Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum
General Subjects => General Forum => Topic started by: art600 on January 05, 2011, 04:01:55 PM
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This really should be a 2011 thread, but I have forgotten how to start a new thread.
A few groaners - apologies if some are repeats - the old ones are always the best....
Puns for Educated Minds
1. The fattest knight at King Arthur's round table was Sir Cumference. He acquired his size from too much pi.
2. I thought I saw an eye doctor on an Alaskan island, but it turned out to be an optical Aleutian.
3. She was only a whiskey maker, but he loved her still.
4. A rubber band pistol was confiscated from algebra class, because it was a weapon of math disruption.
5. No matter how much you push the envelope, it'll still be stationery.
6. A dog gave birth to puppies near the road and was cited for littering.
7. A grenade thrown into a kitchen in France would result in Linoleum Blownapart.
8. Two silk worms had a race. They ended up in a tie.
9. A hole has been found in the nudist camp wall. The police are looking into it.
10. Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana.
11. Atheism is a non-prophet organization.
12. Two hats were hanging on a hat rack in the hallway. One hat said to the other, 'You stay here; I'll go on a head.'
13. I wondered why the baseball kept getting bigger. Then it hit me.
14. A sign on the lawn at a drug rehab center said, 'Keep off the Grass.'
15. The midget fortune-teller who escaped from prison was a small medium at large.
16. The soldier who survived mustard gas and pepper spray is now a seasoned veteran.
17. A backward poet writes inverse.
18. In a democracy it's your vote that counts. In feudalism it's your count that votes.
19. When cannibals ate a missionary, they got a taste of religion.
20. If you jumped off the bridge in Paris, you'd be in Seine.
21. A vulture boards an airplane, carrying two dead raccoons. The stewardess looks at him and says,
'I'm sorry, sir, only one carrion allowed per passenger.'
22. Two fish swim into a concrete wall. One turns to the other and says 'Dam!'
23. Two Eskimos sitting in a kayak were chilly, so they lit a fire in the craft. Unsurprisingly it sank, proving
once again that you can't have your kayak and heat it too.
24. Two hydrogen atoms meet. One says, 'I've lost my electron.' The other says 'Are you sure?'
The first replies, 'Yes, I'm positive.'
25. Did you hear about the Buddhist who refused Novocain during a root canal? His goal: transcend dental medication.
26. There was the person who sent ten puns to friends, with the hope that at least one of the puns would make them laugh.
No pun in ten did.
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A new Happy thread for a (happy) new year. I'm happy the hundreds of snowdrop seedlings in my raised beds are starting to come through with little signs of damage from the severe freeze that turned their beds into blocks of ice. I did eventually thaw the beds out by covering with tarpaulins and blowing a fan heater under the tarps on a low heat but the seedlings were frozen solid in iron-hard soil for a long time before I decided I'd better do something just in case.
I know snowdrops are hardy, but wasn't sure how my tiny seedlings and their fragile roots would take that kind of prolonged deep-freezing with night temps down to minus 12c, so I wasn't going to risk all those years of doing crosses, sowing and raising them going to waste.
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Amazing, isn't it?
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Arthur,
Maybe Maggi can shift this one for you to the new 2011 topic that has just been created? If she's reading! (and when isn't she!!?? ;))
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Yes, sorry, I meant to ask that after I started the 2011 thread but I forgotted.
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I'm exceptionally happy tonight. Thank you, 12 year old Bushmills single Irish malt. But the bottle's nearly empty. I'm off to start a 2011 Moan, Moan, Moan thread.
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This one tickled my sense of humour ::)
At a recent computer expo (COMDEX), Bill Gates reportedly compared
the computer industry with the auto industry and stated,
'If FORD had kept up with technology like the computer industry has, we would all be driving $25 cars that got 1,000 miles to the gallon.'
In response to Bill's comments, FORD issued a press release stating:
'If FORD had developed technology like Microsoft, we would all be
driving cars with the following characteristics (and I just love this part)
1. For no reason whatsoever, your car would crash...twice a day.
2. Every time they repainted the lines in the road, you would have to buy a new car.
3. Occasionally your car would die on the freeway for no reason. You would have to pull to the side of the road, close all of the windows, shut off the car, restart it, and reopen the windows before you could continue. For some reason you would simply accept this.
4. Occasionally, executing a maneuver such as a left turn would cause your car to shut down and refuse to restart, in which case you would have to reinstall the engine.
5. Macintosh would make a car that was powered by the sun, was
reliable, five times as fast and twice as easy to drive - but would run on only five percent of the roads.
6. The oil, water temperature, and alternator warning lights would all be replaced by a single 'This Car Has Performed An Illegal Operation' warning light.
I love the next one...
7. The airbag system would ask 'Are you sure?' before deploying.
8. Occasionally, for no reason whatsoever, your car would lock you out and refuse to let you in until you simultaneously lifted the door handle, turned the key and grabbed hold of the radio antenna.
9. Every time a new car was introduced car buyers would have to learn how to drive all over again because none of the controls would operate in the same manner as the old car.
10. You'd have to press the 'Start' button to turn the engine off.
PS - I'd like to add that when all else fails, you could call 'customer service' in some foreign country and be instructed in some
foreign language how to fix your car yourself!
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:) :) :)
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:( :( :(
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I like those. ;D ;D ;D
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Score - Ford 10, Microsoft nil.
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I liked those! But our Macintosh will only accept one driver, and it isn't me....
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I liked those! But our Macintosh will only accept one driver, and it isn't me....
You'll have to get a driving licence Anne, I thought other Mac users would like that one ;D ;D
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No 9 is true on cars anyway? You jump into a hire car and everything is different. The position of the horn; hazard button; lights switch. Why? Health and safety would decree that these should be standard in every car so you don't need to take a six week course to 'familarise yourself with the layout'! If you have to think "where is the horn?", it's too late! Can anyone explain why cars that used to have orange panels on the incators which stay orange for ever have been replaced by clear panels and orange bulbs which fade, and thus cause the car to fail an MOT?! Why are front indicators so close to the head lights that you can't see if a car coming towards you is indicating or not!? Why do some Jurassic cars still have rear wheel drive!? It's bit like all technology. If it works and doesn't wear out you can guarantee it will be made obsolete and replaced by something that attempts to do the same job, but doesn't work as well and needs to be replaced frequently. :(
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..........If it works and doesn't wear out you can guarantee it will be made obsolete and replaced by something that attempts to do the same job, but doesn't work as well and needs to be replaced frequently. :(
Because car manufacturers make the vast majority of their profits from selling spare parts :P
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Not just car manufacturers. :( The house we are temporarily in (fortunately at no cost to us) had the knob on the bath hot water tap split in two. I took it to a plumbers merchant to replace it. We are talking about something that will fit into a spindle that is shaped like a rectangle with rounded ends and allows the top to be screwed on to it. The inside of the tap knob has a black insert of this shape. The man at the plumbers said "I take it the bath is not new, because this fitting became obsolete years ago?!" I went home, got some superglue and, amazingly, this kind of plastic did glue together and will last us.
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I am very happy, back from holidays and only one dead plant in my greenhouse and lucky me it was one that I didn't much like. It's good to have friends to watch all your babies when you are away.
Thanks Helen and Bill ( SRGC members )
Angie :)
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I'm really happy today because the Pleione bulbs I ordered from Ian Butterfield arrived today! :D
They do look great and promise beautiful flowers in a few weeks or months - watch the orchid section for that. ;)
Thomas
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Good for you, Thomas. Enjoy them all. Paddy
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Two more days of school after this one!
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Oh, Anthony, isn't that a wonderful feeling. Savour it, enjoy it, take pleasure in it; it's a good feeling.
Paddy(from experience)
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Thanks Paddy. Alas, I won't be able to see our triumph on 'Eggheads', which was recorded last March but won't be broadcast until 18th Feb. :-\
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Oh, I must look out for that one.
Paddy
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If your spirits need a lift this evening take a look at the new Toscanini - a 3 year old conducting Beethoven. No doubt we will be hearing from this young lad in the future. He's a remarkable conductor already! Such talent and enthusiasm not even stifled by an itchy nose.
http://www2.choralnet.org/268945.html (http://www2.choralnet.org/268945.html)
:o :o :o
johnw
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Such talent and enthusiasm not even stifled by an itchy nose.
Not to mention rhythm and musicality, bless 'im ;D 8) ;D
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One for the Muso's out there, a voice like pouring honey.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHgC49wuZ9Q
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David what good taste you have in music as well as plants.
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Thank you Tony :-[
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Jeez, that Tony Willis is such a flatterer.
LOL Paddy
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Yes I know but I don't get flattered a lot these days ;D
I hope Maggi and Ian latch on to this she'll be right up their street.
I hadn't heard of Emily Smith until I read a review of her new album "Traveller's Joy" in this morning's paper, and I've just ordered it.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dpopular&field-keywords=Traveller%27s+Joy&x=11&y=18
Here's a nother one of hers
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_MAL8s-yCA
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Oh, we're latched alright, David!
I recommend anyone enjoying this type of music to seek out YouTube links to the 'Transatlantic Sessions' - these programmes (several series) made by the BBC are all real gems- some of the finest music, players and collaborations you are likely to find. 8)
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At last this Forum reaches the only topic more important, much more important, to me than my plants. Traditional music. ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;)
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Could you tell us some of your favourites Martin?
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Where do I start....Absolute no. 1 favourite...sessions in the pub, don't care if it is Scottish, English, Irish, Canadian, French, Swedish.
Recorded artists. Anything by Bruce McGregor, Fiddler's Bid, Blazing Fiddles, The McGarrigle Sisters, Aly Bain & Phil Cuinningham, Stan Rodgers, Wolfstone, etc, etc. I could go on all night but a programme featuring the Island of Barra is just starting on BBC so I'm off.
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At last this Forum reaches the only topic more important, much more important, to me than my plants. Traditional music. ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;)
Here you can taste Norwegian trad music ;D
http://www.hf.uio.no/imv/om/organisasjon/nfs/lydsamling/lydfiler/index.html
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Johnw - I just watched the 3 year-old conductor with a great big smile on my face and tears in my eyes at the end. What a performer! Would love to see him in front of a real orchestra.
PS I like trad music too, just finished listening to Danu, one of my favourites.
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Great link Hoy, all I need now is rain so I can justify sitting still long enough to listen to all of them.
Danu is a good choice Anne, have you got the CD where they all play solos, 'Up in the air'?
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I can endorse Maggi's comments about the Transatlantic Seesions. We were lucky enough to see them on tour in Gateshead's Sage concert hall last autumn and it was fabulous. Now I see they're back again in February - presumably after Glasgow's Celtic Connections festival: different line-up of musicians, so I'll be back for second helpings :D
Incidentally, the Sage also run a biennial fidldle festival around the end of April called Fiddles on Fire - it's mix of concerts and workshops. If you can't be in northeast England around then (and I suppose we ought to be gardening in the glorious weather), then here's a link to make you jealous: http://www.thesagegateshead.org/whats_on/festivalDetail.aspx?e=&df=634299943708628750&dt=634793759990000000&g=&p=&f=&ar=&keywords=&match=any&fe=634261006729183371.
I'll be there. ;D
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Jealous indeed...too much music, to little holiday and, alas, right in the middle of the show season :P
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I don't have that one, Martin, but will look out for it.
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Enough of this music!
About ten years ago I was sent to put two cordalines in the compost bin. However, instead I planted them as sentinels at the entrance to the compost bins and they have lived happily there ever since until the cold snap before Christmas killed them. Now, I know they would probably shoot again but I don't want them to be odd shaped so today I dug them up and eventually they reached the compost bin.
The stump of Acacia melanoxylon also had to be removed. It had grown for over ten years, grown from seed, but was badly knocked back by last year's frosts. It did re-shoot but I didn't want a bush so removed the stump today.
Happy to have removed all three. Now, I do deserve a nice bottle of wine after that.
Paddy
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Paddy, I hadn't been happy after that :-\ But I had needed the wine ;D In fact, a nice bottle is waiting for me :o
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Hoy,
I look at it in the spirit, "What you cannot refuse, give gladly."
It was necessary to do this work, remove the trees, and I was glad to have it done and out of the way.
By the way, I am on the second bottle of wine (with help - teenagers are always willing to help with wine), eating chocolate and awaiting coffee.
Paddy
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OK, Paddy, understandable :-[ :) Sometimes you have to do away with something :(
My teenagers have moved (studying) but my wife gladly helps with the wine. But you can't be serious about chocolate with the wine (or the other way round) ???
Chocolate with anything but wine :-X
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Chocolate with anything.
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I think, (I hope) that this is where I should post that Anthony and his family will now officially be New Zealanders. Their plane should have arrived an hour or so ago (usually the long haul flights arrive after passengers have had a decent sleep and some breakfast). I hope the customs/immigration parts are going smoothly as we speak and that all will be well and happy for them in the land of the long white cloud. :D I and others will welcome them warmly.
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I hope the Darby Clan are safely delivered to NZ..... I was trather put out when I heards of the further earthquakes hitting the country... I doidn't feel that was quite what anyone would be hoping for on arriving in a new place!
Here's hoping all goes well.... and peacefully, for them... and all our NZ chums, who I'm sure would be happy for the earth to stop moving for them .... in this context, at least!
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Christchurch is still being shook up from time to time and some further damage. They are told to expect these "aftershocks" for a full year! Gisborne and Rotorua in the central/eastern North Island have had a few lately too. No serious damage though, except to nerves, no doubt.
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Best wishes to Anthony and family.
Paddy
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Happy New Home to Anthony and his clan, I'm sure he'll find plenty of new invertebrates as well as new friends.
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Best wishes to Anthony and his family for their new life 'down under'. Our loss is New Zealand's gain, at least we will still have you on the forum ;)
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All the best AD and family.
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AD and family have arrived to flooding in Auckland, including at Bucklands Beach, where they were booked into the BB Waterfront Motel for their first two nights. Many beachfront properties have been evacuated so I hope the Darby's are OK and haven't had too watery an introduction to New Zealand. The weather system we're having seems to be the leftovers from the Queensland and Victorian system, a result of La Nina, after years of El Nino droughts.
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Best wishes Anthony and family. Looking forward to hear from you once you get settled.
Lesley Anthony will be so used to extreme weather us folks in Scotland are well used to extremes. Heard on the radio we had a earth quake in Scotland 3.5.
Angie :)
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[quote/]Heard on the radio we had a earth quake in Scotland 3.5.
Angie :)
[/quote]
Just because we've had some, now EVERYBODY wants them.
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But Lesley, we've no cricket team... we need something to get us in the news! :-X
3.5 on the Richter scale... a small thing... but our own ;)
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Just had a quick email from Anthony and they checked into the motel yesterday afternoon, no mention of flooding so must be OK They are all well and collect their dog tomorrow.
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[quote/]Heard on the radio we had a earth quake in Scotland 3.5.
Angie :)
Just because we've had some, now EVERYBODY wants them.
[/quote]
That's true Lesley it's the same as the lovely plants on this forum when someone posts a picture we all want them.
Glad to hear that Anthony and family have there feet safe and sound on the ground, wish it was me.
Angie :)
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Thanks for the warm welcome. I finally got connected to the Forum five minutes ago on my daughter's laptop. Vivienne's won't allow me too. We are now in furnished accommodation in Cove Lane near Panmure Basin, Mt Wellington, Auckland for the next 4 weeks. We have lemon, mandarin, NZ grapefruit, loquat and macadamia trees in the garden. Still not sure where we'll end up but we are not city dwellers, so have ruled out Auckland.
I must thank Lesley for the greetings card and wonderful parcel of goodies which greeted us at Bucklands Beach (the floods had gone, but lots of debris on the road). There was half a dozen useful magazines, a yummy box of choccies, a calendar and a marvellous cookbook called "Fresh" which does various recipes and menus from the different areas of NZ!
We have had a wee run about (Landrover Discovery V8 - phew it gets thirsty) thanks to Vivienne's cousin, so our first purchase was a car! Today we went to Piha Beach west of Auckland. The warm black "iron" sand stuck to the magnetic clips on my well-travelled Clark's sandals (Antarctica is the only continent I have not set foot on wearing this pair) which refuse to wear out!
The wildlife is keeping me wide eyed, so I'll try to take some pics.
Cheers
Anthony
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Congrats Anthony. There's a whole bunch of new stuff to learn now!! ;D Now for starters.... that bright yellow thing up in the sky, that is called the sun. You don't see it very often where you're from, but you're going to have to get used to it now. ;)
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Welcome back Anthony! Looking forward to a new flavour to your postings :)
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Great to hear how you are getting on. I to are looking forward to seeing some great postings.
Blow that big yellow thing in the sky over here when you get fed up of it.
Angie :)
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Anthony,
Delighted to hear you have had a safe journey and a good start to your lives in New Zealand. May it all continue well and I hope you and the family enjoy it all - and keep us in touch.
Paddy
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Good to hear you arrived safe and sound down under Anthony !
After purchasing a car, the next objective will be to find a garden now I guess... ::) ;D
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Terrific you had such a warm welcome in New Zealand. Surprised Lesley didn't deliver you some NZ "Fush 'un Chups"
Look forward to your future posts.
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Get that camera working Anthony, you could do wonders for the NZ tourism industry.
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Our eldest son, David, and his wife, Mary, have just told us that we are to be grandparents in August. First grandchild, so delighted.
Paddy
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Our eldest son, David, and his wife, Mary, have just told us that we are to be grandparents in August. First grandchild, so delighted.
Paddy
You lucky b person Paddy. Don't think I'll ever get news like that. :(
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I think I deserve a drop tonight!
Paddy
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Do you all realize that for the first time ever, the "I'm So Happy!" (2011 version) thread outpaces the "Moan Moan Moan 2011" thread. That's a good trend, one to be happy about. :D
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I think I deserve a drop tonight!
Paddy
More than one ;D
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I think I deserve a drop tonight!
Paddy
More than one ;D
Well, with your blessing then, I'll force myself.
Paddy
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Our eldest son, David, and his wife, Mary, have just told us that we are to be grandparents in August. First grandchild, so delighted.
Congratulations Paddy, wonderful news.
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Our eldest son, David, and his wife, Mary, have just told us that we are to be grandparents in August. First grandchild, so delighted.
Congratulations Paddy, wonderful news.
How exciting... the first Forum news of a baby in 2011..... I think we might all need to drink a toast to Mary and David..... please give them our congratulations, Paddy .
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My older daughter's first is due by the 10th of Feb.
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That's wonderful news Paddy, I hope everything goes well and for your coming event too Martin. As all grandparents know, being one can be very expensive but all good fun in the long run.
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My goodness, even better..... with the actual celebration of the birth, fine cake is called for! ;)
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My older daughter's first is due by the 10th of Feb.
You don't look old enough to be a granddad Martin, which is not to imply that Paddy does ;D
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My older daughter's first is due by the 10th of Feb.
You don't look old enough to be a granddad Martin, which is not to imply that Paddy does ;D
Hey, watch it, Mr. Nicholson.
Paddy
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I did say "NOT to imply........ ;D"
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You don't look old enough to be a granddad Martin, which is not to imply that Paddy does ;D
Why thank you. :-*
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Oh hang on! David, are you going by my snail avatar? :-\ I have to admit, in real life I do look older than the snail.
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You don't look old enough to be a granddad Martin, which is not to imply that Paddy does ;D
Why thank you. :-*
I was going to say David how can you tell how old he looks. That snail doesn't give anything away ;D
Angie :)
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Janis' book arrived this morning! ;D
johnw
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Congrats Paddy!!
Martin,
So how many grandkids will this be then? The way you phrased it I think means that there have already been other grandkids?
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You don't look old enough to be a granddad Martin, which is not to imply that Paddy does ;D
Why thank you. :-*
I was going to say David how can you tell how old he looks. That snail doesn't give anything away ;D
Angie :)
It looks a very young snail to me! ;D
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Congrats Paddy!!
Martin,
So how many grandkids will this be then? The way you phrased it I think means that there have already been other grandkids?
This is the first, Paul. The younger daughter is only 12.
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Martin,
Well congratulations to you too as well. I just thought the way it was written that this might have been the first for your eldest, but not the first of the lot (if you know what I mean).
May the birth be without complication and the result divine!! 8)
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Thanks, Paul and others for the good wishes. Everything seems fine so far, fingers crossed, apart from a low blood pressure issue but that shouldn't be a major problem.
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May I add my best wishes to Martin and Paddy. Another way to turn you worlds upside down? ;D
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Many thanks, Anthony.
Hope all is going well with you and the family in NZ.
Paddy
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Thanks Anthony, and I hope you and the family are enjoying life in New Zealand. My brother and his family are in Golden Bay, top end of South Island, and love it there.
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My 10-year old son was looking over my shoulder as I was going through forum posts and I said that there was a thread I wanted to show him. "Only if it's ranunculus" he said "otherwise I don't want to see it", but I made sure he hung around until I dug out the Moscow squirrels for him :) Then we moved onto the non-alpine vegetables etc thread. I showed him a couple of photos of strawberries and when I showed him Gail's lovely photo of a Camara strawberry flower I asked "what family is a strawberry then?" - "rose" he said immediately. I'm happy :) :)
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A moment like that must make Motherhood so very sweet...... you're obviously doing a grand job with him, Chloe!
I hope he was impressed with Olga getting up close and personal with the elk, too? That is one BIG animal for a grownup, never mind a ten year old!
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Well worth a read. Paddy
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/03/garden/03domestic.html?pagewanted=1&_r=3&hpw
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I showed him a couple of photos of strawberries and when I showed him Gail's lovely photo of a Camara strawberry flower I asked "what family is a strawberry then?" - "rose" he said immediately. I'm happy :) :)
Lovely Chloe, you've got him well trained!
I remember Kit Grey-Wilson being really proud of his daughter calling snowdrops Galanthus when she was about two....
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My 10-year old son was looking over my shoulder as I was going through forum posts and I said that there was a thread I wanted to show him. "Only if it's ranunculus" he said "otherwise I don't want to see it",
I'd no idea Cliff had such a fan base!
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Anne,
I must admit, I thought the same thing when I read that. ;D
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Anne,
I must admit, I thought the same thing when I read that. ;D
Me too actually! My first thought was "photos of the Dolomites", which he is also very happy to come and look at!
(He's also told me that crocuses are much more interesting than snowdrops 8) ;D )
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He's also told me that crocuses are much more interesting than snowdrops
I already liked the lad, now I love him! Brains and taste, he'll go far.
I remember the little daughter of a friend, (David Atkinson, Aberdeenshire members will know him) whose daughter Jenny would toddle up to garden visitors admiring the "blue poppies" and tell them that "actually those are meconopsis". Priceless!
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And I can just "see" the various looks on the faces of those garden visitors. ;D
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My kindest regards to your son, Chloe ... Ranunculus rule!!! :D
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I have visions of Calvin and Hobbes and their "Dictator for Life" leader of their club (which hates girls, especially Susie). Except in your case it is "Ranunculus for Life!" ;D
This is going to mean absolutely nothing to anyone who doesn't know the comic strip, and quite probably not a lot to those who do. ::) ;D
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Perhaps my age is telling against me Paul, but are you smoking something remotely Afghan? ;D
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Nope, I own a Maltese.
Oh dear, it's obviously too early in the morning and I really don't want to head off to work. I remember what weekends used to be like before I didn't work every one of them. ::)
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I know what you're talking about, Paul!
Rananculus and Ranunculus rule, but Calvin and Hobbes definitely rule too!!
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Whew! Thank goodness I wasn't imagining it. ;D
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUTBpK-Jcks
Don't blame me ... blame Mr. Tyerman and dear Chloe!
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The voice is all wrong. It isn't how he sounds in my head at all. He shouldn't sounds like an adult.
I didn't realise that people are now producing animated Calvin and Hobbes? Not quite the same as the comic strip.
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Calvin and Hobbes
Don't they make tee shirts ???
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Calvin and Hobbes
Don't they make tee shirts ???
I thought that was Tetley's? ::)
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David,
Er.... Abercrombie and Fitch?
Although I wouldn't mind a Calvin and Hobbes T-Shirt. Calvin's esoteric view of the world is rather cool...... hmmmm.... perhaps that should be egocentric. :-\ He is a kid after all, and they can say all the coolest things without getting into trouble as much. ;D
I used to own a T-shirt with the slogan "How much can a Koala bear" under a picture of a couple of Koalas stoned (complete with vacant expressions and bloodshot eyes, which I guess is how a lot of people think of Koalas anyway isn't it? :D) from smoking rolled up gum leaves. The fascinating thing was that my mother bought it for me. I often wondered whether she knew what she was buying, because it was so unlike my straight-laced tee-totaller mother. ;)
Ah, but I digress. Sorry. ::) Well this is the I'm so happy topic, so I think we can wax lyrically on unrelated topics in here can't we? :P
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Although I wouldn't mind a Calvin and Hobbes T-Shirt. Calvin's esoteric view of the world is rather cool...... hmmmm.... perhaps that should be egocentric. :-\ He is a kid after all, and they can say all the coolest things without getting into trouble as much. ;D
Bill Watterson, the creator of Calvin and Hobbes, is known for refusing to merchandise the comic strip, so only homemade or pirated t-shirts, I'm afraid, Paul. This lack of merchandising is presumably one of the reasons why they are less well-known than some other comic strip figures.
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David,
Er.... Abercrombie and Fitch?
Ah! yes, those are the fellas, I was close though ;) The other lot I was thinking of are the ones who have shops in designer outlets that I've never seen anyone buy anything from. They sell expensive perfume and things like that.
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Calvin and Hobbes
Don't they make tee shirts ???
I thought that was Tetley's? ::)
Nah! they make bitter, or used to in the good old days. ;D
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2011 is over a month old - its time we got happy :)
Start with this link if you need something to smile at.
http://prairiehome.publicradio.org/programs/2011/01/22/scripts/jokes.shtml (http://prairiehome.publicradio.org/programs/2011/01/22/scripts/jokes.shtml)
I tried these out on Jacinta but we had to stop 'cos her stitches hurt ....
A man thanked God for giving him a wife and he asked God, "Why did you make her so beautiful?"
The Lord said, "So you could love her, my son."
The man said, "But why did you make her so stupid?"
"So she could love you, my son."
Marriage is like a deck of cards.
You start out with two hearts and a diamond; and you end up wishing you had a club & spade!
Do you really believe your husband when he tells you he goes fishing every weekend? Maybe he is having an affair.
I know he's fishing because he never comes back with any fish...
Marriage and death are two different things. They are very different.
When you're dead, you don't wish that you were married.
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Tony,
Or you could mosey on over to the 2011 topic that we've been using for the last month, that you obviously haven't had the benefit or viewing!! ;D ;D
http://www.srgc.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=6453.0
And my wife and I both loved those jokes. Very, very good!! ;D
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David,
Er.... Abercrombie and Fitch?
Ah! yes, those are the fellas, I was close though ;) The other lot I was thinking of are the ones who have shops in designer outlets that I've never seen anyone buy anything from. They sell expensive perfume and things like that.
David,
Close, but no cigar (or in this case... no designer T-shirt!! :P)
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I remember Kit Grey-Wilson being really proud of his daughter calling snowdrops Galanthus when she was about two....
I was very impressed that Roger could tell an erythronium from an iris. And he was only 60! 8)
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Got this today, I liked the sentiments and hope you like it too - seemed apt for a Sunday ;D
Let us give thanks
Original by Max Coots, changed a bit by Deni Bown
Minister: Let us give thanks for the bounty of people. For children who are our second planting, and though they grow like weeds and the wind soon blows them away, may they forgive us our cultivation and fondly remember their roots. Let us give thanks:
Congregation (left): For generous friends, with hearts and smiles as uplifting as flowers;
Congregation (right): For feisty friends as tart as apples;
Minister: For old friends who, like cucumbers and spring onions, keep reminding us that we have them, and for brief but delightful acquaintances who, like ripe peaches, are here today and gone tomorrow;
Congregation (left): For crotchety friends, as sour as rhubarb and as deep rooted;
Congregation (right): For handsome friends, as gorgeous as eggplants and as elegant as a row of corn, and others as plain as potatoes and as good for you.
Minister: For funny friends who are silly as Brussels sprouts and as amusing as Jerusalem artichokes, and serious friends, as complex as cauliflowers and organised as onions.
Congregation (left): For friends as unpretentious as cabbages, as subtle as asparagus, as persistent as mint, as reliable as chard, and who, like parsnips, can be counted on to see us through the winter;
Congregation (right): For old friends, nodding like sunflowers in the evening time, and young friends coming on as fast as radishes;
Minister: For loving friends, who wind around us like tendrils and hold us, despite our blights, wilts and withering. And finally for those friends now gone, like gardens past that have been harvested, and who fed us in their time that we may enjoy our gardens thereafter.
Congregation (left & right): For all our friends, we give thanks.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
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It's Saturday! (well it is for me, work-wise). A good day to be happy. ;D
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My french bulldog (Eavis ) and i have been asked to help out on the discover dogs (it like an a-z of dog breeds) french bulldog breed Stand at crufts ;D It shood be great fun and the dog loves it. He loves all the attention and fuss/hugs he gets from people.
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You can't say that and not show us a picture, Emma. Does he wear a beret? (apologies to our French forumists)
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Today the sun is shining :) The wind is not blowing :) :) I am in the garden weeding, tidying up the shrubs :) :) :) and best of all enjoying the Snowdrops, reticulate irises and Crocus that have appeared as if by magic almost overnight ;D ;D ;D
Can life be better than this?
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:) The same here today. I had to spend the morning working but escaped this afternoon and have never enjoyed weeding so much! Lots of aconites out and everything feels spring-like. My muscovy drake had the devil in him though and spent the afternoon pulling all the leaves off a sarcococca bush.
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You can't say that and not show us a picture, Emma. Does he wear a beret? (apologies to our French forumists)
No beret I'm afraid. Just my version of a badger collar i made for him.
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And he still manages to look dignified! He's definitely got that Gallic attitude.
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And he still manages to look dignified! He's definitely got that Gallic attitude.
Just about ::) ;D :o
He has had worse, he went dressed as a lobster to the french bulldog xmas party ::) we came 3rd, beaten by a couple of xmas puddings and a punk ! I think he has won more first prizes wearing the lobster suit than he ever has at a normal dog show naked, lol
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Emma,
You could dress him as a snowdrop!
Paddy
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So well-behaved, to sit still and be photographed, with flowers etc. Would love to see him in the lobster suit. Please?
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Heidi is well behaved, except she doesn't like her lead! There is a field nearby - rough ground, not agricultural - where she can get a good run. In amongst the grass are familiar weeds: speedwell, daisy, dandelion, narrow & broad leaved plantain, white clover; I could be in Dunblane, except for the chorus of clapping cicadas, oh and the plants growing wild in the hedgerows: Swiss cheese plant, yaro, agapanthus, flowering ginger! After her run she generally flakes out. 8)
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I'm pleased she's a happy lady. Do you mean yarrow or taro Anthony? and what on earth is Swiss cheese plant? I'm a South Islander. Auckland is a foreign country. ;D
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Lesley,
I'd imagine it could be either yarrow or taro in that area. ;D What I know as Swiss Cheese plant is one of the Philodendron species I think, but Monstera is also know by this common name from memory?
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You are correct Paul, Monstera deliciosa, and Lesley, I'm getting muxed ip. Yarrow is a common weed in grass in Scotland, Taro is the plant out here. ::)
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Taro is a staple food of the Pacific Island communities, especially the Samoans. Huge leaves and floury tubers. There are some magnificent black-leaved forms but it's way too cold here in the south for them alas.
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Lesley,
We grow it here as a pot plant - Calocasia esculenta - with black-leafed cultivars particularly attractive. I have found it difficult to get them through the winter. Even in a glasshouse, cold, they generally succumb to the winter frosts.
Paddy
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I brought one back from Trinidad (officially, checked by MAFF) and grew it on my classroom windowsill. It is now in a different room as a former colleague wanted it!
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Grandson Barney was born to my older daughter Rosie at 1 a.m. today, Valentine's Day. I am now officially a grandad!
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Congratulations Martin
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Hearty congratulations Martin.
Barney is a fine name for the apple of your eye!
Enjoy this wonderful time of your life.
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This is very exciting, A Valentine Day's Baby arrival to celebrate 8)
Please send my very warmest wishes to Rosie and Ben on the birth of Barney- may they have the happiest of famiy lives.
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Grandson Barney was born to my older daughter Rosie at 1 a.m. today, Valentine's Day. I am now officially a grandad!
Congratulation grandpa!
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Many congratulations Martin !!
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Congratulations Martin ;D
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Congratulations, Pop, Gramps, Pa, have you decided what your official title will be yet?
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Congratulations Grandpa Martin. Hope to see and hear more about your wonderful grandson.
Angie :)
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Congratulations, Pop, Gramps, Pa, have you decided what your official title will be yet?
I think I'll be Grumpy.
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Congratulations Martin.
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Martin you don't look old enough to be a grandad ;)
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I thought that for Valentine's Day you might like to share these cartoons from Theresa McCracken........
for those worried about showing the "right" level of committment......
[attach=1]
and for the cycnical......
[attach=2]
Happy Valentine's Day!
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Well done Rosie and Ben, and congratulations Martin. And celebrations. :D
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Thanks for all the congratulations, and special thanks to Maggi for the e-card (I'll forward the link to Rosie and Ben). :-*
Here's Rosie with baby Barney:
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Congratulations, Martin, and to the happy parents and new arrival.
Paddy
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Congratulations, Martin!!
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Congrats, Martin,
and you haven't even lost your figure ;D
cheers
fermi
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Thanks. They say he looks a bit like me, but I think that's just down to our mutual hair shortage.
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another amazing video....if you haven't seen it already.
North Korean kindergarten girl on guitar.
http://www.tvkim.com/watch/326/kims-picks-north-korean-girl-guitarist
which reminded me of a recent Bill Maher interview about the scholastic discipline of Chinese vs. American children....short and worth looking at.
http://www.facebook.com/Maher/posts/10150091961232297
("American kids have high self esteem for no good reason")
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Thanks for that Kristl, she is amazing. I'm flabbergasted.
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OMG Kristl......never mind her wonderful playing just look at that left hand technique. Her fingers never leave the fretboard. You can't teach that!!!!!
Anyone want to buy a Martin D28?
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I've just been showing this little genious to Ian... he's sloped off to bed looking rather crestfallen.
I can't believe the reach and power she has in that tiny left hand.
One nagging thought.... if infant gymnasts suffer badly with arthritis from a young age because of the excessive strain put on growing joints etc. will this little beauty have trouble with her hands too soon? ??? :'(
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and....more amazing talented kids....this time 3 teenage boys...
i say: il piu bravo!!!!!
http://www.wimp.com/threetenors/
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OK, I just sold the guitar. Now does anyone want to buy a microphone?
There is no substitute for pure talent. Thanks for sharing Kristl
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A brilliant child indeed. Great to see a classical guitar played properly instead of the incessant and utterly boring boom, boom, boom ad infinitum of the pop stuff. This child plays real music. A classical guitarist never or rarely reaches the thumb of the left hand up and over the back of the neck, to be visible from the front. Played as she does, there is much more control over the fingering and a hugely wider range available to the player.
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I don't particularly object to the thumb being visible resting atop the fingerboard Lesley but cringe when I see it used to fret the top E string......
Mind you, as I still struggle with barre chords I can see the temptation. Sadly my thumb isn't flexible enough to cheat anyway! ;)
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Martin,
A belated congratulations on the grandfatherhood!! ;D 8)
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Martin,
A belated congratulations on the grandfatherhood!! ;D 8)
Thanks Paul.
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Martin, Ben looks lovely hopefully we will get to see a picture of you and Ben soon.
Angie :)
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Back last November at my market our community stall was occupied by a group of fathers of boys from Waitaki Boys' High, selling tree paeony plants for school funds. One father has a large paeony nursery up the road and he donated the plants. I bought (for $30) a fine plant of the beautiful 'Boreas.' He mentioned at the time that he was "going out of them" as the farm work was as much as he could cope with.
So I was very happy indeed on Wednesday when he phoned me and asked would I like a couple. I said yes please and how much would they be. Nothing, he said, want rid of them. So he arrived with 3 plants yesterday, (he'd asked me what colours I'd like and I'd said red and white) a very good plant in a large pot, of 'Kronas' and two enormous plants of a white whose name I didn't get but the photo he showed me was of a large, frilly pure white semi double with a bunch of yellow stamens. I have the catalogue somewhere and will check. These two have about 20 stems each from the base and are a metre high. The fact that I have absolutely nowhere to put them hasn't discouraged me a bit. Will be digging up some more lawn I think.
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Lesley,
You still have SOME space then. Our lawn went years ago. ;D
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Back last November at my market our community stall was occupied by a group of fathers of boys from Waitaki Boys' High, selling tree paeony plants for school funds. One father has a large paeony nursery up the road and he donated the plants. I bought (for $30) a fine plant of the beautiful 'Boreas.' He mentioned at the time that he was "going out of them" as the farm work was as much as he could cope with.
So I was very happy indeed on Wednesday when he phoned me and asked would I like a couple. I said yes please and how much would they be. Nothing, he said, want rid of them. So he arrived with 3 plants yesterday, (he'd asked me what colours I'd like and I'd said red and white) a very good plant in a large pot, of 'Kronas' and two enormous plants of a white whose name I didn't get but the photo he showed me was of a large, frilly pure white semi double with a bunch of yellow stamens. I have the catalogue somewhere and will check. These two have about 20 stems each from the base and are a metre high. The fact that I have absolutely nowhere to put them hasn't discouraged me a bit. Will be digging up some more lawn I think.
Wow! Now that is something worth finding some space for.... what a treat they'll be in flower. Who need grass anyway? It's not as if you have horses to graze!
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We NEED horses to graze! Roger is on the look out for a couple of goats but they are too omnivorous for my liking and don't take kindly to being confined.
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this one is not for the faint of heart....and not sure if it made me "so happy"....even beyond the adventurer in me
http://www.angelfire.com/ak2/intelligencerreport/scariest_path.html
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O.M.G. !!!! :o :o :o
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Kristl, I can't even bring myself to click on the play button :o :o :o
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Very similar to the route we take every day to get our daily paper ... for some reason they won't deliver!!! :D
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this one is not for the faint of heart....and not sure if it made me "so happy"....even beyond the adventurer in me
http://www.angelfire.com/ak2/intelligencerreport/scariest_path.html
I found myself viewing at a 45 dgree angle away from the edge. Had to stop halfway.
Do you know why it was built - and is there a coffee shop at the top ;D
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".....one of the most dangerous walkways in the world, built by workers to transport materials between the Chorro and Gaitanejo Falls ......"
I don't care if there is a coffee shop at the top... with free cake..... not even that could induce me up that path.
On the other hand, I could imagine Martin Rogerson scampering up there like a mountain goat....... :D :D
He's welcome!
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".....one of the most dangerous walkways in the world, built by workers to transport materials between the Chorro and Gaitanejo Falls ......"
I don't care if there is a coffee shop at the top... with free cake..... not even that could induce me up that path.
On the other hand, I could imagine Martin Rogerson scampering up there like a mountain goat....... :D :D
He's welcome!
Maggi
Judging by the state of the guard rail, it must have been some time ago.
How do you ever start such a trail.
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How do you ever start such a trail.
Kristl and Martin would say for the adventure.... I'm inclined to think.... serious loss of will to live..... :-X
It's not so much the state of the handrail that bothers me... more the state of the path.... :o
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The reason I end up running into a these kinds of clips is because I actually do spend time on the "outdoor adventure" type sites on line---it gives me a good perspective on little known wild places people have explored (which is then cross referenced for plants). For me, the wild spaces I might find myself in are as important as the plants that live there.
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Did anyone care to look at this....
http://www.angelfire.com/ak2/intelligencerreport/scariest_bike.html
:o :o :o
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The reason I end up running into a these kinds of clips is because I actually do spend time on the "outdoor adventure" type sites on line---it gives me a good perspective on little known wild places people have explored (which is then cross referenced for plants). For me, the wild spaces I might find myself in are as important as the plants that live there.
Kristl
You are not telling me that you would not climb this trail if there was a rare plant at the end. If you did not have vertigo, this would surely give it to you.
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Did anyone care to look at this....
http://www.angelfire.com/ak2/intelligencerreport/scariest_bike.html
:o :o :o
Where is it - I want to have a go ;) 8) ;)
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You are not telling me that you would climb this trail if there was a rare plant at the end. If you did not have vertigo, this would surely give it to you.
While I do have issues with height---never bothers me when my feet are firmly on the ground and a sense of security on *both* sides (hiking in the mountains vs. swinging bridges over canyons). I couldn't handle this walk, no matter what was at the end.
I remember being in the (not very high) Smoky Mountains some years ago with my family. My then-husband had to stumble from the car and lie down at the side of the road he was so sick. We had been married for almost 15 years at that point and I never knew he suffered from vertigo. I couldn't relate to how he had felt then until a couple of years ago when I developed a severe case of it from an inner ear infection---it is *not* a fun experience.
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No.1 (belongs in the moan, moan thread)...I hate it when I type a witty reposte and I 'post' and get a warning that I might want to check as the thread's been updated....but I never know what to do and my post gets lost..............whinge over.
Yes Maggi I would do that path, brilliant :D :D :D :D I wouldn't do it the way the idiot with the video camera did it (I'm assuming it was a he but who knows). I'd do it the way the sensible chap he overtook did it (his name must be Martin), clipped in to the life saving, and modern looking, 'via ferrata' style cable.
As for the motorbike guys...............complete nutters and deserving of a Darwin award!
I knew that wouldn't be as witty as the first version :'( :'( :'(
Joan's gone off to check the small print in my life insurance :o
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Where is it - I want to have a go ;) 8) ;)
These are two different places I think. Kristl's link, I can tell you exactly where it is, cos I've been :o four times :o :o
It's near to Antequera about 30miles north of Malaga. And no, I didn't do the walk, and I don't think you can at the moment as it's closed off as it's unsafe. I think it's being repaired, but wouldn't trust it even so ::)
I believe it was built so the workmen could carry materials for building of the dams to create the reservoirs in the area
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caminito_del_Rey (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caminito_del_Rey)
So why have I been four times?? Because that area is the best site I know comfortably near to the Malaga area in mid February for Narcissus cantabricus. Here's a thread I did about the area in 2007 (we were there last year as well!) http://www.srgc.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=275.0 (http://www.srgc.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=275.0)
and a couple of pictures of what you can find in the area. The vulture was photographed actually over the Camino del Rey. I think that's a worrying sign ;D ;D ;D
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Did anyone care to look at this....
http://www.angelfire.com/ak2/intelligencerreport/scariest_bike.html
:o :o :o
I just watched that knowing that while I was watching, my son is out on his trail bike somewhere in Wales...
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I thought those were vultures I heard crying overhead. ;D
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:-*
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A miracle has happened it's sunny, I am away out to do some gardening...happy,happy.
:D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D
Angie :)
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Yeah!! ;D
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With 2011 having been named "The International Year of Forests" by the UN, this seems an apt time for the following:
I don't know if any of you have had the opportunity to see the film
"Taking Root: The Vision of Wangari Maathai"
one of the most inspirational stories ever and close to my heart.
It is a compelling documentary narrative about the first environmentalist and first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize.
In 1977, Maathai suggested rural women plant trees to address problems stemming from a degraded environmnet. Under her leadership, their tree-planting grew into a nationwide movement to safeguard the environment, defend human rights and promote democracy. And it all started with a seed.
I recommend it highly if you ever have the chance.
Here is a short u-tube portrait:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5GX6JktJZg
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Don't mention the Cricket. ;D ;D ;D
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I am suddenly fervently interested in cricket.
Paddy
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I can even forgive it clogging up the World Service for days/weeks/months ;) ;D
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Enjoyed a super sell-out concert at the Bridgewater last evening ... the magnificent Ray Lamontagne supported by the equally brilliant Secret Sisters.
The fourth time I have seen Ray and he (along with his incredible band; The Pariah Dogs) must be one of the best live acts performing today. Highly recommended.
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How could that possibly have happened? There's hope for NZ's stupidly named Black Caps yet. (unless we meet Ireland at some stage. ;D ;D ;D
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How could that possibly have happened? There's hope for NZ's stupidly named Black Caps yet. (unless we meet Ireland at some stage. ;D ;D ;D
Not as stupid as the name of the New Zealand basketball team: the Tall Blacks! ::)
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Don't mention the Cricket. ;D ;D ;D
Cricket? What cricket? ::)
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Enjoyed a super sell-out concert at the Bridgewater last evening ... the magnificent Ray Lamontagne supported by the equally brilliant Secret Sisters.
The fourth time I have seen Ray and he (along with his incredible band; The Pariah Dogs) must be one of the best live acts performing today. Highly recommended.
I need to take a look on U Tube Cliff, I meant to do that when you mentioned him before and forgot.
Take a look at The Decemberists ;D
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Well you will have noticed by now Anthony that EVERYTHING centres around the All Blacks, (rugby). They've even managed to get a lot of references one way or another into the coverage of the Chch earthquake. So the BLACK caps are our rotten cricketers, the TALL blacks are the men's basketballers because most of them are over 7ft tall, the hockey team is the BLACK sticks and so so. There are others. I figure the cricketers would play better if they were called New Zealanders. After all Australians (not green heads) play for Australia, Indians (not blue turbans) play for India, literally from A to Z, Zimbabweans play for Zimbabwe. Why are they so afraid or ashamed to call themselves New Zealanders. Aren't black caps some kind of seagull or other bird?
Anyway, I've given up on them and will be cheering on Bangaladesh!
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A black cap is a small bird similar in size to a great tit Lesley, so better black caps than..........? ;D
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I don't know, Anthony...... telling people that you're barracking for Great Tits sounds pretty good. ;)
:P
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Enjoyed a super sell-out concert at the Bridgewater last evening ... the magnificent Ray Lamontagne supported by the equally brilliant Secret Sisters.
The fourth time I have seen Ray and he (along with his incredible band; The Pariah Dogs) must be one of the best live acts performing today. Highly recommended.
I need to take a look on U Tube Cliff, I meant to do that when you mentioned him before and forgot.
Take a look at The Decemberists ;D
Hi David,
The Decemberists are a fine band ... I must get to see them some time.
If you would like a fine intro' to Ray Lamontagne then please try ...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mT69zOTNa8Q
Many other wonderful songs.
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I don't know, Anthony...... telling people that you're barracking for Great Tits sounds pretty good. ;)
:P
That would definitely NOT be complimentary in Scotland. I think the name "Silver Ferns" for the NZ netball team is cool.
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Will have to try Ray Lamontagne - there is an interview with him in 'Acoustic' magazine this month.
I did buy a Decemberists album once and tried listening to it again recently, great tunes and clever lyrics but SO depressing. If I want melancholy I'll stick to Leonard Cohen. ;)
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Anthony,
Wouldn't be complimentary here either. ;D Not the sort of thing you'd usually be hearing at the cricket, that's for sure.
I really like the name "Silver Ferns" as well, and so much more iconically NZ as well. 8)
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Enjoyed a super sell-out concert at the Bridgewater last evening ... the magnificent Ray Lamontagne supported by the equally brilliant Secret Sisters.
The fourth time I have seen Ray and he (along with his incredible band; The Pariah Dogs) must be one of the best live acts performing today. Highly recommended.
Who???????????
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Enjoyed a super sell-out concert at the Bridgewater last evening ... the magnificent Ray Lamontagne supported by the equally brilliant Secret Sisters.
The fourth time I have seen Ray and he (along with his incredible band; The Pariah Dogs) must be one of the best live acts performing today. Highly recommended.
Who???????????
Martin, Martin, Martin ... four sell-out tours of the U.K.; six sell-out tours of the States and Canada; at least two world tours; four incredible albums, an amazing stage voice and presence ... and MartinR says; 'Who"?
Admittedly, Ray is better known in the USA than he is here, but that's because he doesn't aim for the charts or the Justin Bibwearer crew ... please listen to the link above and form your opinion?
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Sorry Cliff, I lasted about 20 seconds. I won't be rushing off to buy any of his music.
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Cliff, thanks for the link.
I love the song, the band and his voice.
Had not heard of him before.
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At last Helen ... someone with taste! :D Please investigate other You Tube videos of his ... he has a remarkable catalogue! Kind regards, Cliff.
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he has a remarkable catalogue
Ooooh, you are awful :-X
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Enjoyed a super sell-out concert at the Bridgewater last evening ... the magnificent Ray Lamontagne supported by the equally brilliant Secret Sisters.
The fourth time I have seen Ray and he (along with his incredible band; The Pariah Dogs) must be one of the best live acts performing today. Highly recommended.
I need to take a look on U Tube Cliff, I meant to do that when you mentioned him before and forgot.
Take a look at The Decemberists ;D
Yes, I like ;D and I've ordered a CD too.
Cliff, Helen and Darren take a listen to Gillian Welch/David Rawlings (often as a duo but both play separately too
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x668-BgXDMM
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Anthony, can you give me botanical - sorry, ornithological names for both the Great Tit and the black cap please? I plan to write a scathing letter to the local paper ::)
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Enjoyed a super sell-out concert at the Bridgewater last evening ... the magnificent Ray Lamontagne supported by the equally brilliant Secret Sisters.
The fourth time I have seen Ray and he (along with his incredible band; The Pariah Dogs) must be one of the best live acts performing today. Highly recommended.
I need to take a look on U Tube Cliff, I meant to do that when you mentioned him before and forgot.
Take a look at The Decemberists ;D
Yes, I like ;D and I've ordered a CD too.
Cliff, Helen and Darren take a listen to Gillian Welch/David Rawlings (often as a duo but both play separately too
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x668-BgXDMM
That's great, David ... which of his discs have you ordered? 'Gossip in the Grain' is probably the only one that takes a while to sink in ... any of the others and you will be hooked.
I have always liked David Rawlings but will now investigate Gillian Welch.
Have you discovered Richard Hawley yet?
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Cliff I've ordered "Gossip in the Grain"
On my way to You Tube now.
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Anthony, can you give me botanical - sorry, ornithological names for both the Great Tit and the black cap please? I plan to write a scathing letter to the local paper ::)
Don't bother thanks, I Googled.
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You really need to see this.
Amazing and wonderful.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gsiYtsSQYfA
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a friend just sent me this series---which must be floating around the internet.
Cingino dam in Italy.
apparently Eurpean Ibex who like to eat the moss & lichen & lick the salt off the wall.
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Wish I was so sure footed in the mountains - at the sight of a scree I am off.
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We have a saying here: "..as surefooted as a mountain goat..."
Now I understand it!
(I am not referring to myself, I had stood at the foot of the dam!)
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Amazing photographs Kristl 8)
Paeonia mlokosewitschii first flower buds, a mere 11 years after sowing :-[ ;D
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Ashley, what colour are you hoping for? ;)
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Trond, after such a long wait I'll be happy with anything ;D
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Amazing photographs Kristl 8)
Paeonia mlokosewitschii first flower buds, a mere 11 years after sowing :-[ ;D
Well done Ashley, you are a man with infinite patience ;D
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David those who suffer me tend to say quite the opposite ;)
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Quote from: ashley on Today at 04:23:05 PM
Paeonia mlokosewitschii first flower buds, a mere 11 years after sowing Embarrassed Grin
Can't call you a quitter, Ashley!
Aren't those pink stems gorgeous, like best quality rhubarb! (If a little on the thin side to make a decent bowlful!)
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... a little on the thin side to make a decent bowlful!
A bowlful :o :o :o ;D
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One to relish, Ashley. Well done.
Paddy
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... a little on the thin side to make a decent bowlful!
A bowlful :o :o :o ;D
Well you wouldn't need a whole bowlful.... some space would be taken up by the custard....... :D
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:-X
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A long long time ago in a land far far away ..... though Darren assures me it was only last September when we came to Edinburgh for the bulb event at the Botanics.
We visited the science arena of the National Museum of Scotland. One of the robots was a programmable arm which you could program to write short words. Here is my attempt :)
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cor! That's a bit fab, Susan.... we should pay you to be able to use that in advertising! 8)
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if you have not yet seen this "Frog Dance"---truly one of the most astounding things i have ever seen.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6BLYJjRncJw
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Thanks for the link Kristl, I am laughing so hard I have tears rolling down my face as I type.
Just what I needed.
I wonder if he's worked for the cirque in the past.
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I'd heard he was formerly a spawn star! ;D ... with his own pad!
Is he the star formerly known as Prince?
Please kermit me to make these jokes?
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8) ;D 8) ;D 8)
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I'd heard he was formerly a spawn star! ;D ... with his own pad!
Is he the star formerly known as Prince?
Please kermit me to make these jokes?
The words "barrel" and "scraping" spring to mind ;D
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I'd heard he was formerly a spawn star! ;D ... with his own pad!
Is he the star formerly known as Prince?
Please kermit me to make these jokes?
The words "barrel" and "scraping" spring to mind ;D
Hard times, David ... hard times!!! ;D
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I'd heard he was formerly a spawn star! ;D ... with his own pad!
Is he the star formerly known as Prince?
Please kermit me to make these jokes?
The words "barrel" and "scraping" spring to mind ;D
Hard times, David ... hard times!!! ;D
;D ;D ;D
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I bet that video is really funny but when I go on to YouTube I get the sound but my little picture frame goes blank.........What have I done???? I'm not so happy :'( :'( :'( :'(
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And mine won't move off Pause - at 4 seconds. >:(
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Two nice folks said I could come with them to the Stirling show at Dunblane on Saturday so I am really happy, wasn't wanting to drive there and back myself. So thanks Ian and Maggi. :-* :-*
Really looking forward to the show.
Angie :)
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Maggi, did you hear who won any the Rugby matches today. ;D ;D ;D
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We've been out all day Michael, but Ian is watching a recording at the minute and the noises are not optimistic....... but wooden spoons are great for stirring the porridge.... :D ;D
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Maggi, you won't be stirring the porridge.
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Aha! So I see... at least I've just been through to Ian to see how it's going and more than half way through the game we're winning... fancy that? Why couldn't they havbe done that earlier in the season??
Tell me, I won't tell Ian... did the Irish win?
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Yes, they always beat England. ;D ;D
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Oh, Joy! ;)
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Yikes thisis now slightly old news ( though none the less pleasant for that) this is my fault.... we heard from Carlo then I read his news in the Alpine L and so "thought" he'd posted it here!
Sorry for not passing on this good news sooner.....
Carlo has got a great new job in Canada:
this from his email.....
I am happy to report that I am the new Head of Horticulture for the Royal Botanical Gardens in Canada (the country's largest)!
I start as soon as appropriate paperwork for a move into the country can be arranged (and will be moving sometime after that as soon as THAT process can be arranged).
This sounds like a super post and a grand challenge for Carlo to get his teeth inot.... all congratulations to Carlo and best wishes for the job and the move!
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Congratulations, Carlo and great to have you in Canada (soon)....
The only other comment I can make is that the RBG needs someone of your calibre and are lucky to have you.
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Carlo here...
YES I am in Canada. Two days into the job at the Royal Botanical Gardens and headed into my first full week. Sharon and I are settling ourselves in Hamilton and beginning to learn the town. The garden is a large, complex place and will take as long to familiarize myself with as the new city. All indications are that it'll be a great situation. It's a big job, but I think the support is there from the institution to take a good go at it.
Needless to say, any forumists stopping by should be sure to make themselves known!
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...AND thank you all for the kind thoughts and words!
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Best wishes, Carlo. Hope the job goes well for you and that you enjoy your new home.
Paddy
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This is the Website of the Royal Botanical Gardens Canada :
http://www.rbg.ca/Page.aspx?pid=193
The RBGC is in Burlington, Ontario and this, and nearby Hamilton, where Carlo and Sharon are living, are at the western end of Lake Ontario, to give you an idea of the location.... 8)
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Actually the garden and its natural areas (a total of 2700 acres [250 cultivated] and included in the Niagara Escarpment Biosphere Reserve), straddles the borders of Hamilton AND Burlington, which both claim it as a treasured gem.
How about that! Already an ambassador....
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40 25kg bags of 2-6mm grit delivered neatly on the front path in 2 working days for.......£78.81. I'm happy!
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Not bad, Martin. Nationwide delivery??
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Good deal Martin! Can you share your supplier please?
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www.Dandytopsoil.co.uk (http://www.Dandytopsoil.co.uk) Thanks to Daveyp who gave links to a couple of suppliers in another thread. Base in N Wales. Do deliver Nationwide but cost is a function of post code. If you go to the site you can put in your post code and it will calculate the appropriate price for any product you look at. They have offers on till the end of March, so don't delay.
I've shifted them all to the back of the house now and I'm knackered!
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You missed the 's' out Martin
https://www.dandystopsoil.co.uk
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Thanks Graham, it's been a long day
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Many thanks Martin-it would be £111.87 to here (ie. the end of the known world!)
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Try putting in a west highland post code! Mind you £111.87 will still be a whole lot cheaper than your local garden centre
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Crikey, I just did, no discriminaton here! Same price to Devon, Aberdeen, Skye and Stornoway. I don't believe it, I suspect the calculator can't cope with ferry crossings. I'll now go and check the small print.
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Makes Ian's deal with a borrowed lorry for the four tonnes of sand and grit for around £40 seem rather good doesn't it?
.......mind you, I'm only just straightening up.... :-X
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It does indeed! Dandys is even cheaper for big bags or even dumped loose loads but I have to say the 25kg bags are more convenient....means you only break your back a little at a time ::)
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Many thanks Martin-it would be £111.87 to here (ie. the end of the known world!)
That would be the near end David? I think there is another David at the far end?
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Many thanks Martin-it would be £111.87 to here (ie. the end of the known world!)
That would be the near end David? I think there is another David at the far end?
Ah now, I wasn't referring to you "New World" people, that refernce applies strictly to the "Old World"
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Many thanks Martin-it would be £111.87 to here (ie. the end of the known world!)
That would be the near end David? I think there is another David at the far end?
Ah now, I wasn't referring to you "New World" people, that refernce applies strictly to the "Old World"
Above what age, David ... 'cause I will probably qualify!!! :D
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You'd get in anyway Cliff ;D
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NEW ZEALAND beat South Africa in the cricket world cup,fantastic result.We have just got to beat Sri-Lanka tomorrow.The Aussies are out to India.
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;D my elderly neighbour gave me 12 different chrysanthemum bushes ;D at this very moment ;D can be more on this vonderful sunny day? ;D
http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i76/arykana/2011/tavasz.jpg
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I'm so happy I need nothing stronger than gardening to achieve my Nirvana! But such a sedate life isn't enough for all. Watch this: (their speed is 200km/h)
(http://static02.vg.no/drfront/images/2011-03/27/86-ba2a08b9-dd056b5e.jpeg)
Here is the link:
http://www.vg.no/rampelys/artikkel.php?artid=10099563
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Nuts :o :o :o
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Here are more:
http://www.nrk.no/nett-tv/klipp/722933/
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NEW ZEALAND beat South Africa in the cricket world cup,fantastic result.We have just got to beat Sri-Lanka tomorrow.The Aussies are out to India.
Ah Davey, but you didn't. Our turn next but the result will probably be the same! :'(
I did a major clean out of my car yesterday because I was pretty sure there was a mouse living in it. I didn't find the mouse but I did find your seed which I had posted in the glove box and it had got no further. It will go today. I apologise profusely.
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Lesley Sri-Lanka made England look like a Saturday pub side,but i will cross my fingers for you i hope New Zealand win,if you can manage to take the game away from there bowlers and attack them you might stand a chance.
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Well I'll be trying Davey but whether the batsmen will, is another matter! ???
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Definitely chuffed.
Discussed with better half what to do about a set of Conifers in a raised bed. Despite their 'dwarf' claims they were well over the height and girth which the bed could sustain. 24 hours later the bed is clear and the soil removed and replaced with good fresh rich top soil. Empty 6 sq. metres of semi shaded bed to plant up. But that is not the reason for elation.
Discussed with better half what to do about an area of garden nest to the pond. It was overrun with a type of Carex. 24 hours later the Carex is out (hope it is only the rhizome type roots which are persistent. The thin fibrous roots went a long way down.),. Only 20 barrow loads of stuff to go to the recycling yard and only 2 large buckets of pottery and scrap iron in the bin. Dug over and filled up with good clean top soil. But that is not the reason for elation.
Discussed with better half what to do with the Heather bed. They are well past their replace by date and have suffered badly this winter. "That would be a good place for the new crevice garden you wanted, " she says. Now that is the reason for elation.
Edited to add that elation is tempered by the discovery of rabbit holes under the heathers..."born and bred....born and bred eh?
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A nice picture of the stinky toe tree on the UBC site today.
http://www.ubcbotanicalgarden.org/potd/2011/03/hymenaea_courbaril_1.php (http://www.ubcbotanicalgarden.org/potd/2011/03/hymenaea_courbaril_1.php)
johnw
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....... but wooden spoons are great for stirring the porridge.... :D ;D
Don't you use a spurtle? ???
cheers
fermi
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....... but wooden spoons are great for stirring the porridge.... :D ;D
Don't you use a spurtle? ???
cheers
fermi
Thinks: "did I bring mine to NZ?"
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A nice picture of the stinky toe tree on the UBC site today.
http://www.ubcbotanicalgarden.org/potd/2011/03/hymenaea_courbaril_1.php (http://www.ubcbotanicalgarden.org/potd/2011/03/hymenaea_courbaril_1.php)
johnw
Fascinating!
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....... but wooden spoons are great for stirring the porridge.... :D ;D
Don't you use a spurtle? ???
cheers
fermi
well of course..... but not every cook is as well-equipped as I ... and so may use the handle of a wooden spoon instead ::)
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Definitely chuffed.
Discussed with better half what to do about a set of Conifers in a raised bed. Despite their 'dwarf' claims they were well over the height and girth which the bed could sustain. 24 hours later the bed is clear and the soil removed and replaced with good fresh rich top soil. Empty 6 sq. metres of semi shaded bed to plant up. But that is not the reason for elation.
Discussed with better half what to do about an area of garden nest to the pond. It was overrun with a type of Carex. 24 hours later the Carex is out (hope it is only the rhizome type roots which are persistent. The thin fibrous roots went a long way down.),. Only 20 barrow loads of stuff to go to the recycling yard and only 2 large buckets of pottery and scrap iron in the bin. Dug over and filled up with good clean top soil. But that is not the reason for elation.
Discussed with better half what to do with the Heather bed. They are well past their replace by date and have suffered badly this winter. "That would be a good place for the new crevice garden you wanted, " she says. Now that is the reason for elation.
Edited to add that elation is tempered by the discovery of rabbit holes under the heathers..."born and bred....born and bred eh?
Oh Eric, I was merely going to congratulate you on your estimable demonstration of spousal harmony, acheived through reasoned discussion, when I came back to find your addendum about the rabbits...... a veritable furry fly in your happy ointment.
Never mind, better to know exactly where the little pests are and be able to fight them on their own ground!
With all your planned improvements and getting rid of the rabbits,how much better is your garden going to look? 8)
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A nice picture of the stinky toe tree on the UBC site today.
http://www.ubcbotanicalgarden.org/potd/2011/03/hymenaea_courbaril_1.php (http://www.ubcbotanicalgarden.org/potd/2011/03/hymenaea_courbaril_1.php)
johnw
Fascinating!
If this article had been posted tomorrow, then I wouldn't have even checked it out on Google ... I would have assumed the worst! ;D
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Fascinating!
So Maggi will you make the switch from chocolate to stinky toe?
johnw
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I don't think so, John. But that's only because of the dearth of stinky toe trees in the neighbourhood, you understand. ::) ;D ;D
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....... but wooden spoons are great for stirring the porridge.... :D ;D
Don't you use a spurtle? ???
cheers
fermi
Thinks: "did I bring mine to NZ?"
You can get 'em here Anthony. :)
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I may be tempting fate by even talking about them so early on, but I am VERY happy because yesterday I noticed 4 seed pods on Asteranthera ovata. I've looked before after flowers have fallen and found only thinning, shrivelling stems but 4 have retained thick - very thick - stems and have curved downwards as if to spill into the compost. One is already a cm long and they are generally shaped like pods of Ramonda. If they continue to develop and then ripen, I'll mention them later for distribution.
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4 sleeps till we fly out! ;D
See you soon!
cheers
fermi
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Fermi remember your waterproofs, wellies, jumpers, hat, scarf and gloves. Only kidding the sun will be shining when you reach sunny UK. :-X ;D
Angie :)
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Yesterday morning, (01st April) our local radio station read a news bulletin advising people that a polar bear had been seen washed up at Sandy Gap on Walney Island (About half way down the UK). Probably carried there on a piece of broken ice from the North Pole. If anyone spotted it they were warned to keep their distance as it would be hungry following it's long journey. :-X
Quite a few people phoned in to say they had spotted it further inland near the retail park - just coming out if "Iceland" :D :D
My niece asked if I could drive the long way round as she wanted to see if we could find the polar bear as she has never seen a real one, just the ones on TV. And if we found it, could we get it some fish for it. Bless her.
Took me ages to convince her it was an April Fools joke, but we drove the long way round, just in case ..... ;D
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Susan, you should have taken her to Svalbard! Even if you don't see polar bears you would see the small and very tame reindeer there ;)
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I would love to go to Svarlbard. At my local alpine group meeting once we saw a video made by the daughter of a member. She had been part of the crew of a cruise ship in the area. She had incredible footage of a polar bear, on an ice flow very close to the ship, gazing up at her through one of the holes in the side of the ship where ropes go through. Also magnificent shots of Sax oppositifolia, willows and many other small arctic plants.
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Lesley, I would also love to go there - in summer! Has been there in spring (May), had to leave when the snow melted (which happened very quickly) and we couldn't use the snowmobile.
While waiting for an opportunity you can watch this site:
http://svalbardflora.net/index.php?id=1
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Susan, you should have taken her to Svalbard! Even if you don't see polar bears you would see the small and very tame reindeer there ;)
She would love it, especially if we could also go whale watching on route.
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Thanks for that link Trond. I think it must be a place of pure magic, and so CLEAN in every way, from the sea, the ground and the air. Wonderful.
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Spurtle found - in the kitchen drawer. It was made at an outdoor show in Bo'ness by a chappie using a treadle operated lathe.
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One of my favourite Pulsatillas is albana lutea.
Happy to report that the seed received from the seed exchange in January is germinating. ;D ;D
Also have Pulsatilla albana violacea germinating.
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;D I just discovered my custom title ;D thank you ;D
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;D I just discovered my custom title ;D thank you ;D
We think you have earned it, Erika! :-* :-*
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My sister and brother in law, who send me lots of funny and cute emails, just sent me this: it is horribly relevant to my life!
Cleaning Poem
I asked the Lord to tell me
Why my house is such a mess
He asked if I'd been 'computering',
And I had to answer 'yes.'
He told me to get off my butt,
And tidy up the house.
And so I started cleaning up...
The smudges off my mouse.
I wiped and shined the topside.
That really did the trick...
I was just admiring my good work.
I didn't mean to 'click.'
But click, I did, and oops - I found
A real absorbing site
That I got SO way into it -
I was into it all night.
So nothing's changed except my mouse.
It's as shiny as the sun.
I guess my house will stay a mess.....
While I sit here on my bum.
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That's a really good one Maggi ;D ;D ;D
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Obviously my family know me too well but I think it will strike a chord with a lot of us, Brian :D
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It struck here :)
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And I passed it on to some other passionate gardeners/computer uses.
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Just taking a short break from weeding - and it will be short as the weather is fantastic, the soil is moist and amongst the weeds I am discovering hundreds of Crocus seedlings, together with Pulsatilla seedlings. Life is good.
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I feel kind of happy today. I've been offered a job as a chugger but I hate chuggers. A chugger is a charity mugger that we have all encountered in in shopping centres trying to sell us Sky TV, Dogs Trust whatever, Wildlife Trust subscriptions and ... and ...
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I got this message from theOnionMan Mark McD yesterday....
"Today it is a splendid spring day, almost summer-like, 63 F (17 C) and
sunny, and after a long stretch of cold weather with plant growth held
back, with a couple days of warmth, plants are starting to sprout and
jump out of the ground... so satisfying."
Well, reason enough for Mark to be happy, I agree, but there is more reason for him to be happy and for us to be happy for him.... he has begun a new job 8)
Mark wrote ".... yes, I finally started a new job just 1 week ago, after 17 months unemployment. "
I had hoped he might find a new job that would not entail the tiresome commute that his old position had necessitated.... but no such luck:
"Funny thing, I was hoping for a job in any number of areas that would result in a better commute, but lo and behold, my new office is only 1/2 mile from my old office, so I get to enjoy the exact same 80-mile 3-hour round-trip commute each day, bit since I've done it for 20 yrs already, I guess it is manageable.
In my new job role, I am providing consultation work on-site in various offices for a couple days a week, a large part done in Boston, Massachusetts, and on those days the commute can be as much as 2-1/2 hrs. With the new role, comes tons of training, certifications, etc., so after getting home at about 8:00 PM on weeknights, I have no energy left to address the forums... back to the rat-race....
Thanks so much for the congrats. Even with the long commute hardship, the work is in an area that I know best, and I see strong potential and I'm feeling very positive about it overall.
Regards, Mark McD."
Seventeen months is an awfully long time to be looking for work and I'm sure you will all be as pleased for Mark as I am that he is back in employment, even if it means we will "see" less of him around here or in the NARGS forum.
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Good news for both Marks, I hope.
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Super Mark, very happy for you. And Boston's not such a bad place, some of the finest restaurants on the planet as you know. I could spend a year in Chinatown.
johnw
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That's excellent news for both Marks, but especially for theOnionMan. Unemployment is the cause of much despair in the world. I hope this job goes well for him. His family will be pleased too.
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Thanks everyone; I guess I'm back to being a weekend garden warrior. Thankfully I made good use of my freedom from work last year (2010) and hybridized the hey out of the epimediums, and sowed approximately 45 flats of seed. Starting yesterday, they are germinating like crazy. No sign of germination yet on a dozen flats of Iris cristata forms and Jeffersonia (attempted hybrids), but it is early yet. On the weekends I'll have to shift gears from running to marathon-sod-removal to make space for what might be several thousand seedlings.
ps: I have pinned my workplace location.
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ps: I have pinned my workplace location.
Just a hop away from Chinatown and Fanneuil Hall. :o
johnw
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Boston is a great city, I really like to visit, the problem is traffic can be (usually is) terrible. Finding parking is the worst, and very expensive. Tomorrow I'm heading down to an architectural firm in Providence, Rhode Island... the new week begins.
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Mark I wish you the very best for your new job and that it is everything you could hope for and that it is PERMANENT - or for as long as you want it. But I also hope you will have time to post on the Forum especially when your wonderful irises are out, the cristatss rossii and the others in that thread. :D
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Hi Mark
Great news but I second what Lesley said. Hope you still find the time to show us all your delights.
Angie :)
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Hi Mark
Great news but I second what Lesley said. Hope you still find the time to show us all your delights.
Angie :)
Thanks Angie and Lesley. It's not going to be easy, I'm on an intensive training cycle, and for at least 2 months it will mean lots of "homework" to learn enough to achieve certain certifications. But as time allows on weekends, I'll do my best to capture some good photos. :D
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Best of luck with it, Mark
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Hey folks you should have seen the sight I saw today. I haven't seen anything like it before. I stopped of at Ian and Maggi's garden today and I have never seen their garden look so good. I also have never seen so much plants in flower all at once. The ground was just covered, my eyes couldn't take everything in but all I can say is it was a sight that I will remember for a long time.
Wish everyone could have seen it today as it was so amazing.
Angie :)
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Oh, Angela, that's really nice of you to say that. Thank you! :-*
There's nothing like a bit of sun to bring out the flowers!
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Oh, Angela, that's really nice of you to say that. Thank you! :-*
There's nothing like a bit of sun to bring out the flowers!
You must have had a lot of sunshine because I have never seen so much in flower at once.
Amazing sight.
Angie :)
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Hi Angie,
where are the pictures?? we all want to see Maggi's garden. Oh, you don't carry your computer around with you. Hmm. That would explain it. - Have a great time. ;D ;D ;D
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Hi Angie,
where are the pictures?? we all want to see Maggi's garden. Oh, you don't carry your computer around with you. Hmm. That would explain it. - Have a great time. ;D ;D ;D
Look in Ian's Bulb Log, Maren... there are always garden shots there and there will be more in the newest diary, online later today!
Over ten years of pictures from our bulbs and garden since 2003 : http://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/index.php?log=bulb
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Hi Angie,
where are the pictures?? we all want to see Maggi's garden. Oh, you don't carry your computer around with you. Hmm. That would explain it. - Have a great time. ;D ;D ;D
Maren never had a camera but to be honest nothing would have done it justice. I am so lucky to have seen it at this time.
Angie
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It was a great tour Maggi, thanks a lot
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Thanks, Erika.... sorry there was no cake! :-[
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Thank you, Maggi, that's a real treat. :D
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Thanks, Erika.... sorry there was no cake! :-[
I had recoup myeself with Corydalis ‘Craigton Blue’ , Erythronium ‘Joanna’, Corydalis cashmeriana and so many others :-*
But I promise to create a cake named after Ian's flower graden ;D
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::) ::) According to today's newspaper the Danes are the happiest people in the world, followed closely by Canadians. Obviously this poll was not done during the winter of 2010/2011. ???
Another interesting tidbit on the radio last night, David Cameron has appointed 100+ new lords since taking office, bringing the total to +/-831. Any forumists amongst this distinguished lot?
johnw
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can you found Hungary on the list?
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Erika - Here's the only data I can find. Apparently they failed to mention Canada was tied with Sweden for second place.
http://news.nationalpost.com/2011/04/20/survey-says-canada-is-second-happiest-country-according-to-new-poll/ (http://news.nationalpost.com/2011/04/20/survey-says-canada-is-second-happiest-country-according-to-new-poll/)
johnw
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Another interesting tidbit on the radio last night, David Cameron has appointed 100+ new lords since taking office, bringing the total to +/-831. Any forumists amongst this distinguished lot?
johnw
With the state of the world's economy at the moment, I think we all qualify as "Lord Help Us"
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Erika - Here's the only data I can find. Apparently they failed to mention Canada was tied with Sweden for second place.
http://news.nationalpost.com/2011/04/20/survey-says-canada-is-second-happiest-country-according-to-new-poll/ (http://news.nationalpost.com/2011/04/20/survey-says-canada-is-second-happiest-country-according-to-new-poll/)
johnw
Thank you
there is only 14 people of 100 happy in Hungary - so you have the luck to know one of those rare persons ;D
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Now that's enough to make anyone happy ;D ;D ;D
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there is only 14 people of 100 happy in Hungary - so you have the luck to know one of those rare persons ;D
Indeed, I am delighted to know you Erika. And the other 13 I bet have sampled your cakes. ;)
johnw
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::) ::) According to today's newspaper the Danes are the happiest people in the world, followed closely by Canadians. Obviously this poll was not done during the winter of 2010/2011. ???
Another interesting tidbit on the radio last night, David Cameron has appointed 100+ new lords since taking office, bringing the total to +/-831. Any forumists amongst this distinguished lot?
johnw
Distinguished ??? ??? ??? ???
-
Distinguished ??? ??? ??? ???
Compared to the Canadian Senate, yes. ;)
johnw
-
Another interesting tidbit on the radio last night, David Cameron has appointed 100+ new lords since taking office, bringing the total to +/-831. Any forumists amongst this distinguished lot?
johnw
Good Lord! or perhaps not. ???
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I know some of you don't believe in God, but I do, and I will tell you why. For years I have been praying that the hedges between myself and both neighbours would die and it has finally happened, killed by the frost. Escallonia on one side and Grisellinia on the other,neither any good for wildlife.
I don't own either of them and have no hedges to cut this year. I am very happy. ;D ;D ;D ;D
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I know some of you don't believe in God, but I do, and I will tell you why. For years I have been praying that the hedges between myself and both neighbours would die and it has finally happened, killed by the frost. Escallonia on one side and Grisellinia on the other,neither any good for wildlife.
I don't own either of them and have no hedges to cut this year. I am very happy. ;D ;D ;D ;D
Wether or not we believe in god it's nice when something you wish for comes true. I will pray that all my plants that I love and think are dead will hopefully start to grow. :D
Angie :)
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I know some of you don't believe in God, but I do, and I will tell you why. For years I have been praying that the hedges between myself and both neighbours would die and it has finally happened, killed by the frost. Escallonia on one side and Grisellinia on the other,neither any good for wildlife.
I don't own either of them and have no hedges to cut this year. I am very happy. ;D ;D ;D ;D
I wish my neighbours Leylandii hedge would die. It cost £120 to have it trimmed - and before you say why don't you do it yourself I do not have a ldder tall enough and have no head for heights. Tried to persuade the tree surgeon to cut it hard back so that it would die, but he was too professional to do that.
Isn't there a fungus...
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No problem here with Leylandii, we had a professional gardener ??? a few years ago who went round the town and cut everyone one of them down to 6ft. They are all dead now and I am delighted,I was so excited when I saw the good job he was doing that I hadn't the heart to point out his mistake. Unfortunately he killed all to good conifers as well,cut them all into nice fancy shapes. ::)
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::) ::) According to today's newspaper the Danes are the happiest people in the world, followed closely by Canadians. Obviously this poll was not done during the winter of 2010/2011. ???
Another interesting tidbit on the radio last night, David Cameron has appointed 100+ new lords since taking office, bringing the total to +/-831. Any forumists amongst this distinguished lot?
johnw
More lords appointed than by any other (post war?) prime minister. Jobs for the boys. Rewarding your friends/cronies/paymasters. Nepotism? Call it what you will. Where's that guy when you need him? What's his name again? Ah yes, Fawks! ::)
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Just to end a lovely day by saying I am so happy that I joined this forum. Today I had some lovely members visit my garden. Folks from near and far. My garden in nothing special and to have members from as far as Australia and New- Zealand visit is great, something that I will remember for a long time. Maybe one day before I get to old I can make the journey to see their wonderful gardens and meet them all again.
I just think it is great to have made so many friends on this forum and to meet them personally was the icing on the cake.
Thanks to everyone for a wonderful day. Even the sun was shining today.
Looking forward to seeing and hearing all about the rest of your wonderful journey soon.
Angie :)
ps Maggi thanks for making this a great forum :-*
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Hi Angie,
I think it is about time you had a good look at your garden with a fresh pair of eyes. :) From the photos you have posted on the forum your garden looks fantastic and is certainly special. I think most of us take our own gardens for granted and don't give them the praise, or recognition, they deserve. :D
On being praised about our gardens I bet there are very few on the forum that haven't replied with the phrase " It's a shame you didn't see it last week - it looked much better then" :-X
Glad you had a great day.
Susan
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Angie,
you are way too modest!
Thanks for letting us see your garden and all the work you and Derek have done. I know you get a lot of joy out of your garden and we really enjoyed seeing it with you.
cheers
fermi
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Hi Susan
I always see other gardens looking prefect and wish I had my garden looking like that. I love gardening and I am not knowledgeable and make hundreds of mistakes but I do enjoy every minute I am out there. I just like my garden because it has so many things in it that were from family and friends, and they all have a little story to tell.
It's funny that saying, Its a shame you didn't see it last week, it looked much better. Every garden I have visited the owners have always said that.
I can imagine your garden is looking lovely, Darren has posted some amazing plants lately. Maybe one day I could visit it.
Hi Fermi
Thanks, that's really nice of you saying you enjoyed your visit. You are too nice. Derek said sorry he missed you. He finished my wall this evening, so I said I dont mind him going down to the golf driving range for a hour ;D
Enjoy the rest of you holiday.
Angie :)
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I was so happy that with a few teasers and set backs, it seems that spring has finally decided to stay in Michigan. Buds on Trilliums and Erythroniums are swelling. Hepatics in pots were in full bloom over the Easter weekend. It looks like this will be the spring that everything blooms all at once. I was even able to take pictures of Jeffersonia diphylla just opening up. Last year, they all bloomed and finished on one very warm day and I did not even get to take the pictures.
I just love this time of the year. Makes me so happy!
1-3 Hepatica acutiloba
4-5 Hepatica americana
6 Jeffersonia diphylla
7 Dicentra cucularia
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I've got my DOC permit to keep and breed NZ lizards and will get my first from a breeder next week! 8)
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Just popped out to the shops, flags and bunting everywhere ... I hadn't even realised that the World Cup had come around again!!!? ??? ??? ::) :P :o :-*
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Hot off the press ... the first image of the happy couple ...
Seriously, hearty congratulations to them both. I didn't intend watching the television today, but I must say that they did the nation proud and that dress was beautiful!
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Cliff I agree. She has such a genuine smile. The sun was shining and normally I am out in the garden but I just wanted to see the dress and she didn't disappoint.
Angie :)
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I see Princess Beatrice had Paul the octopus stuffed and made into a hat! :o
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Yes that hat was awful - wonder it stayed on.
Would hate to be a gardeners near the palace as it looked like some of the plantings might have to be replaced.
Some of the camera angles in the cathedral were pretty amazing.
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I was very happy yesterday ;D (but for reason have a very sore head and dry mouth today!)
(and that hat! Think she was trying to look like lady gaga)
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John love the pictures. Looks as if you were all having a great time. Proud to be British I think.
Angie :)
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Yes that hat was awful - wonder it stayed on.
Would hate to be a gardeners near the palace as it looked like some of the plantings might have to be replaced.
Some of the camera angles in the cathedral were pretty amazing.
I think the flowers inside the Abbey looked like the place had been left to go wild, and as for those lollipop trees in the Nave! Words fail me. ::)
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John, liked the haircut! ;D
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John, liked the haircut! ;D
All my own work too (with a little help from a roll of masking tape! ;D )
(no one seemed to notice that it was a French flag on my head! ;) )
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Thought the Princesses B and E looked like the original two ugly sisters from Cinderella. Ludicrous!
The new Duchess on the other hand was beautiful, dignified, gracious and obviously enjoying herself. Everything a future queen should be.
I was immensely impressed by the way the line of 8 or 9 horses then another line of police on foot, controlled the mad rush to Buck House, not a person trying to push or shove and everyone getting there in time and in a good humour. Left to themselves, there could have been many bodies in the crush.
All in all, an event put on as only the Brits can do it. Everything superbly organized and achieved with perfection.
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Thought the Princesses B and E looked like the original two ugly sisters from Cinderella. Ludicrous!
Lesley - Obviously their sense of decorum was maternally inherited. Was that a lyre or two on B.'s head? Could they not have found quiet seats for them in the crypt?
Splendid performance by everyone else especially the young choir members. And let us not forget the Abbey priest who managed two cartwheels in a cassock.
johnw
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Thought the Princesses B and E looked like the original two ugly sisters from Cinderella. Ludicrous!
The new Duchess on the other hand was beautiful, dignified, gracious and obviously enjoying herself. Everything a future queen should be.
I was immensely impressed by the way the line of 8 or 9 horses then another line of police on foot, controlled the mad rush to Buck House, not a person trying to push or shove and everyone getting there in time and in a good humour. Left to themselves, there could have been many bodies in the crush.
All in all, an event put on as only the Brits can do it. Everything superbly organized and achieved with perfection.
If we manufacture nothing else in this country today at least we can manufacture a sense of occasion when it's needed ;D
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Thought the Princesses B and E looked like the original two ugly sisters from Cinderella. Ludicrous!
The new Duchess on the other hand was beautiful, dignified, gracious and obviously enjoying herself. Everything a future queen should be.
I was immensely impressed by the way the line of 8 or 9 horses then another line of police on foot, controlled the mad rush to Buck House, not a person trying to push or shove and everyone getting there in time and in a good humour. Left to themselves, there could have been many bodies in the crush.
All in all, an event put on as only the Brits can do it. Everything superbly organized and achieved with perfection.
If we manufacture nothing else in this country today at least we can manufacture a sense of occasion when it's needed ;D
Hence the Pudsey Pig, Mr N.!!!! :D
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Won by an Aissie of course! ;D
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Won by an Aissie of course! ;D
... Or Aussie in English! ;D ;D ;D
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Oops! :P
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I got my geckos today! ;D
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What have you called them? ;D
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I got my geckos today! ;D
Looking forward to hear all about them. How many did you get.
Angie :)
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One came with the name Adam! I don't tend to name geckos. The tortoises I had to leave behind were Roly, Pebl, Rocky and Button! The new one has gone through various names but Koru seems to have stuck!
Looking forward to hear all about them. How many did you get.
Angie :)
I got six. A pair of Northland green geckos (Naultinus grayi); a juvenile pair of Auckland green geckos (N. elegans), but these are the bright yellow form and a pair of forest geckos (Hoplodactylus granulatus). I'll take pics once they've settled down.
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Found my picture of Charles, a tuatara, perched on my arm, yesterday. I'll have to have it scanned though.
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Found my picture of Charles, a tuatara, perched on my arm, yesterday. I'll have to have it scanned though.
A very suitable name. R'evolutionary. ;)
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what was all the red white and blue for? ;D Thankfully I was out all day although Fermi and Will made me watch some
John I noticed you had the colours the wrong way
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what was all the red white and blue for? ;D Thankfully I was out all day although Fermi and Will made me watch some
John I noticed you had the colours the wrong way
Red, white and blue are the Norwegian colours you know! Maybe somebody celebrated something somewhere ;D ;D
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It's raining :) :) :) :)
never thought I would post this in the happy thread :-X
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It's raining :) :) :) :)
never thought I would post this in the happy thread :-X
Hope it arrives here soon ;D ;D
Angie :)
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We're forecast with 25mm rain per hour today with the possibility of more tornadoes! :o
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Anthony,
may I ask, why did you move to New Zealand? was it for the weather, home from home ;)
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Anthony,
may I ask, why did you move to New Zealand? was it for the weather, home from home ;)
It's the temperature of the rain Maren. Here I am still in T-shirt, sandals and shorts. In Scotland the rain is cold or very cold. Very strange to see people similarly dressed but wearing knitted hats. The type that ties under the chin with or without the bobble on the top!
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It's raining here too, not so heavily, and between bouts of dog and frizzle, for the last several days. We've had maybe half a dozen hours of sunshine in the last two weeks. And certainly no shorts and t-shirts, for me anyway, thermals, long trousers, jerseys and jackets, raincoats and scarfs. Hats and gloves too. The wettest summer I can remember and autumn is more of the same. Only one frost so far, the day last week when we had sun to follow.
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It's now raining here. Saves me having to get the hosepipe out tomorrow :D
Angie :)
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It rained overnight - not a lot and I am hoping for more.
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It has been raining here,with a short break yesterday,since 5pm on Thursday. I remember last year when we had a two month drought at this time it then rained nearly everyday until the end of March this year.
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Glorious here this morning. First time I've noticed that there are hundreds of skinks on the decorative walls at the side of the "reserve" - well, two football pitches a few hundred metres north our our house. They look like the introduced rainbow skink (Lampropholis delicata), an egg-laying species from Australia.
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This is how my bone dry garden feels now it's raining ::) :) :D ;D :-*
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We have a lot of little brown skinks here, native I think, with fine stripes along their bodoes. And yes, hundreds I would suppose. Unfortunately Teddy counts them as fair game and I have to rescue many.
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That one is actually called the "common skink" (Oligosoma polychroma). It is found from south of Lake Rotorua in the North Island down the South Island except Fiordland but including Stewart Island. Like all New Zealand skinks (there may be one exception?) it is a live bearer. The rainbow skink is not found south of Hamilton, yet! It is illegal to release or even keep it in areas where it is not found.
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Well it's certainly very common around here and I have seen very tiny ones sometimes, so presumably they are the live babies, just barely off the bottle and out of nappies. ;D
I guess we'll have to wait for the rainbow skinks to take a hike southwards, of their own volition.
It is depressing to me that while I always knew I knew very little about our native fauna, it is now painfully obvious that I know nothing at all, and all because of an "incomer." ::)
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It's only because of my latest qualification Lesley: A W Darby IHRaB ::)
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That one stumps me Anthony. You'd better expand a little before Cliff or David come up with something rude. :D
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I Have Read a Book ;D
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My new fish. heron had my goldfish last week so though I would treat myself today, picture isn't good was in a hurry, scared the bag would burst.
He didn't look happy in the bag, but is already happily swimming about with his new buddies.
Angie :)
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Looking rather coy Angie. ;)
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I Have Read a Book ;D
Oh, thanks. And well done. ;D
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Just ordered today my new lean to greenhouse, 3.264m by 1.97m, on a dwarf wall will have a raised bed on the outside of it ;D
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We have had a rain shower, the first since February 23rd, very welcome but nowhere near enough :)
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(http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i76/arykana/th_cserp.jpg) (http://s69.photobucket.com/albums/i76/arykana/?action=view¤t=cserp.jpg)
I found this pot on the street at clearing out ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
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Gosh, you'd pay a fortune for a pot like that! :o
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Do you mean it had been put out for rubbish collection? :o
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;D ;D ;D yes, exactly what I had mean and yes, I would pay a fortune for it ;D ;D so, I still ;D ;D ;D
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Yes! the time is here - going to Austria ;D will bring you pictures ;D and chocolate /I will eat for you/ ;D
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Hope you have a wonderful holiday, Erika!
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A magnificent holiday in the Picos de Europa followed by an incredible acoustic performance by David Gray and his band at the Bridgewater Hall in Manchester last evening ... life is sweet. The only downside proved to be the traffic snarl-up on the way home made infinitely worse by the 'masses' leaving the City of Manchester Stadium after the Take That concert.
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A magnificent holiday in the Picos de Europa followed by an incredible acoustic performance by David Gray and his band at the Bridgewater Hall in Manchester last evening ... life is sweet. The only downside proved to be the traffic snarl-up on the way home made infinitely worse by the 'masses' leaving the City of Manchester Stadium after the Take That concert.
Great concert wasn't it Cliff and the M62 was terrible ;)
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A magnificent holiday in the Picos de Europa followed by an incredible acoustic performance by David Gray and his band at the Bridgewater Hall in Manchester last evening ... life is sweet. The only downside proved to be the traffic snarl-up on the way home made infinitely worse by the 'masses' leaving the City of Manchester Stadium after the Take That concert.
Great concert wasn't it Cliff and the M62 was terrible ;)
If I knew you were present I would have let you buy a round ... it's a heck of a long way from Devon? :D :D :D
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A magnificent holiday in the Picos de Europa followed by an incredible acoustic performance by David Gray and his band at the Bridgewater Hall in Manchester last evening ... life is sweet. The only downside proved to be the traffic snarl-up on the way home made infinitely worse by the 'masses' leaving the City of Manchester Stadium after the Take That concert.
Great concert wasn't it Cliff and the M62 was terrible ;)
If I knew you were present I would have let you buy a round ... it's a heck of a long way from Devon? :D :D :D
Visit to the homeland to see my brother and family in Huddersfield. I didn't know he had got tickets until we arrived early that afternoon. In my day Yorkshiremen were never allowed to buy a round in Lancashire! ;D
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A magnificent holiday in the Picos de Europa followed by an incredible acoustic performance by David Gray and his band at the Bridgewater Hall in Manchester last evening ... life is sweet. The only downside proved to be the traffic snarl-up on the way home made infinitely worse by the 'masses' leaving the City of Manchester Stadium after the Take That concert.
Great concert wasn't it Cliff and the M62 was terrible ;)
If I knew you were present I would have let you buy a round ... it's a heck of a long way from Devon? :D :D :D
Visit to the homeland to see my brother and family in Huddersfield. I didn't know he had got tickets until we arrived early that afternoon. In my day Yorkshiremen were never allowed to buy a round in Lancashire! ;D
They would have accepted euros ... ;D
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After years of delays, for one reason or another, today I finally took the architectural part of the planning permission application for the restoration of my "quinta" to the town hall!! When they are approved, I then have to add the "engineering plans" for approval and then the building can start! And where there is a house, there can be a garden :D :D It's all very exciting, and the architecture plans are (in the words of various friends of mine) fabulous!
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I can envisage garden tours within two years and visits by international garden/architectural delegations within three years! :D
Many congratulations Chloe ... remember to leave plenty of room for crevice gardens, troughs and gravel beds.
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Will you be doing B&B Chloe? ;D
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Will you be doing B&B Chloe? ;D
I do hope so............ :D
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Haven't I got nice friends, isn't it a lovely bench and a cake as well , what a gift and it isn't my birthday or anything.
Sorry the minute I uncovered the cake I had a slice and then I went to find my camera ::) ;D
Angie :)
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You are a lucky lady Angie, to get such lovely gifts. One for now, one to last. What flavour was the cake?
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Will you be doing B&B Chloe? ;D
I do hope so............ :D
There are a couple of bedrooms designed with that in mind :)
And plenty of room for almost anything in the garden - I won't say "more than enough room" because I know these things can be exponential ...
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You are a lucky lady Angie, to get such lovely gifts. One for now, one to last. What flavour was the cake?
Chocolate cake Lesley, and a few more slices have gone. My friends, Helen and Bill are downsizing so they won't need all their benches so they generously gave me one. They are moving to another SRGC members garden so they are also lucky as they are going to inherit some lovely things.
I sat on it today in the sun and enjoyed a slice of cake, pity you are so far away I would have easy shared it with you ;)
Angie :)
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Well I'm down-sizing too Angie, so Choc cake is off the menu - for now. ;D
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Like that one Lesley ;D ;D ;)
Angie :)
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Yippee, my first Narcissus seeds have sprouted: Nn. obsoletus and viridiflorus. ;D
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Yippee, my first Narcissus seeds have sprouted
Mine too! I sowed some mixed Narcissus spp seeds from Brian Duncan this year and they're coming up like hairs on a dog's back! 8)
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Follow this youtube link to some videos from a BBC TV programme that made me laugh out loud..... really good fun..... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhFkFXFr7NM
Thanks to Brian and David for the tip-off 8)
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Follow this link Ronnie Corbett has still got it! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAG39jKi0lI&feature=related
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Follow this youtube link to some videos from a BBC TV programme that made me laugh out loud..... really good fun..... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhFkFXFr7NM
Thanks to Brian and David for the tip-off 8)
Not at all Maggi, we must thank Pattie Peck, but I'm glad you enjoyed it as much as we did ;D ;D
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Aha! Thanks to Pattie Peck then, too. Does P.P. still live in Felixstowe?
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Hello, I'm new here so I could be in the wrong place, I was looking for a "Newbie" thread but couldn't find one. Sorry if it's wrong.
I found this site when I was looking for info about mini cyclamen and it looked so bright and cheerful with many lovely photos, so I was drawn in! If it's ok I may have to ask a question about my cyclamen later. I love flowers but am not a good gardener, but willing to learn :)
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Hi Dee, welcome!
There is a newbie thread somewhere in this huge forum, but this is just fine ;D
There will be heaps to delight the gardener in you around here..... we're flower mad!
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Aha! Thanks to Pattie Peck then, too. Does P.P. still live in Felixstowe?
Yes Maggi, she does.
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Dee,
Here's the "Let me introduce myself" topic..... http://www.srgc.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=12.0
Not easy to find, I just did a search based on my memory of the name of the topic, which for a change was correct. ;D
Welcome to our forum!! I hope you have a wonderful time. 8)
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Can't find a happy nervous concerned worried thread, so the 'I'm so happy thread' will have to do.
Mell set off on her month long trip to the himalayas today. I'm so happy she's going and jealous at the same time. Just know I wouldn't be able to do it though. She's been very nervous and quiet last couple of days but I'm sure she'll have a great experience.
The longest she's been away, Mum and Dad nervous but excited. I don't suppose there will be any plant pictures though.
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Oh Mick, I can quite believe that you and Mandy are feeling quite mixed up about Mell's trip... it's a long time away. Great opportunity for her to make such an adventure though and think of how wonderful it's going to be when she gets home! I hope she has a really wonderful time.
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She'll be just fine Mick. Wonderful to have such opportunities while still young and great to do it before she's old and her knees get cranky. ???
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It always baffled me that they called this comic "News of the World", but at last it is going. http://www.dawn.com/2011/07/07/britains-scandal-hit-news-of-the-world-to-shut.html No doubt, like the phoenix, another dreadful rag will rise from the ashes.
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My favourite Sunday morning read :'( :'(
It will rise again as the Sunday Sun. The name was registered on Tuesday
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I despair! ???
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And as Gerry (?) Prescott said, the workers lose their jobs but the top dogs responsible for it all go on, from strngth to stinking strength (my interpretation). That they should hack into phones is disgraceful enough but that they should have deleted some calls which could surely be relevant to a murder investigation, says clearly that they believe themselves to be God and well above the law.
Mark, try "Alice in Wonderland."
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Give them a fine from £1.000.000 first time
second £2.000.000
third £4.000.000
and so on
this will stop them
No more profit
Roland
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Good idea Roland but I think the fines would need to be in the 10s of millions to bother Murdoch! >:(
I am getting confused. I had a very nice note this morning from A Forumist who had had a loss of memory moment like mine and it turned out to be iron deficency for which she recommended the continued use of Chocolate cake. But I also had a note yesterday from a Forumist whose wife, he said, had lost 20kgs since January and men were again looking closely at her. Which course shall I follow? I have to admit the former is more likely. ::)
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It always baffled me that they called this comic "News of the World", but at last it is going. http://www.dawn.com/2011/07/07/britains-scandal-hit-news-of-the-world-to-shut.html No doubt, like the phoenix, another dreadful rag will rise from the ashes.
Its website has already been registered - "The Sun on Sunday". I can't wait.
Edit - Sorry, I didn't see Mark's post but he has the name wrong. That paper already exists.
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I can't wait.
Really?! :o I once read "The Sun" from cover to cover. That's a minute and a half of my life I won't get back! :-\
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I can't wait.
Really?! :o I once read "The Sun" from cover to cover. That's a minute and a half of my life I won't get back! :-\
Anthony - it's known as sarcasm.
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Much more to come on this one I think. I live in three hopes:
1. that Murdoch has at the end to make a grovelling apology.
2. that all of this shoots down his bid to buy the rest of BSB.
3. that it all costs him a substantial part of his ill-gotten fortune.
I did say I live in hopes.
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I can't wait.
Really?! :o I once read "The Sun" from cover to cover. That's a minute and a half of my life I won't get back! :-\
Anthony - it's known as sarcasm.
Hence my reply, misquoting Norman Stanley Fletcher.
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They can close them all as far as I am concerned as I haven't bought a newspaper in years.
There is two sides to every story and then there is the truth, and you seldom get the truth in a newspaper. :o
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Much more to come on this one I think. I live in three hopes:
1. that Murdoch has at the end to make a grovelling apology.
2. that all of this shoots down his bid to buy the rest of BSB.
3. that it all costs him a substantial part of his ill-gotten fortune.
I did say I live in hopes.
1. He (& his minions) will grovel & beat their breasts if it is expedient & good PR. It will mean nothing.
2. Unlikely on present showing.
3. Peanuts for him.
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You are almost certain to be right Gerry.
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Perhaps someone should invite him to go for a trip on a boat...............?
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Yes, I'd forgotten that. A fine way to get rid of lying, cheating press barons. ;D
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On that note - has anyone at News International checked their pension fund recently..?
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Back in the middle off last year i purchased an amount of Crocus, Allium and Colchicum seed from Marcus Harvey in Tassie,(Aussie).
All of the Crocus and Allium seed germinated earlier however i must admit I'd sort of given up on the two Colchicum sps.....(sorry Marcus :-[ ;D ).
With it snowing off and on since the weekend , bitterly cold winds and water lying everywhere work is at a standstill so I've been at home catching up on finally completing an article for the clubs bulletin 'The Rock Garden' as well as checking the cold frames where i moved all my seed trays to ,at the beginning of this month.
Well I'm happy ,(really happy :D), to report both Colchicum kesselringii and C.luteum sown 9/2010 are just sending out a small radicle.Unfortunately no pics as i don't want to disturb them any further.........
Just about in heaven--- Cheers Dave.
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.....With it snowing off and on since the weekend , bitterly cold winds and water lying everywhere work is at a standstill so I've been at home......
Wimp :P ;D
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;D ;D
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I've certainly not given up on my Colchicum seed and wouldn't ever as some take years, it seems to pull themselves together. My seed is from the same batch as yours Dave but was sown a bit later I think. Lots of others up and coming though.
We have snow on the ground this morning but not much. With luck there will be a lot more tonight and I'll be snowed in and unable to go to work tomorrow morning, leaving at 5.30am. Will warn my boss in case he has to get up early. ;D
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If you have snow
pack it together on the seedlings
many love the melting snow
especial if it is a lot
I make sometimes piles from over 50 cm high snow
some seeds germinate much better
Roland
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If you have snow
pack it together on the seedlings
many love the melting snow
especial if it is a lot
I make sometimes piles from over 50 cm high snow
some seeds germinate much better
Roland
Yes i had heard that Roland.Unfortunately the white stuff only lasts for about a couple of hours each time a front comes through.
I've certainly not given up on my Colchicum seed and wouldn't ever as some take years, it seems to pull themselves together. My seed is from the same batch as yours Dave but was sown a bit later I think
Yip that's been my experience generally as well ...however when i have sown C.luteum ,(the two ? times i was lucky enough to receive seed via seedxs they failed to germinate--i think i held the pots for 7 or 8 years before tipping the contents on the rock garden without any luck.......
Cheers Dave.
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I know the tip about piling snow on the pots is a good one. I've done it before with unexpected and beneficial results but I forgot about it this time until your post Roland, and now it's too late for this lot anyway. But I expect there will be more soon.
What I have also found is that some bulb seeds, presumably the slower ones, take much longer than we might think, to germinate fully. A few years ago I accidentally tipped over a pot of Iris zenaidae and found to my delight that under the grit which had fallen off, were half a dozen seedlings, i.e. the seeds were split and a new root was forming quite well. I carefully put the grit back on top and expected the seedlings to show through in a few days but in fact it was 3 months before the little shoots showed above the gritty surface.
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Mmm! There's always a huge pile of snow outside the local ice rink. 8)
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Yay! :D I've finished my chipping at last! All now safe in my current favourite piece of equipment, my Vitopod propagator. I'm not on a commission from the manufacturers, but I think it's great. It's big enough to take all my boxes of chipped bulbs at once, the height is adjustable by adding side layers, good ventilation if needed and thermostatically controlled to whatever temperature is required. Best of all, it comes apart and flat-packs when I've finished so it can be stashed in the loft.
The chips are in various little boxes (the most useful size are the cream-cheese cartons with transparent lids) in moist perlite, stacked inside black bin liners to keep out the light.
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That looks very promising Anne. I'm sure it could be adapted somehow to make ice-cream? ;D
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Hmmm... chocolate hazelnut gelato?? I wonder if it will go in reverse?
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I'm surprised that none of the other Aussies have mentioned Cadel's win in "La Tour" yet! (And Madame Moderator would surely have noticed ;D ;D )
Perhaps it's simply that they have finally been able to get an early night instead of staying up to all hours to watch what's been happening in daylight on the other side of the world?
cheers
fermi
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My Snowdrop parcel from Glen Chantry arrived yesterday.
Received ALL my picks and all bulbs are of the very best quality. :)
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My Snowdrop parcel from Glen Chantry arrived yesterday.
Received ALL my picks and all bulbs are of the very best quality. :)
They always are Arthur ;D
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I'm surprised that none of the other Aussies have mentioned Cadel's win in "La Tour" yet! (And Madame Moderator would surely have noticed ;D ;D )
Perhaps it's simply that they have finally been able to get an early night instead of staying up to all hours to watch what's been happening in daylight on the other side of the world?
cheers
fermi
I would have made mention of it myself, fermi, if I hadn't been so out of breath from following every kilometre of the race on the telly.... all those sprints and mountains are a bit of a strain at my age, y'know!
It was a super tour..... blokes being knocked off their bikes by motorcycles and French TV cars notwithstanding, I loved every minute. I was so pleased with the success of Mark Cavendish and his team and Cadel is a real scrapper! By the way, do you know if we should say his name to sound like Cadell or Caddle ( like paddle!) ... Ian and I chopped and changed all the time and ended up just calling him "Evans" !
I know there are a lot of us Europeans who are avid cycling fans, but I'm glad to hear that at least some of you folks down there are appreciating your boy's success!
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My Snowdrop parcel from Glen Chantry arrived yesterday.
Received ALL my picks and all bulbs are of the very best quality. :)
Having met those nice Sfolks, I'm not at all surprised.
Good to get parcels, isn't it? I got some snowies a little while ago, though not from a commercial source, and it was very nice indeed! 8)
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CAD + Al as in Al Capone is how it is pronounced here in Oz.
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CAD + Al as in Al Capone is how it is pronounced here in Oz.
Go figure!! Thanks Pat!
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I was rather pleased that Hamilton won the Grand Prix. Not a lot is made of that here ::) ::), but when Button wins, the press thinks he is the best since sliced bread. I prefer brown (sliced bread). ;) ;) ;)
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I was rather pleased that Hamilton won the Grand Prix. Not a lot is made of that here ::) ::), but when Button wins, the press thinks he is the best since sliced bread. I prefer brown (sliced bread). ;) ;) ;)
Don't say brown ... say H.... ! ;D
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My Snowdrop parcel from Glen Chantry arrived yesterday.
Received ALL my picks and all bulbs are of the very best quality. :)
They always are Arthur ;D
You and I know that Brian, now everyone should know :) ;D :)
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After some of the most yucky days here, with very cold winds and rain and generally horrible, non summery weather, it has been a lovely day today, here in Aberdeen. It has been warm and sunny and at this time of evening the sun is coming in my study window. Outside the indumentum on my Rhododendron bureauvii foliage is glowing in the low sunlight and the temperature in here is showing at 19 degrees C. Such luxury!!
I don't need my pashmina or gloves and I have rewarded myself with a nice summery drink.
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After some of the most yucky days here, with very cold winds and rain and generally horrible, non summery weather, it has been a lovely day today,here in Aberdeen. It has been warm and sunny and at this time of evening the sun is coming in my study window. Outside the indumentum on my Rhododendron bureauvii foliage is glowing in the low sunlight and the temperature in here is showing at 19 degrees C. Such luxury!!
I don't need my pashmina or gloves and I have rewarded myself with a nice summery drink.
Yes Maggi it's great. I have been out all day just enjoying the garden. Was so fed up of the miserable weather. Roll on more warm days. Enjoy your drink.
Angie :)
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funny place to put it I suppose but .....
today my car, (Bertha), decided to stop working properly. :'(
So why I have I mentioned it here not in the "moan" thread?
Managed to get home safely :)
the lad who lives across from us, identified / confirmed the problem (clutch) :)
he then contacted several mechanics for me to find someone who could look at her for me and has offered to tow her round there in the morning :)
and has offered to give me a lift, if needed, until she is fixed. :)
Nice to know good neighbours still exist ;D
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We'll look at the Moan, Moan thread when you get the bill for fixing it Susan. ::)
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I record my thanks to Alan Newton who spotted that Cecilia Coller had some pots of Eucomis Schijffii for sale at Tewkesbury. I have just rung her and she had one pot left ;D ;D ;D ;D
What lovely people there are on this forum 8)
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..and now I am happy as my order from Pitcairn Alpines has just arrived and I have Sanguinaria canadensis Star at last ;D ;D
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And I'm happy because I've just remembered that I am expecting an order from Pitcairn too! I'm afraid that several months down the line I forget everything, so these reminders come a pleasant surprises!
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I wondered why the postie had shoved a number of unaddressed leaflets through the letterbox today as he does not stop if he has no proper mail. WhenI went out to the greenhouse I found a small package from Pitcairn Alpines ( thanks Susan). Have written out the labels and will plant them tomorrow.
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Big row in New Zealand about the price of the new All Blacks rugby jersey. Official price = NZ$220 :o (NZ$180 in Rebel Sport). The argument Addidas put out is it is comparable in price to other sporting goods. True. The new Scotland top is also NZ$180 in Rebel Sport. Good job we got one for James shipped out from the UK, where they are £55 (~NZ$110, or half the price). ;D One of the arguments for them being cheaper in the UK is that the market for an All Blacks shirt would be less marketable there. We that really stands up to scrutiny, doesn't it?! Cross border agreements prevent places like the rugby shop (http://www.rugbystore.co.uk/collections/allblacks/all_blacks_home_rugby_shirt_ss_2011?gclid=CI3cscLesqoCFYolpAodwgvD9A) from sending to NZ, but there are web sites in the US that will. (http://www.worldrugbyshop.com/34519-bk.html) Interesting to note that it is Canterbury of New Zealand that make the Scotland tops, which are half the price in the UK! ::)
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I might be the last person on the planet to see this but if not, do yourself a favour......Jack Vidgin's audition for Australia's got talent.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjBfsrc71bE
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Last June we had the longest thunder and lightening storm ever. 47,000s strikes and it went on for the entire evening and into the early morning hours, no spacing between the flashes or the thunder - just continuous. That was the night of the disastrous Massachussett's tornado.
Last night an entirely different sort started at 19:15 and was still a raging hell at 00:45. A friend says it was still going on at 3:00. Started with extremely heavy rain mixed with pea-sized hail for 10 minutes and then a huge amount of rain. This was the variety of thunder that rocks the house from stem to stern, the kind they have in Ontario in the summer heat but those never last this long. Passengers were stuck on 25 planes that made it in for six hours as ground crews were not allowed outdoors.
Summer t&l is rare in the summer on the coast, usually in the winter and brief.
So why so happy? The pea-sized hail bounced off the Podophyllum leaves!
Now I hear we are on alert for another round today.
johnw
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I might be the last person on the planet to see this but if not, do yourself a favour......Jack Vidgin's audition for Australia's got talent.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjBfsrc71bE
Not the last person, Helen... I hadn't heard of the lad. This link is to a song he wrote himself.... gosh! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qStcYlEOpiU
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Good to see that the UK hasn't cornered the market in TV presenters who are all teeth and no trousers.
Sorry but he seemed a precocious child to me who at his age should be out climbing trees, fishing and throwing things at cats!
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My elderly cat caught her second mouse this year. Another one that will not eat my precious bulbs :) ;D :)
She announced her kill at 3.30 am by making a most dreadful noise - and leaving the mouse on the bedroom floor.
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I might be the last person on the planet to see this but if not, do yourself a favour......Jack Vidgin's audition for Australia's got talent.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjBfsrc71bE
My God! Australia's next Masterchef!
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I might be the last person on the planet to see this but if not, do yourself a favour......Jack Vidgin's audition for Australia's got talent.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjBfsrc71bE
Sorry, but when you compare this with the first time I heard the pure voice of Charlotte Church it really is not very good. Unfortunately, Ms Church has realised if you sing pop it's easy money, but a complete waste of her talent.
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Happy day today, warm sunny and I got a nice parcel from Kurt Vickery Monocot Bulbs.
All nice bulbs, packed nicely, names written that I can read. What more could I want, well maybe some White chocolate and it would make the perfect day.
Angie :)
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It hasn't been that warm and sunny on the other side of the river, Angela!
But I'm still happy.... got a package of bulbs from Susan Band at Pitcairn and discovered that my Rhododendron auriculatum has made four flowers! After nearly thirty years! I'm not just happy, I'm in SHOCK!
Weather over the last couple of days meant they snuck out without me seeing and the first two flower heads are already battered by the rain, but I'm really thrilled. Pictures on the Rhodo thread when I find where Ian has put the camera. :-\
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Maggi that's amazing the time you have had to wait for your Rhododendron auriculatum to flower but like they say sometimes things are worth the wait. Hope it doesn't take so long to flower again.
Babysitting tonight just got Lola off to bed ( she should have been asleep by 7pm ) and I shared all my white chocolate buttons, it will be a early up tomorrow morning.
Angie :)
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I too was happy to receive mypackage of bulbs from Pitcairn Alpines - excellent quality as always.
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Good luck everyone with your new plant parcels. Isn't it exciting to get new plants? :D Today at the market I found the old fashioned pure white double :) primrose. I've never seen it before. Luscious scent as well and packed with buds.
Believe it or not Angie, I DON'T like white chocolate. Only the chocolate-coloured kinds.
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I too was happy to receive mypackage of bulbs from Pitcairn Alpines - excellent quality as always.
...... and mine arrived yesterday.
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Lovely as it was to get my packages from Pitcairn Alpines and Buried Treasure, today I had an even better surprise, two unexpected snowdrop bulbs arrived in the post. Many thanks ;D ;D
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Lovely as it was to get my packages from Pitcairn Alpines and Buried Treasure, today I had an even better surprise, two unexpected snowdrop bulbs arrived in the post. Many thanks ;D ;D
We are like big kids getting all these parcels ;D ;) so happy.
Angie :)
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It hasn't been that warm and sunny on the other side of the river, Angela!
But I'm still happy.... discovered that my Rhododendron auriculatum has made four flowers! After nearly thirty years! I'm not just happy, I'm in SHOCK!
Weather over the last couple of days meant they snuck out without me seeing and the first two flower heads are already battered by the rain, but I'm really thrilled. Pictures on the Rhodo thread when I find where Ian has put the camera. :-\
Since the Forum attachment facility is still disabled while work is done, you can see the R. auriculatum flower in Ian's latest Bulb Log :D
http://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/logdir/2011Aug101312971183BULB_LOG__3211.pdf
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Our first grandchild, Olivia Louise, was born this morning at 9.35a.m. to our son, David, and his darling wife, Mary. Baby weighted 7lbs, is absolutely beautiful and it was such a great occasion to hold her today. Mother very well, though tired, and father is excited and delighted almost beyond bearing.
Paddy
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Congratulations Paddy 8) 8) 8) A big day for all the family
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Many congratulations Paddy, a lovely moment you'll remember for always.
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Wonderful news Paddy. Congratulations and every happiness to you all.
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To all your family, Paddy and to the Grandmama Mary and the proud parents, David and Mary, may Ian and I send you our fondest congratulations on the safe arrival of the beautiful Olivia Louise?
She looks to be a little smasher and I hope she has a long happy and healthy life. Such a lovely baby gives you all extra love and hope in your lives. Live long and prosper.... all of you! :-*
.....an afterthought..... you and Mary have sons, so a wee lassie is just a special treat, isn't she? Wonderful wonderful news!
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Many congratulations to all, Paddy !!
A day to remember !
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Many congratulations Paddy, wonderful news.
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A great event for your family Paddy, many congratulations to all participants. It sounds that while Mum and Dad are delighted and excited, Grandpa and no doubt Grandma are over the moon somewhere, on Cloud 9 maybe. Olivia Louise looks to be a real beauty. 8)
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Congratulations to you and your family, Paddy.
Olivia Louise looks very contented to be with Grandpop ;D
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Congrats, grand-Paddy! ;D
Much excitement for the whole family - not to mention grand-parenting duties like teaching the child to misbehave and relating stories of when their dad was a lad!
cheers
fermi
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Congratulations Paddy. A bundle of joy.
Angie :)
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Congratulations, Paddy! Lovely photo of the two of you!
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Congratulations, Paddy!! 8)
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Paddy, I know how happy and proud you must feel. That's how I felt after the birth of my first grandson earlier in the year. Gives you a strangely unique sense of continuity, doesn't it? Even more so than after the birth of your children, I found.
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Paddy - Now we know you are prone to passing along your beautiful babies to grateful forumists but I guess you won't be letting this one away! She's a beauty. Congratulations.
johnw
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Many congratulations to you and your family Paddy. There's no one quite as special as a grandchild, or three or four. May you share many wonderful and memorable occasions together. Each one more precious than the next.
Love and best wishes
Alan & Sherba
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Many thanks for all the good wishes which are really appreciated.
Today, Mary is much better, rested and recovering. Baby is feeding well and doing all the right baby things. David is more settled this morning, calmed down and relieved that baby has arrived safely and that Mary is well.
Grandfather and grandmother are both well, recovering from the travels and looking to travelling again. It is a wonderful occasion and we are delighted.
Paddy
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For any of the Forum "musos" and especially for Cliff as it will be treat for his ears, and may help his eyes too if he's not feeling to good yet.
Emily Smith-who I've mentioned before in these pages, Still We Dance On:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kpNI0WLKqs0&playnext=1&list=PL425DFF9A20B48E7B
British Sea Power-Man of Aran
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B0RAdfrQwvo
and
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2n-7K0Ef6Y&feature=relmfu
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How long Paddy, until you have the wee lass standing on a stool at the potting bench? :)
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For any of the Forum "musos" and especially for Cliff as it will be treat for his ears, and may help his eyes too if he's not feeling to good yet.
Emily Smith-who I've mentioned before in these pages, Still We Dance On:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kpNI0WLKqs0&playnext=1&list=PL425DFF9A20B48E7B
British Sea Power-Man of Aran
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B0RAdfrQwvo
and
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2n-7K0Ef6Y&feature=relmfu
Shostokovich's tenth was superb last night!
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Just read the news Paddy ... you must be SO thrilled ... HEARTIEST CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL CONCERNED!
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Ah, look what your good eye can see!
Yes, Cliff, we are truly delighted, first grandchild. Many thanks for your kind thoughts.
Lesley, I'm glad to say that our daughter-in-law enjoys gardening and this little girl will be introduced to the pleasures of gardening from an early age. On the other hand, our son avoids all gardening activities like the plague, citing allergy difficulties.
Paddy
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I'm SO HAPPY that Cliff is able to read the forum! Don't overdo it though, Cliff.... lie back with a cuppa and take it easy! You deserve it. Hope to goodness things went better this time and that all these eye problems are behind you.
Lots of love and get well cuddles, M
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How long Paddy, until you have the wee lass standing on a stool at the potting bench? :)
Great fun it is as well,last time i saw my smallest niece i had recieved that morning a box full of galanthus,i took her out and gave her some labels and she helped me write them out and they will stay in the ground with them even when i show people around my drops,it was a wonderful couple of hours spent.My grandsons are to small at the moment but can't wait to get them interested,congratulations Paddy,i wish your family well and good health. ;D
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I'm SO HAPPY that Cliff is able to read the forum! Don't overdo it though, Cliff.... lie back with a cuppa and take it easy! You deserve it. Hope to goodness things went better this time and that all these eye problems are behind you.
Lots of love and get well cuddles, M
Oh crumbs, just read Cliff's post here: http://www.srgc.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=6457.msg211255#msg211255 where I discover that the op was a painful as the last time.... but at least he seems positive about things.... caused by relief that it's all over, I expect! Poor Cliff... I do hope others don't have to suffer like this.
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I too was happy to receive mypackage of bulbs from Pitcairn Alpines - excellent quality as always.
Mine arrived yesterday ! :D :D :D
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We all seem to be so happy. I got another parcel a few days ago from Paul Cumbleton. Wonderful bulbs and he even put in more than I ordered. Nice chap :D
Angie :)
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I see that I've just become a hero (500 posts).
Must tell the family, they'll be so proud! ;D ;D ;D
Probably more like "You spend far too much time on that computer" ::)
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As many of us peter
for me Total time logged in: 7 days, 12 hours and 38 minutes :o
Don't ask Maggi
I think she is 24/24 and 7/7 on-line 8)
Roland
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A very good day - my daughter got a much anticipated new job, and on my son's birthday he sold his car and got the cast off his broken leg. :D :D
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Also, welcome to Valhalla, Peter.
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A very good day - my daughter got a much anticipated new job, and on my son's birthday he sold his car and got the cast off his broken leg. :D :D
That IS good, Anne..... congratulations and relief all round!
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AND I managed to persuade said son not to go into an enduro motorbiking competition 2 days after the cast came off...
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Anne,
Well that makes you a miracle worker!! :o
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John has done very well in his Leaving Certificate Examination - results out in last few days. This exam is equivalent to A-levels in the UK. He scored 545 out of a possible 600 and seems to be on line for his first choice at college, pharmacy at Trinity, Dublin. College offers come on Monday next.
Of course, we will then have the mad rush to secure accommodation for him and the inevitable big bills but it is well to be happy while we can.
Paddy
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Well done to John, you must be very pleased Paddy.
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My goodness, more reasons to celebrate in the Tobin household! Excellent news and my warmest congratulations to John on his success. I wish him well in his further studies and future career.
Thinks....... pharmacist, eh? With the average age and habits of the Forumists , we could really do with a pharmacist on hand.... ::) ;) ;D
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I'm hoping to have all my future drug needs satisfied. Paddy
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Congratulations to John, Paddy.
Know the feeling of sorting accommodation etc. Mel got her place at Leeds for Building Surveying this week, the screams of delight when she found out said it all.
Mandy is busy searching for financial records for the student loan as I type.
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Well done, Mel!
I know it's all pretty stressful for you parents sorting out all the bits and bobs for your Student offspring..... but it is so exciting a time...... great for us onlookers just to have the pleasure of offering congratulations without any of the other stuff! ;)
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Congratulations from me too. As a parent I'm pretty glad my two are well past University now, not a particularly good time to be starting in England now and will be much worse next year.
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Well done to Mel.
The form filling has been done here but still waiting for decisions.
Paddy
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Congratulations from me too. As a parent I'm pretty glad my two are well past University now, not a particularly good time to be starting in England now and will be much worse next year.
Don't I know it! Our son will (if he achieves his A-level targets, and seems on course to following his AS results) be going to uni next year just as the fees increase massively.
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New Zealand is raising the university entry level qualification requirements for James's year group in order to reduce places by 20%!
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Well done John and Mel and it is just all go at your house Paddy . We also have some of the inevitable big bills to come .
Our daughter, Fiona , has won a 3 year scholarship to study business at a university in Tokyo , which is really cool . Her fees are paid for but there are some ongoing expenses for the parents .
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AND I managed to persuade said son not to go into an enduro motorbiking competition 2 days after the cast came off...
This sounds vaguely familiar except that my own attempts at persuasion were NOT successful. However, he's still alive! and will be 40 in a week, so maybe sense will prevail - sometime.
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i was bought as a present a pair of bergaus gortex walking boots,very chuffed....but how do i look after them wax or polish,i understand there are alot of walkers here so i would be glad of some advice please.
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Seeds are dry and packet Davey
Roland
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My last pair of walking boots (goretex, inside a fabric/suede upper) received nothing more than a brush over to get the mud off. They never leaked until I wore through the soles, when I went out and bought another pair exactly the same as they were also extremely comfortable. :D
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My last pair of walking boots (goretex, inside a fabric/suede upper) received nothing more than a brush over to get the mud off. They never leaked until I wore through the soles, when I went out and bought another pair exactly the same as they were also extremely comfortable. :D
Cheers Peter and thank you Roland
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Some dear friends of mine have been wonderfully babysitting many of my plants for a long time and today we had a repotting session. And I took the opportunity to finally list all the plants that they are looking after (where possible - some have lost/never had labels) - so "Yes!!! I'm So Happy" with this weird and wonderful collection of mainly shrubs and trees - some 90 of which were repotted today!! :D :o
(Word doc with plant list attached)
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Merciful heavens, Chloe, that's quite a list... and some of those plants must have needed quite big pots... you must be exhausted ?
I'm guessing that these are some of the plants you've been tempted to at the plant fairs of the last few years??
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Today after leaving the pet shop with a really large sack of dog food this YOUNG, HANDSOME chap approached me and asked if he could carry my bag to the car. I replied no but thank you very much for the offer. Getting in my car reality hit home this lovely young man had just seen this nearly pensionable woman struggling with a sack of dog food and felt sorry for her. Oh well it's nice to think that a good looking chap would offer to help.
Maggi it was the next street to you. Nice to know that you have nice friendly folks beside you.
Angie :)
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Today after leaving the pet shop with a really large sack of dog food this YOUNG, HANDSOME chap approached me and asked if he could carry my bag to the car. I replied no but thank you very much for the offer. Getting in my car reality hit home this lovely young man had just seen this nearly pensionable woman struggling with a sack of dog food and felt sorry for her. Oh well it's nice to think that a good looking chap would offer to help.
Maggi it was the next street to you. Nice to know that you have nice friendly folks beside you.
Angie :)
Was it IAN YOUNG, HANDSOME chap perhaps??? :D
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I accept any such offers nowadays, whether they're young and handsome or not, or whether they're as cranky in the knees as I am. ???
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Must be the time of year when young men do this kind of thing? ;)
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Off to my first Leeds festival tomorrow at the ripe old age of 58. Mandy wanted to go to one before she reached the big 50.
Mel is cringing at the thought of bumping into us.
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You join another august body of men then Mick! ;D The Rolling Stones at Roundhay Park in the early 80s comes to mind.
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You join another august body of men then Mick! ;D The Rolling Stones at Roundhay Park in the early 80s comes to mind.
Sorry, it must be the eyesight, Anthony, I thought you wrote "The Rolling Stones in their early 80s" ;D ;D ;D
cheers
fermi
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Cliff if Ian had seen me he would have offered to take my sack of dog food to the car. Another handsome gentleman as Maggi already knows ;)
Off to my first Leeds festival tomorrow at the ripe old age of 58. Mandy wanted to go to one before she reached the big 50.
Mel is cringing at the thought of bumping into us.
You are only as old as you feel. So live life to the full ;D We all will get to the age soon enough that we can't bend down to pick that weed out of the border.
Angie :)
Angie :)
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You are only as old as you feel. So live life to the full ;D We all will get to the age soon enough that we can't bend down to pick that weed out of the border.
David ... are you listening? Angie is talking to you! ::)
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You join another august body of men then Mick! ;D The Rolling Stones at Roundhay Park in the early 80s comes to mind.
Sorry, it must be the eyesight, Anthony, I thought you wrote "The Rolling Stones in their early 80s" ;D ;D ;D
cheers
fermi
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8Y6EEWXwRU
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....... We all will get to the age soon enough that we can't bend down to pick that weed out of the border.
David ... are you listening? Angie is talking to you! ::)
I was Cliff, but I'm "clean" now, strictly a Sanatogen man ;D
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....... We all will get to the age soon enough that we can't bend down to pick that weed out of the border.
David ... are you listening? Angie is talking to you! ::)
I was Cliff, but I'm "clean" now, strictly a Sanatogen man ;D
;D ;D ;)
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Cliff that's not nice :o ;D but David knows I didn't mean him. You all make me smile so much.
Angie :)
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The Widow Twankey and Peter Pan of the Forum Angie and I'll leave you to guess which of us is which ;D
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Yes my plants from Pitcarn arrived save too
with the Trillium albidum I am looking for sins a long time
If one of you know some more for sale
I need more for a customer
Roland
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Yes my plants from Pitcarn arrived save too
with the Trillium albidum I am looking for sins a long time
If one of you know some more for sale
I need more for a customer
Roland
Sorry Roland, I don't know many nurseries selling these trillium
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The most stupid thing is
I bought 200 Trillium albidum seedlings in America
the lady phoned me after she heard I was after them
and I have no name,address or phone number :'(
shit happens
OOOOO Sorry
this doesn't belong in the YES!!! The "I'm So Happy!" thread
Roland
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A few more for the "musos"
Cat Power: a familiar song with an even more familiar introduction, the late and very much lamented......
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1B9ELipGj7Y&feature=related
One I think may be familiar in Aberdeen-Roddy Woomble
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32FiilVFNnc
The Low Anthem: Ghost Woman Blues
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NT3LbumWFIA
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Superb, David ...
One from me, with volume raised please ...
http://www.raylamontagne.com/uk/news/ray-lamontagne-performs-rock-roll-and-radio-jools-holland
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Yvonne is back home. ;D
False alarm, she's still on the loose and the authorities have thrown in the towel. :'(
johnw
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John, your interest in global news stories is truly amazing.....
http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2011/08/29/140036762/freedom-for-yvonne-germanys-runaway-cow-search-called-off
Never let it be said that the Forumists are a narrow minded bunch of alpine plant freaks! ;D
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Has Paul T anything to add? ???
;D
cheers
fermi
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My daughter, Yvonne with her Friesian foal, Ben. Pity he's not in focus.
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John, your interest in global news stories is truly amazing.....
http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2011/08/29/140036762/freedom-for-yvonne-germanys-runaway-cow-search-called-off
The CBC's has been updating us almost daily on poor Yvonne. Imagine a 10,000 Euro reward for her capture. Maggi you'll find it's easier to identify snowdrops by their markings than cows, so I don't expect to be collecting - the euros that is.
BTW CBC's "As It Happens" is well know for following bizarre stories and usually the UK figures prominently.
johnw
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I hesitated to comment at all because a recent NZ Forumist hasn't mentioned his wife for a while and I wondered if she had flown the marital coop and had landed in NS and the local authorities had given up looking for her, the situation being termed " a domestic." ;D
So pleased to be very wrong here, and delighted for the Yvonne in question. She looks a very nice - and assertive - cow.
Funny how these animal stories go global so thoroughly. Our own "Happy Feet" (poor sod) the penguin who washed up on a Wellington beach, and after several near death experiences as a result of eating sand under the impression it was food or snow, and after operations to clean him out, and weeks of TLC at Wellington zoo, had the global press present a couple of says ago to farewell him on a ship back south. He is to be released near Campbell Island or thereabouts, only about half way between NZ and the Antarctic so whether he'll have enough homing instinct to land back with his chums, is anyone's guess. But he has a transmitting device attached so it should become apparent whether or not he makes it. The transmitter will fall off when he next moults.
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;D ;D ;D
I found a seedling up in a pot labelled "Gymnospermium albertii" sown last year! Now to keep it alive and get it to flowering size!
cheers
fermi
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I hesitated to comment at all because a recent NZ Forumist hasn't mentioned his wife for a while and I wondered if she had flown the marital coop and had landed in NS and the local authorities had given up looking for her, the situation being termed " a domestic." ;D
You may very well think that but I couldn't possibly comment
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Since coming to New Zealand I have really got into that series "Bones".
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My friends Helen & Bill Mcgregor ( SRGC members ) are moving house and they have a tiny pond full of fish, they didn't want to leave the fish as the pond was to overstocked. After a few attempts of trying to catch the fish we decided to remove the water lily as this took up nearly all the pond. Guess who got it. I am so happy, you wouldn't believe how hard it is for me to get water lilies established in my pond. Lovely friends aren't they. Oh managed to catch lots of fish once we removed the obstruction.
Here is my water lily now I have to get it into my pond.
Angie :D :)
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Angie I read your last sentence as you now had the water lily in the pond - uhm pretty small pond till I realised what it really said. ::)
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Since coming to New Zealand I have really got into that series "Bones".
I don't watch it myself, but somehow I have the feeling that I may be in physical danger. ;D
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Here is my water lily now I have to get it into my pond.
Angie :D :)
I read it same as you did Pat. I'm getting old but you don't have that excuse. ;D
Angie, quite apart from the waterlily, and it certainly looks like a big, strong and healthy plant, I see you have a very good eye for colour combinations. I very much like the mix of pale green (variegated?) euphorbia and the rich brown plant in a pot behind the lily. What is that plant please? The combo looks very good. I love green but also love all the other leafy colours which add so much interest to our gardens.
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Angie I read your last sentence as you now had the water lily in the pond - uhm pretty small pond till I realised what it really said. ::)
Pat the pond that it came out of wasn't much bigger than the blue container.
Lesley it's a Dahlia. It was on a bargain bench for £1, no name I just liked it for the colour of it's leaves, it has a lemon flower.
Lily in pond, what a weight it was. Lowering it down was hard work. Never fell in this time. I hope we get some sunshine next year for it to flower.
Angie :)
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Yvonne DID come home today! ;D
johnw
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Where, precisely, is home and will she be sent off again? >:( Or maybe lauded like Paul the octopus (who came to a sticky end anyway, didn't he?)
Angie I wondered about a dahlia but wasn't sure. There are quite a few dark-leaved cultivars around in NZ now, mostly dwarf, and bred in Auckland. My own favourite though, is 'The Bishop of Llandaff' which will grow to 2 metres! It's a single, scarlet.
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Where, precisely, is home and will she be sent off again? >:
She's presently at the farm she invaded but decided to stay. Tomorrow she's off to the Gut Aiderbichl animal sanctuary and will be joined by her beloved son. She will not be Bavarian wurst.
johnw
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Well that's excellent news John. :D
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Since coming to New Zealand I have really got into that series "Bones".
I don't watch it myself, but somehow I have the feeling that I may be in physical danger. ;D
Then I would recommend "Downton Abbey". The music was composed by a school friend (John Lunn) from Bridge of Allan.
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"Downton Abbey" I enjoyed very much. I see they're repeating it but I hope that is a lead in to a second series.
Perhaps I should try "Bones" as I've real all, I think of the Kathy Reichs books and enjoyed those too, more so than Patricia Cornwall's. Wish Reginald Hill had written five times as many.
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"Downton Abbey" I enjoyed very much. I see they're repeating it but I hope that is a lead in to a second series.
Series two starts next month. ;D
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Two videos to put a smile on your face
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOWlXvQ2r0Q&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JmA2ClUvUY&NR=1
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The Trillium albidum lady phoned
and she arrives normally with the Trilliums
Arrive: 6:55am Paris, France Paris Ch. De Gaulle (CDG)
(http://www.smileyland.nl/smilies/images/smilies/Bloemen/Spring001(1).gif)
Roland
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These made me think and laugh - hope they do the same for you.
If you're not familiar with the work of Steven Wright, he's the famous erudite scientist who once said:
"I woke up one morning, and all of my stuff had been stolen and replaced by exact duplicates."
His mind sees things differently than most of us do. . .
Here are some of his gems:
• I'd kill for a Nobel Peace Prize.
• Borrow money from pessimists -- they don't expect it back.
• Half the people you know are below average.
• 99% of lawyers give the rest a bad name.
• 82.7% of all statistics are made up on the spot.
• A conscience is what hurts when all your other parts feel so good.
• A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory.
• If you want the rainbow, you got to put up with the rain.
• All those who believe in psycho kinesis, raise my hand.
• The early bird may get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese
• I almost had a psychic girlfriend, ...... but she left me before we met.
• OK, so what's the speed of dark?
• How do you tell when you're out of invisible ink?
• If everything seems to be going well, you have obviously overlooked something.
• Depression is merely anger without enthusiasm.
• When everything is coming your way, you're in the wrong lane.
• Ambition is a poor excuse for not having enough sense to be lazy.
• Hard work pays off in the future; laziness pays off now.
• I intend to live forever.... so far, so good.
• If Barbie is so popular, why do you have to buy her friends?
• Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines.
• What happens if you get scared half to death twice?
• My mechanic told me, "I couldn't repair your brakes, so I made your horn louder."
• Why do psychics have to ask you for your name?
• If at first you don't succeed, destroy all evidence that you tried.
• A conclusion is the place where you got tired of thinking..
• Experience is something you don't get until just after you need it.
• The hardness of the butter is proportional to the softness of the bread
• To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism; to steal from many is research.
• The problem with the gene pool is that there is no lifeguard.
• The sooner you fall behind, the more time you'll have to catch up.
• The colder the x-ray table, the more of your body is required to be on it.
• Everyone has a photographic memory; some just don't have film.
• If at first you don't succeed, skydiving is not for you.
• If your car could travel at the speed of light, would your headlights work
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I was at Pakuranga Rugby Club this afternoon. ;D http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3f_YMStrJ5E
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A very fine week here:
mid 20c days and brilliant sunshine
sitting outside at midnight in 20c weather eating pie made with local peaches
finding Cambodian salad rolls at the market this morning
johnw
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You had a good view Anthony, considering there were more than 5000 people there apparently. Guess you'll be supporting the Scots or the English though? ;D
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I've just noticed that the latest member is Ali Baba ... well, that certainly complements the rest of us!!! ;D
Welcome Ali ... and thanks for the laugh!
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You had a good view Anthony, considering there were more than 5000 people there apparently. Guess you'll be supporting the Scots or the English though? ;D
Didn't take that video, but the children got some autographs.
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I've just noticed that the latest member is Ali Baba ... well, that certainly complements the rest of us!!! ;D
Welcome Ali ... and thanks for the laugh!
Not sure that he compliments us though. :-\
Ah Sonny Bill. I don't think that young man has a great deal of commitment to the All Blacks. Too many irons in the fire.
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It has rained here in Berea for the past 24 hours. Life couldn't be better !!!!!!!! This is our first rain in 25 days and only the second since the beginning of August. Temps have dropped from 90 plus degrees to 65 degrees. Christmas came early.
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I've just noticed that the latest member is Ali Baba ... well, that certainly complements the rest of us!!! ;D
Welcome Ali ... and thanks for the laugh!
Not sure that he compliments us though. :-\
Ah Sonny Bill. I don't think that young man has a great deal of commitment to the All Blacks. Too many irons in the fire.
How about this young man?
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Committed? He'd better be, and not to a mental institiution.
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A little more for the "musos" out there:-
Steady Rollin' by Two Gallants
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2AWCRkcCKm8
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Oh!, and I forgot to add this:-
Alexi Murdoch-"It's Only Fear"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RrMMcdhAXhY&feature=related
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In two weeks I will have a walled garden front and back. My neighbour removed the dead dividing hedge at the front and back today and is going to build a wall, so I don't have any hedges to cut.(The frost last winter killed all the hedges round here) ;D ;D ;D ;D Anyone like 3 hedge trimmers for free. ;D ;D ;D
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..... but will it keep the cats out Michael? ;D
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They will not have as much traction and the dog will catch them. ;D ;D ;D
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Yay! Go dogs! I've been weeding this week and have discovered a cat mine almost every square metre. :(
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You have my sympathies Anne, it's an on-going chore for me having neither walls nor hedges in my front garden
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Just got my visa to China, 70 days, so no need to hassle with getting an extension in-country ;D
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For David ... and the 'musos' ...
http://www.myspace.com/madslanger/music/songs/death-has-fallen-in-love-83230540
Anything by Mads Langer.
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Just got my visa to China, 70 days, so no need to hassle with getting an extension in-country ;D
Happy trails!!
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I must share my cloud nine in plant world. Today I revisited an elderly lady who has some very old rose plants in her garden - they were huge plants when she bought the place in 1956. The rose that is extra special we call "Mrs Good's Special Tea" - it covers an area of at least 6m x 3m where stems have hit ground and rooted. This particular Tea rose hasn't been found anywhere else in Australia and we believe it may be 'Marquise de Vivens' from 1885 from Dubreuil. A plant is now in France and from there it will possibly then journey to the US. Mrs Good has been given some photocopies of articles that mention her rose and she rang the other day to say that the rose was in flower.
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My word! That is pretty.... but are you sure it is a rose and not a small country?! ;D 8)
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For David ... and the 'musos' ...
http://www.myspace.com/madslanger/music/songs/death-has-fallen-in-love-83230540
Anything by Mads Langer.
Cliff, HELP I can't get anything to play?
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My apologies to Todd.
... And it's not even 1st April ...!!!! ;D
See below ...
Researchers from UBC Botanical Garden and Japan’s Chiba University are collaborating on a study entitled, “Cross-cultural Analysis of Eye Movement During the Inspection of Several Types of Landscape Trees”
We are seeking interested Western-raised adults to volunteer up to 60 minutes of their time to participate in this eye-movement study on how Japanese pruned plants vs. Western pruned plants are “seen”.
Participants must be:
between the ages of 18 and 59 inclusive
raised in a Western country (preferably, but not exclusively, Canada) since the age of 3
able to see a distance of 1.5m and recognize objects without eyeglasses or hard contacts
If you complete the study, we’ll compensate you with a Greenheart Canopy Walkway Pass to use or give to a friend (value $12 CAD).
The study will take place between September 26 and October 2, 2011 inclusive, from 9am to 5pm.
Location of the study will be in “Gail’s Abode” aka the Panabode aka the Botanical Garden Scholar’s Retreat at the old entrance to UBC Botanical Garden.
For more information (including a copy of the consent form for you to preview) and / or to schedule a timeslot, visit http://www.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/eyestudy/
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For David ... and the 'musos' ...
http://www.myspace.com/madslanger/music/songs/death-has-fallen-in-love-83230540
Anything by Mads Langer.
Cliff, HELP I can't get anything to play?
David, press the arrow next to Released. A new window will open ... allow a minute to load then it should start automatically.
Try other songs on You-Tube please ... he is excellent.
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I must share my cloud nine in plant world. Today I revisited an elderly lady who has some very old rose plants in her garden - they were huge plants when she bought the place in 1956. The rose that is extra special we call "Mrs Good's Special Tea" - it covers an area of at least 6m x 3m where stems have hit ground and rooted. This particular Tea rose hasn't been found anywhere else in Australia and we believe it may be 'Marquise de Vivens' from 1885 from Dubreuil. A plant is now in France and from there it will possibly then journey to the US. Mrs Good has been given some photocopies of articles that mention her rose and she rang the other day to say that the rose was in flower.
What a wonderful find Pat and how exciting if it is the "real thing" and can be re-introduced to its country of origin then elsewhere.
I wish someone would discover a second Beethoven Violin Concerto.
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Why? Don't you like his first attempt??
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;D ;D ;D
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Oh yes, definitely. I wish he'd written a dozen! 8)
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In this morning's post, an envelope containing a little Salvia seed, from Chris Boulby. Thanks so much Chris, I'll get it sown this afternoon with some others that have been accumulatimng. However, what makes me really happy is this delightful card which enclosed the seed, and painted by Chris herself. It is a little gem and one I'll keep always among the small treasures that I have gathered up over very many years. It is Narcissus tazetta ssp lacticolor. I'm thrilled to have this Chris.
[attachthumb=1]
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Talented lot these forum members :D
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Does Chris sell the cards I wonder. Always good to find extra special cards
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We must get happier. The Moans have 46 pages and the Happies are behind. Think of something that makes you, and maybe us, happy and tell us about it. I noticed today all my Cymbidiums that were oversummered in the garden, are showing shoots that will develop into flower spikes, probably some by Christmas. That warms the cockles of my heart. :) :) :)
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This came as seed of a bulb from the seed exchange. I would never have thought that I could grow an auricula - but here is "proof in the pudding". I have never really 'looked' at Auriculas as I had dismissed them as too hard here, so now with this success I am thinking what others should I try. Any name for this one?
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I was given two small Liriodendron tulipifera in pots and they got a touch of heat stroke, but both are now resprouting beautifully. And my Miniature Bulbs narcissi-to-Newcastle order arrived today. So I'm happy! :D
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After almost a year unemployed I have a new job. No start date yet. It's basically a shelf stacker for Asda but they encourage people to quickly become supervisors
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Great news Mark !!!
So happy for you !! The best of luck on the new job !!
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This came as seed of a bulb from the seed exchange.............
Pat, was that a typo, Auriculas (Primulas) ain't bulbous. If the seed came from a named Auricula then your plant is going to be ever so slightly different as they don't come true from seed. You can give it any name you like, what about 'Little Miss Sunshine' ;D
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Well done Mark, there should be lots of opportunity for advancement with Asda.
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David the seed was labelled Albuca shawii - I planted it even though it wasn't right. Like my one time of being burnt on ebay when I received seed that I knew was not an onco. I planted the seed to see what they were - one was a holly hock (that was easy from the seed) and the other a salvia - regular sage.
I just thought it might be a regular species of Auricula hence the question. Possibly isn't - all speculation!
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Well done Mark. My son did that for a while and he'd never been so fit. :)
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Four interpretations of one of my favourite songs.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VUBDg4icUI4 Florence Welch from Florence and the Machine
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6_YJBODDys Julie London
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vP8hJ__SzJI&feature=related Yvette Johansson
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKSGkfUMPU0 Buffalo Ridge Jazz Band
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Pat, David's right, your auricula is probably a hybrid but it looks very close to 'Broadwell Gold' (which you musn't call it), one of the very finest hybrids of all raised by the late Joe Elliott of Broadwell Alpines, no longer in existence. It looks a beauty - and have you sniffed at it yet? :D
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I'm very happy too because I have found a use for the little brown plastic phials that come, one per packet, with the packeted sachets of Nestle cappucino coffee, to which I've recently taken a shine. These tubes have holes in the top and a flip lid and contain the chocolate powder which is shaken onto the mixed coffee. When empty I am now washing them out and carefully draining then drying then - standing them in a sunny place - then filling them with salt. I have 4 so far.
Why I'm happy about this is because I get terrible - excrutiating - cramp in my legs, anywhere from top of them to my toes and the quickest, or only cure is to swallow a little salt, about a quarter tsp, with water. The cramp goes within 30 seconds. I keep one by my bed, one in my handbag, one in a tatty jacket pocket and the other has a roving brief at present. But I'll prepare a couple more as well.
I eat masses of bananas which make no difference, I've tried 3 separate drugs from the doctor, no difference so have given up trying to find a preventive. I walk about 3 kms per day and get plenty leg exercise around the garden as well. So salt it is.
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I'm very happy too, because a friend who was able to go up to the NZAGS Show, was able to buy for me a plant of Podophyllum 'Spotty Dotty.' I had it before, gave some away then lost the rest. This one already is in bud. :D'
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Lesley sniffing was one of the first things I did as I had always read that primulas have a lovely scent - and now I know primula scent :) :)
Yes I do know that you don't give the parent cultivar name - ever on seedlings.
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Sorry Pat, I didn't mean to suggest you may not know you mustn't. It just annoys me no end when I send seed in to the lists with ...ex a cultivar name and have the seed list people omit the ex, suggesting the seed will come true and IS that plant. Even if it looks exactly similar, the genes are different to some extent so it can't be the same plant.
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Leslie
I suffered badly from leg cramps and my doctor prescribed Quinine Sulphate tablets - one to be taken at bedtime. Since then -no problems
Why I'm happy about this is because I get terrible - excrutiating - cramp in my legs, anywhere from top of them to my toes and the quickest, or only cure is to swallow a little salt, about a quarter tsp, with water. The cramp goes within 30 seconds. I keep one by my bed, one in my handbag, one in a tatty jacket pocket and the other has a roving brief at present. But I'll prepare a couple more as well.
I eat masses of bananas which make no difference, I've tried 3 separate drugs from the doctor, no difference so have given up trying to find a preventive. I walk about 3 kms per day and get plenty leg exercise around the garden as well. So salt it is.
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Thanks Tom, I'll suggest that to my doc next time I see him though if I remember rightly, and it's 6 or 7 years ago now, quinine was the first thing I tried with minimal results. The other two drugs also seemed to work well for a couple of months but less and less as I continued to take them. Roger is tired of me waking in the night screaming and shouting!
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This weekend was our very small Otago Alpine Garden Group Show, held in conjunction with the local Hort Soc and the daffodil show.
One first, 3 seconds, a third and two unplaced. I'm happy with that. 1st, 2nd and 3rd in potted Fritillaria.
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Sorry Pat, I didn't mean to suggest you may not know you mustn't. It just annoys me no end when I send seed in to the lists with ...ex a cultivar name and have the seed list people omit the ex, suggesting the seed will come true and IS that plant. Even if it looks exactly similar, the genes are different to some extent so it can't be the same plant.
Apparently no longer as simple as that. If the seedlings of the original cultivar are identical in appearance to the parent and have maintained the characteristics that defined the cultivar then it is permissible to use the cultivar name for the seedlings.
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Is that so Gerry? Fair enough I suppose but one raises a batch of seedlings from a cultivar and there is likely a range of variation so by using the cultivar name for any of them, most people will use it for all of them. Of course it's important to know which "cultivars" are exactly that, forms raised in cultivation which have some different or superior feature from the oriiginal plant, or whether they are plants, often of unvarying species, collected in the wild but given a "cultivar" name in order to receive some award. To me, this practice is iniquitous and should never have been started by RHS or whoever it was who was responsible.
I don't see me progressing very far with THAT argument though.
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Sorry Pat, I didn't mean to suggest you may not know you mustn't. It just annoys me no end when I send seed in to the lists with ...ex a cultivar name and have the seed list people omit the ex, suggesting the seed will come true and IS that plant. Even if it looks exactly similar, the genes are different to some extent so it can't be the same plant.
Apparently no longer as simple as that. If the seedlings of the original cultivar are identical in appearance to the parent and have maintained the characteristics that defined the cultivar then it is permissible to use the cultivar name for the seedlings.
Gerry, surely that can't apply if the name was originally given to a vegetatively propagated clone which has long been propagated and distributed vegetatively? Doesn't it only apply if the name is given in the first instance to a grex or strain of virtually identical seedlings which then continue to reproduce sexually to give virtually identical offspring? For example, I shouldn't raise seedlings from Daphne bholua 'Jacqueline Postill' and then call them D. b. 'Jacqueline Postill' no matter how similar they might look to the parent.
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Martin - this is my understanding of the latest version of the International Code (2009). See:
http://www.actahort.org/chronica/pdf/sh_10.pdf
A cultivar is defined solely in terms of characteristics - origin is deemed irrelevant.
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::) ::) ::)
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Sounds like that one has transcended to the "Moan, Moan, Moan" category! ;D
cheers
fermi
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Martin - this is my understanding of the latest version of the International Code (2009). See:
http://www.actahort.org/chronica/pdf/sh_10.pdf
A cultivar is defined solely in terms of characteristics - origin is deemed irrelevant.
You're right. Article 2.12 says you can raise seed of an established vegetatively-reproduced cultivar and give seedlings the name of the cultivar if the seedlings, or a selection from them, has one or more characteristics which are the same as the parent cultivar!! That seems an incredibly dodgy thing to suggest. It might be okay-ish if the decision is being made by responsible and experienced people being very rigorous in their assessment of the seedlings, and even then the principle is still arguable. But what happens if inexperienced individual gardeners with perhaps poor critical abilities start to slap cultivar names on seedlings of long-established cultivars which might to more experienced eyes bear little resemblance to the original? Not to mention unscrupulous growers intent on selling plants that aren't what the name suggests.
Looking at the examples given, I think the article must be intended to be applied to a limited number of cultivars which, unusually, do regularly give a few seedlings (I note that the article states from open pollination, not selfing) that are virtually indistinguishable morphologically from the parent cultivar even though they're not genetically identical. I'm not sure that it's meant to apply to seedlings from ANY named cultivar. But that doesn't seem to be made very clear and can certainly appear to a gardener to give carte blanche to anyone wanting to slap an established cultivar name onto any seedling they think looks a bit like the parent. Seems quite dangerous to me.
I know I'd be annoyed if I raised a superb new snowdrop, named it, and later found that someone else had raised inferior seedlings from it and given them the same name, whether out of poor judgement or deliberate mis-representation, using this article of the code as justification.
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Oh dear we did open a can of worms here.
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Martin - this is my understanding of the latest version of the International Code (2009). See:
http://www.actahort.org/chronica/pdf/sh_10.pdf
A cultivar is defined solely in terms of characteristics - origin is deemed irrelevant.
You're right. Article 2.12 says you can raise seed of an established vegetatively-reproduced cultivar and give seedlings the name of the cultivar if the seedlings, or a selection from them, has one or more characteristics which are the same as the parent cultivar!! That seems an incredibly dodgy thing to suggest. It might be okay-ish if the decision is being made by responsible and experienced people being very rigorous in their assessment of the seedlings, and even then the principle is still arguable. But what happens if inexperienced individual gardeners with perhaps poor critical abilities start to slap cultivar names on seedlings of long-established cultivars which might to more experienced eyes bear little resemblance to the original? Not to mention unscrupulous growers intent on selling plants that aren't what the name suggests.
Looking at the examples given, I think the article must be intended to be applied to a limited number of cultivars which, unusually, do regularly give a few seedlings (I note that the article states from open pollination, not selfing) that are virtually indistinguishable morphologically from the parent cultivar even though they're not genetically identical. I'm not sure that it's meant to apply to seedlings from ANY named cultivar. But that doesn't seem to be made very clear and can certainly appear to a gardener to give carte blanche to anyone wanting to slap an established cultivar name onto any seedling they think looks a bit like the parent. Seems quite dangerous to me.
I know I'd be annoyed if I raised a superb new snowdrop, named it, and later found that someone else had raised inferior seedlings from it and given them the same name, whether out of poor judgement or deliberate mis-representation, using this article of the code as justification.
And therein is the problem with that article,people will get out of it what they want,so to suit themselves,i was waiting for a galanthophile to comment on it.
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Martin - I agree it seems dodgy for all the reasons you give.
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This daffanatic thinks so too. Even if seedlings look alike, they can be very different in, for instance, vigour or rate of increase or disease resistance.
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I am happy though. I'm potting up chipped snowdrops and narcissus and most have done very well, including one cultivar that up until now has resisted all my attempts to propagate it. :D
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Hello friends. I took an account of the Onco's putting out fall growth last saturday and am pretty happy.
Here are the ones bought or traded for. Next post will be seedlings.
John B
Species # of fans
Lycotis 2
Paradoxa Sevan 3
Gatesii 1
Paradoxa 2
Susiana ?? 2
Elegantissima 3
Elegantssima 1
Elegantissima 5
Gatesii 6
Damascena 2
Sari 3
Choschab 1
Lycotis 1
Elegantissima 1
Barnumae 7
Elegantissima 2
Lycotis 1
Barnumae protonyma 1
Atropurpurea 3
Elegantissima 2
Urmiensis 1
Kirkwoodii 2
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And here are my Onco seedlings growing now.
John B
Species year germinated # of fans
Sofarana kasruwana 2007 2
Barnumae 2007 3
Elegantissima 2007 4
Paradoxa 2008 1
Paradoxa 2008 3
Paradoxa 2008 5
Paradoxa 2008 5
Paradoxa 2009 2
Urmiensis 2009 5
Urmiensis 2009 1
Urmiensis 2009 1
Sari 2009 1
Kirkwoodii calcarea 2009 1
Kiekwoodii 2009 1
Paradoxa atrata 2010 1
Paradoxa atrata 2010 1
Paradoxa atrata 2010 1
And some Onco hybrids
Acutiloba X Choschab 2009 9
Acutiloba X Choschab 2009 2
Dardanus X Choschab 2009 1
Dardanus X Choschab 2009 1
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You must be very happy indeed John.
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Quite a list there, John..... 'reasons to be cheerful', eh?! :)
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For your delectation a little bit of Jackson Browne. Wish I could play like him. Just wish I could play :(
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPk11AugG4c
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For your delectation a little bit of Jackson Browne. Wish I could play like him. Just wish I could play :(
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPk11AugG4c
You are preaching to the converted, David! :D
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You are indeed David and this one is not about to be converted.
Yesterday at the market we had a string quartet busking. All uni music students I think. Many people said they were the best buskers we'd ever had (up to 10 or so on any morning) and they literally had a violin case full of $5 and $10 notes and a few $20s as well, Many, many gold coins. I was delighted to see very young children absoluely enthralled by the players. A good way to introduce children to the world of classical music. :D
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I agree Lesley. My daughter Lucy has the first of her 2 hour lessons (normally her lessons are 1 hour) for her AB Grade 5 violin exam this morning. I have recently found my certificates for piano and violin exams. I was discussing the dumbing down of music in schools with a teacher (in Scotland) who had returned to teaching after a long break. She couldn't believe that, in a certificate music class, most of the pupils couldn't read music, and it wasn't a requirement for the course! At the same stage I had to do keyboard harmony, written harmony (etc) and play two instruments to grade 5/6 standard! I realise that you don't need to read music to appreciate it, or even enjoy singing in a choir, but surely a study of music involves the basics, which is learning to read it.
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Yesterday morning I went to the Howick orchid show and purchased a few goodies. Here are two that are in flower. NZ$35 each is a bargain in my book! The first puzzles me as the label has "Pot. Perfect Choice Purple Lady BMJOCA Pot. Tokyo Bay x Lc Lake Casitas" as well as "M315 24/7/8" on it. The second is Cymbidium insigne x insigne. I also bought another Pot. Is this X Potinara, which my book says is a quadrigeneric hybrid genus derived from crosses between Brassavola, Cattleya, Laelia and Sophronitis?
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For your delectation a little bit of Jackson Browne. Wish I could play like him. Just wish I could play :(
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPk11AugG4c
You are preaching to the converted, David! :D
;)
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Yesterday morning I went to the Howick orchid show and purchased a few goodies. Here are two that are in flower. NZ$35 each is a bargain in my book! The first puzzles me as the label has "Pot. Perfect Choice Purple Lady BMJOCA Pot. Tokyo Bay x Lc Lake Casitas" as well as "M315 24/7/8" on it. The second is Cymbidium insigne x insigne. I also bought another Pot. Is this X Potinara, which my book says is a quadrigeneric hybrid genus derived from crosses between Brassavola, Cattleya, Laelia and Sophronitis?
Pot does stand for Potinara Anthony,that's a lovely Cymbidium a very nice buy.
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And in a beautifully clean and green Potinara too. ;D
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my first attempt to chipping galanthus got me 11 bulbils(from 12 slices,not bad I think).
I`m so proud!
hope they develop any further.
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And in a beautifully clean and green Potinara too. ;D
;D ;D ;D ;D
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my first attempt to chipping galanthus got me 11 bulbils(from 12 slices,not bad I think).
I`m so proud!
hope they develop any further.
Well done, Loes! So pleasing to have such a success.
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And you must have a fantastic vacuumara as well Anthony. That carpet is spotless; we thought of planting salsify in the hall here last spring.
johnw
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And you must have a fantastic vacuumara as well Anthony. That carpet is spotless; we thought of planting salsify in the hall here last spring.
johnw
Just plugs into a hole in the wall John. 8) As for Lesley's observations: I also purchased a couple of potless orchids, but they are not in flower. :)
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Could one of you lovers of the green and white flowers define chipping for me.thanks bye Ray
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Could one of you lovers of the green and white flowers define chipping for me.thanks bye Ray
Ray, this thread on Chipping/Twin-scaling might be of help to you: http://www.srgc.org.uk/forum/index.php?topic=2042.0
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thanks Maggi ;D,next year I`ll try some more
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Could one of you lovers of the green and white flowers define chipping for me.thanks bye Ray
Ray, this thread on Chipping/Twin-scaling might be of help to you: http://www.srgc.org.uk/forum/index.php?topic=2042.0
Hi Maggie,thanks for the link,I actually thought chipping and twin scaling where two different ways of propagation.
bye Ray
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Could one of you lovers of the green and white flowers define chipping for me.thanks bye Ray
Ray, this thread on Chipping/Twin-scaling might be of help to you: http://www.srgc.org.uk/forum/index.php?topic=2042.0
Hi Maggie,thanks for the link,I actually thought chipping and twin scaling where two different ways of propagation.
bye Ray
It's a matter of scale.
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Ray, chipping is slicing the bulb into segments from the tip down through the basal plate. Twin scaling is then cutting those segments again into twin scales with just two pieces of scale attached to a fragment of basal plate. Twin scaling has the potential to produce more bulbils but with a higher risk of failure because of the smaller amount of propagation material involved.
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First record I ever bought, in 1955 when I was 12, was "Rock Island Line" by Lonnie Donegan, and that did it! By the time I was 14 I was in a Skiffle Group completely devoid of any musical ability or talent but didn't need an awful lot of either since I played a tea chest bass. By the time I was 16 we were still together and had progressed to playing in "beer breaks" at the local trad jazz club on a Saturday night in Huddersfield. Den of iniquity my Mum used to call it, and she was probably right! One of our number progressed from a beat up acoustic guitar to banjo and eventually to gigging with Acker Bilk; another, a trumpet player (not many skiffle groups had a trumpet player!) finished up in Brighouse and Rastrick brass band, before his "lip" went; a third, our pianist studied music at Huddersfield School of Music and taught for many years. I discovered beer and girls, in that order, and that was the end of my musical career. How I wish I'd carried on and learned the guitar, and now, as my son tells me, "You're too old Dad, your fingers aren't supple enough. But, one of these days........... ;D
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Olf7Ibtg1lM
That lead many of us to want to find the "roots" of this exciting "new" music
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCiJ4QQG9WQ&feature=fvsr
Seems a young John Fogerty went through the same kind of thing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8zfSCaktIfY
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Oh, go and buy yourself a guitar; you'll have a ball with it.
I haven't a note in my head and less interest but my son loves his guitar - sorry, guitars, he seems to be breeding them - and I always am amazed at the amount of enjoyment he gets from playing them. It is a lifelong interest and such a wonderful enjoyment.
The other two sons are similarly interested in varying degrees.
Paddy
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David - your never to old. Unless you have arthritis in your fingers or are tone deaf, you can still learn enough to enjoy it. It can also be extremely relaxing and therapeutic. The physical action of playing some simple chords and listening to the sound can lower blood pressure. As long as you enjoy what you play, it doesn't matter
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I have just listened to the videos on you tube. It dawned on me that I have the Leadbelly recording on a 78rpm I bought in Collets Jazz Record shop in London in 1960.
As an aside, a friend of ours thought that Leadbelly was singing "pick a belly button" !
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Unless you have arthritis in your fingers or are tone deaf, you can still learn enough to enjoy it.
Ah well, that's me out on two counts ... and besides, I haven't got the pluck! :D
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And, of course, Cliff your eyes are not the best of late but, you have a great pair of legs.
You could take up football.
Paddy
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And, of course, Cliff your eyes are not the best of late but, you have a great pair of legs.
You could take up football.
Paddy
I can certainly dribble ... it's an age thing! ;D
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hahaha!!
I should not read this forum just before bed.
Was half asleep until I read Cliff's remark and now feel wide awake.
::)
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First record I ever bought, in 1955 when I was 12, was "Rock Island Line" by Lonnie Donegan, and that did it! By the time I was 14 I was in a Skiffle Group completely devoid of any musical ability or talent but didn't need an awful lot of either since I played a tea chest bass. By the time I was 16 we were still together and had progressed to playing in "beer breaks" at the local trad jazz club on a Saturday night in Huddersfield. Den of iniquity my Mum used to call it, and she was probably right! One of our number progressed from a beat up acoustic guitar to banjo and eventually to gigging with Acker Bilk; another, a trumpet player (not many skiffle groups had a trumpet player!) finished up in Brighouse and Rastrick brass band, before his "lip" went; a third, our pianist studied music at Huddersfield School of Music and taught for many years. I discovered beer and girls, in that order, and that was the end of my musical career. How I wish I'd carried on and learned the guitar, and now, as my son tells me, "You're too old Dad, your fingers aren't supple enough. But, one of these days........... ;D
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Olf7Ibtg1lM
That lead many of us to want to find the "roots" of this exciting "new" music
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCiJ4QQG9WQ&feature=fvsr
Seems a young John Fogerty went through the same kind of thing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8zfSCaktIfY
My first record was "Do Wah Diddy Diddy Dum Diddy Do" as covered by Manfred Mann. My first LP was "A Hard Day's Night".
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Had a really enjoyable day, went to pick up some plants today at Ian Christies. Me and two of my friends ( Helen & Carol were treated to lunch which was unexpected. The sun was shinning and Ian showed us his new areas. There is always something to temp you and you come away with lots of ideas. Not only did we get lunch but Ian gave us all some lovely Daphne's and also gave us each a very special plant.
Even though Ann was very busy getting all the orders ready she still took the time to give us a lovely lunch which we really enjoyed, off course I had to have two pieces of cake, which were lovely I might add ;D
See how generous Scottish folks are, not only did we get our tummies filled but went away with gifts. We are so lucky to have wonderful plants people like the Christies are.
Thanks Ian and Ann for a lovely day.
Angie :)
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It's raining ;D ;D ;D
Yabba dabba do
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You forgot the word "again". :(
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"Again" doesn't apply down here Anthony, from now until late summer it will be drought all the way. I'll be buying water again very soon.
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There is a column in the weekly "Listener" magazine called "Life in New Zealand", snippets from assorted newspapers and magazines. These made me smile today when my new issue arrived.
Nude man throws balls at cars.
I arrested one 15 year old disorderly youth, took another 15 year old home to his parents who couldn't talk or walk properly due to excess alcohol consumption.
If the antibiotics don't work there are surgical procedures that your GP can do to get your toe back on its feet.
About 500,000 copies of the glossy flyer were sent to every ratepayer.
As someone who eats very little processed food I found the taste very salty and not at all enjoyable, unlike my children.
Extreme weather: Storms are likely to play a part in warming or cooling.
His manners were impeccable - he always apologised after swearing.
(and this one, if I could work out what it means -)
About half of the workforce was employed at jobs where at least 70% of workers were of the same gender. "And so comparison across the entire workplace is actually a misleading number from time to time."
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"Again" doesn't apply down here Anthony, from now until late summer it will be drought all the way. I'll be buying water again very soon.
Torrential rain here, again. No wonder they moisturise in Auckland! ::)
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I admit to quite an eclectic taste in music, from Paul Robeson to Bruce Springsteen, from Bedřich Smetana to Ray Lamontagne, from the Big 'O' to Elbow and from Dylan to Josh Groban. I enjoy Les Miserables as much as Holst and the 'in vogue' Mads Langer with as much passion as Streisand.
I abhor 'Sing Something Simple', rap and repetitive jingles, but can appreciative most other kinds of music - and now for the confession.
I have always loved the voice of Johnny Mathis and have seen him twice in concert. Last evening was the third opportunity when he appeared at the MEN in Manchester and, by 'eck, he didn't disappoint. The voice is still as mellow and as powerful as ever and he was supported by a tremendous orchestra. Not to everyone's taste I know - but certainly to mine!
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Cliff, I was just having a look on JM's website.... that is some busy tour he is undertaking.... proves you can't keep a gool oldie down, Huh?!!
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Cliff,
Dylan, Springsteen and Elbow. You may move on to Frank Turner next then:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQMVHhxTtLc&NR=1
or have you 'Grown Up!!!'
Got soaked watching him at Leeds this year, even forgot it was raining.
Cheers
Mick
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Cliff,
Dylan, Springsteen and Elbow. You may move on to Frank Turner next then:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQMVHhxTtLc&NR=1
or have you 'Grown Up!!!'
Got soaked watching him at Leeds this year, even forgot it was raining.
You can stay in the dry and 'appreciate' him again as he's playing the O2 Apollo, Manchester on Nov 26, 2011.
'Grown up' - Moi? Still an infant (and an infantile one at that)! :D
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You obviously enjoy your music Cliff so I will put a clip in here for your adjudication . A few weeks ago we were at the Chris Cornell concert in Wellington . Just him and a selection of his guitars . He played a lot of his own stuff and also some covers ( including the youtube one ) . Mandy managed to get tickets in the second row and I had to hold her back every now and then . I also had to remind her that" he already has a baby and doesn't need any more from you"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z97D3qJmQSQ&feature=related
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Enjoyed that whilst browsing the Forum. 8)
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Mandy managed to get tickets in the second row and I had to hold her back every now and then . I also had to remind her that" he already has a baby and doesn't need any more from you"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z97D3qJmQSQ&feature=related
Loved the clip, Steve (but he didn't stir me to a miraculous procreation on that evidence - I think you need to let Mandy out more)! :D
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No miracles for me either , Cliff . However , I fear she has raised her standards . I may have to take singing lessons
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I have finally found some time to start sorting my photos. The weather is awful and I can't do anything outside today. This photo from our spring vacation made me smile.
Dancing in the street.
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Cliff,
Dylan, Springsteen and Elbow. You may move on to Frank Turner next then:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQMVHhxTtLc&NR=1
or have you 'Grown Up!!!'
Got soaked watching him at Leeds this year, even forgot it was raining.
Cheers
Mick
Liked that, been listening to more, I hadn't heard him before.
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I have finally found some time to start sorting my photos. The weather is awful and I can't do anything outside today. This photo from our spring vacation made me smile.
Dancing in the street.
Wonderful "Wildlife" photo, Gunilla! ;D ;)
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Nice to see morris dancing.
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Morris dancing? I thought he was the guy who played the guitar. ;D
I don't want to resurrect the Moan..... thread and it's hardly worth that anyway but I'm wondering why every new post to the Forum for the last two days, appears in my Inbox twice? The one where David N said "Oops. Sorry for the double posting," appeared 4 times.
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Nice to see morris dancing.
Yes, and I think from the attire and style that they are following the Cotswold Tradition
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Ah yes, Morris dancers. Thanks Anthony, I had forgotten the name.
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An Australian win at the World Cup!
I've just read it here, so it must be true: http://www.gardeningworldcup.com/ (http://www.gardeningworldcup.com/)
;D ;D ;D
Too much construction and not enough garden for my taste, though ::)
cheers
fermi
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Not all black in the gardening world then?
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The fox got the rabbit :D :D :D
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Go the All Blacks! 8)
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Congratulations to the All Blacks superb win.
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I think the New Zealanders will be very happy with their win and making happy celebrations... on the other hand, our French forumists will likely be shrugging their shoulders, and then cheering themselves up with a great lunch! ;)
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Congrats to our friends from Down Under !! 8)
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Go the All Blacks! 8)
He's sold out on his Yorkshireness and now he's sold out on his Britishness too ;D
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I think the New Zealanders will be very happy with their win and making happy celebrations... on the other hand, our French forumists will likely be shrugging their shoulders, and then cheering themselves up with a great lunch! ;)
.... or worrying how much of their savings it's going to take to prop up the Euro, again!! ;D
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I think the New Zealanders will be very happy with their win and making happy celebrations... on the other hand, our French forumists will likely be shrugging their shoulders, and then cheering themselves up with a great lunch! ;)
.... or worrying how much of their savings it's going to take to prop up the Euro, again!! ;D
Not so long ago it was almost 4 NZ$/£. Now it's less than 2! Those merchant bankers, who caused the problem, are still grabbing in increasing proportion of the pie, but, thanks to them, the pie is getting smaller and smaller. Alas, this corporate greed seems to have been British government policy for over 30 years. Also, as a Yorkshireman living in Scotland, I never really felt I could be British as I was always treated as English. When I first came here in 1963 aged 10 I was beaten up for being English! The hatred people felt was alien to me, who'd just moved from Loughborough, via Huddersfield. My best friend in Loughborough was Scottish, my best friend in Huddersfield was Russian. By the time I hit Stirling I had a broad Yorkshire accent, having lived there a year! I was greeting by my class "mate" with "where d'ye come fi?" "Sassanach!". At the Scotland v England match I wore a Scottish jersey and hat and was sad when they lost. Who knows, in a year or two we may retire to France?
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Go the All Blacks! 8)
He's sold out on his Yorkshireness and now he's sold out on his Britishness too ;D
Hey, we're British too!
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Absolutely, Lesley.
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With apologies to the photograph copyright holders and Mastercard...but I couldn't resist it.
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WONDERFUL
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So was the result Buddy...so was the result.
Just in case anyone hasn't heard, Man City went to Old Trafford, home of Manchester United, and stuffed them 6-1.
I've waited 60 years for this !!!!!
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When my Dad was at school (Almonbury Grammar, Huddersfield - he played for the school team which was undefeated for two seasons, with the only drawn match being when my Dad was captain as most of the team was at the funeral of a team member) the only teams of note were Arsenal and Huddersfield Town F.C. The players were household names but lived in (council?) semis, like normal people.
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The players were household names but lived in (council?) semis, like normal people.
And I can remember going to Maine Road on the 76 bus and sitting next to some of the City players. Nowadays they drive Bentleys and Porsches....and the supporters still go on the bus. How times have changed !!!!!!
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Great win for the All Blacks by the way. My sister lives in Auckland. Seems she and her husband have lost their voices!!!
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An eagle-eyed friend was driving through Winslow, Arizona and slowed down to take a look at this mural. I believe the vehicle with the girl in it is a flat bed Ford?
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Such a fine sight to see ;)
Take it easy, Anthony
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I have just heard from our daughter, son-in-law and family who are on holiday in Ibiza. Our grandson Ollie (aged 5) asked his mother; 'If you were on a sinking ship would you choose to save grandma or a doughnut"?
Joanne replied; "Grandma of course". His measured reply; "You clearly don't like doughnuts"!
He WAS eating a doughnut at the time.
We are still giggling ...
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Another small moment of glee in the Booker household ... a VERY late flowering Ranunculus insignis brightening the autumnal drizzle.
Ranunculus insignis
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Much nicer than the buttercups in my grass (which the tortoise appreciates, even if I don't); which reminds me: why did Greta Garbo plant grass seed in her hair? " I want to be a lawn!" :P
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Which reminds me: why did Greta Garbo plant grass seed in her hair? " I want to be a lawn!" :P
Oh, that is EXCRUCIATING, Anthony! ::)
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Which reminds me: why did Greta Garbo plant grass seed in her hair? " I want to be a lawn!" :P
Oh, that is EXCRUCIATING, Anthony! ::)
No, much more painful than that :-\
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I thought it was quite good. I giggled anyway. ;D
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What a day, it's been raining all day it's been so grey, windy and so miserable, are you all thinking I am in the wrong thread, should this not be in the moan thread ! Well no maybe the weather isn't good but what a good night we had at our local meeting. Had a really nice talk by Jim Jermyn on New ways of growing Himalayan plants. He is so full of enthusiasm, really cheered me up. Then Maggi handed me a bag at the meeting, something new to me, jumbo white chocolate buttons :o never new they were out there.
Thanks Maggi what a thoughtful friend you are :-*
Angie :)
Oh forgot to say I got two bags, one white chocolate and one milk ;D ;D ;D
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What can I say, Angela... I saw those buttons and thought of you! :D
Angela is right... the weather yesterday was really horrible and poor Jim Jermyn had to drive all the way up here... and home again, through some ghastly conditions...... but what a great talk he gave us. I've never heard Jim giva a bad talk.... but somehow the wonderful photographs, mixed with Jim's enthusiasm and tales of plants... and people.... were even more exciting than usual.
A super evening for the Aberdeenshire Group.
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What can I say, Angela... I saw those buttons and thought of you! :D
Angela is right... the weather yesterday was really horrible and poor Jim Jermyn had to drive all the way up here... and home again, through some ghastly conditions...... but what a great talk he gave us. I've never heard Jim giva a bad talk.... but somehow the wonderful photographs, mixed with Jim's enthusiasm and tales of plants... and people.... were even more exciting than usual.
A super evening for the Aberdeenshire Group.
Well I certinally appreciated Jim Jermyn coming to Aberdeen on such an awful night and I also appreciated the chocolate buttons ;)
Angie :)
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As no one has posted here for a few days I thought I should add to the happiness quotient of the club by saying how happy I am with my new gadget - an ipad - with an orange cover (that may not be important, but it is jolly!) It is transforming how I surf the web at home, yipee!
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A picture of my front room on Halloween. There were a lot of very happy children when they knocked for sweets (and a few scared ones too!). Some parents asked if they could take some photos of their kids with the giant spider. ;D
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Well, you might be happy, but I'd be very worried about the type of pest that you seem to be getting from those exotic plants you grow.... that spider is worse than any we've had from a bunch of bananas....... :o
[attach=1]
Wish I'd thought to take pictures of the children who visited here.... I think that every year.... too little too late! Now trying to decide whether or not to give the neighbouring little ones the left-over sweeties or scoff 'em ourselves!
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Scoff 'em Maggi, no decision necessary ;D
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Sue, I know how you feel. My husband got one for his birthday, with a blue cover, and this made ME very happy. :) now I can surf in the livingroom every time I want and donn't need to ask permission for using the computer.
The time I spend at the forum is more and more. :P
Lina.
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Scoff 'em Maggi, no decision necessary ;D
Ooh, err.... but isn't that stealing candy from babies? And thus a no-no?
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Scoff 'em Maggi, no decision necessary ;D
Ooh, err.... but isn't that stealing candy from babies? And thus a no-no?
It's all right Maggi, they can't defend themselves, just scoff 'em ;D
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Bet you'd make a terrific Scrooge at The Christmas panto David. ;D
imagine depriving poor little children of their Halloween goodies. Despicable !!!!
Sherba and I have loads of candy bars in the house at Halloween......imagine my horror when no one comes a knockin'. heheheheh!!!!!
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I wouldn't have a dilemma if it were decent candy... it's
rather tasteless horribly bland (alright, I tried some!) gummy stuff that is guaranteed free from e-numbers, artificial additiives etc etc... nothing tasty in there at all... Ian bought it! :o ::) :-X
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Bet you'd make a terrific Scrooge at The Christmas panto David. ;D
I'd be fantastic ;D
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It's all right Maggi, they can't defend themselves, just scoff 'em
David,did you ever try to take candy from a baby? not as easy as it sounds. ;D ;D ;D
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It is a truly miserable day here today, a day which was overcast from start to finish with light rain in the morning and heavy rain from about 11a.m. onwards. How good then to receive a parcel with some wonderful books, all about beautiful gardens in Spain or Italy. It was a bit like receiving holiday brochures on a cold January day.
Close to Paradise, The Gardens of Naples, Capri and the Amalfi Coast by Robert I.C.Fisher
Great Gardens of Spain by Anneli Bojstad
Hidden Gardens of Spain by Eduardo Mencos
The Best Gardens of Italy by Kirsty McLeod
Paddy
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... Ian bought it! :o ::) :-X
A likely story. ::)
I'm not very happy at present but all the same, was very pleased to be given a piece of Primula x Pubescens 'Rufus' after a meeting in Ashburton (meeting with talk from me Monday night, Primula next morning from my hostess) yesterday as this old red is one which seems to have slipped off the radar recently and some plants from a commercial source have collapsed for no obvious reason. This chunk looks wonderfully healthy so I'll take some of the offshoots and pot them separately.
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John, in your room full of people you forgot to say which one was you. ;D
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... Ian bought it! :o ::) :-X
A likely story. ::)
It's true.... I'd have bought gooey chocolate for them! Ian was going for the "healthy" option.... yuck!
I'm not very happy at present but all the same, was very pleased to be given a piece of Primula x Pubescens 'Rufus' after a meeting in Ashburton (meeting with talk from me Monday night, Primula next morning from my hostess) yesterday as this old red is one which seems to have slipped off the radar recently and some plants from a commercial source have collapsed for no obvious reason. This chunk looks wonderfully healthy so I'll take some of the offshoots and pot them separately.
I no longer have that variety either.... it got virus. :( I used to have a lot of those old primula types but not any more.
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John, in your room full of people you forgot to say which one was you. ;D
Good one , Lesley... I can assure you, it's not one of the skeletons!! He's a chunky lad is John. :)
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Brillant John you must be a big kid at heart :D
Angie :)
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............... after a meeting in Ashburton (meeting with talk from me Monday night, Primula next morning from my hostess) yesterday......
[/quote]
and I was at a meeting in Ashburton this evening at a talk from Barry Starling on Dwarf Rhododendron for Containers, wonderful. Wonder which Ashburton was named first? ;D
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I'm sure it would have been yours David. Remember we're (Europeans) are recent immigrants to NZ as certain other NZers keep reminding us. Did Barry talk about R. lowndesii?
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Over 40 years ago, my Father was lecturing to his afternoon class at Falkirk Technical College when a student put his hand up. "Can I leave 15 minutes early to catch my bus?" "Where do you live?" "California!" "You can stay 'til the end like everyone else." What my Dad didn't know was there is a wee village up "The Braes" called California. I somehow don't think the sunshine state is named after it? :) Similarly, there is a wee village in Yorkshire called New York!
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....... there is a wee village in Yorkshire called New York!
.... and one near Holmfirth called Paris and a California Cross not far away from me here
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I'm sure it would have been yours David. Remember we're (Europeans) are recent immigrants to NZ as certain other NZers keep reminding us. Did Barry talk about R. lowndesii?
Yes he did Lesley as well as lots of other dwarf species and hybrids. I feel another obsession coming on ;D
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We have a Moscow about 12 miles inland from Ayr. It is almost on the same latitude as its Russian counterpart.
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Orkney has a Khyber Pass!
(It is a little alleyway in Stromness)
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Orkney has a Khyber Pass!
(It is a little alleyway in Stromness)
mercy! there must be about 4.95million Scots who don't know that - well done, Darren! 8)
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Orkney has a Khyber Pass!
(It is a little alleyway in Stromness)
I'd thought of a wonderful joke(well I thought it was), but no, Maggi would kill me ;D
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The road I take into Remuera, where I have joined a church choir, runs from Bombay to the CBD and runs between Epsom and New Market. You have to take the Khyber Pass road exit to get to New Market! I remember the road from Ocho Rios to Oracabessa (where Ian Fleming's 'Goldeneye' and Noël Coward's 'Firefly' (with its "room with a view") are, in Jamaica, passing through a settlement called Huddersfield!
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On well, Dunedin's full of Scottish references. Among others, Dunblane St and Oban St are two I pass the ends of, several times a week.
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The road I take into Remuera...........
'Remuera' was the name Brian and Maureen Wilson gave to their house in Aberdeen, to remind them of their Down Under adventures! Small world, isn't it?
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The road I take into Remuera...........
'Remuera' was the name Brian and Maureen Wilson gave to their house in Aberdeen, to remind them of their Down Under adventures! Small world, isn't it?
When I needed their postal address to send some cuttings, I wondered about that. In a church on the Isle of Wight which I visited because the church had a beautiful thatched roof with reedy pheasants along the top, I found the pews inside all had Maori names on their ends, including Timaru, the town I lived in at that time (1981). I couldn't find anyone to ask about the naming.
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Remuera has had a long history of human occupation, starting back in the early 14th century when the Maori came to the area. They named the place O-hine-rangi - the place of Hinerangi (girl of the sky). It wasn't until some four hundred years later that it was named Remuwera or Remu-wera. Eventually the Wai-o-hua (the first tribe to live in Auckland) gave way to the Ngāti Whātua who are now considered the local iwi (tribe).
When early European settlers moved into Remuera it quickly became one of the most exclusive places to live. The first shops opened in Remuera in 1890. St Mark's Church was founded in 1847.
The infamous Bassett Road machine gun murders took place in Remuera in 1963.
Remu-wera literally translates to "burnt buttocks", commemorating a cannibal feast where a chieftainess of Hauraki was captured and eaten. Although the most common definition in reference literature, the accuracy of this definition has been described as "highly doubtful". An alternative, less common definition of Remuera has it meaning "burnt hem of a garment". Sir Edmund Hillary used to live in Remuera.
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In my bottom drawer I have a little tin box in which I put any spare foreign money when I return from a holiday. I just had a look and found 15 Drachma maybe I could save Greece :P ;D
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In my bottom drawer I have a little tin box in which I put any spare foreign money when I return from a holiday. I just had a look and found 15 Drachma maybe I could save Greece :P ;D
By Zeus, are you athens a laugh?
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Steady, David, they might sell you the whole country for that sum...... be good for a bulb garden though..... ::)
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In my bottom drawer I have a little tin box in which I put any spare foreign money when I return from a holiday. I just had a look and found 15 Drachma maybe I could save Greece :P ;D
David I am killing myself laughing, I just love the way your brain works ;D
Angie :)
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The thing is, David's fortune in Drachma wouldn't even buy him a drachm!
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In my bottom drawer I have a little tin box in which I put any spare foreign money when I return from a holiday. I just had a look and found 15 Drachma maybe I could save Greece :P ;D
David I am killing myself laughing, I just love the way your brain works ;D
Angie :)
What brain ???
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'Remuera' was the name Brian and Maureen Wilson gave to their house in Aberdeen, to remind them of their Down Under adventures! Small world, isn't it?
[/quote]
Sorry Maggi your comment is not correct - the house was already named 'Remuera' when we bought it. We suspected it was named by the first owners whom we assume had connections with NZ. I have to say that while we had no issue with the name, it was a relief when we finally got a number, as no one could either spell or pronounce it!
Maureen
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Fancy that...... though I did always wonder why, having lived in Australia, you'd given the house a NZ name!! Now I know the answer. :D
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So many people from out of NZ have trouble with Maori words. In general, they are pronounced phonetically. Rem oo era. wh is pronounced NOT QUITE as an f, and there is little in the way of emphasis on any syllable. Remember Maori was not a written language until the Europeans attacked it.
The Maori themselves and because of it, the Govt and their agencies, especially TV and radio broadcasters, insist that EVERYONE pronounces Maori correctly to the extent that the weather people talk about Taw paw for Taupo (largest lake in NZ) and sometimes it just sounds damn silly. Besides, there's no move towards correct pronumciation of other languages. No way could they cope (as Dave T couldn't) with Kirkcudbright or Craigellachie!
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Knowing nothing whatsoever about politics as applied to financial matters, I have wondered recently whether, had the European countries stuck with their original currencies, would the whole present debacle cum meltdown have happened? If Greece still had the drachma (even lacking David's), France the franc, etc etc, would it all be different now. GB, having refused to join the Eurozone, seems, to the outside observer at least, to be reasonably stable. So far. ???
A simple "yes" or "no" would do in reply. :)
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Maureen I am glad you said people have problems pronouncing the name Remuera, friends of mine bought Maureens house ( lucky folks ) and I find it hard to say the name so i just say the number and road name.
No news of baby yet, Maureen is soon to be a grandma again.
Angie :)
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No way could they cope (as Dave T couldn't) with Kirkcudbright or Craigellachie!
Quite true Lesley ,however i am trying .........currently learning Nepali ..... ;)
Cheers dave.
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No way could they cope (as Dave T couldn't) with Kirkcudbright or Craigellachie!
Quite true Lesley ,however i am trying .........currently learning Nepali ..... ;)
Is that near Glasgow, Dave? :D
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Remuera is just pronounced as it looks Re(h)-moo-er-(as in err)-ah. The trouble is, people pronounce many words here in New Zealand as they look. I don't mind accents, and there are many here, but I'm a bit fed up with some words being reinvented (no, I'm not thinking of inventing of words like 'burglarised' when the perfectly good word 'burgled' is already in the dictionary). It's the example where the wallahs on the TV and radio mis-pronounce words such as tonne saying t'on. For goodness sake ton is pronounced tun. Putting "ne" at the end doesn't change that! ::)
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As far as I have always known, a ton (tun) is 2240 (? can't remember how many) lbs whereas a tonne (to rhyme with John) is a metric ton, i.e. 1000 kilograms.
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Are you planning a trip there Dave? Nepal I mean, not Glasgow. :D
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As far as I have always known, a ton (tun) is 2240 (? can't remember how many) lbs whereas a tonne (to rhyme with John) is a metric ton, i.e. 1000 kilograms.
They are both pronounced the same. The Oxford English dictionary puts 'tʌn' i.e. tun for the pronunciation of both words. I was just giving it as an example. There are bound to be regional differences, like the pronunciation of cicada (sick ah dah as opposed to sick ay da) and geyser (geezer as opposed to g eye zer) which go with the territory.
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Knowing nothing whatsoever about politics as applied to financial matters, I have wondered recently whether, had the European countries stuck with their original currencies, would the whole present debacle cum meltdown have happened? If Greece still had the drachma (even lacking David's), France the franc, etc etc, would it all be different now. GB, having refused to join the Eurozone, seems, to the outside observer at least, to be reasonably stable. So far. ???
A simple "yes" or "no" would do in reply. :)
Yes and No :P ;D
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Knowing nothing whatsoever about politics as applied to financial matters, I have wondered recently whether, had the European countries stuck with their original currencies, would the whole present debacle cum meltdown have happened? If Greece still had the drachma (even lacking David's), France the franc, etc etc, would it all be different now. GB, having refused to join the Eurozone, seems, to the outside observer at least, to be reasonably stable. So far. ???
A simple "yes" or "no" would do in reply. :)
Yes.
David got in before me so I'll add - and No
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That's a definite maybe then?
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As far as I have always known, a ton (tun) is 2240 (? can't remember how many) lbs whereas a tonne (to rhyme with John) is a metric ton, i.e. 1000 kilograms.
They are both pronounced the same. The Oxford English dictionary puts 'tʌn' i.e. tun for the pronunciation of both words. I was just giving it as an example. There are bound to be regional differences, like the pronunciation of cicada (sick ah dah as opposed to sick ay da) and geyser (geezer as opposed to g eye zer) which go with the territory.
Why don't to start speaking Norwegian? It is much easier to pronounce (and understand). You pronounce it (like Maori seemingly) as it is written (.. with some exceptions of course).
And we still use our kroner and not Euros ;D
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That's a definite maybe then?
As far as I am concerned, no - Lesley seemed to be posing two distinct questions.
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In NZ tonne is usually pronounced as John, mainly because they are two different measurements after all. I have little faith in the Oxford dictionary nowadays as they find split infinitives acceptable. I don't.
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The link below provides an example of how to pronounce tonne correctly:
http://www.forvo.com/word/tonne/ (http://www.forvo.com/word/tonne/)
hope it's useful.
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Not really, A) because it doesn't say how to pronounce ton and B) if ton is pronounced as tun, it doesn't agree with me. ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
From now on I shall pronounce tonne as splOuf. ???
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French word pronounced the French way. ;D
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I have little faith in the Oxford dictionary nowadays as they find split infinitives acceptable. I don't.
But Lesley, Star Trek wouldn't have been Star Trek without the split infinitive.......To go boldly....... just doesn't work ::) ::) ::)
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;D They could have tried Boldly to go.... but I wasn't a fan anyway. ;D Maybe for that very reason. ???
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Star Trek was one of three programmes that filled the hall of residence TV lounge when I was a student. TOTP and Tom and Jerry were the other two. My dictionaries pre-date when the OED decided to say "to split infinitives and beyond".
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Please follow this link and be amazed ...
http://www.darkroastedblend.com/2008/09/most-alien-looking-place-on-earth.html
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Wonderful landscapes and flora. Now we know why Frazer is so enthuastiastic about the place.
It's such a shame that it's in such a politcally unstable area - part of Yemen yet close to Somalia. :-\
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Those dragon trees (Dracaena cinnabari) are amazing, but of quite an age. D. draco from Tenerife is grown in abundance in Auckland. I have grown small Adenium obesum back in Scotland, but these must also be years old? Dendrosicyos socotrana must be the weirdest though?
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DRAWRINGS!
Referring back to the discussion on pronunciation previously, I am presently watching the lunchtime BBC News where there was an article about an exhibition of works by Leonaro daVinci with several presenters/reporters mentioning his DRAW RINGS. I'm sure these really are his drawings.
This is a pronunciation which irritates me.
Paddy
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DRAWRINGS!
Referring back to the discussion on pronunciation previously, I am presently watching the lunchtime BBC News where there was an article about an exhibition of works by Leonaro daVinci with several presenters/reporters mentioning his DRAW RINGS. I'm sure these really are his drawings.
This is a pronunciation which irritates me.
Paddy
It's not as if he designed the Olympic flag is it, Paddy? :D
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But, is "draw rings" the common pronunciation?
And, if so, why?
Paddy
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Oh, I liked the photographs in the link above, by the way. V. interesting trees.
Paddy
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Have given up on the above link - sounds interesting but browser doesn't like it. Will try from the Mac later.
My equivalent of 'draw-rings' is the mis-spelling 'light-e-ning'. Used in reference to the meteorological phenomenon - not Michael Jackson's skin care products.
When my workplace was based in a particularly lightning prone building I got tired of reading reports from scientists educated to PhD level who could not get it right.
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But, is "draw rings" the common pronunciation?
Sadly, it is the common mispronounciation, perhaps more often heard in England. The Scots are not quite so guilty of that error.
But, is "draw rings" the common pronunciation?
And, if so, why?
Why? Ignorance, she said, grumpily.
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Have given up on the above link - sounds interesting but browser doesn't like it. Will try from the Mac later.
My equivalent of 'draw-rings' is the mis-spelling 'light-e-ning'. Used in reference to the meteorological phenomenon - not Michael Jackson's skin care products.
When my workplace was based in a particularly lightning prone building I got tired of reading reports from scientists educated to PhD level who could not get it right.
Educated? These days?
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Sadly, if you consult the OED pronunciation guide you will find the w pronounced wr is actually given as the correct pronunciation for some words. It's clearly an accent thing which becomes more prevalent the further south east you go. The one that drives me mad is Lorr, as in the long arm of :'( :'( :'(
Time we transferred this to the moan, moan page as it's falling behind on posts!
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Good grief... in the OED? What is the world coming to.... and you mention, Martin, another of my pet hates... the repeated references to some woman by the name of Laura Norder :o SCREAM!!!!!
Yes, I'm so happy we can moan about this stuff!
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The one that annoys me, (among others), is be-kizz for because.
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There are some good Scottish ones: modrun fillums (OK, from The Isles, perhaps) and pew-miss for modern films and pumice come to mind.
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Darren,
Your "lightening" would be quite common here, a habit brought over from Irish where a "guta cúnta", a "helping vowel" is part of the spoken language. Half-past seven would often be heard as "half a past seven".
Anthony's "fillum" is also commonplace; as is farum and the likes.
I suppose variations in pronunciation are to be expected but the drawrings still irritates me. I'll have to live with it, I suppose.
Paddy
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Please follow this link and be amazed ...
http://www.darkroastedblend.com/2008/09/most-alien-looking-place-on-earth.html
Thanks for that Cliff . I also followed a few links from there .
Ate breakfast whilst looking at Socotra , Tristan da Cunha , St.Helena and then somehow back to Barry , Wales to find out that Alistair Reynolds listens to NZ music (Ladyhawke) . Don't know how I kept up the pace
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Back to happiness - a parcel of lovely autumn flowering Pleione pseudobulbs turned up from Paul Cumbleton today! :)
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Back to happiness - a parcel of lovely autumn flowering Pleione pseudobulbs turned up from Paul Cumbleton today! :)
Oh yes, that would come under the happy banner.
Ian got a parcel with a HUGE book about Willem de Kooning ( the artist).... nearly needed two folk to lift it off the van... not good for bedtime reading! With that and the lovely book he was given as a present in Gent at the weekend.... and me with Belgian chocs to munch... we're both happy!
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I bought 4 bags of Arthur Bowers Seed Compost. The compost was supposed to be finely textured for seeds - it was not.
I took phots of the compost in my seive, after seiving - 3 samples - and sent them to Sinclair.
Within 2 days I was in receipt of a letter of explanation and vouchers to the full value of the 4 bags of compost.
The explanation for the hard lumps was "In 2010 we had a problem with a hole in one of our screens on the production line. This screen would normally have sieved out the lumps from the compost. Instead the hole allowed some of the lumps to pass through the screen into the compost mixes. In October 2010 we shut the factory for a week to allow for necessary machine maintenance - one of the jobs was to replace this faulty screen." I wonder how many tons of compost was made before the maintenance was performed? ???
Moral is - a polite complaint gets rewarded.
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I always like discovering new music, and it's been a while since we had any music-related posts here, so I thought I'd share this one, incredibly moving.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8-YMpYbRqY&feature=related
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I bought 4 bags of Arthur Bowers Seed Compost. The compost was supposed to be finely textured for seeds - it was not.
I took phots of the compost in my seive, after seiving - 3 samples - and sent them to Sinclair.
Within 2 days I was in receipt of a letter of explanation and vouchers to the full value of the 4 bags of compost.
The explanation for the hard lumps was "In 2010 we had a problem with a hole in one of our screens on the production line. This screen would normally have sieved out the lumps from the compost. Instead the hole allowed some of the lumps to pass through the screen into the compost mixes. In October 2010 we shut the factory for a week to allow for necessary machine maintenance - one of the jobs was to replace this faulty screen." I wonder how many tons of compost was made before the maintenance was performed? ???
Moral is - a polite complaint gets rewarded.
Arthur,
You're not the only one
http://www.srgc.org.uk/forum/index.php?topic=7748.0
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I always like discovering new music, and it's been a while since we had any music-related posts here, so I thought I'd share this one, incredibly moving.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8-YMpYbRqY&feature=related
Agreed Peter. Well worth a listen-again, and again and again and ..............
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Absolutely beautiful Peter ... as are some of his other songs on You Tube. Another magnificent blind singer graces our planet.
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I could listen to that. So different.
Got this email from "English Corner Shop" today:
CHOCOLATE
Beech's Coffee Creams 90g $4.95
Beech's Lime Creams90g $4.95
Beech's Mint Creams 90g $3.95
Beech's Orange Creams 90g $3.95
Beech's Raspberry Creams 90g $4.95
Beech's Rose Creams 90g $4.95
Beech's Strawberry Creams 90g $3.95
Beech's Violet Creams 90g $3.95
Beech's Marzipan Fruits 150g $13.69
Bendicks Mingles 300g $8.49
Cadbury Heroes 800g $22.95
Cadbury Heroes 350g $9.95
Cadbury Roses 350g $9.95
Cadbury Roses Tin 850g $22.95
Galaxy Minstrels Tube 126g $3.95
Malteser Tube 75g $3.95
Mars Celebration Tub 855g $22.95
Milkyway Magic Stars Tube 75g $3.95
Nestle Milkybar Button Tube 100g $3.95
Nestle My Purple Bar 40g $1.32
Nestle Quality Street Tin 1kg $22.95
Nestle Smarties Penguin 100g $5.49
Nestle Smarties Tube 170g $3.95
Quiggins Brandy Truffle Yule Log 50g $3.95
Quiggins Rum Truffle Christmas Pudding 50g $3.95
Terry's Chocolate Orange Milk Chocolate 175g $4.95
Terry's Segsations 330g $9.95
Thornton's Chocolate Collection 413g $15.95
Thornton's Christmas Collection 180g $14.95
Thornton's Classic Collection 660g $26.49
Thornton's Jolly Santa 90g $4.49
Thornton's Mini Reindeer 45g $3.49
Thornton's Mint Collection 316g $9.95
Thornton's Reindeer & Penguin 140g $6.95
Thornton's Reindeer Lollipop 28g $1.49
Thornton's Santa Lollipop 28g $1.49
Selection Boxes
Cadbury Selection Box Medium $6.49
Cadbury Selection Pack Medium $2.95
Cadbury Selection Box Santa 174g $6.75
Cadbury Selection Box Snowman 100g $5.49
Galaxy Collection Selection Box 225g $9.95
Malteser Selection Box Medium 179g $7.49
Mars Selection Box Medium 192g $7.95
Nestle Selection Box Kids 172.5g $5.95
Nestle Selection Box Large 273g $10.49
Sweets
Barratt Jelly Christmas Shapes 125g $1.95
Bassetts Jelly Babies 600g $7.95
Bassetts Liquorice Allsorts Tin 800g $13.95
Bassetts Liquorice Allsorts 600g $7.95
Maynards Wine Gums 600g $7.95
Revels Tube 108g $3.95
Rowntree Fruit Pastilles Tube 142g $3.95
Rowntree Jelly Tots Tube 160g $3.95
S/Matlow Drumstick Tube 120g $2.95
S/Matlow Love Hearts Tube 120g $2.95
S/Matlow Refresher Tube 120g $2.95
Taveners Barratt Sweet Shop 477g $16.49
Toffee Selection Hammer 400g $9.49
Walkers Nonsuch Treacle Trad Slab 400g $9.49
York Fruits Jelly 200g $5.95
BISCUITS
Cadbury Collection Tin 380g $14.95
Cadbury Finger Assortment Carton 375g $7.95
Foxs Fabulously Special Tin 730g $14.95
Foxs Wonders Tin 400g $13.95
Jacobs Heritage Selection 500g $14.49
Jacobs Savoury Favourites 200g $3.95
McVities Victoria 725g $17.95
McVities Yard of Jaffas 750g $12.95
Royal Edinburgh Tin 500g $15.95
CAKES
Golden Crown Dundee Cake 681g $13.95
Golden Crown French Brandy Cake 681g $13.95
Golden Crown Iced Xmas Cake 681g $13.95
CRISPS
Jacobs Cheeselets Caddy 230g $6.95
PUDDINGS
Coles English Privilege Pudding 700g $34.95
Coles Black Cherry & Amaretto Pudding 450g $20.49
Coles Indiviual Brandy Christmas Pudding 110g $6.49
Lewis & Cooper Traditional Plum Pudding 450g $20.49
Walkers Glenfiddich Fruit Cake 400g $19.95
Walkers Luxury Mince Pies 6s $9.49
HOME COOKING
Robertsons Brandy & Date Mincemeat 411g $6.49
Robertsons Classic Mincemeat 411g $4.95
Robertsons Rum, Raisin & Cherries Mincemeat 411g $6.49
Robertsons Sweet Mincemeat Polypot 1.36kg $13.49.
;D ;D ;D
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Oh my god there isn't anything on that list that I wouldn't like to have. Now I am hungry just looking at the list. Away off to have a chocolate biscuit.
Angie :)
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Why don't I get emails like that? :'(
Is this an Auckland shop? I though maybe an email from the UK but for the dollar prices.
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I don't see the chocolate coated aniseed rings. ::)
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Why don't I get emails like that? :'(
Is this an Auckland shop? I though maybe an email from the UK but for the dollar prices.
Just 15 minutes down the road from us! ;D They have Tetley tea bags, Robinson's diluting juice, ham stock cubes and Black Sheep ale. ;D ;D ;D http://www.theenglishcornershop.co.nz/
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The English Corner Shop seems expensive.
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Welcome to New Zealand Arthur. A box of Shredded Wheat is nearly $12 in the local supermarket (Pack 'n' Save). Petrol, however, is $2.06/litre and after this week's shop, we'll save 25c/litre. 8)
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I am putting this in he happy thread as I have had over fourteen years of fun, cuddles and walkies from my golden retriever Benson. But sadly this morning I had to say goodbye. Still got him near as I buried him in my pony paddock. Nobody to share my chocolate biscuits and marshmallows with anymore. A friend that will be missed but will always be there in my memories. Always a happy friend to be around.
Angie :)
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Dear Angie,
this is such a brave post, I congratulate you and commiserate with you. :)
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Hi Angie,
We've talked about this day arriving for a little while now, and I feel for your loss. I am inspired by where you have put this post.
My commiserations.
Graham
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Thanks Maren and Graham
Was up early this morning no Benson to share my biscuit with, so I had a walk over to his grave and gave him his biscuit and to check that he was ok, silly really. Yes I had a tear in my eye and the house is quiet but like I say I am happy that I had all those cuddles from him, all those years and he never looked for anything in return, well offcourse he did a biscuit was all he wanted.
Since I have lost so much of my family in such a little time I have looked at life as a celebration and not to look at death but the life of the loved one. Just lucky to live life with happiness.
It's just me and the other old boy ( hubbie ) now.
Be happy not sad.
Angie
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Keep that resolute chin up Angie ...
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Wow. That picture is stunning, and hopefully says what the rest of us struggle to put into words, but are thinking.
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Angie, sorry to hear of the death of your dog. We do become attached to them. A suggestion: plant a nice tree where he is buried; it will remain as a good marker and reminder.
Cliff, the Eiger? Good image.
Paddy
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Wow. That picture is stunning, and hopefully says what the rest of us struggle to put into words, but are thinking.
I couldn't agree more.Lovely Pic Cliff.Sorry for your loss Angie,i don't want to say goodbye to my dog but one day i know i will :'(.
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Angie,
Sorry to hear that your Benson has gone, it really isn't easy, is it? I posted earlier up in the members area that our 16 1/2 yo Maltese (my avatar) went about 6 weeks ago, but I wasn't up here on the forums at the time. Our little one is now under a lovely red Geranium at the bottom of our front stairs, so we walk by her every time we enter the house. She'll be well remembered. 8) Glad to hear that you gave Benson his biscuit this morning..... can't have him going hungry. ;)
All the best at this tough time.
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Thanks everyone and thank you Cliff for that beautiful picture.
Today after returning from the AGM at Perth the first thing I noticed was the quietin the house. No husband, that's nothing unusual but the dog was always there to follow me into the kitchen. Sat and had a coffee and a biscuit no Benson staring at me with that look saying mum I am here. Yes he will be missed but like I say I am happy that I had all those years of fun and cuddles.
Do you know what is the best thing ? It's all my really lovely friends that I have here. Life is sometimes depressing for us all at times but I don't know what like it is for you folks but when I am on this forum and reading what everyone is doing and seeing all the lovely flowers the day brightens up. What a great bunch you lot are. I hope someday I will meet everyone of you :-*
Angie :)
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I've just tuned in here to discover Angela's post...... I too was at the AGM today and had little chance to speak with her.... but I notived she was not her usual sparkling self..... now I know why.
You're very brave Angela and you know that Ian and I can sympathise very much with your loss. I had a marvelous walk around the airport at Perth today with the small whites, who were really enjoying the sun and ploutering in the mud......I know that the pleasure of their company will not last forever, but the joy of their companionship will do.
Sad to hear about little Elf's passing too, Paul. She did make good old bones though, bless her wee soul.
Tragically, the dog of another forumist was lost recently in a traffic accident at a young age.... I think his devastated owner is still too shocked to speak of it, but there is, I hope, as Angela has said, a chance that the sympathy and understanding of friends here hhelps a little to ease the sore hearts.
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Angie,
go and get yourself another one. He won't replace Benson, but he will fill a void, make a noise, beg for a biscuit, enjoy your cuddles and soon be loved just as much. :) :) :)
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Maren not sure if I will get another dog. I have never been without a pet of some kiind. At one time I had a golden retriever, four cats, two Shetland ponies and a parrot, oh I forgot I have over fifty fish in the pond.
I think because I wasn't able to have children I felt that animals would be a good subsitute. On good thing there never give me the worry and expensive that some patents have. I have mentioned on the forum before that I have a stray cat that I have fed and given a bed in my shed for over a year, not a friendly cat but well fed. He hasn't been back for over a week and I fear that something is wrong but fingers crossed he is just away on a wee holiday.
Maggi if I new that two white cuddly babies were with you I would have pinched them, well only for a little time.
To the member that had lost their doggie I am so sorry. When you lose a pet due to old age it isnt as hard as losing a pet that was ill or has been in a accident. I wish I could help but we animal lovers will know how you are hurting.
Angie
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All sorts of nice dogs looking for a good home...... http://www.dawgs.co.uk/docs/dogs.php
This is where Lily and Poppy came from :)
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Maggi I have filed this link. I dare not look at it as I know exactly what would happen.
Give your babies a big cuddle tonight.
Angie :)
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Will do, Angela. Big cuddles from Ian and I to you, too. :-*
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[attachthumb=1]
[attachthumb=2]
[attachthumb=3]
Teddy, rest peacefully. 14.12.08 - 30.10.11
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I just want to tickle that tummy in picture two. 8) They become so much a part of the family that parting with them is heart breaking.
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From all your pals on the forum ...
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Lesley Anthony has just said they are part of our family and heartbreaking when we lose them. Teddy looks so lovely and to lose Teddy at a such a young age, such a heartache. If I was near you I could give you a big cuddle. So instead I give you a :-*
Angie
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Sorry to read of all the lost pets.
Having lived here for 30+ years we have many roses and trees where dogs and cats are now blooming again.
The very hardest was the Corgi who used to chase the car - and yes I ran her over. It was such a s..t and then to have to say Yes put her down. Then to bury her as that was the last that I could do for her. Dogs and car never mix.
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Thank you everyone. I can't talk about it yet.
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I'm so happy!!! Lancashire meat and potato pies, favourite food of my childhood, now available by mail order from Baxenden in Lancashire. You have no idea how long I've been hoping and praying for this...
http://www.hollandspies.co.uk/shop/online-shop
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Oh Lesley.... not Teddy!! :'( A short innings, but he was definitely loved to bits. So sorry.
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I'm afraid so Paul, but he was in no doubt he was loved dearly.
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Martin not sure if I would like to be around anyone who has eaten the last cheese and onion pie.
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I'm so happy!!! Lancashire meat and potato pies, favourite food of my childhood, now available by mail order from Baxenden in Lancashire. You have no idea how long I've been hoping and praying for this...
http://www.hollandspies.co.uk/shop/online-shop
Now, just to state the claim! ;D I'm not sure Lancashire can lay claim to meat and potato pies (meyt and taty pah to give it it's proper name) the proper side of the Pennines has a far stronger claim in my view ;)
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I'm afraid so Paul, but he was in no doubt he was loved dearly.
And he no doubt showed it as only a dog can. Irrepressible and irreplaceable.
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David, I just meant Lancashire meat and potato pies as in "meat and potato pies from Lancashire". Not trying to start a war over their origins. ;D
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David, I just meant Lancashire meat and potato pies as in "meat and potato pies from Lancashire". Not trying to start a war over their origins. ;D
Ah shucks, I had already enlisted and ordered my uniform! :D
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David, I just meant Lancashire meat and potato pies as in "meat and potato pies from Lancashire". Not trying to start a war over their origins. ;D
Martin, I think most, if not all, of the Wars of the Roses were fought outside of Yorkshire and Lancashire and this typifies the general view in those parts as to why "mucky" your own backyard when you can "mucky" someone else's ;D
http://www.vaguenet.com/archive/denbypie.php
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David, I just meant Lancashire meat and potato pies as in "meat and potato pies from Lancashire". Not trying to start a war over their origins. ;D
Ah shucks, I had already enlisted and ordered my uniform! :D
People who happen to live in Lancashire but lack the "birthright" would be barred from fighting anyway :P
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David, I just meant Lancashire meat and potato pies as in "meat and potato pies from Lancashire". Not trying to start a war over their origins. ;D
Ah shucks, I had already enlisted and ordered my uniform! :D
People who happen to live in Lancashire but lack the "birthright" would be barred from fighting anyway :P
Mercenaries will do anything for a crust!
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;D ;D ;D
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Perhaps a meat and potato pie crust then?
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You qualify mate, if there's a new War of the Roses you'll need to get a plane!
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Don't panic David, I'm ready. 8)
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My son and his wife, who live in Stafford, are in the Stanley Society and participate in re-enactments of the War of the Roses. He tells me that the "Yorkists" can take this rather seriously and try to overturn the original outcome of the Battle of Bosworth. The Stanleys had the right idea, they hung around the outside of the battle and joined the Lancastrians when they saw they were winning. Not the noblest of actions but very sensible! As you can see from the pictures they take it seriously. The weapons and armour are of the period
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Super photos, Tom... especially that last one.
I've often wondered about these historical re-enactment events.... must be tough to know from the start that one is on the losing side.... don't you think? ::)
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Win or lose, they have certainly had their pies! ;D
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To think, these men are devoted husbands and fathers with steady jobs and probably affectionate towards their cats/dogs all through the week then go out and try to kill each other at the weekends. ;D On the other hand, I think they do better than having numerous old cars cluttering the driveway, like here. >:(
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Very few new Forum posts in my Inbox this morning. I suppose everyone's busy with their seedlists. :D 8)
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Very few new Forum posts in my Inbox this morning. I suppose everyone's busy with their seedlists. :D 8)
Yes, I think so, Lesley.... I think I can hear the hum of the cogwheels of members' minds whirring as they make their choices.... either that or this lamp is on the blink. ;)
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..........He tells me that the "Yorkists" can take this rather seriously and try to overturn the original outcome of the Battle of Bosworth.
The Stanleys had the right idea, they hung around the outside of the battle and joined the Lancastrians when they saw they were winning. Not the noblest of actions but very sensible!
I'd expect any Yorkshireman worth his salt to give that a try, they're probably thinking that one day they'll crack it!
Interestingly there's a village called Stanley just outside Wakefield. Can't find any reference to the Stanley family in it's history though. The name is thought to be of Danish origin stan=stone and lean=meadow
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..........He tells me that the "Yorkists" can take this rather seriously and try to overturn the original outcome of the Battle of Bosworth.
The Stanleys had the right idea, they hung around the outside of the battle and joined the Lancastrians when they saw they were winning. Not the noblest of actions but very sensible!
I'd expect any Yorkshireman worth his salt to give that a try, they're probably thinking that one day they'll crack it!
Interestingly there's a village called Stanley just outside Wakefield. Can't find any reference to the Stanley family in it's history though. The name is thought to be of Danish origin stan=stone and lean=meadow
Accrington have their own Stanley... of course! :D
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Blackpool had three, bet you can't name 'em.
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Blackpool had three, bet you can't name 'em.
Mortensen, Matthews and Park!!! ;D ;D ;D ;)
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Ok you got'em, I give in ;D
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There's a Stanley near Perth. 8)
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Very few new Forum posts in my Inbox this morning. I suppose everyone's busy with their seedlists. :D 8)
I've only ever ordered using the paper copy. My July bulletin ended up goodness knows where! :-[
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Very few new Forum posts in my Inbox this morning. I suppose everyone's busy with their seedlists. :D 8)
I've only ever ordered using the paper copy. My July bulletin ended up goodness knows where! :-[
Folks,
If you have the paper copy the password is in it, too.... and it is easy to ask me for the password.......and online orders don't need to have lists added by members for MAF, the list is printed automatically 8)
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So who's seedlist are we talking about? I guess I've missed something (pretty common right now! ::))?
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So who's seedlist are we talking about? I guess I've missed something (pretty common right now! ::))?
It's the SRGC Seed Exchange Seedlist, Paul.
http://www.srgc.org.uk/forum/index.php?topic=7595.0
http://www.srgc.org.uk/forum/index.php?topic=8102.0
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Anthony, if you didn't get your July Journal, you can borrow mine if you like. I can send it up today but would like it back sometime. But try the Online ordering it's easy even for idiots such as myself. PM you. My paper list hasn't arrived yet and I understand paper orders are not disadvantaged for priority, compared to Online.
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Thanks Maggi, I hadn't realised it was out. Perhaps not this year. ::) I've never actually taken part in the seedex, despite being a member for a few years now. Always something that gets in the way.
Anyone else in Aus need something that they can't fit on their seed order? ;D ;D ;D ;)
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Wonder if anyone else saw the programme on BBC 4 last night at 9pm "Continental Drifters" by the erudite and laconic American comedian Rich Hall? It was brilliant and very funny. Basically he was looking at American culture, and sometimes British culture too, through the medium of "road" movies. Along the way he very subtly pricked the bubbles of pomposity surrounding people like Jeremy Clarkson.
This, I think the third programme of this kind he has done and all have been well worth watching. Rich Hall is from the "deep south" of America and has done most of his best work in the UK.
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Missed that, David, but like his work. Paddy
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David, sounds like my kind of TV.
I've just checked and it's repeated next Monday (21st) on BBC4 @ 1100pm in case anyone else missed it and wants to watch.
Personally, I'll set the recorder as it's past my bedtime. ;)
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Mine too Peter (it's an age thing!!) but I'll stay up and watch it again-no recorder you see ::)
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Mine too Peter (it's an age thing!!) but I'll stay up and watch it again-no recorder you see ::)
David... and others in the UK ... it is available on the BBC i-player... to watch on demand when you are wide awake ;) http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b017grqt/Rich_Halls_Continental_Drifters/
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It is too Maggi. Afraid I don't use the i player. Last time I tried it loused up my computer.
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It doesn't always work for me, either.... I have no idea why! But.... someone may benefit from an earlier showing! :)
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Mine too Peter (it's an age thing!!) but I'll stay up and watch it again-no recorder you see ::)
David... and others in the UK ... it is available on the BBC i-player... to watch on demand when you are wide awake ;) http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b017grqt/Rich_Halls_Continental_Drifters/
Thank you, Maggi. I don't automatically think of iPlayer as I don't use it often. I'll use it for this. Paddy
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But like all BBC stuff, not available here.
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I feel your pain, Lesley.
Not here, either :'(
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Not here either. ::)
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Not here either. ::)
You're kidding?
I had assumed that the BBC was available throughout the UK.
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Not here either. ::)
You're kidding?
I had assumed that the BBC was available throughout the UK.
Er! Helen, there's 900 years of history in that! Michael's in the southern part of Ireland which is an independent State. I know, our geography must be confusing ;D
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Lesley, Helen and Michael,
You can download a programme called "Expat Shield" which will allow you to use iPlayer though you are not resident in the UK. It manages this by connecting your computer to a proxy server in the UK so the BBC site "sees" your computer as being located in the UK and will then allow you access to the programmes.
The only hitch - only turn on ExpatShield when you wish to use it and turn it off when finished. It's not that it will do any harm but it can be nuisance if on all the time.
Paddy
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Not here either. ::)
You're kidding?
I had assumed that the BBC was available throughout the UK.
Er! Helen, there's 900 years of history in that! Michael's in the southern part of Ireland which is an independent State. I know, our geography must be confusing ;D
David, you're right.
Even though I knew that Southern Island was independent I didn't realize that would exclude BBC programming.
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Paddy, thanks for the tip.
I did try 'Expat Shield' a few months ago before my computer died but couldn't get it to work.
I think I need an Expat shield for dummies book. :-[
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I'll see if I can find it. Anthony may know it. ;)
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Not tried it yet Lesley.
Been trying to source Jaffas in something other than poly bags for sending to friends and relatives. Strange, I can get presentation boxes of shortbread made in Ancaster Square, Callander in Farmer's department store, but I don't appear to be able to buy a New Zealand icon in a presentation box to send home.
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I'll see if I can find it. Anthony may know it. ;)
Tried to install, but it seems to come with clingons, so I uninstalled it. Took longer than the USS Enterprize would take to circle Uranus looking for the pesky varmints! ::)
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A cracker of a concert here last night. Pinchas Zukerman conducting the National Arts Centre Orchestra teamed up with Symphony Nova Scotia.
Programme:
GSTQ & OC as Lieutenant-Governor in attendance - combined orchestras
Telemann Viola Concerto in G, Zukerman soloist and conductor, SNS
Mozart Violin Concerto K.216, Zukerman soloist and conductor with NACO
Tchaikovsky Symphony #5, NACO & SNS. Firsts switching seats at the 2nd movement.
The crowd erupted and the combo encored an amazing Elgar's Nimrod. What a feat to syncronize two orchestras in but a few days let alone to play 2 stringed instruments so superbly and conduct so well.
Great food at the reception, mainly Italian antipasti but towering trays of sweets. One huge platter of tiny tall glasses with exquisite chocolate mousse over brandied? pear bits. Had vision of M.Y. grabbing the platter and making a run for the door. ;)
johnw
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Really John, I can't imagine where you would get these notions.........
I like a bit of Telemann as well...........
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............... One huge platter of tiny tall glasses with exquisite chocolate mousse over brandied? pear bits. Had vision of M.Y. grabbing the platter and making a run for the door. ;)
..... and then beating on it to be let back in for seconds :P
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............... One huge platter of tiny tall glasses with exquisite chocolate mousse over brandied? pear bits. Had vision of M.Y. grabbing the platter and making a run for the door. ;)
..... and then beating on it to be let back in for seconds :P
Depends how much brandy there was in the mix, I suppose.... I might be rendered unable to move!
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How amaziing and wonderful John. Why didn't you save me a seat? Zucherman was here last year with his chamber players including his cellist wife and that was superb but otherwise the best recently has been Anne Soffie von Otter and only in Auckland and Wellington. Maybe Anthony.....?
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My wife is coming home tomorrow!! ;D ;D ;D
She's been in hospital nearly 6 weeks. :(
But she's coming home tomorrow. ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
She had her first full chemotherapy dose last Friday, and so far things have gone really well. No side effects at all.... yet!
But she's coming home tomorrow. ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
The next few weeks will of course be interesting, seeing how she reacts to her continuing chemotherapy etc, and how much help she's going to need at home. Thankfully I still have a fair bit of annual leave at work, although it would have been nice to have used it on a holiday for us. ::)
Did I mention that she's coming home tomorrow. ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
I'll stop now, before I get banned for excessive use of smiley faces. ;)
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Now THAT'S the kind of thing this thread was instigated for!!!
Give her our combined love and very best wishes, Paul ... and start planning that 'holiday of a lifetime' for next year ... something for you both to look forward to.
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Thanks Cliff!! I'll have to work up some more leave first, so maybe the year after. ;)
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My wife is coming home tomorrow!! ;D ;D ;D
She's been in hospital nearly 6 weeks. :(
But she's coming home tomorrow. ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
She had her first full chemotherapy dose last Friday, and so far things have gone really well. No side effects at all.... yet!
But she's coming home tomorrow. ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
The next few weeks will of course be interesting, seeing how she reacts to her continuing chemotherapy etc, and how much help she's going to need at home. Thankfully I still have a fair bit of annual leave at work, although it would have been nice to have used it on a holiday for us. ::)
Did I mention that she's coming home tomorrow. ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
The Buttercup has it exactly right, Paul... this is precisely the kind of great news we love to hear....... it is terrific news that Yvonne is comming home.
Yes, we know there's a long way to go yet, but being at home is so much nicer for all concerned.. and it's so much easier to relax when things are tough in your own home.
I know there will be lots of folks here wishing that all goes well and sending all fond wishes to Yvonne and to you... after all, you're an important factor in a great recovery, too.
Lots of love to Yvonne from Ian and I :-* :-*
PS I'll stop now, before I get banned for excessive use of smiley faces. ;)
Just not possible to exceed use of smiley faces in these circumstances, Paul! :)
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I'll stop now, before I get banned for excessive use of smiley faces. ;)
I was going to fill the page with SMILEYS. So happy for you and Yvonne. Good news. :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :)
Angie :)
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Delighted to read of your news, Paul. Best wishes to you both. Paddy
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.... and that goes for me too, all the best to you both.
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Very glad to hear that, Paul :)
And I would do as ranunculus suggests - take a long and well earned holiday. Can't you have some sort of sick pay or whatever you call it in English?
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Fantastic news, Paul.
I wish the very best to you both.
:) :) :)
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That is certainly great news Paul and you will both be happier with Yvonne in her own home. Let's hope it's the first step to a full recovery. Even if side effects happen, they can be coped with and lived through if the end result is full health again. My love to you both.
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That's really great news Paul! I hope that all goes well and wish you both the very best!
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Thank you all. I'll pass all these on to Yvonne (or probably let her read them this evening). 8) I've got tears in my eyes now folks :-[..... thanks so much for your best wishes.
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Just imagine how happy Yvonne will feel to be home in her own surroundings with you Paul - happiness personified, good luck and all the best to you both in her recovery. :)
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Well if Yvonne is going to be shown this, we'd better do things properly.........
with a card.....
[attach=1]
and some nice flowers.....
[attach=2]
All best wishes to you, Yvonne! :-*
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Get Well Soon Yvonne.
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Dear Yvonne,
All my very best wishes for a speedy recovery. From one who's been there. :) :) :) :) :)
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I heard yesterday that your wife is coming home tomorrow Paul. That's today! Hope you are having a very happy day. ;D
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So glad to read this good news Paul !! :D
Very best wishes from this end of the globe ! ;)
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Speaking from experience, it is a relief to get your wife home and she will benefit from her home surroundings. Not only that, her mental attitude will improve. She will also enjoy the sight of you doing a lot of the housework including ironing !
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Get Well Soon Yvonne.
Cliff, is it a kind of horizontal get-well-wishing-well well you show us?
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Thanks again, Folks.
She's home now, so will see these best wishes later today hopefully (too tired last night).
Maggi, isn't there something slightly creepy about a hamster wearing little bunny slippers? ;D
Cliff, that pic is gorgeous. I'm assuming it one of your own pics? Not your garden? I SO want to visit that place, it just looks so cool and inviting. I could just feel my shoulders relax just looking at it. I wonder if it would work as a desktop?
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Maggi, isn't there something slightly creepy about a hamster wearing little bunny slippers?
What can you mean... that's Ian in his jim jams and slippers posing for a get well card picture...... he'll be very hurt.... thought he was doing a grand job to cheer Yvonne...... :o ::) ;D
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Gee Maggi, you're a whiz with the camera. Can't say I've ever thought of Ian as cute before..... but now? :P
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Gee Maggi, you're a whiz with the camera. Can't say I've ever thought of Ian as cute before..... but now? :P
Well, in the past there have been doubts about my photographic talents.... difficulty holding the camera still while I chat etc.... but for Yvonne I made a special effort..... and I think Ian is VERY cute!
Lesley will agree with me on this, I'm sure :D
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No-one cuter! ;D
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Thanks again, Folks.
Cliff, that pic is gorgeous. I'm assuming it one of your own pics? Not your garden? I SO want to visit that place, it just looks so cool and inviting. I could just feel my shoulders relax just looking at it. I wonder if it would work as a desktop?
I took that shot at the beautiful Stonecrop Garden and Nursery in New York State ... one of the marvellous horticultural creations of the legendary Frank Cabot who sadly passed away this week. We were so fortunate to be taken there by Anne Spiegel (Astragalus) during our NARGS Lecture Tour last year. A must see garden if you are ever within travelling distance.
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It is just wonderful, Cliff. Somehow I don't think I'll ever manage to visit it in person. :'(
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For Paul (and any of you who might be interested), I have posted a large batch of images taken at Stonecrop Gardens on the following page of the NARGS site as a tribute to its creator; Frank Cabot who passed away very recently.
http://nargs.org/smf/index.php?topic=827.0
(edit by maggi to add page link... which seemed to be missing.)
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Some amazing pics in there, Cliff. Must come back tomorrow and view them all properly. I must admit that with all we've been through in the last while I had completely forgotten the NARGS forum..... now I have the link again and have logged back in. Lost it when my computer had conniptions a few weeks ago. ::)
Yvonne has just had a read of the various responses to her coming home..... she asked me to please pass on a big cheery Thanks to you all for your well wishes. 8)
Thanks all.
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Some amazing pics in there, Cliff. Must come back tomorrow and view them all properly. I must admit that with all we've been through in the last while I had completely forgotten the NARGS forum..... now I have the link again and have logged back in. Lost it when my computer had conniptions a few weeks ago. ::)
Yvonne has just had a read of the various responses to her coming home..... she asked me to please pass on a big cheery Thanks to you all for your well wishes. 8)
Thanks all.
... And thank you for the wonderful word; 'conniptions' ... so many opportunities to use it in my life these days! LOL.
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Cliff, re your new word: it is used here in the phrase, "cat's conniptions", as in, "There'll be cat's conniptions when she sees what you have done" - big trouble, in other words, a hissy fit.
The common pronunciation is "connuptions"
Paddy
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Cliff, re your new word: it is used here in the phrase, "cat's conniptions", as in, "There'll be cat's conniptions when she sees what you have done" - big trouble, in other words, a hissy fit.
The common pronunciation is "connuptions"
Paddy
Thanks Paddy,
I may introduce it into a rare marital 'discussion' to test reaction! :D ::)
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I don't recognise this new word. Does it have several meanings?
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What... "discussion" ? .. yes, Anthony..... MANY meanings........ ;)
If you mean "conniptions" ... then it's not so new...it's given as originating in 1830s in America.
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I did a Google for "cat's conniptions" and found the following:
”Pet Talk: Curb your cat’s conniptions at the vet“ – It is very common for cats to throw tantrums when they visit the vet, especially if they are not exposed to other people frequently."
So, maybe, it is a phrase which originated as a description of cats' behaviour.
Paddy
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I had no idea that conniptions was that rarely used? Effectively the word as I used it meant "fit".... i.e the computer had a fit. Given your wonderful use of obscure words at times Cliff, I'm so glad to have given you another one. Like I said, didn't realise it wasn't common, although I did realise it was an older word. I have a lot of older words as my parents were somewhat older than the parents of most of my peers when growing up (both parents were in their 40s when I was born). 8)
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At 68 I've just bought my very first guitar. It's the first time, in any shop, that a proprietor has talked me out of my intention of spending a fair amount of money and suggested I start with something considerably cheaper. He suggested I start with a classical style guitar with nylon strings one of the reasons being that I could start my learning process (from scratch, never had any kind of instrument before) without finger problems from steel strings. Hope he's right. Came with free internet tutor for one year. First lesson about to start ;D
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At 68 I've just bought my very first guitar.
Bet that took some pluck! :D
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Enjoy it, David.
Paddy
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Well done David and good luck with it!
I was nearly 40 when I got mine. It was a cheaper midlife crisis purchase than a Porsche ;D
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Well done David and good luck with it!
I was nearly 40 when I got mine. It was a cheaper midlife crisis purchase than a Porsche ;D
I just went on the fiddle! ;D
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David, that's wonderful - it's clear how much you love music and it's exciting to be able to at least try to make it oneself (says I, highly lapsed piano player).
My daughter is bubbly today - declaring herself in love with new piano scores that came in the post today (no strike at the Ponte de Lima post office, "imagine how much we would lose if we were on strike today" said the postman) - which is a nice thing for a 14-going-on-15 year old to get excited about!!
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Brilliant David, and the man was right, much easier on the fingers than steel strings as long as the action isn't too high. Making music yourself is brilliant and it's even better if you can find some like minded late starters to play with---as long as they share your taste in music that is ;)
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Well done David and good luck with it!
I was nearly 40 when I got mine. It was a cheaper midlife crisis purchase than a Porsche ;D
I just went on the fiddle! ;D
Fiddle D G! ;D
What... "discussion" ? .. yes, Anthony..... MANY meanings........ ;)
If you mean "conniptions" ... then it's not so new...it's given as originating in 1830s in America.
A bit like Lewis Carroll's words then? Invent a good word to fit the occasion. Must use it today! 8)
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Thanks folks. Started the on-line lessons and have to admit it's slow going. First section was getting to know all the bits of the guitar; use of plectrum; tuning; and open string notes. Been playing G-B-E-B on and off for most of the day. Maureen going mad!! Now I've completed the first lesson I have to wait a week before getting access to the second (much more GBEB!!) Off to Waterstone's tomorrow for a copy of "Guitar for Dummies".
Sorry to bore all the non-guitarists out there. ;D
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Sorry to bore all the non-guitarists out there. ;D
Please don't fret too much, David! :D
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Sorry to bore all the non-guitarists out there. ;D
You would never bore us, Its a pity we couldn't hear you. Well maybe not, we might be better waiting to you mature a little ;)
Angie :)
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Cliff, I set 'em up, you knock 'em down.
Don't think I'll ever mature Angie!
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It can't be that bad for Maureen, David...... after all you might have chosen the Tuba, or Violin...... yup.... all in all I think she'll get off quite lightly! ;D ;D ;)
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David, I'm older than you and still learning. I've been at it for 55 years and still have lots to learn. Your left hand fingers will eventually develop pads of hard skin and the pain will go.
A word of advice, do not soak your hands in hot soapy water - no dishwashing - good excuse, I have used it for decades. !! In the bath, keep your hands up out of the water or the skin will soften and you will have to start over again.
Practice as much as you can, preferably in short sessions. If you feel any real pain in your fingers, leave off for a while. Remember,you are doing it for enjoyment.
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Well done David, you put me to shame. ::) There's marvellous music for classical guitar, especially from the Spanish and South American composers. I'll look forward to the YouTubes. ;D
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Regular (a few times daily, at least to start with) dipping of finger tips in meths will harden the tips and alleviate the pain. My sister did it for years when first learning to play the cello.
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I'm impressed mate !! (with what I read at least.... I might be less impressed if I had heard... ;D :-X ;))
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[attachthumb=1]
David all my sympathy goes to Maureen!
A word of advice, do not soak your hands in hot soapy water - no dishwashing - good excuse, I have used it for decades.
[attachthumb=2]
Never thought of that ;D ;D 8) First thing in the morning off to the music store.
What a pity that SHE already knows that I am not talented.
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As I have heard nothing to the contrary the amazing Alice Herz Sommer will celebrate her 108th birthday on Saturday. She was still going strong this time last year and practising piano every morning. Just imagine, she studied with a pupil of Franz Liszt; probably the last person that can boast of that, the last Liszt pupil José Vianna da Motta died in 1948. So David you have plenty of time to master that guitar. She says owes her longevity to optimism. She may not have grown Drabas but went through far worse.
An inspiring series of interviews at age 105.
http://www.webofstories.com/play/17994 (http://www.webofstories.com/play/17994)
Hats off to Alice!
johnw
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Maggi, I think she's worried it might get to the serenading under the window stage!
Tom, a useful washing up avoidance dodge there. I think my left hand fingers are going to be a problem. They are short and on the chubby side I think I need to exercise them a lot to try and get them to stretch more.
Lesley, will it work just as well if I dip them in single malt? The guitar might be classical but I doubt if the output will.
Luit, I passed on your sympathy, she said it was well earned.
Luc, I'll get you tickets for my first gig.
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David, you have chosen the most difficult guitar to master as far as fingering goes. A classical guitar fingerboard is 2 1/4" wide while steel strung guitars are about 1 7/8" - this makes chord changing easier.. However, I have gone the other way. I started off with 1 11/16", then got a guitar made for me with a 2" fingerboard and finally bought a good classical guitar with the
2 1/4" wide fingerboard. I now find the widest fingerboard easier as I play finger style and never use a plectrum. After about a month you will adjust. Some of the greatest guitarists had fingers like bananas. Have a look at a picture of Segovia.
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Tom, I hadn't realised that. Still, made my bed now I'll have to lie on it and get the fingers moving. My sons fingers are very much like mine and he's pretty good but plays a steel strung guitar. He lives away now but will be home this weekend so might get a few tips. Having said that he's the worlds worst at showing patience though, he works on the "I shall say this only once" basis.
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David, don't get dispirited (except on Scotch, drink it, sod the finger tips!). Tom is right that the classical neck is wider and needs a bit more stretch, but it is so much easier on the fingers and I always found/find it easier to get clean chords as you are slightly less likely to muffle the strings adjacent to where you've plonked your fingers on strings. Mind you, in a slightly inebriated folk session, the classical guitar lacks the volume required to keep racing box players under control...horses for courses.
When you've mastered the Guitar try the fiddle, flipping thing doesn't even have frets to tell you where the notes are ;D
cheers
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Hopefully it will get more use than my son's guitar! I bought a hard case for it to transport it out to NZ and it hasn't been touched since! :( He had piano and trumpet lessons, and even reached ABRSM grade 3 and 4 respectively, so there is no problem not being able to read music!
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David, don't get dispirited (except on Scotch, drink it, sod the finger tips!). Tom is right that the classical neck is wider and needs a bit more stretch, but it is so much easier on the fingers and I always found/find it easier to get clean chords as you are slightly less likely to muffle the strings adjacent to where you've plonked your fingers on strings. Mind you, in a slightly inebriated folk session, the classical guitar lacks the volume required to keep racing box players under control...horses for courses.
When you've mastered the Guitar try the fiddle, flipping thing doesn't even have frets to tell you where the notes are ;D
cheers
My problem (or one of 'em!) appears to be that I have the wrong sort of fingers on my left hand. The ones I was supplied with appear to work very well together and in unison but it's the devil's own job to get them to work independently. Still son gave favourable comments to the guitar and spent most of Friday evening playing it, with his left hand (and fingers!) flitting around the fret board like demented things. "Don't worry Dad" appeared to be the message "Just persevere and you'll get there". I shall do just that but I'm not attempting the fiddle Martin, at least not the musical one ;D
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Lucy just got her grade 5 violin results: she passed with merit. 8)
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According to my granddaughter (10yrs) playing the guitar is easy. After 2 years at school taking lessons, probably about 40 hours in total , she gave up the lessons . When I asked why she said "I can play it". Yes, she can play one tune. So, David, that is all you need to know ! If a child really wants to learn an instrument by all means encourage them but I would never try to force them I tried to get my son interested in the guitar when he was about 6 but to no avail. At 15 he either discovered rock and roll or girls, or worked out that young girls likes "rock" guitarists. I eventually had to buy him a Gibson Les Paul just to get my own guitar back. There is hope for you yet, Status Quo are off on another tour. You can send me a ticket for your first concert
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Tom, The Gibson Les Paul has served its time in this household also. It has been joined by several others over the last few years; some went, others came, all to get a "good sound". A mandolin seems likely to be the next arrival.
Paddy
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=o_LNU1-s4BE
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Lute, not guitar, but so wonderful: http://youtu.be/ewmnq7IqtCA
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David, anything works better if dipped in single malt but remember, the idea is to harden the finger tips not to have something nice to lick while playing. :D
Reverting to a moan briefly, I now have a second job, still for Otago Farmers' Market Trust, at a newly established market on the other side of the city www.otagofarmersmarket.org.nz
While I'm Manager at the Saturday market I'm one of two car park attendants at the Wednesday market, just for 3 1/2 hours. It involves directing people into spaces and taking gold coin donations for the parking, for which we pay the Catholic Church across the road. So far, of the 3 markets we've had, one rained half the time and the other two have teamed continuously. So on Wednesday I sent a text to Roger asking him to get in a small bottle of Scotch whisky so that I could avoid the otherwise inevitable cold in the head because in spite of being well wrapped up and waterproofed and umbrellad, the rain penetrated to my skin and I arrived home a drowned rat, to all intents and purposes. He got the bottle all right (Dewar's White Label, the cheapskate), and apart from the glass I had when I got there, he has now finished the rest. It was a litre. Hope to God it doesn't rain again on Wednesday.
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David, anything works better if dipped in single malt................................................
Anything Lesley :o ;D
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Well I admit there are certain things I haven't tried, and I won't go into anatomical details here, this being a Forum where some people may have delicate feelings. But let's say anything of a genuinely edible nature such as chocolate, peaches et al.
I am very happy that our General Election is now over for another 3 years and while I didn't get or expect to get the govt I would have liked, the voters did succeed in keeping out the most toxic bit of humanity we have produced in NZ for the last 1000 years. Thank Heaven for that! The Greens have done exceptionally well and we have the unpredictable gentleman from Tauranga (not Bill Dijk :)) who will be a thorn in the govt's flesh and provide something to stop our system being intolerably boring every time the House sits. Not a bad result overall.
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Hmm,
"Beautiful, handsome, awesome, delighted and joyful" seems to fit Bill Djik better though.
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My God Rob, where did you get that description for our Winnie. Well probably his own words I suppose. He certainly thinks well of himself and he's never been seen with a hair out of place on his perfectly coiffed head. I see he is making less use of the Grecian 2000 though. ;D
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It's the literal translation of Vaovasamanaia, the Samoan title WP got in 2007.
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Paddy, for real virtuoso guitar playing go to davidrussellguitar.com. Listen to Spatter the dew and the Bucks of Oranmore. A Scotsman playing two Irish tunes - be impressed at the technique and musicality.
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Car park attendant! 8) Just as well it is not at Sylvia Park, Auckland's largest retail destination. According to the ad in the food court it has over 4000 car parks! :o Goodness knows how many spaces that means! ::)
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The one we are using has about 90 car parks, each occupied for an average of about half an hour so about 300 cars per market. I don't have to worry about the street parking as well thank goodness. ;D
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Is that car parks or parking spaces Lesley? A car park is generally an area where cars park and has tens of parking spaces, rather than the name for a space for one car.
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Parking spaces. Spaces in which to park one's car. Each about 2.8m x 6m.
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I like the way parking spaces in our local shopping centres have that oblong, looped double line, giving you plenty of space to open a door, and reducing problem of those careless (or couldn't care less) people who park on or over the line, effectively occupying two spaces.
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You'll have to do a photo of those Anthony. At my shopping centre/supermarket park the oblongs are wide enough for a car but only wide enough to walk between two with a shopping trolley, if everyone parks amidships which many don't so often one has to take a long way round the end of the lines to get to the other side. Not so good when it's pouring rain or a strong, gusty wind.
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I wish OUR parking spaces were that big. You couldn't fit a shopping trolley between cars anywhere in our shopping areas...... unless it was a miniature one in your handbag. :o It's getting harder and harder to even open your door to get out without nearly hitting the nextdoor car. There are some spaces now that I would hate to be driving a big 4 wheel drive, as I doubt they could literally fit in them. ??? Yours sound much more civilised Anthony. 8)
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You'll have to do a photo of those Anthony. At my shopping centre/supermarket park the oblongs are wide enough for a car but only wide enough to walk between two with a shopping trolley, if everyone parks amidships which many don't so often one has to take a long way round the end of the lines to get to the other side. Not so good when it's pouring rain or a strong, gusty wind.
I have never tried to push trolleys between cars parked side-by-side in a car park, and wouldn't like to think of anyone trying to for fear of scratches. I'll take a pic of the lines in the Botany car park. It's just two parallel lines about 18" apart between spaces, with a curve at either end giving it the looped oblong shape, or long rectangle with curved ends.
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Paddy, for real virtuoso guitar playing go to davidrussellguitar.com. Listen to Spatter the dew and the Bucks of Oranmore. A Scotsman playing two Irish tunes - be impressed at the technique and musicality.
Thanks for that, Tom. I've also passed it on to my son. Paddy
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Had to share this : seen in the Flemish Forum..... a Saxifraga-loving member's description, to rival the Croconuts, I think.... he's a Saxifrolic ;D
Now this may be a description for the Saxy Gang that has been around for a while... but it's new to me and tickled a funny bone!
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I've only just seen this thread about David and his new passion.....the guitar.
For all aspiring guitar players, I would recommend firstly seeking out a good teacher....at least for two lessons. They will advise on technique which is the most important aspect of playing well. Poor technique will inevitably lead to bad habits, so the sooner you get this part right, the better.
Secondly, don't waste money on books. Once you have your technique correct, go on You Tube. There are some really excellent tutorials on there once you've sorted the wheat from the chaff...and they are free.
Good luck David, and keep us informed of your progress.
P.S. I sent you a PM.
Alan
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Hi Alan, I'll reply to your PM shortly. With my guitar came a free on-line tutorial package, complete with video and sound, and it seems to be quite good. It provides me with a weekly lesson for a full year. Yes, I've been on You Tube and played around with one or two tutorials for beginners and found them useful. I'm trying to strengthen my left hand fingers as well as getting used to very short nails but as I said in my last post I have quite a small hand and fingers so I'm trying to get them to spread a bit. Still I haven't had the guitar for a week yet so I don't expect rapid progress-steady will do me!
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Tom and David,
Today is our son John's birthday and he has treated himself to this:
http://www.tanglewoodguitars.co.uk/products/banjomanduke/mandolin/cove/TMASNAT.html
Paddy
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Very nice indeed Paddy, looks a lovely instrument.
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Many Happy Returns of the day to John.
A good choice for the mandolin, I think.... Ian has a lovely Tanglewood guitar that he is fond of. 8)
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Maggi,
I think Tanglewood is a Scottish company. John has a guitar made by them already as has another son, David. Both like them very much.
David, it certainly looks well though I have only seen the photograph you have also seen on the internet. John is in college in Cork, about two hours away, and bought it there today. I'm sure John will play it for me many times when he comes home.
Paddy
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Tanglewood. Tasty website. Could get seriously poor if I spend too long looking at it. It still amazes me how much guitar you can get for fairly reasonable money, the same cannot be said for violins.
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It still amazes me how much guitar you can get for fairly reasonable money, the same cannot be said for violins.
Ah, Martin, you should have a word with the Aberdeen SRGC Treasurer, Bill , he restores and builds violins 8)
I can provide contact details if you wish.
He did a wonderfu job of rebuliding/restoring a sweet liitle old parlour guitar of Ian's and I don't doubt he can do wonders with a violin if you have a good one that has seen better days.
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Thanks Maggi, but I have an old Scottish violin, already restored. Looks a bit rough in places but sounds good. I only hope I look, and sound, as good when I'm 180 :o :o
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Paddy, for real virtuoso guitar playing go to davidrussellguitar.com. Listen to Spatter the dew and the Bucks of Oranmore. A Scotsman playing two Irish tunes - be impressed at the technique and musicality.
Tom, agree this is virtuoso classical guitar playing but.....I'm going to get on a hobbyhorse and get shot down in flames :'(
I do wish classical musicians would leave traditional music alone, they completely destroy it. Can I suggest people got to Youtube, search for The Bucks of Oranmore and listen to Matt Molloy playing it on flute or Seamus Ennis on the Irish pipes. This music is meant to make your feet tap and be played in a rhythm it is very difficult for classically trained musicians to get right, partly I think because standard notation makes it very difficult to write the rhythm down, it's very much an aural tradition.
Just the other day I was played the CD which accompanies the most recent edition of Associated Board exam pieces for Violin grade 6. It includes a brilliant Bluegrass tune completely destroyed on the demo CD. It was so bad my teacher, who teaches Classical and traditional styles, and I were laughing before it finished.
Rant over, please get back to being happy ::) ::)
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Martin,
I can understand your laughing at the music you mention above - because it was so bad.
However, I could never understand my son finding particular musical phrases of runs of notes amusing as though they were a musical joke. He would ask me to listen to them and I would simply be completely lost, couldn't see what he was talking about at all. He would explain but never got through the fog of my musical brain.
Paddy
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Just the other day I was played the CD which accompanies the most recent edition of Associated Board exam pieces for Violin grade 6. It includes a brilliant Bluegrass tune completely destroyed on the demo CD.
There's an old joke in Kentucky (and I suppose in other States too):
Q. What's the difference between a violin and a fiddle?
A. A violin has strings and a fiddle has 'straangs' (spoken with a 'deep south' accent)
I never appreciated fiddle music till I moved here. Oh boy are there some great fiddle players in Kentucky.
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...and speaking of Bluegrass. Check out this link....it's awesome
http://youtu.be/Vj9ghC2SgbY
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...and speaking of Bluegrass. Check out this link....it's awesome
http://youtu.be/Vj9ghC2SgbY
Makes yer sick don't it! ;D
He said with his fingers aching after an hours practise playing scales to try to get them moving and more flexible.
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Stick with it David.....everything comes to he who waits. There's another wonderful band called the Sleepy Man Banjo Boys. the youngest is 8 years old so by the time you're 76 I expect you to be at this standard !!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3qbB4Kq3Y0
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Martin
Yes, I like both versions preferring the Uillean pipes. However, David Russell's version is an arrangement for the guitar and not meant to be a guitar "copy" of the original.
I used to think the same as you as to classical musicians "interfering" with traditional melodies, however, in my time, I have heard some lousy traditional instrumentalists and singers destroying traditional tunes and songs. Now I listen and either like the rendition or not. I can remember a guitarist called Pepe de Madrid who ran a local cafe in Ibiza. My wife and I were on holiday there in 1963. We used to visit the cafe every evening and when he found out that I was interested in the guitar, we were invited to stay on when the cafe closed and his relations would play, sing and dance Flamenco until the small hours. In my very poor Spanish I found out that he was a classically trained guitarist who had studied under Segovia but had a love of his musical heritage in Andalusia. He was the real thing. He could play Bach perfectly but was totally authentic and passionate in his Flamenco heritage.
Paddy
Tanglewood are an English company. However, I think their instruments are made in China or Vietnam to their design and specifications. I do not see how they could be made and sold in the UK at these prices. Wherever they are made, they look very good value. To have one made by a UK luthier would set you back between £800/2000
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...and speaking of Bluegrass. Check out this link....it's awesome
http://youtu.be/Vj9ghC2SgbY
Great!
The Portuguese guitar in overdrive: http://youtu.be/k9cqXIk2B04
Chloe
daughter of a fiddle player
(of the violin variety, but who always called her violin a fiddle!)
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And here's the Bluegrass tune, Grey Eagle, as it should be heard.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIsgM-lTpms (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIsgM-lTpms)
I suppose sooner or later we'll have to go back to talking about plants.........well maybe 8)
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And here's the Bluegrass tune, Grey Eagle, as it should be heard.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIsgM-lTpms (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIsgM-lTpms)
I suppose sooner or later we'll have to go back to talking about plants.........well maybe 8)
With the inimitable Danny Thompson on bass, ( I think that's "Victoria") and Russ Barenburg, Donal Lunny... ......... magic!
Just the sort of music to keep you happy as you watch your plants grow!
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;D ;D ;D Finally I have got a good job! ;D ;D ;D
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;D ;D ;D Finally I have got a good job! ;D ;D ;D
A better job than baking the best cakes in Hungary, Erika? Is it possible to have a better job? :o 8)
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There's an old joke in Kentucky ......
You're very hard on yourself Alan ;D
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And here's the Bluegrass tune, Grey Eagle, as it should be heard.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIsgM-lTpms (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIsgM-lTpms)
Brilliant.
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;D ;D ;D Finally I have got a good job! ;D ;D ;D
A better job than baking the best cakes in Hungary, Erika? Is it possible to have a better job? :o 8)
No job could be better, but the shop cassier not satisfied with my cake expert positon, she wants money from me ;D do not mention the university where my son going in ::)
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I'm certain that this magnificent resource has already been promoted on this forum a number of times already, but in case you missed it ...
http://www.catalogueoflife.org/info/ac
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The photograph tells it all. Our grand-daughter, Olivia, when I told her the snowdrops were popping up in the garden.
Paddy
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The photograph tells it all. Our grand-daughter, Olivia, when I told her the snowdrops were popping up in the garden.
Paddy
I see you have her well trained already Paddy ;D :D ;D
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The photograph tells it all. Our grand-daughter, Olivia, when I told her the snowdrops were popping up in the garden.
Paddy
I see you have her well trained already Paddy ;D :D ;D
Aha, how easily fooled you men are!
There's training going on alright, but it is litttle Olivia who is in charge.... already she has Grandad convinced he is leading her.... just look at that gorgeous wee face.... that is the face of a crocus loving erythronium fan, if ever I saw one.... she's humouring you Paddy... look at the wee tongue peeking out.... she has you right where she wants you! 8) 8) 8)
What a wee smasher!
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I was going to say initially that she is sticking out her tongue at Maggi and those who don't love snowdrops but didn't wish to be rude. However, that really is the case.
All the same, that twinkle in her eye tells me that she will be able to twist me around her little finger - and that's fine. I'll enjoy it all. Even will enjoy watching her do the same with her father.
Paddy
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Oh yes, I expect watching her manipulate her father will be highly entertaining for you!
What a joy Olivia is and will be. Lucky Tobins!
Looking at that face again... I think maybe she is commenting to us doubters! after all! ;D ;D
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Paddy isn't she so cute, enjoy as you know they grow up so quick .
Angie :)
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Olivia is a bundle of joy! :)
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I have been absorbed in the AGS seedlist today. I discovered the brilliant online list with instant google links and have already spent 3 hours on it and I'm only up to the Ds. All these plants I didn't know even existed :o
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Out of the mouths of babes........... My 3 year old grandson thinks his new baby sister is the baby Jesus! Well, she does spend most of the day asleep in a crib.
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;D ;D ;D
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Alas, poor Jesus didn't have a crib.
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Alas, poor Jesus didn't have a crib.
They should have gone to Ikea (or any other store of repute).
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Then they wouldn't have been able to sing him to sleep with "A wean in a manger".
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Then they wouldn't have been able to sing him to sleep with "A wean in a manger".
It's a good job that they didn't have to rely on this forum for the Three Wise Men! ;D
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I have been absorbed in the AGS seedlist today. I discovered the brilliant online list with instant google links and have already spent 3 hours on it and I'm only up to the Ds. All these plants I didn't know even existed :o
The AGS paper list has arrived here. I think the notes provided by Diane are quite superb: the extra work that is caused by name changes just piles on the effort required to get the list organised and I hope we all appreciate the work that goes in from that perspective, not to mention all the other aspects of collecting and sending the seed, collating the seed, packing etc....an enormous amount of work for the members.
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Then they wouldn't have been able to sing him to sleep with "A wean in a manger".
It's a good job that they didn't have to rely on this forum for the Three Wise Men! ;D
I'd settle for the Gold but I can do without the other two ;D
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I have been absorbed in the AGS seedlist today. I discovered the brilliant online list with instant google links and have already spent 3 hours on it and I'm only up to the Ds. All these plants I didn't know even existed :o
The AGS paper list has arrived here. I think the notes provided by Diane are quite superb: the extra work that is caused by name changes just piles on the effort required to get the list organised and I hope we all appreciate the work that goes in from that perspective, not to mention all the other aspects of collecting and sending the seed, collating the seed, packing etc....an enormous amount of work for the members.
Got mine on Saturday morning. Agreed: Agreed: Agreed.
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I have been absorbed in the AGS seedlist today. I discovered the brilliant online list with instant google links and have already spent 3 hours on it and I'm only up to the Ds. All these plants I didn't know even existed :o
The AGS paper list has arrived here. I think the notes provided by Diane are quite superb: the extra work that is caused by name changes just piles on the effort required to get the list organised and I hope we all appreciate the work that goes in from that perspective, not to mention all the other aspects of collecting and sending the seed, collating the seed, packing etc....an enormous amount of work for the members.
Got mine on Saturday morning. Agreed: Agreed: Agreed.
Anyone able to get to Pershore to help with the AGS Seed packing, as with volunteers for the SRGC packing, will be rewarded with tea and cake.... if that's not an incentive to help I don't know what is!
Seriously, I know the AGS website is still asking for more volunteers so if anyone is able to help out with the picking and packing of seed orders at Pershore please do make contact with Diane for the AGS at diane.clement@agsgroups.org or telephone AGS Centre 01386 554790
I suspect that the Edinburgh Group would be delighted to hear from anyone near Edinburgh who can help out too for the SRGC seed exchange... please contact Ian Bainbridge at bainbridi@aol.com if you may be able to spare some time at weekends in January and early February.
Many hands make no cake left.... or some such saying...... ;)
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Alas, poor Jesus didn't have a crib.
Doesn't the carol go "Away in a manger, a crib for His bed........."
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Alas, poor Jesus didn't have a crib.
Doesn't the carol go "Away in a manger, a crib for His bed........."
Before anyone else points it out I realise I am wrong it is "NO crib for a bed......." Sorry
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Then they wouldn't have been able to sing him to sleep with "A wean in a manger".
It's a good job that they didn't have to rely on this forum for the Three Wise Men! ;D
I'd settle for the Gold but I can do without the other two ;D
If I didn't get the gold I would be incensed! ;)
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Then they wouldn't have been able to sing him to sleep with "A wean in a manger".
It's a good job that they didn't have to rely on this forum for the Three Wise Men! ;D
I'd settle for the Gold but I can do without the other two ;D
If I didn't get the gold I would be incensed! ;)
That could lead to some myrrhth ::)
cheers
fermi
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Then they wouldn't have been able to sing him to sleep with "A wean in a manger".
It's a good job that they didn't have to rely on this forum for the Three Wise Men! ;D
I'd settle for the Gold but I can do without the other two ;D
If I didn't get the gold I would be incensed! ;)
Well, at least he's being frank! ;)
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What can I say but: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPDQ8kxk-C0&feature=related (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPDQ8kxk-C0&feature=related)
;D
cheers
fermi
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;D ;D ;D :-*
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Well there you go, I knew three (wise) old men would step out, and with jokes older than they are ;D
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Well there you go, I knew three (wise) old men would step out, and with jokes older than they are ;D
Just as you imagined, you old soothsayer! :D
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I think the (wise) cracks are beginning to show? ::)
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I have been absorbed in the AGS seedlist today. I discovered the brilliant online list with instant google links and have already spent 3 hours on it and I'm only up to the Ds. All these plants I didn't know even existed :o
The AGS paper list has arrived here. I think the notes provided by Diane are quite superb: the extra work that is caused by name changes just piles on the effort required to get the list organised and I hope we all appreciate the work that goes in from that perspective, not to mention all the other aspects of collecting and sending the seed, collating the seed, packing etc....an enormous amount of work for the members.
Thanks for your comments, Maggi, Anne and others. Only just catching up with this thread, been too busy doing the job ;) (this thread seems to have been highjacked by the worst punsters around :o )
Anyone able to get to Pershore to help with the AGS Seed packing, as with volunteers for the SRGC packing, will be rewarded with tea and cake.... if that's not an incentive to help I don't know what is! Seriously, I know the AGS website is still asking for more volunteers so if anyone is able to help out with the picking and packing of seed orders at Pershore please do make contact with Diane for the AGS at diane.clement@agsgroups.org or telephone AGS Centre 01386 554790
And thanks, Maggi for the plug! Yes, any help anyone can give will be most welcome. Just get in touch with me if you can help.
Just added a picture of the seed at Pershore, all racked up and ready for order picking.
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I'm so, so, so happy and thrilled and delighted! ;D
A few months ago I sent some seed to a gentleman in Japan. It was nothing special to me but seems to have been special for him (Aristolochia longa) as today in the post I have received a parcel containing a HANTEN. It is a most exquisite garment, a short coat, soft, warm and padded, for casual wear indoors or out, on cold days. Lined with a pink fabric and beautifully made tt has a white ground colour with black roses and leaves and gold, purple and cerise chysanthemums on it. He tells me it is designed by a top Japanese fashion designer and it is something I'll treasure for the rest of my life.
He also sent pictures of the Aristolochia seedlings so I'm very happy they have germinated for him.
Where, you ask, is the photo of the hanten? Well it will come soon. I may have to lose a little weight though before I can wear it in public. ;D
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(this thread seems to have been highjacked by the worst punsters around )
I know... I would fine them all chocolate but I am trying to cut back...... ::)
And thanks, Maggi for the plug!
My pleasure.... when I'm too far away to qualify for the cake myself, I like to think plenty others will be there to share it!! ;)
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I'm so, so, so happy and thrilled and delighted! ;D
A few months ago I sent some seed to a gentleman in Japan. It was nothing special to me but seems to have been special for him (Aristolochia longa) as today in the post I have received a parcel containing a HANTEN. It is a most exquisite garment, a short coat, soft, warm and padded, for casual wear indoors or out, on cold days. Lined with a pink fabric and beautifully made tt has a white ground colour with black roses and leaves and gold, purple and cerise chysanthemums on it. He tells me it is designed by a top Japanese fashion designer and it is something I'll treasure for the rest of my life.
He also sent pictures of the Aristolochia seedlings so I'm very happy they have germinated for him.
Where, you ask, is the photo of the hanten? Well it will come soon. I may have to lose a little weight though before I can wear it in public. ;D
Lesley... that is SO exciting... what a lovely surprise and what a very generous gift! There are such lovely gardeners out there, just super!
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These made me laugh, even though there are groaners within, so had to share
1. Two blondes walk into a building ....... You'd think at least one of them would have seen it.
2. Phone answering machine message - '...If you want to buy marijuana, press the hash key...'
3. A guy walks into the psychiatrist wearing only Clingfilm for shorts. The shrink says, 'Well, I can clearly see you're nuts.'
4. I went to buy some camouflage trousers the other day but I couldn't find any.
5. I went to the butchers the other day and I bet him 50 quid that he couldn't reach the meat off the top shelf. He said, 'No, the steaks are too high.'
6. My friend drowned in a bowl of muesli. A strong currant pulled him in.
7. A man came round in hospital after a serious accident. He shouted, 'Doctor, doctor, I can't feel my legs!' The doctor replied, 'I know you can't, I've cut your arms off'.
8. I went to a seafood disco last week and pulled a muscle.
9. Two Eskimos sitting in a kayak were chilly. They lit a fire in the craft, it sank, proving once and for all that you can't have your kayak and heat it.
10. Our ice cream man was found lying on the floor of his van covered with hundreds and thousands. Police say that he topped himself.
11. Man goes to the doctor, with a strawberry growing out of his head. Doc says 'I'll give you some cream to put on it.'
12. 'Doc I can't stop singing 'The Green, Green Grass of Home'. 'That sounds like Tom Jones syndrome.' 'Is it common?' 'It's not unusual.'
13. A man takes his Rottweiller to the vet. 'My dog is cross-eyed, is there anything you can do for him?' 'Well,' said the vet, 'let's have a look at him'.
So he picks the dog up and examines his eyes, then he checks his teeth. Finally, he says, 'I'm going to have to put him down.' 'What? Because he's cross-eyed?' 'No, because he's really heavy'.
14. What do you call a fish with no eyes? A fsh.
15. So I was getting into my car, and this bloke says to me 'Can you give me a lift?' I said 'Sure, you look great, the world's your oyster, go for it..'
16. Apparently, 1 in 5 people in the world are Chinese. There are 5 people in my family, so it must be one of them. It's either my mum or my Dad, or my older brother Colin, or my younger brother Ho-Cha-Chu. But I think it’s Colin.
17. Two fat blokes in a pub, one says to the other 'Your round.' The other one says 'So are you, you fat git!'
18. Police arrested two kids yesterday, one was drinking battery acid, and the other was eating fireworks. They charged one and let the other one off.
19. 'You know, somebody actually complimented me on my driving today. They left a little note on the windscreen. It said, 'Parking Fine.' So that was nice.'
20. A man walked into the doctors, he said, 'I've hurt my arm in several places'. The doctor said, 'Well don't go there anymore!
21. Ireland's worst air disaster occurred early this morning when a small two-seater Cessna plane crashed into a cemetery. Irish search and rescue workers have recovered 2826 bodies so far and expect that number to climb as digging continues into the night.
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Thanks Art ... still chuckling!!! ;D ;D ;D
Especially like the last one.
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I read this one this morning and this is how I remember it.
Two old ladies were sitting outside a hall in which a flowershow was being held. One said how boring life was. The other said "I'll give you $5 if you'll strip naked and run into the flowershow and out again." So the bored one striped to her skin, ran into the hall and rushed around the exhibits. In a moment the other old lady heard a great commotion and the naked one came running out grinning, followed by all the people in the hall, everyone clapping and cheering."What's going on?" said her friend. "I got championship prize for best dried arrangement."
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;D ;D ;D
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I'm so, so, so happy and thrilled and delighted! ;D
A few months ago I sent some seed to a gentleman in Japan. It was nothing special to me but seems to have been special for him (Aristolochia longa) as today in the post I have received a parcel containing a HANTEN. It is a most exquisite garment, a short coat, soft, warm and padded, for casual wear indoors or out, on cold days. Lined with a pink fabric and beautifully made tt has a white ground colour with black roses and leaves and gold, purple and cerise chysanthemums on it. He tells me it is designed by a top Japanese fashion designer and it is something I'll treasure for the rest of my life.
He also sent pictures of the Aristolochia seedlings so I'm very happy they have germinated for him.
Where, you ask, is the photo of the hanten? Well it will come soon. I may have to lose a little weight though before I can wear it in public. ;D
I do not usually bother with the happy or miserable threads but picked up this posting from Lesley and so will mention what happened to me.
I have had a similar experience after sending some aristolochia roots I received three beautiful wildflower books quite out of proportion to what I had sent. His generosity is quite overwhelming.
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I'm so pleased for you Tony. I agree, this man is really a most generous and charming person. He must be really besotted by Aristolochias. :D He has been a Forumist for about a year but has not posted.
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I'm quite into aristolochias and one I grew quite well was A. clematitis. I passed one on to a neighbour, but said person didn't acknowledge receiving, far less thank me for it and I didn't ask. My interest stems from the butterflies that use it as foodplants. A. clematitis is the foodplant for the European festoons (Zerynthia spp.). My favourite butterflies, the birdwings, feed on tropical Aristolochia vines like A. tagala, foodlplant of the Cairn's birdwing (Ornithoptera priamus euphorion). Many species of these tropical Aristolochia vines are named after the butterfly that feeds on them. My ambition is to visit Popondetta in PNG to see the world's largest birdwing: Queen Alexandra's birdwing (Ornithoptera alexandrae), which feeds on Pararistolochia alexandriana. The butterfly is a Cites Appendix 1 species so cannot be collected alive or dead. This may or may not be a good thing as farming other rare species has raised their profile and they are now much commoner than 20 years ago. Make them worthless to the local economy and they will be ignored or worse. A way of getting a beautiful specimen is here: http://www.butterflyreplicas.com/ A friend has offered to fund a trip to PNG, so here's hoping? 8)
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If you'd like to try A. longa Anthony, I'll have some fresh seed in about a month. The flowers are like little green meerkats and it scrambles over anything handy, a shrubby salvia, in my case.
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I'd love to Lesley. I have a tropical one when I used my next door neighbour's greenhouse in the early 70s. It had a huge flower, but when it opened the smell was rather like that of a long dead sheep and some! :P :o You couldn't go into the place for days! I'm only grateful that the neighbour, who was in fact my old high school RE teacher and rejoiced in the name Charles Brown, but we always called him Joshua. His daughter was a vet and she worked with Alf White in Yorkshire.
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A German cactus-loving friend ( thank you, Hans J!) has related this lovely story from a recent journal of the KauS (Kakteen und andere Sukkulenten).
The editor shared with readers the news that their oldest member was resigning his membership. This chap, who had taken up growing cactus, and joined the society, at the age of 78, was now 110 and found he was sadly no longer able to read the monthly journals. Though he was only able to have a few plants in his nursing home, he still got great pleasure from them every day . It was obvious that the gentleman was as sorry to give up his membership as the club was to say farewell to him... the editor ended by wishing him all the best.... and many more blooms!
What a marvelous story... it seems a love of plants can keep us alive and happy for a long time ..... my wish would be that it could do the same for us all!
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Perhaps at that age the club could reasonably have given him an honorary life membership. :)
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A neighbour who does some part time work in a garden centre has brought me four good sized polystyrene boxes which will make some good troughs. I shall need to re-read Ian Young's article, wait for a couple of dry days (in Devon-bah!), and get on with it.
http://www.srgc.org.uk/feature/fishbox/troughs.html#top
Of course I've had a shallow stone sink, purchased from our local tip for 50p, for at least 5 years now, and it's still in the same place I put it in when I brought it home! As I'm constantly being reminded by the other occupant of the house :-X
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Of course I've had a shallow stone sink, purchased from our local tip for 50p, for at least 5 years now, and it's still in the same place I put it in when I brought it home! As I'm constantly being reminded by the other occupant of the house :-X
It's amazing how these things tend not to move David.
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That's a truism ;D
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My son's son has a grandad just like that ... barely moved in years.
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..... 'cos he's all butter and lard ;D
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Not trying to butter him up then, David?
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The reason why buttercups glow
Plant scientists have discovered the real reason why buttercups glow yellow under people's chins. Researchers found that the flower's unique anatomical structure - used to attract pollinating insects - contributes to the popular children's trick. Researchers discovered that the buttercup petal's bright and glossy appearance is the result of the interplay between its different layers. The strong yellow reflection responsible for the chin illumination is mainly due to the epidermal layer of the petal that reflects yellow light with an intensity that is comparable to glass. The researchers also found that the buttercup reflects a significant amount of UV light. As many pollinators, including bees, have eyes sensitive in the UV region, this provides insight into how the buttercup uses its unique appearance to attract insects.
Nothing to do with butter and lard at all ...
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The reason why buttercups glow
Plant scientists have discovered the real reason why buttercups glow yellow under people's chins. Researchers found that the flower's unique anatomical structure
Nothing to do with butter and lard at all ...
very interesting Cliff, do you have a reference for the article please?
Susan
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Hi Susan,
Reference:-
http://www.scoop.it/t/annbot?_tmc=fAV_p5eV5-jHf2Zd9M8AELpZzjpypPQ9zWrZh-qx1DM
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And this, Susan......
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/gardening/8953426/The-reason-why-buttercups-glow.html
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Thanks for the links. :)
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I am not sure that I have ever contributed to this thread, but then I've never had such good reason to do it as now. Today I retired after 33 years of teaching ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Is that too many smileys?
S'funny - people at work have been asking me "what are you going to DO?" Little do they know ::)
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Congratulations and welcome to the club Diane. As I always say the money's not as good but the hours are fantastic ;D You won't regret it.
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Yoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo, Diane, The best move ever. I'm three years ahead of you and can vouch for the sense of the move. Have a great time; get out there and have a celebration over the weekend; go a little wild; treat yourself and then, later, you can settle into the sweetness of doing nothing - though, be warned, this doing nothing is a busy time of life.
Have fun; congratulations; best wishes.
Paddy
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Oh Diane! So, today was the day?
How exciting..... of course you have so many interests and volunteer duties that you will certainly not be having any leisure time in your "retirement" and so that word hardly seems appropriate really ;D
Your wonderful work with the AGS Seed exchange alone is more than enough for most folks as a "job" and I know I speak for a great many members who very much apprciate your efforts in that work.
Perhaps you will have a more relaxed timetable to allow your Midland Diary posts on the AGS site to be written in your own time rather than being squeezed into your few hours of free time from teaching.
Perhaps you and Michael will just be able to take in a concert or two without a backlog of work piling up..... however things go, I am confident that you deserve this chance to spend your days in your own choice of crazy and ridiculously busy pursuits!
Many Happies, dear Friend! Ian and I send you all our love! :-* :-* :-*
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Diane I can see by that amount of grins you are so so happy. Enjoy your retirement.
Angie :)
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Brilliant Diane, I assumed it was next week sometime. Now you can start your new full time job(s). I am soooooooooooo jealous ::) ::)
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Well done Diane. I'm sure you'll enjoy every minute of your new life. But there won't be NEARLY enough time for all the things you want to do. There never is. Especially well done that you have been a teacher, presumably for many years. I am full of admiration for those who cope with the modern young. Doubtless many are great people but some are right pains you know where and teachers are not always supported as they should be by parents, the community or even the government.
I wish you a long and very happy "retirement" doing whatever you want to do. :)
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Whoopee Diane!!! Heartiest congratulations, life begins now! Enjoy every well-earned second.
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Congratulations Diane. I did the same after 30 years, but got hit with "actuarilly reduced pension" because I wasn't 60 and would need to be replaced! Needless to say, I haven't been replaced and my lab remains empty! That, and the worsening exchange rate means I have to get my qualifications checked (done that) and registered to teach in New Zealand so I can try for supply work.
Changing the subject: last night we went for a meal at a lovely Thai restaurant in Howick. I forgot my specs and was struggling to read the menu. The waitress said they had some and brought a tumbler with four pairs in it. The first pair I tried were perfect! The food was excellent too!
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Diane , enjoy your retirement as I have for the last 6 years . If you stay in good health it may turn out to be the best time of your life . I'm busier than ever before and wonder how I ever had time to go to work . You may even be tempted to visit all your friends here in the Antipodes ?You would be most welcome !!
Otto.
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Diane,
like Otto says, you now have time for some real long distance travelling! ;D
It would be nice to see you and Michael out here sometime to repay your hospitality (you could also hurry my seed collecting and despatching to AGS to be a bit earlier than this year! :-[ )
Congrats on making the move,
cheers
fermi
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Diane
In about 6 months time you will wonder how you ever had the time to work. I think the words of an old Bing Crosby song sums it up
"We're busy doing nothing, working the whole day through. Trying to find lots of things not to do".........................................
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Many many congratulations Diane ... and welcome to the club ! 8) ;)
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Hi Diane,
congratulations and join the club. But don't throw away your planners because you'll be busier than ever.
I hope that leaving your workplace won't be too traumatic, it can be a bit of a wrench. But I'm sure there will be lots of things you're glad to leave behind and let others get on with it, if they can.... ;D ;D ;D
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Enjoy it Diane,and I'm sure you will fill your time no problem
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Hope you like this one it made me laugh :D
Childbirth at 65
With all the new technology regarding fertility recently, a 65-year-old friend of mine was able to give birth. When she was discharged from the hospital and went home, I went to visit.
'May I see the new baby?' I asked
'Not yet,' She said 'I'll make coffee and we can visit for a while first..'
Thirty minutes had passed, and I asked, 'May I see the new baby now?'
'No, not yet,' She said.
After another few minutes had elapsed,
I asked again, 'May I see the baby now?'
'No, not yet,' replied my friend.
Growing very impatient, I asked, 'Well, when can I see the baby?'
'WHEN HE CRIES!' she told me.
'WHEN HE CRIES?' I demanded. 'Why do I have to wait until he CRIES?'
'BECAUSE I FORGOT WHERE I PUT HIM,O.K.?'
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I'm sure I would have loved that joke, Brian ...the trouble is I forgot the opening before I reached the end. ;)
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Santa Claus is coming to town.
Paddy
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To Olivia:
(http://www.hihm.no/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/hovedsiden/campus-evenstad/forskning/forskningsnytt-evenstad/bedoevelse-av-svalbardrein/svalbardrein-i-oktober-640x480/121598-1-nor-NO/Svalbardrein-i-oktober-640x480_large.jpg)
Picture: http://www.hihm.no/Hovedsiden/Campus-Evenstad/Forskning/Forskningsnytt-oekologi-og-landbruk/Bedoevelse-av-Svalbardrein
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To Olivia:
(http://www.hihm.no/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/hovedsiden/campus-evenstad/forskning/forskningsnytt-evenstad/bedoevelse-av-svalbardrein/svalbardrein-i-oktober-640x480/121598-1-nor-NO/Svalbardrein-i-oktober-640x480_large.jpg)
Picture: http://www.hihm.no/Hovedsiden/Campus-Evenstad/Forskning/Forskningsnytt-oekologi-og-landbruk/Bedoevelse-av-Svalbardrein
Oh, I think she will have to grow up a little before she is able to handle that one.
Lovely animal.
Paddy
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Paddy, it is the smallest breed available! All from Svalbard: (I have been there but all my pictures are old slides :(
(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2NkcXU06xlI/S-NMVLyIv-I/AAAAAAAAAS0/5nN-ABMMDU0/s1600/svalbard_map-1.jpg)
(http://alnakka.net/w/images/a/ab/Svalbardrein_pho.jpg)
Picture: http://alnakka.net/w/index.php?title=Svalbardrein
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Diane
I am 13 years retired and still enjoying it, tho' I must say that in the first year I sometimes thought I would like to go back to work for a rest - the thought passed very quickly.
I feel sorry for people who have no hobbies to look forward to in retirement - that won't be a problem for you.
Enjoy
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I've been working for 41 years. Only six years to go until the time that I won't be able to afford to retire. Might be time to start panicking ;D
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Wow, Hoy, what a photograph and what an animal. Marvellous.
Olivia will be delighted.
Paddy
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There are two populations of reindeer on South Georgia, introduced as an alternative food source for whalers fed up with eating whales, seals and penguins. They were scheduled for elimination but this won't happen as they are now the only herds unaffected by Chernobyl.
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There are two populations of reindeer on South Georgia, introduced as an alternative food source for whalers fed up with eating whales, seals and penguins. They were scheduled for elimination but this won't happen as they are now the only herds unaffected by Chernobyl.
The reindeer on South Georgia were introduced by Norwegian whalers and stem from Valdres in 1911 and from Hardangervidda (1925). They also introduced horses, cats, dogs, poultry, geese, goats, sheep, cattle, red foxes and apes. Only the reindeers have survived - together with brown rats and mice!
Reindeer calves have been brought from South Georgia to The Falkland Islands too.
Some Frenchmen have introduced Swedish reindeer to Kerguelen where it is a population of 3000-5000 animals (South Georgia: 2300). It is also a wild populations of black and white cats and European rabbits on that island.
South Georgia: http://www.sgisland.gs/index.php/Main_Page
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http://www.carlsonschool.umn.edu/holiday11/
Bet you think the security man is a spoilsport :-\
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Excellent, Brian ... much appreciated.
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Cliff I thought it was about time I got festive, now I'll carry on with the papering ::)
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Brian,
Get back to your papering and stop wasting time on the internet. Liked the video, though.
Paddy
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Glad you enjoyed it Paddy, finished that most awkward wall (for the second time this week - don't ask) so putting my feet up ;D
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...and we had real butter for tea. I'm not really into the pseudo-harmonies, but the effect was very good.
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http://www.carlsonschool.umn.edu/holiday11/
Bet you think the security man is a spoilsport :-\
Brilliant, Brilliant, Brilliant! The security guy's OK.
I love these big flash mobs.
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Yesterday at the market I was given a punnet of quite small, not very attractive strawberries, ripe but mostly a bit mis-shapen and not uniform like the large, glossy red monsters available at other stalls. They were given to me by a vendor who sells only organic vegetables, and is know himself to smoke various illegal substances (not on site) and always looks as if he needs a good wash. I didn't really want them and tried to palm them off but only got rid of one at a time to various other vendors as I went along the row. But then there were smiles on their faces and then "mmmMMMMMMmmm..." from someone so I tried one and was thrilled to taste the old, old REAL strawberry flavour I knew from Dad's garden when I was a child and haven't tasted for many years. Very sweet and juicy and utterly delicious. So I backtracked quickly and asked if I could buy some runners when they're ready. "I'll give you some" he said. So that is something to look forward to with much pleasure. I'm also going to sow the seeds from one as I suspect they will be fertile which the seeds on modern cultivars are not, in my experience. I'm now reluctant to buy or eat the beautiful-looking but completely tasteless berries from other vendors.
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Anthony, from the links to South Georgia, it seems as if they ARE planning to eradicate the reindeer altogether, humanely maybe but still get rid of the lot. I couldn't see any reference to keeping any at all because of their being "clean" stock. Maybe some should be taken back to the northern hemisphere.
This reminds me (as did another thread a minute ago, already forgotten which, but Fermi talking about conservation) about a population of a kiwi species raised in a wildlife and offered to DoC for conservation purposes because the wild of the same species are depleting rapidly but DoC refuses to permit the Chch ones to be introduced to the wild ones because of different genes over some generations. They want the wild ones to be kept "pure." even at the expense of the whole darned lot. Sure any species on earth depends on the introduction of new genes to maintain its longterm health and vigour. Isn't "genetic diversity" the very cornerstone of strong conservation. It wasn't a matter of creating hybrids with another species, it was the SAME species.
This was a couple of years ago maybe. I wish I could remember which kiwis and where the article was. It could have been on TV.
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Another interesting link ...
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/spain/travel-tips-and-articles/76930?affil=twit
Note: No snowdrops (or buttercups, for that matter)!
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Anthony, from the links to South Georgia, it seems as if they ARE planning to eradicate the reindeer altogether, humanely maybe but still get rid of the lot. I couldn't see any reference to keeping any at all because of their being "clean" stock. Maybe some should be taken back to the northern hemisphere.
It was a scientific paper done by some biologists who'd also worked at Millport on the Isle of Cumbrae in Scotland. Clearly things have moved on and the science behind the reasons for cull or no cull may have changed, or may even be ignored.
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Glad you enjoyed it Paddy, finished that most awkward wall (for the second time this week - don't ask) so putting my feet up ;D
Mary's grandmother was a great one for wallpapering and when she had finished the troublesome corner in the room would always say, "There, I'm just around Tattenham Corner now and into the straight to the finish line."
Paddy
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?
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Here are some more info regarding South Georgia:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/today/hi/today/newsid_9403000/9403368.stm
I know that Norwegian scientists try to stop the planned culling from scientific reasons:
http://www.forskning.no/blog/sesam/284045
A herd of reindeer on South Georgia:
(http://pics.qxlstatic.no/20_650028872_Big/svalbardpolar/reinsdyr-paa-south-georgia-engelsk-utgave-.jpg)
http://english.ohmynews.com/articleview/article_view.asp?menu=c10400&no=365216&rel_no=1
http://www.doaj.org/doaj?func=abstract&id=815638
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Regarless of the rights and wrongs of the South Georgian cull or lack of it, they do look so very "right" in that stunning landscape don't they? But like all the Antarctic areas we are more used to seeing penguins, seals, whales and their like, rather than large mammals of the land kind.
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Mary's grandmother was a great one for wallpapering and when she had finished the troublesome corner in the room would always say, "There, I'm just around Tattenham Corner now and into the straight to the finish line."
Paddy
A lady for the racehorses was she Paddy? :D
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Lesley , I stopped buying those red ,glossy monster strawberries some time ago . not much taste but more important: the most recently published data on pesticides -strawberries were found to have the highest chemical residues .
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My answer to that is to eat only strawberries grown on my allotment. With some careful planning, one can have strawberries for 4 months of the year, that's quite enough for me and mine. :) :) :) The big plastic ones we get here only taste of water, but we get the occasional brave farm shop that sells knobbly ones that taste delicious. ;D ;D
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I have red alpine strawberries, they fruit from June till hard frost and even then keep trying.
They are fantastic.
Just need to find some white ones.
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I may be able to get some seed of the white ones later in the season Helen. One of my vendors does alpine strawberries, both reed and white.
Seed of Cl. fusca, the one remaining head is developing nicely so will go your way in due course. I had planted out three but ran the weed eater over them accidentally and lost the heads. I've searched on my hands and arthritic knees but no joy. And Otto, the seeds didn't develop on I. ret. 'Cantab,' nothing in them at all, same for 'Pauline' and a few from 'Natascha' of which I had high hopes. Pity I can't send you some bulbs of 'Cantab.'
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Lesley, would be thrilled to get seeds of white alpine strawberries.
I was growing them in Oz but no idea which variety I had, they were very tasty and had a wonderful creamy texture.
Think I got the plants from the fragrant garden nursery that was on the central coast of NSW.
Not sure if it is still there.
Really have my fingers crossed for the fusca seeds, hope nothing eats them.
I dread to think what damage I could do with a whipper snipper.
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Many years ago my family used to stay at the Wilkin's jam factory camp site, Tiptree, Essex and pick fruit. We got paid by the pound or the bucket. Sometimes it was tiring work for not much reward, unless you were on cherries or "Little Scarlet" strawberries. The latter are grown nowhere else, and make excellent jam. These strawberries are fingernail size and delicious. I could have taken a cutting or two, but would have had to do a runner. ;)
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. I could have taken a cutting or two, but would have had to do a runner. ;)
;D ;D ;D
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I am pleased to have finished papering downstairs - and worse in the stairwell. As I write the dining room is being painted and we might even be straight for Christmas ;D
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I cannot compliment you on your timing, Brian.
Paddy
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I am pleased to have finished papering downstairs - and worse in the stairwell. As I write the dining room is being painted and we might even be straight for Christmas ;D
Do you give free estimates Brian? ;D
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I am pleased to have finished papering downstairs - and worse in the stairwell. As I write the dining room is being painted and we might even be straight for Christmas ;D
Do you give free estimates Brian? ;D
The words that come to mind (after we have done upstairs in the Spring) are "Never, ever, again" ::)
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Never thought of moving to a bungalow, Brian? ::)
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Try one of these! They are cheap and you never need papering the walls ;)
I have lived in one for a weekend to a week several times in my youth - it's cosy 8)
(http://kvslyngdal.no/wp-content/IMG_9402.jpg)
Picture from this site: http://kvslyngdal.no/idrett/magisk-sn%C3%B8huletur/2747
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Never thought of moving to a bungalow, Brian? ::)
The thought is getting ever more pleasant - as long as there are no beams to paper round!
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Try one of these! They are cheap and you never need papering the walls ;)
I have lived in one for a weekend to a week several times in my youth - it's cosy 8)
(http://kvslyngdal.no/wp-content/IMG_9402.jpg)
Picture from this site: http://kvslyngdal.no/idrett/magisk-sn%C3%B8huletur/2747
At least ice for the Gin and tonic would be handy ;D ;D
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I haven't wallpapered since I moved out of my first house in 1987. The wall covering now comes in a tin. ;D
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Just thought I'd pass on this message:
"Holiday Greetings to Everyone,
I wanted to send some sort of holiday greeting to my colleagues, but it is so difficult in today's world to know exactly what to say without offending someone. So I met with my lawyers yesterday, and on their advice I wish to say the following:
Please accept with no obligation, implied or implicit, my best wishes for an environmentally conscious, socially responsible, low stress, non-addictive, gender neutral celebration of the summer solstice holiday, practiced with the most enjoyable traditions of religious persuasion or secular practices of your choice with respect for the religious/secular persuasions and/or traditions of others, or their choice not to practice religious or secular traditions at all.
I also wish you a fiscally successful, personally fulfilling and medically uncomplicated recognition of the onset of the generally accepted calendar year 2012, but not without due respect for the calendars of choice of other cultures whose contributions to society have helped make our country great (not to imply that Australia is necessarily greater than any other country)and without regard to the race, creed, colour, age, physical ability, religious faith or sexual preference of the wishee.
By accepting this greeting, you are accepting these terms:
This greeting is subject to clarification or withdrawal. It is freely transferable with no alteration to the original greeting. It implies no promise by the wisher to actually implement any of the wishes for her / himself or others and is void where prohibited by law, and is revocable at the sole discretion of the wisher. This wish is warranted to perform as expected within the usual application of good tidings for a period of one year or until the issuance of a subsequent holiday greeting, whichever comes first, and warranty is limited to replacement of this wish or issuance of a new wish at the sole discretion of the wisher.
Disclaimer: No trees were harmed in the sending of this message; however, a significant number of electrons were slightly inconvenienced."
;D ;D ;D
cheers
fermi
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Hi Fermides,
and the same to you!!! ;) ;)
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;D ;D ;D
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With knobs on! :D
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Thanks Fermides . Had the whole family in hysterics ;D
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My sister knew what I wanted for Christmas! ;D
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Great Christmas present, reminds me of sending Christmas Puddings to a friend in Kathmandu many years ago, they also travelled with instant Bird's custard ;D
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My sister also sent us a Tiptree Christmas pud, and I managed to get Tiptree brandy butter in Countdown. Couldn't find rum sauce and have yet to venture into one of these liquor stores to buy anything stronger than wine or beer.
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Hey, it's nice to see folks here today. I thought I would be the only one on today. I thought everyone would be to busy opening there gifts with their families.
Just to say to my friends here thanks everyone. It just makes the world a nicer place thinking we can all escape our daily lives and have fun here, may we always have this forum. And Maggi you have to keep it going for us all. Thanks for the time you give and thanks to everyone else that makes this forum a wonderful place for us to enjoy.
Merry Xmas
Angie :)
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You've got time on your hands because you're not cooking today Angie. I've got time on my hands because it's now tomorrow (Boxing Day) here. Banks and shops will be open - they were only closed on Christmas Day - even the banks, which open (until 4 p.m.) seven days a week, except Thursdays and Fridays, when they open 'til 7 p.m.!
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I seem to have an excess of little sausages wrapped in bacon... pigs in blankets ,I think they are often called!
If you can be round here in half an hour you may beat the dogs to them!
;D
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Maggie, I just had this for breakfast! Together with bagles, bacon, eggs and coffee! It was a late breakfast because the three grandchildren had to unwrap the gifts first.
It was great!
Lina.
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Lina, that is my idea of a GOOD breakfast!
Are the little girls having a wonderful day?
Since we eat lunch early I'm finding that I am getting hungry again now.... perhaps there will be no extra sausages after all. :-[ ;D
Merry Christmas!
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Yes, they are having a great day! I would post a picture, but the browse function does not open and I don't understand, why. Yesterday the oldest one ( she is 4) has put homemade cookies and milk at the fireplace. And we were not allowed to burn a fire ofcourse. As I am in
The States now, it is great to be part of this. In The Netherlands we have a tradition of celebrating Sinterklaas, which is the 5th of december.
Lina.
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Oh, Lina! There are so far from you.... it is even better that you can be with them at this happy time.
Must be hard to be so many miles from those little sweeties most of the time. Do you use Sykpe and web cams to keep in touch wityh how they are? When they are so small the changes that happen as they grow so fast would be so awful not to enjoy.
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Yes, it is hard. Maren is 4 and the twins, Sophie and Charlotte are 1,5 years old. We use facetime with the iPad, and this works fantastic for us. Maren already is very good with the iPad. Children just do it and don't ask questions, why. It is amazing.
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You've got time on your hands because you're not cooking today Angie. I've got time on my hands because it's now tomorrow (Boxing Day) here. Banks and shops will be open - they were only closed on Christmas Day - even the banks, which open (until 4 p.m.) seven days a week, except Thursdays and Fridays, when they open 'til 7 p.m.!
You're joking surely. No bank opens here except Monday to Friday and only to 4.30pm on those days. Never seen a bank open at the weekend any time in my life! Will be lucky this week if they're open before Wednesday (taking an extra day because Christmas Day was a Sunday and they'd be closed then anyway so making up). Kiwibank opens until 5.30pm, M to F but not till Wed this week, same next week after NYD. Boxing Day sales yes, all shops open but who has any money left. Great day for credit card sales. I learnt to avoid that long ago as it takes until NEXT Christmas to get it all paid for.
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Yes, it is hard. Maren is 4 and the twins, Sophie and Charlotte are 1,5 years old. We use facetime with the iPad, and this works fantastic for us. Maren already is very good with the iPad. Children just do it and don't ask questions, why. It is amazing.
Well it's like my children and grand children with computers. They were born with them so to speak so they're "natural." As I was with cars whereas my mother struggled with learning to drive for years then gave up completely. The technology which is there when one is born and growing up has no "magic" quality to it, just part of the way things are.
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Just had a visit from Bill and Willi Dijk, with some more goodies. ;D
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For feelings of peace, tranquility and well-being look here:-
http://www.srgc.org.uk/forum/index.php?topic=7485.0;topicseen
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When I go to your link David, I get the thread about Sax. florulenta. Tried it several times. Why is that?
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Lesley... there is a link to a wonderful video, with music from Yo Yo Ma in this post in that thread...
http://www.srgc.org.uk/forum/index.php?topic=7485.msg224246#msg224246
I think that's where David was pointing us. :)
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Thanks Maggi. I now see what he means. :D
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I think anyone who feels grotty (and I feel decidedly grotty this morning!) should watch the video. it works wonders.
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Have a bowl of Weetabix David. ;D
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I think anyone who feels grotty (and I feel decidedly grotty this morning!) should watch the video. it works wonders.
To many late nights David, to much to drink :o
Beautiful video, much appreciated.
Angie :)
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Couple of glasses of red and a single malt to welcome in the New Year and nothing at all last night. Wouldn't have minded if I'd earned feeling grotty!