southern42

February 8

' morning all from red dragon land.

Chuckinitdarn. Windy. 2.3C.

Received an email this morning from the Reykjavik Grapevine (though nothing on the website yet) re:

New eruption in Iceland at 0530 today.

(Scroll back to find the start of it.)

Multi camera with info

Mugadecaf now and getting some jobbies done.

Take care. Be good. Don't get (too) distracted.

Polly

February 3

2 hours ago, NGT6 1315 said:

Have I got something for the maritimely minded! 👍

That tune brought back a few memories...

February 3

11 hours ago, southern42 said:

Pinecone pundits are promising more of the wet stuff, tomorrow,

' morning all from red dragon land.

Well, it is rather misty moisty but not actually raining. 9.2C so also a bit warmer than of late.

Some twiddly bits to attend to, some ideas to gather for a couple of birthday presents, and some Mac files to sort out. I think I shall start with a mugadecaf...

Take care. Be good. Don't let it pile up.

February 3

' evening all from red dragon land.

Toot on the flute taking up quite a bit of my time lately all because I wanted to start adding the twiddly bits to the second half of the current song by the start of this month. First, there were a few videos to go through to identify which one would be the most helpful and, hopefully, I have chosen the best one to start with. Then there was a matter of scaredy cat standing in the way to manoeuvre round to avoid hitting the panic button and quitting. Lastly, not playing too well with the beat box at a slightly faster speed was pulling me down a bit.

Outcome, in reverse order: a different type of beat on a utoob video suited my playing better so I will continue with the faster speed on the beat box and see how it goes. On adding the new twiddly bits, the angst disappeared as soon as I started learning from the selected video, the first half of the first section being an easier than expected introduction. It may not actually be easier, it might just be that I am getting a bit better at it or, at least, more familiar, more the latter, I think. The second half of this section needs a bit more work to get the fingers used to new combinations of notes and rhythms. It all sounds good but there are another six lines to go and it will be getting trickier as it goes on. The last two lines, in particular, took some sorting out just as plain notes. I shall have to remember my favourite line from a favourite TV programme - Don't panic!

Pinecone pundits are promising more of the wet stuff, tomorrow, so I hope it does not darken my day. Two new mags arrived in the post this week so I shall endeavour to at least have a good flick through those.

Eyelid closure beckoning so it is ' night all and nos da.

Polly

February 1

Just now, Tony_S said:

Though free buns are always popular!

Not wunapenny.

Buy two a penny -

Get wun free.

February 1

4 hours ago, monkeysarefun said:

Traditional? Chocolate? Fruit Free? Gluten Free? Unspiced?

Your posts lacks sufficient information in this modern world.

You forgot the dairy free!

February 1

4 hours ago, Hroth said:

Mmmmmmmm...

A muggatea and a hot, toasted and buttered, Hot Cross Bun!

and cum wanting 'em for Good Friday, there'll be none to be seen anywhere, wunapenny or uvverwise.

<< 's alright. I'll make sum.>>

February 1

6 hours ago, PhilJ W said:

This tells you wherever you are what's on the opposite side of the planet.

https://www.antipodesmap.com/

I'd better start swimming...

January 29

4 hours ago, Barry O said:

I never fail to be amazed at somenof the "recipe" books which either need a master chef or every possible kitchen gadget in the world to concoct. .. as much as a chocolate fire guard for use with a log burner.

Two of my four books, the third an early Delia one, having got "lost", the other Afternoon Tea which I picked up at work just before retirement, thinking that is what I would be able to do everyday. Did I? No. <<Don't be daft!>>

The larger one (1970, 15th impression 1977) contains words like continental, Italian, Irish, Hungarian, Swiss, Traditional/Old English, French, Scandinavian, Welsh, New Zealand, Malayan, old-fashioned, Milanese, Danish, Monte Carlo, Oriental, Bavarian, Spanish, Poland, Greece, Hungary, Ayrshire/other counties. In all these years, of over 300 recipes, I have barely used a couple of dozen or so, the latest to be tried out was a scone topping to turn my chicken pie into a cobbler, nice but I prefer my usual thin(ner) pastry.

The book always surfaces just before *C* for the *C* cake icing. Next year I am thinking of making my own marzipan from the recipe on the same page.

The smaller one (1975, 4th reprint 1976), bought after seeing the TV programme, I have used for making mincemeat, dumplings, puddings, cakes, main meals. A fascinating book, even just for a read.

Talking food... <<It's lunchtime....!>>

👋

January 29

' morning all from red dragon land.

Dark for this time of morning.

Wet - as in raining, 5.2C.

On the menu, today: a couple of clothing returns - one massive, one teeny weeny. Company product size guides seemingly useless! Ah, well. <<Musn't grumbIe!>> I did get one out of three items to keep!

Later...!

Packages at the door ready for tomorrow's collection.

ION

Toot on the flute. It is now just two days* before the plan to start adding the twiddly bits to the second half of song#3. Scary - as in can I do it?

*Two days in which to get two little notes on the first line just as I want them Every time I play them. <<Hmmmm!>>

Saturday, I watched a TV repeat of a certain celebrity's landscape with parallel bits of metal for the second time. I must have been very attentive (not) the first time as I hardly remembered a thing! Lots of little useful things came to light this time which could easily spark off some muddling ideas of my own. Well worth a second visit! And anyway, I'm a fan of Jools...;)

Lunchtime beckons.

Take care. Be good. Don't miss an opportunity.

Polly

January 27

17 hours ago, Hroth said:

Are you sure? 🤔

The paragraph quoted sounds like your student confused their submissions, and you got their effort for a "creative writing" course...

It seems that the students are coping badly with the material they can't be bothered to concentrate on!

I remember having a philosophy essay to write during a college summer vacation. Luckily, I thought, I had the topic covered in a set of encyclopaedias I had had since I was 11. I wrote my essay but did not understand a word of it. I went to the 1 to 1 tutorial to apologise for a poor essay on the grounds that I did not grasp the subject. I got a "B". Astounded to have been given such a high grade, I never popped the question, "What on earth does it mean?"

January 26

' morning all from red dragon land.

4.2C. Dry, sunny day so that should put me in a good mood!

Really?

Some SNN (scintillating news not)

18 hours ago, southern42 said:

Also in the headlines - another pair of base layer leggings...so small it might fit a stick girl. Now, it said size "M" and according to the "size guide" I was between sizes so I ordered the larger one. I hate to think what critter the smaller size would fit. Return awaiting.

Better luck, I hope, has arrived in the form of two cotton shirts both in the larger of two sizes. I shall try them on when the appropriate mood comes over me (the price had come down by 25%, so I was delighted that I had taken so long to decide to buy them, and delivery was free).

Two shirts - one is just right and feels lovely and soft. The other would fit a well fed mammoth! One to be returned! Both sporting the "M" size. It begs the question, "Why not get it from the store?" From my little experience, when I have returned catalogue/web items to store, it turned out they did not actually stock it in the store! This particular supplier is postal/carrier return only.

A few jobs to do and a toot on the flute (and maybe go for a short walk?) before giving a new home to this afternoon's C&C groceries. So, I had better geronwivit.

Take care. Be good. Have a rant free day.

Polly

January 25

' afternoon all from red dragon land.

Raining....

But, before that, while Mr Suvvern was out and about, I did get a few minutes on the flute this morning, on the mat in front of the fire. I can now sit there for about half an hour or more before having to stretch out the legs or give up though it took me a few moments, today, to straighten up again afterwards! Another thing I have noticed lately, is that I don't seem to notice it so much, so the old pegs must be getting used to it. I enjoy it more, now, anyway.

ION

I had a scintillating chatmeet with a few friends yesterday but had to turn up late. We had someone to come and change the smart meter ("sometime between 8 and 12") because it was not being smart. Person came at 12. She will be gone by the time I need to get online I thought. Uhuh. The power needed to be switched off - OK battery laptop, no probs - ah! but no wifi either...

Also in the headlines - another pair of base layer leggings...so small it might fit a stick girl. Now, it said size "M" and according to the "size guide" I was between sizes so I ordered the larger one. I hate to think what critter the smaller size would fit. Return awaiting.

Better luck, I hope, has arrived in the form of two cotton shirts both in the larger of two sizes. I shall try them on when the appropriate mood comes over me (the price had come down by 25%, so I was delighted that I had taken so long to decide to buy them, and delivery was free).

Off now to put kettle on.

Take care. Be good. Don't believe everything you read.

Polly

January 23

' night all and nos da.

January 23

On 22/01/2024 at 03:23, BR60103 said:

Southern42: for those instruments of the crumhorn family, are the reeds played between the lips or fully in the mouth? I seem to remember that the zurla/zurna of the Balkans has the reed free inside the mouth, giving a more bagpipe sound. The place where the reed enters the instrument has a large button around it so that enthusiastic playing doesn't force the instrument down the throat.

Crumhorn, Iowa SU: Quote// The player's lips did not touch the reed because the reed was enclosed inside a protective cap with a slot at one end. //Unquote

On 21/01/2024 at 19:40, Tony_S said:

ER hasn't been at its most scintillating as of late:

If anyone wants to be "scintillated", try this.The crumhorn makes an appearance here, too.

January 21

1 hour ago, Barry O said:

crums!!! A crumhorn.. or is it.. no Her Indoors says that it is a crumhorn.. I didn't know you get various shapes of crumhorn!

Baz

Pibgorn

January 21

11 hours ago, Hroth said:

I was browsing early music performances on utoob and came across this collection of snippets from David Munrows "Early Music Instruments" series from 1976.

I thought @southern42 might be amused!

More snippets from the series:

https://m.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLv8IDw-oVSdATBkyLqOGB5kxxtZtvNS88

And from where do you think I got my pipe blowing inspiration? 😉 He was one of my music study period faves back in the 60s-70s! A shame he died so young.

These days I look to Calan, who were also one of our departed drivellers, Chrisf's faves.

January 20

' afternoon all from red dragon land.

Cold, wet n windy - outside, anyway. Yellow warnings for tomorrow. Hope there are no power cuts!

Lotsatootontheflute inside in the warm just about sums up my day. Some progress made when playing the song to the beat but more consistency is required before I move onto the next section...but I have found the complete video of how that should be played so happy about that.

ION

I ordered a pair of base layer long johns - for Women. When they arrived, I wondered why they were so long lying along the ground for three inches or so when I held them up to the waist, and why they looked so narrow about the hips. A close look at the tiny label on the packet revealed they had sent the Mens ones! Shuldve gone to specksavers! At least I have a full refund so I can (try and) order the right ones, this time!

Mugadecaf time, then conjure up some dinner and snuggle down to watch tonight's stick the balls down the 'ole semi.

Take care. Be good. Be watchful.

Polly

January 17

3 hours ago, Smiffy2 said:

The difference in scale length is only a couple of centimetres, so it must be the body shape. Being girthy I find the Les Paul style uncomfortable.

Hole diameter and distance between holes on same scale flutes give different degrees of comfort for me. At the moment I have D flutes, wooden and bamboo, and a plastic C flute. Each one is different and throws up its own peculiarities.

Of the two bamboo flutes (named A after the 5th note - upper two holes covered - above D), I find the thinner one is the more comfortable and easier to play which has delayed my getting a flute in G which is longer (at 16 inches) and wider with larger holes and greater distance between them. This to enable me to play along with the tutor rather than just listening and playing alone in a different key, but I fear that the stretch may be more uncomfortable. I reassure myself, that if the reach is possible, I did learn how to train my fingers to play some most uncomfortable chord shapes on guitar in my time!

These western ones also have subtle degrees of comfort and differences in fingering, blowing, and sound so I give them their own set of tunes, as I did with guitars. The top one is reserved for early music and the middle for folk music, both mainly played in D, G, E minor and A minor, and the one below for tunes in keys such as C, F and F minor. The bottom flute is used to start kids playing western flute while their hands are still small and/or as an inexpensive way of starting them off before spending lots of Deltic tokens on the full length silver variety.

See the plastic fife in action

January 16

On 14/01/2024 at 22:22, Gwiwer said:

And the one with the daftest name after the Ford Ka.

Oh, I don't know. Quite clever, I thought. Forget any analogy to ancient Egyptian and references to souls - it's a Ford Ca'! I am not known for pronouncing 'r's at the end of words so using a typical re-spelling strategy gives a bit more credibility (other words available!) to peapull like me!

January 15

Yesterday, a family member came round for a Christmas visit but not due to the Wales 20mph sleigh speed limit - rather to long hard hours working for the Santa & Sale deliveries to store. His gift tag reminded me of a certain bear @polybear , and a few others among us. I hope you can get back up onto your paws and prowl around in Drivellers Wonderland again, soon.

January 14

New out. Filmed in Betws-y-coed on Thursday, Ray in the driver’s seat - listen out for the words: Trên bach at 1 minute in.

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid0Q3Fp6pBEs8yBqEfddu8jmYAmHLoLoLpvfMggKLBCajqNBjqHSM3pAk2fS1o3RaZjl&id=100062419702816

January 14

5 hours ago, monkeysarefun said:

My home and contents insurance policy does not cover volcanic eruptions apparently. Which is a bit moot since all our volcanes stopped working yonks ago, but do countries like Indonesia and Iceland get insurance cover for volcanes?

I googled your question with this coming up near the top of the pile.

https://island.is/en/o/nti/insurance-coverage
I did not search Indonesian insurance.

January 14

' morning all from red dragon land.

Showers. 3C.

In my inbox, an hour ago this morning, was an announcement in the Reykjavik Grapevine's newsletter:

"An eruption has started just north of Grindavík. Unfotunately it seems to be closer to residential areas than before but as far as we know the town was successfully evacuated at 5 am a couple of hours before the eruption began."

Update 0930: https://grapevine.is/news/2024/01/14/eruption-has-begun-north-of-grindavik/?goal=0_4518dc9d9c-2b904b845f-1393187580&mc_cid=2b904b845f&mc_eid=ae92c4a5bc

Multiscreen: https://www.youtube.com/live/l-5QeLIn1FA?feature=shared

Not good news for the town nor its people.

January 13

' afternoon all from red dragon land.

Misty moisty sortaday. 5.2C - warmer than yesterday's near 0C temp.

First off, good wishes to those undergoing, waiting for, or recovering from treatment.

Notalot doing, so making the most of the time for my toot on the flute. Gradually making advances on playing at 30 bpm. So far, I am happy with the song's first line in keeping the beat and getting the sound I want out of the notes. The second line, keeping time the priority, is getting there and was a lot better after playing 7 times continuously, 6 times in a row (42 times in all!!!), but with a few short breaks in between. Another bash is on the cards after a mugadecaf. Sometimes, I envy those who find these things so easy! Still, at least I eventually get there - so far, anyway - and I do enjoy it.

Mugadecaf coming up.

Take care. Be good. Be patient.

Polly

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