The Beach
What is the Beach?
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 Friday 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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Listen to PM
Morning Froggers! I just saw someone in a tiara stomping off towards the dunes hotly pursued by a famous photographer!
I invited her for a nice big mug of builders tea but she she seemed in a bit of a mood....
I'll have that tea GM - haven't had caffeine for nearly a week so stand back!
Ah friday....
Hey the Editor of 大象传媒 Look East should be on the Beach... being barbequed!! Last night the regional bulletin contained a two line story about how a large part of Suffolk would have to be evacuated if there was a terror attack at Sizewell Power Station. Nothing much extra just that statement. No investigation, elaboration or explanation. This was followed by an in depth story about a luxury crisp manufacturer in Essex who has got a deal with Tesco. The lengthy report included pack shots, a reporter who stated how tasty the crisps were, and a ludicrous price comparison with Tesco value crisps. Nice bit of editing though it looked just like an advert! The 大象传媒 have got to watch their step. Regional TV is bad, really bad, and it makes my blood boil that we're paying for it. That's why I'm down here on the beach for a moment to regain composure... oh and the sun has just gone in!
Agree with your every word Carl.
now now Carl (3)...you must realise the crisps ARE far more important than fallout from Sizewell!!
morning to the rest of u...can i have a mug of tea as well please GM?
it's murder in July at the moment...but witchi is hit the nail on the head......ah friday.....
'ad some 'ol gal in the back of me cab this mornin. All dolled up she woz but in a right 'ol state, kept muttering 'bout being too dressy for the co-op.
Asked 'er wots up ducks and she comes back with "Be quiet you silly little man"
'cor the cheek of some people!......ttfn....init
DI;
I recently did three months work for a well-known insurance company based in Norwich. Their datacentre is right opposite the place where K*ttl* Chips are made. The scent wafting across on a northerly breeze was an absolute delight.
So, speaking of them here is a large selection of their crisps, with a selection of cheeses, fresh bread, farm butter and big pots of pickles. Ploughmans for lunch anyone?
And, to complete the picture, a variety of ciders on the bar to go with the savouries.
Si.
Si - you know the way to a girl's heart! May I suggest Cornish Rattler as one of the ciders? A proper cider made locally from an old 'heritage' apple....yum....I may actually be drooling!
Si,
mmmmmm K*ttl* Crisps.....you know how to treat a girl!!
BTW...new data centre being built as we blogg just round the corner from me, no crisps but handy for Ma*ro
Si (6),
Speaking of aromas, I used to spend a couple of days a week at the Scottish Craft Centre in Edinburgh, which was quite bnear the S&N breweries, and the smell of hops will always remind me of Edinburgh....ahhhhhh!
I deposit some of S&N's various potions on the bar, strictly ion the interest of research, of course.
xx
ed
Si - Thanks for lunch! I really need it. I am having a genuine "Friday the 13th" back in July. Come to think of it, the whole week has been a bit of a disaster.
Have to agree about local TV, it's dire.
Ah, it's hammock time. Wake me when it's time to go home again...
;o) []
Si
Re aromas
I was at Birmingham Uni, well, lets just say "in the 60s". If you lived in Selly Oak and could smell chocolate on washing day the locals would tell you it was time to get the washing in.
The chocolate smell of course came from C*dbury's, situated a couple of miles to the east in Bournville.
ps Hi everyone - it's been a while since I came down here. I see Wonko's pinched my hammock. I'll just plant this bamboo beneath the hammock.
Tee-hee!!
Just spotted Belinda on the Queen thread.
Hello, Belinda, how are you. Do hope things are going well. Would you like some soothing camomile tea?
Cold chicken and salad with new potatoes in mayonnaise on the bar.
Witchi;
By strange co-incidence Rattler is one of the ciders of choice. ;-)
Help yourselves.
What aromas do other Froggers associate with places? I can also recall the smell of yeast, hops and malt from Burton on Trent as a young kid (we lived about 6 miles away and used to do the weekly shop there).
On a less inspiring note the stench of La Guaira port in Venezuela is one that can still make me feel nauseous more than 20 years after I visited it. Bad memories attached to scents anyone?
Si.
Si (13) - I never had any doubts!
Smells and places....Chichester and Shippams Factory; the smell of fish and meat paste of a morning. I used to have to walk past it everyday on the way to work (it was actually in the town) and somedays it was astonishingly vile.
Hello Anne and all!
Well spotted there and yes, I'm just popping in. Just started back to work on flexible hours (i.e. when I feel up to it), so am able to frog for a while.
I've missed so much - any big updates I should know about? I see it has been confirmed that Eddie has a top of a head and even hair.
Hope that you are all ok! Ribbit.
ETA: That wasn't malicious. I'm putting in an official complaint that the 大象传媒 misrepresented my message.
Aromas and memories, interesting topic!
When I went to the last World Scout Jamboree in Thailand (2002/03) we were issued en masse with a spray on sun screen milk. The smell of that sun-spray takes me right back to Sattahip!
There's the odd Single Malt that brings back memories of particular times and places...
;o) []
Malicious? Twice! Thrice!
Hi Belinda. Welcome Home!
(((((铀铀铀铀铀)))))
ed
Olfactory reminiscence,
I'm looking forward to more pleasant memories connected with the smell of when these folk visit us en route to Heathrow.
xx
ed
Hello Beautiful B - glad to hear that bit of news ((( ))) xx
smells and places.....we at the Broadland Business Park in Narwitch have the benefit of a very large Angryish Water sewage plant a mile or so away. Not the most appealing of aromas!
Belinda (15) How lovely to see you here again! Now don't overdo it - it's time for a leisurely paddle and a doze in a hammock, I think.
Good afternoon all, wonderful place you have here. All having a good time?......splendid.
Just popped in to have a nose about whilst Brenda nips out to get something in for tea time.
That is Ok Gillian, all quite informal, just the three curtsies will do.
talking of smells and places....never stand down wind of a Nikelarse Withsatchel.
DIY,
I note there is a lake and a brewery company onsite. Any connections?
xx
ed
Afternoon, folks, have I missed much?
Ed (23)
frayed knot.....the lake is for storing shopping trolleys from a nearby Sain*bury's and the 'brewery' is part of a well known brand of hotel that a Premier would loike....
.....sorry to disappoint...all that glistens is not gold, unless you are the Sultan of Brunei!
Pater....tea time, Mummy is getting anxious about one not answering one's mobile phone thingy.
Can I not have one but minutes peace and quiet?
Advise yours truly I will back for tiffin in a jiffy.
Gillian, many thanks dear lady for such a wonderful afternoon...aah if I was but 40 years younger!
Yey! Belinda! Great to see you!
I can thoroughly recommend a shower in the waterfall for invigoration! Thanks to Wonko for pointing it out. (And don't wory Anth -- no one stole my clothes).
Jason, on the last beach you were foaming at the nostrils, which I believe was a compliment, but I apologise anyway! Are you foam-free now?
Humph, please note that I resisted the urge to post on the last beach, even thought Anth and Jason had spoken to me :-)
Yey! Belinda! Great to see you!
I can thoroughly recommend a shower in the waterfall for invigoration! Thanks to Wonko for pointing it out. (And don't wory Anth -- no one stole my clothes).
Jason, on the last beach you were foaming at the nostrils, which I believe was a compliment, but I apologise anyway! Are you foam-free now?
Humph, please note that I resisted the urge to post on the last beach, even thought Anth and Jason had spoken to me :-)
Well, much as would love to stay on the Beach all weekend, I have to go home back in June. Good weekend all, I'm probably going to be too busy to frog, see next week.
Pssst, I've left a jug of Pimms on the bar at Nick's.
;o) []
Pimms! Lovely!
I've got a whole week off from work! Aaahhh! I hope to get down to the beach once in a while although I have to do a decluttering at home.
I haven't got any goodies for the beach or the bar, but I'm shopping tomorrow so I will get some nice bits and pieces.
Mary
Wonko;
Back in JUNE?
You've been away for a while, haven't you?
Si.
bit dull in July at the moment, look like rain......again. Going to have a quick dip, sorry about the colour of mit Speedos, bit bright I know but they do attract the laydees!
coffee and doughnuts on the bar.....tuck in...
ttfn....init..
....bbrrrrr.....brrrrrrr....sea is a bit nippy but never the less v refreshing, cob webs all gone now, ready for another day of DIYing. Going to help my neighbour tile his roof...no peace for the wicked.
BTW....doing a beef curry (madras) for tea tonight will do enough for us all if you want!!
*yawn* Oh, morning DIY. I'll just pour a mug of coffee and hie me back to the hammock for a bit of a lie-in....
Morning All,
I am meant to be somewhere this weekend working very hard and being very busy. For various reasons I am not there, so I have a nice peaceful one ahead. Who would like to join me in some herbal tea by way of gentle celebration?
DIY,
Careful using those sacred cows!
xx
ed
Thanks for the eats recommendations on last weeks beach. We had a nice meal (14 of us) in a french styled place near the canal. 14 meant we did not finish dinner till about 11.30pm. That accompanied by the fact we met up a 7.30 to plan our evening made for a long night. Best way to recover froma day examining! Unfortunatley I had to do a further long day examining yesterday. That finished not with a nice meal but a drive home in the Rain:-(
Found Birmingham in the evening to be a vibrant city.
Phillip!
Take your arm off that poor young gell this minute!
One might have known One would find you here ogling the peasant flesh! It must be the Greek blood - the olive never falls far from the tree!
Subjects and other common folk,
One must apologise for One's family at times, but One can't choose them. One prefers one's pets.
BB
Appy (29): Foam free? Not exactly. In fact, not at all. I am now all of a froth since Big Sis posted a link I hadn't seen before on the sultry thread.
I think I need a lie down.
..dont let on to Brenda, but one has got a really good recipe for Welsh Corgi.
Nice young hippy chappie thingy from Devonshire gave it to me, name of Huge Infernly Weasalstout or something. Anyway seemed to know what he was twittering on about; as opposed to certain offspring that only converse with Lupins.
BTW needs a good Greek Virgin olive oil though.
Ed (37)
..there is only one sacred cow in my life.....Mrs DIY.....all others are fair game!!
Hello, my frogfriends, am I the only one on the Beach today? Or is there a bloggage?
PUSH>>>
On the other hand, maybe I could have a quick skinny-dip. I advise anyone who might be here to look away. Not a pretty sight.
Hello, my frogfriends, am I the only one on the Beach today? Or is there a bloggage?
PUSH>>>
On the other hand, maybe I could have a quick skinny-dip.
No peeking. For your own protection.
Oh, don't be so silly. This is not doubly malicious.
what's that in the water?!!
or is it a who?!!!
Hi all, apparently I have given up trying to frog from work. I sent a ton in, but not a sausage...
so have postponed my *incredibly* busy weekend (re Appy) of non-stop herbals, bacon sarnies, fish fingers and alcholol (sp) to relax, unwind by shoes, and stroll down to the beach! Yay!
now surely this will be deemed exceedingly benelicious??
nope, still malicious. How about if I open a bottle of shiraz...?!
n-n
xx
OMG...i have just been snorkleing and i saw this......this......this......thing......
....it was incredible.....all pink and wobbly....
....oh hi Francis O.........
Hi, DI. Yep, that was me. The secret's out now.
Pass me a towel, please.
Appy (36): be sure to allow it to cool first or you will get terrible burns. And it'll need to be an enourmous cup if you are planning a communal dip.
'ere you go Fran O, one Luxury 650gsm Modal Towel....
....loved the pink wobbly bits though!!
Francis O...just HOW did you manage to get a tattoo just there?
wee - this is fun!!
look at me......!
n-n
STOP.......STOP.........STOP.....wotever you are doing.........deepest apologies to all......Mrs DIY (sacred cow.... Ed!)....now says no to a Madras Beef Curry.....I have to do a spag bol....
...anyone got any fresh Basil, I only have dried..
Here you go, DIY, fresh cut from the garden!
A better way to deal with cowflesh than a blasphemic pseudo-Hindu dish.
Shanthi
ed
NN (51)
...we have looked, now stop it, you will upset the camels.
...besides at your age you should be more carefull, there is nothing worse than a crevase full of sand...
.....Oh Hi Phil......how's Brenda today? Not too miffed with Aunty Beeb is she?. Jolly good...keep up the good work....carry on, nearly time for tiffin wot oh.
Mister Wyman,
"keep up the good work"
Really! One does almost ALL the work in this family, and as for that Greek layabout, where do you think the term "anus horribilis" originated?
Now where's that creep gotten to? Ogling some more peasant flesh, One doesn't doubt. He has a thing for tatooed ones.
Coma along darlings, time for din dins!
"Yap! Yap! Yap! Yap! Yap! Yap! Yap! Yap! Yap! Yap! Yap! Yap! Yap! Yap! Yap! Yap! Yap! Yap! Yap! Yap! Yap! Yap! Yap! Yap! "
Brenda.......luv the nom de ploom!!
Brenda, wen yo gona learn gal...yo aint all that British yo self gal. Dis am a multiculti society fingy we in now ol' lady..
...yo got 'ave respect....yo....it doesn't just come..it has to be worked for.....yo..need to be cillin...down in Tetbury lady.......no go an chill girl.,.,get ready for that Mr DIY's SPAG BOl......you know its gonna hit the spot.......
Gillian......Gillian & Humph......give us a hand with the pasta?
Belinda (15) welcome back to the beach! So good to see you, swinging gently in the purple hammock with a Pimms in your hand.
I will be unable to frog much for a while folks ... too many things going on in July, one of them probably involving me in another flying visit to Scotland on Monday.
It is apparently easier for me to make a 700-mile round trip through the deluge than for the NHS to convey my currently non-driving parents to/from a hospital appointment which may or may not require an overnight stay for one of them.
Fifi ;o)
Fifi...sorry to hear about problems...there is not a lot I can do.......'cept pray.
Dear Lordy,
In these adverse times please look kindly on Fifi.
She's a good girl ....really....and needs a hand right now.
So do your best 'n look out for her...
Amen
Aye Feefs, that'll be right! They don't want to take responsibility for anything.
Best wishes on your journey and to the auld yins as weel.
Slainte
ed
DIWyman....wot? Spag Bol AGAIN???
Well, I'll help with the pasta IF there's no basil, very little garlic, no Parmesan cheese, and lots of black pepper in my helping! Thank you.
Oh, and no Garlic bread....but I'll have some cheesy focaccia, please.
Oh, and a BIG glass of Ros茅. Thanks again ;o)
Oh, and I presume you'll be doing all the washing up....
Really, DI? Do you wish to share your experiences of a crevasse full of sand? Mountaineering in the desert, mayhap?
Is that what the camels are reacting to?
As for me wobbly pink bits, that was it. No more. Don't want to get sunburn there.
The tattoo? Ah, a long time ago, when I was a circus performer in Shanghai. But I don't remember much about it. Which is just as well. Just a word of warning; never touch a 'shanghai sling'. It's far deadlier than the Singapore version.
Gill,
"no basil, very little garlic, no Parmesan cheese,"
and thus no flavour! I can't imagine a world without the ! It might as well be monochrome as well!
Are you alliurgic or sumpfin?
DIY,
PLENTY of Basil, rosemary, sage, thyme, parsley, garlic, onions and Parmesan for mine, and plenty of fresh-cracked pepper as well, please!
YUM!
ed
And just because it's malicious, you can add some cumin too!
Ed I(62) Cumin!!!!!!! Now you're talking!!!!! Have you tried Big Sis's Chili sin Carne? It's really, really good.
I would have much preferred a curry to Spag Bol, and for me Spag Bol is better with a good amount of oregano. When it's made with good loally-produced beef, fresh from the Farm shop, how can it ever be tastelesss?!
Gillian,
I've let oregano (several closely related greek varieties) run wild because I love it so much! It's quite hardy and somewhat invasive, but who cares?
But I do LOOOOVE garlic and its cousins! The world would be a much poorer place without them.
xx
ed
Cheers for that, everybody!
Yumpsk. Great suggestive comments. I'm stuffed!
Good wishes to you Fifi, for the long trip, and good wishes to Belinda, glad you are back in the hammock. And a special hi to Jason!
Frances O and Gillian: sort it out girls, please! if you do want the wobbly pink bits, or the garlic, (or was it the tatoo?) or if you dont want the ground black pepper, or the beach towel, oh my word youve got me all confusticated...pour me a glass, my poor head...
...where's DIY, he'll bring a note of sanity (:->)
PS is Appy still being incredibly (not) busy?!
n-n
xx
Nikki, to clear it up:
YES to garlic. black pepper, basil, oregano, parmesan, and prawns (the only acceptable pink bits in a pasta dish or curry).
The tattoo is covered up and the beach towel spread out for the pasta picnic.
A chilled bottle of rose and a jug of tap water*, all clinky with ice, are on the side, with a parsley, basil and coriander leaf salad.
Gillian may park another towel nearby, if she's around, and we can have a party.
I did warn you about the mind-boggling effects of those shanghai slings. Now pour the last into the camels' dish, there's a sensible boy. They can take it.
* Tap, cos we're now being urged to shun bottled water because it's unecological.
Me, I use tap and a filter. 'Sallright.
All,
I'll hook up a hyperspace pipeline from our spring for those who like living water. It's on the end of the bar, next to the Liffey tap.
That spaghetti sauce smells delicious!
Yum!
ed
Not to snub your filtered water, Fran, but It should also stand for a couple of days to clear the chlorine, and even then it'll still be sterile.
...trip...wibble...wobble.....THUD...
..one small step for man......one giant step for Frogging...I swear these grains of sand are becoming bigger!
Gillian is about somewher 'cos I 'ave been playin' with 'er and Humph in the Other Place..
.....I have popped a rather nice bottle of Islay on NC's bar for later...mmmmmmmmmm........single malt.......heaven.......
bit slow this eve.....
.....all together PUSH.....
.....Phhhaarrrtt.....Gillian, there's a love.....clench....go on girl u can do it....all together.........
I don't often get to the beach these days because life is just too full so I opt to go to the daily threads. However I won;t be anywhere to be seen for the next week as I am off to Glasgow/Manchester/Bradford in that order. All good stuff; deliver son no 2 to Scottish Youth Theatre in Glasgow, visit son no 1 in Manchester and attend a friend's M Phil degree ceremony in Bradford. BUt I'd still just rather stay at home!
Anyway have fun while I'm away and I hope to see you on another thread next week.
Thanks Frances O! all cleared up now - er - i think!!!
You were right about those sling shots, I thought I was seeing double! Hammock's prob the place for me, now; thou' i shall rise to partake of DIY's malt, as behooves a fellow frogger, it's only right, I mean, got to share and share about?! nest pas?!
[only just avoided typing 'init' after that, catching this frog, either that or i am still reeling]...
ow.
nikki noodle
(mr)
best wishes to you, annie!
I've made 2 lots of chilli ... one vegetarian, to Big Sister's excellent recipe ... the other conventional and maturing nicely in the fridge.
Plenty of sour cream on the side. And for those who are watching the calories, some half fat creme fraiche. Both liberally sprinkled with chives from my herb garden.
Yumm!
Fifi
My last day of unstructured pottering before going into hyperdrive superorganised stressfuelled busy-ness.
May I ask an apparently serious question?
Oh, good.
When we watch 大象传媒2, we get a regularly-spaced *spit* noise coming from the signal. Happens on both tellies, which are plugged in to different aerials. So it IS the signal not the telly or local interference.
Was every 11.5 seconds. Now every 8.
Anyone else getting this on 大象传媒2?
Fifi
Jason (40), I wondered what you were talking about so I've been for a look... I'm not sure that should be dragged up again, but it did remind me that if I ever want to wear my favourite black dress again I'd better give up the Seabrook's Salt & Vinegars...
and (48) Hahaha -- nutter! It is a very large cup -- all welcome: makes a change from the sea.
Annie (70) Have a lovely week. It all sounds very interesting and fun. Some of us will just be boringly in the office all week dontcha know???
Everyone -- you all seem to have been behaving rather oddly today. Is it the new moon?
Appy (74): Nutter? Moi? You say the sweetest things. Anyway, I have it on good authority that said savoury snack is entirely free from calories. Fill yer boots.
I've had to get up early as I am on call from 8am and I'm grumpy with it.
Song for the day, "Here comes the rain again" by Eurythmics.
Did I mention that my courgette plant has it's first tiny courgette?
There's nowt wrong with being up early on a Sunday, Jason. Just think of it that you're getting a slice of the day unspoilt by others around. Plus, you get to the beach early!
Malicious? Moi?!?
Jason - many congratulations on your courgette offspring. How proud you must be! Now just keep the slugs & snails away until it's grown up. Well done.
(PS If you let it get too big it will turn into a marrow. Then you could serve it as stuffed marrow & pretend that's what you meant to grow in the first place.)
Good morning.....only just! Sorry to have wandered away from the Beachfest last night, but I hied me hence to a great night in July. It's the last day of the Lichfield Festival today, and last night I was in a Marquee boogying down to T. J. Johnson and his band - jazz/blues/r and b. The event in a tent is free, and though it stayed dry all day, the ground is muddy. It's pouring today, so it'll be our own mini Glastonbury - I'll dig out my flowery wellies. All this and real ale to boot! I'm spoiled, I really am!
Nikki Noodle(71) Take care - your alter-ego is showing! ;o)
Fifi and Admin Annie - mind how you go. Hope you both have good journeys.
Ed I, I've left you a message on the Furrowed Brow :o)
By, seemed to be lots of fun and frolicks yesterday. Hope all heads clear now.
Admin, enjoy Bradford. The new Atrium at the Uni is a lovely space.
Re the city, dont worry about the big building site in the city centre, Its to be a new shopping centre. Well thats what we keep getting told. They Knocked the old one down two years ago now.
right, I've brought lots of eats & nibbles for the barbeque later. I've left the fish in the fridhe behind the bar, and the white wine is chilling while the red wind is breathing on the table. Who's up for a quick game of beach cricket?
Ffred, that was a great game of cricket. I must say, I've never seen googlies like that before - you totally put me off my stride! ;o)
I'm starving....surely the fish is ready now? Here's some dill, parsley and rocket salad to go with it.
evening all!
thanks FF! Count me in! who;s in first?!
Gillian, is that better?!! Praps I ought not to have washed these bermuda shorts...
New moon? what s the matter with the old one? I was just sort of gettting used to it, change everything, dont they, even the spelling of fridge, what with the foriegn policies, and the weather, (cont - elsewhere)!!
right, lets kick this thing off...
n-n
xx
Ed, re bottled water v tap: I adore fresh spring water, it TASTES of something.
The 'don't drink bottled water' thing started in Paris and is now being promoted in London.
The reason is that squillions of empty bottles are being thown away and ending up in landfill sites. Now my local council takes them for recycling and I'm a bit of a demon recycler; I know now everyone can be bothered to use a different plastic bag for some of their rubbish, and maybe their councils don't recycle them, I don't know.
I just jib at the price.
And then there's the carbon footprint argument. It's polluting to fly water halfway round the world, as some rock star did recently.
Or even from France.
So that's the background.
But give me ethical spring in a re-used bottle and I'm as happy as Larry.
Hello, hope I'm not too late to join the beach cricket. Held up by 'stuff' in July, all very wearing so will be glad of something to help me wind down. Hitting a ball sounds just the thing.
Oops...missed it...sorry. Would you mind throwing me another one, FFred.
*thwack!*
That's better. Oh dear the camels seem to think they are meant to be fielding.
Whoopee! A barbie! I've got some juicy olives, some very crunchy crisps, and a bottle of something red to get us started.
It's been a lazy day, after a very busy week, so I'm ready for some beach fun.
Annasee (77): I am only just managing to resist eating it now so I don't think it will get a chance to become a marrow!
My peas and beans are a terrible yellow colour from all the rain/lack of sun but there are some pea pods sprouting. The tomatoes have flowered a bit, but not a lot.
Not a good year to start growing veg!
Hi peeps.....just sailing by from July..been roof tilling all day......now v v v ready for a few pints and curry!
wot was the outcome of the cricket....was Humph playing?
He is rather hot on all things crickety....recently went all the way to Worcester to watch an innings or two.
Any roads up the hops are a'calling!!
ttfn.....vindaloo.....innit.....
PS.....sorry have no offerings for the bar this eve..will do better next time..!
Looooooong journey tomorrow, on me tod, through what will probably be atrocious weather.
Tuesday, taking parents to hospital which may be a quick thing or might get more complicated.
Not sure what happens after that.
Send me happy thoughts please, froggers!
Off for an early night now. The first of many....
Fifi
Good luck Fifi - hope it all goes well.
Cheers Frances O!
strewth, what a game! Fearless by name and Fearless by nature!!!
might put that rocket on my bruises...
...what a balm!!
Last one to the NCM Bar ... will be myself, of course!! ow.
n-n
xx
Hope all goes will Fifi. Take that drive easy. Its been wet all day in yorkshire so care on the roads.
Fifi, take care.
(((((frug)))))
Fifi - this is probably too late, but hope it goes well and the drive isn't as bad as you're expecting. (hugs)xx
Jason - my tomato plants are green but very very stunted - I had thought it was the inferior growbag they were in, however they do have a number of large green fruits on. Downside - I'm going away next week so I'll probably miss them when they're ripe!!!
Morning all - Feefs hope the journey goes/went ok!
Cereals with fresh fruit, cold milk (or orgainc yog) and a bit of honey on the bar. And some Blue Mountain coffee by way of belated celebration for a comment of mine making an appearance on fridays prog!
Have made first foray in to touting my yoga 'skills' to local schools....nervous, moi?
Best wishes Fifi - hope it all goes as well as can be expected.
Witchi - I heard it whilst cleaning the bathroom, I did a little jig for you! Good luck with the yoga stuff, I'm sure you don't need to be nervous.
Veg growing - the jury's still out on mine, but had a couple of courgettes.
Sorry to have missed the beach cricket yesterday, although it sounds a little lively
(n-n, FF?). It was a day seeing off visitors and clearing up after the 40th BBQ on Saturday. It all went off very well and even ended in some apalling singing to some very good guitar playing - the only way to end a good evening!How lucky were we with the weather? Piddled down on Friday and Sunday, but glorious on Saturday.
BTW, sorry to the purists, I decided on a gas one in the end as I'm going to be lighting it and have not got on with charcoal on my various previous attempts. It did work very well. Please don't berate me too loudly!
Off to do some vounteering in the local physic garden - not psychic as my neighbours would have it! Have fun - I'll try to pop in later on.
Izz xx
sitting on hold for 20 minutes now, trying to get through to, of all things, the phone company, to arrange payment of their bill.
ahhh, the irony of it!
xx
ed
"Sorry to keep you waiting. One of our operators will be with you, as soon as possible. .... "
All this to get the phone line turned back on so I can use phone banking to pay the damned bill!
Almost an hour on hold and/or speaking with folk who are either the wrong department or too quiet to hear or can't arrange it, or 'will call back' ....
finally took card detail;s and promised to get me re-connected!
Broadband continued working the whole time.
GRRRRRRRR!
Ahhhhh!
hot and muggy in Norwich July...so have popped over for a refreshing dip in the briney....do you like my new Speedos?
...Gillian knitted them....recycled cat fur I believe!
Izzy - garden sounds lovely! Hope the weather is good for you and ta for the jig. Was a little excited too!
Ah EdI - I have been on the phone to water board this morning, they are nearly doubling my dd payment and say can't do anything until 6 months has passed....over a barrel and am v hacked off about it. Maybe a dip will sort me out (but only if DiW's recycled speedos haven't sped off).
Why has this hammock got furry patches on it? Glad I noticed before I sat in it. Has a camel been lounging here?
Wait a minute - it looks like cat fur -oh no! That was a bad move, using the cat's summer coat.
DIWy, STAY IN THE WATER.....YOU'RE MOULTING!
I SAID....NO! GO BACK IN!
OOOOOH! TOO LATE!
memo to self......dont wear Speedos fabricated from recycled moggy fur.
Two things about cats:-
1. as a general rule they do not like water.
2. as a general rule they do like fish.
this has meant that for the past hour and a quarter I have either had trunks that are trying to rip themselves off or dive to the sea bed to catch one of Ed's flounders!
I dont know if I am coming or going!
Gillian pass me a towel, this may not be a pretty sight!
ttfn......purr....purr......init
Good afternoon fellow Froggers!
Well that was a slightly disjointed, but mostly relaxing weekend back in June ;o) [] (Si!)
Large chunk of Saturday afternoon was spent fixing a gate in the lane we share with our neighbours. Concensus was that someone tried to climb it, the hinges started to give way, and they ran away rather than cause a lot of noise. In some ways I'm pleased, the gate has served its purpose of discouraging "Fingers" Malloy from going any further. On the other hand I'm annoyed at having to fix the damn thing. Still, nothing a couple of hours playing with power tools and bigger screws couldn't sort out. I think we'll be investing in some of the prickly strips you can get to put on fences and the like. I may also install another motion detector security light to illuminate anyone approaching the gate.
Anyway, how is everyone? I've brought some cream of tomato soup, cheese and crackers for lunch.
;o) []
Wonko (102),
"I may also install another motion detector security light to illuminate anyone approaching the gate."
I've long felt that, along with overbright street lighting, such things only benefit those whom would do us harm. They illuminate the premises to ease the burglar's craft; they cast shadows in which the ill-intended can lurk; they waken the neighbours as they drift off to sleep; they blind us to the starry heavens.
Save your money. Fit an electric fence wire to the gate.
xx
ed
Sorry! Who, not whom!
;-(
ed
Huh? The correction made it through before the error! And just taking note of that weird fact is malicious!
Hello everyone.
Belated hugs Feefs.
A, x.
Wonko (102)
security......get a dog, Border Collies are Intelligent, fun and loving canines that can v v protective!
Johnny - I'm sure you'll be down here at some point so have left a large glass of whatever you find soothing and calming on the bar (and one for SO too) xx
nikki noodle has learned, that back in July, at work, all is not as it appears.
too sad to write more now.
n
NN (109) - the same magical drink is there for you? Are you alright? frugs xx
DIY - I have a dog! He's only a "toy" spaniel (according to Kennel Club classifications), but he does sound larger than he is when he barks. If you see what I mean. It may well be that he heard something and his barking was enough to discourage the miscreant.
To be honest I'm not that concerned about it. If it was a potential burgler that makes the third time in three years that our home security measures - motion detector lights, prickly plants, gravel paths, big obvious locks, the dog, etc - have been enough to put them off before they even got to the house. As the saying goes: "A lock will only keep an honest person out", and if someone really wants to, they will get in. The best you can do is make it take time and be noisy, as that increases the chances of detection. Most burglaries are the result of an opportunist, so you pursuade them to go elsewhere.
We couldn't keep a Border Collie, we just wouldn't be able to give it the exercise that it would need. Our little chap just needs 10 to 15 minutes, and that suits our lifestyles and environment (London). In the words of our Vet he is "Good and lean".
Quiet on the Beach today isn't it? Think I'll just help myself to glass of something long and tinkly with fruit in it from Nick's.
;o) []
jonnie.....see (107)....i told you it was ironic!
....there is a stiff one on the bar for you mate...
((((((( n.n.)))))))
Frugs to Nikki too
((((({})))))
;o) []
Nikki, a drink of your choice is on the bar waiting for you...
Ed I, Check my lickering place, I think you'll like some of the photos on pages 2 & 3....
Time for a little drink. Anyone want to try this Vana Tallinn liqeur I brought back?
Oops! I meant Flickering, obviously....
DIYman - here is a little of what you didn't see.
The Robber being detained in reception by Simon - he then did a runner
Ed - Apologies, didn't see your comment.
I have to disagree with you, based on my experience (and the opinions of two good friends; one is a Police Crime Prevention Officer, the other volunteers for Victim Support).
It is my understanding that adequate street lighting is one of the most cost effective crime prevention measures there is. A set of heavy curtains keeps any light out perfectly well in our house. I do think that better shielding of street lighting to ensure that more of the light goes down - where it's needed - would be desirable. But that's really a discussion for another time and place...
As for the illumination of the burgler and providing shadows for them to hide in, I doubt that in our situation. We live in a narrow London street with blocks of eight houses in small terraces - we have an end of terrace property, hence the lane down the side. As we deliberately installed an iron railing style of gate, any intruder would in fact be silouetted in the light on either side of the gate. There is nothing in the way for them to hide behind that would cause a shadow.
Furthermore a light switching on and off repeatedly is far more likely to draw attention. Attention being drawn to their presence, be it from inside the house or a neighbour, is the last thing an intruder wants. Properly sighted, with the right sensitivity and time settings, I think security lights on balance do more good than harm. Alas they are a rather necessary part of living in London.
;o) []
Just eaten one of my lettuces with dinner. Sadly it is supposed to be an iceberg but hasn't quite got as far as growing it's heart so we ate the outer leaves. Bleurgh! Too bitter! I hope the hearts end up tastier.
Mrs G complained because I had found a slug in it when I washed it (how much more would she have complained if I hadn't found it?) and teen-horror complained because the local cat might have wee'd on it.
She went paler than usual when I casually mentioned that all manner of animals might do all manner of things on shop-bought produce and at least she knows the person who picked it had washed his hands after his last visit to the bathroom...
My Green Cone (recommended by someone on here sometime ago) is full of water from all the rain and all the food is merrily decomposing in it. And there are maggots in there :-(
I've ordered one of those Bokashi things to try another way of disposing of foodstuffs that can actually then be composted.
Well I feel I've been a tad selfish today - so excuse me if it appears that way.
Thank you for all the comments on this and the AM on PM thread.
I did catch some of PM however but may listen to the missing bits with a G&T on listen again.
Thoughts are wiith Fifi and hoping that all goes well.
Thanks for the drinks witchi and DIYi
xx
Well ......all said and done there is something to be said for a side by side 12 bore manufactured by Bates of Birmingham circa 1923 and No.6 shot..as my grandad said 'you need a bit more of a lead otherwise you just wing 'em'....
And this is the guy that shot the weather cock off of Onibury church and 1941 took pot shots at Heinkel 111's returning to the Fatherland after bombing Liverpool. They used to follow the railway line from Crewe down to Newport and then hang a left, all at 20 to 30' to avoid allied patrols. Mind you, one evening the dorsal gunner of one gave him a quick squirt of machine gun fire!....well thats what he told us.
Personally I think he was shooting at the US Army Air Corp that were billeted at Bromfield, 'cos they were upsetting his pheasants!
Interesting, always got on better with an over and under 14 gauge myself, still horses for courses and all that. Have to agree about Birmingham though. I remember the line in the Tom Baker Dr Who story "The Talons of Weng Chiang" where the Professor expresses doubt over the safety of using a water-fowl piece given its age. The Doctor replies: "Nonsense, it was made in Birmingham!"
I've also found that replacing lead shot with copper BBs has an interesting effect on the recipient! ;o)
Been out and only just catching up - hugs and commiserations to n-n and jonnie - so sorry to hear of your troubles.
(((((((((((frugs))))))))))))
Wonko (122)
re Birmingham.......Brummy proofing houses were always the best....hence BSA!!
14 gauge fine but won't 'carry' as far, mind you if the bu**er is real close a 4 - 10 can give a fright ans a sore bum!
Big hug Nikki Noodle -- hope everything is better now?
A. x.
Thanks peeps!
I really appreciate all your support! [Have got myself into a right tiz this evening, worrying about things over in July... now is neither the time nor the place to waffle on with the whole schmozzle, so i think i ought to (will) just head on up the wooden hill, and take a trip to the land of nod.
In fact, I am not going to bother about it at all this week. (attempted smile)! And then come fresh at the weekend and see what happens after that].
.
.
.
.
.
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so that'll be me over in the hammock, with the zzzzeds!!!
must be the moon what dun it.
night all!
nikki noodle
right, here wo go....a quick dip in surf before heading off to July.....
......the usual coffee and doughnuts on the bar....ttfn......
Morning all, English Breakfast and croissants to add to the coffee and doughnuts.
Sky in July alternating between brilliant sun and stygean gloom. Think I'll give it all a miss and just stay on the beach until July/August/September decides to behave.
Just discovered only courgette plant managing to thrive and produce fruit had it eaten last night and that in spite of beer traps all over the garden. Seem to be very effective since they fill up with disgusting rapidity...and yet they come.
So that'll be me soaking up the sun in the purple hammock and calling on young Jamie to accompany me for a gentle swim later.
zzzzz
Well, I'm just sailing by the beach as I go through the 200 odd emails that arrived while I was away. You'd think that people would get the Out of Office and realise that it's no good sending reminder emails asking for something to be done, seeing as I wasn't here!
I'm have a coffee and doughnut, thanks, DIY....
It's all going off on yesterday's threads, isn't it! I made the mistake of G*ggling one of the people who's accusing us all of anti-americanism. Trust me it's NOT a website you can look at from work! I guess it's a different P North! :p
Morning all -
NN if you fancy a massage I have oils at the ready!
Thanks for the EngBrek Anne, just the ticket; can anyone recommend a good read? Have a stack of things but none of them appeal; something engrossing but not to taxing and no 'chick lit'.
witchiwoman (130) Try Alexander McCall Smith's Number One Ladies Detective Agency, then the rest of the series. Easy to read, but very satisfying. Quirky, funny, thought -provoking.
If any of y'all are tempted to use rock salt, it's a good idea to keep those cartridges well separate from the piece, lest they promote rust.
Wonko, I note your justifications with sadness for our urbanised culture.
As to homegrown produce, it's a matter of careful .
xx
ed
Jonnie, Sorry to hear/read about your robbery. I too hope they get the person of dubious parentage. Its a while since I had a break in which at work and I agree the money is not the issue its the invasion of your space.
NN I'll play on the pedalos with you if that'll help.. I'll be wearing my trunks in the usual beach manner. (on my head ;-))
:-)) Is this smiley with a double chin?
Oh, look -- I can see something poking out of Stewart's speedoes... I believe it's his chin :-)
They make 'em odd in Northumberland you know...
Gillian - thanks for that, will give the library a whirl (always good for a giggle, I often wonder if any one of the staff actually reads!)
I'm enjoying my July lunch so much, I've made extra, to bring to the Beach.
Ciabatta rolls, mayo, pastrami, rocket ,watercress and black pepper. Mmmmmm. That slight crunch of sand certainly adds something.......
Appy, They certainly do. make em odd.
Should we score how well Evan Davis has been doing on co-presenting today?
He's doing not too bad I think cos Today is a slightly different areana to his other Beeb stuff
What ho!
Gosh it's been busy in July, hence my very late visit to the Beach today. If there's any of that breakfast or doughnuts still going I'll gladly polish them off!
Jonnie - I can only add my name to the expressions of sympathy and support already placed here.
Ed - have to concur re our urban environment, but really what do people expect with so many crammed into such a small place? If you stick a bunch of rats in a barrel and close the lid you only have to kill one rat in the end.
DIY - ;o) - "Wad Cutters" are also fun!
Is that hammock tak... zzzzzzzzzzzzz
Stewart M -
I really like Evan on Today; his voice seems somewhat fresher but still has a knowledgable twang. Not quite as jaded as JH either. Altogether quite engaging (although I think James Naughtie and Eddie would be my 'dream team').
Gillian - I think I'll substitute the pastrami for some cream cheese but thanks for the other bits. I've brought along some olives too.
July isn't going well.
I have just set up a wireless network in a school where it was a wet lunch hour. Trying to concentrate on what I was doing whilst keeping the little blighters off the kit and putting up with their din has given me an enourmous headache.
It's made me wonder whether there are any Trappist monastries around? And would they allow conjugal visits?
Elsewhere something has been mismanaged by others that I cannot discuss which will have a rather huge affect on my work next year and leaves me even more desperate to find something else before the summer holiday ends. And the summer holiday hasn't even started yet. Two irons in the fire but probably more needed.
If I lie down in this corner will someone prod me before 3pm so I can go and do the school run?
witchiwoman - when you're in the library, have a look at The Shipping News by Annie Proulx. It's an easy read, plot-wise, but is also a bit quirky and mystical. Very atmospheric, in all senses of the word.
Gillian - I have read one of her other books, think it was Postcards, and whilst I can't remember the ploy entirely I remember the style was quite striking.
JasonG - heres a cuppa before you're overly poked by helpful froggers!
Jason (140), Sorry the poke is late. What does one eat for "wet lunch"? Just soup?
Appy (143): tardy but nonetheless welcome. Where did the time go? But next time please can you aim for one of the fleshy bits - I do have plenty of them.
I'm sure it is meant to be beer rather than soup. But this was a primary school. Gin, then, I expect.
Ah Gin! Saviour of many a sorry, wet or annoying day! I have in the past found a generous glug or two added to orange squash to be most efficacious.
Time for hot buttered crumpets (RJD stoppit!), scotch pancakes, muffins and toasted teacakes. All served with a variety of preserves and a good hot cup of tea. I've got Darjeeling, Keemun, Earl Grey, Ceylon and "Builders".
PS do have a look at www dot nicecupofteaandasitdown dot com ;o) []
Jason(144) May I have some of that Gin please? My stomach's in knots after driving through big hail stones, flash floods and worst of all, lightning!! How old am I going to be before I grow out of this irrational fear of thunderstorms?
Witchiwoman - I'll look for Postcards as my next good read. Speaking of which - the programme of that name is on R4 at 4:30. Maybe we'll both hear some good suggestions.
A flash of lightning (not to be confused with lightening as in my hair) and all power goes from my computer. So that is another online application lost to the ether. My third attempt will start now.
I must by a UPS but I'm uncertain how ownership of a parcel company can stop my computer going off.
Witchiwoman (142): I'm really sorry but I missed the cup of tea and it's now gone cold. Any chance of another? Builders' with milk and one sugar for me, please.
Sadly all the gin is gone but I do have a box of small tins of slimline tonic by you-know-who in the cupboard. And an unopened of $ain$bury'$ substitute ginger wine. And some cherry brandy leftover from (siiiiiigh) Nigella's cranberry sauce. I think that would make a cocktail. Of sorts.
Gillian (146)
....pull yourself together girl......wots wrong with a quick flash followed by a good old bang?
Gordons or Plymouth?
Jason I must by a UPS but I'm uncertain how ownership of a parcel company can stop my computer going off. :-)
Um, guys, I notice another use of the term "RJDStoppit" above, and, whilst I know it is sometimes a necessary phrase, I get the feeling he was geting a bit tired of it before he went away -- He has actually been on holiday for more than a week now. I fear we are picking on him unnecessarily -- after all, he's no smuttier than many of the rest of us (I do, of course, include myself). Do you think we could stoppit with the stoppits for a while when he gets back? Or am I being over-sensitive on behalf of an absent frogger friend?
Appy (150) if you think RJD minds then of course we must stop the 'stoppit'.
Perhaps we need a different shorthand, or shall we just make use of the naughty step?
Re Witchi (130), it would seem that my previous attempt to reply to your request really has been banned for malice. When the Beeb starts banning English people from talking about the weather then things really are in a bad way. So:
I would recommend "Nothing but blue skies" by Tom Holt. Click on the link under my name to see the "brief description about the story to make you buy this book" thing and you will see why I am recommending it at the present time. I am a fan of his books and this is a good example of the stuff he writes.
H.
Humph, as you probably know the mods do sometimes seem to block things randomly and for no apparent reason. If it matters or seems to happen often I'd suggest dropping (oops that came out as fropping! interesting new word) an email to the blog prince who I think can hunt for lost posts.
Bit heated on the main threads tonight so I've come down here to cool off. That'll be me in the pink sarong, paddling over by the waterfall.
Chilled Cab on the bar and a fresh bottle of Lagavulin.
witchiwoman (130 and elsewhere) back in the dim and distant a Froggers book group was suggested and some of us got as far as reading a book. If I remember correctly it was admin annie who suggested 'My Sister's Keeper' by Jodie Picault. Well worth the read although a bit emotionally taxing in places.
A.
xx
Christ I'm glad the Beach exists.
It's getting poisonous out there; 大象传媒 journalistic standards are being battered; Eddie is taking personal invective; the morality of 'opt-outers' on organ donation is being questioned; Hugh Sykes has been dumped on; it's all getting a bit fraught really. There's even one bloke who thinks that the Blogosphere is a reliable source of quality journalism!
Why, on last Thursdays Glass Box some clown lumped me and Ed I. together as 'like-minded bigots'. Doesn't know us too well, does he! The same idiot is one of the Trolls on the 大象传媒 jounalistic standards line.
So I'm here to relax and leave my frazzled self behind.
Wonko, any of that builders tea left? A tiny splish of milk and no sugar please. And I'll take a plate of Muffins, Scotch pancakes and hot buttered crumpets. No, a plate of each. Ta. I don't suppose that anyone is concealing a packet of a certain well-known biscuit manufacturers Rich Tea are they? Support your local business I say (McV*t** is based just a mile up the A6 from Stockport).
Ed I; seeing as you and I are like-minded I've a bottle of St.-Emilion Grand Cru to split with you, if you'll share some of the Liffey over here?
Si.
Blimey, you're not wrong Si (155)! The most amusing thing I've seen just now is a regular contributor called Ruth accusing "core users" of this blog -- by which she appears to mean regular contributors -- of "groupthink"...
It's very wearing when posters feel that they have to be rude and insult everyone else just to provide evidence that they are "different" and can "think for themselves". It's the opposite of thinking. It's a shame that people like that come along and spoil an otherwise interesting and lively debate, but it certainly puts me off contributing -- In general, I really don't want to post my considered views only to have insults hurled back. It's such a disrespectful way to behave.
I think I'll just stay here and have me a G&T.
Gasp - I've just had a very quick whizz down the beach and am sending best wishes to all those suffering from slings and arrows. Not easy to work out what all's been going on while I've been away, but it's been about 3 weeks since I really joined in (in case anyone noticed). I shan't have time to catch up on 3 weeks of Eddiethreads, so can anyone give me a precis? pretty please?
PS - I did send a postcard from Limone sul Garda, but I daresay Eddie will file it down the back of the drawer with last year's.......
Anne (153),
I'd love a wee Lagavulin, thanks!
Si, help yourself to the Liffey, but I hope you don't take offence if I give the wine a miss as I'm a strictly barley man. Thanks for the thought, and I have to admit I'm a bit flattered to be considered the same sort of bigot as you ;-) Did you notice they read out Paul's comments in a female voice - heh heh heh!
Jason, I've lost two computers to lightning, and reverted to paper invoicing for three years after the second, thinking someone upstairs was trying to tell me something... The third stroke (after giving up giving up) only got a secondary hard drive. Now if I hear thunder I just disconnect the laptop and stay on wireless...the router's probably next.
xx to all
ed
Oh goodness gracious me. What a week we are all having.
I have views on the consent for organs but I think there are enough and I'm not in the mood.
I went for a nap with Eddie at five (you know what I mean) - I think the sprinting from yesterday had taken it's toll. I wanted to see how George Galloway came across. He was very nice and restrained - and some nice comments about Eddie and the programme.
Chris Jarvis has offered to show me around Broadcasting House tomorrow - He has to do some recording there for Cbeebies radio.
I'm charging the batts for the camera and looking forward to a day away from Bournemouth.
I'll be spending some time with my friend Peter who works for 大象传媒7 - so will be able to glance at the Beach tomorrow afternoon from his PC. Let me know if you'd like any special questions asked?? - or any photo's I can illegally take ;-)
Thanks again for all the support and sentiments regarding our robber.
Ah, a place to visit, relax and calm down after the hectic-ness of the "大象传媒 is Biased" thread.
A big Hi! to Peter, Paul and Ruth if they are brave enough to venture here - this is one place where we won't bite you...
...but treat the camels nicely, otherwise they may :)
And on the subject of relaxing etc., if anyone here's been mad enough to do the facebook thingy, you'll find me (Ben Norwood) up there - and some photos to boot. If not, you can still see a cheesy pic at (I knew that dormant website of mine would come in useful some day!)
Morning all, off to the dentist shortly (just a checkup I hope) but meanwhile croissants, toast, fresh English Breakfast and Java and a selection of preserves on the bar.
Do hope things calm down a bit elsewhere on the blog.
Val P. welcome back, things have been much as usual on the beach, not sure if you were here when the waterfall was discovered recently? But on the main threads it's been more than a little heated at times in a not entirely nice way - lots of slings and arrows in the direction of 大象传媒 bias (mostly unsubstantiated by chapter and verse) and some personal attacks on Eddie. As you'll see from Simon and Appy (155/6) thank heavens for the beach!
Morning froggers! Just going for a quick paddle to get the old batteries recharged ready for the slings and arrows of outrageous contributors on the main blog. 'Groupthink' indeed! I think my views are poles apart from many of you - especially Ed! But it hasn't stopped me accepting a drink off him yet!
hello all -
glad I'm not the only one who feels its getting a bit 'eek' out in the blog. I tried a quick defence but was quickly batted back and am not feeling strong enough to deal with personal comments from complete strangers. But more strength to those doing battle....I'll man the tea station.
Speaking of which JasonG heres another cuppa in a thermos type cup to keep it piping hot for you (it will also remain unstewed; this is teh Beach afyter all!)
Humph - I like the sound of that and its gone on the list of frogger recommendations!
Mfft - facebook, fun isn't it. If only July would give me more time to play.
So off I go; go careful out there folks! ((((( xx )))))
DIWyman(149) It's fine in the privacy of my own home, under the covers, with the curtains closed and the lights on.......but in a car, in a busy place, in broad daylight? Far too exposed and vulnerable! ;o(
Welcome back Val P :-)
Jonnie, you MUST get a picture of you and Eddie together! Oh do try, do!
Hi all,
Just checking in for a quick dip before some research for somebody's website. More if worth a mention when I know more.
Peej,
I'm surprised that you sense that. I hadn't thought we were that far apart, at least not in "respect" from my side. Another dram this evening? or a Liffey, or both?
;-)
ed
Well...I'm now quietly optimistic. I have been for an informal visit to a school that I have applyed to as a teaching assistant and who might possibly put me through the Graduate Teacher Programme at some future point.
I've worked there doing tech support for over 3 years and all the staff and kids know me really well. Deadline today and interviews next week. All the teachers, the kids in the class I would work in and the other support staff all seem quite keen that I might work there permanently...
The school is the 8th (out of almost 400) most deprived school in the county with over 60% of the pupils entitled to free school meals. Some of the kids have very challenging behaviour but, beneath it, they are a great bunch who mostly lack a positive male role model. Hard work, poor pay, challenging work. Am I mad?
Those who have met me, please don't answer that!
"Applyed to"? Tsk. Can't get the staff...
Jason - That sounds brilliant, you're fairly crackling with enthusiasm!
witchiwoman (169): I fear that is the sound of my nylon underpants combined with these plastic-soled shoes and man-made fibre carpets. They wear well, though. The carpets. What?
Jason, sounds terrific. Best of luck.
A.
xx
** well that's my first maliciousness warning in ages **
Ed (166), well I happen to have a bottle of Talisker to hand if you would be interested? We could discuss our differing views on the future of the Middle East as we get gently sozzled. Probably makes more sense that way.
Jason(167) Well done.....go for it, you'll be welcomed with open arms! A male member of staff in a Primary School.......worth his weight in gold!!!!!
JG (170) - nylon underpants? I'm sure they are to balme for many of the cases of spontaneous combustion in recent years. Do be careful.
Jason (167)......nice one. I did a spell as a 'volunteer' teacher assistant when i got made redundant by BT.....it was fantastic fun even though it was unpaid!
Three times a week for four months doing all the 'tecky' bits and helping out in year 1.
We, the kids and all the staff got on like a house on fire, sadly I had to go and get a paid job in the end!
So well done....you are bound to enjoy it!
Jason (167) I don't think we have to have met you to realise you're mad, it comes through perfectly clearly on the blog ! But go for it anyway! More power to your elbow. I've often thought of teaching as a second career, a post-first career retirement sort of thing. So you see - we're not all locked up yet !!
Peej (172),
Talisker is always welcome!
"We could discuss our differing views on the future of the Middle East as we get gently sozzled."
IS there a future? Gently sozzled I can handle, and have the relevant experience.
Slainte
ed
Gillian (173): Praise indeed - you have seen how much I weigh!!
Well Humph (152) Not many Tom Holt books in the Library - a big, main one, usually well-stocked. I don't know whether they're all out on loan, or no-one requested them in the first place!
''Nothing but Blue Skies'' wasn't available, so I plumped for ''You don't have to be evil to work here, but it helps''. According to the Guardian, it's ''uniquely twisted'', so right up my street, by the sound of it.
Right....empty hammock, sloe gin fizz, gentle breeze, book......... :o)
Welcome back, ValP. Gosh has it really been three weeks since you were here? Well you know what they say: 鈥淭ime flies when you鈥檙e having to meet work dead-lines!鈥 Although comments by others about the slings and arrows are true, I would say that the main change has been the introduction of PM in the AM/PM - a sort of newsletter for the hard of reading, but you have probably spotted that already. Someone commented on the Blog a couple of weeks ago that they preferred the old system of having listeners鈥 comments each evening rather than a main slot at the end of the week and that seems to have been taken onboard with a few edited comments from the previous evening鈥檚 Glass Box each evening.
JG, that sounds like excellent news. Let us know when the interview is. You are bound to be selected because this time you are the one with the experience that all your competitors had in your previous interview. All the best.
Gillian, okay but I would say imho that book is not one of his best and also it is the fourth book in a series. That said it does depart quite a bit from the other three, which appear to have been written as a trilogy. You will read a number of references to Paul Carpenter (the wimp-hero of the other books in the series) and Sophie (the girl he was in love with) but neither of them actually appear at all. It will give you a chance to find out his style and decide if you like it. The Guardian comment is about his books in general rather than that one in particular.
H.
What was malicious about that? Oh, hang on; I used the 鈥淲鈥 word on the beach. That must have been it! [Slowly climbs the dune back to July muttering something about benzo (b) fluoranthene eluting just before benzo (k) fluoranthene.]
witchiwoman (174): I would indeed need a balme if I really wore nylon underpants.
I once got given nylon socks with a little "Superman" logo on the side as a Secret Santa present that I have never worn having prior experience with static shocks.
Which was nicer than the "Wally's Handbook" I was once given. And I think nicer than the "Jumbo Jones and the Trunk of Doom" item of underwear I was once given. Which was, indeed, nylon. Or polyester.
These things always come full circle...
Very quiet here tonight.
I'll be over in the corner by the bar knitting Jason some silk underpants to replace the nylon ones. Would have suggested cashmere but apparently there's a plague of clothes moths around this year so they might develop holes in unexpected places.
I would just like to say "Hello everyone". I would also like to pledge my support for Humph's first two paragraphs @ 180.
I'd also like to ask for advice, if I may?
What would a kind, assertive frogger do about someone who was slightly but persistently annoying in the office. A friendly but immature young woman who's desk is near mine, and seems to have decided that I am her friend, keeps talking at me when I'm trying to work, borrowing things (stapler, "just a bit of milk", "just a bit of..." anything really) and being over familar. I know, I know, even writing it down it sounds like nothing much but it's really niggling at me. I went to the pub with her last night. I didn't really want to but she was so insistent I couldn't think of a way of getting out of it! She has told me several times -- although not recently -- that she would like to s**g me, which I also find very disturbing, even though she says it in a jokey fashion. I mean, aside from the fact that I am straight, I don't even like the girl! She's a bit nosey and bossy, with no sense of empathy. But I also think she's quite vulnerable underneath her tough-girl exterior and doesn't mean to be unpleasant. I don't want to upset her -- she just wouldn't understand why. Suggestions?
God, I'm not usually this soft. I sound pathetic don't I?
Appy (183): A difficult one. Most things are best resolved with honest and open communication. Get out of the workplace and tell her how you feel. Tell her you like her but not how she is being. I expect she is hitting on you in the hope you maybe curious enough to follow up.
Good luck with it - at least letching men can be dealt with fairly easily in comparison.
Gosh Appy (183) you do lead a colourful life. What would you do if it was a chap making inappropriate suggestions? You have the right not to be bothered by nonsense like this, further more it's your company's responsibility to make sure that you aren't. Have a quiet word with the boss, that's what s/he is getting paid the big money for. The HR frogger has spoken! Not to trivialise your problem, but I got chatted up by a male flight attendant the other week, but its been so long since I got chatted up by ANYBODY, that I was quite flattered!!
Appy (183): Having given a serious answer, here is my "tap dancing as a funeral passes" answer.
Can I watch?
Don't let it get you down - Peej's solution is indeed the way to go.
Hello there everyone - its been a long time! Just popped by to bid you a quick hello and au revoir. The motorhome is loaded and packed to the gunnells and tomorrow we head off........ Heading out of Dover at midday and booked to come back in 5 weeks time, which may off course could end up being earlier depending on whether the trip is a success or disaster! Been mightly busy getting ready and doing mum things - I do lurk but haven't posted for ages (mind you now that we have broadband which we got about a week ago it is MILES better going on line from home so all being well will hopefully get to visit more when I get back.
Hope you are all doing well - big hugs to anyone in need or to anyone who just wants a hug. Miss you all and hope to frog more often soon.
Take care, Fiona x
Oh by the way, Si W was thinking about you last week (I shall explain!). We went to see Genesis at Twickenham which was just, by far, the best concert I have ever seen!! (but then they are - as far as music is concerned - my first love). Anyway a while back we did a bit of a favourite music thing here and Si, you said one of yours (or was it Stewart?) was In the Cage done live - which is one of my very favourite Genesis live tracks. My only slight minor grumble was that they did it early in the set when it wasn't dark enough to get the benefit of the light show - but other than that it was sublime.
Anyway that's all I wanted to say, night all x
Appy,
Give her a set of Catherine Tate tapes/cds with her character on them. Y'all know the one.
xx
ed
Bonjour mes enfants. I hope you have been behaving yourself while I have been on holiday. Is there any major debate taking place on the threads that would benefit from a few flippant comments?
Ap (183) - Do you remember many months ago talking about my annoying "mate" Alan in the office and how I managed to ensure that he wasn't my "mate" any more? I wouldn't suggest anything so direct but subtlety doesn't always work with some people. I think the best approach is to be up-front and tell her to back off. I also think that Peej is spot-on in his analysis in comparing her behaviour with that of a male co-worker.
As for her desire to s**g you - a small but important clarification please. Does the "**" stand for "ha" or "no"?
Jason (somewhere, probably the last Beach) I had a quick scan through the blog to try and catch up on what I had missed and I caught your comment about the appropriateness of tap dancing as a cortege passed - the funniest thing I have read on the blog in ages. It also taught me not to laugh and drink whiskey at the same time!
Popping back in to say:
I'm surely not the only one to think that Peter, Paul and Mary..sorry, Ruth and mac are one and the same person, am I? Their language and spelling mistakes are identical.
Appy: Watch this woman carefully. I had a similar situation at work a few years ago involving a very immature spoiled brat who was incredibly nice to me on the service and then making up bad stories about me to the bosses. Needless to say that they had known me for years and didn't believe her, but if the situation is handled badly (as I did) then it could turn poisonous. My advice would be to just keep yourself to yourself, make excuses regarding going to the pub and try to take a step-back from the situation if at all possible.
Have a wonderful time, Fiona!
Thanks all for the sage advice. I'm in off into the office now, determined to be more assertive today! I did reply to Jason and Peej with thanks for their advice last night but it seems to have been moderated!!!???? I would've thought it was due to the *s but they got through in the one above... :-/
Anyway, I feel I shouldn't have mentioned the word that has "ha" in the middle (RJD welcome back) because she hasn't said that for a while -- I don't think she's hitting on me, although maybe trying to impress me for some reason -- however, it is interesting to me that you seem to have seen that in what I posted -- perhaps I'm in denial...
Thanks Belinda for the benefit of your experience - I will tread very carefully! And hope you're feeling great :-)
Peej your advice about speaking to the boss is very good, but I don't technically have a boss and those I do work for wouldn't know this girl anyway. (Academia -- a complicated set up). I could move to another office -- which I'm already considering for other reasons -- but I want to deal with this whether I move or not: I couldn't handle feeling like I'd just run away from the situation. And, anyway, if she's convinced we are friends she could well follow me...
Jason, of course you can watch. Watch me bristling whenever she's around that is! Naughty step boyo!
Fiona, have a wonderful trip, if you're still lurking!
Elevenses of fresh lemonade and cakes for everyone on the bar (sudden and unusual sweet tooth today!) See you all later.
Thanks again.
A, x.
Appy - I didn't realise that you were in academia. In that case, there is no hope for this girl and she will constantly seek validation for her behaviour. I beg of you to steer clear of her otherwise you will sucked into a vortex of hell.
As for me: Not feeling too bad this week, after a strange time when my entire digestive system shut down (not to go into too much detail) and I'm now back at work for a bit. I'm mostly sad that I completely missed Eddie's DG interview yesterday and I won't be able to listen again either.
Appy: If I were you (which I'm not) I think you may need to be just a little bit tactical with her. Just like you might with a guy who's after you, you need to combine stuff like:
(re borrowing stuff)
Claim that you find her interruptions distracting, so could she stop?
(re silly s--g comments)
Say something like "Anyone would think you were gay coming out with remarks like that - and even if you are, I'm not! so can you stop it, please?"
(and generally - to keep things smooth)
"Don't get me wrong, I don't dislike you, but we have different ways of handling things"
Oh, you know the stuff. But, seriously, Appy, you'll have to do something sooner rather than later or it will become progressively too involved and difficult.
Hope you're keeping well - along with the other froggers on the Beach. I'm a bit distracted at the moment, so frogging's intermittent (if you hadn't already noticed) but I haven't forgotten you lovely lot.
RJD, welcome back. You have been missed. I have deposited 拢10 in the usual account for the tap dancing compliment. Keep them coming.
Re. the job change stuff, I've just been offered a role at one of my other schools after I've told them I have another interview. Mega confused about what to do. Head and heart each have at least 3 different preferences and I don't know where to begin or what to do. I am terrible at making decisions anyway.
I've tried weighing up the two situations but it's like comparing apples and house bricks. My head hurts and I need a lie down.
And Appy, if you bristle any more you will be able to work as the Bearded Lady. I am thinking of starting an animal-free circus. You can't juggle and tightrope walk can you? No, I don't mean do office work....
Appy - I hope its going ok. Very little else I can say!
Belinda - glad to hear you're on the up!
Have brought down some lovely fresh coffee - normally a breakfast thing but it seems apt this afternoon. I think there are some of Appy's 'elevenses' cakes left over.
Back to it - seems a bit calmer on the Blog today (and in July too!)
Before I forget - Jason, sometimes comparisons are no good at the head can be a tricksy devil. In matters like this go for the heart/gut instinct; if its the right choice it will *feel* right.
witchiwoman (196): The trouble is I know what the right thing to do is. Sadly it is the difficult thing.
Part of the consequences will be the need to put daughter in before and after school club for 45 minutes at each end of the day, something I am loathe to do. The crazy thing is, she'll love it so I don't know why it bothers me so much...
T拢$鈧琽 have just sent me a free razor in the post. Are they trying to tell me something? Shall I save it for a bristling Appy?
Jason (197) 45 minutes is very little time at all...by the time she's collected her belongings, sauntered along, had a snack, it'll be time to leave.....and she'll be having a go at you because she's had no time with her friends, or to do the activities!
Face it, Jason - when it comes to our children, in their opinion we are always bound to do the wrong thing - so stop trying to rationalise it, and put your own happiness first. Witchi is right - follow your heart.
Jason (197) - I know its rich coming from a stranger but I'd say go for it! I think you have made your decision, you have looked at the practicalities and taken them in to account. If your daughter will be happy with the situation and it is a job you really want....go for it!
The razor, well thats beyond my sphere of experience!
Gillian (198): put your own happiness first
If only!
Jason @197
...shouldn't that be debristling, rather than abristling, unless you are thinking of encouraging growth the enable you to grow enough for Anne to knit you a hair vest. Go pick your own ashes...
welcome back RJD, and ValP, odd you being off together. I trust the sun shone on all yor enterprises. Erhem
Aunt Dahlia (201): I had to read it twice but I giggled when I did!
Shaving is one of the worst things in life. Sadly I do not suit a beard. I have yet to find a razor that works properly. I'd love a 'leccy one that did a reasonable job of removing hair but leaving skin intact in it's wake. Instead I have to suffer the "oh, go on, have another blade" displodable ones.
I'd love a traditional cut throat but the hands aren't as steady as they were. Especially since I started posting on here.
Anyone wanting me to knit a hair shirt will have to find an available spinster - Iam like the lilies of the field 'I toil not neither do I spin' - do knit though.
Did someone call??
NS,GSOH,PFRW,LWAI,NF at all
RING
go on
RING
Harrumph! I should like to point out that I am not in the slightest bit hirsuite!!
But thanks again for the kind wishes. OK so far today.
Appy
Wot not even a teensy little bit?
Like no nostrils?
How do you keep the hayseeds out?
Oh dear! Of course I have nostrils. But they are not hairy! And OK, I have a head full of hair and have eyebrows and eyelashes too. So I lied: I am a bit hirsuite. But in good ways! :-)
I think I need another lie down.
Hair shirt, hirsute - what are you lot on about?
Aunt Dahlia - I suspect that you are the instigator of this confusion and debate. And while I am on the subject you will note that Val P has sent a missive to PM from Italy whilst I was disporting myself in La Belle France. I am immune to insult but I think you should not besmirch Val P's honour. Besides, she knows that I am still miffed about the Balearics!
;-)
ed
Welcome back to soggy Norn Iron RJD. Did you know you had a strapline when you were away? I suggested that someone do a screen capture thingy, but the consensus was s*d him, its his own fault for escaping to the sun. Now you know who your friends aren't !
Phew - think we got away with it RJD? That was a great idea, the separate postcards? As to the Balearics.....well let's not go there again ;-)
JasonG - all the best whichever you go for, a chap with your sense of humour is a must in any workplace!
Gillian - you hit the nail on the head, as usual, they have an uncanny knack of seeing us in completely the wrong light don't they?
Fiona - Happy Travelling, send us a postcard :o)
Appy - can only re-iterate Big Sis and others' sage words. Best dealt with soon and with the good humour of which you are well capable. Nobody need end up feeling awkward.
Belinda - glad to see you wriggling your toes in the sand.
Aunt D - IOU, a trip to your Inbox v. soon, I'm not forgetting.
Ahhhh, it's so good to be back! I reached a good point towards the deadline today, so finally feel that I can relax a bit. I've caught up and now await further instructions, a much happier place to be than chasing along trying to catch up.
The Hols were excellent and I would reproduce here what I said on the back of Eddie's postcard....except I can't remember it. Too relaxed at the time :o)
I nearly brought us all a souvenir though, which was a bar of handmade soap - clear and sand coloured complete with little sun, sand dune, palm tree and camel suspended inside it! I was even reaching into my purse for the 5 euros to pay for it when I thought, wait a minute, a smart ValP could save herself the cost of a bottle of vino by just bringing a virtual souvenir to a virtual beach, couldn't she? Parsimonious, moi?
So here's the Limoncello, as I mentioned elsewhere cherished homewards in the suitcase by my hand-embroidered swimwear. I'll line some up on the NC Bar but don't leave it too long to come and collect yours, as it's nicest served chilled.
Hello, back from Finland I am, drove there in three days via Boulogne-sur-Mer and lots of countries that get in the way somefink rotten, spent three days at a convention inhabited by about four thousand pubescent Finns dressed as Japanese schoolgirls and about three hundred people who read Real Books (including the books of Tom Holt, highly reccommended them, well said whoever was doing that earlier), got the bit of the exhaust pipe that had fallen apart mended *on* a Saturday evening *at* eight o'clock by a shining young man who hit everything in sight or on site with hammers when he wasn't using an angle grinder on it or spot-welding bits into place for about an hour and a half, and then tried to charge a whole twenty Euros for the job -- I LIKE Finns! -- but I paid him fifty on the grounds it was the smallest note I had, which seemed to leave him speechless apart from the repeated phrase "It's not pretty but it works". Then back again to Good Old Blighty, three days' driving again.
On the bar there is a bottle of Finnish sour liqueur made using rhubarb. I couldn't resist it. I want to see what happens to people who drink it. Do feel free to sample, those of Stout Heart and Strong Stomach.
Aperitif, good luck. If you have a Department that still has Secretaries (I know some still hold out in Academe) tell them of your disquiet. If they are any good, Departmental Secretaries know EVERYTHING and say very little, but if anything blows up they are the very best people to have as witnesses and allies because they generally know personalities pretty well. Or so I have found.
As for the cackle-clones out there on the other Blog threads, I have missed out on being part of the Cabal for a while, but before I left for Furrin Parts I too had noticed a similarity among the little coterie that have a go at Our Ed I at intervals, and assume that Si and Ed are In Cahoots. I did ask one of them whether it had an AOL account, at one point, meaning the old joke about AOL sunscribers tending to copy-and-paste entire posts and then write "I agree" at the bottom, back in the old days. (These days of course they write "I agree" at the top and then copy the whole post underneath.) I just hope they none of them find being pleasant and having a nice quiet stroll on the Beach interesting enough to come here.
Oh, and about the naughty step .... How about the Frankie Howerd approach? "Titter ye not" seems somehow to be fitting for the double entente (and I don't know what you mean! I *never* go camping!)
Welcome back one and all! RJD & ValP!!
Fortuneately there'll be a new beach along in a minute, and all this week's rumpus will be buried in the sand, or washed away on the tide...
...and I for one will be glad of that.! Decided that in July, work can go swivel, as i am mostly at least adequate, and usually good, with occasional bits of really rather quite very good indeed!! So if thats alright with me, which it is, then i dont care if they say otherwise!!!
Appy, am with most of the others: speak up and speak out!!
In fact, i might be tempted to say s*d off, if only that would get through..
My round.
n-n
xx
Evening all,
Jason - I should have sent you my support earlier but with the burglar, BH visit it's been a very strange week.
It's funny how sometimes everything happens at once isn't it.
May seem trite but I'd suggest following your real gut instinct. When I was a kid I always wanted to work at LBC Radio. I applied a million times always receiving the same old letter - eventually got a job with Southern sound in Brighton. A week later I was offered a job at LBC. I didn't know what to do for a few days but ended up with embarrasingly dumping the Southern Sound job.
This rain is sooooo depressing for business at the moment :-(
but hopefully our 4 free rooms will fill up.
I've posted up the photo's from the Broadcasting house visit.
Peter from 大象传媒7 will be visiting us tomorrow for three days and will be around if you have any questions about 大象传媒7. He is a Senior producer on the station so we with the rain we will no doubt be hanging around in the Hotel with the Camstreams feed on so if any Froggers have questions about life at Broadcasting House and how 大象传媒7 works we will no doubt be around at some stage - or leave a question on the beach.
Night for now -- I've left a full bottle of Asda Gin hidden beneath the sink on the NCMB - it's a litre bottle. I'm happy for anyone to have a measure or two but I'd appreciate it if you'd leave the Bombay Sapphire, as I've promised a large one for Peter after his hectic week
xxx
Oh, well, today was the last of my beloved and inspiring Creative Writing course. After a period of the dreaded white-piece-of-paper-or-blank-Word-document phobia, it's helped me to believe I can write once again.
Now I feel a bit bereft.
Unsure what to do now, and haven't got the spare cash to fork out for another course.
Anyone been here? Any good tips?
Without wanting to sound big-headed, I know I'm good enough to take it further; mainly because of what I've been told by people who I respect.
But I'm not a time-waster.
Welcome back all vacationers! Val, RJD and Fishy One!
My round!
xx
ed
Ah! the beach
Rats! forgot the towel!
It took ages getting parking
Truthyness (218)
I wouldn't get on the beach with that lot one of them called you a fruitcake. Try to be more selective.