1 And so it does. Indeed, the day could easily be described as a summer's one. Admittedly, the sun took longer to get out of bed, yet once we allow for the seasonal tardiness the subsequent effect was entirely benign. I have no doubt that the Wednesday cyclists will relish the warmth and the light. (I went to Forest Row to say hello and to confess that the rest of my life had got in the way (again) of my cycling. I'm intending to cycle a few miles sometime this afternoon.)
2 The Armed Man has left its mark on me. I returned from the performance full of the music, the singing, the effects (particularly the percussive ones), the beauty of the cello in the Benedictus, and, of course, the contribution of the Call to Prayer. We shall have to listen to it, with the libretto. I register too the location, a small village parish church.
3 Yesterday was the day of the Three Ds. (Not good enough for university entrance, as Derek reminded me, but quite good enough for three elderly gentlemen whose common room is not a university one but a club one. We enjoyed each other's company. The tales, the ruminations, the explorations - they all followed one and other.
4 However, I did join a university library yesterday, the LSE one. One of the notable libraries in the country. I'm working towards my Study Day. Whilst I am sure that the study will be pursued in East Grinstead, there may be occasions when an event (an opera) in the evening will provide the possibility of some reading beforehand.
5 Meanwhile, I wonder about life in Montenegro. The transposition of English living, of Norwegian? A melting pot or a salad bowl? An enclave? One thought leads to another, in the usual fashion, so now I think of the account which was given to the J & P meeting yesterday evening by a onetime social worker who now works full-time for the Family Support Service, a charity. Her work, in East Grinstead, takes her to families, with children, who have little or no money, who are seriously in debt. In not-so-long-ago years, she said, there were statutory services she could call upon. Now, those services are no longer there. Life in Montenegro - the account will depend on whom one asks, just as life in East Grinstead does.
Staring up the Close
Stayathome
Wednesday, 14 September 2011
Monday, 30 May 2011
A celebration
1 I've e-mailed you the front page from the BBC Homepage. Pells Pools has made it to the national electronic news. This year will be the 150th anniversary of the pool. It's time you were back, so that you and the man with the back can no longer hold back but, ignoring all backs, can stand at the back of the pool so that, together, with no backsliding, they can slide into the pool and then, each backing the other, swim without a backward glance towards the wall which almost backs onto the playground.
2 June has been round to give me a statement of our account, a document which, when complemented by my passport, will be sufficient to convince at least one of the staff in the Cooperative bank to give me an up-to-date statement of the EGDCU account.
2.1 She has been preparing for your return. Your agreement, long ago, before your child- and family-caring overseas duty, to undertake a reconciliation tomorrow evening, should be a relatively easy one to discharge. June took her place in the office yesterday, and she will be in place again today.
3 I attended the ConChort Big Band concert, in aid of the RBL, in Chequer Mead yesterday evening. Alas, the playing had scarcely started when I sensed that the music and the songs were not to be my taste, a sense that developed to the point of certainty well before the intermission, at which time I left.
Looking forward to greeting you tomorrow.
Styathome
2 June has been round to give me a statement of our account, a document which, when complemented by my passport, will be sufficient to convince at least one of the staff in the Cooperative bank to give me an up-to-date statement of the EGDCU account.
2.1 She has been preparing for your return. Your agreement, long ago, before your child- and family-caring overseas duty, to undertake a reconciliation tomorrow evening, should be a relatively easy one to discharge. June took her place in the office yesterday, and she will be in place again today.
3 I attended the ConChort Big Band concert, in aid of the RBL, in Chequer Mead yesterday evening. Alas, the playing had scarcely started when I sensed that the music and the songs were not to be my taste, a sense that developed to the point of certainty well before the intermission, at which time I left.
Looking forward to greeting you tomorrow.
Styathome
Sunday, 29 May 2011
Back on the saddle
1 I leaned over the blue bin and began to scrabble for a a discarded Times. Ooops. My lower back had gone, in the familiar idiom; it had locked, and it was painful. Back with my back indoors. Careful walking. What's the impact of a painful lower back and cycling, as I was dressed in cycling kit and I had had my egg. Try it.
2 To Forest Row. Helloes and congratulations (to two for their long-distance ride, to the retired old gentleman for completing the triathlon. I gave the news about the back. Off we went. I found I could cycle, including the initial climb up Wall Hill. A roundabout route to Tonbridge; a return. By the time I returned I had completed 44 miles. With my painful back. Painful, that is, when I straightened and when I walked. We'll see what it will be like in the morning.
3 I drove to the man in the tent, found him, chatted, and bought him some food and a cotainer of coffee. He is well organised. His ankle, of course, is a serious impediment. It remains open to infection or to a fracture (and then he would be in trouble). I'll telephone him tomorrow morning. Back to East Grinstead and to Chequer Mead for a performance by the ConChord Big Band. The sounds of the big bands of the 1930s and 1940s. And matching songs. I remember the Glenn Miller Story. Long ago. After the first few numbers, I knew that I would leave as soon as I could And so I did. As the performance as in aid of the RBL, I don't regret the price of admission, but it would have been easier for me to make a donation without going in.
4 I'm looking forward to your return. So, without a doubt, is Emily and the young man. On Tuesday morning, I will travel to the Cooperative bank in Croydon to collect the statement. I expect to be back by 1130. I can make sure that there is milk in Haulcon and bread.
4.1 Collecting you from Gatwick? (i) Me (ii) Emily (iii) Me and Emily? Let me know.
5 I spent some companionable hours with Jo, Roy, and company at Southwick yesterday. A barbecue. The ROG made a strongly favourable impression on one of their friends: a shared task of making vegetable kebabs led to a long conversation about keeping fit, physical exercise, triathlons, cycling, and so on. The 50-year-young man made it plain that in his view he had met a remarkable person. Ah, shucks.
5.1 Reminder from Facebook: David Scott will be 51 this week.
5.2 Conversation with Jo, Sarah, and Roy about a bike-ride on Romney Marsh. They're just waiting for instructions from the self-appointed Captain of Rides.
Looking forward to the return of the caring lady. (Let me know about the collection of the lady.)
Stayathome
2 To Forest Row. Helloes and congratulations (to two for their long-distance ride, to the retired old gentleman for completing the triathlon. I gave the news about the back. Off we went. I found I could cycle, including the initial climb up Wall Hill. A roundabout route to Tonbridge; a return. By the time I returned I had completed 44 miles. With my painful back. Painful, that is, when I straightened and when I walked. We'll see what it will be like in the morning.
3 I drove to the man in the tent, found him, chatted, and bought him some food and a cotainer of coffee. He is well organised. His ankle, of course, is a serious impediment. It remains open to infection or to a fracture (and then he would be in trouble). I'll telephone him tomorrow morning. Back to East Grinstead and to Chequer Mead for a performance by the ConChord Big Band. The sounds of the big bands of the 1930s and 1940s. And matching songs. I remember the Glenn Miller Story. Long ago. After the first few numbers, I knew that I would leave as soon as I could And so I did. As the performance as in aid of the RBL, I don't regret the price of admission, but it would have been easier for me to make a donation without going in.
4 I'm looking forward to your return. So, without a doubt, is Emily and the young man. On Tuesday morning, I will travel to the Cooperative bank in Croydon to collect the statement. I expect to be back by 1130. I can make sure that there is milk in Haulcon and bread.
4.1 Collecting you from Gatwick? (i) Me (ii) Emily (iii) Me and Emily? Let me know.
5 I spent some companionable hours with Jo, Roy, and company at Southwick yesterday. A barbecue. The ROG made a strongly favourable impression on one of their friends: a shared task of making vegetable kebabs led to a long conversation about keeping fit, physical exercise, triathlons, cycling, and so on. The 50-year-young man made it plain that in his view he had met a remarkable person. Ah, shucks.
5.1 Reminder from Facebook: David Scott will be 51 this week.
5.2 Conversation with Jo, Sarah, and Roy about a bike-ride on Romney Marsh. They're just waiting for instructions from the self-appointed Captain of Rides.
Looking forward to the return of the caring lady. (Let me know about the collection of the lady.)
Stayathome
Saturday, 28 May 2011
Equally long days
1. Up at 6.45 with the older of the two young men. We had to have a yogurt together and then set up the train set with a different track. Build the bridges, erect the tunnel and then off we go. The floor is getting hard for this old lady and the getting up is even worse.
2. We managed to hold out until 9.00 to allow the mummy to have a sleep whilst the tiny slumbered too. Breakfast then a promise of baking - the good old favourite carrott cup cakes. Mixing, stirring, cracking and spooning and boy what a lovely mess we made. The cakes are delicious.
3. Off to the park on our scooter on the road. This Grandma has a churning stomach. The imperative to scoot at the side of the road is not always heeded. Glad to be back indoors.
4. Five minutes peace whilst they watch a DVD and before it is time to sort out the dinner. Mealtimes are early in the household. Guess who is looking forward to bedtime.
5. Lacuna, the book I am presently reading, has now moved onto Trotsky in Mexico, fighting his corner against Stalin, knowing that most of his children have been killed. The account is written through the eyes of a diarist.
6. Meanwhile dare I mention the treasure hunt. I dare mention it, but I wonder if it is still to do for my return. My return being Tuesday 1.45. Emily is keen to meet me with Toby at the barrier, but I will send you usual texts about arrival etc and perhaps you could come up with a carton of milk. I shall be looking forward to a cup of tea and a sleep probably.
7. I have been keeping up with the crossword and codewords - they help to pass the time. I shall be counting the hours soon for my return.
Lady in waiting
2. We managed to hold out until 9.00 to allow the mummy to have a sleep whilst the tiny slumbered too. Breakfast then a promise of baking - the good old favourite carrott cup cakes. Mixing, stirring, cracking and spooning and boy what a lovely mess we made. The cakes are delicious.
3. Off to the park on our scooter on the road. This Grandma has a churning stomach. The imperative to scoot at the side of the road is not always heeded. Glad to be back indoors.
4. Five minutes peace whilst they watch a DVD and before it is time to sort out the dinner. Mealtimes are early in the household. Guess who is looking forward to bedtime.
5. Lacuna, the book I am presently reading, has now moved onto Trotsky in Mexico, fighting his corner against Stalin, knowing that most of his children have been killed. The account is written through the eyes of a diarist.
6. Meanwhile dare I mention the treasure hunt. I dare mention it, but I wonder if it is still to do for my return. My return being Tuesday 1.45. Emily is keen to meet me with Toby at the barrier, but I will send you usual texts about arrival etc and perhaps you could come up with a carton of milk. I shall be looking forward to a cup of tea and a sleep probably.
7. I have been keeping up with the crossword and codewords - they help to pass the time. I shall be counting the hours soon for my return.
Lady in waiting
Friday, 27 May 2011
Long days
1 Yesterday morning I left the Hall conscious that I was on my way to the funeral of an OUBS colleague, one for whom I had affectionate recollections. At Oxted I met Julian Batsleer, and we made our way to the church in Limpsfield. We joined other members of the School who had travelled from Milton Keynes. We sang the hymns; we listened to the eulogy which had been written and delivered by his sister. We learned so much about the colleague, who lived alone and who, though gregarious, revealed little (or nothing) about his private life.
2 But there were distinctive features to the proceedings. Outside the church, standing against a grave, was a larger-than-lifesize blown-up penguin. A penguin. Then, as the pall-bearers came slowly from the altar we could all see that Mickey's hands were holding the front of the coffin and the back. The grave-digger had to allow for the extra length.
3 So the gathering in the nearby room was a bit of a do. There were other animals from the Disneyland menagerie. There was a popping of champagne corks. There was a sense of celebration, a celebration of a colleague who had been a much-loved uncle, and who, before he died, had made all the arrangements for his and his sister's planned visit to Disneyland.
3.1 One after another my erstwhile colleagues came forward to say Hello. The conversations were picked up where they had been left. One said that it was if I had never left. Others said much the same thing.
4 So I returned to the Hall in good spirits. I had attended the funeral, but I had been part of the following celebration. It - the gathering - was a tribute to the man who was celebrated. I shall write my thanks to the man's sister.
5 From the Hall to a client in Crawley; by the time that visit had been accomplished, my head was aching. It continued to ache. I told Liam as he picked me up. He was immediately sympathetic. The outcome was that he gave the news to the others that we would not be playing. He drove me home. Good for him.
6 The SSAFA AGM today was followed by a visit to a new client in Crawley, a visit which was followed by a visit to a man who is living in a tent close to the airport, a man who had been subject to an operation on his ankle earlier in the week and who is using two crutches.
7 I am now at home, and I'm waiting for Ashley.
Looking forward to see you soon.
Gettingabout
2 But there were distinctive features to the proceedings. Outside the church, standing against a grave, was a larger-than-lifesize blown-up penguin. A penguin. Then, as the pall-bearers came slowly from the altar we could all see that Mickey's hands were holding the front of the coffin and the back. The grave-digger had to allow for the extra length.
3 So the gathering in the nearby room was a bit of a do. There were other animals from the Disneyland menagerie. There was a popping of champagne corks. There was a sense of celebration, a celebration of a colleague who had been a much-loved uncle, and who, before he died, had made all the arrangements for his and his sister's planned visit to Disneyland.
3.1 One after another my erstwhile colleagues came forward to say Hello. The conversations were picked up where they had been left. One said that it was if I had never left. Others said much the same thing.
4 So I returned to the Hall in good spirits. I had attended the funeral, but I had been part of the following celebration. It - the gathering - was a tribute to the man who was celebrated. I shall write my thanks to the man's sister.
5 From the Hall to a client in Crawley; by the time that visit had been accomplished, my head was aching. It continued to ache. I told Liam as he picked me up. He was immediately sympathetic. The outcome was that he gave the news to the others that we would not be playing. He drove me home. Good for him.
6 The SSAFA AGM today was followed by a visit to a new client in Crawley, a visit which was followed by a visit to a man who is living in a tent close to the airport, a man who had been subject to an operation on his ankle earlier in the week and who is using two crutches.
7 I am now at home, and I'm waiting for Ashley.
Looking forward to see you soon.
Gettingabout
Thursday, 26 May 2011
Paper Browsing
1. Whilst browsing through the Times, which one does when there is nothing else to do I noted that British people are afraid to go out after dark. Um I thought where does that one come from. Then I noticed that the OECD have produced a Better Life Index. I think there were 34 countries taking part.
2. Norwegians work 1407 hours per year the average being 1739 - lazy lot. However, they earn $29365 per year - the average being $22284. 79% of mothers are employed after having children.
3. The British work 1646 hours per year less than the average of 1739. They earn $27208 per year and 67% of mothers work after having children.
4. Turkey is right at the bottom of the pile, followed by Mexico. An interesting few minutes.
2. Norwegians work 1407 hours per year the average being 1739 - lazy lot. However, they earn $29365 per year - the average being $22284. 79% of mothers are employed after having children.
3. The British work 1646 hours per year less than the average of 1739. They earn $27208 per year and 67% of mothers work after having children.
4. Turkey is right at the bottom of the pile, followed by Mexico. An interesting few minutes.
Wednesday, 25 May 2011
Keeping Occupied
1. I have been musing about which monk was what. I wondered whether Father Kevin was a composer. The rest I will have to think on further.
2. What do the Norwegians eat? Well there seems to be a lot of fish about the place, fishcakes of all sizes too and whale meat. Steer clear of that one. Seems to be a lot of pastes to put on bread, kaviar paste, mackerel paste. Fish, fish and more fish. I spoke briefly about the papers the other day and there is not much more to add as they do not buy a daily newspaper. Some of the issues I gather are around benefits for immigrants. Sounds like a familiar story.
3. I cook the dinners so the recipes are ones I brought from the UK. As Kaaren does not eat meat, most of the dishes are either fish or vegetarian. I have not done such intensive cooking for eons.
4. I have been following Times Online and noted the Irish President. I also noted the article by Aronavitch in which he tells of Obama's political strategy towards Europe, which will no doubt assist in his re-election.
5. Goodness gracious Jeohovah's Witnesses at the door. Had I been on my own I would have invited them in for some adult conversation.
Got to do lunch now.
2. What do the Norwegians eat? Well there seems to be a lot of fish about the place, fishcakes of all sizes too and whale meat. Steer clear of that one. Seems to be a lot of pastes to put on bread, kaviar paste, mackerel paste. Fish, fish and more fish. I spoke briefly about the papers the other day and there is not much more to add as they do not buy a daily newspaper. Some of the issues I gather are around benefits for immigrants. Sounds like a familiar story.
3. I cook the dinners so the recipes are ones I brought from the UK. As Kaaren does not eat meat, most of the dishes are either fish or vegetarian. I have not done such intensive cooking for eons.
4. I have been following Times Online and noted the Irish President. I also noted the article by Aronavitch in which he tells of Obama's political strategy towards Europe, which will no doubt assist in his re-election.
5. Goodness gracious Jeohovah's Witnesses at the door. Had I been on my own I would have invited them in for some adult conversation.
Got to do lunch now.
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