The Beach
OK so as it turns out I can start a new Beach today. Hurrah!
If you're new and wondering what on earth The Beach is...well, it鈥檚 a place to go when the stresses of your real life need relieving. Sometimes it is fairly quiet and you might feel like you鈥檙e the only one around, but you can leave your 鈥榝ootprints鈥 for others to find later on. Othertimes it is the home for a real party, with constant gossip, leg-pulling, rumour, innuendo, chit-chat and weirdness.
If this were a forum (and it sort of is because we post responses to each other, not just to Eddie, hence our term for ourselves 'Froggers', a combination of forum and blogger) then the beach would be the off-topic area.
It's a tropical location, no matter the time of year it's always warm and pleasant there. Sunrises and sunsets are spectacular, the evenings balmy. It has a number of different locations; the Nick Clarke waterfront bar; the smokers corner; Fido's Run for the dog-walkers; the Naughty Step and many others.
How do you find your way around? There is no direct answer to the question. The beach is a moveable feast, literally. It will be renewed by our Lord and master Mr. Edward de Mair each Monday morning. This is because we have found in the past that when the number of posts exceeds about 600 the entire thing becomes unwieldy and unstable. A case of the beach turning to quicksand.
Froggers often leave bottles / glasses / trays of their favourite tipple on the bar for others to sample, not to mention big / small eats.
There is a herd of camels who frequent the sands, which froggers are very fond of. There are sun-loungers, so you can take it easy and catch some rays. Quite often the late-night attendees will have a barbie.
It's a fun place, with only one real rule; Be nice to each other; we are ALL chums here. New Froggers are ALWAYS welcome.
The real debate happens on the other threads. The beach is a place for banter, whimsy, relaxation and friendship, where jarring comments are not particularly welcome. There are certain very mild protocols, which you tend to pick up as you go along. So slip your shoes off, feel the sand between your toes, relax and enjoy yourself.
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Hey - super new beach and great to hear from Eddie (hope you had a good holiday!)
I'm just going to pop back to the old beach to catch up with what's been going on. Missed you all.
Lol
Welcome back Eric and I hope you had a lovely holiday! There's some white sparkly bubbles in the cooler on the bar if you want to extend your holiday a little further.
Annasee - Sorry I won't make it to the concert tonight - Mother's Day lunch looks like becoming MD evening meal at this rate. Nice strapline!
That confused me ... I was expecting the wrong Beach!
Fifi :o)
Happy Mothering Sunday to all you mums, grannies, step-mums and anyone else who's been a mothering person to little ones. Or even big ones.
Scones, clotted cream and strawberry jam, anyone?
Welcom back Eddie and Sara.....oh, that sounds a bit suspicoius, but I'll leave it anyway!
Sara, you certainly do have a lot to catch up on!
Great strapline, Annasee.
Help yourself to my Mother's Day Truffles, everyone. Eat them quickly, before they melt!
Fifi, thank you so much for the link you put on the Biggest Beach - how thoughtful and supportive of you. I think I've fallen in love with Chris Rowbury!
Join the queue Gillian.
The man's got the ability to make you feel you can do anything... you have a go at the seemingly impossible... and then you DO do it!
If you ever get the chance to go on one of his singing workshops, I urge you (or anyone else) to do it.
Life-affirming experience, I promise you!
Fifi [I'll stop gushing now....]
Welcome back Eric. Gonna tell us where you've been? :-)
Oooo, all this lovely food on the beach. I can feel a midnight feast coming on.....
Fearless & Humph - hope you both have better weeks this week and RJD - how was Barcelona?
Aunt D, I can feel your frustration from here - I advise you to take a large dose from the bottle I'm holding and retire to a hammock. (Or was that a hummock? Don't suppose she'll notice...)
So where have you been then, Sir Eric? Not, perchance, attending the lavish 5 day celebrations for Sir Phillip Green's 55th birthday party at a luxury spa resort in the Maldives? According to yesterday's Torygraph (which I had ample time to read after rehearsal today) there were 200 of his closest friends flown out for the extravaganza. Hmmm, 5 day celebration, & you were out of communication for , what about 5 days? It just could add up....
Check out the suntan on the web cam tomorrow, chaps. That way we'll know for sure. Or if he starts humming anything by Roberta Flack during the programme. (She gave a concert for the guests).
Apparently the resort's motto is "No news, no shoes". Sounds like a strapline suggestion for the summer!
Oh, yawn.
No, not you lot, just me checking in after doing the homework I should have done over the weekend.
Typing up stuff for my class this week.
Busy day tomorrow; see you very much later. Well past the camels' bedtime.
Whixper who dares.
But O!
The wonderful Marc-with-a C has used my strapline!
Now I'll never get to sleep with the excitement of it.
He's back look busy.
Definitely a buzz in the air today doncha think?
Keepee tup...
Anyone for beach cricket? All ages, skills and sexs welcome. Slight change in the rules. 1) Everyone will help the the batter score the maximum runs. 2) The batter is only out when they decide that it's someone else's turn.
Hello - ah, its good to be back!! Did I miss much? This was my first stop before having a trawl...and I brought coffee, croissants and some lovely spanish hot chocolate. Help yourselves; am off for a quick deep in the warm blue wet thing before the real work starts!
Frances O, nice stapline! Someone please remind me where send my stapline suggestion?
(After weeks of thinking about it I have finally come up with one....though after Humph's experience, I wont hold my breath!)
Hope you're feeling better, Humph
Mwah! Mwah! Welcome back Eddie.
Am confused; September/March....ah the joys of the PM Blog. Life wasn't the ssame without it!
Why has the blog slipped back to September? I feel an attack of vertigo coming on!
Was it just me, or did the Blog revert to September for a short while?! It *seems* to be ok again now, but I'll be keeping a close eye on it from now (while keeping the other eye on you lot...)
Gillian - yes, I found myself in September too. Wasn't that weird? Some sort of time slippage? Mind you, it was quite interesting, re reading the various postings. One of Eddie's famous window- monitoring days.
Gillian @ 17
I'm always on the look-out for more straplines! Just email them to pm@bbc.co.uk, but mark them CLEARLY in the title section PM STRAPLINES.
ta
Hi All, I bring a box of provisions. There's coffee, tea (herbal & regular), pastries, muffins, sundry snacks, and some charcoal for the barbeque... Unfortunately, I won't be around for most of the week, as IU've got to go to Slovenia tomorrow am, and I won't be back 'til Thursday night. I'll try to bring back piccies for the flickering place...
Have a good 'un!
Yes, Marc, it wasn't just you. And I sent Eddie an email to boot, having found myself in the world of 25 Sep 06, 'On air'. Carolyn's pic was still there, so we do have evidence that March 2007 has existed, but even the recent comments referred back to September entries. Did the elves do this in Eddie's honour, was it Groundhog Day, or had some major catastrophe hit us and the 大象传媒? Mind you, Marc, it's something to bear in mind for April Fools Day. Oh my, what fun will we have then - and it's less than a fortnight away, guys!
SO would have blamed the fourth dimension. I just think somebody somewhere screwed up.
Now that the Blog's back to normal - whatever normal is for the Bog .....
Welcome 'home', Eddie, hope you had a good break and didn't overdo the substances (coffee, alcohol, etc.) but thoroughly indulged in other fun things, whatever you did during your break.
And, while you ease (or slump!) back into the PM chair, a word of thanks to Carolyn from me. When we said goodbye to her on Friday, little did we know that she was also scheduled to stand in for Sarah on the Today programme on Saturday morning, in addition with her regular hosting duties on Sunday evening.
So, dear Carolyn, if you read this - I hope you've now got a few days off and that you can relax, unwind, and remember that life isn't all about work.
PS Eddie: We did ask Carolyn to clear away her empties and wipe off the lippie. She told us that your coffee mug and supplies were safe (we gather you'd locked them away as a precaution!) as she's given coffee up for Lent, but she did confess to a fondness for the odd martini. Well, she is a journalist, after all.
Welcome back Eric; looking forward to hearing your sun-tanned tones later on today. You missed (or were you lurking?) a grand plan on last week's beach which, with a bit of planning and a lot of hard work by frogger stalwarts, could be the start of something beautiful.
Now, I should be writing something interesting about tax, but instead I've brought a big bowl of creme eggs for sharing, and I'm off for a swim to work off the calories in advance!
Thanks, Gillian.
Oh, so THAT's how to do it, Marc!
Welcome back, Eddie. Do we get to see your holiday snaps? Nice one of the family, perhaps?
btw, I was trying to find out if you've got peeries/totties (what IS a small mair?) to avoid being crass in the last sentence, and I came across this:
Seriously cute. And hairy on top.
Perky (27) - what plan?? I was in March all last week and I think trawling through last weeks Beach could be a bit overwhelming!
Frances, that is a true find! Plus, no rugby top!
Welcome back, Eddie. As usual, the holidaymaker has arrived before the postcard(s).
Frances O (28) That's delightful. I had to save a copy.
I was obviously a bit slow last week. For the life of me I couldn't figure out why Carolyn's user name was "Sequin".
It dawned on me on the drive home on Friday night. Then I felt silly.
Oh yeah & welcome back your mairness!
witchiwoman (29). Basically, a frog version of "always look on the bright side of life" with lyrics by a number of talented people including gossipmistress, humph, Frances O and Fifi (sorry if I missed an lyricists out). Idea came from Nikki Noodle and is being taken further by Fifi, jonnie and anyone else who fancies a hum along (or a whistle).
It's worth a quick beachcomb to find the lyrics written in the sand.
Marc (23) Thank you for your swift reply. No sooner said than done!
Ffred (24) How kind and thoughtful you are, making sure we're well-provided for while you're away. Thank you, and have a good trip
Frances O (28) Wonderful! All scrubbed and polished and dressed up to the nines. Maybe Eddie thought he had a better class of listener in those days ;o)
Btw, Eddie could possibly have bairns or weans....
D'you know, I'm feeling very perky today (no, not Perky: perky!) It can only be because Eric's back -- I have a Very Importnat Meeting at 4 o'clock and feel completely bereft of useful things to take to it, so I shouldn't be chipper at all.
Eddie Mair: Radio Therapy. :-)
FF, Vyle, Gillian, it's priceless, isn't it?
Perky, hope you'll be in it.
hello and welcome back Eddie....
Mark (33), have to confess to the same! It only occurred to me when reading one of her newsletters. In the words of that great philosopher, Homer Simpson........ d'oh!!
Well am feeling quite stressed already and its only Monday. I ran out of petrol this morning! In my defence I thought SO had a put a fiver's worth in last night as the needle moved fractionally off the bottom. So rather than fill up with 2 children in the car thought I would do so after. My son had a hospital appt and my friend was taking him to school so I could get to work early, or so I planned! Instead bless her she had to run son to school, me to petrol station, back to car (which still didn't start - apparantly I flooded it!!), took daughter to nursery, picked up son, took us to hospital, waited for us, back to school and back to my car which then started. What a star!!
So in light of this, if anyone has uncorked anything chilled and white please let me know (yes I know its early but its after 11am so it's allowed!)
Oh and have a good trip FF
Thanks Perky, will go and have a look...I hope the camels have wandered through it too much!
Good luck for your meeting, Appy - I'm sure inspiration will strike just in time!
Hello everyone from Thailand where I am visiting my son. It is the dry seaason and the temperature can get up to the high thirties (C not F). Last night, however we had a violent thunderstorm and a two hour power cut so it is not all sweetness and light.
I have been quite surprised to find some quite extensive debbate in the English language papers about the the military coup of six months ago - whether it was a good thing, what should happen next etc. These opinions are, of course, easily available only to a very small minority of the populace who understand English sufficiently well and so are probably tolerated for that reason.
Keep shivering
tomi
witchiwoman (29) If you want pointers to a brief summary of the plan, rather than trawling through the whole of last week's beach, go to the beach and check out posts 154 (lyrics and chords), 167 (what we plan for the next step) and the link in post 202 (Fifi's Big Plan).
H.
Oh, just read the lyrics....you wonderful people. Wasn't in Jonnie who was saying R4 needed something to give it a bit of programme delineation (scuse the spelling). Maybe instead of the bongs? I'm sure a quick blast of the Froggers Anthem would be far more controllable!
Appy in case you read the newsletter, and think that I have done anything untoward, the suggestion that we have any cricket stories on this evening's programme did not come from me. Honest!
H.
OOh-er, in the last five minutes the sky has gone from cloudy-overcast to frightening grey.
It really does feel ominous.
Stand by for snow. Got to nip out and sort things.....
And now sunshine. I'm confused.House Guest's dog is even more so.
Humph - thanks for that, great idea!
And, I may be a bit slow on this, but has any one/tried seen Le Froglet wine? I'm wondering if we have a vitner (possible post-hols wrong wordage there) wondering around here somewhere.
Witchiwoman (33) Somehow, the words ''Froggers'' and ''controllable'' don't sit very well in the same sentence!
Frances O, we're having the same weather as you. Last night the snow was falling in ready-made snowballs but it had all disappeared by 9am.
[THUD]
Thank you for the advice about how to get straplines used, Marc-without-a-k (23).
[THUD]
It set me thinking that maybe, just maybe, I had not sent in my offerings in the correct format.
[THUD]
I thought 鈥淢aybe I had not made it clear that the contents of my e-mail were to be used for straplines!鈥
[THUD]
Maybe their non-appearance was entirely my fault!
[THUD]
I had to wait until the evening to check what, exactly, I had sent as they were all sent from home.
[THUD]
However, when I did get back, I found that I had followed all the directions that you give.
[THUD]
But still none of my straplines have appeared!
[THUD]
By the way, has anyone else noticed that this dent in the brick wall has a certain 鈥淗umph-head鈥 type shape to it?
[THUD]
:-(
H.
Ah Humph - I've just posted Marc's message on to the other thread for you. Might have known that I should have read on down the Beach first of all. That's what I get for trying to be too efficient......
Anybody around want to share a glass or two? I've just had some exciting news of the worktype variety - just a job title really, but an inclusion in a Team and it's exciting for me, a "worker from home"! also the possibility of getting paid in the future!!
Hi ValP I have just seen your encouragement to me on the other thread. Much appreciated, I assure you. I, for one, would like to join you in "a glass or two" as I would like to celebrate good news of a worktype variety. There is little of that in my own life at present but to concentrate on that here would be selfish and I want to share in your happiness.
So here is to: A Job Title, a Team and a Future! [clink]
H. x
Hey Val congratulations! Is it too late to share a glass or three?
Humph - I've brought you some vinegar & brown paper for your head ;-/
Lying Scotsman is playing at the Cransley!!!!
Quick, have a listen before you get fed-up with it.......
Fifi xx
Fifi also sent me something else!
Luckily she advised me of it's content, and warned me that it may not be a suitable background or the best accompany to wathing paint dry:
I did chat to Gillian earlier on the web cam thing and when I mentioned one of the words in the song she was very shocked! - as was my (SO) - however Simon was shocked that I'd sent an e-mail to PM which the subject line read "
"You screwed up the Blog again you losers" - I clarified the situation however to him.
It's called the Hedgehog song, sounds innocent enough - but the lyrics need a little parental guidance.
If you ARE brave and want to hear Fifi's version it's here:
Don't say I didn't warn you!
I'm most bemused that Val P and the other pedants have not caught on to the comments that Carolyn's pic has been getting?
LadyPen, what a spot-on caption!!!
See you all when I get back from Nottingham -- just in time for PM probably.
Fifi
PS Looking good for ALOTBSOL recording on Thursday. I hope you're all practising your spoons/singing/kazoo playing...
Fifi - what time thurs?? I may have to be with you in spirit only....
I must go down to sea again
The sea, and sand and sky
I left my shoes and socks there-
I wonder if they're dry!
Spike Milligan:
Humph & GM - sorry to miss you last night, but I do hope you just helped yourselves? Very kind of you to toast. We'll see what happens, they are waiting for funding to come through before I can be permanent, but interim, I'm part of the Executive Team (Quality Control Manager, another title for Pedant). Now that sounds grand, but I'm already a non-exec director of another company, which is great fun, not exactly onerous, and voluntary.
I now have to supply a photo (it's an online company), and I'm not going to enjoy that bit.....
Jonnie - I popped over to the Cransley yesterday afternoon and couldn't hear your music, I tried to leave a message? (I've left a message for you and JL-T elsewhere btw)
Fifi - so what will happen exactly on Thursday? I'll be in Glasgow pm and evening :o(. Or are you just doing your bit then?
I posted this on "Susan" of 14th Feb, but no response from anyone yet, so I'll try on here:
"I'd be up for a bit of warbling if there's space left! As long as I can figure out how to get it onto the PC!!! Teen Daughter to the rescue..."
;O)
Jonathan! Really! (54) And as for you Fifi....!!
I WAS brave, and I DID laugh and I also SANG IT OUT LOUD.
However that has to remain my little secret, as if ever my family knew, they'd send for the men in the white coats quicker than you could say B.......
Hedgehogs!
Chris the Pickle (60) I hope your TD's more sympathetic than mine. There is NO WAY she will contribute to what she sees as her mother's dementia!
Gillian - TD is so used to it that she's given up the fight... She introduces me to her friends as "My Mad Ma"!!!
:)
Gillian - TD is so used to it that she's given up the fight... She introduces me to her friends as "My Mad Ma"!!!
:)
TD's - where would we be without them?. Just exactly how many celebrations are de rigeur for one's 18th these days? I'm reliably informed that there must be at least 3 ie: Family, Friends, then a Gig with Friends who don't associate with the first load of Friends - 3 separate occasions of course. In my day, we still celebrated 21sts - although I can remember being taken to the pub at lunchtime for drinks by the reprobates who worked with me, and there was some suggestion that I might have to down 18 whisky and gingers. I didn't. At least, I don't think I did anyway........
I remember my 18th as I'd recently joined the RAF and should have been in bed for 10pm... I wasn't.
I was found asleep in the snow several buildings away from my block and very nearly thrown out of the RAF (I should really say WRAF) after 2 weeks of Basic Training!!!
I remember waking up the next morning and asking questions such as... "Why am I still dressed?"... "Why is that bucket on the floor?"...
"How did I get here?"...
..."WHAT THE H*LL HAPPENED LAST NIGHT???"...
And boy, did they tell me! Not a popular person for a fair old while after that...
Never drank Bacardi again, yeuch :o(
Yes I know, Bacardi... well this was 1977!
Aha, so you think that having 3 celebrations for the 18th you avoid the 21st. Wrong. O so wrong. The 21st is a much smarter affair (=more expensive), held somewhere 'civilised' (=more expensive). And the clothes are so much more sophisticated(=more expensive). And hardly any youths barf around the village hall. In fact the only honking sounds are Father, on the way to the bank again. Grieving for the days when children ran away to make their fortune in London. Like what we did. Happy days
Chris the Pickle(63) ;0)
''When I am an old woman I shall wear purple
With a red hat which doesn't go, and doesn't suit me,
And I shall spend my pension on brandy.....
And make up for the sobriety of my youth.....''
''Warning'' by Jenny Joseph
Oh Fifi! Thanks for sending Jonnie the Hedgehog song! It's bought a big smile for a travelling Frogger in Slovenia :))
Dozy (58) I would reply with:
Doctor O'Dell
Fell down the well
And broke his collar bone
But doctors should attend the sick
And leave the well alone
Spine Milligna, the well-known tying error
Aunt D - I am oh so aware that you probably speak the truth,,,,,,
I did post a comment last night to say the 'ALOTBSOL' is available to listen to here:-
along with (I think) the proposed lyrics.
After Fifi does the recording we can substitute it, and then 'open the lines up' for us to contribute.
Chris J has also offered to play it on his organ, or we could even mix a backing to the 'Lying Scotsman's version' ?
Oh, the irony.
My computer declines to play any music now.
I think the hedgehog must've broke it.
Slugger*. :o(
Fifi
* Fifi Rhyming Slang
Oh dear, just as BT get their mind bendingly awful act together Dr WhoMair starts meddling with time. September, when the sun shone and we were all young and thin....
Morning All,
Just back from a couple of days away in London, mainly to attend concert of fabulous World Music Choir of which daughter-in-law is musical director. You can hear a tiny fragment of what they sound like on YouTube here
Meanwhile have I missed anything vital? No camel stampedes, tidal waves or more than usual frustrations with bloggages?
Assortment of teas and some ginger cookies on the bar for you.
Sound reigns again chez Fifi.
Hurrah! :o)
But no sound or video at the Cransley.
Boo! :o(
Fifi
Hey all,
Is it only me, or has PM's RSS been playing silly games? I've been getting as new things randomly dotted throughout the blog's history. Whilst it's interesting going back and reading old news, it's a bit of a fiddle when you wake up to 75 old PM blog RSSes amongst the actual new ones.
why can't I post on 'Budget fever is mounting' or whatever distortion of the truth EM has headed up today's offering with? I get a really boring page that tells me I might have typed the address in wrongly.
Anyway budget fever is not - ah I remember now - sweeping the nation, or if it is we have missed it. Has GB not already said what he's going to do? Am I dreaming or did he not have a phase when he told us what was going to be in the budget the follwing March in November? Has he stopped doing that now?
(I used to be a tax accountant! how scary is that given that I don't know when the Chancellor ups the personal allowances. But of course I don;t need to now, hooray!)
What year's September was that Aunt Dahlia?
1975 sounds about right...
Fifi ;o)
Thanks Perky (40), it went fairly well in the end. Clearly taking your name in vain is helpful!
Humph (44), I believe you. I think... :-)
btw, Humph, did you see my last reply to you on the "Blast off" thread?
Anyone for butterfly buns? for some reason they seem to be the cake of choice today
ah butterfly buns - that takes me back, although I never really liked them all that much.
apparently we've reverted to September again on the frog - why on earth did they ever let Lissa go? Things were never this bad when she was in charge.
Aunt D, loved your tale of what a 21st birthday celebration is really like. That fair made me chuckle, probably because I have another 16 years before I cross that bridge so am not getting too stressed about it yet x
AA - I just sonder why that day in September? Was a particularly comforting one for our dear Blog? Do Blogs need comforting - does the poor thing get anxiety attacks?
Hi all Just to let you know that we *are* aware that the blog keeps slipping back to September. The Powers That Be - ie those who understand things a whole lot more than me - are looking into it, but as yet there's no word on why it's happening or how to prevent it. Please bear with us, your patience is much appreciated, and normal service will be resumed once I've worked out just how hard to hit the internet with my hammer. Marc
Adnin Annie(22) I wouldn't be so sure ...after all, Lissa was the one who shoved would-be-froggers down the back of the settee! ;o)
Fiona (83), You're only five years old? Wow! Your vocabulary, grammar and social skills are marvellous! Your parents/guardians must be very proud. :-)
Appy (80) Yes I did but I thought that I would leave the conversation there. Yes the comment about cricket was tongue in cheek, yes I believe that we are still friends, yes I accept that discussions on climate change (and I would add environmental issues in general) are less interesting to some people than they are to me, yes there are other very important issues that do not get as much media time as they should and yes I realise that you sometimes use faux-exasperated/ironic/hyperbolic comments for effect. With so much agreement, I was not sure there was much point in extending a thread that was already three days old. Also, as a chap, I realise the importance of the rule: 鈥淎lways let the lady have the last word!鈥 as they seem to like it that way.
H.
P. S. At the time that I wrote my comment, to which you were replying, I was under an apology embargo from ValP. That has subsequently been lifted, although I believe that I will need to use apologies sparingly to avoid another ban. However, here is the apology that I would have used in my comment: Sorry.
H.
A quick hello to all on the beach - I've just been away swimming in March, and now have all sorts to catch up on before I can catch up on the blog. I've managed to miss the Budgie too - anything exciting?relevant?, you know my circumstances, someone let me know what's appropriate so that I don't have to wade through it all?
Humph (89),
There's no need to apologise (so you can withdraw that one and keep it for Valery!) I just wanted to be sure. Oh, and you can have the last word if you like... Although clearly not now... you may have to say something else... oh bother...
You did make me throw up on the Budget thread though! Perhaps I'll keep the apology and apply it to that! ;-)
Val P -
I don't know your circumstances!! But theres a handy budget calculator on the beeb site (I don't fare too badly, but it'll only offset the increase in water/council tax bills).....sod it, I'm off to the NC bar to make the most of those frozen spirits!
I appear to have been moderated off the Iraq thread which annoys me a bit as I hadn't said anything awful, and was generally quite welcoming of ranger 508. So can someone hand me a hot chocolate and a butterfly bun to calm me down and I promise tomorrow I will make scones for tea.
Fiona 83
START SAVING NOW
Please see Bank Manager on budget thread - he appears to be offering to bank my budget savings - first time I've known a bank to offer a deficit account.
There you go Admin Annie -- don't worry. We all know moderation here is entirely random. Relax and pick up the baton again when you feel better.
A, x.
Morning all, seems to have been very quiet here last night. Were you all out celebrating with your 2p?
Miserable in March so I've brought some home-made shortbread to go with your coffee. Enjoy.
Anne P - yum, thanks muchly! Or should that be munchly?
Hello all. I just wanted to wish Fifi, and all the others in the LS, all the best for tonight's recording session. We need the foundations to be good in order to build something worthwhile.
H.
News story that made me laugh today:
On the CBC North website, there is an article about how people from Nunavut find it difficult to apply for passports as there is no official photographer in the region. One such person had an application turned down because:
"They didn't accept his application because they felt he needed a haircut"
as promised here are some scones since I'm feeling fairly perky today. Sultana, cherry and almondandapricot. Plus some butter. I'm sure there must be sone jam haging round the NC memorial Bar for them as wants it - I was brought up nott o have jam on fruit scones...
great posting on the Iraq thread Big Sis.
Now I'm going back to March to read for half an hour in the garden. My postal book club book this month is The Time Travellers Wife which I am finding rather hard going; anyone else read it? is it worth persevering with?
Belinda (98), Sadly I can believe that!
Wonderfully educational you lot - I'd never heard of Nunavut before and now I even know where it is. Thank you.
Suspect it won't be just our haircuts getting rejected when are forced to have ID cards though - but that's one for the Brow.
Anne P (101): Ah, my husband and I are currently debating whether to a) emigrate (or, in his case, unemigrate) b) emigrate to Nova Scotia, the Yukon or Nunavut, hence my interest. It's only a difference of about 60c or so in temperature. I had better cut my hair short, by the sounds.
If Big Sister had her way, given our latest discussion, we would probably end up in whichever is the coldest, darkest place. I think she believes I am the witch from Hansel and Gretel, which is an unfair comparison as I'm sure the witch is far better looking than I am.
Thanks Humph, and Gillian over on the webcam at Jonnie's.
Yes, we will be attempting a recording tonight of The Song.
Both the bass player and the guitar player have been on the webcam chatroom today, so they're starting to understand us froggers at last.
Till now they've pretty much exchanged knowing looks when I talk about it....
Fifi xx
FifI (103) Then it really will be a case of ''Once more, with feeling!'' now that they ''know'' us!
All the best!
Ah those Non-froggers Feef; they'll learn eventually. Good luck :-)
*sings*
dum dum diddle dee di - dydle doo...
*whistles*
Thanks Appy (90) I think that I may just take you up on that. ;-)
H.
Evening all. Rough day today, sorting out far too many family things, writing far too many articles, dealing with a damp-proofing man, a wildly over-running parents' evening (as a parent, not a teacher) and putting my house on the market (boo-hoo). Rather wish I was enjoying always looking on the bright side of life with Fifi and her gang.
Anyway, admin annie (99) I loved the TT'sW. The first few chapters are weird, but it sorts itself out from there, and when you've finished, you can re-read the beginning with much more clarity. I'd stick with it if I were you. Although I hope you're in from the garden now as it's a wee bit chilly - and dark, of course, in March.
I have brought down some lovely sticky flapjack and some ginger beer to go with it, because I'm feeling in a Famous Five sort of mood.
For Humph: " ".
Marvellous scones admin annie - thank you. I too eschew jam with fruit scones. TBH, if the scone is good enough (as in a my local caff with homebaking), I eat it as is (no butter either).
Now I'm hungry again - darn it all - I'll have to go and rustle something up before bedtime. See y'all tomorrow x
Not sure about this website thing but photos of the trip to Barcelona should be found by clicking on my name - I think.
Re: RJD - Nice photo's ! Did you do a Ryan air one ?
Re: everyone else:- Does Fifi need to visit the blog and do any magic fairy stuff.
Have just checked all the various posts as I've been busy all day! (Off to Utrecht to see my Sister on Monday, so will take some more photo's to add to my Sri Lanka ones which are sitting on a memory stick still)
Goodness me, and where did that person spring up from on Ooooops with all the strange numbers after his name?
Well I haven't forgot about the song -- I believe Fifi is recording it tonight so we should be able to hear it soon and start the singalong.
Appy (109) left speechless? I am not saying that this is the first time such a thing as happened. That lunar eclipse a few weeks ago was not the first time that had happened. But the two events do occur with a similar degree of frequency.
H.
We have a song!!!
...just have to remind the bass player to release it from the studio-box-thingy into his computer and then put it on a disc for us.
Sounds not bad, even to me!
Depending on B.P.'s work shift patterns we should be moving forward in the next day or so.
Hurrah!!
Fifi xxxx
Morning all! I come bearing replenishments for the coffee/tea/nibbles/snacks :-) It's so nice to be back on the beach properly today. My frogging over the week was done as I sped past on a pedalo the last few days, so I haven't been able to hang around long enough to enjoy the ambience...
Humph (113), It was rather meant to indicate that I had seen your 107 but was not going to say anything, thus keeping to the notion 'Humph has the last word'.
Ah.
Appy (115) but did you see my post (67) on last Wednesday's thread, to which my (113) refered?
H.
Gillian and Humph ...
.. received and noted.
Prizes will be in the post shortly.
Cheers, both!
Fifi xxxxx
Yes Appy (87) I am a true wonder, I think the term is genius :) And yes Aunt D - absolutely! That said I was horrified to realise what the total cost of joint 5 year old and 3 year old birthday party will come to if I had planned it the way I wanted......yikes!
Well too much to catch up on for me, so just had a quick skim through the postings. Had a mad week as I had to take an unexpected day off on Wed due to a sick child, and have to leave early today (but I have to make up these hours somehow yuk!). We are all heading up to Aberdeen for the weekend - except SO who is heading off to the Alps for a week's skiing - hmm, who's got the better deal I wonder!!
Hope the recording went well - better get back to it as have to head off in a couple of hours.
Morning all - glad to hear the recording went well...can't wait to hear it! is it just me or is March getting as weird as february?
Wow!! stranger than time travel - we now seem to have a corrupted beach - at least four postings have disappeared and my screen shows 'Post a complaint' all across between postings 112 and 113......?????
Oh this beach has long been a place of corruption Anne (121)... :-)
Ho hum. Thought I'd call in on the beach before returning to rerality. The water loks inviting and there isn't a soul on any of the sun loungers so I think I'll have to give the box of choccie eclairs to the camels who are over by the bar looking at the gin
RJD - Love the photos! Barcelona's such a cool place. Thanks for sharing them. And the Irish dancers look so happy.
Bacon butties on the bar. Will catch up with everybody on Monday. Byeeee!
Chocolate eclairs! (bounces out from behind the bar)
Yes please, my favourite. Don't waste them on the camels whatever you do.
I'll go and get them some grass or whatever it is they eat - what is it that they eat?
Anyone for soem fizz? have given up on March and am now planning what culinary delights to rustle up....a big old coffee cake perhaps? any requests?
No. we were not looking at the gin, we were looking at the lack of it, HIC, but the eclairs would have went down a treat, but not if we're going to be smoking....
Chill man
Cammelia, Lady Dromedary (126)
Ha hahahaha!
What was the outcome of the Enquiry? I'm still holding all bets.
Fearless: So it was you on the pedalo.
Fearless Freddie Flintoff. :卢)
Hope you can chill out this weekend.
Cammelia, Lady Dromedary, why is it that RJD is always so entertained by your posts but I never understand a word of them? (Apart from "Hice") Is it because I is not a camel? :-)
Annasee, that's two straplines in a week and I hereby proclaim you Strapline Queen.
Any bacon butties left? Getting very peckish as House Guest is rustling up a storecupboard curry (first catch your storecupboard) and the smells... ohhh...
Feefs, you're a complete wonder. Many thanks to you and to the LS lads. I'm all excited!
Dear Appy - neither is I at the moment. To avoid unpleasantness of the suing sort I is wearing a yashmak as a disguise.
(I'm sorry you don't get the silliness, it is just that and of an accumulative nature but since we Upper Hice camels never explain and never apologise.....)
P.S RJD - Tango - now you're talking!!! can't comment on Flikr as I'm at work. Just wait till I get home...
SSCat and Frances O : sheer poetry on tonight's PM.
Jolly well done!!!
And you too Anna, with another strapping strapline.
I'd like to see that one stay up (pun intended) all weekend please.
Fifi ;o)
Cammelia, Lady Dromedary, I'm all for silliness and was getting there, but... Tango?...
Still, you carry off the yashmak look rather convincingly... :-)
Ap - Tango on my Flickr, if you'll pardon the expression.
Woohoo! *bounce*
Lame at fast... I mean, fame at last!
Eddie, much kudos to the lovely-voiced reader of my drivel who got the last line exactly as I'd imagined it!
RJD, I've seen your pics on Flickr (and I do pardon the expression). I think perhaps I was thinking too much about that one -- it makes perfect sense now.
Crikey, I think I was washing up at the time. (Has to be done. Ho, and hum). Going to have to listen again.
Thank you, though, feefs.
And I thought the highlight of my day was getting a seed catalogue with free packets of toms, basil and coriander. Ooooh, the fantasies of future meals...
FRIDAY 23rd MARCH 22.52
RESULT OF THE STEWARD'S ENQUIRY
After much deliberation, imbibing of Port, smoking of Cuban Cigars and consequent frequent napping, the Stewards can announce the result of their enquiry into the 14.35 Westmisnter Bactrian Stakes of 9th March.
Evidence from closed circuit TV in the Hice of Lords corridoors confirmed a case of interference involving a camel with extremely sharp hooves. The Stewards even suspect that said camel may have been wearing stilettoes. Unfortunately the identity of said camel is obscured by the wearing of a yashmack.
Anyone seeing a camel fitting this description should report immediately to the chief steward.
Bookmakers are advised that the winner is deemed to be the Archbishop of York, and winnings should be paid out accordingly.
END OF BRIEFING
V. impressive sscat ! Well done you!
I know one was read out by the lovely Amanda - but without going back to listen again I can't remember. To boot you had a good point - as always.
Thanks Jonnie!
I guess from Eddie's on-air reaction, I've lost any chance of hearing him acting out the PM version of "The Raven" I posted on the blog a while back. Shame... ;o)
Nah then, ouse stewerds, hows a source sposed to respond to that, hmmm? Im not saying as hows I did see a camel wearing a yashmack. Im not saying as hows I didnt. Nah if you was to show me, lets say, a pony [sniggers] maybes weed be able to cum to some sort of an arrangement if you gets mar drift. ;-l
Good morning. Hope this is the start of a lovely weekend for everyone. Please help yourselves to freshly-squeezed orange juice and fresh fruit salad. I'll save the pastries for elevenses.
The hammocks lined with gold satin are reserved for SSC and Frances O, if you don't mind.
Snitch, we know who you are. If you hear hooves strumming in the night, beware.(It's probably Adrian, Lord Elpus tuning up for his version of 'Always look on the bright side'). Too late for the performance (as twas ever) but enough to frighten the horses, or in your case, ponies and monkeys. So think on, blaggin' on one can only lead to misery of a sort you can hardly imagine.
Sound of hooves rubbing together - and fade.
Oh you clever people, you are cheering up my hangover no end....... :o)
Fresh fruit, yes please? Then I may just have to go and lie down again over here. Please keep the camels away (yashmaks or no).
Snitch, I know who you are...
Snitch - I think it only fair to make you aware that Cammelia, Lady Dromedary has friends in high places.
Perhaps more pertinent, you should be advised that she also has friends in very low places -if you gets mar drift.
Enough said?
AreGeeDee (148) arm aware er ladyslip as frends in igh places. To be spected, givern er place in the lords. She mai ave frends in low places fur all I no. Chareety? Arm nun of those. I rekon it erd be gud for er savety if she realised she ad enemees an all.
Stewerds, arm still wheting fur yur reply. Arm pachent, bu not that pachent.
Folks! We should be careful tom leave the beach !!!
xx
ed
(145) Wats Lord Hopelez tah me? Bewear a clink in de nart, Camelear, wen de jaol dore closes behind yah.
Stewerds - mesige eard an undrstood. Bring the pony. Muny dont talk but I will ;-)
Ed (150) That's a goodun!
Ed I - I like that one, have sent it on its way.
Snitch - you seem to be getting more and more incomprehensible. Should I be bothered?
Anne P - I'm searching back through Beaches for your No Fail Chocolate Cake. I know I copied and pasted it at the time, but I've failed at the first fence, in that I can't find where I saved it....
Oh the joys of coming down to the beach - warm sand and a cool breeze!
Following the success (hopefully) of fifi's recording, it occurs to me we could all do a conga on the beach tonight...
...(and as Eddie's bound to bring in a new beach on Sunday/Monday it won't last too long: i know some of the oldies will need to sit down after a few hours!)
if you want to join in, just simply add another one of these 卢 after you have typed your message to the ever growing tally!!!
n-n
xx
卢
like this:
n-n
xx
卢卢
Do you think it'll catch on?!
(Oh how silly is this ??!!??! :-> Go on have a glass and join in!)
tee hee!
n-n
xx
卢卢卢
n-n
what'sit mean , then, clever- cloggs?
Mollyxx`
A conga dance? It's where you all join in one after the other, in a line, weaving in and out of the crowd...
Molly, come and join in! Add another 卢 to the line...
n-n
xx
卢卢卢卢
I get it!
Fifi ;o)
卢卢卢卢
Thank you.
But I missed Friday's PM and now the only one on Listen Again is today's (Sat).
Anyone know if I can hear Friday's?
Thanks.
nikky noodle, said i know some of the oldies will need to sit down after a few hours!
You cheeky little bugger.
B'n'B
卢卢卢卢卢卢
Missed!
Fifi
卢卢卢卢卢
da da da da da, Da Da!
*kicks*
卢卢卢卢卢
Like this?
卢卢卢卢卢卢卢卢
Whee-ee, it's starting to get good when we go round corners!
Te dum te dum te dum-dum, te dum te dum te dum-dum, te dum dum du-um, te dum dum du-um....
Could you slow down a bit please ?
卢卢卢卢卢卢卢
tee hee !!
B'n'B (161) - ! Charitable, rather than cheeky, I hope, but depends how you recieve it! who knows how old any of us are ? or whether we need a rest every now and again....
Fifi (162) - same to you! get back in front of Bill'n'Ben !! isn't this chaotic!!
Frances O (160) Can you launch the 大象传媒 Radio Player? If, for example, I click on Listen Again and get the saturday edition, then this would be playing in another window - towards the lower part of this, is an alphabetical list of programmes. When I scroll down to find PM, I can select any of the last 6 editions, FRI for example. Does this happen when you do likewise?!
n-n
xx
卢卢卢卢卢卢卢
di da da da da ,Da Da!
卢卢卢卢卢卢卢卢卢
As an oldie, I will join in now so that I can sit down quite soon. :-)
卢卢卢卢卢卢卢
H.
Whee-eee
卢卢卢卢卢卢卢卢卢
bet this wouldn't be allowed over on Radio 3!
Look out, here we go!! tee hee!!!
(what a giggle!!) (and I know its silly, but this is the beach...!) (and I just seen that I've not posted the correct number of link-things 卢 once, since it took off!!!) (so here goes...)
n-n
xx
卢卢卢卢卢卢卢卢卢卢卢
Val P. I'll email you the chocolate cake recipe.
Morning Froggers,
Fifi e-mailed me the music to the Froggers song, I think she has turned out a wonderful rendition along with her band members and John and Karl.
I've posted it on the PM Blog extra site along with the lyrics. When you click on the page it should start playing automatically after around 20 secs but give it time. There is also a download link. Make sure you scroll down though.
Anne P (171) Would you mind sharing the recipe with us, here on the beach, please? I can add it to my collection of oh-this-would-be -a great-cake-to-make-if-only-I-could-be-bothered recipes ;o)
Then again, teenage son likes to bake, and as it's chocolate I'm in with a chance!
Jonnie (172) I think we should add a new verse about Strapline Queen Fifi! No wonder Humph never gets a look-in!
Fifi. the song is wonderful! *mwah* *mwah*
Thanks to you, John and Karl for giving up your time, and to Jonnie for getting it on-line.
Now where's my kazoo....and where do I plug it in?
Marvellous song.
Here's some fresh coffee for those (like me) that managed to forget the hour changed.
Sorry to have missed last night's impromtu conga line!
Fifi, and friends, bl**dy brilliant!
Chocolate Cake
4oz sugar
4oz golden syrup
4oz margarine
5 oz plain flour
1 oz cocoa
2 oz drinking chocolate
1 egg (beaten)
录 pint milk (warmed to blood heat)
1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
2 8-inch cake tins (preferably loose bottomed)
Pre-heat the oven to about 150 degrees C. In a saucepan stir and melt together sugar (any kind), golden syrup and margarine. Take off the heat when runny and melted together, not too hot.
Weigh and sieve together flour (can be wholemeal) with cocoa and drinking chocolate.
Stir the flour mix into the saucepan of melted syrup etc. Beat in the egg.
Add bicarbonate of soda to the milk and add quickly to the rest of the mixture which will now be pretty runny. Stir well.
Divide between two tins and cook for about 20 minutes in a medium oven. Test for done with a warm skewer which will come out clean when done (sticky if not).
Cool on a rack.
Make a butter icing with softened butter, icing sugar and cocoa sieved together with drinking chocolate and a few drops of lemon juice and a very little hot water. Sandwich the cakes together and put icing on top. You can make a pattern by dragging a fork round in concentric circles. Candles optional.
Depending on the flour it can be quite crumbly. Keeps for a few days if you can leave it that long!
Yum Anne! I might make one for the next "occasion".
Well done Fifi!
But I'm a beach behind here...
Fifi!! The song sounds brilliant! Thank you!
And to Jonnie for posting it up. Are we still going to add our little bits/join in the chorus/ do some whistling etc? How do we go about it?
RJD - I believe you owe me some winnings!!!
And what's that over there? A camel, one with a veil on I think, being loaded into a police van.....
Ooh! You should see the spitting!!
nn - I forgot to thank you for the tip.
That voice is nothing like mine! Bit too posh
;o)