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

Hi

I don't suppose you fancy a nice, juicy piece of poached salmon with buttery new potatoes, fresh peas and young carrots, do you? No, I don't suppose you do, I expect you've just had your "tea".
I had this large fillet of salmon in the freezer for TCL and me, but we never got around to it. Don't know where the fortnight went, actually.
None of my friends are like me, cooking large meals for themselves, but I love good food, and if I don't cook it, nobody else will. I never , or very seldom eat anything pre-cooked. Well, if you won't join me, I'll keep half of it for tomorrow, I'll have it cold with a salad, although salad is not my favourite food.

Glad auntie was a bit happier. I suppose she feels somebody cares for her. What is her husband like? Did he make a fuss of her? We all need love, don't we?

Right!! You can throw your pocket-dictionary away, or I bet you looked up the wrong word. In the Oxford dict. it says:

Fastidious: Easily disgusted, exacting in taste, hard to please.

Yes, sir, that's me alright!!!

Talk about easily disgusted, have you had a look at Scott's photo? And Jason? And Nick?
Actually, I had imagined Scott looking even worse than that.

So you're growing a full jungle? ARE you seeking attention? And why not, really. Women change their hairstyles all the time, men don't have so many options.
Trouble is, I now see you as Pete Waterman with a goatie, once you have a full beard and moustache, I won't recognise you. All those bearded ones look alike to me, you can't tell what's lurking under the bushes.

May see you to-night, but I doubt it. I haven't seen much all day, my eyes have been half shut since I woke up at around 4-00 this morning. Don't know how I got to Sainsb. and back .On auto-pilot, I suppose.

My turn to phone TCL to-night, he will have visited the physio, so may feel better.
I wonder what my feelings for him are, as I couldn't bear to look at his face when he tried, bravely, to walk without his stick, I could see he was in so much pain and it upset me.

Softie, aren't I? I know.

May see you later.

Lots of and

Hi FLY

First of all,I have heard such a lot about SC's photo...how do you get it?
Wouldn't say no to the salmon..and if you don't want that salad,I'll have it,I LOVE the stuff!!

My uncle is an oddball. The rest of the family don't like him, but I do. He is/was very well read, and throws out quotes from Shakespeare, Shaw ,etc. It could all be bluff for all I know, but he carries it off well. They married relatively late in life(she was in her 40's,he is 9 years younger) and was a bit of a drifter. Our family swore he was after her for her money(2/6d)and would leave her when it had been spent..well if that's true she must have had a hell of a lot...they have been married for 50 years!!!She is in a residential home only because he can't look after her properly any more..he goes to see her almost every day.

It should be quite a time before the bare bits on my 'fizzog' are filled in; so I may resemble a ruptured horsehair sofa for a few weeks( not a pretty sight!)

I think my suspicions re. you and TCL could still be right..You obviously have feelings for the man...thing is..how much!! Watch this space.

May see you later.

Fondest

Hi

To see Scott's picture, go to : www.r2fm.co.uk

I was told that forum was set up by Nick Birse and SC. Just click on his name and you'll get a treat!!! When I first looked in you could get everybody's e-mail no, but they've stopped that and now you have to register first, which I don't want to do. I did get Mike's e-mail address from someone else, he is quite happy for us to have it. Won't be long and we won't need the message-boards to chat.

He's also on R2 at the moment.(SC)
I had a look in at the CB but my mind is so dull tonight, I couldn't think of anything to say, there seems to be so much going on at the same time, I thought.

I've got another problem!!! My waste-disposal unit has packed up. I have an idea it's the motor, as there is no life in it at all. It's 15 years old, so maybe it's worn out, but I have no idea how to get it repaired. I may have a look on the Internet, some people can find ANYTHING there.

What colour is the beard etc. then? I have such an idea it's kind of gingery blonde.

I like the sound of your ucle, he seems a real character. I like oddballs, at least they're not boring. Most of my friends are eccentric, although I always say that you really have to have money to be eccentric, if you're poor you're just weird.

Good, I'll see you later then, you can have the cold salmon with salad. Don't clatter about with the knives and forks ifI'm asleep! There are some strawberries and cream in the fridge if you like. And some fresh cherries! I had thought of making fish-cakes with the salmon tomorrow, so if you prefer them, you'll have to wait a day.

I think TCL and I will just jog along like this forever. It's O.K.
I don't understand him, though, when he is here he is so romantic and then, after a fortnight, we are back to being good friends.

I'll have another look at the CB now, but I think I'll watch my recorded "Eastenders" with a glass of wine and then get to bed with my book.

Nighty night.

Just a quickie FLY,

Went to see SC....unsavoury or what?

One colour in the matting was correct....the other is grey!!!!

Looked in on CB board..not much happening so will have an early night.

See you tomorrow.

Just another quickie FLY,

Hope Holland win, I know that you will be watching it; so will I. Mrs Z is going to daughter Mark 2..and her husband is coming around here.Two bottles of Merlot are at the ready (well..almost two...you have to try it first don't you, it might be off!)

Doubt if I will make an appearance tonight....See you tomorrow perhaps.

Fondest wotsits and 'COME ON HOLLAND!!'

Hi

These quickies are all very nice, but I am looking forward to a long, leisurely session.

FLY,

Sorry to disappoint you but I'm afraid I've only got a little one tonight !!!

Been over to look at CB..not much happening except Mike's new show...I know that he is excited by it(and why not?)but I don't think that most of us will be able to receive it will we?..Anyway, best of luck to him.

I see SC is back to his offensive best again on the main board. I only had a quick look (I seem to do a lot of quick things lately)he seems to be posting the same old things. He is so boring. I was tempted to have a go at him,but know that the best thing to do is to ignore him. I must admit that he didn't look anything like I imagined...he was 'beefier' than I thought. I think that you can tell a lot about someone by their eyes....in his case I didn't like what I saw!!

Was sorry about Holland the other night.....Oh well you don't have to watch any more footie if you don't want to now do you?...Join the club.

Going now..have a GREAT weekend...

Wonderful wotsits

Al XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Hi
I didn't see SC on the main board, glad I didn't, he so puts my back up.

I'm glad I don't have to watch the footie any more, Sunday Formula 1 in on again. Come on, Jenson...

I'm out most of the day tomorrow. I'm going to"The Mill" at Sonning, in Kent. I don't suppose you've ever heard of it. Sonning is a tiny, very pretty village by the river. I feel sorry for its inhabitants. Trouble is, they have "The Mill", which is still there, but not working. Instead it is a Restaurant and bar and they've built a tiny theatre which holds about 200 people. And people come in coaches! When we arrive thre'll be drinks at the bar and if we're lucky on the terrace by the river and the enormous wheel. Then we have lunch. We sit at long tables, it's a lot of fun and then we go to the theatre. Last time I took TCL and we sat on the front row with our knees against the stage. It is always a farce they produce, which is funny to start with and then gets tedious, doesn't it?
Anyway, I'm going with a jolly crowd, so it'll be fun.

Yes, when I looked at SC's photo I remembered all the things he's been saying about his job etc. Scary, or what?

I've been trying to find "Radio Jackie" but haven't succeeded so far, anyway I doubt if I'll be awake at 12.00, I've got to be up early.

So cold and miserable here to-night, I've put the heating on.

Are you going off all this? Tell me if you do.

Hi FLY,

'Are you going off all this?'..........Of course not!!
I must admit that I am not as fluent at it as you are. It just seems to flow from your end; whereas I sometimes struggle to say anything mildly interesting. I'm sure that it shows as well.I would not be in the least offended if it had run it's course with you,as I would still see you in the CB. Talking of which, I thought that you were very funny last night(that's what I mean..you have a natural comic flow)When the board starts to move in that direction I always enjoy it.Everyone is so nice and friendly.
Hope that you enjoy your weekend with your friends, it all sounds very 'swish'..lunch, theatre,nice friends....Perfection! We are taking my youngest daughter & her husband out tonight as it's their wedding anniversary. They have opted for Indian food...(must remember to put a couple of loo rolls in the fridge!)

The only times we ever went to Kent was for our annual fortnights holiday when we were children. We used to go to Cliftonville EVERY year, and stay in the SAME boarding house...as kids we absolutely loved it..I can only remember sunny days, crowded beaches and PEDDLEOS(don't know if that's how you spell it...you know..those boats that you used to hire)My dad used to save all year to give us the holiday,we took it for granted, but it must have taken a tremendous effort for him to save enough money to take 5 of us away. He had a poorly paid job and worked 7 days a week. When I was 17 years old I was earning more per week than he was......I wish that I had realised what he did for us at the time so that I could have thanked him...not that he would have expected it...I never knew until it was too late what a wonderful father/man he was......I'm getting all maudlin now.....

So your man Button is at it again this weekend?.......Do you think that he will win a race this season?

We will be rootin' for Portugal to win the Euro thingy...actually I don't really give a monkey's, but my lovely Brazilian daughter in law wants them to win as their coach is Brazilian...so that's good enough for us!!!
See you soon.....MAYBE!

wotsits-a-plenty

AL

FLY,

Just seen in the CB that Jason gave Nick B, Helen and..SCOTT!!! a mention on his radio show.

(disgruntled!!)Al

Hi

I don't know why you say your messages are uninteresting, I always look forward to logging on and seeing if there is a posting from you and am quite disappointed if there isn't.
The CB is fine, but you can't have a one-to-one conversation there. I realise other people are reading this too, but that doesn't matter, really.

I sent Jason an e-mail as well, but as it was before the show, I suppose he didn't get it, anyway, it came back saying they couldn't find recipient.
Whatever I do, I usually have to have a few runs at it, someone has to put me wise. My only excuse is that I haven't had the computer very long and am learning all the time. I had a few lessons, but it was all very basic and really nothing I wanted to know. Some of my W.I. friends went as well and they are making posters etc! They think I'm mad, daring to go on the Internet, and serve me right I got the virus etc. They think I'm far too frivoloues!! I am too, and I like it!!!

The theatre etc. sounds a lot posher than it is. "The Mill" is a converted mill, the wheel is still going around and it's a lovely setting, but the whole thing doesn't really work and yet it does. If that sounds French, I'll tell you. You come in and there's a bar. (2 small glasses of wine £5-40) At 12-30 you start queing up for lunch. 200 people! In the middle of the queue is the "Ladies". We pushed past everyone to go there and when we came out they(formidable ladies) made us go to the back of the queue, but halfway we saw some of our "mates" and they let us in. You collect your main dish as with a carvery (I had ghoulash) and help yourself to veg. Then you sit at long tables, about 12 or 14 per table. After lunch you have to go all the way down the stairs and then up again to the theatre.
Several people with sticks were having a hard time.
We sat on the first row and our knees were practically on the "stage" which is on the same level.
But the farce was better than usual, it was "Stepping out" written by Richard Harris and very funny.
As I say, the whole thing shouldn't really work but we enjoy it nevertheless. It's "different".
During lunch I sat next to a man from Wolverhampton.(Don't know how he got there, I think he was staying with one of the ladies). He was saying how expensive everything is here. Tell me about it!

I suppose Jason mentioned SC because he sent him an e-mail. I notice everything dries up in the CB as soon as Cl. comes in. Do you think he is still barred? Why does he come on with different names all the time?

I know how you feel about your father. Until I came to England I'd never had a holiday at all. When my father had a holiday he took us four kids out on bicycle rides, into the woods etc. We moaned all the time, as we were townies and wanted ice-creams etc. We must have been a huge disappointement, and when my husband came along my father just loved him, because on walks my husband would spot an ants nest or a foxhole or a special toadstool. I learnt such a lot from him. Some mornings he (husband) would call me outside to have a look at a large spiders-web or the dew on a rose, things I wouldn't have noticed before.

But after I was married and my mum had died, my dad came to stay with us for a while. One day we sat quietly in the garden together when he started crying because he felt he'd always been far too tough on me.It broke my heart when he apologised for being so severe. I was never allowed out after dark! But I accepted it and never got bolshie.
On the rare occasion when I managed to slip out I had a lot of fun, because I was being naughty.
So, parents sometimes feel they've made mistakes as well.
But I'm pleased that after I was living in England I wrote a letter to my parents to tell them how much I loved them and how wonderful they were and how grateful I was.
Somehow, if I'd been living in Holland, I don't suppose I'd ever have done that.

Who's maudling now?

So, Grand Prix tomorrow and football. Jenson is 4th on the grid. AND I've got a whole leg of lamb to cook. I couldn't resist it, half price and they are so succulent.

Hope you have a good week-end. I always look forward to hear what you're doing.

Hi FLY,

I had every intention of 'breaking it off' with you. I re-read yor last post and thought that maybe you were getting fed up...so I was going to do the decent thing and fall on my sword(sounds good that, dunnit?)Thank you for clarifying the situation.
I must admit that your description of the lunch etc. has shattered my illusions. It sounds like everything I hate. Mrs Z LOVES carveries(or carvery's?) I hate the quee...quin...standing in line waiting to be fed. It reminds me of soup kitchens.....although I have never actually BEEN to a soup kitchen(or indeed know anyone who has) but it all seems so....charitable and demeaning...AND you have to pay for the privilege! I like the theatre bit though. You remind me of my Brazilian daughter in law the way that you except the situation, and get something out of it....She experiences things with wonderment. She takes people & situations as they are, and always seems to see a positive side...is it because, like you, she wasn't born here?Perhaps us 'natives' are too judgemental!!

It is now 12.35am(Sunday) and I am off to bed.

Please don't think that you have to contact me EVERY day...just when you feel like it...I will NEVER feel offended.


Lovely, squigiest Wotsits

Hi

Ah, do you think we both suffer from low self-esteem?

I used to feel the same about the carveryas you do. I was always careful not to load up my plate too much, in case someone thought I was being greedy. But I've changed! I NOW take all the roast potatoes I wamt and leave all the soggy cabbage etc for someone else.
There's quite an expensive carvery in the neighbourhood which is even worse. They carve your meat and then the next assistant takes your plate and hovers over the sodden veg. Although she asks you what you want, if you say "yes" to roast pots. you only get two.
But their first course is wonderful, about 20 different things to choose whatever you want and the puddings are many and varied and you can help yourself. We finish up with huge platefuls!

You are like my husband, he wouldn't queue up for his food, never went to self-service restaurants, but I've had to change a lot since he's gone.
I was getting the reputation of being far too fussy and I lost one of my oldest friends because she felt that she wasn't good enough any more.
I was always looking down my nose, she said.
So, I've changed, I don't make any comments on the dreadfulness of the food and the cooking, I keep it to myself and gobble it up like the others do.
But people still say: "I would never have you to dinner" etc.
I know I'm fussy. I think when you pay good money for food it is important to cook it to perfection, otherwise it's a waste.
Gravy is important to me and I think it's peculiar that when you go to a carvery they may dish up chicken, turkey, pork, lamb and beef and all the gravy comes out of a large vat and is the same for everything. And tasts of nothing.

But nowadays I just say it's "very nice". Hmmmm. hyprocrite!!!

Maybe your daughter in law is the same, but wiser than me and keeps her own counsel.

Still, yes, I do try to see things from a cheerful angle, I have a very developed sense of the ridiculous. It isn't easy, I want to giggle a lot. One needs a soul-mate for that, someone on your own wavelenght.
There were times that I didn't dare look at my husband or I would have burst out laughing at the wrong times, he had an upturned mouth and always looked like he was ready to laugh. So did my youngest brother.
I now laugh a lot all by myself, is it the first sign?

You would have enjoyed the theatre yesterday. There were these girls of various shapes and sizes trying to dance, it was hilarious. Reminded me of my line-dancing classes, when we had to do a "right-turn", half of us would finish up facing the person in front or behind, as we did a half-turn instead of a quarter, or aleft instead of a right. etc. Terrific fun. But not much fun for the serious people wanted to learn to dance.
It must have been difficult for the girls yesterday as they were all terrific dancers, to make it look so funny.

Well, Fi was disappointing again and there's no tennis. Football to-night. It's 3-46 and I'm cooking my dinner!!

May see you later. I DO like to hear about your everyday-things, your visits etc. I love your style of writing so I'm carrying on persuing you. So there!!

Bye for now.




I'm having a

I forgot to say:

Please, don't fall onto your sword.
You can't do that to Mrs.Z.

Look what she'd have to clear up, all that blood and guts......

Something else I forgot to say: Is it my imagination or is Perkins a lot more serious and, dare I say it, a bit grumpy since he's come back from his holidays?

He may have problems, but he'd never tell us, would he?

A black

XX

Hi FLY,

I find it strange that you were ever a fussy person...given that when you first got married to your wonderful husband, you were a tad Bohemian and drank out of odd cups without washing them!!Where did you gain your aloofness??I'm not criticizing, just interested!

Glad you are sticking with me...it is a great comfort!!

Will go now, as my eyes are crossng with tiredness...See you tomorrow or whenever..

Big Bulging Wotsits

Hi

Your question gave me food for thought....
I don't think I'm "aloof", (looked it up in the dictionnary and it said: "away" or "apart".)

I suppose the getting away from the Bohemian lifestyle was a gradual thing. And you often find that people who have spent their childhood in chaos become very orderly later on. It also works the other way. I worked with a girl who said that if she was struck blind that day, she would be able to find everything in her room straight away. Her mother told me that she found it impossible to live with her daughter.
I have a friend who lives in chaos. When she asks you in for coffee, you have to spend several minutes trying to make a space to sit.
I, myself, am very untidy. Sometimes there are 6 pairs of shoes around my bedroom. Then, when I'm expecting visitors, I have a good tidy-up, and am very pleased with myself,but try as I may, it never lasts.

I suppose the trouble is when it comes to food.
I LOVE food, and when I go to a restaurant and the good ingredients are badly cooked, I find it difficult to excuse. I respect good food. It doesn't have to be exotic, good bread and jam is delicious and good fish and chips a feast. But I prepare food with the utmost care, and that actually is inherited from my mother. I remember her coming into my husbands and mine bedroom in the morning, not with a cup of tea, but with the pork chops she had just purchased because they looked so lovely. And I shared her excitement.
I'm still like that. I LOVE food-shopping and will search everywhere to get the best. I drive MILES for the best bread.
And the friend I was telling you about was "slapdash" in her cooking. Things were overcooked and badly cooked and I thought it a pity.
Her "menu" always sounded most impressive, but she drank too much and didn't care what she dished up. I remember she made fish-soup once and the garnish were to be fresh prawns. She got a bag from the freezer and all these frozen shrimps went on the floor. She was on her hands and knees collecting them and putting them in the soup which was being served. Of course they were still frozen and we couldn't eat them. Every dish she put on the table with: "I won't blame you if you don't eat it". "People don't come to me for my food", she always said, and we thought: "just as well".

But, having said that, I'll eat anything. I know that sounds strange. When I shop for myself (and guests) I'm most fussy. Read all the labels on things etc., but when I'm out I'll eat anything.
My husband was different. "What on earth was that she dished up?" he'd enquire on the way home. "Oh, it was supposed to be this or that", and he'd say: "I don't know how you could eat it." But I felt I had to make an effort. Even if I thought it wasn't perfect I still enjoyed someone else cooking for me. I'm greedy, I like eating..AND drinking.
He didn't. He wouldn't eat what he didn't like.
And so, things change gradually. When I retired I took a lot of trouble with the food and the table. I somehow felt I had to do that, wanted to keep hubby happy. A glass of sherry was always poured out for him when he got home. The table laid with fresh napkins, flowers and candles. Chrystal glasses.
Once a plumber came to the house and said: "Having a dinner-party to-night?" "No, just my husband and me having cold meat and bubble and squeak" It became "normal" to me. If we'd had children things would probably been different.

Nowadays I sit by the T.V. with tray on my lap. Sometimes I put all the food in a big bowl and eat it with a spoon!!! But it'll still be tasty!!!

My friend went off me when we had a holiday together. Little things, they weren't really my fault. My husband wouldn't drink instant coffee, so we had to take the coffee machine along. He would only eat one type of marmelade. (We were self-catering). We bought some salted peanuts and I said: "These are stale, aren't they?"
Later, home again, she told me that it was all these things she'd objected to, although she said nothing at the time. I was very upset about it all. She said she loved me, but it was my attitude she didn't like. How is that possible, I asked myself.

So, I've tried to explain it, it's difficult, isn't it? We can describe someone else, but it's not so easy to describe ourselves, is it?

We are complicated and I don't know about you, but I change all the time. I'm not even the person I was when my husband was still alive, let alone the little girl my mum knew.

Have you installed Real Player? I have so much trouble with it, sometimes it works and other times it doesn't.
We listened to Jason on Radio Jackie last night over the internet, he was doing a filling in job for someone else. He sounds just as you'd imagine and was very good, very professional and very relaxed. He mentioned one or two people and we sent him e-mails. Quite fun really. Don't know when he'll be on again, but his regular slot is on Sat.night from 12 until 2. A bit too late for me. I can't get him on the radio, so have to listen on the pooter. Not much fun sitting here at night.

Must do my ironing.

O.K. Cold leg of lamb, fried potatoes and salad do you to-night? Nice bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon.
I've got some nice chocolates too. I belong to a "chocolate tasting club". Every month they send you a box of chocolates, all newly created and you have to mark them from 1 - 20. Sometimes they're horrible. We had one filled with eucalyptus! I had to spit it out! Ghastly. Mostly they're very good, I ration myself to 3 in the evening.

See you soon.

Hi FLY,

Read your post last night, but was soooo exhausted after reading it(you covered such a lot) I didn't have the energy to reply.....Only joking,I didn't have much time on the pooter due to other things!

Like you I LOVE food..the difference is I /we are not such great cooks, and sometimes eat convenience foods. I am quite good at casseroles and stews(what's the difference?) but then everything else is hit and miss! My curries consist of a jar of Sainsbury, or Lloyd Grossman sauces, to which I usually add extra onion and garlic( I am not too good to wake up next to)I may throw in a few sultanas and the odd tomato, otherwise that is it. I used to make my own curries from scratch, but it was so hit and miss(brilliant or dire) that I now stick to the manufactured sauce.

Once a year,our friends have a casual dinner party on the weekend of the British Open Golf..which just happens to be on saturday week. She always cooks lovely food. There are six of us there, all good friends,and the evening is brilliant.Loads of the 'red stuff' is consumed, and the conversation flows as easily as the wine...I always look forward to it immensely. As I think I have told you before, this kind of night is my very favourite...I never want it to end!!

They like to come around to us for sunday roast. They hardly ever have the traditional fare..they say that it's probably because they have never had a family,so sunday has never been a big deal. We usually invite my son and his Brazilian wife on such occassions, as they never have the 'Trad' meal either; they get on very well with our friends...once again the conversation etc. is brill'.

I must ask you sometime what I have to do to get Jason on Real Play. I have it installed, but haven't a clue as to what you do with it!!...dumb or what?

I see from last night's CB board, that you certainly do like chocolate..especially the Belgian kind!!!

Talking of which, I am going over there now, although I don't know if I will stay. I haven't been able to get up to speed lately.

I may see you over there.

Whopping Wotsits

Hi again,

When nobody noticed my 1000th I went onto Radio Jackie to find out how I got the music and now I've forgotten it again.
I googled Radio Jackie.
Then went onto the second entry on the site.
Then clicked onto 107.8 on the right-hand side, underneath "discussions".
Then I clicked onto "listen", there are 3 options, but the only one that works for me is the first one. It's playing now.
Real Radio is a dead loss, isn't it?
They keep on nagging me to subscribe each time and then something goes wrong again, I don't know, and then, other times it all works perfectly.

I'm glad you like food, I can never get on with people who don't care about eating, they are seldom much fun.

I can imagine those evenings with friends are lovely, as they used to be for us. Sharing food and drink with friends is the best, isn't it? But when you're not a couple any more you don't get invited very much. Men do, women don't.

Soon after my husband died I was talking to the girl who lives opposite and is a social worker. I was bemoaning the fact that my old friends didn't include me any more. She said: "It's a well-known fact. The women feel threatened when you are there without a man."

It's probably true, although I didn't really fancy my friends' husbands, I'd never really thought about them that way.

I am invited more by people I've got to know after my husband died, sort of new friends. Strange, isn't it? Even my sister-in-law resented me my brother's company.

I've got to have an early night, up early tomorrow, going on a shopping-spree with a couple of friends. Going to Kingston-on-Thames. The weather is supposed to be diabolical!!! We'll see.

Talk to you tomorrow.







Cindy Lauper is singing (Girls like to have fun! I LOVE that)
Saying that...it suddenly stopped playing. Doh...

Oh yes, the Belgian truffel is a nutcase, isn't he????

Hi FLY,

I assume that The Belgiun Choclate is a HE, but could it be that it it a SHE? (Can't be bothered to go back and look)

Your social worker friend is correct about female friends looking on a widow as a threat...with good cause. I know loads of men who think that a newly widowed woman is 'game' They seem to think that she must be frustrated....How stupid and insensitive can you get?

I also have to have an early night, as we are supposed to be taking a party of our service users to Weston-Super-Mare tomorrow. I must say that I won't fancy it if the weather is too bad;these mini-buses blow about a bit on motorways if it is very windy(which has been forcast)I'm hoping that it will blow itself out during the night.

Well sweet dreams. Hope you have a good day tomorrow.

Wotsits

Al XXXXXXXXXX

Hello

First of all, did you manage to listen to Jason?
I didn't hear him last night as I wasn't here.
What a day we had.
I hope yours is a better one at W.S.M.
I'll tell you what happened.

We were going by coach to Kingston. Somebody who is a "Friend of the Hospice" wanted us to help fill up this coach. We set off early, the coach left at 9-15 and we got to Kingston at 11.00.
We were to pick it up again at 4-00, so that we would miss the rush-hour.
We ACTUALLY got home at 11 o'clock. Hungry, thirsty, cold and tired.

We had a lot of fun shopping, eating and drinking. (I bought nothing but 3 books)

The bus didn't get to us at 4-oo. All the traffic was held up. The streets around us in the middle of Kingston were all closed, policecars jangling past, an ambulance parked nearby. All the traffic came to a halt. We were told that a chemical substance had been found in a pillar-box. The postman had put his hand in it and had been taken to hospital and then they had to dismantle the pillar-box and take it away for examination. They suspected Anthrax.
They opened up the road enough to let us through at 5-oo. We were minutes away from Hampton Court where some of our party had gone instead of shopping and we had to pick them up. It took an hour and a half to do that little distance.
When we arrived the people waiting there were furious. "We've been standing here for 3 1/2 hours, they wailed, climbing aboard with their fish and chips. It was then 7-45 and the driver had been driving since 2-45 and had to have a break, so off he went and so did we, (the shoppers) to find a loo. We then piled into this dreadful fish and chip-shop with a cheerful Indian fryer in shorts and a big smile. There were 2 little tables and some of us sat there and ordered cod and chips. He said he only had 2 plates!!! So we had it in paper, and it was awfulThe fish was dry and the chips black!! (£3-45 each)

Can you imagine what that coach smelled like with 50-odd people eating fish and chips?
Still, everybody was cheerful, even the people who had been standing here for 3 1/2 hours.
I don't know where they thought we'd been, living it up in some pub somewhere, I imagine.
We never heard what had really happened in Kingston and there's nothing in the paper about it to-day.

I wish my friend Elsie had been there with me. We used to travel to work together in my husband's car. She lived 2 doors away from me and we had promised ourselves that when we retired we would go on coach trips, with hats on and half a stone overweight.
No, I don't wear a hat! But I must admit that when you look down the coach there are an awful lot of brillo-pad heads.

Well, I haven't got any inspiration to-day. Waiting for the chap to come and talk about re-upholstering my 3-piece suite. Looking in the shops I see that nearly everything is creamy white, but I don't want that. Those light colours are alright for young people who chuck everything out after a few years. Are your children like that?

Gasman coming to service the boiler tomorrow morning. (No, not me, the central heating)
In the afternoon with the W.I. to some farm to have a look around and a cream-tea.

Bye for now.