moan. ;D
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One episode of Piha rescue was enough for me Lesley. Muriwai, which is just up the coast from Piha, is a better beach, especially for Heidi, as she can run and run. We were there yesterday, without the children - James was playing tennis with his friends and Lucy had homework and her eighth book in a fortnight to finish! ;D
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Well, I know most of us do enjoy a good moan... that's why we've got a moan thread :-X
Anthony, does Heidi just gallop on the beach or does she swim as well?
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Unfortunately she won't go deeper than her chest so just runs through the waves. Swimming would be so much better for her. Directly above Heidi's tail in pic 3 is the Muriwai gannet colony, although most of the birds are away. It is the most northerly mainland nesting site in the southern hemisphere. http://www.newzealand.com/int/article/muriwai-gannet-colony/
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Anthony,
Heidi certainly does look happy. So many smells to follow. ;D
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Nobody has been happy for a fortnight????
It is our Silver wedding anniversary today! I'm off work but Susan has gone to her usual wednesday job at the nursery so I'm going to get the train through to Ulverston to meet her for a meal later. We are planning on Indian - which is guaranteed to make me smile anyway. But then we did Thai two weeks ago, Chinese last week and are planning for Italian on Saturday so it is basically the only choice left!
Anyway, You may have noticed a sudden flurry of posts from me after a few weeks silence. As Susan has pointed out in another thread I've been managing the implementation of our new Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) at work. This has taken two years, largely because of certain colleagues dragging their feet - but I'm not going to moan. It has been a huge learning curve. I'm basically a biologist who works as a chemist. I have no interest in or patience with IT stuff but I volunteered because it needed doing and I was keen to get a system that was useful for our lab staff (who I think the world of) and made their jobs easier - not simply a system convenient for management which is what happens in most places.
Yesterday I finished the last bit of the system validation and can look forward to the system going live next week. Pity I can't see the smileys.
And not only do I have the day off but the sun is shining!
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Darren
Congratulations to you and Susan. Have a great evening.
Frazer
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Congrats on reaching your 25th Darren and Susan. I do mention sometimes to my beloved that coming up to 42 years is a longer sentence than I would get for murder!!
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Congrats Darren and Susan!
and shame on you David I'm telling your wife ;)
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Hi Everyone,
Thank you for your kind words and congratulations on our silver wedding anniversary. We have both had a lovely day, both of us pottering in the garden - different gardens mind you, but maybe that is how we made it to 25 years. (Smile, wink - missing the smiley faces)
It seemed a fitting way to spend the day as we first met in gardening classes when we were in 6th form college.
Susan and Darren xx
ps: the curry was great. (smiley)
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Congratulations. We had a curry last night, described as an authentic Indian chicken tikka massala, which is really an authentic British dish ;D.
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If you never knew what goes on in the garden when you aren't paying
attention…Watch this! Some of the finest photography you will ever see.
http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/xHkq1edcbk4?rel=0 (http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/xHkq1edcbk4?rel=0)
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What an absolute joy, Brian ... Oh to have talents (and equipment) like that. Magnificent photography.
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We at FCHS and the AGS Vic Group are happy to congratulate Otto Fauser on the awarding of the John Pascoe Fawkner Medal for outstanding contribution to Horticulture at yesterday's 80th Anniversary Celebration for the Ferny Creek Horticultural Society.
cheers
fermi
This is super news of a well deserved honour for this great plantsman. Congratulations, dear Otto!
I think this deserves its own thread! see here : http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=9139.0 (http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=9139.0)
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Thanks, Maggi :-*
cheers
fermi
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I am feeling very happy (though sore) that surgery I had expected to wait about 6 months for, has happened (Monday early) and is now over and I'm home again. I was taken quite ill at the market on Saturday morning and went to the hospital and was admitted immediately. Because it wasn't cancer or of major priority, I had to wait around for a couple of days until there was a spare surgeon (and not the one I really wanted) but that was OK and it was completed successfully by, as I learned this morning the Head of Surgery anyway so no complaints. Hence I've a lot of catching up here to do and various PMs to answer, seeds to get away, etc. I have 6 weeks to do it as I'm not to carry or lift anything heavy for that time.
A couple of hundred Forum emails in my Inbox! :D
Maggi, I think Roger tried to send you an email to tell you what had happened but he maybe didn't get the address right or something.
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GET WELL SOON, LESLEY ... ENJOY YOUR RECUPERATION TIME.
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Yes, Lesley, appreciate the enforced rest!
Get well soon and we look forward to seeing you soon,
love
fermi
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Good to have you back Lesley, I'd noticed you'd been quiet for a few days. Most unlike you :P ;D
Get well soon.
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Swift recovery Lesley, ;), Take it easy :)
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Dear Lesley, I've just found these posts...... thank goodness you are safely home. Yes, Roger did get in touch... he has kept me posted and I have been very pleased to hear that the surgery has been completed successfully.
I was nervous about posting any news in case I jinxed anything!
Welcome home!!!
:-*
I'm especially pleased that you are back online in good time to share the celebrations of Otto's award in Australia! As one of his biggest fans it would have been very sad for you to have missed the flurry of congratulations to our dear Friend.
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Good news, Lesley. :) :) :)
Put your feet up and relax while you can.
Good thing typing isn't strenuous.
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Mixed feelings. Obviously glad Lesley has the surgery over and done with and is back home recuperating, tempered with commiserations to Roger who is probably going to have a lot to put up with whilst the recuperating is being done. Be gentle with him Lesley :P ;D
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I'm always gentle with him David. ;D
Thanks everyone for your good wishes and encouragement. I have to say everyone in the hospital was wonderful so that the few days were no problem at all. Since I went in on Saturday morning and the surgery wasn't scheduled finally until Monday morning, I wasn't allowed to eat and only to sip tiny quantities of water. I'm positively looking forward to getting on the scales when I have a shower shortly.
I'm thrilled about Otto's award, fully deserved as he has gardened so long and introduced so many alpine plants and bulbs to Australian gardeners. I'll send him a personal email today.
Thanks again.
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Welcome home Lesley. We've all been quietly wishing you the best from afar.
johnw
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Welcome home dear Lesley and speedy recovery .Afterspending 4 weeks in hospital recently and a few days before allowed to come home ,I told my vascular surgeon : you must be getting sick of me . to which he replied 'I was sick of you the first time I saw you .'He is known for having no sense of humour and all the nurses areafraid of him . So this reply was his kind of humour .
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All the very best Lesley.
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Best wishes Lesley for a speedy recovery - at least you have some restful things to do with your inbox. Good time to have surgery as we head into winter.
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True Pat, I have a seedlist to prepare and assorted other things to do while Roger learns the joys of using a slow cooker among other things.
I was so pleased to hear of your award Otto, richly deserved. You can hang it in a prominent place in your living room among the lovely paintings and other plant things.
Thanks again everyone. Happily all the docs I met were nice guys and gals and likewise the nurses even when sticking needles in. I could always have a bit of fun with the med students too.
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Lesley, delighted to hear that you're over the op and that all went well.
Best wishes for your recovery, and Happy Housework Gardening ;D
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Hi Lesley, just read this, hope you are taking it easy. Pleased that you had your operation and all is well. Just enjoy the break. One thing you won't get bored as you have all us lot to speak to.
Take care :-*
Angie :)
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I'm getting through a lot of books but will have to start walking some by tomorrow. The weather isn't good for that, cold and drizzling but I must follow orders I suppose. I have to train Marley not to sit on the most painful spot though. ::)
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Do you have a Kindle Lesley? I'm reading "Birds without wings" at the moment, having just read "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time".
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I'm so happy because I was invited to attend the Buckingham Palace garden party on Tuesday. I took my dad as he was 80 this year and he was thrilled to bits to be stood 3 paces from the Queen. It was a wonderful day and I even wore a suit (make the most of it as I was back in combat trousers as soon as I got home)! Still got a smile on my face now.
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Very, very cool John. 8) 8) 8)
Congratulations. Will you be there again soon ( or are you not allowed to say? ) ???
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The two of you do look very happy, John. In that suit you are very nearly as handsome as your Dad! :o :-*
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Good heavens you really did wear a suit :D Glad you had a good day with the nobs 8)
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Very smart John. Bet She said "Couldn't get me a Green Mile could you, there's a gong in it for you"
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The two of you look great, John. :o
But I prefer you wearing your combat trousers.
Looks like you had a great day together.
Lina.
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Well done John. Wouldn't the Queen's corgis dig up the Green Mile? Will any new ones she gets have their tails docked?
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Well done John and J senior. Hope your day was a great one. We're doing little things here for the diamond jubilee but not so important as it is in the UK. I hope our waka doesn't sink on the Thames. Apparently UK Elf and Safety are very doubtful about the very low freeboard. It wouldn't be the first time one had gone down with all hands and the rowers refuse to wear lifejackets as "not being traditional."
Anthony, I don't have a kindle but have been thinking about it for some time and certainly plan to get one before the Czech conference. "The Curious Incident...." Have you read books by Patricia Duncker? Just finished "The strange Case of the Composer and his Judge." Excellent.
Last few days have been pretty horrible with multitude of pins sticking into me. I think it may be nerve endings.
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Not read Patricia Duncker. Hope you're feeling better today Lesley.
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Hi, Lesley,
Days last long, when you are not fit.
I hope you will get better every day.
The last book I read was: The one hundred year old man who stepped out of the window and disappeared.
Don't know whether this is the correct title in english, but this book makes you laugh.
My husband read it in hospital and liked it very much.
Get better,
Lina.
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This book Lina: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/261599932 (http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/261599932)
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Had a great family day yesterday surrounded by 13 small children, mainly the offspring of my brother and sister's children.
The following photo was entirely unplanned. Tom & Emilia (both 2years old) were in a tree house built by my younger's neice's husband.
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Cute as the proverbial buttons, Art! (why are buttons 'cute', does anyone know?)
Gatherings of happy children are such a delight. I was cheered immensely this morning to hear our neighbour's little ones enjoying the (brief) sunshine - childrens' laughter and birdsong in a lovely garden.... sure fire happiness!
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You should hear our grandchildren in the pool here in Dalyan, Turkey ... Oliver aged five and Joseph aged two entrancing the sun-worshipping folk on their poolside loungers ... all giggles, shrieks, whoops and splashes in the early afternoon sun.
So far today we have covered grandad from head to toe in the mud bath, swum in a thermal bath, been for a sail on a boat, worn ourselves out on a pedalo, drunk G&T's on a promontory whilst watching turtles, terrapins, water snakes and shoals of fishes under bouganvillea arches and returned to the hotel for a swim and a lounge on the bean bags before a quick siesta prior to our evening meal. I've got to say; "This IS the life"!!!
Beautiful photo, Arthur.
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Crumbs, Cliff! Don't you think 5 and 2 is a bit young to be drinking G&Ts ? :o
Thinking of changing your title to 'Chief Holidaymaker'..... weren't you just back from Spain a couple of weeks ago? What a pair of gadabouts you are! 8)
Have bucket and spade, will travel.... for a signature, I think!
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Crumbs, Cliff! Don't you think 5 and 2 is a bit young to be drinking G&Ts ? :o
Thinking of changing your title to 'Chief Holidaymaker'..... weren't you just back from Spain a couple of weeks ago? What a pair of gadabouts you are! 8)
Have bucket and spade, will travel.... for a signature, I think!
Don't be silly, Maggi ... how many little ones drink G&T's? Rum and coke is sufficient at their age!
The Dolomites and Collett's call after we get back from Turkey and then we are heading off to the French Alps for our main holiday ... nothing planned for late August yet though.
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Don't be silly, Maggi ... how many little ones drink G&T's? Rum and coke is sufficient at their age!
Of course, I should have known....... ::)
The Dolomites and Collett's call after we get back from Turkey and then we are heading off to the French Alps for our main holiday ... nothing planned for late August yet though.
Plenty of time for a late summer decision, I suppose! 8)
Honestly, Cliff, for a stay at home like me, the very thought of getting organised for all those trips leaves me shaking in my shoes! Too much like hard work for my liking - thank goodness for camera-toting folk like you- that's all I can say! :-*
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a bit about me in a magazine :o
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Hope the weather is better for you next Wednesday for your garden opening Emma.
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...wot no snowdrops ;D Congratulations Emma, a nice article, what a lovely place it sounds to work/play.
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the garden will be open on Wednesday if anyone is passing by Dorset
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the garden will be open on Wednesday if anyone is passing by Dorset
If only, Emma! And I promise I wouldn't only be hoping to meet DD and Eavis! One day, perhaps.
Hope the day goes well. Haven't heard a forecast for the weather so will resort to 'ye olde methode' of keeping my fingers crossed for you.
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Maggie if your ever in Dorset let me know and you can have a private tour, Eavis and DD can show you round
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June 13th in New Zealand, 1.40pm and getting very cold, snow expected.
I'm very happy to say that I am at last home from yet another hospital stay of a week, with major surgery but all going well so far. Maggi knew I was hors de combat but has kindly preserved my privacy.
I have come home attached to a new piece of high-tech equipment which, the manufacturers who installed it on Monday tell me, is worth a bit. "If you decide to offer it on Ebay, don't accept less that $25,000 dollars for it (Australian)." I need it for 2-4 more months but after that, it could make up for a nice little extension to my Czech trip which I still hope to undertake. My full recovery will take up to maybe 6 months and from this very day my whole has to change in various ways, the most immediate and obvious being that there will be no more gardening as I know it - i.e. no digging, forking, carrying, lifting etc. As yet I just can't imagine how it will all be but somehow I'll cope and adapt.
I missed the Forum terribly over the last period and thought so often of you all. I hope you are all well and happy and I'll catch up again soon. Over 1000 new emails in my Inbox! Get a life I hear you say? Well, I'm getting one, with a vengeance. Much love to everyone. :-*
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Well I won't add to the backlog in your inbox! All the best, Lesley, and best wishes for a speedy recovery.
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Well I won't add to the backlog in your inbox! All the best, Lesley, and best wishes for a speedy recovery.
I'm sure we all echo Anne's sentiments, Lesley ... and don't worry too much about your garden, plants are particularly resilient especially through your forthcoming winter I suspect. Get well soon.
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Hi Lesley, nice to hear from you again, I was wondering what you were up to! Hope the winter fares well with your plants ;)
Still sign of winter 2 weeks ago (May 27) at our mountain cabin!
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Hi Lesley,
I'm very happy you're back home and joining us again on the forum! I wish you a very speedy and full recovery. I had a feeling it was a a lot quieter on the forum, though ;)
Like Cliff said, don't worry to much about the plants, I'm sure they'll be resting during your winter, especially if they'll be nicely packed in snow!
It's a shame we don't all live closer, we could have helped you with the garden when needed...
:-* :-*
Wim
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Well we did miss you Lesley, and we're glad you are back safe and sound. It's sad about the garden, but as you say you will adapt, the hardest thing is to realise what you can and can't do and then not to do the things you shouldn't! Hopefully all our good wishes will help speed your recovery.
:-*
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Wishing you the best for a full recovery, Lesley.
Hope it's all good from now on for you and you can make the Czech trip.
Maybe in the future you could get an apprentice to do the heavy garden work, there must be oodles of people wanting to learn and am sure you would make a wonderful teacher.
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All the best Lesley. My son once said "chin up Dad", when I was feeling glum. When I responded appropriately, he then said, "no, the one three chins below". I do hope your recovery allows you some comfort.
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All the very best Lesley :-*
I'm sorry there's some work heading your way, but light work, and perhaps you can supervise Roger as he does it ;) ;D
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I was not so often on the forum lately, but had the feeling something is different though.
Now I know why ::)
You are really missed here Lesley and I hope you will recover soon!
and... you will see even when you are not able to do all things in the garden like you used to do you can give (maybe fewer) plants more attention and even learn more about them.
I think that I may say so, having some experience on this matter :D
Get well soon and in my opinion positive thinking is very helpful!! :-* :-*
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How wonderful you all are and I do thank you for your kind thoughts and wishes. As to chins Anthony, I have lost one already!!!
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Lesley all the very best for the best of recoveries.
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Thanks Pat and everyone. Each day there is some improvement and if the weather too would oblige, I'd be a happy lady.
Before I went in the first time I had seen some emerging growth that looked like flowering growth on both Iris histrio and I. h. aintabensis and was a little worried all the time I was away that they'd come, flowered and gone before I could see them as these are new to me. I had poor Roger out looking but seeing nothing and he took pics of where they should be but still nothing. Now I find that they have just been sitting there with their noses at pot surface level and are waiting for the present nasty weather to go and a little sun to show. I'm so happy about this. These little bulbs were given to me by Betty Clark in Ashburton and are from the collection of the late Mary Evans who collected them in the company of the great Paul and Polly Furse so their provenance is immaculate and it's a great privilege to be able to grow them. I'll hope to do pics in due course.
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It's rather wonderful to have all these links with famous gardeners of the past Lesley. Paul Furse was a founding member of our East Kent AGS Group, along with Jack Elliott and Hilda Davenport Jones who ran Washfield Nursery. This was way before my time (in 1957), so I only knew Jack and Elizabeth Strangman who joined and later took over Washfield Nursery. It has some influence on you when such people are just down the road! They are few and far between so it's doubly nice to have the links via the Forum too.
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Hi Lesley, best wishes for a speedy recovery from a thoroughly sodden England. Should be weeding and cutting lawns, but too wet, that's my excuse. Get well soon. :) :) :)
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Dear Lesley ,good to hear that with every passing day you are feeling a little better .
We seem to be a little ahead of you as my Iris histrio (col. Lebanon) , a collected form of I. histrio var. aintabensis and the commercial form of aintabensis are in flower here.
I did correspond with Mary Evans a lot and I am almost sure that she never went on a collecting trip with the Furses .Also when I stayed at 'Hegghill' in 1961 and again in 1971 Paul and Polly never mentioned that Mary Evans had joined them on one of their trips .
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Thanks Otto,
I'll try to find out more about that as I always understood from Betty Clark that Mary had collected with the Furses. Perhaps it was just that she was able to share some of their material. I'll be in touch with Betty in a day or two and find out what I can.
Good frost this morning and winter has truly arrived at last. I'm still a little shaky on my pins so have to be very careful when walking in the frozen places. Really good to have some bright sunshine today though. :)
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I've just re-read Paul Furse's account of their third collecting expedition - 'Iran & Afghanistan 1964' (RHS Journal, Nov. 1965). Furse writes (p462): "the party as usual consisted of my wife, our Landrover "The Rose of Persia", and myself; all three of us began making our preparations in August". [ My emphasis]
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Today when I went into my greenhouse I was so excited all my plants were jumping up and down in their pots. They were all as happy as I was when the sun came out for a couple of hours. Raining again now, oh well was happy for a wee while.
Angie :)
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Should I be happy?
I have 5 fox cubs living under my garden shed. I have only seen 3, but my neighbour assures me there are 5.
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Should I be happy?
That depends upon whether you keep chickens. ;D
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I've no doubt they're very cute Arthur but.....
I've emailed Betty Clark for more info re the Evans/Furse bulbs but have today had a "not able to be delivered" notice from my server, with the addition that the email address has been discontinued. I'm not sure what's happening there. Maybe Betty herself will read these notes and add something but failing that, if I haven't heard from her within perhaps a week, I'll write her a letter and see what I can find out.
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I've no doubt they're very cute Arthur but.....
I've emailed Betty Clark for more info re the Evans/Furse bulbs but have today had a "not able to be delivered" notice from my server, with the addition that the email address has been discontinued. I'm not sure what's happening there. Maybe Betty herself will read these notes and add something but failing that, if I haven't heard from her within perhaps a week, I'll write her a letter and see what I can find out.
I can help you there, Lesley.... Betty's email address has changed.... I'll pm you with it.
A note arrived from her when you were being carted off to hospital!
M x
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I've just arrived home as a retired person (early I hasten to add!). :) :D ;D :o
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Hurrah! Martin R is a free man !
Congratulations, Martin.... you'll wonder how you ever had time to go to work, I'm sure.
We wish you a long and happy retirement new life. :-*
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Happy retirement Roger You lucky .........
Regards
Mick (Still at work)
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Happy retirement Roger You lucky .........
Regards
Mick (Still at work)
Commiserations, Mick... still, somebody's got to do it....
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HAPPY RETIREMENT MR.R. ... you need to get away and enjoy yourself now!!!
Have a long and contented retirement, buddy ... I can thoroughly recommend it!!!
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Someone once asked a friend of ours how long it took to get used to retirement, he looked thoughtful and then said "5 minutes" Enjoy every minute of your retirement Martin.
In our retirement capacity, we visited East Lambrook Manor Gardens yesterday, there was a lovely shrub on the back of the malthouse so I asked a gardener what it was. "Oh, that's Deutzia rosea" he said. Oh no it's not I thought to myself but politely said "Gosh it's got much bigger flowers than mine" Today we forced ourselves to visit Abbotsbury subtropical gardens (such a hardship), imagine my delight on spying (and buying) the self same plant, not labelled Deutzia rosea, but Deutzia Contraste which I found to be Deutzia gracilis x hybrida 'Contraste'.
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you need to get away and enjoy yourself now!!!
That's the plan, I just hope the 'staff' on the holiday we've booked are up to scratch ;D
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Three quarters of them are anyway. LOL.
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I've just arrived home as a retired person (early I hasten to add!). :) :D ;D :o
Enjoy it Martin. As I always say the money's not as good but the hours are fantastic ;D
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You back home, David? Good hols?
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Yes, back home now Maggi, and guess what, it's chucking it down. Lovely holiday thanks, I can thoroughly recommend Madeira, maybe a few pics when I can get round to some re-sizing.
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Should I be happy?
I have 5 fox cubs living under my garden shed. I have only seen 3, but my neighbour assures me there are 5.
I guess the question is, " If someone abandoned 7 dogs in your garden, would you be happy?" If yes, then of course you should be happy. They are smart, perfectly adapted animals. 8) Next year you could have 15+. :o
If you're not happy, then the options open to you are limited and, in my view, not very good. :(
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Knowing Art I suspect he is quite delighted - but whether Gemma, his elderly cat, is quite so pleased is a moot point. :-\
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They would be welcome with me too, but as you say Maggi, the cats and chickens may, I'm sure, have another view. ::)
In this situation its important to monitor the animals health as numerous nasty diseases can soon set in, e.g. mange etc., which can spread quickly when the population becomes unusually large due to some artificial effects. Many people get pleasure from having the 'Urban Fox' living with them. 8)
Good luck Gemma !!
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I quite often meet a lovely big dog fox in our garden. It is quite something that he makes so free with the facilities, since the place is secure enough to keep most dogs inside the perimeter!
I see a vixen in the street sometimes, or the dog fox trotting up the road.... relaxed, just like all the other local residents. They have been known to take pet rabbits in insecure pens though... which is sad for the children but may serve to show them that not everything in the world is arranged for their convenience. :-X
The Westies are not really bothered about the foxes. They hear the vixen but don't seem too interested.
It's only about half a mile to open land here. There are occasional deer around too!
If one takes the train through Glasgow out to Milngavie (for the SRGC show, for instance) one is likely to see a large number of urban foxes.... they use the railway line and fenced edgeways as a thoroughfare and it seems very successfull for them... they can be spotted snoozing outside their dens, near enough to the houses to make raids on dustbins but safely behind the railway fencing for the most part to live their own lives. Fascinating!
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A wonderful picture, beautifully painted Maggi. ;D 8) 8)
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I've just arrived home as a retired person (early I hasten to add!). :) :D ;D :o
Merciful heavens, yesterday he retired, today is his birthday..... so many reasons for beer and cake in one week! If it were not for his Pudsey Pig training, Martin would be hard pressed to cope with all this fun!
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Happy Birthday, Martin ... it's enjoyment all the way now!!!
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Pudsey Pigging was actually the training for this week ;D. Significant quantities of cake, beer, filled rolls and chips were consumed yesterday. I might take it a little easier today, getting to the Dolomites tomorrow involves a very early rise :) :) :) Mind you do I want to be sober when Cliff starts giving lectures :-X
And Maggi, thank you for the Birthday Card.
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Mind you do I want to be sober when Cliff starts giving lectures :-X
Only two of my lectures to endure during your stay, Martin ... and you could always watch football instead?
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I guess the question is, " If someone abandoned 7 dogs in your garden, would you be happy?" If yes, then of course you should be happy. They are smart, perfectly adapted animals. 8) Next year you could have 15+. :o
If you're not happy, then the options open to you are limited and, in my view, not very good. :(
Dogs no, foxes yes.
They live under my large green Shed. I have plans to remove this and replace with another large greenhouse. Will now wait until the summer arrives and the cubs have grown.
i live next to a protected wood so they have plenty of space to inhabit.
Gemma is fine
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Dogs no, foxes yes.
They live under my large green Shed. I have plans to remove this and replace with another large greenhouse. Will now wait until the summer arrives and the cubs have grown.
i live next to a protected wood so they have plent of space to inhabit.
Gemma is fine
I have outwith my garden two large foxes and have seen their den. This is the first year in the 18 years that I have been here I haven't seen a rabbit :) normally I have to keep every gate closed. Long may they stay here. Also this is the first year that we haven't had someone shooting the foxes, normally there is someone taking out the foxes at night, just when I have just fallen asleep. Living in the countryside sometimes isn't as quiet as folks think.
Not seen any cubs yet but have two fawns in the field in front of the house, nice to watch but hope they don't grow up and think my garden is a supermarket.
Angie :)
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Hurray! I'm more than happy..... see this post from Forumist Susan S.....
http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=7878.msg249941#msg249941 (http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=7878.msg249941#msg249941)
Susan has passed her first year's course with distinction! Great news. You can read all about Susan's "new life" in that thread.... an inspirational tale, I think.
Well done, Susan! :-* :-*
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Enjoy!
What a crazy, delightful ever changing world! Who could have thought that in 2012 young people in
Moscow would put on a "flash mob" happening, dancing to an *83 year old* *American song* written by a
Russian born American-Jew (Irving Berlin) whose last name is the capital of Germany...
Цекало и Puttin` отожгли на Воробьевых горах (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KgoapkOo4vg#ws)
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Thanks, Art - such a great song - I'll remember this video for a long time.
Previously one of my favourite versions of the song was this :
Young Frankenstein Puttin' On The Ritz (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZ-aRwEbp5I#ws) ;)
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Brilliant Art! All's alive and well in Moscow.
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Art that really cheered me up but Maggi's made me laugh. We recently got this link sent to us:
Rita Hayworth Is Stayin' Alive (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mz3CPzdCDws#)
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Brilliant Brian
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That is such fun, Brian. Astaire Kelly and Co. as we've never seen them before!
And I happen to think Rita Hayworth is just the most beautiful woman, ever. (Swoon!)
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I just couldn't help thinking how clever the editors were to put it together. They picked some good bits! Wish I could dance like Fred Astair - more like Fred Flintstone ;D
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He could rock :P
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I just couldn't help thinking how clever the editors were to put it together. They picked some good bits! Wish I could dance like Fred Astair - more like Fred Flintstone ;D
They also picked some bad bits of Hayworth - 'Miss Sadie Thompson' is a terrible film. And they missed out one of Hayworth's best: the parody in 'Pal Joey' of her "strip" in 'Gilda'. One glove removed.
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Thanks to all the videos posted I have spent the last few hours watching videos. ;D
Here's another one that is fantastic.
Rita was so gorgeous and the dresses she wore for these movies were exquisite, so feminine and flattering.
Sighhhhhhhh!!!
Rita & Fred: Hungry Eyes (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmiqaqDLfXs#)
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He could rock :P
::) ::) ;D
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Those were all wonderful, thanks everyone, just right for brightening a miserable day.
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Something very different, I was very happy indeed to see the stunning photos of red nototriches on and in the new AGS Journal. When I saw the front cover I though "Oh My God, a red version of my Acaulimalva!" But no, a different genus. Apart from the colour though, they look just the same. Acaulimalva weberbaueri is lemon yellow. The weather and other stuff have prevented me taking pics lately but it's still in bloom so must get out there.
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That is such fun, Brian. Astaire Kelly and Co. as we've never seen them before!
And I happen to think Rita Hayworth is just the most beautiful woman, ever. (Swoon!)
It's the red hair. 8)
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It's the red hair. 8)
Well yes, it is! It wasn't natural, I discovered some time ago she was persuaded to dye it red to get away from too "Latin" a look.... but it was so gorgeous I forgave her! I don't know how good it looked in real life but it is quite fabulous on film.
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I've just been sent a download of the first (of three) Songs of Praise from Dunblane Cathedral. Great to see so many familiar faces. 8) What a great programme.
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Yes, I'm so Happy -- that I don't do my son's washing any more! ::)
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;D
.... and I bet Mum always says "You be careful on that bike" ;)
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Well yes, it is! It wasn't natural, I discovered some time ago she was persuaded to dye it red to get away from too "Latin" a look.... but it was so gorgeous I forgave her! I don't know how good it looked in real life but it is quite fabulous on film.
Yes, she was originally Margarita Cansino. For Orson Welles she became a blonde - in 'Lady from Shanghai'.
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;D
.... and I bet Mum always says "You be careful on that bike" ;)
Why - do you think it would do any good? Actually, it looked great fun, and I especially enjoyed watching all the women riders.....as if!
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YAY!!! We have a baby swift - our first! I'm so proud....
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Oh congratulations, Anne - I hope you hatch many more!
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TWO!!!
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This one has just raised a smile:
A bloke starts his new job at the zoo and is given three tasks.
First is to clear the exotic fish pool of weeds.
As he does this a huge fish jumps out and bites him. To show who is
boss, he beats it to death with a spade.
Realizing his employer won't be best pleased he disposes of the fish by
feeding it to the lions, as lions will eat anything.
Moving on to the second job of clearing out the Chimp house, he is
attacked by the chimps that pelt him with coconuts.
He swipes at two chimps with a spade killing them both. What can he do?
Feed them to the lions, he says to himself, because lions eat
anything...
He hurls the corpses into the lion enclosure.
He moves on to the last job which is to collect honey from the South
American Bees.
As soon as he starts he is attacked by the bees. He grabs the spade and
smashes the bees to a pulp.
By now he knows what to do and shovels them into the lions cage because
lions eat anything.
Later that day a new lion arrives at the zoo.. He wanders up to another
lion and says "What's the food like here?"
The lions say: "Absolutely brilliant, today we had Fish and Chimps with
Mushy Bees
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Brillant ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Angie :)
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please look here :
http://www.chilloutzone.net/video/die-reichweite-der-frau-in-bayern.html (http://www.chilloutzone.net/video/die-reichweite-der-frau-in-bayern.html)
I hope many people can understand this german ( bavarian ) video ....it is fantastic ;D ;D ;D
Hans
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Little Max is very cute - love the sunglasses on his head!
I did not catch all he said, but enough to laugh!
I am quite glad though, that I have not to worry that my daughter might want to marry him! ::)
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"I am quite glad though, that I have not to worry that my daughter might want to marry him!"
why not Maggi ?
She can run free
she can drive to Mainburg ( for 5 hours )
and on her namesday she can drive to Regensburg
;D ;D ;D
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But my daughter would be a very careful driver, Hans....
it would take her longer than that to get to Mainburg ;) ;)
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maybe a problem for Max would be the language of your daughter ....he speaks only "boarisch" ;)
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Yes, that's true...and she speaks only Doric..... :P
But Max doesn't seem too impressed with the idea of marriage anyway ;D
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Thanks Hans for posting die Reichweite der Frau....hilarious , I understood every word of it , including the Bavarian dialect .
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Hi Otto ,
I'm glad that you like it ...I know that you speak bavarian
Servus
Hans
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I never understood a word, should have listened to my mum ::)
Angie :)
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Angie ,please ask Maggi for translation ..it is really funny ;D
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I never understood a word, should have listened to my mum ::)
Angie :)
"Why, what did she say?" "I don't know, I never listened..."
Sorry, we've just been to see the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy Radio Show Live - absolutely brilliant! You have to go, if you're a fan. And don't forget your towel.
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I never understood a word, should have listened to my mum ::)
Angie :)
Should have used the Babel Fish. ;D 8)
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;D ;D
A good day today, lots of bulb chipping to do, swiftcam on the telly and Classic FM on the radio (contented sigh...)
And it's not raining!
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;D ;D
A good day today, lots of bulb chipping to do, swiftcam on the telly and Classic FM on the radio (contented sigh...)
And it's not raining!
Sounds as if you had an enjoyable day. I spent most of the day cutting grass. I have to get it done when its not raining and that's not very often.
( I never understood a word, should have listened to my mum ) my mum tried to teach me German when I was little but I just never listed and therefore I never learnt the language. Shame really. I presume the video was German since it came from Hans J. I wonder if there is an easy way to translate languages on the computer.
Angie :)
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If you see this you'll know what not to do!
http://youtube.googleapis.com/v/316AzLYfAzw%26autoplay%3d1%26rel%3d0 (http://youtube.googleapis.com/v/316AzLYfAzw%26autoplay%3d1%26rel%3d0)
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Whilst video was very entertaining I am amazed that it ever took place.
Imagine that happening now in the Uk wit the heightened security for the Olympics. you only have to see what happened on the M6 toll road when someone smoked an electronic cigarette.
Glad nobody was hurt.
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I am very happy today because my machine has been removed and I now have an "ordinary" dressing on my op wound. I put marks around ordinary because it is still somewhat different from a bit of elastoplast, called "rope" by the nurse (because it is woven) but actually little strips which are absorbent and become like jelly so are easy to remove.
Emil the wound nurse, and just back from Germany where he was tramping in Bavaria and enjoying the wildflowers, is very pleased with how it is all going and said he has never seen such a large wound heal so quickly so yes, I'm very happy. Some way to go yet but he says we're on the home stretch. If only the damn thing wasn't so itchy!
I never did get as far as calling the machine (which went everywhere I went) Rover or Butch, so I shan't miss it at all. Quite the reverse, but it certainly has done a great job for me. ;D
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Glad you're making progress Lesley.
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Lesley, glad to hear that you are recovering :D
On the bright side: You don't need to weed at this time of the year, I suppose ;D
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Glad things are going well Lesley, just don't run before you can walk and you'll be back to normal in no time ;)
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for all fans of Border Collies :
http://www.wimp.com/sheeplight/ (http://www.wimp.com/sheeplight/)
enjoy
Hans
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If that's genuine, it's genius!
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Loved it Hans, it made me smile :D
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Brillant Hans, really enjoyed it.
Lesley glad to hear that things are getting better with you :-*
Angie :)
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I loved the sheep video too. I don;t think NZ sheep are so well trained! ;D
Thank you Angie, yes, improving rapidly to the extent I now have a going-back-to-work date, 6th August. I knew it had to come but the time off's been good while it lasted. Still going to doc clinics and having dressings changed but perhaps not for long now.
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Watching Wiggins shine! 8)
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We are delighted!
Cavendish is given a fantastic lead out by the man in the Yellow Jersey to win a superb sprint on the
Champs-Élysées and Wiggins wins the Tour de France ... their team-mate Froome is second overall. What a race!! 8) 8) 8)
I'm surprised you couldn't hear our shouts in NZ!
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It's been well covered here. 8)
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Watched our first ever ( in the garden ) Common or Viviparous Lizard, Zootoca vivipara, for about 10 mins today. ;D ;D ;D He then scooted off into the long grass. He was a particularly handsome male with a pronounced blue colour to his tail, when the sun :o caught him right.
Note - this species was formerly Lacerta vivipara.
We are absolutely made up, that this species has chosen to join us ;D ;D
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Watching Wiggins shine! 8)
According to our Culture Minister, Mr Jeremy Hunt: " No honour is too little for Bradley Wiggins". Said twice today during a radio interview. Mr Hunt received a First from Oxford!
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According to our Culture Minister, Mr Jeremy Hunt: " No honour is too little for Bradley Wiggins". Said twice today during a radio interview. Mr Hunt received a First from Oxford!
Not in English I hope Gerry. Is there a "Murdoch College", perhaps he attended that? ::)
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I believe there is such a thing as the Ronald McDonald University.... that sounds a likely place for him.... and a good many others I can think of!
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Not in English I hope Gerry. Is there a "Murdoch College", perhaps he attended that? ::)
In PPE David. I did wonder about some kind of Murdoch connection.
I believe there is such a thing as the Ronald McDonald University.... that sounds a likely place for him.... and a good many others I can think of!
That seems very likely Maggi.
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I believe there is such a thing as the Ronald McDonald University.... that sounds a likely place for him.... and a good many others I can think of!
Probably funded by the City Burgers.
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;D Perhaps to receive a Burger Masters degree?
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Silly burgers ::)
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Watched our first ever ( in the garden ) Common or Viviparous Lizard, Zootoca vivipara, for about 10 mins today. ;D ;D ;D He then scooted off into the long grass. He was a particularly handsome male with a pronounced blue colour to his tail, when the sun :o caught him right.
Note - this species was formerly Lacerta vivipara.
We are absolutely made up, that this species has chosen to join us ;D ;D
WOW Ron i wish they were in my back garden any chance of some pics maybe set a basking area for them.
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I'm trying Davey, .... I'm trying. ;D ;D
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Yesterday we had torrential rain, which raised the level of the storm water ponds, as can be seen by the weed on the fence above the waterfall. Today 17oC and sunny, and I spotted some rainbow skinks sunning themselves on the walls at the local reserve/football pitches.
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This could so easily have been an 'I'm so un-happy' posting....
..my magnolias had the lurgy, and I was worried that I had Phytophthora kernoviae...(the magnolia equivalent of the ramorum blight of rhodies)..
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I'm assuming you've worked out what it is and it isn't as bad? Can't work out why else it would be in the "happy" topic? ;D
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I contacted the Defra/Fera/Plant health inspectorate on Monday and sent them some digital photo's of the symptoms, and they said they wanted to visit..
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Crikey, that bark split looks awful. :P Can't imagine that could ever be a reason for happiness, regardless of the cause......
So, what is the problem with them?
Giles, you're teasing us, you bandit!
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..they came today (just be patient Paul, I'm typing as fast as I can !!)...and field tested every plant with symptoms....
(a positive test would mean destroying the lot)
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..and the whole lot was totally clear!!!!!!
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So what the heck is wrong with them then?
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..so I can sit back and enjoy my magnolia forest, as it matures over the next 10-20 years :) ;) :D 8)
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Bacterial leaf spot ( a one off due to the wet weather earlier in the year)
Bark cracking (growth spurt also due to the wet).
Nothing life threatening or persistent.
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Giles - It looks reminiscent of this target canker that hit an otherwise healthy M. tripetala x sieboldii this year. Every juncture is like this to about 5 feet.
Not so happy.
johnw
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;D ;D ;D
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Nice one Michael.
Pleased for your young forest Giles. What a tragedy it would have been, had they been diseased. The weather is responsible for much more than making us miserable. Winter clings on here even tho' the garden is spring-like. Good frost this morning.
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Friend just presented us with about 40 peaches from her trees. Ken just made ginger peach sorbet! Waiting for someone to make a peach pie.
johnw
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Friend just presented us with about 40 peaches from her trees. Ken just made ginger peach sorbet! Waiting for someone to make a peach pie.
johnw
Sounds yummy, John.
Any chance you can post the peach and ginger sorbet recipe in Cooks Corner?
We've had some really good peaches this year, have been making quite a lot of fresh peach and chilli salsa which goes really well with just about anything barbecued.
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Never had Peach pie, sounds great. Now who could give me 40 Peaches ;D
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Bob Geldof?
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The Stranglers?
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Glad to see the "Musos" are still around. I think Miss Geldorf might be a little strong for me :o
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Del Monte?
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Glad to see the "Musos" are still around. I think Miss Geldorf might be a little strong for me :o
;D ;D ;D
Your welcome to as many as you want David, next time you're in Yorkshire during Peach season. ;D
Four years ago Nora bought me a 'Dwarf' Peach tree for my Birthday. We planted it in the Polytunnel as it wouldn't take up much room! ::) I think the nursery we got it from would probably list a Redwood as 'Small Growing'. ::) ::)
Hot peaches from the bush are amazing though. Love them with a little bit of Gorgonzola where the stone was. ;D ;D ;D
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Those peaches look really good.
Angie :)
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They are so good Angie when picked just ripe and hot from the heat of the poly ;D. So juicy ... runs everywhere ;D
Bring some Ice Cream and we can have a 'Peach Melba' or a Peachy style 'Banana Split'. ;D ;D
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Bring some Ice Cream and we can have a 'Peach Melba' or a Peachy style 'Banana Split'. ;D ;D
The Peachy style Banana split sounds good to me. God job you are a wee bit away from me or I would take you up on your offer.
Angie :)
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It'd have to be Peach pie and peas in Yorkshire!
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It'd have to be Peach pie and peas in Yorkshire!
Not a problem David, ...... we have more than one WC if you need, ;D ;D
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David - I can only show you the remains of a peach pie that a lurking forumist offered us last Saturday night. We didn't make it in time......
We had two before so we're not to be pitied.
johnw
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Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ;D
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The magnolias that have been in flower here for a couple of weeks or more are called Magnolia "Star Wars".
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Sorry Anthony but that Magnolia doesn't flower in late August in Dunblane !!
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Sorry Anthony but that Magnolia doesn't flower in late August in Dunblane !!
I'd be surprised if it flowers at all in Dunblane.
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The magnolias that have been in flower here for a couple of weeks or more are called Magnolia "Starwars".
I may be quite wrong but I think that's another NZer, perhaps from Jury? Some super magnolias out here now, campbellii almost finished but so many others coming to replace. Although they're magnificent I don't think any other matches the purity of pinkness that campbellii has. 'Heaven Scent' is good and has the advantage of being late, through to October in the south, making for a long season.
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Lesley,
Yes, Star Wars is of NZ breeding, it's one of the suite including Black Tulip, Vulcan and Felix I think. I have all 4 I mentioned in my garden as I love them. 8)
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I think they're lovely. 8)
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Black Tulip, Vulcan and Felix I think. I have all 4 I mentioned in my garden as I love them. 8)
Pity these three don't carry their colours in N. America. :'(
johnw
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John,
Do they fade? If so, I wonder why?
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They may very well fade but the colour is a rather dirty purplish pink. Only once did I ever see a Vulcan that stopped me in my tracks and that was after a very mild winter in Vancouver. Even then it was not as red as the pix in NZ would indicate it can be. How are they in the UK?
After this very mild winter here we noticed the flower colour of the saucers, Galaxy and Spectrum improved greatly over past years, seems any purplish hint was gone. It must have something to do with length of winter and/or the minimum temps.
Funny that the campbelliis in Vancouver seem comparable in colour to those in the UK. Can we blame liliiflora for this mudiness of the others? I believe all the hybrids mentioned above have liliiflora blood.
johnw
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Nasa releases first Mars images from Curiosity rover.
It seems that Curiosity is effective - not a cat in sight.
Next stop Brighton
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.... second stop Ivybridge ;D
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It seems that Curiosity is effective - not a cat in sight.
It will be due to that laser Curiosity has - we all know that Curiosity killed the cat. ;D
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I'm so happy that I'm heading off tomorrow morning to drive to Victoria and spend a few days visiting Otto and other friends down in the Dandenongs. Coming back Tuesday, so it isn't a long trip, but I am so looking forward to it. First holiday in a couple of years and first break of any sort away from Canberra (other than day trips to nurseries a couple of hours north of here) since my wife passed away in March. I need some fresh scenery for a few days at least. And the Ferny Creek Horticultural Society Show is on this weekend (which is why part of why I'm heading down, as it isn't the same weekend as our own Hort Show here in Canberra for a change... it's the following week). Very pleased to be getting away, and so looking forward to it. ;D
Have a great weekend folks. You probably won't hear from me until I get back, unless we can get Otto's computer working again.... it's been down for the last couple of weeks! :o
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Hee hee..... You may not be rid of me for my trip after all...... I just set up the forum on my smartphone. Now I can check this any time. ;D :D
Be afraid, be very afraid. ;)
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Hee hee..... You may not be rid of me for my trip after all...... I just set up the forum on my smartphone. Now I can check this any time. ;D :D
Be afraid, be very afraid. ;)
Enjoy yourself and take lots of pictures that we over here can see what we are missing ;)
Angie :)
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I'll try to Angie. I take heaps of pics in my own garden too, I just never seem to get them prepared at present for posting here. ::)
Heading off before too long I hope. Currently 6:30am here and 10'C. Very mild..... Last Saturday it was -7'C at the same time.
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Have a terrific break Paul. 8)
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Have fun Paul !
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Thanks folks. Made it safely down here today. Only 700km or so, so a manageable drive. ;D. Lovely to see Otto... and his garden tomorrow. Raining solidly this evening. So happy to be away from home for a few days.
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Have a grand old time, Paul- and please give Otto and other Chums down there hugs from me :-*
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And a big hug and kiss from Otto to Maggi (his words) and there'll be lots of pics to post when I get back. Lots! Hopefully I do a better job of getting to preparing them than I have recently. ::)
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Thanks Paul and Otto - that's made my day! :) 8)
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Well I've made it safely back. Please try to keep your wild cheering to a minimum so as not to disturb your neighbours. ;D :P
Going to bed now (1am). ;D
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Just watched Andy win the US open. Fantastic! 8)
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Excellent that he's finally cracked that Major. Brilliant!!
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A legend in my lunchtime! He made Scotland proud! Sir Sean was shaken but not stirred and wasn't the expression on the face of Ivan terrible until the very end?
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A legend in my lunchtime! He made Scotland proud! Sir Sean was shaken but not stirred and wasn't the expression on the face of Ivan terrible until the very end?
Brillant wasn't it. Hope Dunblane are proud of their boy. I watched it right to the end and thats saying a lot for me.
Well, he did it. For all those folks that thought that he would never achieve it he HAS. Well done Andy :D
Angie :)
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How's this for happy news from post earthquake New Zealand?
[attachimg=1]
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Wow!! Good avert for the memory cards. ;D
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Well Mrs W very happy today,finally have signs of the mistletoe growing in the crab apple tree after about 4 years of trying to get it to take,and many ,many attempts with seeds,We have one solitary leaf about an inch long...............................fingers crossed it will improve
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Maybe she thinks it's her only chance of a kiss? ;D
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Maybe she thinks it's her only chance of a kiss? ;D
There are some of our native mistletoe budding up around town, one outside the window of the room where I had my op wound dressed. I plan to go back and take pics when it's in flower around Christmas to show you what a PROPER mistletoe is like. ;D
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I look forward to that Lesley
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I wonder if there are any round us?
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They seem mostly to be cool bush plants, a lot in the general forested environs of Dunedin but many have found their way, by birds I suppose into our town gardens. Flowers are scarlet and could be mistaken for swags of Embothrium.
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I think I'm turning into a bit of a hoon..... I put new rims on the Ute today. ;D
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Lesley,
I think I remember pics of your lovely red Mistletoes that have been posted in the past. An absolute blaze of colour from memory. I look forward to pics when they're in flower again. 8)
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I've seen red/orange mistletoes in Port Douglas.
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I think I'm turning into a bit of a hoon..... I put new rims on the Ute today. ;D
Why don't you put a sticker of a flower on your doors and be a plant loving hoon? 8)
:P ;D
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We've had a recent craze in Australia of Frangipani and Lilium stickers on your car windows, in the corners of the back window etc. They have to be the tackiest things ever invented. Would put me off the idea of any flower on my car, to put it mildly. Now if I could find a nice Red Dragon sticker, that would fit. ;D
Actually, only coming in slightly behind are these awful stick figure families stickers that you put on your car windows as well. You can get all sorts of different figures to represent the members of your family (and pets). The majority of these are just so lame it is embarrassing, but there are a couple of sets that I don't mind as there is some humour to them or actually taking the micky out of the whole stick figure window stickers craze. ::)
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I just had a look to find a link to show you the stick figures, in case you didn't know what I was talking about.......
Just put "stick figure stickers" into google and have a wander. I like the Psychotic and Alternative ones myself, but be warned some of them are not for the faint hearted. I just laughed myself silly (sillier?) looking through some of them. I had no idea that there were so many possibilities. I might actually have to get some of the more interesting ones for the ute. ;D ;D
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And then there are the I hate stick figure family stickers (http://www.funnyordie.com/articles/33533df348/i-hate-those-stick-figure-family-stickers-on-mini-vans) posts, also not for the faint hearted.
So John, I really must thank you for suggesting the flower sticker, because as a result of that I have had an absolute ball researching into the alternative stick figure family sites. ;D Now I am even happier. ;)
And in answer to the obvious question, no I am not on any mind altering substances, I just have a quirky sense of humour as some of you may have guessed in the past.
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Hmmmm :-\ I can see why these stick figure family stickers are popular over there and I get the feeling that these might be coming to Europe too. Haven't seen them yet though.
Maybe you should stick to a fox tail on your antenna and a couple of dices hanging on your rear view mirror Paul and be a genuine hoon...... 8) ;D
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Ah, the good old fluffy dice. Never looked good, never will. ;D
Now the foxtail on the antenna on the other hand..... ;)
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;D ;D ;D
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We have the stick figure things here too in car windows. Can't see the point myself but I'll look in Google. Could do with a laugh. ;)
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I see what you mean, Paul, :-X, but I did like the Stormtrooper ones.
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I have to have a bit of a laugh again..... I think last time I posted a pic of my ute, just after I bought it, I commented that it was viewed/opened much more than any plant photo I had posted. Looks like the same thing has happened this time. Already been enlarged 28 times in just over 13 hours. Beats any flower picture I've ever posted, hands down. :o
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Too many men on this forum ? ::)
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Too many men? Not possible. ;D
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Too many men? Not possible. ;D
Lesley :o ;)
Angie :)
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A whole week of no tidying up after hubby, no need to cook meals and no history programmes on TV. Bliss ;D
Should just say hubby is just away abroad playing golf and who packed his case, got his euros and even cleaned his golf shoes for him.
Angie :)
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Mmm. I must be doing something wrong? :-\ I don't play golf, pack my own case, cook most of the meals and clean all the shoes. Don't get the chance to watch the history channel, although I did watch "Mission Impossible - Ghost Protocol" tonight, but that was Vivienne's choice. Somehow 'Sex in the City II had been deleted from the Sky+ ::). I even do the weekly supermarket shop, but not this weekend, as I've cracked a rib (memo to self: if my son ever has a go-carting birthday party again, decline the offer of a turn). I even managed to avoid cutting the lawns today. They got cut, but not by me. 8)
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Oh, Anthony, please tell me there is a video of the rib-cracking escapade….
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Anthony you won't be wanting to watch a comedy then. Sorry to hear that you have cracked a rib.
No milking the situation now ;)
Angie :)
ps Tell you what more work than looking after my hubby its looking after a 3year old.
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Angie :)
ps Tell you what more work than looking after my hubby its looking after a 3year old.
TOTALLY agree, Angie ... completely EXHAUSTING!!!! ;D
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How about 2,5 year old twins?
Lina.
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Doesn't bear thinking about, Lina. ;D ;D :-\ :'(
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But unfortunately my grandchildren live in America, so I don't get the chance to get exhausted.
So please be happy, you can. 😀😀😀
Lina.
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TOTALLY agree, Angie ... completely EXHAUSTING!!!! ;D
Yep exhausting is right and to think she will get up at 6.30 as well, maybe because I kept her up a wee bit longer she might sleep that little bit longer.
Lina one is enough especially as I am getting older. Cant cope like I used to. When I had Lola's mum it was never hard work but that was thirty years ago. I was unable t have children myself so I used to borrow everyone else's children for the weekends, good fun as I never had the teenage years to worry about.
Angie :)
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I agree it is exhausting, when we are over there, I am in bed at ten. Not only because of the small children but also because of the language. To talk english makes very tired. But I would love to do it more often.
But this is the happy topic, so
I AM VERY HAPPY WITH FACE-TIME.
I hope, you 'll wake up a little later tomorrow, Angie.
Lina.
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No video of the rib-cracking incident as I only took video in the first fifteen minute session when I just watched.
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Saw the eclipse from school this morning. Cairns was the place to be, but we had 87% cover.
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Anthony,
We had 100% cover.... of cloud that is. ::) :'( Impressive pictures on the morning shows of the view from Cairns. Really was amazing to see the coronal ring come into view almost by magic.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lHb5ruGUyw (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lHb5ruGUyw)
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I had a lovely surprise on monday evening. At the end of my talk to the North East England AGS group I was somewhat astonished to be presented with an AGS gold medal (for 50 firsts in AGS shows) AND an SRGC bronze medal (for 10 firsts in SRGC shows, section 1).
Both were a complete surprise. I had no idea I was approaching either milestone (I don't keep track), nor had I been told by either shows department, and I am touched that someone organised the presentation as I did not attend either AGM.
It has taken me 17 years to get there but not bad considering I only do 2 shows most years!
Besides this, Susan and I had a great evening in Ponteland, we know so many of the group from shows and from the SRGC discussion weekends that we felt right at home. We also got gifts of plants from ChrisB and also from a Scottish friend who passed them on to Sue Gill at the Ponteland show and Sue delivered them safely on monday after taking care of them for a month. Aren't gardeners great? :)
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What fun, Darren - always so nice to get a pleasant surprise - and well deserved rewards for your lovely show plants and support of the shows. 8) 8)
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Hearty congratulations, Darren ... and I (for one) wasn't aware that you gave lectures ... we will have to be having words. ;)
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Hearty congratulations, Darren ... and I (for one) wasn't aware that you gave lectures ... we will have to be having words. ;)
Suggest hearing the reviews first.... ;)
I've done quite a few but keep it low key and don't advertise - working full time, plus my relying on Susan for driving much of the time, prevents long distance ones as a rule but the Ponteland one was a good excuse to talk on a favourite subject (Cape Bulbs). Monday was my first digital one and I'm doing the same one at our own group in Lancaster in Feb.
Susan, bless her, spent a total of 6 hours driving, without complaint. I did offer to drive but obviously this was too scary a prospect .. for both of us... ( I can drive but I hate it and it only happens in emergencies!).
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We went to a large group Garden Centre today, supposedly to visit Edinburgh Wool shop. Had to check out the plants of course. All bulbs 50% off. Loose crocus being crammed into the bags labelled £4.00 for 20. Asked for the Crocus sieberi 'Tricolor', which they managed to sqeeze into 2 bags. Just counted them.
200 crocus for £2.00 after discounts and the odd coupon I had. Maybe I will go back tomorrow.
Congratulations Darren. A great way to receive the recognition.
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Congratulations Darren,and a very well done to Susan as well for doing all the driving
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Had a very enjoyable evening yesterday listening to Ian Rankin ( from the Kingdom of Fife ) relating how he wrote a book . I like the part where , just like us , he doesn't know who did it with 20 pages to go . Waited in the queue and he signed Mandy's wedding anniversary present . :)
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Well done, Darren. Congratulations. 8)
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I'm so happy again..... Tired but happy.... Down in Victoria visiting Otto and co. Spent the day at the Royal Botanic Gardens at Cranbourne yesterday. What a place!! Amazing. Hundreds of pics taken, and not just by me. I was like a kid in a candy store,and you should have seen John Grimshaw! ;D. Looking forward to his talk this afternoon, if I can stay awake. This visiting friends gig is tiring.
Anyway, there'll be lots of pics posted when I get back. Otto will lynch me if I don't. :o. Sorry for typos etc. This is being typed on my smartphone so not as quick or easy as usual.
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Suggest hearing the reviews first.... ;)
I've done quite a few but keep it low key and don't advertise - working full time, plus my relying on Susan for driving much of the time, prevents long distance ones as a rule but the Ponteland one was a good excuse to talk on a favourite subject (Cape Bulbs). Monday was my first digital one and I'm doing the same one at our own group in Lancaster in Feb.
Susan, bless her, spent a total of 6 hours driving, without complaint. I did offer to drive but obviously this was too scary a prospect .. for both of us... ( I can drive but I hate it and it only happens in emergencies!).
Well done Darren on your award. I to never knew that you did talks, wonder if Aberdeen is to far for Susan to drive ;)
Angie :)
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Perfectly good rail service to Aberdeen..... ;) ;)
Ian and I are happy, we are in Ireland at the Dublin AGS Termonfeckin weekend - lots of good friends here and the sun is shining!
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Hi Maggi, enjoy yourselves and please, please lots of pictures.
Angie :)
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Oh dear, don't know how to tell you this - but for the second time in as many weeks- we are out and about with no camera! Didn't have one at the AGM either :-[ :-[
Must be old age or creeping stupidity :-\
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Oh dear, don't know how to tell you this - but for the second time in as many weeks- we are out and about with no camera! Didn't have one at the AGM either :-[ :-[
Must be old age or creeping stupidity :-\
Should have taken your iPad ;)
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Oh dear, don't know how to tell you this - but for the second time in as many weeks- we are out and about with no camera! Didn't have one at the AGM either :-[ :-[
Must be old age or creeping stupidity :-\
Maggi now we won't see what we are missing. Ireland is such a wonderful place and I think the people are so so friendly, cant wait until I can visit again.
Have a good time and remember when you come home don't leave Ian there ;)
Angie :)
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Ian and I are happy, we are in Ireland at the Dublin AGS Termonfeckin weekend - lots of good friends here and the sun is shining!
Have a Termonfeckin good weekend both ;)
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Well done Darren on your award. I to never knew that you did talks, wonder if Aberdeen is to far for Susan to drive ;)
Angie :)
Angie, for you and Maggi, I'd walk ;)
On drat - that bl*@dy song by the Proclaimers just popped into my head and I just KNOW it will be there for days now........
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???At least it's not Al Jolson Darren. ;D
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Yes, I'm so happy! :)
I've got a cat now! :D
His name is Chizhik (russian common name of Carduelis spinus). He is a son of a wild cat. For two years he lived with my village neighbor. Sometimes I posted pictures at the forum. We were friends, I shared my food with him.
And now this cat is mine. :)
Never suppose semi-wild cat can be so clever, tactful and tidy!
(http://cs302513.userapi.com/v302513879/29df/E8BXbATCdcM.jpg)
(http://cs302513.userapi.com/v302513879/29e7/h6t0DMIBkDs.jpg)
Of course he is bored by apartment life after free village living. An we both are waiting for spring. :)
(http://cs406930.userapi.com/v406930879/3405/9FHPacacf_w.jpg)
"Olga, I'm so tired watching TV! Lets go to the village!"
(http://cs406930.userapi.com/v406930879/3332/8DE6DqSgUsY.jpg)
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It looks nice, Olga! Congratulations :D
We also have a semiwild cat, which was separated too early from its mother and lived for the first two and a half years with people who didn't care. So it didn't learn things which are important for cats. The first years it was quite suspicious against us and didn't like hugs, but now it is very confident.
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Olga he looks lovely. Obviously photogenic but then again any subject in your hands would look perfect.
I used to have four cats myself all gone to cat heaven. The last two years I fed a wild cat but I could never get to touch him, he would sit at my feet as long as I never made a move. I fear that cat flu got him in the end. Never found a body even though he slept in my shed. Nice to have a cat around to keep the mice numbers down, maybe another one might turn up.
Hope you have plenty fun with him.
Angie :)
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Thank you Susanne and Angie!
Susanne I wonder my cat learned things important for cats straight away. And it is very patient to our endearment. I take it 100 times per day to caress and it purr to show the pleasure.
Angie it’s so painful to lose pets!
Lots of mice here some years. No cat can control them.
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Olga
Chizhik looks like an excellent mouser. YOU are very lucky that he let you into his life :) (Of course I think HE is very lucky to have such a caring owner).
I sadly lost my cat - Gemma - who was 18 to two massive fits. Coupled with possible blindness the vet thought she probably had a brain tumour. I took her to the PDSA hospital at 0200 the day before travelling to the Pelopennese. It would have been much worse to come home and find that she had died at the cattery.
I discussed with the vet the possiibility of finding a kitten. She said that one of the nurses was hand rearing 6 kittens whose mother had died. I put my name down for one and later that morning phoned to say I would like two.
I collected them a week after my return from Greece. They are both female and have such energy. I have never laughed so much seeing them speeding round my lounge, climbing the special scratch post ensemble, and lying in wait to pounce on each other.
The vet who gave them their first injections this week thought that they were two of the best adjusted kittens he had seen in a long time - a credit to the nurse who hand reared them.
I named them NICKI & VICKI after the nurse and the vet at the PDSA. Nicki and Vicki are friends in real life and I think my little terrors will mirror this.
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Art they will be like twins with only slight differences.
I took two kittens together about 14 years ago and Smokie is still with us. She has been bitten twice by brown snakes so I call her our $1000 cat. Usually any noise close by and she will jump but last night she brought in a baby brown snake. In the dim light ( I was on the phone and had not turned on the light yet) I thought she had a pretty big mouse or a lizard till I realised with shock that it was a snake (or a legless lizard) A very hasty 'Have to go' to the person on the phone. By this time our other cat Millie had come to investigate and I bundled up both cats and threw them into another room. Grabbed the broom and swept the snake out from under the Christmas tree - it did have part of its tail separated by the cats. So there I am with a baby brown wriggling under the broom, and a bit of tail wriggling around. Luckily a son turned up and put pressure over the head with the enamel jug ::) - enough to kill it and then it was added to the jar with the other brown snake in metho from a number of years ago.
In such a situation I am not sure how the heck you are supposed to see clearly enough if it is a legless lizard ???
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I don't know much about Australian snakes except that the taipan is deadly. Is the brown snake poisonous?
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Mmmm. A quick Google tells me it IS poisonous. I didn't realise Australia had so many different snakes. We have none here. I don't mind snakes at all, but of course say that from the comfort of having none around. I do think they are all beautiful and my mother who encountered a few in Oz said they were cool and very pleasant to touch.
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Yes brown snakes are very poisonous - even a young one. I was looking at the cats for an hour afterwards to check for effects as they show up fairly quickly. Luckily they were fine. As the snakes around here are poisonous I am not going to pat any.
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Australia has 9 of the 10 most deadly snakes in the world. 8)
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Is this the perfect answer to moving your garden (a little bit at a time)?
You can even go on holiday with your greenhouse :D
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Double-Glazing-Display-Trailer-/121031193820?pt=UK_Car_Accessories_Touring_Travel&hash=item1c2e0574dc (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Double-Glazing-Display-Trailer-/121031193820?pt=UK_Car_Accessories_Touring_Travel&hash=item1c2e0574dc)
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Is this the perfect answer to moving your garden (a little bit at a time)?
You can even go on holiday with your greenhouse :D
:o :o :o :o :o :o
I want it!!
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Ive got my first fencing (the kind with swords ) competition tomorrow ;D
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Good luck Emma! Where do you find the time for all these activities of yours? I'm impressed
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Very interesting Emma.
Looks a touch difficult to me but I'd be easily foiled. Still, you could pop into Pret for some lunge on the way and enjoy your riposte before disengaging and attacking your right of way to the target area ::) :P
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épée'd to see that. ;D ;D .................but then I'd probably see the black card :-[
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You're as bad as me ;D
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I fencing a touché feely sport?
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:P ha ha
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You're as bad as me ;D
You are still the Master ;D ... its just a small foible of mine, ;D
Just too many manipulators. ;D
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You're probably right though that it is a little Passé ,and I'm really not surprised if you are somewhat Piste. ;D ;D
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Duìbùqǐ ( 對不起 ) Deesan Lǎoshī ( 老師 ) ;D ;D
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That's easy for you to say Ron!
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Eh!
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I won 2 out of my 4 foil fencing matches , not bad for some one whos only been fencing 6 weeks ;D i am well chuffed .
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Crumbs, Emma, that was a good result - talk about jumping in at the deep end....... oh, sorry, wrong sport.... but you know what I mean...... ;D
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Well,, Maggi, as long as she doesn't jump on her own sword it is fine. Paddy
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We went up to Howick, a lovely little village with a Saturday market, lots of coffee shops and art and gift shops. In one I saw a plaque that read: "money can't buy you happiness, but it can buy you chocolate, which is sort of the same". ;D
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We went up to Howick, a lovely little village with a Saturday market, lots of coffee shops and art and gift shops. In one I saw a plaque that read: "money can't buy you happiness, but it can buy you chocolate, which is sort of the same". ;D
One of life's Great Truths, Anthony!
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I must admit you were in my thoughts when I read that, says he reaching for a handful of M & Ms that were packed into my Kindle box. 8)
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Just want to say THANK YOU TO Maggi :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* You are a star
also i am happy because my French bulldog Eavis won his class at LKA Dog show yesterday , best hes ever done at a show. We are all getting steak for tea as a treat.
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Well done Eavis! Your little furry Star, Emma!
Steak all round for tea is definitely called for - Lily agrees for sure!
[attachimg=1]
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Well done. The best kind of Christmas present. 8)
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well i enjoyed my steak, the doglets steak didnt even touch the sides as they ate it ::) Im sure they enjoyed it in their own way :)
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Whilst there is little that could make me actually happy at this time of year, the edge has at least been taken off the grumpiness by a parcel that just arrived.
The only plant book I regret not buying when it was published was Charles Craib's 'Geophytic Pelargoniums'. Published in 2001 with a limited print run it is now rare as hen's teeth with second-hand copies fetching high prices when available. Talking to David Tatttersfield this summer he expressed the same regret.
To my astonishment (and his) Keith Larkin of Keith's Plant Books recently managed to find several NEW copies from a South African source and has listed them at a reasonable price. My copy has just arrived :)
And when I got to work this morning an 'anonymous colleague' had left a bar of chocolate for me on my desk. Given that there is only one person who currently has a reason to think she owes me a favour, knows I'm a chocoholic and was working over the weekend, it was not that anonymous. That's one young lady who knows the way (or one of them at least) to this old bloke's heart ;D
And a previous favour to another colleague was repaid with a bottle of single malt last week ;D
So I'm off to the gym shortly in the hope of sweating out this uncharacteristic episode of seasonal cheer before everyone thinks I've cracked up.
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Oh,you're an evil man, Darren! Now I've seen another book site I shouldn't look at! :o :o :o
http://www.keithsplantbooks.co.uk/?books=G (http://www.keithsplantbooks.co.uk/?books=G)
;D ;D ;D
cheers
fermi
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Yes Fermi I have ordered from Keith's Plant Books before and the service is good plus there is plenty to entice with their newsletter.
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Oh,you're an evil man, Darren! Now I've seen another book site I shouldn't look at! :o :o :o
http://www.keithsplantbooks.co.uk/?books=G (http://www.keithsplantbooks.co.uk/?books=G)
;D ;D ;D
cheers
fermi
I know - he has a great selection of South African books especially - and at good prices. I just bought the Genus Lachenalia from him for significantly less than Amazon were selling it.
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I followed a car with the number plate "TARDIS" today (Kiwi number plates are up to 6 digits - any number or letter. Sometimes writing above and/or below make funny reading e.g. My kids think IMNATM. One of my friends has ALOALO). I think I will have to find a set of book shelves that has that method of storage: bigger on the inside; smaller on the outside. I have long ago run out of space. I daren't look at another book catalogue!
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here a "nice" video from melbourne metro :
http://dumbwaystodie.com/ (http://dumbwaystodie.com/)
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Not bad Hans, my great neice liked the song.
Angie :)
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Angie ,
your neice has a good taste :D
I have read today that this video has since 6.11.12 around 11.343.081 (!!!) clicks ...
not bad !
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I'll try to remember it when I'm in Melbourne at the end of January.
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I'm so happy because today I retired from my job, 45 years as a plant-propagator for a local nursery, and now I can start playing in my just build greenhouse at home, all I have to do is build the plant tables and I'm ready to go.
I will use it for seeding, cuttings and grafting.
My kids say "that is not retiring dad"
Hope to participate more on the forum (I'm a lurker)
And in May hope to meet up with some of the forum members in Prague
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Congratulations Arie, this 6 month veteran of retirement hasn't regretted it for one minute.
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Congratulations Arie. You'll soon wonder how you found time to do the things you did before you retired. Enjoy your new greenhouse.
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Enjoy your retirement. Looking forward to all your posts now that you have loads of spare time, well time to do what you want when you want, enjoy.
Angie :)
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Enjoy it Arie.
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Have lots of fun Arie !
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Going to see The Albion Band tonight in Ivybridge (complete with Ashley Hutchings and Simon Nicol) one of a series of "small venue" concerts they do around Christmas time playing traditional Christmas stuff. Provided they can actually get here through the floods should be good.
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Stonkingly good gig. Small venue, audience of around 150 and almost as if they were playing in my own front room. Ashley Hutchins on bass and vocals, Simon Nicol on guitars and vocals, Kellie While on guitar and vocals and Simon Care on percussion and melodians. Lots of traditional folky Christmas stuff with audience invited to sing along or clap, with assured playing you'd expect from people with their experience. Kellie While was new on me, although I had heard of her mother Chris While who also used to be in one of The Albion Bands many incarnations. Simon Care introduced her as "having the voice of an angel" and he was spot on, she did a hauntingly beautiful version of Joni Mitchell's "River" .
RIVER ~ JONI MITCHELL ~ (Lyrics) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GpFudDAYqxY#)
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a hauntingly beautiful version of Joni Mitchell's "River" .
one of my favourites- used to sing it myself --- "it's coming on Christmas, they're cutting down trees, they're putting up reindeer and singing songs of joy and peace - oh, I wish I had a river, I could skate away on.... "
Crikey.... got a nasty shock when I played the video --- as I turned the sound up, it activated another window I had open with the sound turned down- very odd juxtaposition of tunes with some ragtime and Joni!
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well i enjoyed my steak, the doglets steak didnt even touch the sides as they ate it ::) Im sure they enjoyed it in their own way :)
I've often thought what a waste and shame it is that dogs, given something they especially love to eat, gulp it down so fast they can't possibly taste it. Can we train them to chew slowly and get every last bit of pleasure from the treat? Don't suppose so. ;D
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I've often thought what a waste and shame it is that dogs, given something they especially love to eat, gulp it down so fast they can't possibly taste it. Can we train them to chew slowly and get every last bit of pleasure from the treat? Don't suppose so. ;D
This is something to which I've given much thought, over the years - yes, I know, I'm a strange person.
I believe that dogs have such a tremendously sensitive sense of smell that they probably get as much
( more!) pleasure from the smell of any food before it has reached their mouth as we get having chewed it thoroughly. They'd never look so pleased with a treat otherwise, I'm sure!
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We gave Heidi a large shin bone so it would last through our Christmas dinner! 8)
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Had an ultrasound of my foot yesterday - yeah found the 7cm palm spike in it. It has been in there for at least a month. Now to work out when and how and who will take it out.
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Good grief , Pat - that is really scary - though I suppose it is good news that the problem is determined..... :-\
Best of luck with a complete, and speedy solution!
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7cm gosh that's nearly three inches! :o
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7cm gosh that's nearly three inches! :o
In Pat's case it must surely be nearly half a foot.......... ::)
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It'a amazing you were able to walk Pat and you must have had terrible pain. So pleased it's identified and I do hope it will be removed (carefully) very soon and you have a full and speedy recovery. However did it get there?
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Ha ha Maggi - yes I know I am short!!!
I was looking for a helicopter (as you do) out the back yard and the chooks had scratched a part of a palm front ( the part with sharp spikes that attaches to the trunk) that this untidy gardener had not cleared away ages ago. Walking in thongs (flip flops or whatever they are known in your part of the world).
Yes it was pretty bad when it went in and it was damn sore for ages. It ached at night mostly. I did go onto antibiotics after seeing the doctor a couple of days later. It is not too far under the surface - starts mid foot and ends between heel and ankle bone - inside of foot.
The witch doctor had already given me a local and cut into it to find the spike - without luck and he was saying that it must have come out. Sure! ??? This photo which I took in Harrow on our post conference Heritage Rose tour seems apt - the second from the left.
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I do like the tombstones Pat but I'm sure that one is NOT apt. Indeed you seem truly stoic. I would have been screaming to A and E within seconds of the accident!
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I'm still trying to work out why a 7 cm spike from a palm frond stuck in ones foot while wearing a thong, sorry, thongs, (jandals, flipflops) ends up in the "I'm so happy" thread? :-\
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I'm still trying to work out why a 7 cm spike from a palm frond stuck in ones foot while wearing a thong, sorry, thongs, (jandals, flipflops) ends up in the "I'm so happy" thread? :-\
It could have been an 8cm spike!!!!
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Didn't think of that. ;D
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After the doctor dug around at the point of entry and did not find anything he was querying whether there was even a spike in it - that is why it is a happy thread as I was sure it was still there. Yes it could have been worse too.
Just heard that I go to have it out Wednesday morning at a hospital by an orthopaedic surgeon. 8am - so I will have to leave home at 6.30am or before and fast for 8 hours as well. I hadn't realised that the deep end was 16mm below skin level and not 4 mm as I had thought.
It is my accellorator foot so I am now concerned how painful it might be afterwards to move
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All the best Pat. Fasting for 8 hours shouldn't be a problem, unless you tend to snack in the middle of the night?
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I can't believe how this ghastly thing was missed by the docs in the first place. Surely a basic Xray should have shown it? So glad at least it's now accepted as there, and something is to be done to get rid of it. I do wish you the best possible outcome Pat and not too much pain and anguish in the process. If this is what it takes to give you a happy new year, then I guess it's worth it. Take good care of yourself afterwards my friend. :) :-*
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Thanks Lesley and Anthony. I do like my morning cup of coffee or two though!
I always try to look for the positive in any negative - like the cute young kangaroos in the paddock with their mothers - forgetting that they get bigger appetites as they grow and they do like the garden - plus bigger feet.
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Not sure a bamboo spike would show up in an X-ray?