Darlington_Shed

There's no 'd' in 'effective', Dave

Agree with every word you wrote. Was looking forward to it but it just didn't appeal. Have to agree with some other posts... the AI imaging is (for me) tedious and trivial. I have spent much time lately just scrolling past it and, I'm sure, missing more interesting posts as a result. Between that and the well-recorded glitching (endless page loads, duplicated pages, site not available messages) I've not been moved to post recently. In my case, I'm not the most prolific poster but I'm sure I'm not alone. Regardless, best wishes to those suffering various afflictions to themselves and their loved ones and I hope life treats you more kindly.

A beautifully evocative phrase. Take a bow, sir!

As a Durham lad I have no personal knowledge of the ship (too far and too expensive for my mis-spent youth). Mrs Shed, on the other hand, will admit to many nights spent dancing around her handbag on board. Meanwhile, here in west London, I'm not saying it's stottin' down but I might have to download plans for an ark soon-ish.

For once, I have been an early riser - dragged from slumber at 6am to provide chauffeurage to Heathrow for Mrs Shed who is off on a weekend jaunt to Dublin. Absolutely filthy weather out there. And, of course, had to endure the rush hour on the way home - 20 minutes there, 65 minutes back. Worth a hearty Pah! I think, although brownie points have been earned.

In-flight wi-fi is coming on a treat, isn't it?

Been there, done that (as a paying guest), very enjoyable stay. It featured in an episode of Lewis a few years ago.

Or married them.

Don't forget: there is no international law regarding instrument tuning. Tune it to anything you like - top strings of a guitar, violin, cello, open chord, anything. Whatever works for you. It only matters if you're going to play with other musicians and instruments. Joni Mitchell - whom god preserve - built a career on her own custom tunings.

That's outstanding

Just had a touch of weird - about 45 minutes ago (1.30am) there was a sharp rapping of the front door knocker. Obviously, this was completely unexpected. Stood for a few minutes by the door before asking, in what - I hope - was an confident voice, 'Who's there?' Answer came there none, and I took a peak out of the living room window, which overlooks the front porch but there was no sign of life. I'm pretty sure it was a passer-by, worse for drink, who thought it would be amusing but it left me with an adrenaline rush. Currently taking a medicinal brandy before heading to bed. As I said, very weird!

I'm not a great one for quoting the Bible, but it does offer the following words of wisdom: "And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is shareholder value."

Ah, Nigella... as a friend used to observe, she has her knockers. I am not one - I still like watching the Domestic Goddess; in this household, she is an essential part of the advent season. Sweet dreams all!

Lazy day today after a hectic social weekend... party on Saturday night (and it's long time since that happened) and then 4 friends for lunch yesterday. Much food and wine was consumed. I have been slowly working my way through a number of Christmas gifts of the maltish persuasion - a very nice Jameson's Irish, an even nicer Japanese whisky, and a terrifying 100-proof Jack Daniels. There was also a new-to-me Speyside offering by the name of Benromach which, after a single sample, I have donated to Mrs Shed. She's partial to the taste of bonfire-remnants and it joins her bottle of Laphroaig - she's welcome to them. As we approach the end of the first month of 2024 there's still no movement on the unmentionable front, but hope springs eternal.

@DaveF - wot he said 👍