Moan, moan, moan----get it off your chest or have a chat

[ChrisB]

The very reason I took the decision NOT to watch it, David.  This preoccupation the TV has with all celebrities, making them out to be some new fangled 'Gods' leaves me cold.  Feel the same about the Billy Connolly programmes across the north of Canada too.  Glad David Attenbrough decided not to appear in his series, Nature's Great Events - good on him! It is long time to return to the "voice of God" approach to documentary style, and have programming that is actually *about* the subject and not *about* the presenter.  Ditto most newscasts for that matter.  How much longer are we going to have to endure a newsreader interviewing a news reporter about a subject, instead of turning to actual experts in the field?  In my experience, news reporters rely on press releases and press officers for their soundbites and don't actually know anything much in depth about the subject they are reporting on.  There are a few execptions to this, but only a few....

Ok, ok, I'll get off my soapbox now...

[Anthony Darby]

I didn't get much chance to watch TV last night. Hoovering, bathrooms, picking James up from BB. Didn't even see much of Red Nose day on BBC1, although our non-uniform day was a great success at school in Falkirk, and we raise hundreds of pounds for Comic Relief. £57 million+ on the night was an awesome result! Chance for everyone to get rid of their tie!

[David Nicholson]

The very reason I took the decision NOT to watch it, David.  This preoccupation the TV has with all celebrities, making them out to be some new fangled 'Gods' leaves me cold.  Feel the same about the Billy Connolly programmes across the north of Canada too.  Glad David Attenbrough decided not to appear in his series, Nature's Great Events - good on him! It is long time to return to the "voice of God" approach to documentary style, and have programming that is actually *about* the subject and not *about* the presenter.  Ditto most newscasts for that matter.  How much longer are we going to have to endure a newsreader interviewing a news reporter about a subject, instead of turning to actual experts in the field?  In my experience, news reporters rely on press releases and press officers for their soundbites and don't actually know anything much in depth about the subject they are reporting on.  There are a few execptions to this, but only a few....

Ok, ok, I'll get off my soapbox now...

Chris, my son is a Press Officer and would share your view that reporters these days have little understanding of the subjects they are supposed to be reporting on. In fact he often has to 'dumb down' releases in order to better ensure they are understood.

[ChrisB]

Was my occupation too, before I retired....

[Rodger Whitlock]

If either you or Rodger know of a stockist in either Burlington, Hamilton, Barrie or Abbotsford, I will be in all of those places in June and could get one.

Look in Buckerfield's, the feed-and-seed chain. That's where I've seen (and bought) Corona trowels. There should be a Buckerfield's in Abbotsford or close nearby.

I will warn you that Corona trowels are cast aluminum, and while they're good quality, if you try to pry with them (esp. with the long tapered fern trowel), they will snap, lifetime warranty notwithstanding.

For cutting roots you unearth, buy a "drywall knife", really a short saw blade with wooden handle. Look in building supply places.

[ChrisB]

Thanks for the tip Rodger, I'll ask my daughter if they have a Buckerfields in Abbotsford, they should have.  Cheers

[gote]

I think a 14k gold ring I wore on my right hand went via my mum's garden waste bin too.

My father lost his wedding ring in the potato field. Many years later - after his death - it turned up again in the field. It is a smallish field that gave us new potatoes in the summer only.
I know this sounds like an urban legend but itis quite true.
Someday someone might find it.
Göte 

[gote]

How much longer are we going to have to endure a newsreader interviewing a news reporter about a subject, instead of turning to actual experts in the field?  In my experience, news reporters rely on press releases and press officers for their soundbites and don't actually know anything much in depth about the subject they are reporting on.  There are a few exceptions to this, but only a few....

Ok, ok, I'll get off my soapbox now...

That means the soapbox is free to climb 
The reason is of course that it is vastly quicker and less expensive to interview a staff reporter than an expert. Then the reporter is unlikely to say something "difficult" that profanum vulgus i.e. we would be puzzled about. That would of course be catastrophic. If we get puzzled we might read a book on the subject rather than be ogling a screen. 
We have a British "garden program" on the Swedish TV just now. It is not about gardens it is about the frustrations of coming into or not into the yellow book. Like ALL other programs today it is all about "Human relations" Even a program about how to build hot-rods is about feelings between the builders rather than about the subject matter.
Soapbox free again.
Göte

[Paddy Tobin]

I think we certainly could start a new website - one for grumpy old men. We certainly would have plenty of material for criticism and could do so most willingly.

Gardening on television - Ha!  Reminds me of an interview I heard some years ago about a radio presenter who had an Irish dancing programme on the RADIO!  One would probably see as much dancing there as gardening on the television.

Paddy

[Maggi Young]

I think we certainly could start a new website - one for grumpy old men. We certainly would have plenty of material for criticism and could do so most willingly.

Gardening on television - Ha!  Reminds me of an interview I heard some years ago about a radio presenter who had an Irish dancing programme on the RADIO!  One would probably see as much dancing there as gardening on the television.

Paddy

Speaking as one of the grumpiest women I know, I demand to be included in this website 

 Ian has a great idea for a radio programme which he keeps putting to the BBC: belly dancing and juggling.... they say his budget is too high

[ChrisB]

 

[Tony Willis]

I think we certainly could start a new website - one for grumpy old men. We certainly would have plenty of material for criticism and could do so most willingly.



Paddy

You are right there certainly is plenty of material but perhaps there always has been.

I work hard at not being a grumpy old man,just go in the garden or greenhouse and look at your plants(the living ones) and think lifes okay.

[Hristo]

Please I need to moan,
It's March 19th, the bulbs all started flowering and we are now in the middle of our second heaviest snowfall of the winter, 48 hours with little respite! last year twas sunny and warm and balmy, this year is cold and white!
My neighbours want to plant their tomatoes which they do in March, but this year no tomatoes and their garlic rots in the ground!
One is pale and white, cold, cooped up and a little overweight from too much winter fare!

Ahhhhh better out than in...Thanks!  

P.s  picture is 10 minutes old!

[Maggi Young]

Mmmm, yes, Chris, beautiful but just TOO MUCH at this time!
It is cold here today... barely making 6 degrees  with a biting wind .... talked to Mark Smyth in N. Ireland who told me it was 15 or 16 degreees and just lovely.... Grrrr!!
 Yes, better to get these things off your peelly-wally chest! 

[ChrisB]

It's been cold here too, Maggi.  We are supposed to get better weather tomorrow and Saturday on the Eastern side anyway, here's hoping.  With my trusty new trowel in hand, I shall venture forth to test it out!