The Beach
is here. Relax.
Jump to more content from this blog
About this blog
PM The evening news and current affairs programme presented by Eddie Mair.
iPM The programme that starts with its listeners. Join the discussions online and contribute ideas for a weekly programme presented by Eddie Mair and Jennifer Tracey.
The PM Privacy Commission
Read the final report of the PM Privacy Commission.
- Full Audio and Transcripts
- Hugh Tomlinson QC
- Zac Goldsmith MP
- Max Mosley
- Stephen Abell
- Hugh Grant
- Sir Charles Gray
- Alan Rusbridger
- Helen Wood
- Max Clifford
- Marcus Partington
- John Kampfner
- Christopher Graham
- Louise Mensch
- Andy Trotter
- John Mullin
- Avril Sanders Royle
- Jimmy Wales
Meet the commissioners, view the terms of reference and hear the Commission Chair Sir Michael Lyons explain his approach.
RSS feed
Email us
Listen to PM
What's this? Rain? On the Beach? How did that happen?
Rain ? All I can see is 10 miles of golden sands glowing in the sun :-)
I have some coffee brewing at the NCMB - who would like to join me and have a croissant, err - I think we can turn down the morning service a little BigSister\?
RJD (1) Sorry....did I wake you? No, it's not rain.....I'm hosing down the camels, and must have sprayed you. They were in such a state - sand embedded in their coats, and bits of ribbon twined round their humps. You'd think they'd been maypole-dancing, or something! Anyway, they're looking lovely now, and the shampoo I found by the shower has made their coats really sleek and shiny.
Here, have this cafe latte and a nice iced bun RJD. No, don't move, I'll bring it to your hammock.
Phew! that's relief! Breakfast in bed, eh? I like it.
Morning all. Aren't you meant to be in the Naughty Corner RJD? Or did you have a "Get Out of Jail Free" card?
I blame Sean. The massage oil was getting everywhere ;o) but, bless, he certainly destressed me.
Wild Irish Salmon, fresh wheaten bread and salad - any takers
Yum! And I've brought a bit of the black stuff to wash it down. Fully recovered from Friday night's excess.
厂濒谩颈苍迟别
ed
RJD that sounds delicious. Once my leftover bacon risotto with courgettes and sweetcorn is ready, I'll leave a huge bowl of it on the bar ... all do help yourselves.
Gillian, the camels look divine. Was it your idea to put curlers on Lady Cammelia?
Fifi
I'm leaving a pan of braised steak au poivre behind the bar for any takers, and a nice bottle of Rioja that I've just opened. Enjoy!
I may not be around much the next few days, as a mate is up visiting, and we're off to the MM gig tomorrow, but I'll try to pop by as time permits.:-)
O Anubis, I have SUCH a headache, and I cannot remember how I got it , and I keep setting off some buffoon's metal detector - says he's looking for buried treasure. (I tell you dears, the man has more coal round his eyes than Drax power station, and that hankie round his head is a disgrace!) but nice teeth.......
Gosh, Lady C, is Bill Wyman visiting the Beach then?
Ahhhh - 5 minutes relaxation and civilized conversation before I head back to April, whence I must dash to the Big City to pick up TD from her Sunday Job so that she gets home with enough energy to commence an All-nighter as she's insisting on calling it. Her Extended Case Study has a deadline of tomorrow morning, and her Project Mangement Sheet is showing that she still has 12 hours to go....
Anyone want to come over to April and lend a hand?
See you late no doubt, I may have to stay awake to be on prodding duty :o)
Lady C,
That was no man -
alas it was Sequin who has fallen on hard times :-(
I hope that no-one complains about me replying here to a post on another thread (anyone who does is a numbty!). Izzy that is excellant news about your ConLan project. I hope that by the time that you read this, you will have enjoyed a good day in the garden. Well done.
H.
Well...back from Somerset and just been catching up. What a few days to have missed, awards for Eddie, accolades for froggers emails, a new presenter gracing the programme and I missed it all. Not to mention blue frogging from trains, whatever next.
Trailing in last as usual, which brings me by the way in the wake of Gillian's assertiveness to mentioning (just modestly you understand) that it's me plaintively left behind at the end of the froggers song.
Not only have I not brought anything with me, but I even left behind in the west two cones of very pretty fancy yarn, one eylash and one ribbon, in matching colours of yellow, pink, purple and green ( sounds terrible but actually quite nice) and some special knitting needles I'd bought. Bother.
I'll just hide myself in the purple hammock for a bit and then go and make some scotch pancakes for tea. Anyone like them made with banana?
There, there, Lady C. Nasty man's gone now. Come over to this lovely pile of sugar beet I found in the field at the bottom of our garden ... I've transferred them to your favourite sand dune.
Your famous aristocratic sweet tooth should find them rather palatable.
I myself am going to partake of the purple hammock for a while, after a very stressful weekend.
* Oops! *
Sorry RJD, didn't realise you were STILL in there from this morning! The bruises won't last, trust me. Budge up a bit will you?
Fifi
Oh dear, getting crowded in this purple hammock, perhaps I'd better unpack the new one - it's made out of the offcuts from Joseph's Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, so it's red and yellow and green and brown and scarlet and black and.....you get the idea.....
"Three In A Hammock Romp on PM Beach"
Oo-er!
I've never been a tabloid headline before.
Fifi :o0
Oh no!
And I was the only one that wasn't stressed.
Can I squeeze in the hammock next to you Fifi with my laptop - I'm having great trouble today with some video editing.
Oh another dropped frame :-(
That beet of yours is *very* sweet though.
BigSis it looks as though you could do with some more of Seans oil ?
Fifi - Sorry! It was too good an opportunity to miss and they did offer me an awful lot of money for the story. I think that picture of you is quite good though! Whose leg is that on the left?
Good news, everyone!
I've just been regraded sideways from Technical Assistant to Research Assistant!
It's not any more money, and rather than fixed hours of 37 h/wk I'm now obliged to do whatever hours are "required to fulfil the duties of the post" so I may be working Sequin type hours from August, and no possibility of overtime payments, but...
...actually... hang on...
I'm sure there was some reason I wanted this...
Humph (15) - Thank you very much. It's as 'avin you lot around that keeps a gal goin'. (only six exams to study for now :0(, but it'll all be over on 2nd June - I can't wait).
Val P (13) - Tell her I sympathise greatly.
*sound of smacking of lips*
By gum, Anne those banana pancakes were yummy. Ta muchly.
Malicious posting alert - ????? It's the first today!
Congratulations SS Cat, but beware that requirement to work whatever hours are required - been there. Just try to remember all those mantras about work/life balance. Hope you enjoy the change.
Fortunately I am always up for (being squashed) (elbows in the neck) (bruises I can't explain to my SO) close cuddly platonic encounters in a hammock .. but Jonnie, can you keep control of the corners on that laptop please?
Honestly, some people! ;o)
SSCat: kudos. That was it. Either you have won the right to the department's sexiest aftershave, or it's a brand of chocolate.
Fifi
Er... I'm not sure now whether I'm flirter or a flirtee.
Out of practice, clearly.
Ground rules, someone?
Fifi
Congrats SSCat and good luck Val and Izzy.
Fifi, Jonnie, Anne P, RJD, I would send you all to the naughty corner but I think you would enjoy it!!
Packet of Camel-flavoured crisps anyone?
All of my entries from earlier this evening have shown up OK -- except for those on this and the last beach. Have I been barred from the beach? What did I do? I haven't even been Naughty Cornered lately. Something's not right.
Lots of congrats are due for achievments by froggers over the past week - you know who you all are. Not only have I missed out on passing those along, but I haven't even heard PM all week, so I missed Carrie on Friday. Oh, I know, I can hear LissaPast telling me to use Listen Again. Problem is if I'm not in a position to listen the first time around, then the chances are that I'm even less able to spare the time to Listen Again.
Sorry, bit stressed, what with one thing and another. Too keen to take on others' worries as well as my own. Does one do that as a sort of diversionary tactic, does anyone think?
So here we are threequarters way through April and the garden is full of birds digging up worms etc. Babybirds must be all around us. Tis a pity that the Cat I mentioned earlier in the week is still very much in evidence......I feel so guilty when it haunts the windowsills trying to catch my attention, but I can't take on a cat too. Will it come to its senses and move on - surely cats are too clever not to?
Ahh, that's a few rambles off my chest (rjdstopit, get back in that hammock, there's nothing to see), so I'm going to go and reassess TD's progress. Watch this space, I'll be back with some rather fine Hungarian Pinot Grigio I found in M*rr*s*ns - shouldn't that be Pinot Gris?
Fifi (26) What does it matter? If you've got it, flaunt it ;o)
SSCat (22) Congratulations - I think (?)
Izzy T'me (23) Know how you feel. I had a phone call from my Big Un to say she's given in her last ever essay. Only the exams and the Dissertation to finish! Big party on the Beach to celebrate at the beginning of June!
Anne P (18) You are a domestic goddess...banana pancakes, techni-coloured dream hammocks and a great ending for the Froggers' Chorus.
Val P (13) Here's a thermos full of black coffee for yourself and TD. We'll tiptoe round you both tomorrow, so we don't wake you.
Big Sis, we can offer only love and support. Hope it brings some comfort.
And Hi to everyone else who knows me!
Ah! Back to the beach after a blogless 2.5 days. By eddie was bored on the train to leeds but there was not much blog stuff on his journey back! Obviously the tennents super strength they sell in the buffet car must have had its effect. I presume they sell it in the buffet cars cos you only ever see empty cans of it by park benches and on trains!
Or did he spend the return talking to Hilary Benn about the deputy leadership?
Been to NEC today spending lots of pennies at a Trade fair. So I'm feeling poor. But I got a great deal and I think the best at the show.
To celebrate there is some Shiraz/Cab on bar.
Erm.. should that camel really be trying to get into that hammock - it looks a bit overcrowded already......oooo watch ooout!
Right! I've had enough. I'm out of here. Solitary in the Naughty Corner I think!
The secret of the naughty corner is finally exposed: it's self-selecting and the best parties are there!
Damn. We may have to come up with some revised entry requirements.
Appy? RJD? Izzy? et al???
Fifi ;o)
Eeek - too much black coffee, I may never sleep again. She's just commenced on a page about the physics of the internals of a mobile phone.
Hmmm, what can I eat now?
It's not so much a corner as a generous section of the beach now Fifi, don't you think? :-)
I think that anyone who can see the real meaning when reading RJD's posts is in.
Weel done, SSC, and all the best to those with exams or other brain-stressing stuff in their lives.
Yawn - bed soon. And NOT in that hammock, it looks a bit full.
Ap (35) - I just wish someone would explain them to me!
Re: everyone, Congrats for surviving another day on the beach -
I had a private word on the 'cam' with Ed I - pointing out it was Earth day - and of. course, as treehouse Ed pointed out - everyday is earth day.
SScat -- excellent news and special congrats to YOU! -- more hours though:-( hopefully it means more spending money)!
Fifi - Hope BigSis's recipe was good!
Freeze it and we'll have the remains on the 'real' beach in September.
Fifi is planning a bash in Bournemouth on the beach in the Autumn :-)
Appy: Yes - I would enjoy the naughty corner ;-O - you are getting to know me too well!
Izzy - malicious postings are rife - hence giving up earlier. I 'tried' to make a meaningful 10 minute sprawl and forgot to save it! -- at times like that I tend to think like RJD and Whisht have done in the past -- and confine the blog to the bin.
Stewart :- yes Eddie has been quiet. I'd imagine he was on a bit of a high going up there. Fairly new producers to speak with and not the familiarity of 'day to day 'PM' -- and only one day to chill out. My dad was a singer and was always far too noisy before an event - and often too subdued to deal with me as a kid afterwards. - Unlike the monotony of life for me in a Hotel these days - :-(
As for me tonight -- haven't seen my own beach and it's not nice tomorrow according to the beeb's weather, however I've been out for a meal and it's been nice reading through my make believe beach and it's unique inhabitants.
Night night everyone - I'll be around sipping port at the NCB for a bit. I can still just make out the plough, well nearly.
Happy Georgey Day to all the English!
H.
... and the Maltese and the Catalan ....
Good morning all!
Well, it seems as if last weeks excitement is continuing onto a new one!
Congrats (?) to SSC...I think you sound pleased! Hope it works ou!
I know there was mention of bucks fizz a few days back and have brought along some more! Not only am I vicariously celebrating the 30th of one of my bfriends but my brother has just got engaged!
For those who are feeling a little more subdued fresh coffee, teas of a caffeine and herbal nature and some fresh juice also on the bar. And to munch...some lovely cereals, fruit, pain au chocolat and homemade soda bread.
Enjoy and may this week be a great one for us all....I think I may have overcharged my chakras...!
xx
A few contemplative moments with a milkshake at the NCMB before heading back to April.
After everyone sloped off to the naughty corner after midnight, I reinforced the hammock fixings and gathered a few more cushions. Hopefully further romps will be less bruising experiences.
The camel was the final straw.
(Don't think for one moment that I didn't pick that metaphor with great care!)
Fifi
Fifi (25):
Mmmm, chocolate!
Jonnie (39):
Nope, no more money. But someone here pointed out this morning that "No fixed working hours" works the other way too. I can take a walk at lunchtime without worrying about being back dead on a half-hour later! I can leave early without worrying about bumping into the head of department on the stairs (which I inevitably do on the rare occasionas I try it.)
In other news...
Can someone point me to a part of the beach that *isn't* the naughty "corner"?
Re Humph (40) Shhhhhh , you will get us in to trouble if you mention St Georges day:
Just scroll down a wee way and see this comment sent in tp woodlands junior school !
Please tell me we are NOT doing this again Eddie ?
At 11:24 PM on 19 Feb 2007, jonnie wrote:
When I heard this trailed this morning on 91热爆 News 24 with the words
"And coming up later, how your children could turn in to telly tubbies if they sit and watch television all day" , I felt compelled to make a comment on the beach regarding the clear 'lack of news' which I did.
When I realised that PM was covering it as a news story I was surprised.
With the greatest respect to tonight鈥檚 editor, was it Jeremy? I feel that the majority of Froggers would have dodged that one as a PM story.
Now if Dr Aric Sigmund (an Associate Fellow of the British Psychological society) has nothing better to do than conduct 35 academic studies in why kids might be better off reading or playing than sitting in front of the box all day then he needs a more productive job to do. What a load of tosh!
This was an interview about the obvious. I've heard Aric before on this topic and listening to the references to Melatonin levels I very nearly flipped to 2CR! (A local mindless radio station)
And as for poor Richard Deverell, being wheeled in to defend this rubbish! .. What was that all about?
The only two comments above that I agree with are 'The Stainless steel Cat's (who's name I love) and Terry.
Even you, Eddie, pushing Richard on Televisions in kid's bedrooms, parents are aware - and if not, they won't be listeners to Radio 4.
I was shocked at the whole interview -- mainly because, as said, it was on Radio 4, and secondly because the main reason I listen to Radio 4 is because I have a base level of intelligence.
Old arabic saying:
"Trust in Allah, but tether your camel."
;-)
ed
Enjoys having a wireless dongle by strolling back out onto the beach... then places down dissertation books to remind that life isn't all fun a.t.m...
morning all
Regards
John
jonnie (46) - has this been mentioned somewhere today? Or am I just not keeping up (I think its more likely to be the latter).
WW;
If you've overcharged your chakras you might find that they want a refund....
And Jonnie's right about that story coming around again. There was a piece on 'Today' this morning about the same out guff from Dr. Aric Sigmund which we heard a couple of months ago. Just rehashing an old story. It's not news.
Ed;
Or perhaps 'Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer'.
Si.
SiW - thanks. missed that this morning! (there was only so much french covergae I could take) And am 'refunding' left, right and centre :)
A classic?
xx
ed
Simon, I do recall we all discussed kids TV and overuse not too long ago. Not back in September so it'll be difficult to find on the blog!
Old news. The big concern I have is will this beach get affected by the Edinburgh sewage overflow? I'll have my eyes peeled for dubious floaters when I get the pedalo out later.
How about, - Keep your friends close, and your camels closer?
Not that that hammock doesn't give me a bad back...
WW;
I know that I'm supposed to know all about this stuff, but I'll confess to both ignorance and curiosity. What are chakras, how did you overcharge them and (if you dare disclose it) how does one 'refund' them?
Stewart M;
Good news, according to the 91热爆 Scotland chap this morning all the solids got filtered out, it was only the p*ss that got released into the river.
So that's alright then. Avoid the limpid yellowish-green coloured water.
Si.
Only 'most' of the solids got filtered out...jobbie ahoy!
xx
ed
Si (55) I have a sacrastic washing machine.
Takes the P!$$ out of my underpants!
Re jonnie (45) Yes, I just knew that there would be someone who came up with that excuse! For me, it is one of the most annoying things in this country - that we should not do something because it MIGHT offend someone else. Does it offend them? No idea, we did not bother to ask. Why not ask them, then? We might find them to be tolerant people who are willing to share in our cultural heritage or at least allow us to celebrate our national identity. One of these days someone will decide that we should not use romanic script in case it offends the Chinese.
If wishing people "Happy Georgey Day" here has offended anyone, then I apologise. I know that there are some people who want a return to having St Edmund as our patron saint. However, I can assure you that no offence was intended.
H.
Well hello again all and what a long time (you) no see (me)! To be honest, the last time I tried to come down here I just couldn't get over the boundary fence and anyway it did look as though it had all been washed away. But what a pleasant sight for these sore old eyes.
It's been a while..spent in Thailand (again...) but mostly on the Allotment. From whence comes this good old fashioned Rhubarb and Ginger Crumble. Which is equally scrummy cold. so have at it froggers.
A quick Hi! and a wave to Sis, Val, jonnie, FF and fifi and I hope to get to know the rest of you over the next few visits.
No room for me in that hammock, which seems to be moving in all sorts of directions at the same time :-O ... so I'll just run along now and try to catch up on all the goss.
Back soon, promise
x
SiW -
I got malicous'ed after writing quite a good reply so will try again....
Chakras are central hubs of subtle energy located throughout the body, generally considered to be 7 but some say 9. They influence physical, mental and emotional processes (and are likewise affected by them).
Generally one would cleanse or unblock a chakra in order to bring balance to body and mind (as opposed to charge); however, after this weekend mine seem so balanced that energy seems to be flowing a lot more than usual. Refunding is just a fun way of saying I'm trying to ground myself before the top of my head pops off!
I hope that makes sense and wasn't too waffly; it can sound a littl airy fairy but there is something to it, at least in my experience.
EdI;
Doody!!
Don't get smug Ed. Firth of Forth this time, Solway Firth next time. And the spare pump from Newcastle is now in use. Could be that you see what looks like a school (?) of rather smelly water voles floating past your habitation.
Poo! (holds nose in disgust)
Si.
Hi guys, just a flying visit. Any one got a couple of extra hours to spare please?
In light of the sewage over-overflow, I certainly shan't be walking Sam on my nearest beach in April for a few days, so I've brought him along to Fido's Run. We should be far enough away here.
What makes me laugh (well, you have to don't you) is that any hour of the day or night as you pass through Seafield (site of the pump failures) it smells as if it's pumping the raw stuff out anyway.
Stewart M - you angling to get sent to the rjdtopit corner then? You must be floating on a cloud of retail therapy - How many opthalmic gadgets did you buy then?and did you make a spectacle of yourself?
WW - tell me how to overcharge my chakras please, I'm having difficulty settling to anything today after all that staying awake into the wee small hours stuff for TD last night. I see a couple of my rambling posts didn't even make it through the surf, perhaps just as well :o)
Hi everyone, and many congrats to SSC.
Haven't been around as have just experienced very unpleasant few days. On Friday I asked my p/t asst. to take a very uncontroversial routine action. This provoked an immediate attack from bigwig in organisation who obviously didn't know what we were doing. Explained action very politely to bigwig. Immediately received second bullying and explosive email culminating "This must not happen again" in capitals.
Ruminated miserably about this all Saturday. On Sunday sent off email to my boss who is (fortunately) biggest bigwig. Didn't feel like coming in at all this morning.
Apparently, after bigwig discussions, not-so-big bigwig has come round to apologise. I ought now to feel better. But have bad headache and nasty taste in mouth.
Thanks so much for bringing down some Bucks Fizz, Witchiwoman, it's just what I need. I'll just curl up in this sandy corner for a while and partake of it. Then maybe I won't feel so p**sed off (apologies to Firth of Forth).
Si:
Howdie Doodie.
ETA: I'm a malicious poster! Gee ma, I want to go home.
Sara - good on you for taking action. Stand up to the bullies, always.
Appy - I don't recommend using any of those hours that turn up looking helpful in the middle of the night, they're useless.
Right, I really must return to April and do some work - before Eddie posts yet another thread.
Sorry to harp on but the scottish sewage leak seems to get a higher profile then the elections in same country...
Regards
John
Si (61) huh! Water voles are NEVER smelly.
Humph, how about wishing people a 'Happy Shakespeare's Birthday'?
Ooops, that's 'malicious'. I'll try again in a short, dull while
Humph (58);
Is this related to the news today of the prison which is installing a lot of continental-style 'squat and squirt' lavatories for prisoners of foreign extraction who can't get used to the design of the traditional British porcelain bowl?
You have to admire the mods, don't you? One can discuss 'Doody' until the cows come home, but you've got to reckon that one mention of the sh word and your post will vanish into the ether.
I love that word, it always reminds me of the swimming pool scene in 'Caddyshack' and Bill Murray cleaning said pool afterwards. Priceless.
Si.
Val P - try a bit of yoga, or sit under a palm tree with the sea lapping at your feet and imagine all that lovely energy coming up from the sea and down from the sun, meeting in your solar plexus then radiating throughout your whole body. That should help! (although may relax you more than energise)
Sara - how you doing? Is the fizz helping? I'm sure the grottiness will pass, have a hug in the meantime (( ))
Val P. Just bought a Fundus camera. Its a digital SLR with a bit in between you and the camera that focuses the retina.
You then get what I posted on window of my world.
Only a few spectacles frames bought but now spent up as the bit between patient and SLR is the EXPENSIVE bit.
Frances;
These would LOOK like water voles. And they would be very smelly, if they escaped from their 'holding pen'.... Poo!
Speaking of which didn't the esteemed Roger Sawyer mention something about 'James Bond' on a Glass Box thread last week? And challenge us to get the background on the use of the phrase out of Eddie?
Si.
Si (61),
The Solway isn't surrounded by as many anal orifices as the Forth.
And here's a reprise of the .
xx
ed
Val P. Just bought a Fundus camera. Its a digital SLR with a bit in between you and the camera that focuses the retina.
You then get what I posted on window of my world.
Only a few spectacles frames bought but now spent up as the bit between patient and SLR is the EXPENSIVE bit.
Frances (66) If he was still alive, I could see the point. Would it be better to wish people a "Happy Shakespeare's Deathday", as that is slightly more recent? Not really, in my opinion, but it is another option.
H.
But soft, what light from yonder breaker, wind?!
Hmm needs a bit of work still, methinks. Greetings to all - hope to be back on the beach in earnest soon...
nope, dont think that sounds right either!
n-n
xx
Far too much poo-talk on this beach today chums!
Sara, well done, have a stiff drink and congratulate yourself. I'm sure you'll feel better once the anger fades. Perhaps Anna Rex would do you one of her lovely massages if she's feeling up to it?
Stewart M - Hmmm, sounds suspiciously like a Boys' Toy to me, are you quite sure it's work-related?
Anna Rex - thanks for advice. Relaxing or re-energising, I don't mind which just as long as I feel better than I do at the moment :o)
n-n - I was just wondering last night where you'd been and gone. Busy April?
MtheP - in the same vein, welcome back. Quite a few reg'lars are missing. Let's hope it's not the camels putting them off?
Btw did I mention that a neighbour of ours has 4 llamas grazing in her field? Fabulous creatures they are, from behind they look like voluptuous Beryl Cook characters, from the side (grazing) a bit like big sheep, and then when they lift their heads up they have camel necks and a hairstyle like Sam, all dreadlocks and windswept looking. That is a llama isn't it?
Evening all :-)
Sara, well done you. I think it's only ego-maniacs who come out of your situation feeling all bouyed up and triumphant. More normal people feel, well, as you do.
I promise I'm not paying Apy commission(!), and would be delighted to massage that stress away for you. Bergamot & lavender OK? I OD'd on geranium at the weekend, so I'm afraid that's off for a while.
WW - any of that fizz left? How you doing, petal?
Val P
sems familiar, your earlier post especially
Can't think straight ttill finals are over-not even mine!
good to escape for a couple of hours. i haven't even had time for PM today.
Busy on the beach earlier.Anyone there?
Good grief- I agree with Aperitif (77)-FAR too much. thank goodness for n-n.Good effort! Why did I foget Will's b.day-usually crops up on 'start the week'.
well, any fizz left? Lots please.....
Mollyxx
Val P
sems familiar, your earlier post especially
Can't think straight ttill finals are over-not even mine!
good to escape for a couple of hours. i haven't even had time for PM today.
Busy on the beach earlier.Anyone there?
Good grief- I agree with Aperitif (77)-FAR too much. thank goodness for n-n.Good effort! Why did I foget Will's b.day-usually crops up on 'start the week'.
well, any fizz left? Lots please.....
Mollyxx
By, it's a bit warm tonight, innit?
Humph, take your point. it's just if you can have Burns' Night, why not Will's Day?
Does my bum look big in this?
Morning all! BIG YAWN
Earl Grey anyone? Heard Heston Blumenthal on Today earlier about sound enhancing the eating experiences, particularly relating to eating oysters whilst listening to the sea....I wonder if he secretly lurks on the Beach and it was a coded message or an instance of Frogger infiltration!
Anyhoo, didn't much like the sound of the dish he discussed so will stick to toast and butter this morning.
AnnaR - am all good. Head whizzing with all kinds of self employed type thoughts....tax, funding, grants etc But have finally got paper through from the council about qualifications etc so can make a start! How are you?
ValP - how are things today?
WW - Hiya, bouncing around the Beach this morning, thanks, who knows why, but I'll just go with the flow.
Re intriguing but definitely strange comments from Mr Val P (see Easter Sunday), last night he pointed to a picture of Segolene Royal in the Sc*tsm*n, and said "This looks like you - and she's the same age".
Once again I was unsure as to whether this was some kind of veiled compliment, or a suggestion that I should be doing better at something? Anyway if I develop a French accent, you must tell me to shut up :o). A bientot mes amis.
Morning all, gloomy again in April but much needed rain at last. In view of the gloom and despite the heat here I'll be providing some thick vegetable soup made with my last Crown Prince squash and a range of other organic vegetables. Meanwhile tea/coffee and croissants on the bar. Enjoy.
Morning all - didn't we enjoy that lovely fizz last night! and Anna R - thanks for the marvellous soothing massage. Am feeling fine this morning so thank you, friends, for all your support.
Haven't even had time to hear any news this morning, so I'll just curl up in this hammock a while and wait until PM. I'm empathising with Molly - other people's finals are always worse than one's own (from heartfelt experience!!). Nice to see n-n here again too.
Fancy having llamas next door, Val P - I would have thought the camels down here would have been quite sufficient livestock for anyone!
Fresh coffee and warm buttered croissants on the bar - do help yourselves. And I'm just about to scramble some eggs with lots of pepper and smoked salmon....
Anna R (84)
not after these - very low fat...
Fruit scones
8oz wholemeal s.r. flour
1oz polyunsat. or monounsat. margarine
2oz sultanas or chopped dates
1/4 pt. skimmed milk
.
1.Preheat ovev-mark7 or 220degrees
2.Sieve flour, rub in marg,stir in fruit.
3.Add enough milk to form dough; knead gently on lightl floured surface.
4.Roll out to 2 cm thick.
5.Cut out 8 scone rounds, place on lightly greasedbaking sheet.
6.Brush tops with a little milk.
7.bake for 10-12 mins.
Eat !!!
Mollyxx
Ah Val P (86), Perhaps he thinks you're leading a double life? After all, are there any pictures of you and she together?... Good luck for the final vote!
AnnaR (84) No, of course not. It never does.
H.
Molly - they sound great!
Humph
You always say the right things. Thank you :-)
Molly - you remembered - a scone recipe - angel!!!!
I'm off to Sai***ury's right now to get ingredients.
Fish man has been, and I can't be at the beach tonight (dinner meeting, groan...), so there's some delicious freshly-landed fish in the fridge near the BBQ. Someone else will have to do the honours. It's sooo fresh, don't let it go to waste!
Sara - glad you're feeling better
WW - there's no stopping you when you're on a mission :-)))
Plenty of Froggers seem to have made pretty significant career changes, so yell if you hit any humps (no formal financial advice, of course!).
ps Don't hit the camels' humps, obviously ;-)
Right, adorned by my "bum-looks-great-in-these" trousers, I'm off to show the world what it's missing out on...
AnnaR - go get 'em girl! (whoever 'em' may be!)
And Froggers will be the first group I turn to when stumped - bless the collective cottons!
Afternoon all! Wow, I see there's been a lot of frogging going on since I last made it to the beach. I'll try to catch up during the rest of the afternoon...
As for last night, the gig was fabulous! I'm still on a high (emotional, not chemical!) from it. I won't do a full review here. Rather, I'll try to do one on my blog instead. Suffice to say, MM was on top form, particularly as it was the first gig of the tour, and Bush Hall is such a small intimate venue. We were about half way back, and we were still only about 20ft from the stage! I just wish Am*z*n would hurry up and ship the CD. I want to hear the new songs again!
I bring libations in the form of wine (red & white varieties) Liffey water for Ed I, and bitter for the beer drinkers. Enjoy!!
FFred
Molly - thanks for the scone recipe, and humble apologies for being repetitive about the llamas, I did have a kind of idea that I'd mentioned them before. I've been so busy recently, what with these elections and so on.......
Appy - ah, you've inadvertently stumbled onto my Friday activities!
If anyone's at all interested, I looked out the kitchen window at 6 this morning and what was standing on the front path looking back in? A deer! We do see them regularly, but never so close before!
Fearless - how was the concert? the new album got a kinda mixed review in the Sc*tsm*n.
Well hello there everyone, just popped down for a quick dip before I head back to April to do some work (boo!)
Val P (86) - at least Mr Val P wasn't pointing to a picture of Nicholas Sarkozy when he made said comments :) She looks like a fine woman to me, I would take it as a compliment...... But now you mention it why aren't you in the running for the presidency of one of the main EU states??? Good grief woman didn't you learn anything at school!! :0)
Sara - hope you are feeling better after your run in at work. Some people just aren't worth the bother are they.
There's a lot of poo talk here at the moment. As I am currently toilet training my youngest I can happily add my own poo stories if you wish??
Right I really ought to get back to reality - have the school run to do shortly then handover to daddy and back to the office for another couple of hours.....fun. Oh by the way did anyone hear the new comedy quiz at 6.30 last night. I had to work on late so listened to PM in the office and heard that on the way home - I thought it was very amusing.
Bye for now x
FFred -
What gig? I missed who you were seeing!
Ah, Witchiwoman, I saw Maria McKee :)) (Beams a BIG smile). It was an excellent night. I think Bush Hall is one of the best kept secrets in the music world. It's a small hall, with a capacity of maybe 300. Even if you're right at the back, you're at worst only 15 metres from the stage. It's also reasonably priced, and the staff are all great...
As for the show itself, the support act (Tom Baxter, I think his name was) was good. He has a voice and a style similar to Jeff Buckley.
Of course, it was Maria we were all there to see. She stunned us all by singing Life Is Sweet (her usual final encore piece) at the start. I swear you could almost hear a collective intake of breath in shock! After that, she mixed up the songs with a few from the new album (not many, as it only came out yesterday, and we haven't all had a chance to listen to it yet), and then songs going back over the 20+years of her career so far. There were old gospel/country spirituals, interspersed with out & out rockers. She was also laughing and joking with the crowd in between songs, teasing her Husband Jim on basss, Tom on the drums, and Amy on backing vocals. you are always assured a good few funny stories when she's on stage! Stand out moments would have to be Life Is Sweet (of course), A Good Heart (yes, the song that she wrote that became a hit for Feargal Sharkey), Absolutely Barking Stars (from the great lost Life Is Sweet album), Late December (title track of the new album), Shelter (an oldie from when she fronted the band Lone Justice), and the finale of You Are The Light (Another old Lone Justice song that she sang accapella last year to fill in a gap while her guitar was being tuned). Those are just the initial real high points. There were so many that it's not possible to list them here. Ah, a wonderful night indeed :))
Fearless - we seemed to cross in the post just after lunch, you must have been sending me the vibes through the ether! So glad you enjoyed it as much as you anticipated. Must go and listen to her again.
Fiona - well, quite, there's absolutely no reason at all why I couldn't be in SR's shoes, although I'd far rather just wear her shoes than have to do her job!! She'd have to take a 4.5, what's that in Continental Size? 37.5? Will consult TD whose Sunday job at R*ss*l & Br*ml*y will be even more wonderful when she qualifies for staff discount! :-)).
Off to give her (TD not SR) some post first-driving lesson practice - wish me (us) luck?
FFred - that sounds liek a truly magical night! Music is such a wonderful thing expecially live. Like the sound of the warm up guy; Grace is one of my favourite albums!
Am going to see Ray Lamontagne in October and am over excited already!
Wasn't there a lovely frogger with a beard and llamas once? He used to take his llamas for walks on the basis that he met lots of interesting people that way because they all wanted to stop and talk . . .
Me and Fifi couldn't decide which of us was going to be introduced to him first (though each of us knew secretly it was going to be her . . .). I can't remember what his name was now, though :-(
Am going for a full house on the Recent Entries board, BTW. Wonder if I'll get it?
xx
LadyP
Tut - I didn't mean Recent Entries. I meant Recent COMMENTS. Ooof. Now I'm going to have to start all over again.
xx
LadyP
Oh wow! I just found there's a Maria McKee session from about 4 years ago on the Radio 2 site. It needs Real Player, as with most clips from Autine, but it's great (so far, as I'm about 6 mins into a 25 min session). Click here to hear the session :-)
Frogging FFred
O blimey. Now my last comment's appeared first and nothing makes sense any more. Have nearly got full house tho - blog working eversoveryfast this afternoon, too.
Was about to ask whether it's been mended but have thought better of it .. .
xx
LadyP
Okay, I meant Auntie in my 105. I'll hang my head in shame! The god of bad spelling strikes again...
Feafless - just thought you'd joined RJD in the Great Spellchucker Throwaway :o)
It's very quiet on the Beach... just got here after dinner meeting thingy. Finally I can open a bottle and relax. Anyone care to join me - I just grabbed the first red I could reach, Think it's Australian.
Val P (Yesterday 76 ish). Its not a boys toy. I know at least three ladies who run their own practices who already have one of these. They are extremely useful toys and whilst its over and above a standard eye exam ( there is no such thing as a standard eye exam), it looks likely this way of recording what an eye looks like will become the standard. Its part of the "value added" that all professions like to offer now, Like paying to see the dental hygeinist.
I should be doing stuff but its lateish and we have an unfinished bottle of wine. Help yourselves.
Glad to hear the gig lived up to expectations Fearless -- I know how you've been looking forward to it. Here, have a beer and tell us more :-)
Valery, Your TD works in R&B? Heaven! Can you bring some samples to the beach??? My favourite footwear is almost all from there -- and I have a lot of footwear. My knee-high black leather boots from there are from two winters ago and still my favourites. They're called "The Shrimp". This, I believe, is because they were styled in the manner of those worn in the 60s by Jean "The Shrimp" Shrimpton. I was hugely disappointed that they didn't come in any other colours -- I'd have had some in brown and some in a light colour too, at least. Oh they just make my legs feel wonderful! Oh I think I'll have to go and lie down! :-)
Someone wake the boys up now? Tell them the girly shoe-talk is over for the moment :-)
Hi Aperitif
I suspect with all that talk of knee-high boots, the boys are well and truly awake already ;-)
ps grrr malicious, after 45 minutes gap??
Oh no it's not Appy - next time you're in Edinburgh on a Sunday, you must call in. I'm sure she'll be able to find your heart's desire! (she may just have to bring you a bag to match too, much to everyone's embarassment, but you don't have to buy it!). Do you have an account? she could help you with that too, she got 48 out of 50 on her test this week!
Ah me. when I worked in retail, it was so-o much more la-id back. The customers beat a path to our door and we didn't have to sell them anything :o(
I remember buying a pair of pale pink suede over the knee boots from R & B in the seventies. Eventually dyed them black because I wore them to death and they got really scruffy. Ah those were the days.
Drifts off down the beach thinking of favourite shoes/boots from times past............
I've woken up now aperatif. I skimmed and thought you mentioned thigh length boots and coloured boots and was about to walk off to the naughty corner.....
anyhoo. I've just booked our day passes for Euro-Disney for my vacance en France in June. What are the best rides? I am already trying to work out how to placate the three year old who knows no fear when she is too small for the scary rides and am expecting to be sitting on the tea cup ride with the six year old who is not so robust! Ho hum!
Fred (96)
You're a real pal for remembering some of us ain't winos!
厂濒谩颈苍迟别!! To all and especially All y'all gals - sounds like a regular hen-party establishing itself.
ed
Stewart M - I was only teasing! I'll ask my guy/gal practice when next I go for a check-up. I'll share a glass with you meantime. Did anyone try the Hungarian Pinot Grigio I left the other night, it's scrumptious.
Fiona - I meant to say, I agree with you about the 6.30 prog last night. I love Marcus Brigstock(e)?, and David Mitchell, and Tony Hawks too, so enjoyed it thoroughly!
Oh Valery I will! My favourite handbag is from there too, so there's no problem with looking at those!
Stewart, you're obviously making up your own details as you skim through! -- Knee high not Thigh Length! Dearie me! And you with children of Eurodisneyable age... ;-)
Knee - Thigh - whatever. Anna Rex (112) is right - I'm wide awake!
Appy (111) Thanks for the beer :-) I did more of a review of the gig on my blog (rather than go on and on about it here on Eddie's blog...) so you can always head over there to hear more about it. But, I will say that if you want to hear what I've been going on and on about these last nine months, try the link I posted earlier to the 91热爆 Session she did. If you've got half an hour to spare, listen to all of it. If you've only got a few minutes, fast forward through to about 19:15 :-)
Knee high black leather boots, Appy?!? You're going to send us all to the Naughty Atep at this rate!!
Morning all - very strange dreams last night and am shattered. Just going to curl up in this hammock and have a doze. If anyone fancies a hug please join me, feeling a little displaced and uneasy (like I say, very strange dreams).
Morning all - big ((((hugs)))) ww - I know that feeling, weird dreams can really unsettle you. Have made you a mug of cammomile and honey tea, hope that helps.
And what's all this talk about thigh high/knee high black leather boots? No wonder its so quiet here, all the men are out having a swim in the chilly morning sea to cool down :)
Glad you enjoyed the gig FFred, must try and listen to that session later.
Stewart M - I wouldn't worry too much about the rides at Disney, with two girls the priority will be to see Cinderella's castle! I can't wait to take my two there (who is the child in our family I wonder?). We just spent more money than we intended at the weekend on a motorhome. Hopefully we will be able to head off for a few weeks in the summer, do some househunting in France, take in Disney and head down to Italy and/or Spain. Well that's the plan, but knowing us it won't quite pan out that way... :)
Am feeling a bit unsettled myself today - won't bother you with the details but I need to chill out. So am just going to grab a hammock and lie here and contemplate the world. Hugs and massages will be welcomed
see y'all later x
withciwoman. Hope the dreams are nothing to do with us boot fetish folk :-)
Have a herbal tea and soak up the sun in that hammock.
I'm in a gap in my triage clinic. Patient can't make it as the Job centre appointment is more important. Pity they could only remember to tell us 15 mins before the appt. Far too late to re book someone else.
So thats probably about 拢150 this px has cost the NHS.
WW - hun - big hug (((((((((xx)))))))) I think we can both comfortably fit into this hamock :-)
Displaced & uneasy doesn't sound pleasant. Want to talk about it? Bad dreams can be horribly disconcerting.
Would this L*sh hand cream help? Bit of easy pampering.
AnnaR - thanks and (((( )))) back, surprising how roomy these hammocks are! Nice to have a buddy to share with! Cream is lovely. will be venturing to splash out ay my nearset branch soon...massage bars (the new one sounds gorgeous) and something bath related too.
Fiona - ((((( )))) to you too, thanks for the tea and hope you are feeling a soothed. Still need a massage? Sure I can help there. And you're welcome to snuggle up with my and AnnaR (I'm sure she won't mind)
As for the dreams - not related to the boots Stewart! But it did involve an old friend I hadn't seen for a while and was quite...I don't know, vivid but disjointed and sligtly troubling. Not quite as much fun as the one featuring Sean Bean and a beautiful satin Restoration period dress!
Fiona
If you come and join WW & me in this very large and comfy hammock, I'd happily give you a massage. Tell me what aromas you prefer, and just take some deep breaths....
Sending lots of glorious-sunshine-vibes across the whole beach
AR xx
Hello everyone and hugs to all who require them. Thanks for the tip Fearless and will do.
Assorted dips and crudites on the bar for all interested. I'm off for a really fast swim to work up an appetite. Anyone coming?
WW: Appy and I nearly found ourselves in the middle of a Midsummer Night's Dream just now - perhaps you've got caught up there too?
I've only just spotted Jonnie's naughtiness to me at (2) above. Morning service? The only morning service we get in this household is a cup of tea in bed, Jonnie!
Oh, and if Dr. H happens to look in on the Beach, could somebody please tell him about Milton Jones next week?
Right! Twice round the dunes then off for some work!!
Goodness, Appy, that was a fast swim! I'm quite exhausted! A glass or two of something restorative, I think ....
That's much better. And hugs to WW - hope the strange dream has subsided a bit - and to Fiona and anyone else who fancies a happy hug.
FFred obviously enjoyed his gig - and while you were all talking boots yesterday evening I was out watching my daughter appear in "Titanic the Musical" - not at all like the film (mercifully) and absolutely brilliant. I can't imagine why this excellent musical - strong story line, historically accurate, very moving and wonderful music - never made much of a stir here, when it was so successful on Broadway. I think it's only been performed a few times in the UK - in York, I believe, and somewhere else but not in London. It was strange watching daughter in it, though - hard not to believe she was really there on Titanic and about to go through all that tragedy. She played someone who made it onto the Carpathia, but her stage husband didn't. Very confusing - bit like WW's dream! Happily real husband was backstage shifting scenery around!
Oh, and she looked beautiful, and sang so well ..... (goes gooey and drips tears into wine glass!)
Sara (128) Go ahead a cry, girl. I burst into tears at the very thought of my kids doing anything like that. In fact last year, my daughter did her first flute solo in the school concert and I nearly disgraced myself! Pride in your kids is a wonderful thing.
Hugs *stretches arms wide* to all who need them, especially the dreamers. It's amazing how much a weird dream can disrupt your whole day. Many calming thoughts coming your way, simply because I think I'd tip you all out if I tried to get into the hammock.
Fiona - how are you getting on with your sister?
FFred - really enjoyed the link - thanks for that.
Some choclate chip shortbread on the bar along with some Betty's breakfast tea (yes, I know it's mid-afternoon, but it does taste good at any time of the day).
I have to dash back to April, because I have to write about limousines. Oh yes.
There are some days that I want to quit this job. This is one of these days. A large Guinness will be heading this way this evening, I suspect.
Sara - sound like a wonderful night! You must be very proud; hope it wasn't too unsettling! Its taken me a good few hours to get rid of that 'hangover' but much better now. Although am stil trying to figure out the significance of wilting (but not flowering) hyacinths.
Perky, I do agree. Bet your daughter's flute solo was beautiful. It's really great to see your youngsters excel at something and blossom with confidence. I can't sing a note, which is why I haven't added to the froggers' song (added to which my technological capability is almost as limited as my voice!)
Very worried about your hyacinths, WW. How can they wilt if they haven't flowered? Have the bulbs tipped over sideways? At least if they had flowered you would have enjoyed the wonderful smell.
What on earth can you be writing about limos, Perky? Great big lumbering things that guzzle petrol and cost a bomb in tax!
Sara - it was part of the dream....
I know, WW - I was just confused as to what a wilting non-flowering hyacinth looks like. A bent stalk?
I'm not in the office today so I might go off and do some cooking. Perhaps I will get to hear the whole of PM for once. It's all about Stan something, so I gather, or maybe it's something Stan...
Perky / Sara - I quite agree about the pride in our children. I found myself welling up at my 4 year old's Christmas party when he was dressed as a sheep bless him. Anyway Sara sounds like you had a lovely night, you are right to be proud.
Thanks for asking about my sister Perky. Nothing has changed to be honest, she is still struggling after the Easter hols when he was back. I have to admit have been lying low a little bit this last week mainly because I feel I have enough on my own plate. We are struggling a bit with aforementioned son's behaviour. He is somewhat lively and active to say the least with an attitude of a 14 year old at times!! That coupled with the general stress and pressure of working and modern life just seems to wear me out at times, and SO doesn't cope particularly well under stress so we get tetchy with each other to say the least! So I have to admit I could do without hearing the same woes over and over for the time being (hope that doesn't sound selfish?). Anyway musn't dwell, things could be a lot worse :)
Well must head back to April now, am being naughty and sneaking off early as I have one or two errands to run on the way home. Love and big hugs to all in those in need x
I got booed off the Stan thread. Anybody mind if I tell a few jokes here?
I was looking at the as I read about them wilting. The only thing that wilts these is folk walking on them.
xx
ex
Sorry Sara! Yep, pretty much a couple of bent green fronds. I think I knew they were hyacinths as there were two pots and the other lot were fine!
Fiona - hugs to you as well! Keep going chicken x
Right - off for haircut...eek...prob miss the whole show...listen for me peeps x
Fiona - I think we could probably share active son stories! Mine's 7, gets up before 6am (although he has learned that it's better to play in his room than try to talk to me at that time in the morning) and then is on the go, non-stop until bedtime at 7pm.
Yesterday, he ran 16 laps of the school field and still had the energy to argue with me over which shoes to wear later in the evening! I find a long, silent scream in the bathroom works wonders!
Sara - it's for a website, so it's all about limos for the Races and hen nights etc. I write for lots of websites so I know a very small amount about a lot of things!!
WW - hope the haircut's a good one. I really ought to go myself sometime....
Sara (128), Ah but aren't you ready for a lovely meal now? What fun!
Congratulations to all of you who are proud parents.
Stan (135), Go ahead.
Do hope Stan Dandeliver has some good jokes for us - please tell.
Perky and Fiona - I had an overactive daughter and with two other quite different younger children, someone was always arguing with someone over something. Believe me, it all turns out fine in the end. (Sighs again blissfully over beautiful singing grown up daughter!)
Heard the whole prog today - good, I thought - and dinner is in oven, so I'd better go and phone Mother now ...
I had a meal last night. I ordered everything in French, surprised everybody. It was a Chinese restaurant. I said to this Chinese waiter, "Look, this chicken I got here is cold" he said "it should be, it's been dead two weeks", I said "Not only that" I said, I said... I said it twice, I said "He's got one leg shorter than the other". He said "What do you wanna do with it, eat it or dance with it."
So I said to this Chinese waiter, "Are there any Chinese jews", so he went away and when he came back he said, "No, there's only apple juice, pineapple juice..."
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.
Ooh, my feet are killing me... every night they grab me around the throat.
I bought a greyhound about a month ago. A friend of mine said to me "What are you gonna do with it" I said "I'm gonna race it." He said "By the look of it, I think you'll beat it."
My dog was barking at everyone the other day. Still, what can you expect from a cross-breed.
I went down my local ice-cream shop, and said, "I want to buy an ice-cream" He said, "Hundreds & thousands?" I said, "We'll start with one." He said, "Knickerbocker Glory?" I said, "I do get a certain amount of freedom in these trousers, yes."
I went to the Doctors the other day, and he said, "Go to Bournemouth, it's great for 'flu.鈥 So I went, and I got it.
Flops into hammock
What an afternoon. Nothing bad, just whacked. Anyone got any food on? Here's some fizz - I have my pantry priorities in order - never run out of the liquid stuff! Help yourself, especially if, in return, you could just spoon-feed me some nosh. Soooo hungry, no energy left for cooking.
You're too kind :-)
AR xx
Stan Dup - Thank you! The one about the parking fine creased me up, and I liked the nuts too.
You are so witty and tell them so well!
Oh dear. Nuts again!
Sara - I'm glad you liked the one about the nuts because somebody else obviously didn't. They've only gone and removed it. WHY? It's not as though it was rude or in bad taste. Maybe we have Humour Police on the blog as well!
Stan Dup - I certainly don't recall anything offensive. Perhaps one for an email to the Frog prince to ask him why?
And thinking about it, would be interesting to know from Marc whether when a posting is withdrawn the originator is told that it has been and why. I suspect not on both counts.
Must get off to the greenhouse to prick out seedlings and then get down to the dreaded weeding before the ground completely dries out again.
Tea, coffee and toast and marmalade on the bar for those who've not had any breakfast yet. And I'm happy to make porridge for anyone wishing to live to be 100 even if they can no longer place bets on it. I like it with sliced banana or topped with sugar and cinnamon, though parents' generation insisted on salting it to death.
Morning all.
Oh yes please Anne P. -- toast for me.
AnneP - I can confirm that no notification is sent when a posting is withdrawn. However, when I had one pulled a couple of weeks back, Marc kindly looked into the matter for me.
However, as a caveat, Marc isn't involved with the moderating per se, as it's done externally. So, emailing him for explanations does add to his workload (as I discovered). What could be helpful is if Marc could be asked to make the moderators report directly to the poster when a posting is withdrawn. That may, of course, incur an extra charge to the Beeb, so I'm not sanguine that we'd get this helpful service.
Anne P - love porridge with cinnamon and raisins. I get a bit sad when it gets to hot fro those yummy oats of a morning!
Hair has turned out very well. A bit like Keira Knightly when she had that pixie-ish-swept-to-one-side thingy; still on the 'how do I dry this/style it' phase. Ah the joys!
Time for Earl Grey?
AnnaR - how you doing? Recovered? What happened to that guy from the not quite blind date?
Morning all....
Perky, I feel your pain - mine is regular pre-6am waker, also on the go at about 100 mph until about 7.30. Must try and master the art of silent screams - mine usually come out full volume. Goodness knows what the neighbours must think, at least they still talk to us. On the other hand daughter (nearly 3) is very much a late riser and even if waking early likes to be left alone to slowly come to life - but then she will stay up till gone 10 if left! So I have both ends of the day covered....
Thanks for the offer of porridge Anne P - I'm afraid I am a salter, a good shake of salt and milk - it never fails to horrify my English colleagues. I have brought some marmite in case anyone fancies a savoury breakfast. We were just having a love it or hate it discussion here. Something else that people curl their noses up it is my trusted "hangover" breakfast - wholemeal toast with marmite and on top a poached egg, lots of black pepper and a good shake of tabasco.........yummy!
See y'all later x
Fiona - not sure of that as hangover cure but would happily munch whenever....love marmite!
Camel ride anyone?
Beautiful afternoon, here and in April.
Tried to comment this morning but was moderated every time. Malicious indeed! Moi?
I just wanted to say I'm sorry Perky's joke got removed (it wasn't as if it never appeared - I read it and it was perfectly harmless and amusing. What is it with these moderators?).
And also that I love porridge with sugar and cinnamon, thanks, Anne P. Cinnamon is very underused, I think. We love chilled stewed fruit topped with lashings of sweetened quark and sprinkled generously with cinnamon. Yum Yum.
Sara - have you been spying on my breakfast habits!!
Appy - you sure those camels are the ridable variety? they look a little frisksome and mischevious from here.
Sara - I'd love to take credit for the joke, but I think it was Stan Dup's. Sadly, I didn't even see it before it disappeared.
Fiona - hangover breakfast sounds good! I'm off out for a girly drinking night tomorrow, so I may just try that on Saturday morning!!
My reply to Step Riteup
Failed to appear. Not withdrawn, just binned, and, of course nobody gives you a clue as to why or why not. The moderation is indeed external, a California company with a Europe outpost, I believe. AND crap!
xx
ed
Apy (152)
The camel certainly didn't ride me...
Fiona - your hangover cure is one of my favourite suppers! Must try it when hung over & test the effectiveness - that would be great if it works!
WW - hello - much better thanks. Just bloggered. Thanks for asking. No follow up from the NonDate, though either of us would have to go through a 3rd party if we even so much as wanted to arrange to go out for a drink, so we'd have to be pretty keen. Shame really - I don't think there was a flame of passion, but we might have become mates.
Ah well.... Flops into hammock for a day dream....
I've just had an e-mail from a contact saying that the book I ordered is not 'Naked Camel' but Naked Came I', and did I still want it?
My disappointment is measurable - altho SSC -if you're there I got hold of two SSRat books in Malvern yesterday - so have been enjoying myself in other worlds. MMM toast and marmite.....I'm resisting coffee and wanut cake with butter icing at the moment. I suspect I may fuse the keyboard ere long.
I'm sorry - don't know what came over me there - momentarily possessed by RJD pehaps?
For penance, here's a plate of freshly baked date scones, made to Molly's recipe.
Molly - they're FABULOUS! Thank you so much - tried them last night for the first time. At last I have a reliable scone recipe. You're a hero!
Next time I'll try them with currents, but I thought the date option suited wholemeal flour best.
I'm sooo happy, all over a scone recipe. Ah the simple pleasures of a beach life :-)
AnnaR - shame, I thought it may have fizzled as I've no doubt you'd have let us froggers now if anything eciting had happened. Enjoy the floppage...April is proving hard to escape today!
I MUST resist the scones (but am finding it very hard to), my pre-summer diet is not going well at all. Must give myself a congratulatory pat on the back though. Am wearing cream top and trousers and have managed to avoid spilling/dropping any food/drink on myself all day ....which I can assure you is no mean feat :)
Where is everyone by the way - it just seems to be us girls, have we scared off the boys?
I too was inspired by Molly's scone recipe and made them with white organic SR flour and a mixture of sultanas and raisins; used real butter too! Lovely.
So thanks for the inspiration.
Fiona - how to you do that? I've never managed it! Even when I haven't eaten/drunk/been near anything I still end up stained. Some kind of mark magnetism?
From today's newsletter:
"And tonight's editor is keen to do an item on hedgehogs."
* pause with arched eyebrow (left) *
We know a song about that.
Don't we, froggers!
Fifi ;oD
Exactly ww - me too, that's why I am so proud of myself today!
Well Fiona (164) my congratulations! As a fellow sufferer I stand back in awe and wonder! :)
Anna Rex (157 & 159) Hahahaha! Yep, you are defintely making up for RJD in his absence!
Fifi (164) And so are you! Tee hee.
Posted by Jonnie on my behalf elsewhere:
Should Eddie present :-
HAVE I GOT NEWS FOR YOU ?
C'mon, guys, you know he'd be great!
WW - goes without saying - the froggers would be the first to know if there were ANY news on that front!
btw, did you get a better night's sleep last night, minus the disturbing dreams?
Fiona - diet?? 4 letter word! Surely on the beach we are all whatever shape & size we fancy?? If not, then I'm changing out of this skimpy 2-piece cozzy straight away! Maybe that's what scared the boys away...
Will you lot stop it, Thigh length boots, Skimpy cozzies.
I'm in my tight trunks (not)
Hmmm, so I spend a day travelling to Prague (no photos this time, I'm afraid), and it looks like it's been ladies day on the beach!What did you lot do with the rest of the men?!?!?
Anna Rex (159)
Glad y'liked 'em!
Souup update (meeeee- boring...?!!!)
Lovely!!!
Made some with Leeks. not bad but still love your C&C best.
Anne P- naughty butter but soooooo nice!
All my recipes are low-fat at the moment- from choice, to see what works.
Now, flapjacks?
Mollyxx
Hi Fearless (171), I thought the boys were all asleep due to girly shoe-talk, but seems they were making up their own variations and actually quite wide awake!
Prague? Away again? Where have you not ben yet?
Hi Appy :-) Well, I've never been south of the equator (RJD,Stopit!!!). Believe me, it's not all fun & games being away so much. I was awake at 4am to get the first flight over, and now I'm "overtired" to quote the car advert (Yes, I do think that's what the kid says...) and I doubt if I'll get to sleep for another hour at least...
I think I've been to the majority of Europe, including Russia, in the last few yars. Walking across Red Square was an experience, I can tell you! Still, it's nice to be back home on the frog afterwards... I dread to think what it'll be like when I have to spend a week in the US in June. I'll be 5 hours out of sync with all the other froggers! Oh No!!
Don't worry Fearless -- we'll keep you sane.
Clearly I'm refering to a particulatr frog-version of sanity which has no bearing on any real-world definition of the term...
I know travelling can be a bind and take its toll physically if its too frequent, but I do envy you your experiences. I mostly only travel about the UK at the moment. And not always to places I would've chosen.
[culinary purists: look away now...]
Molly (174) - if you're experimenting with low fat cookery, you can do the C&C without butter: simply sweat the onion in a bit of stock instead of butter. I can't tell the difference. If you fancy the tomato & basil soup recipe (with pearl barley for texture), let me know. I was really impressed.
Flapjacks - ooh, yummy, thanks! - bet they're not low fat!! Friend tried to persuade me that flapjacks are health food "because of the oats". Yeah. Let's not talk about the sugar, syrup (= sugar) and saturated fat!!
Is Stuart still under that cold shower?
AnnaR
stewart M - ooops - sorry, I meant Stewart, not Stuart. Bet it really winds you up when people can't be bothered to check how your name is spelled.
Peace offering - chocolate brownies, baked just how you like them. Plenty for everyone else too - help yourselves.
Anna xx
AnnaR - come and play on the new beach!
Anna Rex:
Just offf to get the flapjack recipe for you and w-w'.
Yes please- keep the soups coming!
I'll post on the new beach
why was jack flapped?.....
Mollyxx