southern42

I remember him in man from U.N.C.L.E. but I loved him as "Ducky" in NCIS. His scenes were always the highlight for me. I have a pair of wooden D fifes which I call Don and Duck (this one shaped like a duck whistle). I can remember Sir David when I play them and also play them in memory of him. RIP "Ducky" Polly

Up A Lazy River! - Louis Armstrong

Welcome to the last bit of my journeys up and down the rails during the SVR's Autumn Gala. Severn Valley Railway Autumn Steam Gala Day 2 Part 3 - Friday 15 September 2023 Bridgnorth round trip Companions: Tender and Southern42 Journey 7 15:24 Arley to Hampton Loade GWR 4930 Hagley Hall 15.53 Hampton Loade. We watch as Hagley Hall departs for Bridgnorth Did I mention having a touch of "Hiraeth"? Well, I definitely do now! Best move on and take my mind off it. Now we're talking. Indeed, He has a short exchange of words with the gentlemen on the far side. It looks like they are just setting up their locos but our train will be leaving shortly so we have to leave them to it. Journey 8 16:08 Hampton Loade to Bridgnorth LMS 41312 2MT (Watercress Line) 16:28 Arrive Bridgnorth This is the End of the Journeys. But, before we leave, we have a last minute look around the station. And onto the bridge for a clearer view of Hagley Hall but also of the sad looking, covered up "Raging Bull" 1501. What a time to be out of ticket - just as the model comes out, She says! He has already seen Her model being delivered at home via the front doorbell cam on His 'phone. Then there is the matter of getting those Christmas presents my companions want from the gift shop! My lips are sealed as to what they are and who they are for. You never know who may be looking in! Summary of Day 2... No double heading on Journey 7. 4930 did the honours. ...and some Facts and Figures Locos in journey order Day 1 Thursday: 61306 Mayflower 21C127 Taw Valley 4930 Hagley Hall Day 2 Friday: 2253 Omaha 7714 "Matchbox Tank" 43106 “The Flying Pig” 401 Vulcan 41312 “Mickey Mouse Tank” Locos whose trains we did not get a ride on: Just two, namely, BR 75069 and the one on the Coalyard Miniature Railway at Kidderminster operated by the Coalyard Miniature Railway Model Engineering Society. Steam Locomotives celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the 1923 Grouping of the Big Four: Great Western Railway: GWR 4930 & GWR 7714 Southern Railway: SR 21C127 and BR(S) 41312, BR(S) 75069 London Midland & Scottish Railway: LMS 43106 and 41312 LMS design (BR built) London & North Eastern Railway: LNER 61306 and USATC 2253 (Neville Hill depot, Leeds) Some cab shots to conclude an excellent Autumn Gala in all respects with thanks to the organisers, staff and volunteers, loco crews and support teams, and other contributors. It really was superb. A special thank you to the very kind (and important) gentleman on the footplate who took the photo of all of us on USATC 2253 Omaha - still steaming! And a farewell photo as we pass the entrance on our way home - still with Friday's Yellow Wrist Band Day's band on! It was a truly great Gala and we only saw half of it! In times of trouble, they pulled out all the stops. Let’s hope they can continue to let off steam for many years to come. Hats off to them all @ https://svr.co.uk. It is time to go, and to see how Ivor's makeover is doing over in Pontypool Road. I do hope he is ready to drive back to the top left hand corner of Wales. Don't tell him, but there is going to be a big party for his arrival home. Everyone, even Mrs Griffiths, is so looking forward to seeing him all nice and shiny, again, and singing even more beautifully! Thank you for joining me and for your much appreciated ratings. Regards, Edwin

Hello all. Welcome back to Day 2 on the rails. Severn Valley Railway Autumn Steam Gala Day 2 Part 2 - Friday 15 September 2023 Bridgnorth round trip Companions: Tender and Southern42 We continue on our plan to ride behind locomotives we missed out on yesterday, and to visit Arley Tea Room for the elusive (DF) "Vegan Chocolate Cake" She is hoping will have arrived by now. Journey Plan, Day 2, Part 2 So far Bridgnorth to: Arley a 2nd time, ✔️ via Bewdley, for Vegan Chocolate Cake ❌ Arley 2 : DF VCC 0 Let's see how the rest of the Plan goes: Highley for Lunch in the Engine House Cafe Hampton Loade to see some little trains Kidderminster and its Museum for the Railway Artists Exhibition Bridgnorth for some Christmas shopping Journey 4 11:00 Bewdley to Highley BR Ivatt 4MT 43106 "The Flying Pig" (SVR) on the Local service 11:25 Highley, Terminates here 10:56 Enjoying the blue skies before boarding our train Our carriage is superb. You can just see Poirot solving a Murder on the Heritage Express! 11:25 Highley, Terminating here The writing at the bottom of the carriage delighted me no end (see enlargement, below). A bit more Hiraeth cometh unto me. Cardiff is near Pontypool Road depot, you know, where Ivor is waiting for his makeover to be completed so he can return to his home shed in the top left hand corner of Wales. So, back to our current situation. The non arrival of the DF aka Vegan Chocolate Cake means a change of plan. Needing to get to Arley again, we decide to arrive for Afternoon Tea. If we catch the 12:14 from here (Highley) to Kidderminster for the Museum exhibition, we can catch the 13:28 Kidderminster to Bridgnorth behind Riddles BR Standard 4MT 75069 (SVR) and arrive at Arley just after 14:00. That sorted, we are off for lunch in the Engine Shed. Back later. Later 12:11 On the way back from lunch to the platform, the fence was so crowded with onlookers, She was forced to be a bit more inventive in her spot to get Her picture. The locomotive is in the loop to allow the 11:36 train, headed by BR 4MT 75069, from Bridgnorth to Kidderminster, to pass through. Journey 5 1214 Highley to Kidderminster BR Ivatt 4MT 43106 "The Flying Pig" (SVR) Our train reversing back into the platform, the leading carriage with"Return to Plymouth" in the bottom corner. 12:42 A chair fit for a King! Nice and peaceful as the passenger carriages were rather full. It is only a short train, after all, and it is good to have the chance to inspect the guard's area. 12:50 Arrive Kidderminster First, we go in the Museum to see the Railway Artists Exhibition of Paintings. It is upstairs and a bit crowded so we only spend a short time there. When we come down, She spots something interesting : Alfred the Great's nameplate - the name of one of her first locos - but the interest goes further than just a "Britannia". King Alfred made CAKES or, at least, burnt them! It takes Her back to one of Her earliest history lessons, in First Year Juniors and a colour it in picture in her first "History" book: Alfred learns to read... ...a cake recipe, perhaps? It does not end there. King Alfred's cakes (fungus Daldinia concentrica), found in the wild, are said to "resemble round lumps of coal."* * https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/fungi-and-lichens/king-alfreds-cakes/ Flickr On the way out, we get tea and coffee from the Museum cafe and there is still some time before the hunt for the DF VCC next train. He spots a notice on the concourse saying the Wrangaton Signal Box is open to visitors and reckons we have 10 minutes or so. Some time later, after: an historical account of the merging of the Signal Box with the workings from another Signal Box; an explanation of its workings; followed by Him being invited to have a go, which He did; and all very interesting, we realise we have missed our train! Not a problem in itself, with other trains still on the timetable, but disappointing that we had to miss a ride behind Riddles 4MT 75069. Another day... Time to get out the Event Timetable and see what we can muster up. Arley and DF VCC, here we come! Journey 6 14:15 Kidderminster to Arley Bagnall Industrial 401 Vulcan (North Tyneside Steam Railway and Embsay & Bolton Abbey Steam Railway) Local Service 401 in original Steel Company of Wales livery 14:43 Arrive Arley. Terminates here... We reach the Tea Room and... NO VCC! But they did deliver a DF C&WC aka Vegan Coffee and Walnut Cake - even better! Arley 3 : DF C&WC 2 Thanks to the Tea Room Lady who recognised us after the first visit and remembered what drinks we had. Afternoon Tea complete, we wander back over the bridge to Platform 2. 15:21 The 15:15 USATC S160 2253 Omaha Arrives from Bridgnorth on its way to Kidderminster and lets off steam in Platform 1... while the 15:24 Arley to Hampton Loade GWR 4930 Hagley Hall emerges from under the bridge Do join me in Part 3 for the rest of our journey; some footplate pics; and the SVR celebrating 100 years since the Grouping of the Big Four Regards, Edwin

Hello all. Welcome to another day travelling with me up and down the rails. Severn Valley Railway Autumn Steam Gala Day 2 - Friday 15 September 2023 Bridgnorth round trip Companions: Tender and Southern42 I arrive at Bridgnorth Station carpark with my companions in good time for the first train. Today's plan is to ride behind locomotives we missed out on yesterday, and to visit Arley Tea Room for the"Vegan Chocolate Cake" She is hoping will arrive this morning. Journey Plan, Day 2 Bridgnorth to: Arley, via Bewdley, for Vegan Chocolate Cake Highley for Lunch in the Engine House cafe Hampton Loade to see some little trains Kidderminster and its Museum for the Railway Artists Exhibition Bridgnorth for some Christmas shopping Journey 1 08:50 Bridgnorth to Bewdley Top and Tail with: USATC S160 2253 Omaha (on loan from owner Peter Best and the Dartmouth Steam Railway and Riverboat Company) BR Ivatt 4MT 43106 "The Flying Pig" (SVR) How about this to start the day? Not often I see a large non-British steam loco. A quick inspection is called for... Outside (if you can see through the steam... and the smoke) Inside... This is warming me up quite nicely! Time to get onboard. Interestingly, I seem to have a few fans around who want to take my photo when they notice me! Some come back more than once! I have mentioned before that I have been mistaken for a variety of celebrities, including Postman Pat and Mr Benn. Today, because of my blue hat, someone thinks I am Noddy...before realising there is no bell on it... I think you are more likely to see Noddy at a Vintage Car Rally than a Rail Event. On the other hand, I hear he is now investigating and has solved The case of the moving train tracks (link to Video for your little ones if they have not already seen it). Miss Marple, eat your heart out! But onward to enjoy the views as we pass through Eardington. 09:41 Arrive Bewdley Journey 2 09:48 Bewdley to Arley GWR Pannier Tank 7714 (SVR) Local Service terminates here 10:01 Arrive at Arley - where I delve into a bit of NEWS. This pair (73951 and 7395) of Class 73s was up for SALE - the chance to put in an offer ended at noon yesterday. I just hope The Merioneth and Llantisilly Rail Traction Company Limited is not planning to replace Ivor with these. Ivor had better get through his makeover pretty quick before the Company has other ideas. I mean, what would I do without a bit of steam to drive; and how would Evans the Song and the Grumbly and District Choral Society manage without Ivor to sing along with them? And where would Ivor go? A Heritage Railway, somewhere, like "Thomas" aka Hunslet 686 Lady Armarghdale, perhaps...? We leave the train and are off to the Tea Room, down at the far end for... and, yes, you guess correctly... the Vegan Chocolate Cake! But when we get there... NO CAKE! The delivery has not arrived yet. "We will come back later!" says She, optimistically! We drink our tea and coffee while we wait for our train back to Bewdley. While we wait, I notice a couple of modelling ideas for my companions on the opposite platform: A few tool scratches and coal loading damage. Next, I watch to see everyone wanting the best photos of the train coming through the bridge as they stand on the platform with cameras and mobile phone cameras at the ready! Tricky against the sun. All about guestimate timing and luck, She says, and a bit of colour enhancement. The 10:43 to Bridgnorth LNER B1 61306 Mayflower Nice train but we have to board the Local train back to Bewdley. Journey 3 10:45 Arley to Bewdley GWR 7714 PT (SVR) Back behind 7714, we arrive at Bewdley at10:58 with two minutes to catch the 11:00* train to Highley. *Times are as stated on the Event Timetable. Please join me again on Journey 4 from Bewdley to Highley for lunch and find out if She gets her Vegan (DF) Chocolate cake from the Tea Room. But for now Regards, Edwin

Hello all. Thanks for popping in. Ivor's makeover at Pontypool Road is still ongoing but he should be ready to drive back to the top left hand corner of Wales very soon. This frees me up to go on some more Great British Railway Journeys. Severn Valley Railway Autumn Steam Gala Day 1 - Thursday 14 September 2023 Kidderminster to Bridgnorth Companions: Tender and Southern42 I arrive in Kidderminster with my companions on Wednesday for a short stay just round the corner from Kidderminster Station. The plan is to ride behind as many of the locomotives; visit as many of the stations; and check out as many cabs as I can in the two days we are here. We have the event timetables. I have learnt a lot from Dai Station, who minds about boring things like timetables and Regulations, so, I have been keen to help out my companions plan out the day's journeys. Journey Plan Day 1 Keep your eyes peeled for Local and Goods trains working the line. Kidderminster to: Bridgnorth for Elevenses Highley for Lunch in the Engine House Arley for Afternoon Tea in the Tea Room Bridgnorth and some more refreshment Kidderminster Journey 1 0910 Kidderminster to Bridgnorth LNER B1 61206 Mayflower (on loan) 08:50 A grand start to the day. 08:52 Getting comfortable on the really nice LNER carriage. 09:05 Up above, "The River Ouse, York," and other places along the LNER, adorn the compartments. Yes, you've guessed! It's Green Wrist Band Day! 10:30 Bridgenorth.We have early elevenses in the very nicely done up GWR-style Refreshment Room. Then we have a nose round the gift shop. He spots a few potential Christmas presents - they will keep until home time tomorrow. In the meantime, we have a train to catch! Journey 2 11:00 Bridgnorth to Highley LNER B1 61206 Mayflower (on loan, Locomotive Services, Crewe) Highley: We have lunch in the Engine House out on the Cafe balcony for some trainspotting. Bacon baps are on offer in keep-warm bags. They turn out to be bacon and sausage baps - even better. Coffee to wash it down. It is all very pleasant. Journey 3 12:27 Highley to Bridgnorth SR West Country 21C127 Taw Valley (SVR) After lunch, we return to the station platform to see some unexpected train manoeuvres. 12:26 We head for the footbridge and see the LMS Ivatt, on a Bridgnorth to Highley Local Service, preparing to leave the platform... 12:28 As we get to the top, we see our train, coming round the bend towards the platform, waiting... 12:30 Time for the local train to reverse out of the platform... 12:30 12:33 and let our train in... Carrying a long rake of carriages, the engine comes to a halt off the end of the platform. 12:37 The Local Train comes into the loop ready to continue its journey back to Bridgnorth (off to the right) at 13:00, after our departure. Journey 4 13:35 Bridgnorth to Arley SR 21C127 Taw Valley (SVR) 13:13:48 On its return from the Shed, our loco rejoins the carriages. 13:13:50 13:39 About to couple up for the next leg of our up and down journey. 13:52 Nicely on board 13:52 We soon arrive at the Tea Room...I mean...Arley... ...but they have no DF, aka Vegan, cake. "There will be Vegan chocolate cake delivered tomorrow morning," the Tea Room Lady tells my companion. Brain cells quickly activate in my companion's head and She prioritises a stop here in the morning... In the meantime, we take away tea and coffee and have a mooch around. 14:34 Waiting on the opposite platform is the Return to HAYES Chaired Sleeper T1 wagon on the Goods Train. She is delighted, Hayes - noted for its creosoting works - being home town and next-door to Southall on which is based her Great West Road thread. Here, for an article on the works with June 1917 dated photos of sleeper wagons 40459 and 40405. I would like to know what that URGENT note (left) is all about! Dai Station would know! 14:40 Goods Train awaiting the return to Bewdley Journey 5 14:52 Arley to Bridgnorth GWR 4930 Hagley Hall (SVR) 15:40 Bridgnorth. We once again frequent the GWR-style Refreshment Room and have another quick look round the gift shop before getting our last train of the day back to Kidderminster. Journey 6 16:20 Bridgnorth to Kidderminster GWR 4930 Hagley Hall (SVR). Enjoying the views...what I can see of them. Hmmm...It reminds me of home in the top left hand corner of Wales! I feel an attack of "Hiraeth" coming. Then into the tunnel...you know when because it all goes smokey... ...then dark...except for the carriage lights, of course... ...and you can't see a thing on the way out.... ...because the window is all misted up. 18:00 We are back in Kidderminster where He parked the car this morning. But before I go, I must take a pic of this back to Ivor - Hunslet 686 THE LADY ARMARGHDALE which resides in the Engine House. He will love it! (Just don't tell him it used to run here, in blue, as "Thomas"!) Finally, it is time to drive off to our short stay accommodation in Bridgnorth. With that, I bid you Goodnight. Until the morning, then, Regards, Edwin

Overcoming the issue as long ago as 6 years...

I was most fortunate in that both primary and secondary schools I went to had pretty much the kind of dinners we had at home - though pink custard was definitely a school only thing - was well cooked, tasted good to very good with the occasional I don't like whatever - semolina and tapioca, in particular. College was good in the days when they not only supplied breakfast (not one I had very often - too lazy to get up early enough!), lunchtime dinners, and evening suppers, they also served coffee and tea at break times in between, even at the weekends for the few that remained on site. At my first teaching school, dinners were excellent and introduced me to Kromeskies - aka pigs in blankets, bacon wrapped soseges. I do not remember dinners at my second teaching school so maybe I went home for lunch or I starved. No memory of school lunches there, whatsoever! As for choice - you had it, went without, or left it.

Pass!

' morning all from red dragon land. Days of the wetnwindies still ongoing although the pine cone pundits reckon on some sunshine today. Not much to report other than some mags of the unmentionable type are ready to have some articles removed, toot on the flute is progressing nicely (atm, anyway!), the washing machine is lacking washing due to inclement weather for drying, and I am still restless after returning from two very enjoyable days on the SVR, not helped by webcam watching, yesterday, of its 75069 being prepared for carting off to the NYMR for its coming 50th Anniversary gala this coming weekend (Thur-Sun). With A4 'Sir Nigel Gresley' in blue, 9F 2-10-0 No. 92214, and Caledonian Railway 2P No. 55189 also joining the resident fleet, I am a tad envious! Envious or not, time for a mugadecaf. Take care. Be good. Keep motivated. Polly

Forgot to mention...the first pic is on the A5 SE of Oswestry (turn left - west on the signpost). Second pic...still on the A5 north east of Oswestry just after the junction for Whittington (turn right - east). Being after 5 o'clock, meaning cafes, eateries, etc. will be closed (mostly, anyway), we headed north onto the A55 for Services. Even by 7pm some of these were well and truly shut up for the night. We stopped at one place but walked out after seeing the prices!!!!!! - and it was not posh nosh either - and carried on to ⭐bucks, Rhyl - Kinmel Park Westbound. Just in time, too, as that closes at 8pm. Just found... Oswestry Balloon Carnival 2023, August 19th & 20th. Yesterday's flights may have been with Oswestry Hot Air Balloon Flights, not for me though. I will stick to r**l hugging transport for my thrills. 🤣 More stuff to sort out from our away days, Jones the Steam needs a PA to write up his thread on the r**ls, and I need to get back to normality, again. Two days away and I have forgotten the latest twiddly bits on the flute! <<Age... and all that! You know...Er...hum...Cough, cough.>> Take care. Be good. Be ready for little surprises. Polly <<Warning. Unmentionables Alert!>> On the porch mat, on our arrival home was a small package...containing one of these ready to be renumbered to that below. Sadly, this one, as seen yesterday, all covered up, is now out of ticket! 😭 <<End of Warning>>

'evening all from red dragon land. I am not long back home from a couple of days on unmentionables on the SVR's Autumn St**m Gala. Mostly unpacked, fed and supped and ready for some shut eye, now. Weather was damp to a bit wet, yesterday (Thursday), and dampish cold to hot in the sun, today (Friday), but it had no effect on our enjoyment. We did the self-catering cottage thing but since we could only get one night at the favoured cottage around the corner from the carpark in Kidderminster, we also booked a cottage in Bridgnorth. In the latter, I just had to take a snap of a certain personality ( @polybear ). On the lookout for some VLDC or VCC, yesterday, one of the tearooms on the line had none but was expecting VCC** this morning. So the first trip today terminated at the appropriate place - Oh, no! VCC had not arrived! We carried on with our planned route and came back later - VCC still had not arrived. Proposed route plan adjusted to return later and - Yipeeee! - cake had been delivered but turned out to be VC&WC*** - even better! ** Vegan (as in dairy free) chocolate cake *** Vegan coffee and walnut cake One interesting diversion on the way home was trying to capture a pic of a few balloons (both pics heavily cropped - and blurry! - they were that far away). Time for some shut eye. Night all and nos da.

I remember the 1984 earthquake in the Menai Strait area, "the most seismically active area in Wales and one of the most active in the UK."* It sounded like a lorry when I first heard it but you could feel the strong vibrations indoors. Perhaps they were dynamiting at the Penrhyn Quarry, a few miles away, was another thought until it I realised it was an earthquake. I was just glad it did not get any stronger. * https://museum.wales/articles/1283/Earthquakes-in-Wales/

' morning all from red dragon land. Wet, day two... Some more pics from my exploratory walk on Sunday. Back in open country...and more sign posts. and a bit of climbing...and, yes, I did have boots on! This is as far as I went. I discovered, later, that the footpath continues (right to left) round the end of the golf course, where the the River Llugwy runs and joins the River Conwy (off to the right), and back into town - there lies a future venture, then! But there is still the return walk and not too much dilly dallying to get back to the museum for one o'clock lunch. By this time I was carrying the brolly - just in case! Note the tell tale rings on the water! A lot of lovely vegetation around... But my favourite on the day...did I taste? Let me see! Hmmm! Oooooh! They were sweeeeeeeet! Back into the tunnel. Then I met a lady with camera-with-zoom-lens on tripod - and here's me just using the 'fone's zoom feature. I expect her pic of the heron will be so much better! Ah! Light at the end of the tunnel! Onward through the church yard. Up the hill. A quick glance at the closed Sappers Suspension Bridge. And a quick look inside the church from the doorway (not too close, mind - pollen about!) And a quick look back before heading across the road to the Museum in time for lunch. Close up of the colourful poster. A good walk.

' night all/awl and nos da. Polly

' evening all from red dragon land. Not as wet, today, as the pine cone pundits reckoned but enough to keep the plants happy. Talking of "happy", the word did not sound anything like "happy", nor "glorious" in the Last Night of the Proms rendition, and over the sea to Skye was more like a jerky ride over a mountain bike course than a bird on the wing. But everyone to their own taste and creations. Yesterday, I tried out a walk in Betws-y-coed which was suggested to me after the bridge over the River Conwy was closed, now due to be taken down and revamped. https://www.geograph.org.uk/snippet/23749 I was time limited but I went as far as I dare to enable me to be back at the Museum for 1 o'clock lunch. First, turn right at the golf course. River on the right. And a pair of ducks - middle distance. Golf course on the left. And onto open air. But not for long. Hmm... Now, for the crossing... er...I don't think so. The road is behind the stone wall - top right. The top of a grey/bluish vehicle going past is just visible. Still some way to go with more pics to come...hopefully tomorrow.

Good to hear from you Debs. I was thinking it is a long time since we last met. How am I doing? Awl puffed out - catching up on the last few pages so that I can do my own catch up post - to follow. Take care. Polly

Guess who does the weeding in our house!* 🤣 Well, afternoon all from red dragon land. Sunny though we did have a shower around midday - just after I had watered the pot plants! A bit cooler - 24C - indoors this morning but 25.5C now. 24.8C outside. * After lunch, I popped out to do a spot of weeding. It took longer than anticipated, First, deposit a neighbour's dog's dumpings, found on the green patch aka lawn, into a food bin bag and take to the doggie bin up on the back road. Then move a few large stones to clear a few small weeds. Next, move some more stones only to see a little fella hiding from the sun and running for shade under the Columbine (circled below). Put stone back, take photo, and move further along the raised bed. No harm done. So much long grass mixed in with the weeds, I decided to remove the grass and cut down the height of the weeds before digging them up. Now this was an <<I'm out to enjoy an easy afternoon in the sun>> moment, so I was taking things quite leisurely, otherwise I would have used the fork and dug up the whole lot. The problem with that in the heat of the sun was getting deep down to clear the roots of the thug thing (forgotten its name but similar to the rose bay willow herb that runs alongside unmentionable parallel bits of metal) - a job for another day. There is quite a few feet of the stuff still to clear. In other news. Not been on here for a few days so hope everything is ok/going to be ok with all. Some work (aka home improvements) is going on in the house so life is a bit broken up with trips here and there, and things being moved about, cleaned, etc etc but it has to be done. Toot on the flute is not so easy in the heat BUT.... I have got to the end of the second Verse and, in one of those <<I can't believe it!>> moments, I realised my top notes, which have been weak at their best, were coming out loud and clear even with all the twiddly bits added! No looking back, I keep telling myself! Time for a mudgadecaf...or two! Take care. Be good. Keep cool. Polly

' afternoon all from red dragon land. Thoughts with Baz @Barry O and Mrs BAz. I hope all goes well and quickly. 🌧️ Raining again. Just as well I got the worst W offenders deadheaded when I did. The big green patch seemingly gaining in leaves* rather than blades, aka lawn, needs cutting again but it will probably have to wait until this projected post-school summer holiday summer weather arrives before it will be possible - though not by me, I might add! *Dandelions, buttercups, clover, etc. Last night saw me in bed hours before usual after a series of 6.30am up-earlies to get Mr Suvvern out for various attendances, including yesterday's to the Museum which included me. By the afternoon, I could hardly keep my eyes open so I sat in the car doing a couple of crosswords on the 'phone, trying not to nod off. By 9 o'clock I was making my mugabeddybyescocoa. Slept through 'til 6.30am. Up an hour later! Toot on the flute this morning consisted of listening to an hour long concert by a North Indian flute player which highlighted several ways of doing things that could help/improve/develop my meagre playing. Trying to put even some of the more basic into practice proved to be quite revealing not only about my meagre playing but about me, my attitude, etc, enabling me to be a bit more positive and gopherit - at least today, anyway! Talking of a mugasummat. Time to put kettle on. Take care. Be good. Gopherit! Polly

I stopped watching said video* as soon as the garlic appeared... we two just do not get along together. Don't know about grubs, though treating them like that while still alive is definitely not one for me. * Wichetty grub fry up: https://youtu.be/Ra6ICM6NB_0

Despite the sun coming out during the afternoon, the ground remained wet but I did venture out the front door to collect some blackberries. Plenty of other life around but I only managed to get a quick snap of this one. No idea exactly what it is, though I could look it up at some point. I refrained from moving it on and left this berry in place! Not a bad afternoon's picking in the end... which went into the making of a blackberry and apple crumble. Time for mugacocoa and beddybyes. So 'night all and nos da. Polly

' morning all from red dragon land. Wet but drying. Rain not expected but the ground is too wet to mess about with the W word. Wow! Had a few blackberries, picked from a corner of the front garden (er...right of way), with my apple and porridge breakfast. <<Sugar?>> Forget the sugar, mun, they were sooooooo sweet! Talk about a taste blast! I shall definitely have to go and forage for more. Just the usual stuff today. So, off for a mugadecaf to get me started. Take care. Be good. Enjoy the unexpected pleasures. Polly

Facebook on my phone I'm hoping you pick up when I call. I don't know how to move on without your love I'm still...

Our Love (Don’t Throw It All Away - Bee Gees

The Pine Cone Pundits were way off, today. Dry? Hmmm. Chuckinitdarn more like. So, no hope of continuing yesterday's exploits deadheading and uprooting of things that no flower bed should have to put up with. <<Bank Holiday weekend? That's wotitiz!>> Better success was had with toot on the flute, not perfect but promising. Got some proper jobs done as well and now for a mugasummat. Polly