southern42

' evening all from red dragon land. Only 17:00. Just put light on! No more BST - Poop! A good toot on the flute this afternoon. After much dithering about it - getting things better in the previous lines - the twiddly bits for the last line of part one of the third song are underway! The first twiddly bits came fairly easy, this time, with familiar patterns so I have a quarter of the line to bring up to scratch. I will have a look at the next bit tomorrow or later in the week. See how it goes. ION I had an e-mail from the photo card and gift people offering a free 8"x6" photo book. I Snap-ped it up, nothing Fish-y about, and created one using photos from our family get togethers, this year. It is arriving by the end of the week. Hoping it will turn out ok so I can order some for the respective family members - current deal 30% off. Ray home shortly so better get the kettle ready to go on. Take care. Be good. Grabbit when you can. Polly

Similar story, here. Titchy maisonette in West Ealing 4 times the price we paid for a two up two down with lean-to extension in our off the beaten track village, teacher's starting salary then being about £1100pa plus London waiting of about £200 maybe. Not forgetting, only half a woman's salary being taken into consideration back then. The lean-to was eventually demolished and a two story extension added. As things turn out, some of the kids moved back across the border - all work related!

Lovely photo, Hroth. Our son took photos of me with our two GDs in the centre archway. Waiting for copies of them! 😉

In my time, I have travelled through various towns with quite meaty rivers when they have flooded the road, etc, etc. Beyond that time, I was a mere young teenager learning about flood plains. Basically, learning that flood plains are called flood plains because the plains flood, even in the novel, Mill on the Floss, a teacher lent me on a school sailing week at Pin Mill SC on the River Orwell. 6 October, this year. No houses here. River Llugwy, between Ty Hyll (Ugly House) and Swallow Falls, Betws-y-Coed, bursting its banks.

' morning all from red dragon land. Sunny temp. 10C Longtimenosee: Extended halfterm weekend with family followed by dental appointment yesterday has kept me away. The first two days concerned things running on parallel bits of metal - Riding behind City of Wells on the East Lancashire Rly on Saturday and wandering around the Warrington Show on Sunday. Monday some of the family came to us, Wednesday morning they came to the Rly Museum for a couple of rides with Grandad driving. In the afternoon they took me to Bodnant Gardens meeting up with Grandad at the holiday home, afterwards. Yesterday, as I said, a trip to town for a dental repair...but...Mr Suvvern had been rostered at the museum to cover for another driver. Not to worry, there is always the bus. Once upon a time, it ran from Llanberis. Now it runs from up in mountaineering country further afield but only every two hours. OK. Appointment at 3.30. On the timetable, bus arrives Bangor 3.10. OK! But what about the new 20mph speed restrictions in every village/town it goes through/round? Anticipating a late arrival and having to rush/be late for the appointment, I decided to go on the earlier bus. Bus 10 minutes late - I expected worse but traffic will be heavier two hours later! As I forgot to bring a magazine with me, I nipped into the WH Smithy and grabbed another variety off the shelf. As I was there, with plenty of time to nose around, I added some boxes of *C* cards to my spend - 3 for 2 not bad. Then it was down to the library to read said mag beginning with a useful article, by a well known Mod on here, on my recently acquired fifteenxx. Arrived dentist in good time. Home, a short catch up on here, get dinner, quick toot on the flute before watching the little 🚂 big name TV programme. Interesting to see how others are inclined to represent our own lives and families in their landscapes, and the ways in which they do it. Some pics. On our arrival at the East Lancs, our driving vehicle was soon spotted. We went for walks, did the playground thing with the GDs, had a great lunch at Mr Fitzpatrick's - Britain's Last Temperance Bar at Rawtenstall, visited the Bury Transport Museum in the restored Castlecroft Goods Warehouse from 1848, where Jonesy came across some of my favourite vehicles, and enjoyed the scenery. Wednesday morning started with sunshine but we soon ran into the mist... further to the right... and further down the road, coming into Capel Curig. Afternoon sunshine enjoyed later at Bodnant Gardens. Only ever having seen a couple of photos of the Gardens before, I had not realised how steep the place was. Down at road level, the bridge this photo is taken from can be seen in the next photo... on our way back up again via a different route. Back down, some flowers caught my eye. A label said these flowers grow in India. Gorgeous, whatever they are! Yesterday, a walk down the hill to the bus shelter in sunshine, followed by a shower soon after I arrived (and no fold up rain jacket to wear - I forgot it! - Lucky...I could have been waiting at the top in the downpour!) Now, I said I was looking at *C* cards.... but, I mean, how big is this family getting? An after dental treatment walk while waiting for Mr Suvvern to pick me up in the car on his way home. Bangor flood prevention work at Hirael Bay in progress on Beach Road, Lôn Glan y Môr, opposite Porth Penrhyn where slates were once brought down from the quarry in things that run on parallel bits of metal. Map below. Hirael Bay Back to normal, now, for a bit anyway. Lunchtime beckons. Back soon. Take care. Be good. Remember....? Er...What was I going to say? Polly

' morning all from soggy red dragon land. Very misty moisty first thing this morning, Now raining mini soldiers. Larger, and more, soldiers promised by the pine cone pundits as the day goes on. New storm name - "Bomber," I call it! Latest on the toot on the flute front: new twiddly bits put on hold as I have put a little bit of extra work on the first lot and, amazingly, it has started to sound a lot better - worth the effort. Just a shame I did not have the time to do such things in my early years but life was a lot busier back then. Some "H" word, now, including putting dear Henry round. Dead bits of grass and broken dead leaves get everywhere and as soon as your back is turned! But first...ah! You've guessed it!...a mugadecaf! Take care. Be good. Watch out for those soldiers! Polly

Yesterday, (two days ago now as I forgot to press the submit button!) our wheelie bin had to be rescued from the next-door neighbour's gate on the west side of us, in the morning. In the afternoon, my next-door neighbour (east side) returned my large -ish plant pot. As the wind was blowing from her side (easterly) we must have had some severely whirly type of wind to get it to her end of the footpath.

This so reminded me of one of the occasions we sailed round the Anglesey coast and our "near" encounter with a cluster of small islands. We were going from West to East (left to right) and had gone past South Stack, Holyhead and Church Bay and were heading north when the wind got up. Mr Suvvern went forward to reef the sails and gave the order to steer into wind - straight towards the group of small islands, The Skerries. Even though I "knew" they were further off than they looked, it was one of those scary moments, I can tell you, maintaining course towards them until the sails were reset and we could alter course and progress eastwards! <<As I've said before, I'm not one for BIG rides!>> At least, apart from the wind, we saw no dragons or giant sea monsters. For a closer look, though the sea was not as flat as on here but lookout for the troubled waters which are best avoided!

Yup - her hands are too small. 🔍😜 Namaste 🙏

' afternoon all from red dragon land. It has just started throwing down the wet stuff. Darker clouds heading this way from the NE. Forced to take it "easy" today. Had the C jab yesterday and now the pincushion arm doth protest when I hold anything, even my titchy lightweight flute. Whereas, washing up was a bit frustrating trying to hold things with the other hand (everything back to front!), putting Henry round this morning was OK - it only needs one arm to push its hose about. With a shortened toot on the flute, I had an early lunch and while, catching up on here, ended up with a Slade concert on uToob which was followed all too soon by a Pink Floyd album, so a bit of foot tapping for an hour or so. Makes a change from my usual listening. Now it's time for a mugadecaf - in the other hand, this time! I don't know! A "small scratch" and I'm useless! Take care. Be good. Look both ways. Polly

want Take a good look at what you give up Because I'm telling you

but not my

Run Runaway - Slade

We don't commute to London from here but we have used the Bangor-Euston service since the late 70s in which time the service has gone from pretty good to pretty awful which is the primary reason we went to the SVR 0 Gauge Get Together (by car) two weekends ago, rather than (by train) to the Milton Keynes Show (this, just gone, weekend). Lil Sis ("no interest in things that run on parallel bits of metal," she keeps telling me) wotsapp'd me with this. A well known personality, with a long expanse of parallel bits of metal, interviewed live from the Show, yesterday, on BBC Three Counties Radio* @3:07:28 in, at the end of "Our House." https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0ggq4r3 Sis is devastated by the changes, with some of her favourite Presenters gone already.

@Gwiwer Hope it all settles down and goes well for Mrs Gwiwer. My only commute to London was from Hayes & Harlington to Ealing Broadway then Tube to Sloane Square or (occasionally) South Kensington. I had had enough within two academic years and transferred to motorbike to Uxbridge and that was bad enough in a couple of places. It is - er...woz...until the 20mph signs went up - a lot better around here, though buses are nowhere near as frequent but they do, usually, turn up on time! Time to get on. Polly

The "W word" was referring back to my previous post out in the garden, so it is the middle answer you need. 😇

Nope! But I squeezed in a short walk as the sun was going down. Under the ash tree, looking back towards the way I came. First thing I noticed - a lot more berries out there than in our popular Jackdaw Restaurant garden. A few acorns still on the oak A few blackberries still around, too. Yes, I did help myself to the odd one or two...actually, half a dozen! Still sweeeeet. 😋 A bit wet and muddy in places... but I was in no Rush ;) Though I will have to put the old jeans through the wash! @New Haven Neil Also this right at the back of the bottom tray: Possibly given in change from our 2000 sailing trip spends at Port St Mary, Port Erin or Douglas. Together with this: Probably received in change instead of a 5p coin on home soil. Never been to Barbados! Though, with the coin dated 1984, Mr Suvvern could have picked it up in the US in his world travels for work. Time for the mugacocoa. ' night all and nos da. Polly

Cutlery draw and trays washed and dried. First lot of (regularly used) cutlery washed and dried. Lunch just had. Now loads of other cutlery <<Where did it all come from...? Talk about hanging onto things just in case...>> to wash and dry... I doubt any W word will be accomplished this afternoon! I might be back later...

' morning all from red dragon land. Sunny...and getting warm! 8.9C. 🤪 More of the W word outside, this afternoon, then. I am hoping to get a walk in as well. In the meantime, I have a cutlery drawer to attend to - much overdue! I have started so I will HAVE to finish! Toot on the flute sort of progressing. It appears that most of the lines in the current song are repeated. Not having done so from the start means I am having to retrain the brain cells to go back to the beginning of the line instead of going straight onto the next one. One benefit lies in the extra stamina I should acquire to keep going and I am barely half way through with adding the twiddly bits. At least, I have made a start on line 6, the last line of the first of two sections. Off for a mugadecaf before getting down to things. Take care. Be good. Keep warm/comfortable. Polly

Thinking I would last half an hour at the most, I was out there two and a half hours - or more. Next door's garden is higher than ours and their grass has been invading our side of the slate fence. Removing about a yard length is about all I managed together with digging up a few square feet of roots. Then it was deadheading dandelions before they spread even more of their seeds, and taking a few pics while there is still a bit of life out there. The last of the flowers This is what it looked like back in June. Notalot and not planted. The last of the berries This one is doing really well considering it is overgrown with next door's grass - I have yet to get this far! and is in a plant pot...although the roots have grown down into the ground so I shall have to watch it when it comes to moving it. I only put it here to stop the cats getting through the gap between the slates! NEW leaves...Ah! The eucalyptus. Its leaves died right back during the hot spell and I never expected it to recover...All that rain we've had recently... I did enjoy the sunshine though the RAF training planes were rumbling around our area today. The closest (noisiest) they came was right into the sun so no see! Rain tomorrow and C&C groceries. Online tomatoes, potatoes, raisins, and a few other items were "not available" so when Mr Suvvern goes to collect, he will be having to traipse round the store to find them or an alternative. Or we could get them elsewhere... The interesting thing is: Tess Coe's is trying to get you to spend (lots) more money per month so they can give you some money back (£15+£45 if complete) for three months Sept Oct Nov. We (just the two of us) are nowhere near their amount, and anyone on their own on a basic wage or less will be even shorter on that. So the large wealthy family wins out again at the exclusion of the smaller user and the less well off and I know plenty of them. I remember when our weekly shop was about £28 and another store we used back then did a similar spend £30 pre Chr*****s deal and we did the extra spend but only buying what we actually needed. This time, the proportion is much greater and no way will I go and spend for the sake of it. I mean, we're talking Deltic tokens, here, and I have plenty on preorder to cater for - but not actually Deltics, you understand! Time for a mugacocoa...YEHOW... <<that'll cheer me up!>>

Thanks PMP. For those who know not all their aircraft - like me! - here is a bit of confirmation. https://www.businesstraveller.com/business-travel/2022/06/26/aer-lingus-to-take-delivery-of-first-two-a320-neos-next-month/ https://www.businesstraveller.com/business-travel/2022/07/21/easyjet-orders-56-a320-neo-family-aircraft/ * and for the muddlers... 😉 (other versions available!) https://www.aircraftmodelstore.co.uk/geminijets-lufthansa-a320-neo-d-ainy-lovehansa-1-200-g2dlh1198/ * Looks like the place is being flooded with them! 😂 Well, you can tell it is sunny - I am in a terribly wicked good mood... ' morning all from red dragon land. Yes, it is sunny. Yesterday, there seemed to be a wide variety of conjecture for today's weather among the pine cone pundits, ranging from full sunshine to dark grey skies and triple blobs of the wet stuff. It, now, appears the UK Southern Triangle (including Wales) YELLOW Rain Warning does not apply until 9pm this evening! So, guess what? The washing has been put outside! YEAY! And...I am hoping the ground will be dry enough this afternoon (when the sun comes round) to do some of the G word or, more accurately, the Weeding word. ION A few toot on the flute exercises undergone and time to get some twiddly bits tidied up, later. Pincushion time: Flu jab two weeks ago; dental treatment last week; C jab next week. Lots to do but have I the mojo? I can but try! But first, the obligatory mugadecaf. Take care. Be good. Watch out for flying objects...and don't forget to duck!

' afternoon all from red dragon land. Another day on the road, yesterday, up to Cumbria to collect a household item, popping into see family on the way back, led to some photos on the way there and back, on Expressway and Motorway. Going: (Artistic license...?!) Flat calm sea at Abergele and the Wind Farm or, rather, what you can see of it through the barrier! Blue sky at Holywell Misty moisty at Lancaster Returning home. Sunset at Warrington Further along but look out for the plane! As I know some of you know your aircraft, any ID on it? 🔍 Back in Wales: Fog though it cleared soon after that, and we got home, safely, in the dark. Cake making this afternoon - but not until I have had a mugadecaf. Take care. Be good. Take a pot shot! Polly

Some pics from the weekend. The A5 heading east towards Capel Curig Rivers bursting their banks coming into Betws-y-coed The River Dee, Llangollen making a bustling noise The other side of the bridge Down at ground level Ever get the feeling you're losing it? On the way along the river, we passed some horse chestnut trees and I just had to pick up one of these. This is on the station cafe table. I went to put it in my jacket pocket and these were in it! And the Highley landscape we enjoyed from the balcony where we had lunch the following day. Oops! Time is getting on and I have yet to do my mugacocoa. ' night all and nos da.

It won't be me. NIL POINT I'm afraid. But I did enjoy a Sausage and Bacon Bap, one packet of Salt and Vinegar Crisps,* and two slices of DF (aka Vegan) Mocha Cake at the weekend when going to see things that run on parallel bits of metal - the 1:1s from Kidderminster and the 1:48s at the Get Together at Highley. I did buy one item. I have been looking for one of these for years but never found one I fancied. This one was love at first sight! First thought: it needs a driver... The tow bar is in the little bag, far right. On the way to the above, I noticed this beary fella on watch duty in the shop on the platform at Llangollen ready for the unmentionable "festive" season. Just gifts and toys, cards and books, etc, now - the serious 1:76 stuff which once adorned glass wall cabinets has gone.

Plane spotting! Yesterday, I had a left to right flypast in front of the window by a coastguard helicopter - usually some distance away. Just 20 minutes ago or so, right to left, there were three F-35s* one behind the other, with the sound of others following though I had to get close up to the window to spot the first three overhead. I often hear, but rarely catch sight of them, and very rarely see them this close. Only disappointment - I didn't have the (fone) camera ready! * assessed by googling so they could be something else, knowing me. I'm no expert.