Journal Entries
That Darned Cat
Posted Oct 7, 2009
One of these days I'm going to swing for Harry!!
Yesterday, the weather was horrendous and I wanted him in where it was warm and dry. So! I went to the kitchen door and shouted him - he came at a run; dripping wet. I had just started towelling him dry when I noticed that he seemed to have grown a moustache - you know the type, head at one end and tail at the other
He's brought me the gift of a dead mouse I thought! - Will I never learn?
I made the grave mistake of telling him to drop it; which he reluctantly did; and just as I was about to get the dustpan to scoop it up, said mouse shot under the dishwasher with the speed of light.
Now! I don't know if anybody has ever recorded the speed of a wood mouse around Donington; but I'd lay odds that it would have beaten Lewis Hamilton hands down.
I rang SS; away on holiday and he asked what I thought he could do from 170 miles away - "you'll have to catch it" YEAH - RIGHT!
Out came dishwasher, washing machine, and tumble drier - no sign of small rodent. The fridge freezer is full to bursting and must weigh 3/4 tonne. Eventually, after much heaving and tugging, I managed to get the damned thing forward a couple of feet; and lo and behold, tiny wood mouse is sitting quietly, quivering. I'm having you I thought - can't imagine the consequences of an incontinent and probably pregnant mouse roaming freely through the house. I'll get a pint glass to drop over it and cardboard underneath and then put it back in the garden. Before this thought had even taken fruit, himself had beaten me to it and pounced.
Leaving me yelling "out, out, out" and sending both Harry and his unfortunate 'prize' back into the pouring rain.
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Latest reply: Oct 7, 2009
Elf and safety
Posted Jun 19, 2009
I have just been listening to the 5:00am news and hear that British teachers are up in arms with new Elf and safety rulings, which forbid 'running in the playground' and the need to wear goggles when using blu-tack!
You couldn't make it up!
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1194055/Pupils-wear-goggles-handle-Blu-Tack-health-safety-reaches-ridiculous-new-heights.html
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Latest reply: Jun 19, 2009
2legs and specsavers
Posted Jun 17, 2009
Now! I'm not usually prone to daytime tv. However, I wanted to watch a programme on the pyramids this afternoon (which was most interesting) and therefore had to suffer the adverts.
Imagine my surprise when a cartoon dog came on with the Specsavers advert; referring to his difficulty in getting 'his person' 2legs to go down there for an eye test
Now I don't believe that I am on 2legs friends list; but I just wondered if he is getting royalties for this ad; and if not, why not!!
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Latest reply: Jun 17, 2009
Birmingham mini meet
Posted Apr 29, 2009
Scorpio’s view of the Birmingham meet.
Having made the train journey with a load of Sunderland supporters; already loaded with much of the amber nectar, I arrived in Birmingham just after 12pm. I went outside to pollute the atmosphere and spotted a young man tying up his push bike (ah! A local then) I asked for directions to Starbucks and was directed to the pallisades; where I had a cup of tea.
As it reached one o’clock and there was no sign of anyone else, I became worried that I might be in the wrong place. I asked one of the staff if there was another Starbucks near the station. “Yes, there is one out on New Street”. Off I went to the Starbucks in New Street, to find nobody there either!
Eventually, I returned to the original Starbucks, to find a whole table full of chattering people. I approached and asked if I was in the right place for ‘idiots anonymous’ and when the response seemed positive, I said “I’m Scorp”
From then on everything went smoothly! I was welcomed by Phil and met Websailor for the first (and hopefully not the last) time. I spotted ST Mk II and shouted to him to join us.
We all spent a pleasant time in Starbucks; getting to know one another. Although there was a great age gap between some of us, it didn’t present a problem and we all seemed to relate well. Vip did an absolutely wonderful job of ‘dancing’ ahead to find out information and to guide us on.
The original plan had been to visit the Sea Life Centre. However, upon arrival, we found the price was exorbitant and we decided to do a walkabout instead. This was really interesting.
At some point, we arrived at the canal - side; where it was possible to take a cruise, on a narrow boat. Yeeeessssss let’s go for it! OMG! The boat trip was wonderful. However! The commentary provided by the boatman left a lot to be desired. He tried (and failed miserably) to jostle between informative and humorous.
I was getting really concerned about Matt; who was suffering badly from the ‘I want to kill him’ syndrome. At any moment I fully expected him to start digging an escape tunnel (not the best plan on a narrow boat on a canal)
We finally ended up at a local hostelry on the canal side; and spent a pleasant hour or so, before wending our merry ways home.
I am so happy to have met so many new friends; some of which I cannot spell: Teuchter, MC, Phil, Bald Bloke, Vip & Acid Override; who was a real source of information. Websailor, ST MkII (who I already know), Hypatia (a joy to have met), Titania; and of course Matt who organised it all.
All in all, a wonderful day. Thanks all!
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Latest reply: Apr 29, 2009
Husbands and stock
Posted Mar 31, 2009
On Saturday, we went to Bakewell farmers' market; and spent an obscene amount of money - the organic meat stall, before we even went in, cost us £86 squid. Local venison, goat, locally sourced ostrich, goose and burgers and sausages various.
Most favourite were the vegetables: I have never tried gerusalem artichokes - they are wonderful. We bought the normal stuff - carrots, parsnips, swede, turnips, cauliflower, onions, leeks, potatoes etc.,
I decided to make some soup!! Yesterday, I made cauliflower soup with red chillies. It was delightful.
I also made a beef stew; which of course entailed loads of veg - I used all the peelings and bits and bobs to make a vegetable stock; which was to be used for the basis of the carrot and corriander soup for today. However! There's always a 
however!! When I got up this morning, I could not find said stock. Questioning SS - he said "stock? - I thought it was dirty water and threw it away"
There are times!!!
The next lot of stock is currently cooking with a note to say 'THIS IS STOCK - <****> off note at the side!!
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Latest reply: Mar 31, 2009
scorp
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