tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-176749212024-03-14T08:07:19.602+00:00My Word 1Random and Everyday Thoughts. Perceptions of Life.ZACLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07289333819869440699noreply@blogger.comBlogger587125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17674921.post-82327124443608315272018-08-30T17:38:00.000+01:002018-08-30T17:38:00.273+01:00Goodness, Gracious Me!I hadn't realised I had been away from here all this time. It was earlier this year I last posted.<br />
<br />
Just popping in to say hello to other bloggers, who I guess are not posting so much these days either. I have another platform at Word Press which hears from me from time-to-time, when the notion takes me. Some of you, I know, regularly post over there and not here anymore.<br />
<br />
Ah well, it's early evening and if I don't wander off to the kitchen there will be no culinary delights for the evening meal. I'm planing a cauliflower cheese with variations, time permitting.<br />
<br />
Bye for now.<br />
<br />
:)<div class="blogger-post-footer">http://myword1.blogspot.com</div>ZACLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07289333819869440699noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17674921.post-27757462986249411402018-05-07T18:06:00.001+01:002018-05-07T18:06:52.701+01:00HOPPING BETWEEN TWO I haven't posted for a while here, so, thought I would raise my head over the parapet and say 'hi'.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSbuSkn8M3ODw7Se9pZRVWnZYlpTz0b0GmPmTEYY-RX5u2AfHroSQTgsuXGhwtGUmAIw9kNubK2wEoFqeAwe1FTXp03DDIhIJOD_gdFZL-kqJfsOaMD9YfVLIAQfzNakp8fp7D/s1600/P1000330+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSbuSkn8M3ODw7Se9pZRVWnZYlpTz0b0GmPmTEYY-RX5u2AfHroSQTgsuXGhwtGUmAIw9kNubK2wEoFqeAwe1FTXp03DDIhIJOD_gdFZL-kqJfsOaMD9YfVLIAQfzNakp8fp7D/s400/P1000330+copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Many bloggers have found other interests and have stopped posting. That's life. One blogger from here has moved to another blog provider seeking pastures and audiences new. I looked at my little list of people/blogs I followed here and noted four active ones.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVWdB0_Ff1JhutuWGNKQypOkZ6ps7TBl1hO3kcgu8Po8i3LIN3_IA0MAvAbzWxkaXdPsMTBWCKpxC12EcpCK3gTWnMNtrqgj6t-11XRm53uLcCeReHR43XhljO-sBUMN49A4V5/s1600/Clett+Rock+P1000329+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVWdB0_Ff1JhutuWGNKQypOkZ6ps7TBl1hO3kcgu8Po8i3LIN3_IA0MAvAbzWxkaXdPsMTBWCKpxC12EcpCK3gTWnMNtrqgj6t-11XRm53uLcCeReHR43XhljO-sBUMN49A4V5/s320/Clett+Rock+P1000329+copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />
late last year I received notification of a comment on a blogger's Blogspot post, one that was written about <b>three</b> <b>years ago</b>, on which I had commented at the time. In for a penny in for a pound.... I took the opportunity to make another comment. I received a very nice reply and an interesting update of what the blogger was currently doing.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-ZIQ9_-nQWt4oqKV34IxlbHRCfmw7NBRhPJYf5NyLwQHkMJK1sn4Fn5wDTFL72SqVGl2asMTgdI5CsW8Pd5B2rhxwrmfvDCkKyj6syHtTPmc_-IlaHrFIsj96vvjdblWD1WB3/s1600/P1000340+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="926" data-original-width="1234" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-ZIQ9_-nQWt4oqKV34IxlbHRCfmw7NBRhPJYf5NyLwQHkMJK1sn4Fn5wDTFL72SqVGl2asMTgdI5CsW8Pd5B2rhxwrmfvDCkKyj6syHtTPmc_-IlaHrFIsj96vvjdblWD1WB3/s400/P1000340+copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I am still posting when the notion takes me, mostly on Wordpress, (WP) which, is not the most intuitive of sites and not one that facilitates social chatting really and it can put off potential bloggers who have been used to more intuitive blog sites. WP focuses, it seems, more on entrepreneurial efforts. I have got used to operating with WP without introducing any clever artificial intelligence. However, as mentioned, I do find this site is easier to work with. <br />
<br />
But, I am glad to say, for all the 'strangeness' of WP, I have remained in contact with people who moved from a blog site that decided to commit Hara Kiri, the majority of whom do not post on this site. Like me, however, one or two are connected to both WP and Blogspot.<br />
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<br />
Bye<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivGcRmS8ZUysw9UgcelGVKAn0aYD1qU66RFXXOLgLPNSAzX4lj92wPpvZ1jLl7KVEZWbxeRX0sBfvedW9nQe3GzfLwoQi6EDnJZLbTNvHa7U6LrZH_1jRO-Gzo4EGNXd0Y8Bph/s1600/P1000324+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivGcRmS8ZUysw9UgcelGVKAn0aYD1qU66RFXXOLgLPNSAzX4lj92wPpvZ1jLl7KVEZWbxeRX0sBfvedW9nQe3GzfLwoQi6EDnJZLbTNvHa7U6LrZH_1jRO-Gzo4EGNXd0Y8Bph/s400/P1000324+copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
For Now...<br />
<br />
<br />
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<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://myword1.blogspot.com</div>ZACLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07289333819869440699noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17674921.post-27620354308991487062018-02-02T18:00:00.000+00:002018-02-02T18:00:18.819+00:00DEAR ME...Dear all…<br />
<br />
Dear everyone…<br />
<br />
<br />
Dear…<br />
<br />
<img alt="" class="wp-image-20666701 alignleft" data-attachment-id="20666701" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Scroll-Feather-icon" data-large-file="https://menhir1.files.wordpress.com/2017/08/scroll-feather-icon.png?w=143&h=143?w=96" data-medium-file="https://menhir1.files.wordpress.com/2017/08/scroll-feather-icon.png?w=143&h=143?w=96" data-orig-file="https://menhir1.files.wordpress.com/2017/08/scroll-feather-icon.png?w=143&h=143" data-orig-size="96,96" data-permalink="https://menhir1.wordpress.com/2017/08/26/result/scroll-feather-icon/#main" height="143" src="https://menhir1.files.wordpress.com/2017/08/scroll-feather-icon.png?w=143&h=143" width="143" /><br />
Emails have always seemed to me to be a very informal method of
sending mail. The minuscule ‘Hi’ and the nondescript ‘Hello’ definitely
do not suit all situations. Very occasionally, ‘Good morning/Good
afternoon….Mr/Mrs’ turns up; it’s easy enough to similarly respond, if I
know of the writer, though not if it is mail from the business.
Business emails are business communications like any that are delivered
by postal mail services. They just do not look like it, or, maybe, it’s
just they do not look like the business mail I have been used to.<br />
<br />
If it’s a formal communication conventions state I should <em>respectfully</em>
open with, ‘Dear Sir’, or, ‘Dear Madam’ or, a combined version of
both; I have never considered any particular business entity <em>dear</em> to me, nor anyone in it with whom I may have developed a working business relationship. (Oh dear). Looking at terms of en<strong><span style="color: red;"><em>dear</em></span></strong>ment, I am no further forward in creating alternative salutations for the purpose.<br />
<br />
<div class="wp-caption aligncenter" data-shortcode="caption" id="attachment_20667148" style="max-width: 456px;">
<img alt="" class="wp-image-20667148" data-attachment-id="20667148" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"3.7","credit":"","camera":"DMC-TZ70","caption":"","created_timestamp":"1501096010","copyright":"","focal_length":"6.7","iso":"100","shutter_speed":"0.016666666666667","title":"","orientation":"1"}" data-image-title="Street Poetry" data-large-file="https://menhir1.files.wordpress.com/2018/01/p1000633.jpg?w=446&h=334?w=594" data-medium-file="https://menhir1.files.wordpress.com/2018/01/p1000633.jpg?w=446&h=334?w=300" data-orig-file="https://menhir1.files.wordpress.com/2018/01/p1000633.jpg?w=446&h=334" data-orig-size="4000,3000" data-permalink="https://menhir1.wordpress.com/2018/01/30/dear/p1000633/#main" height="334" src="https://menhir1.files.wordpress.com/2018/01/p1000633.jpg?w=446&h=334" width="446" /><div class="wp-caption-text">
Scottish Pavement Poetry In Edinburgh</div>
<div class="wp-caption-text">
<br /></div>
</div>
I might feel less inhibited if I felt free to open with something
nicely terse at times. Huffing and puffing, I might just consider
dropping terms of endearment and begin, “Sir”, or, “Madam”. It’s the
worst I can allow myself to do. Undoubtedly, this is exactly the
reason for beginning a written correspondence in a traditionally,
accepted, mannerly, style, at all times. The moment your thoughts turn
to ‘dear….’ the system structure draws you into its conventional
framework. And dropping ‘dear’ to a curt ‘Sir or Madam’ only frames a
much more formal, but still a conventionally acceptable mailing. So
be it.<br />
<br />
The written word speaks volumes.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="wp-caption aligncenter" data-shortcode="caption" id="attachment_20667149" style="max-width: 550px;">
<img alt="" class="wp-image-20667149" data-attachment-id="20667149" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"5","credit":"","camera":"DMC-LS70","caption":"","created_timestamp":"1194082052","copyright":"","focal_length":"17.4","iso":"100","shutter_speed":"0.016666666666667","title":"","orientation":"1"}" data-image-title="P1020104 copy" data-large-file="https://menhir1.files.wordpress.com/2018/01/p1020104-copy.jpg?w=540&h=396?w=594" data-medium-file="https://menhir1.files.wordpress.com/2018/01/p1020104-copy.jpg?w=540&h=396?w=300" data-orig-file="https://menhir1.files.wordpress.com/2018/01/p1020104-copy.jpg?w=540&h=396" data-orig-size="2922,2142" data-permalink="https://menhir1.wordpress.com/2018/01/30/dear/p1020104-copy/#main" height="396" src="https://menhir1.files.wordpress.com/2018/01/p1020104-copy.jpg?w=540&h=396" width="540" /><div class="wp-caption-text">
FOREIGN LEGION – CONSIGNMENTS & LEFT LUGGAGE</div>
</div>
<h3 class="sd-title">
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">http://myword1.blogspot.com</div>ZACLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07289333819869440699noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17674921.post-63084132330510818152018-01-02T11:25:00.000+00:002018-01-02T11:25:07.048+00:00THE NEW YEAR 2018TO EVERYONE...................LANG MAY YER LUM REEK!<br />
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<br />
WISHING YOU ALL A HAPPY, PEACEFUL, HEALTHY AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR<br />
<br />
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://myword1.blogspot.com</div>ZACLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07289333819869440699noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17674921.post-56990617058738199792017-11-24T13:48:00.000+00:002017-11-24T13:48:02.036+00:00INCARNATIONS AND EXHORTATIONSThe latest incarnation of my browser has been surprisingly easy to get used to; about an hour or so. that's pretty good I reckon. The primary icons are presented in a different, smaller, bold font, others are easily accessible to view with a click or two. The one habit that might have been a difficult to drop, was working with the new icons, now placed on the opposite side to where they used to be, but, it has not. I believe it is because the new font attracts. The page has a clear clean-looking and tidy task bar.<br />
<br />
The only bit of clutter, is stuff that arrives here on Blogspot <strike>telling you</strike>, exhorting you, to agree to cookies. It is highly satisfying to clear them off.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiToPba0Nk9NWIX-T73p6cs03KA00wWv6UeARri0J2z2hKu2YRPHDT6am_t8gCEho8w43yAHKvr84LPC2gg8W0PyzMUXO2UnYsvPFz7Xv7HWYazLzP3IEc11h94Yuz4eLu_woAL/s1600/P1010102--webcopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1202" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiToPba0Nk9NWIX-T73p6cs03KA00wWv6UeARri0J2z2hKu2YRPHDT6am_t8gCEho8w43yAHKvr84LPC2gg8W0PyzMUXO2UnYsvPFz7Xv7HWYazLzP3IEc11h94Yuz4eLu_woAL/s320/P1010102--webcopy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">http://myword1.blogspot.com</div>ZACLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07289333819869440699noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17674921.post-10887586320632471462017-11-15T16:59:00.000+00:002017-11-15T16:59:04.611+00:00RUTS<br />
It's a while since I posted here. Summer, such as it was, has been and gone. What I would call winter, of which, we are in the early weeks, our meteorologists call Autumn.<br />
<br />
It does feel like the goal posts are being moved on so many fronts. Our old familiar realities have been altered out of recognition. We do get stuck in ruts at various points of life, not all are comfortable. Hopefully, though, we are able to move on. The world seems to be turned back -to -front and on its head. I am, therefore, not sure what moving on, and on into some of the present alternative realities means. <br />
<br />
Whose realities are they and on what are they based? The answers will be diverse, in the main, by virtue of culture and experience. Darwin's proposition of the survival of the fittest is ever omnipresent. People will hold onto a range of lifelines while negotiating the quicksands that they are moving through.<br />
<br />
A rut might be quite nice after all.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihYxDcc6RX8WuRHjOdzRDTBF2JFfWv-SW8Ny8eyc5U0gbjPs2jdQDrgmA5OD3-WXn_B0gKBBW1I1L1d2ljNXUe0sfgEFO7IT7OmeX_fhyphenhyphenwNR4mIYCQwCHNKuSzTUkkpDd7VSjK/s1600/P1010742+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="928" data-original-width="1022" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihYxDcc6RX8WuRHjOdzRDTBF2JFfWv-SW8Ny8eyc5U0gbjPs2jdQDrgmA5OD3-WXn_B0gKBBW1I1L1d2ljNXUe0sfgEFO7IT7OmeX_fhyphenhyphenwNR4mIYCQwCHNKuSzTUkkpDd7VSjK/s320/P1010742+copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://myword1.blogspot.com</div>ZACLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07289333819869440699noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17674921.post-51062603804090406752017-06-13T18:41:00.003+01:002017-06-13T18:41:51.231+01:00DOSINGWhat a din! I thought it must be a sheep-shearing day at the neighbouring farm. Mums and their lambs were noisily milling about in front of one of the barns, the doors of which, were firmly shut.<br />
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<img alt="P1000608-Dosing-Day-2-Wb" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-20666449" height="436" src="https://menhir1.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/p1000608-dosing-day-2-wb.jpg" width="631" /><br />
<br />
This was not the norm for them. As far as they were concerned, when you head for the barn forecourt, you naturally move on through the wide open doors of the barn and into it. The lambs were all born in there, except for the odd one or two, so, both ewes and offspring had a deep formed affinity to the place. They wanted to be let in and they did not care who knew it.<br />
And of course, it rained, not just any sort of rain, but soaking curtains of rain.<br />
<br />
<img alt="P1000607-Dosing-Day-1-Wb" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-20666448" height="490" src="https://menhir1.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/p1000607-dosing-day-1-wb.jpg" width="679" /><br />
<br />
When something is happening with the flock, the weather is always uncertain, especially when the sheep are being treated, or, sorted, or, sheared. It seems like nature is being deliberately perverse. This occasion, the stock were being 'dosed'. You can bet your bottom dollar that when they are sheared, which will be soon, we will experience gales and probably a hail storm or two.<div class="blogger-post-footer">http://myword1.blogspot.com</div>ZACLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07289333819869440699noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17674921.post-34023053022786559932017-03-23T14:24:00.000+00:002017-03-23T14:24:34.481+00:00CONDOLENCESI just want to add my very sincere condolences to those that have
been publicly recorded already, to the families and loved ones of those
who were bereaved in Central London yesterday.<br />
<br />
I am also thinking about the people who were injured, to all of you, your families and loved ones, my very best wishes.<div class="blogger-post-footer">http://myword1.blogspot.com</div>ZACLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07289333819869440699noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17674921.post-16042656806294733792017-03-13T15:14:00.000+00:002017-03-13T15:18:47.324+00:00INVITING OURSELVES OUT<br />
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<br />
One afternoon during February, from inside the outside looked bright, cheery and tempting. So, we,
that’s hubs and me, invited ourselves out for a coffee.
There was a noticeable icy breeze, truly icy. It wasn’t too bad once
we’d got used to the feel of it. I was glad of the thick jeans I was
wearing, (these days, jeans seem to be made with much thinner denim
cloth). Together with my hip length padded jacket and a big scarf
wrapped round my collar it all worked a treat. Hubs was well wrapped up
too.<br />
Crossing a bridge, I saw a tight ‘ruck’ of Snowdrops, the first I had
seen this year. They bank onto a river. In another week or so, the
whole bank should be carpeted with them.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="P1110202Wb-jpg" class=" wp-image-20664686 aligncenter" data-attachment-id="20664686" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="P1110202Wb-jpg" data-large-file="https://menhir1.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/3215290_5949a70007_s.jpeg?w=289&h=184?w=240" data-medium-file="https://menhir1.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/3215290_5949a70007_s.jpeg?w=289&h=184?w=240" data-orig-file="https://menhir1.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/3215290_5949a70007_s.jpeg?w=289&h=184" data-orig-size="240,180" data-permalink="https://menhir1.wordpress.com/2009/02/08/a-sheepish-blog-meet-5531663/a-sheepish-blog-meet-5/#main" height="184" src="https://menhir1.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/3215290_5949a70007_s.jpeg?w=289&h=184" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="289" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snowdrops From A Previous Year</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We arrived at our destination and found our favourite seating area
was free and only one person, the manageress, was at a table. It was an
oasis of calm. A lot of people favour the same seating area, and it
can be teeming with bodies from whom emanates a very high volume
cacophony of sound. A group of teachers is one of the noisiest. Next
are parents who allow their little offspring with their metal toys
-small cars mostly-to bang them on the glass table tops. The kids love
it. This is an efficient way to clear the nook of other customers!<br />
<br />
<img alt="P1000411 Young Dougal 2" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-20664579" data-attachment-id="20664579" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="P1000411 Young Dougal 2" data-large-file="https://menhir1.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/5311516_39cfb71eee_m.jpeg?w=594?w=411" data-medium-file="https://menhir1.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/5311516_39cfb71eee_m.jpeg?w=594?w=300" data-orig-file="https://menhir1.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/5311516_39cfb71eee_m.jpeg?w=594" data-orig-size="411,375" data-permalink="https://menhir1.wordpress.com/2011/01/30/see-how-they-grow-10467716/see-how-they-grow/#main" height="291" src="https://menhir1.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/5311516_39cfb71eee_m.jpeg?w=594" width="320" /><br />
On the way home we wandered up to a farm and bought some fresh eggs,
chatted to the shepherdess, who also runs the egg enterprise and does
lots of other things in the modern diversified life of farming.<br />
<br />
A plop of icy sleet startled me, followed by a few more plops. Then I
noticed an unexpected clump of bright yellow in the shelter of closely
planted leafless bushes. Crocuses were about to bloom. Could Spring be just
around the corner?<br />
<br />
<a href="https://menhir1.files.wordpress.com/2017/02/p1010089.jpg?w=594" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="p1010089" border="0" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-20665982" data-attachment-id="20665982" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"5.6","credit":"Zelda A Chaikin Linekar","camera":"DMC-FZ7","caption":"","created_timestamp":"1244991744","copyright":"Zelda A Chaikin Linekar","focal_length":"10.2","iso":"80","shutter_speed":"0.00625","title":"","orientation":"1"}" data-image-title="p1010089" data-large-file="https://menhir1.files.wordpress.com/2017/02/p1010089.jpg?w=594?w=594" data-medium-file="https://menhir1.files.wordpress.com/2017/02/p1010089.jpg?w=594?w=300" data-orig-file="https://menhir1.files.wordpress.com/2017/02/p1010089.jpg?w=594" data-orig-size="1280,960" data-permalink="https://menhir1.wordpress.com/2017/02/28/inviting-ourselves-out/p1010089/#main" height="300" src="https://menhir1.files.wordpress.com/2017/02/p1010089.jpg?w=594" width="400" /></a><br />
<div class="blogger-post-footer">http://myword1.blogspot.com</div>ZACLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07289333819869440699noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17674921.post-46875630841724195972017-02-08T19:47:00.000+00:002017-02-19T16:55:51.086+00:00COMPRENDS-ENTIENDES-CAPISCI...UNDERSTAND?There are still the remains of sales in some local shops. I am
looking for something in particular and I was in the one shop that
might just have provided it. I browsed the department upstairs where you
find cushions, bedding, curtains and some menswear. So far no luck, I
could not see what I wanted. All the staff work downstairs, which is
where I found a shop assistant. While I was asking, it occurred to me
that she might not understand what I was looking for:<br />
<b><span style="color: #ff6600;">Me –<i>“I am looking for a counterpane, do you have any?”</i> </span></b> <b><span style="color: #993300;">Assistant- “<i> Could you tell me what that might be?”</i></span> </b><br />
It seemed I was speaking a foreign language. I explain it is a
bed-cover….she continues to look vacantly at me….. I’m thinking quickly
about what might be the current trendy modern translation for 'bed-cover' and I
tentatively suggest <i><b><span style="color: #ff6600;">“A throw”.</span></b></i> Some comprehension dawns. The assistant tells me there are no throws……<b><i><span style="color: #993300;">“Throws are for Christmas” </span></i><span style="color: #993300;">!</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #993300;"> </span><span style="color: #993300;"></span></b>
<br />
<br />
<img alt="1" class="aligncenter wp-image-20665737" data-attachment-id="20665737" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="1" data-large-file="https://menhir1.files.wordpress.com/2016/12/1.png?w=393&h=337?w=594" data-medium-file="https://menhir1.files.wordpress.com/2016/12/1.png?w=393&h=337?w=300" data-orig-file="https://menhir1.files.wordpress.com/2016/12/1.png?w=393&h=337" data-orig-size="1058,771" data-permalink="https://menhir1.wordpress.com/2016/12/09/our-bed/1-9/#main" height="337" src="https://menhir1.files.wordpress.com/2016/12/1.png?w=590&h=337" width="393" /><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://myword1.blogspot.com</div>ZACLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07289333819869440699noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17674921.post-1827194242187550122017-01-05T18:24:00.003+00:002017-01-05T20:36:53.222+00:00POP-UPS - PUT-OFFS AND PUTTING ON THE STYLE -GREETINGSI decided to purchase a subscription to an e-card site. 'Subscription', does, in this case, mean I pay for using the service; it is advert-free. (I do receive the occasional 'free' e-card from people, usually, they are totally obscured by pop-up and flash advertising. They can put you off e-cards).<br />
<br />
I have access to a big selection of e-cards for more occasions than you can dream up, and there are note-cards as well. Like in a card shop, you can assess the product before you [<strike>buy</strike>] send. I can also choose what date I want it to arrive.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmsO5qh6rMTUn3H427Zr7wA13Up24vYWuj5984BBeOFxuAdt9Wzqr7NLzc47WO0ZsQr-jM5H_ZXKmQ1lDOP-rLnWDSKG0MhAuLJ9RUokG33kyhRVtiJadzyTFHf4LsWH_Czs_o/s1600/stock-vector-set-of-banners-hand-drawn-in-traditional-japanese-style-sumi-e-vector-illustration-sealed-with-272617400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmsO5qh6rMTUn3H427Zr7wA13Up24vYWuj5984BBeOFxuAdt9Wzqr7NLzc47WO0ZsQr-jM5H_ZXKmQ1lDOP-rLnWDSKG0MhAuLJ9RUokG33kyhRVtiJadzyTFHf4LsWH_Czs_o/s1600/stock-vector-set-of-banners-hand-drawn-in-traditional-japanese-style-sumi-e-vector-illustration-sealed-with-272617400.jpg" /></a></div>
It has been intriguing seeing what does not work and what does work for e-card recipients;<br />
<ul>
<li>A very, very small number say the e-cards are 'naff'...fine, they have a choice not to open the card. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Some people don't give their email addresses, so I couldn't send them an e- card anyway.<br /> </li>
<li>Wistful responses for the tangible written card were quite common. </li>
<li><br /> </li>
<li>Rare, but I have been asked not to send e-cards. <br /> </li>
<li>A few contacts don't have their computer systems configured to open e-card mail. However, they are notified they have been sent an e-card and from whom. People let me know their position, usually with thanks for the thought.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifzZr2J0E9oCszTWuygvFYvLvzPrtdNlj9f9rqartSK8a3f1o7A9airMQ5IfGPExDgrB-mTgqiZul_cdJz1p4u8MEqluEEQZXiW_gG3b2fmJauOF7FHrXpNmTxA7mpQ5iAvFO5/s1600/293473391023018718.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifzZr2J0E9oCszTWuygvFYvLvzPrtdNlj9f9rqartSK8a3f1o7A9airMQ5IfGPExDgrB-mTgqiZul_cdJz1p4u8MEqluEEQZXiW_gG3b2fmJauOF7FHrXpNmTxA7mpQ5iAvFO5/s1600/293473391023018718.jpg" /></a>
<li>To the majority of my mailed e-cards there was a very positive response. <br /> </li>
<li>Believe it or not, I was reprimanded for not sending a letter! <br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH2JBHzHZLqeX_aWPbZQseda_iO8i_BLhTu_KyGP8wYK73MejgSJj4gdkAcskhq03L91o9JyTswNcS_gqE0tLVJyWn34x2Nd6nxf7fY4HGxswjpBHTyuzjbDWXAahafgJV4Z6t/s1600/stock-vector-red-japanese-maple-and-fujiyama-mountain-traditional-japanese-ink-painting-sumi-e-contains-441754162.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH2JBHzHZLqeX_aWPbZQseda_iO8i_BLhTu_KyGP8wYK73MejgSJj4gdkAcskhq03L91o9JyTswNcS_gqE0tLVJyWn34x2Nd6nxf7fY4HGxswjpBHTyuzjbDWXAahafgJV4Z6t/s1600/stock-vector-red-japanese-maple-and-fujiyama-mountain-traditional-japanese-ink-painting-sumi-e-contains-441754162.jpg" /></a></div>
This subscription give my friends a nicely presented e-reply note, (if they wish) which, they do use.<br /><br /><ul>
<li style="text-align: justify;">There is a lot that has worked for me; I certainly would not be buying the equivalent numbers of cards, nor posting them around the UK and other places in the world. The e-card subscription has added a positive more immediate interactive layer to worldwide friendships.<br /><br /><b><i>Hoping 2017 will be more peaceful than the last, that the year will be good to you, and I wish everyone a healthy and happy year!</i></b><br /><div style="text-align: left;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZmi2PA4scleUREZ5dRf97nfNFPgjLqCtFg4w3dIl0Qz8OomYhhMJ_v3nYAyLLpyEHSJY8Otc2_hFI9aVf9XJgDB0Ym1alAqJoVpehMANGquVY7L6V1sym1PpUf7mVEKviy3BB/s1600/500_F_127398080_GdCUrFeH7CDufGQm1xvir2FIUmfl5utC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZmi2PA4scleUREZ5dRf97nfNFPgjLqCtFg4w3dIl0Qz8OomYhhMJ_v3nYAyLLpyEHSJY8Otc2_hFI9aVf9XJgDB0Ym1alAqJoVpehMANGquVY7L6V1sym1PpUf7mVEKviy3BB/s320/500_F_127398080_GdCUrFeH7CDufGQm1xvir2FIUmfl5utC.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<h3>
</h3>
</div>
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</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">http://myword1.blogspot.com</div>ZACLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07289333819869440699noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17674921.post-69469578878007316582016-12-12T20:29:00.004+00:002016-12-12T20:31:51.247+00:00 A BAG OF MONEY<span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">After depositing a present for a child in a Gift Bank, I was presented with a net bag full of milk chocolate money coins. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht3mSG9lA2cVC25UByBTjSECak4hi1nCtXQtzlUuiv0nJlRpHvdHEuLBCPSn3P7uKEWASF-vYkfPZLN79Tc9ghgQg4xpqDlAtq4vOWZdWSyOH0dO2zJ2jqeUxgJZEnPrEn39EF/s1600/-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="173" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht3mSG9lA2cVC25UByBTjSECak4hi1nCtXQtzlUuiv0nJlRpHvdHEuLBCPSn3P7uKEWASF-vYkfPZLN79Tc9ghgQg4xpqDlAtq4vOWZdWSyOH0dO2zJ2jqeUxgJZEnPrEn39EF/s200/-3.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">The first nursery kid I saw on the street got them. </span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">I did ask the [s<strike>urprised</strike>] taken aback parents first.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> “Oh goody chocolate”, said the kid as he reached to snatch what I offered him, to an embarrassed parental chorus of, “ Say <i>please</i> and say <i>thank you</i>”. Neither nicety materialised from delighted single-minded junior. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> .......”<span style="color: #990000;">It’s Christmas.</span>” I said, and went on my way. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">I couldn't resist looking back. The grown-ups had happy smiles on their faces. </span></span>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">http://myword1.blogspot.com</div>ZACLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07289333819869440699noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17674921.post-45986745497698749422016-12-05T13:57:00.000+00:002018-02-08T18:05:35.830+00:00AIRY FAIRY WONDERLAND ALICE-LED LADY-AND A CLOWN-ESS<br />
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<a href="https://menhir1.files.wordpress.com/2016/12/2.jpg?w=368&h=251" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="2" border="0" class="aligncenter wp-image-20665714" height="400" src="https://menhir1.files.wordpress.com/2016/12/2.jpg?w=368&h=251" width="390" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The woman in the red coat adorned with bright LED fairy lights,
looked at the bakery goods displayed in the glass covered counter in
front of her, every -so- often checking her mobile phone. Like her, I
waited too. We continued to wait…and wait. LED lady looked up at me
and we exchanged smiles. Two other women, dressed up for the local fun
day were serving at the far end of the counter, which provided for the
Baker shop café customers.<br />
<br />
At our end of the counter- sales – a young
girl dressed up as <i><span style="color: maroon;">Alice In Wonderland</span>,</i>(AIW) had her back to us; she studiously <span style="text-decoration: underline;">ignored</span>
everyone. The high visibility lady covered with sparkly LED lights
glanced at her phone once more and then left the shop. Alice in
Wonderland looked round, glanced at me, then turned back to whatever it
was she was doing, writing, I think.<br />
<br />
<img alt="1" class="wp-image-20665710 aligncenter" height="192" src="https://menhir1.files.wordpress.com/2016/12/1.jpg?w=192&h=192" width="192" /><br />
<br />
I conjected that if I waited a few more moments I just might be
served. I knew what I wanted to buy, it was pre-wrapped, so, it was just
a question of selling it to me. I thought my patience was being
rewarded when a <b>clown-ess</b>, (one of the duo of staff
attending to the café) bouncily arrived opposite me……. My mistake, she
was involved in playing a game of choices for someone in the café, who,
incidentally, arrived in the shop the same time as I did.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsrGiVVL2frVVK3DJQYore-PMr77oD3hJrXobjEaQYuj68-zYSoyEfjt6h5eHHEkkFgJDbgspxw4EG4DpkbmJUAdZ4LapYqu3yJe-KTgM9Zf5aVgkk0wKeq7UfMnreYep7BFdS/s1600/-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsrGiVVL2frVVK3DJQYore-PMr77oD3hJrXobjEaQYuj68-zYSoyEfjt6h5eHHEkkFgJDbgspxw4EG4DpkbmJUAdZ4LapYqu3yJe-KTgM9Zf5aVgkk0wKeq7UfMnreYep7BFdS/s320/-1.jpg" width="127" /></a></div>
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<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>“<span style="color: green;"><i>Excuse me, can the assistant over there serve me?</i></span>“</b> I pointedly asked. Clown-ess raised herself on tip-toes to peer over AIW’s shoulder.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://menhir1.files.wordpress.com/2016/12/3.jpg?w=423&h=333" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="3" border="0" class="aligncenter wp-image-20665712" height="320" src="https://menhir1.files.wordpress.com/2016/12/3.jpg?w=423&h=333" width="270" /></a></div>
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<b>Clown-ess -said</b>, <i><span style="color: purple;">“<b>She’s busy doing shop admin”</b></span></i>. With that she rushed away and with a smile called out <span style="color: purple;">“<b><i>Someone will be with you soon”. </i></b></span><br />
<br />
<b>Me</b> – Looking directly at Clown-ess at the far end………<span style="color: green;"><b>“<i>I’m going; that’s two customers you have just lost”.</i> </b> <span style="color: black;">And I went.</span></span><br />
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<img alt="restart" class="wp-image-20665715 alignright" height="197" src="https://menhir1.files.wordpress.com/2016/12/restart.png?w=167&h=165" width="200" /><br />
<br />
This is not the first time me and other customers have walked from
this shop. There are two other similar business in the same vicinity
that have gained from the chaotic customer service. Goodwill is fading
fast.<br />
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://myword1.blogspot.com</div>ZACLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07289333819869440699noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17674921.post-76838483793251893532016-11-27T18:37:00.000+00:002016-11-27T18:39:03.412+00:00CATCH-ALL HOOKS<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAACUiZTq4OuCqFV-GylTdp_TaXr2hloygKwa_DuONODf0T6UIH9VLfyQcWfqmRyU5jT4qHX26b-tPw3WGtHa2EPEi0p-oe26leHZTtJpJy3qG3y-INbmv0uKt3c0qS0fjW1eJ/s1600/IMG_1209-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAACUiZTq4OuCqFV-GylTdp_TaXr2hloygKwa_DuONODf0T6UIH9VLfyQcWfqmRyU5jT4qHX26b-tPw3WGtHa2EPEi0p-oe26leHZTtJpJy3qG3y-INbmv0uKt3c0qS0fjW1eJ/s200/IMG_1209-1.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
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Black Friday, (an American import) Cyber Monday, Special Loyalty Event, you name it, someone has thought of a myriad of catch-all retail hooks to bolster up consumer spending.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAFLyxb1pL8W1ghoJl9F-Kzo4Am5Cf_Z_sWAUZnesb3D1WT59EXBXAUjWL3za1qYDfGpP1LLjrksVvNdgnzI7jas4CIAmxcm95oTIME7pAO3XA-owsfIgA3Wv_5kdw3sLknoVi/s1600/IMG_0133.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAFLyxb1pL8W1ghoJl9F-Kzo4Am5Cf_Z_sWAUZnesb3D1WT59EXBXAUjWL3za1qYDfGpP1LLjrksVvNdgnzI7jas4CIAmxcm95oTIME7pAO3XA-owsfIgA3Wv_5kdw3sLknoVi/s320/IMG_0133.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Online, where a high percentage of shopping is done in the UK, according to retailers with an online presence, there is more than a flurry of business; it sounds like there is enough shopping on one day, on Black Friday, to stabilise the retail accounts for the year! This is according to those in the know, like accountants and economists.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcx04_mxF6X_TxuF0bkeyfM26SBP5sitAtnwUr9Vfz50JBqSHoMRVwhAd04dXjLCXQx39GTd4zodEF7KEDdGPkm0IGS4bHd6m2k2jmWHxqW1muARAQY8_HTOH2Xg0zgXPCulJ1/s1600/IMG_0166.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcx04_mxF6X_TxuF0bkeyfM26SBP5sitAtnwUr9Vfz50JBqSHoMRVwhAd04dXjLCXQx39GTd4zodEF7KEDdGPkm0IGS4bHd6m2k2jmWHxqW1muARAQY8_HTOH2Xg0zgXPCulJ1/s320/IMG_0166.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Basking Shark-Cetorhinus Maximus</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
I have yet to be convinced that there are mountains of real bargains sitting waiting for an impatient internet shopping population, who have waited for the one day in the year when we are told 'it' is all there for the taking. I did my own little pot survey, (not at all scientific) by choosing a couple of things some months ago that I was interested in buying. No doubt, there are stock clearances, no different from any sale at any other time of year.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXz92rE_p8PeO0oa7RZ1pdyAz4K4vt5u6iMNlnUnMlIsh7ltqOAshYZ3cm_CKNDolyGWWSXvELBLy1pfeo0ALGJgGswUiJHrOllwAnHmUuacmJMHXwjyKX-zVxf7tBWbb_ZurI/s1600/IMG_0021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXz92rE_p8PeO0oa7RZ1pdyAz4K4vt5u6iMNlnUnMlIsh7ltqOAshYZ3cm_CKNDolyGWWSXvELBLy1pfeo0ALGJgGswUiJHrOllwAnHmUuacmJMHXwjyKX-zVxf7tBWbb_ZurI/s320/IMG_0021.jpg" width="239" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Scanning around the comparison sites on the internet for the two things I was following was very dull. The big boys definitely did not play ball. I was offered a similar product once, <u>nominally</u> cheaper and definitely not of interest. The best I could say was, for the exact products some prices, not all, stayed static. With the current political insecurities, this may well change. I would expect all prices to rise.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://myword1.blogspot.com</div>ZACLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07289333819869440699noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17674921.post-74526030998244536342016-11-20T20:10:00.002+00:002016-11-20T20:13:42.576+00:00SHIPS AND BOATS AND PLANES........SPROUT WINGSMy surface mail to Canada and America went off in time for the last surface mail posting date in mid October 2016.<br />
<br />
<i><b><span style="color: #674ea7;">The packages would take minimum four weeks and a maximum of five weeks to arrive,</span></b> </i>said the post office clerk<i>. </i><br />
<br />
The stated timing was perfect; early slow mailing is economic and in any case, there was plenty of time for slow delivery. The packages could have taken six weeks to arrive and still been in time. <br />
<br />
<br />
Five days after posting, I received my<span style="color: #674ea7;"> <span style="color: black;">first</span> <i>thank</i></span><i> <span style="background-color: white;">you</span></i> email for my gift. It was soon followed up by a second one................ Ships, coach and horses, obviously spro<span style="background-color: white;"></span>ut wings.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibRz6NewaDVTui3HXyWMKcOTjG2LaseKBaewBa-GkBaJ6Y2G8CYl6SR0Y-bw6Qo0Zbm61y3rx4EHTD-cfV4SqQuKKHCCg5OYZ-Y7m_6Z_adq_s7e5uef0ZeeJ6TXT4-HUWGjKX/s1600/-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibRz6NewaDVTui3HXyWMKcOTjG2LaseKBaewBa-GkBaJ6Y2G8CYl6SR0Y-bw6Qo0Zbm61y3rx4EHTD-cfV4SqQuKKHCCg5OYZ-Y7m_6Z_adq_s7e5uef0ZeeJ6TXT4-HUWGjKX/s200/-1.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://myword1.blogspot.com</div>ZACLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07289333819869440699noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17674921.post-87377429840043689352016-11-07T13:35:00.001+00:002016-11-07T13:39:05.452+00:00GIRDING MY LOINS.I am so stressed out. If hair fizzed, my head of hair would be standing on end and glowing! Much as I respect the arts and crafts of tradespeople, it is impossible to plan and work with their easy going ideas about keeping appointments.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRXznCnzw0rybnyL36P9ENKTrT-zUSpjex30a6ANTksXbVfiPzwblk9y0AuOc4HgAjc6qOHA6W3aVPuu3cwzpJ9giiNZEDwPctb4pLD8fNZQN1-w8Q3j0T0bNxFAc6kpkKe8hH/s1600/unicode-9-emojis-_glamour_3jun16_emojipedia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRXznCnzw0rybnyL36P9ENKTrT-zUSpjex30a6ANTksXbVfiPzwblk9y0AuOc4HgAjc6qOHA6W3aVPuu3cwzpJ9giiNZEDwPctb4pLD8fNZQN1-w8Q3j0T0bNxFAc6kpkKe8hH/s400/unicode-9-emojis-_glamour_3jun16_emojipedia.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The time line begins two weeks ago, when I realised a major item I ordered earlier in the year, which was installed in May, was not the equipment I asked for. The replacement arrived according to plan. So far so good.<br />
<br />
The Monday of installation, the guys arrived late morning to pick up an un-installed object. BUT, there was nothing for them to take away. The installer/s had not arrived at 8.am, as arranged to demount the old equipment for them to remove. Many phone calls later, finally getting through to real people by devious means, (thereby avoiding voice-mail) I eventually got a manager to take ownership of this cock-up.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpKOWH5mC-OFoy0fyuA45_BnDLQq867bxICpeY9v3eDziLbR0hgzc77QOjOIdhQPLsy5vgYXmj2n7ieJgysC5ddsPrbqUyTwHS8nSbuqvu1RGF4va1WvM9Aw4SoLuQY8Mlr9JA/s1600/291400%252C1248794502%252C8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpKOWH5mC-OFoy0fyuA45_BnDLQq867bxICpeY9v3eDziLbR0hgzc77QOjOIdhQPLsy5vgYXmj2n7ieJgysC5ddsPrbqUyTwHS8nSbuqvu1RGF4va1WvM9Aw4SoLuQY8Mlr9JA/s200/291400%252C1248794502%252C8.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
Thursday the same week, the manager arrives here, because by then, a leaking tap that is under guarantee also needs replacing in the kitchen. He wanted to check it was a genuine guarantee issue. Seeing it was, he handed over the replacement tap to be fitted by a plumber appointed to arrive between 12-2pm today. At 11.50am, guess what..........<span style="color: blue;">the plumber can't come</span>, <u><i>earliest</i></u> on offer now was sometime later in the week. So, we are now at non-committal arrangements. <i> Mental picture of me stamping my foot while trying to maintain my composure during phone conversation. </i><br />
<br />
New appointment offer, 8am tomorrow, Tuesday 8th. <br />
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://myword1.blogspot.com</div>ZACLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07289333819869440699noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17674921.post-67889491250651715622016-10-18T16:16:00.001+01:002016-10-18T16:16:31.524+01:00Sat Nav TyrannyHmm, I have just remembered why I hate updating my sat nav. Not only do I have to keep the app open, come what may, it also takes a hell of a time to download and update. <br />
<br />
This time the download started off with 27 minutes to go. I looked in on progress regularly. Then...... ***!!!<br />
The screensaver and sleep mode had kicked in.<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>So - the machine is now set <i><span style="color: #990000;">never</span> </i>to go into standby in any shape or form.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>"Do not disconnect your device" I am commanded. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>At least it did not close down and corrupt the satnav, thank goodness.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>There are now 37 minutes to go. <i>Thirty-seven</i>!</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Where did the extra ten minutes come from and why? Grrrrr...</li>
</ul>
I'm creeping off, trusting the whole thing does what it should do without continuing intensive care from me. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://myword1.blogspot.com</div>ZACLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07289333819869440699noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17674921.post-70566160979322686582016-10-06T11:53:00.000+01:002016-10-06T11:56:43.044+01:00SCENES OF THE EDINBURGH FESTIVAL 2016It seems to me there are lots of Fringe bits to the Edinburgh
Festival, but to keep things relatively tidy, (programmes, books,
leaflets always being the exceptions) I see the Fringes divided up into
the;<br />
<ol>
<li>International classical theatre, concerts and The International Book Festival;</li>
<li>Professional Fringe; (worth a look)</li>
<li>Mainstream Fringe (semi professional, can be interesting);</li>
<li>Have-a-go Fringe (a huge range of options, often thought-provoking and clever);</li>
<li>Stand-up Comedy, and</li>
<li>Multinational talents Fringe, (A wide variety, some very beautiful).</li>
</ol>
Selecting
from numbers 2-6 is not straightforward. This, for me, is a great big
part of the fun of being at the Edinburgh festival...getting there and
invariably taking pot luck. Number 5, is quite likely to be risqué! (I
have no respect for 'comics' who operate with gratuitous vulgarity).<br />
<br />
The Royal Mile pop up shows stand out on their own; The Royal Mile is always worth visiting.<br />
<br />
This
year I found myself second in a queue for a show; the Editor of The
Children's Guinness Book Of Records, Craig Glenday was first. We had a
lovely chat and sat in the same church pew to watch a really good show
called The Gin Chronicles. It's a spoof 1947 radio broadcast. If the
show appears anywhere else, go see it.<br />
<br />
And here is the Guinness
Book of Records man doing his own ''show' at The Book Festival. There
were only a few tickets left when I got mine on the day. Craig gave the
young audience, (and their adults) guidelines about what records would <i>not</i>
get into the books, such as anything that would upset the people who
help animals. It was a gentle humorous production. We saw a couple of
record holders, a bagpiper, and a cyclist without a bike seat. The
seat-less cyclist also tried to break a record at the show. Children
were invited to play the bagpipes, or, monitor something with
stopwatches, or, click devices, or, race to make up a potato head.
(There is one on the low table).<br />
<br />
<br />
<img alt="P1000388-Editor-kids-Guiness-Records-Wb" class="aligncenter wp-image-20665603" data-mce-src="https://menhir1.files.wordpress.com/2016/08/p1000388-editor-kids-guiness-records-wb.jpg" height="457" src="https://menhir1.files.wordpress.com/2016/08/p1000388-editor-kids-guiness-records-wb.jpg" width="341" /><br />
<br />
The
Festival seemed a bit slow to get into a bustling rhythm this year,
partly because some of the elements of it were staggered not to clash
too much with the Olympic Games. The new digital hub in the Centre of
town had no queues of festival-goers lining up for digital events in
the Assembly Rooms, where, in previous years you would have seen flows
of people waiting for shows. It was all very quiet. The pop-up outdoor
cafes and bars nearby were not over-subscribed with patrons. Up the hill
in the Old Town where a lot of extra events seemed to be sited, it was
busy.<br />
<br />
What you see here is a newly refurbished banking hall at St
Andrews Square, Edinburgh. It is gorgeous. The staff are happy for
visitors to wander in and learn about the building's history. In the
front garden - a Festival venue - you could sit and eat, or under
gazebos, sit and play with outsize light -weight dominoes, or, under
another, lounge on large cushions and play with large cards.<br />
<img alt="P1000361-Pano-RBS-St-Andrews-Sq-Wb" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-20665604" data-mce-src="https://menhir1.files.wordpress.com/2016/08/p1000361-pano-rbs-st-andrews-sq-wb.jpg" height="171" src="https://menhir1.files.wordpress.com/2016/08/p1000361-pano-rbs-st-andrews-sq-wb.jpg" width="594" /><br />
<br />
So,
in Princes Street, (the main shopping street of the city) I was darting
through crowded spaces when I heard the attractive sounds of music. I
back tracked and gave the guy a donation. "Stop!" he called as I was
about to dash off again. He raked around in a big bag and handed me a
card... except it wasn't. He'd given me a gift of his CD "Because you
are so nice", he said.<br />
<img alt="P1000365-Princes-Street-Busker-Wb" class="aligncenter wp-image-20665605" data-mce-src="https://menhir1.files.wordpress.com/2016/08/p1000365-princes-street-busker-wb.jpg" height="460" src="https://menhir1.files.wordpress.com/2016/08/p1000365-princes-street-busker-wb.jpg" width="304" /><br />
This is busker Marcello Vacante playing a track from his CD 'Train For London' . (His name is on the CD cover)<br />
<br />
Does anyone know anything about this type of teapot, (if it is a teapot) seen in a charity shop window?<br />
<img alt="P1000375-Nippled-teapot-Wb" class="aligncenter wp-image-20665607" data-mce-src="https://menhir1.files.wordpress.com/2016/08/p1000375-nippled-teapot-wb.jpg" height="512" src="https://menhir1.files.wordpress.com/2016/08/p1000375-nippled-teapot-wb.jpg" width="426" /><br />
<br />
<br />
Oooops - In a back street I found that The Driving License Authority had been busy (DVLC stamped on the clamp).<br />
<br />
<img alt="P1000377-DVLC-Clamped-Wb" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-20665608" data-mce-src="https://menhir1.files.wordpress.com/2016/08/p1000377-dvlc-clamped-wb.jpg" height="417" src="https://menhir1.files.wordpress.com/2016/08/p1000377-dvlc-clamped-wb.jpg" width="578" /><br />
<br />
Let me introduce you to Audrey.<br />
<br />
<img alt="P1000380-Audrey-b-Wb" class="aligncenter wp-image-20665609" data-mce-src="https://menhir1.files.wordpress.com/2016/08/p1000380-audrey-b-wb.jpg" height="630" src="https://menhir1.files.wordpress.com/2016/08/p1000380-audrey-b-wb.jpg" width="512" /> <img alt="P1000381-Show-Over-Audrey-Wb" class="aligncenter wp-image-20665610" data-mce-src="https://menhir1.files.wordpress.com/2016/08/p1000381-show-over-audrey-wb.jpg" height="366" src="https://menhir1.files.wordpress.com/2016/08/p1000381-show-over-audrey-wb.jpg" width="502" /><br />
<br />
The
last remaining vintage mobile cinema from around 1967. Black and white
Pathé News films, (remember those) were shown, a couple were of the
1947 beginnings of the Edinburgh Festival. My friend told me afterwards
that she remembered going to the first festival with her mother!!! You
could have knocked me over with a feather.<br />
<br />
This was called "The Rook". This must relate to Harry Potter and the fearful chess board game that had to be played in one of the stories. The author JK Rowling is, after all, a graduate of the university and more recently was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by Edinburgh University. 'Wee horse" does look like a junior and not too distant relative of the Kelpies that are based in Falkirk, Scotland. However, the Kelpies don't have reins or a feather topknot.<br />
<br />
<img alt="P1000382-'The-Rook'-not-a-Kelpie-Wb" class="aligncenter wp-image-20665611" data-mce-src="https://menhir1.files.wordpress.com/2016/08/p1000382-the-rook-not-a-kelpie-wb.jpg" height="407" src="https://menhir1.files.wordpress.com/2016/08/p1000382-the-rook-not-a-kelpie-wb.jpg" width="542" /><br />
<br />
<br />
Scenes of Festival relaxation in Princes Street Gardens and Granny's Drying Green below Edinburgh Castle:<br />
<br />
<img alt="P1000391-Princes-Street-Gardens-Wb" class="aligncenter wp-image-20665612" data-mce-src="https://menhir1.files.wordpress.com/2016/08/p1000391-princes-street-gardens-wb.jpg" height="359" src="https://menhir1.files.wordpress.com/2016/08/p1000391-princes-street-gardens-wb.jpg" width="478" /> <img alt="P1000393-Ed-Castle-+Granny's-Washing-Green-Wb" class="aligncenter wp-image-20665613" data-mce-src="https://menhir1.files.wordpress.com/2016/08/p1000393-ed-castle-grannys-washing-green-wb.jpg" height="537" src="https://menhir1.files.wordpress.com/2016/08/p1000393-ed-castle-grannys-washing-green-wb.jpg" width="393" /><br />
<br />
A musical venue, where guitars also became percussion instruments for both classical and fusion genres.<br />
<br />
<img alt="P1000394-Ed-Fringe-Music-Wb" class="aligncenter wp-image-20665614" data-mce-src="https://menhir1.files.wordpress.com/2016/08/p1000394-ed-fringe-music-wb.jpg" height="321" src="https://menhir1.files.wordpress.com/2016/08/p1000394-ed-fringe-music-wb.jpg" width="428" /><br />
<br />
Last, but definitely not least:<br />
<br />
<img alt="P1000392-Ed-Castle-from-Grass-Market-Wb" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-20665615" data-mce-src="https://menhir1.files.wordpress.com/2016/08/p1000392-ed-castle-from-grass-market-wb.jpg" height="446" src="https://menhir1.files.wordpress.com/2016/08/p1000392-ed-castle-from-grass-market-wb.jpg" width="594" /><br />
<br />
A
view of Edinburgh Castle with an interesting wee look-out tower and a
clear view of a lump of Dolerite, a coarse-grained Basalt rock. The
Castle rock is estimated to have formed about 350 million years ago and
is the remains of a volcanic pipe.<br />
References:<br />
<br />
<span class="reference-text"><cite class="citation book">MacIvor, Iain (1993). <a class="external text" data-mce-href="http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=grhnAAAAMAAJ" href="http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=grhnAAAAMAAJ" rel="nofollow"><i>Edinburgh Castle</i></a>. p. 16. <a data-mce-href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Standard_Book_Number" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Standard_Book_Number" title="International Standard Book Number">ISBN</a> <a data-mce-href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9780713472950" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9780713472950" title="Special:BookSources/9780713472950">9780713472950</a>.</cite></span><br />
<span class="reference-text"><cite class="citation book">McAdam, David (2003). <a class="external text" data-mce-href="http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=LL06OAAACAAJ" href="http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=LL06OAAACAAJ" rel="nofollow"><i>Edinburgh and West Lothian: A Landscape Fashioned by Geology</i></a>. p. 16. <a data-mce-href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Standard_Book_Number" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Standard_Book_Number" title="International Standard Book Number">ISBN</a> <a data-mce-href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9781853973277" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9781853973277" title="Special:BookSources/9781853973277">9781853973277</a>.</cite></span><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://myword1.blogspot.com</div>ZACLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07289333819869440699noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17674921.post-60722610606096122272016-03-08T16:59:00.000+00:002016-03-08T16:59:56.597+00:00SCOTLAND'S WINTRY A9 ROADThe weather forecast was almost, but, not quite as dire as some we
have heard before a journey. Nevertheless, if we were going to make the
journey we had to travel in daylight. The forecaster warned that with
the temperatures being low, driving conditions could be icy and in
addition, there was snow expected on high ground, which would move onto
lower ground later on in the day. It was mid February, daylight hours had
increased by four minutes a day since the Winter Solstice, so, that
meant we now had a decent chunk of additional daylight time in our
favour.<br />
<div class="mceTemp">
<dl class="wp-caption aligncenter" data-mce-style="width: 604px;" id="attachment_20665208" style="width: 604px;">
<dt class="wp-caption-dt"><img alt="P1000006 A9-North-2-Wb" class="wp-image-20665208 size-full" data-mce-src="https://menhir1.files.wordpress.com/2016/03/p1000006-a9-north-2-wb.jpg" height="419" src="https://menhir1.files.wordpress.com/2016/03/p1000006-a9-north-2-wb.jpg" width="594" /></dt>
<dd class="wp-caption-dd">You Can See The Icy Road Ahead.</dd></dl>
</div>
Being
a Tuesday, we expected to encounter a fair amount of commercial
traffic. Most of the commercial vehicles and some streams of cars were
all heading in the opposite direction. In front here, there was a truck
and a tanker.<br />
<br />
The road, Scotland's notorious A9 two lane road, is currently
governed by average speed cameras. Vehicles of 7.5 tons or more, are
restricted to 50 miles per hour. Overtaking opportunities were limited,
unless you thrived on serious risk-taking. There being no other road
north, it meant that domestic and smaller vehicles were forced into slower
speeds for much of the time. You see road signs that tell you
'frustration kills'.<br />
<br />
Here we are into the steady upward climb of
'higher ground' as can be seen by the snow-capped hill on the left and
the broken white slopes appearing on the right. Just in case you are
wondering, we are on one of the sections of dual carriageway on this
road. There are not many.<br />
<br />
<img alt="P1000007-A9-North-3-Wb" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-20665209" data-mce-src="https://menhir1.files.wordpress.com/2016/03/p1000007-a9-north-3-wb.jpg" height="476" src="https://menhir1.files.wordpress.com/2016/03/p1000007-a9-north-3-wb.jpg" width="594" /><br />
<br />
Still, onward and upwards.....<br />
<div class="mceTemp">
<dl class="wp-caption aligncenter" data-mce-style="width: 604px;" id="attachment_20665211" style="width: 604px;">
<dt class="wp-caption-dt"><img alt="Climbing Higher" class="size-full wp-image-20665211" data-mce-src="https://menhir1.files.wordpress.com/2016/03/p1000010-a9-north-5-wb.jpg" height="392" src="https://menhir1.files.wordpress.com/2016/03/p1000010-a9-north-5-wb.jpg" width="594" /></dt>
<dd class="wp-caption-dd">Climbing Higher still</dd></dl>
</div>
<br />
<div class="mceTemp">
<dl class="wp-caption aligncenter" data-mce-style="width: 604px;" id="attachment_20665214" style="width: 604px;">
<dt class="wp-caption-dt"><img alt="P1000013-Mucky-Windscreen-Wb" class="wp-image-20665214 size-full" data-mce-src="https://menhir1.files.wordpress.com/2016/03/p1000013-mucky-windscreen-wb.jpg" height="461" src="https://menhir1.files.wordpress.com/2016/03/p1000013-mucky-windscreen-wb.jpg" width="594" /></dt>
<dd class="wp-caption-dd">Mucky Windscreen. </dd><dd class="wp-caption-dd"> </dd><dd class="wp-caption-dd">Then clarity.......The snowy marshmallow pillows were lovely</dd></dl>
</div>
<img alt="P1000012-A9-North-7-Wb" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-20665213" data-mce-src="https://menhir1.files.wordpress.com/2016/03/p1000012-a9-north-7-wb.jpg" height="370" src="https://menhir1.files.wordpress.com/2016/03/p1000012-a9-north-7-wb.jpg" width="594" /><br />
This is my way of climbing peaks, using four wheels.<br />
<br />
<div class="mceTemp">
<dl class="wp-caption aligncenter" data-mce-style="width: 604px;" id="attachment_20665212" style="width: 604px;">
<dt class="wp-caption-dt"><img alt="Mucky Windscreen" class="size-full wp-image-20665212" data-mce-src="https://menhir1.files.wordpress.com/2016/03/p1000011-a9-north-6-wb.jpg" height="405" src="https://menhir1.files.wordpress.com/2016/03/p1000011-a9-north-6-wb.jpg" width="594" /></dt>
<dd class="wp-caption-dd">The dual carriageway at this point is on two levels. In the right corner, you can just see a bit of the upper level.</dd><dd class="wp-caption-dd"> </dd><dd class="wp-caption-dd"> We
caught a heavy bout of 'lower ground weather' as forecast, just after a
quick, a very quick lunch stop; me darting in to a road side cafe to
buy two
coffees to take away. Here we are driving into 'the weather'. The
light and the sky were very threatening What a difference an hour or
two makes to a day. All that lovely bright light, the gorgeous skies
with fluffy clouds, had totally disappeared</dd><dd class="wp-caption-dd"> </dd><dd class="wp-caption-dd"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIdzHYWDaliyxAdts_eANcvZl2yINttp7hSE5vkiO0xyI2TUBO5ldM5JWb1ZI6v9bVzuamWd3D0A_gLrmJkBbx6elKmcI6PB2AZ1OquoKt7iTDjiP3z0D1rOp4Iu8MjWgPDqBP/s1600/P1000016-A9-North--Wintry-Wb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIdzHYWDaliyxAdts_eANcvZl2yINttp7hSE5vkiO0xyI2TUBO5ldM5JWb1ZI6v9bVzuamWd3D0A_gLrmJkBbx6elKmcI6PB2AZ1OquoKt7iTDjiP3z0D1rOp4Iu8MjWgPDqBP/s400/P1000016-A9-North--Wintry-Wb.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
</dd></dl>
</div>
<br />
<br />
A few minutes more and we met the weather totally as forecast, we were well and truly in it, a mix of snow and sleet and very subdued daylight.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjj3-Dl2HCHdNp14JtRbA2-FeWTVRi5PFgiB4xypitYElxy_c14MI7pmHKY97CFfbHEAxXwDO-hFYvLNC7R30EQ7m6FCCWstZoCNSdrbQz87tVQBJE1rYsvozls9V5htaCHqCo/s1600/P1000018-Snow-Sleet-A9-Wb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjj3-Dl2HCHdNp14JtRbA2-FeWTVRi5PFgiB4xypitYElxy_c14MI7pmHKY97CFfbHEAxXwDO-hFYvLNC7R30EQ7m6FCCWstZoCNSdrbQz87tVQBJE1rYsvozls9V5htaCHqCo/s400/P1000018-Snow-Sleet-A9-Wb.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The rest of the journey, the last hundred miles
or so, was punctuated by more heavy wind-driven snow and sleet. But, it was
still daylight when we reached journey's end. We'd done it!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://myword1.blogspot.com</div>ZACLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07289333819869440699noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17674921.post-8551014609463543062016-02-03T16:22:00.001+00:002016-02-03T16:25:56.921+00:00WHAT WE TALKED ABOUT<b><span style="color: navy;">While out walking w</span></b><b><span style="color: navy;">e talked </span></b><b><span style="color: navy;">about….</span></b><br />
<br />
<span style="color: navy;">Where humans might rest up in a dual purpose horse box;</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: navy;">The anarchy of some computer programme system designs;</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: navy;">About overflowing farm drains;</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: navy;">A courier company that uses more than one livery;</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: navy;">A swollen river in spate and nearly over-topping its banks;</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: navy;">About a utensils pot seen in a charity shop;</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: navy;">Buying a loaf of bread from the local bakery,</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: navy;">As I absent-mindedly walked past it;</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: navy;">Where to find a public toilet;</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: navy;">The cold wintry wind felt like ‘a bed for snow’.</span><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://myword1.blogspot.com</div>ZACLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07289333819869440699noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17674921.post-81211015481793896362016-01-31T16:29:00.002+00:002016-01-31T16:29:57.521+00:00ABIGAIL....TO GERTRUDE AND HENRY,WHAT NEXT....BrrrrrSo far, Abigail, Barney, Clodagh, Desmond, Eva, Frank, Gertrude visited, all, it seems, in quick succession. Now we expect Henry's imminent arrival.<br />
<br />
Gertrude stormed in last Thursday night, (28th January 2106) and raged all of Friday. Late in the day there was a lull in Gertrude's activity and I went out to get some provisions, such as were available. Bridges closed to traffic, meant absolutely no buses, no transport of any kind that would deliver anything and also trains were cancelled.<br />
<br />
Passing through the check-out with my few bits of shopping; 'passing the crack' (chat) with cashier, a young lad from the high school :<br />
<br />
Him politely: <span style="color: #990000;"><i>It's getting chilly out there now.</i></span><br />
<br />
Me:<i> <span style="color: #3d85c6;">Gertrude has been raging all day.</span></i><br />
<br />
Him: - mischievously- <span style="color: #990000;"><i>what set her off then!</i></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNHCPoItbbuhOP2g8T9qCmpz4lUxtl5MUfwhTh9plJNYYmhuiX1e2b5X6h7o3m-dYhxgmjyVoti3MqjYBhqQHsE1ndiLCwycUWP40LQthwgHG4gI4p__Ik9BYcuTpaTgrO7ThW/s1600/P1010196-Salty-windows-after-Storm+Wb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNHCPoItbbuhOP2g8T9qCmpz4lUxtl5MUfwhTh9plJNYYmhuiX1e2b5X6h7o3m-dYhxgmjyVoti3MqjYBhqQHsE1ndiLCwycUWP40LQthwgHG4gI4p__Ik9BYcuTpaTgrO7ThW/s320/P1010196-Salty-windows-after-Storm+Wb.jpg" width="220" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Yesterday, Saturday, we had snow and windy gusts. It felt really cold...it pierced through you. I was wearing four layers indoors and a long padded coat plus hat outdoors. By nightfall the snow was nowhere to be seen.<br />
<br />
Heavy snowfall pitted its sound against the windows during the evening. Eventually, peaking out from behind the curtains, I saw a settled covering of white.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-CGcVwIfRL_gP7ebrsDe2ZX4JPhnhrh6CXHlzt6l2OSxFncJ2JGfxKEjw6_BCkn4J9dowAP8eSqQoInlaaGYpDDG5IgNOaHX46JjrqBZWxuzfeo51G-PRBmYPvbYxegjswlQ-/s1600/P1010499-Hoy-and-The-Bay-Wb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-CGcVwIfRL_gP7ebrsDe2ZX4JPhnhrh6CXHlzt6l2OSxFncJ2JGfxKEjw6_BCkn4J9dowAP8eSqQoInlaaGYpDDG5IgNOaHX46JjrqBZWxuzfeo51G-PRBmYPvbYxegjswlQ-/s320/P1010499-Hoy-and-The-Bay-Wb.jpg" width="320" /></a> <br />
Today,Sunday, the last day of January, we had snow lie all day. It was another four layer dressing day. There were some light snow showers, also a period of bright snow reflected sunshine. We went for a walk zipped up in wadded coats, our hats on, thermal gloves to keep hands and fingers toastie warm and walking boots for grip.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Now we await the arrival of Storming Henry, chasing in close on the heels of Gertrude. Oh joy! (Not).<br />
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://myword1.blogspot.com</div>ZACLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07289333819869440699noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17674921.post-64931394559822967472016-01-27T19:28:00.000+00:002016-01-27T19:28:44.981+00:00BUSY BUSINESS.Hello.<br />
<br />
Just been rather busy since November last year, though there was a
lull for a few days over the Christmas break. Just as well, because
with the dire flood warnings, which sounded like they were near, or, at
home, we cut into our break and dashed back to see if everything was
okay chez nous.<br />
<br />
The busy business will continue for a bit. It means I won’t have
much time for posting, (though I will take any opportunity that presents
itself). However, I intend that all this busy stuff will not get in
the way of keeping in contact and commenting.<br />
<br />
Today is Holocaust Memorial Day. This morning, I heard a very
poignant story on the BBC Radio 4 Programme, ‘Midweek,’ about a sock
that belonged to a survivor.<br />
<br />
January is nearly over; we’re getting an extra hour or so of daylight now.<br />
<br />
:) <div class="blogger-post-footer">http://myword1.blogspot.com</div>ZACLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07289333819869440699noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17674921.post-86167057073884012962015-12-16T15:57:00.000+00:002015-12-16T15:57:07.908+00:00THE END <div id="navi">
</div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>BLOG UK</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>MADE BY YOU</b></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #20124d;">Dear user,</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #20124d;">
</span></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #20124d;">
We inform you that our blogging platform has been closed on all markets
on December 16th 2015. All blogs have been taken offline at this date,
and it's not possible any more to log in.
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #20124d;">
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #20124d;">
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For any questions regarding the closure or your blog please contact our customer support.
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #20124d;">
</span></span><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://myword1.blogspot.com</div>ZACLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07289333819869440699noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17674921.post-84224253187046196932015-12-13T13:11:00.003+00:002015-12-13T13:15:03.111+00:00SELF-DESTRUCTING BLOG<span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Blog.Co.UK (BCUK), whose registered offices are in Germany, is
completely removing its blogging platform during the day of the 15th
December, 2015. It is a very final act. I have never before seen a
blogging platform self-destruct out of all existence. BCUK will be
history. <img alt="smile emoticon kolobok" height="33" src="https://i1.wp.com/www.en.kolobok.us/smiles/standart/help.gif" width="29" /></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span></span><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Blog UK was an intuitive site to use, a vibrant and supportive social
site in its heyday, it was easy to make blog friends who actively
shared comments. Its demise, though slow, was really inevitable after it
was sold on. The new proprietors gave access to avalanches of spammers.
Inappropriate mails stopped being dealt with. Lots of genuine
bloggers voted with their feet. Many, like me, occasionally posted and
kept in contact with favourite BCUK bloggers. Groups of friends kept
going. <img alt="smile emoticon kolobok" height="28" src="https://i0.wp.com/www.en.kolobok.us/smiles/standart/drinks.gif" width="51" /></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span></span><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Users of BCUK were given lots of warning of the proposed end, as were
sister platforms in other parts of the world. At the same time we were
given detailed instructions in English on how to export our posts to
WordPress (WP) and how to save them. The instructions would not work
for the likes of Blogspot, where I was regularly posting.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span></span><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">The French bloggers also received their instructions in <i>English</i>! <img alt="smile emoticon kolobok" height="49" src="https://i1.wp.com/www.en.kolobok.us/smiles/he_and_she/feminist.gif" width="54" />I
spent some time translating the instructions into French with the
assistance of Google Translate. My translation was posted on the French
site, with lots of grateful thanks.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span></span><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Exporting blogs to WP was not difficult, though perfect, it was not. I
will have to edit through ten years worth of posts. I have given it a
rest while I’ve been learning to use WP. By default WP has become my
primary site. It is a bit complicated and there is a lot of clunky
programming. Bloggers from other countries have found sites elsewhere
and find it easier to stay in touch with me on Blogspot. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><img alt="smile emoticon kolobok" height="32" src="https://i1.wp.com/www.en.kolobok.us/smiles/he_and_she/buba_phone.gif" width="47" /></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span></span><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">A few blog UK friends decided it was time to say goodbye to
blogging. Some have have connected up on WP. It’s nice because
linking up on WP with other people who want to genuinely
inter-communicate in words about this and that, and not sell you
something, is not easily facilitated with the WP set up. <img alt="smile emoticon kolobok" height="83" src="https://i0.wp.com/www.en.kolobok.us/smiles/artists/just_cuz/JC_cookies.gif" width="51" /></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;">
</span><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://myword1.blogspot.com</div>ZACLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07289333819869440699noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17674921.post-344109208457386542015-11-26T18:51:00.002+00:002015-11-26T19:49:15.901+00:00THE ANCIENTS GOT IT RIGHT!<span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">This year it was going to be different, I decided. When the days shorten, with dark mornings and early nights, (it is quite dark by half past four in the afternoon) it is easy to feel like going into hibernation mode: no, <i>I </i>was going to be bright and perky. We still have not arrived at our shortest day, the Winter Solstice brings that.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">With little sunshine, it is not easy to be bright and bouncy. I have been looking around me. There is a weariness visible on people's faces. The town has a Fun Day soon, probably just in time. The Christmas lights, which hopefully will be installed this year, ( you never know if austerity may intervene) do make a huge difference to the long dark evenings. Saturnalia was to the ancients what the brightening seasonal decorations are to us now. Roll on.....bring 'em on.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">The other thing is, with collars up, hoods scarves and hats on, it is not easy to see people greet you with a smile, which we tend to do here. Against the winds, you keep your head down, yet another barrier to not just being cheery but being a receiver of others' friendliness. Apart from SAD syndrome, which, luckily, I am not bothered with, there are all the other diffusions of our subtle happiness connectors, which, ordinarily, you would not think about.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">So, how am I faring with my inner bounce. I am working on it. I may even succeed! </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></span><br />
<img alt="smile emoticon kolobok" src="http://www.en.kolobok.us/smiles/standart/dance4.gif" /><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://myword1.blogspot.com</div>ZACLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07289333819869440699noreply@blogger.com4