h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Hi

I came across you while trying to navigate my way round H2G2. It made me feel a wee bit homesick - lived in Glazgoo for a long time before moving down to deepest Englandshire - Hampshire to be more specific.

I was interested in your musical 'likes' - I also like The Poozies and La Bottine Souriante. Heard both at Celtic Connections thingies over the years. My husband met most of La Bottine on the Glesgae/Heathrow shuttle! I see they're not going to be part of the festival this year but the Poozies and Salsa Celtica are! Sob - I want to go home! It's actually better down here than I thought it was going to be before we moved. It's certainly - usually - a bittie warmer.

I also like my garden. One of the good things about having moved is having a bigger garden. We back onto fields and have loads of wildlife. We've a burn running along the front of the house so there are usually lots of frogs around - my favourite wee beasties! The bird life is great. Before I got a job doon here, I was looking out of the back window one morning when I saw a woodpecker and was that excited I had to phone my husband at work. Ended up buying a book about birds so we could identify more of them.

I started a garden design course, hoping to sort out the mess we inherited with the house but - alas - I'm c**p at it. Have decided that I'm more of a plantswoman. I brought my collection of Hostas from Glasgow - now totals 43. The slugs and snails are chronic down here and I won't use pellets - because of the frogs - so they're not doing so well.

I was sorry to read about the festival at the loch being a bit of a damp squib - it sounded like a really good idea. Hope the organisers have enough energy to try again another time.

Enjoy Celtic Connections - if you can get into Glazgoo! The place I live now is nearly as well served by public transport as Lochwinnoch - hopeless for teenagers as the last bus home from anywhere there's a bit of life is 9.30pm.

A Guid New Year to you - Jane aka Teuchter

Hello Teuchter!

I certainly will be visiting CC during the next few weeks. Spent quite a bit of time up there last year and have even had a go on the Danny Open Stage a couple of years ago! Unfortunately all the bands I want to see this year are playing in venues other than the concert hall so I feel kinda cheated - the concert hall is a nice place to spend time. We visit the open stage as often as possible cos its FREE! And after all, I am scottish.

Plan to go to festival club quite abit and have sussed out the best nights in the hope we will see some class acts. Last year we saw some crackers there. Have you moved just recently then? Where from exactly? Did you go last year at all?

I am a frustrated balcony gardener and long for a wee bit of land but I am in love with my home. Its a great size for me and my partner and realistically, we would only be given something something smaller by the council. So I'll stand my ground the noo.

Sounds like you have a wonderful garden. We are blessed here. Surrounded by lochs, hills and rivers. I love my wildlife too. Was away for Hogmanay in Boat of Garten and our chalet was right belox some scots pine. Sat and watched red squirrel wash himself from head to toe then have a good munch of the bird nuts. Lovely! Desperately searched tree tops for crossbills but alas....nay!

Keep in touch.

NR Doll

Hi NR Doll

Sorry it's taken me a few days to reply - I've been that busy at work! I now have a couple of days off - yippee.

Hogmanay at the Boat of Garten sounds great! Red Squirrels!!! We've only got the grey beasties here. We watched a great big fat one walking along the fence at about 8.30 one morning. Then, about 5.30 that night he went back along the fence in the opposite direction - wonder where he went to work! I'm always having to chase them off the bird feeders. Have had to cut down on the number of bird feeders since last winter tho. I was looking out the window one morning, wondering about the funny looking squirrel sitting on the grass underneath the tree - then I realised it wisnae a squirrel - it was a big fat rat! It was living under my neighbour's summer house - presumably with maw, paw and the weans. Had to get the pest mannie to see to them. Since then, I've read about people getting rats mixed up with water voles and am wondering if I got it right.

I'd a friend at school who had a white rat as a pet. It was a lovely wee thing - apart from its scaly tail. It liked to crawl up your jumper and pop out beside your neck. They're supposed to be really intelligent.

We moved from Glasgow in August 2000. Lived in Muirend for 20 years so it was a wrench to leave. The worst thing ws leaving our girls behind. They'd both started univ so didn't want to come with us. Our son was too young to get a choice in the matter and had to be dragged - kicking and screaming - over the border! It took him ages to settle in but he's getting there. Unfortunately, his social life has just taken-off at the same time as he's supposed to be getting the head down and studying for his exams. So - a bit of a conflict zone at the moment.

We had a tiny garden in Glasgow. The garage took up most of the space. Having this extra space to play with here is a bit daunting. The weather is generally better this far south but we don't have those lovely long summer evenings you get in Scotland. I miss the mountains - Hampshire is fairly flat. I was brought up in Aberdeenshire and could see mountains galore from my bedroom window. I still have a bit of a greet if something 'bonnie' appears on the telly.

I hope you're enjoying the CC festival - we're not going to manage up this year. I'd love to hear about it tho! Think I'll away and put on La Bottine while I get on with the housework! My horrible children hid my Poozies tape - because they objected to hearing it in the car for the hundredth time - and I haven't found it since we moved.

Cheers - Jane

Hi Jane

My pal and I went up to the CC Festival club the other night. Saw some bloody marvelous bands. Favourite has to be Slainte Mhath hailing from Canada. Real young very talented and amusing folk. Worth the five pound entrance just for them! Anyway......the night finished at 530am and yip...we were still there. Awesome being so close to CC! Going again on Friday, next saturday and Sunday and also seeing La Volee d'Castors supported by Wrigley sisters (who supported La Bottine last year). Haugaarrd and Hoirup also played the other night (they played with W sisters last year!) A feast for the ears!

Sorry, didn't mean to rub it in...Tehehehe

My big brother moved to Oxfordshire a couple of years ago. I've been down a couple of times and yes....England is certainly flat in most. He lives near the Downs which are the highest thing in the area. I could honestly say that my house is further up a hill than their hills!!!!

What kinda work you do? I am a home help type thing! Work for a visually impaired woman, helping her with reading and writing. Very nice work and we have great chats. Have worked for her and my other household for about ten years now. Love it! Gives me time to think about drab, uninteresting things and do something practical at the same time.

Keep in touch Jane

NR Doll scarely also called Jane!

Hi NR Doll - it's amazing you're also a Jane!! I hardly ever meet other Janes.

Thanks for bringing me up to speed with CC - I'm dead, dead jealous! Sounds like you've had a rare old time. Must try to organise things so we can get up next year. Enjoy the rest of it! Have a jig and a drink for me!

Your work sounds interesting - and fulfilling. It's satisfying to make a difference to someone's life. What age is your visually-impaired lady? People are fascinating! I like listening to elderly people - they've usually had really interesting lives and have a lot of wisdom. The sad thing is that when they go, all that knowledge and history will go with them. And history in books has usually been written by men - wars and battles and stuff. Things are changing though.

Do you work for the Regional Council? Or a private company.

I used to work for the Social Work Dept in Glasgow - many years ago. I started as a clerk for the Head and Assistant Head of East District - which covers most of the east end of Glasgow - or did then, they've probably reorganised it a dozen times since the eighties! I moved to Glasgow when I got married and that was my first job in that part of the world. It was a real eye-opener to a quiet wee quinie from Aiberdeen!

After a break to have children - we were as poor as church mice for several years - I got involved in Dental Nursing. After a few years I went on to study, as a mature student, and am now a Dental Hygienist. There's hardly any NHS dentistry in this part of the world so I work for Boots Dentalcare. I love my job - most of the time. We have much longer appointments with our patients than I was used to in Scotland. I am also lucky enough to have a nurse who works with me and I enjoy the teamwork. It's very gratifying to help turn a person round from having louping gum problems - into someone whose mouth is really healthy. There's been some good research done which has found a link between gum disease and heart disease. And also gum disease in pregnant women and premature low birthweight babies.

However - I'm on a day off today and I don't want to think too much about work! The sun is actually shining for a change so I'm going to get into the garden and do some tidying up. It's been really wet here. I know you've had a lot of rain too. Yuck! The bulbs are really struggling to push their heads up through the mud. There's been a lot of flooding in Hampshire - but we're safe - I Hope.

Must find out how to do those wee emoticon thingies!

Hope you are well

Regards - Jane

Just been in the garden and I'm that excited I had to tell someone - I've just seen a pair of nuthatches!! They were running up and down some old tree trunks. Okay - I know I'm a wee bit sad.

You're not sad atall! I also love birds and am jealous cos I aint seen a nuthatch for ages. I live not so far from a rifev gorge which is pretty secluded - a haven for birds. I take mysely off occasionally with a tangerine and the binocs and sit and scan the trees. Most relaxing.

The visually impaired woman was 27 when she had her life changing moment. Very sad after all those years training to be a vet. She is now 42 and dealing with divorce.(husband was a c*nt and left her for someone else). A divorce is horrible and difficult enough for most folk but without your vision, you have to rely on other people reading you detailed documents and personal information. But she trusts me and I love to help her.

I'm about to start a first aid course this friday - a community arranged thing. Chuffed to bits to be doing it and it is a proper qualification - my first for many years. Always want to help people and its a start towards a career in homehelp.

Up at CC on Friday. John McCusker and friends, Aly Bain, Eddie Reader, Malinky (finalists at open stage two years ago) and Cliar who are a Teuchter type band who we've seen before. Great night out.

We've had a couple of rainy days recently and the wind has got up. We've not actually had it too bad. England has had dreadful weather compared to us. My bruv, who lives in Oxon, went home to huge floods after xmas, whereas we had a very dry time. Unusual but most satisfying

If you click on this smiley, it will take you to the page that shows you the vast array of icons available on this site.Good luck!

NR

for you and a if you are so inclined.

Glad I'm not the only 'sad git' watching birds . !!! (I tried one of those wee icons there so we'll see what happens.)
I sent off my RSPB survey results tonight. We notched up another first on Saturday - saw a Grey Wagtail - it's actually got a yellow belly! We usually see loads of different types but did any of the more interesting ones visit the garden during the hour we were watching? - Nope!
You're right - it is relaxing watching the wee feathery guys - makes you realise just how diverse nature is.
Good luck with your course on Friday. I keep meaning to do one myself but never get round to it. I know the basics of CPR - but that's about it. Had a pregnant woman faint in my surgery the other day - that was a first - and a bit scary. Had to tell the poor wifie it happened all the time and wasn't unusual - lying through my teeth to try to make her feel less embarrassed.
Sorry to hear your lady's having a rough time. It doesn't seem fair sometimes when everything lands on the same person.
My Ma was at a funeral on Friday - for an 11yr old girl. Heartbreaking. That same family have lost three people - all very young and all to cancer of various kinds.
Don't know if you'll see this in time - I'm definitely NOT a Radio Three Lass, but I heard earlier in the evening that there's a programme on that channel at 10.15pm tonight about CC. Think I'll tuck myself in early with a hottie (what and exciting life I lead) and try to pretend I'm at the Concert Hall!
Had better stop blethering now.Take Care - Regards Jane

Well since you mentioned it.......

My Dad had a kidney removed to cancer ten years ago and was again diagnosed in September. He had major surgery to remove the tumour which meant removeing ribs and muscle and giving him a false rib cage. He has recovered from the surgery exceptionally well and is still awaiting chemo and radio which will be pretty useles for this type of cancer. Then three weeks before xmas my nan was taken in for tests and found to have advanced ovarian cancer. She is now pretty much dying. My uncle is gravely ill with a haematoma on his liver aswell.

Sorry to get all heavy but it just demonstrates how a situation is rarely unique and knowing other people are having a hard time is , strangely, a comfort. But I'm coping and doing my best to make things easy for everyone. To be supportive and useful.

Grey wagtails are really common round here. Can't you do better than that?

I'll be in touch soon.

NR Doll

Phew - Your family's really going through it just now

You need a to keep you going - and an to watch over you all. Make the most of what's left!

I lost my Dad very young and am very sad that he never got the chance to be a Grandpa. As we say in Jockland - it's as well be don't know what's afore us.

Somebody very wise - whose name I don't remember - maybe it's a Chinese proverb (?) once said:

Live each day as if it were your last. But plan your life as if you'll live forever.

Can't go too far wrong with that.

No exciting birds to report today - been very busy scraping folks' teeth. But - we did once see a sparrowhawk take a pigeon from the garden. Gross or what? I suppose they can't trot off to the Safeway with a message bag over the arm.

Take Care

Regards - Jane

I think scraping tartar off gammy teeth is more gross! I have loads of dental work. Always had sh*t teeth. Have everything from veneers to crowns. I hate mint tooth paste, it makes me sick. I've tried fennel but find it too strong. Any suggestions for something mild?(might aswell abuse new pals skills!) Is kids toothpaste got everyhting in it to keep my teeth clean?(i smoke and drink!)

Planning a night in front of tv. Home Front later. I love those two. They are a pure laugh.

Off to start my evening of relaxation, by going for a deep long bath.

Ahhhhhhhh!

DOll in a floaty tube.

Bit of a problem not liking mint - you'll have realised it's the most common flavouring.
It's worth a look in Holland and Barrett and other health foodie type shops for alternative types of toothpaste.
Kids toothpaste sometimes comes in other flavours - Oral B do some with Winnie the Pooh and Chums in various flavours - most of the Supermarkets stock these.
The main difference between adult and kids toothpaste is the concentration of fluoride. It's higher in adult paste 'cos we can spit it out. Kids tend to swallow quite a lot so it has to be less concentrated.
Fluoride's good stuff in small amounts, applied daily to the teeth - it makes the enamel more resistant to plaque acids.
All the research that's been done on tooth decay prevention has been done using adult formula stuff - but the main key to avoiding decay is reducing the number of times in a day that your pearly whites are exposed to sugary foods or drinks - best restricted to mealtimes - apart from the occasional treat - after all, there are times in a girl's life when it's just got to be .

I'm getting dead good at this emoticon stuff - unless they have dreadful hidden meanings I'm not yet aware of.

I've got to go and have a filling replaced tomorrow and have to say I'm not really looking forward to it. Haven't had one for about 10 years. I too have a pretty c**p mouth. Comes of being brought up when fluoride toothpaste hadn't been thought of. Patients sometimes say to me "You must have lovely teeth" and I say "No - I've got awful teeth - but my gums are fabulous".

Used to be a smoker masel - so I do try not to go on about it! But I spend a lot of my professional life giving people information about the risks to their oral health. It's the biggest risk factor for gum disease! Okay - I'll shut up! I cringe when I think back a few years to the time when I smoked 30 a day - had the fag lit before the kettle went on in the morning .

A good way to deal with the fag stain is to use a powered toothbrush - eg Braun 3D Excel - it's a bit pricey but a great brush. Twice a day, spend a good 2 to 3 minutes brushing - equal amounts of time on fronts and backs of teeth. Change a manual toothbrush, or put a new head on an electric brush, about every 10 weeks . Some whitening pastes use abrasive particles to scour the stain off - use with caution - and the most expensive ones use stain-digesting enzymes. It's also worth considering having a professional clean by one of us guys every so often. We've got a great treatment which uses teeny particles of bicarb of soda + air + water - it comes out of the handpiece under pressure and is for removing stain.

Well Doll, bet you wish you hadn't asked!

As you can tell - I love my job to bits. Must be turning into that guy on the telly who keeps answering everybody elses phones.

Saw Diarmid and Lawrence earlier - not sure if I like the before or after garden best - both great. Fab House!

My other half's away at a Burn's Supper the night and he's staying over so he can have a swallie or two. So that means I'll get to read as long as I want in bed tonight. He gets a bit moanie if I keep him awake with the light on as he has to get up dead early.

Hope you had a great relaxing bath - I'm off to fill my hot water bottle.

Take Care - Jane

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Thought I'd let you know why I aint about just now. I'll be in touch soon.

NR

Now I'm really scared! Your bday today? Mine in two days! Argh!!!!!