1 The late-young and the early-old, they both met for dinner yesterday evening. The guest brought a plentiful supply of a mild curry together with a box of rice. During the cooking in the oven, the two talked about this and that and then went on to different others. The talking continued during the eating. Amongst all else, they registered the benefits of a home-based parent, one who ordered the domestic life, who was the centre of that life. After the meal, being up-to-date people, one attended to a laptop whilst the other was equally occupied with a desktop. The conversation continued even as the visitor drove away, about 2315.
2 The morning was occupied with the preparation for a second visitor and with a companionable breakfast. Coffee and scrambled egg on toast were provided, sufficient for sustenance whilst being no impediment to conversation. Lourdes, the life and death of a credit union, the radicalism of the present government, the impact of radicalism and hard times on the fortunes of a political party, the significance of the contest between Lords and Commons over the current Bill, the consequences of the result of a referendum on AV, the likely results of the district and parish elections in May, a consideration of the new Town Clerk, a recollection of the Pope's visit to the UK, the appeal of the recent Homeless service in EG, the experience of Catholicism being represented by a 100-story building, and concluding exchanges about influential authors - they all were discussed over the table. Both left the table well-fed.
3 And so to the day: a visit to an elderly man in East Surrey hospital, a reading at Mass, and a quiet evening, preparatory to a visit to Gatwick airport just after mid-day. Meanwhile, the search for a missing passbook may continue.
Home, lady, it's time to come home
Saturday, 12 February 2011
Friday, 11 February 2011
The Mill Owners and the Workers
1.As in the Elizabeth Gaskin novel, people view things differently. The mill owners believe they cannot pay higher wages, because of competition from America. The Americans are undercutting the British prices. The workers need higher wages to survive and believe the Mill Owners are harsh and lack understanding. The Unions have been formed and insist all should belong, otherwise any man not joining will be excluded.
2. And tales from the Cottage, now the deeds of variation have been signed, the rats are abandonning the sinking ship. The detached house next to ours is up for sale. By all accounts the Landlord has bought it. No. 63, and 64 have gone. Perhaps sold who knows. The couple used to spend all their week-ends and holidays there. Watch this space to see what happens next.
3. My return on Sunday is 12 noon at Gatwick South from Podgorica via Monte airlines.
4. The Italian is going well, and I am pleased to report that I am getting some enjoyment from it.
The lone ranger
2. And tales from the Cottage, now the deeds of variation have been signed, the rats are abandonning the sinking ship. The detached house next to ours is up for sale. By all accounts the Landlord has bought it. No. 63, and 64 have gone. Perhaps sold who knows. The couple used to spend all their week-ends and holidays there. Watch this space to see what happens next.
3. My return on Sunday is 12 noon at Gatwick South from Podgorica via Monte airlines.
4. The Italian is going well, and I am pleased to report that I am getting some enjoyment from it.
The lone ranger
Wednesday, 9 February 2011
I met a Montenegran today
1. As I was walking all a lone, I had no time to stand and stare for who should I meet but a Montenegran.
2. In truth I spoke English to the chap who collected me to get Isaac from Kindergarten. He told me that Montenegrans were lazy and not hardworking. I asked if this was true and his reply was 'in part'.
3. I asked if Montenegrans rode bicycles. His reply was that Montenegrans only liked machines with engines.
4. He told me of a well-known joke here in Montenegro. A person when asked what they would like to be on their return to Earth. The reply was a snake. Why a snake: Why surely you must know that all a snake has to do is slither and rest.
5. He said that the Montenegran economy was built on fragile glass, but the people were proud to have their own country. That was the extent of the conversation - quite spontaneous;
6. For the rest Italian is progressing, the Elizabeth Gaskill novel is capturing and the sun continues to shine. Thursday will be a day for two year olds.
from life inside the compound
2. In truth I spoke English to the chap who collected me to get Isaac from Kindergarten. He told me that Montenegrans were lazy and not hardworking. I asked if this was true and his reply was 'in part'.
3. I asked if Montenegrans rode bicycles. His reply was that Montenegrans only liked machines with engines.
4. He told me of a well-known joke here in Montenegro. A person when asked what they would like to be on their return to Earth. The reply was a snake. Why a snake: Why surely you must know that all a snake has to do is slither and rest.
5. He said that the Montenegran economy was built on fragile glass, but the people were proud to have their own country. That was the extent of the conversation - quite spontaneous;
6. For the rest Italian is progressing, the Elizabeth Gaskill novel is capturing and the sun continues to shine. Thursday will be a day for two year olds.
from life inside the compound
In the dark
1 Yes, it was dark when I turned into Chartham Park. But I was not alone: the car behind me also turned left into the estate. As I walked from the car, other cars arrived. One of the two staff at the counter was on the telephone; the other was dealing with a member. When I reached the pool, there were four swimmers already in the water. So I joined two in the main section. There I swam for the time that it took to complete 42 lengths.
1.1 Afterwards, I bought and pot of tea and read The Times. In particular, I read Danny Finkelstein's article. Had there been no cloud, I could have watched the sun rise; alas, there was a full cover of cloud, so I couldn't.
2 So I was clean and bright when I joined some others in the Common at Sackville College. When the meeting began, there were 18 people in the room, including the warden and the administrator. I reckoned that perhaps three were under 60; otherwise, of the others some ten or 11 were 70 or over. Naturally enough, if you call a meeting for the morning, then only the elderly or old can attend. There were familiar people, including Peter and Joan Roberts.
3 Following a slowly-spoken contribution from the warden, Graham Edwards, there with Anne, spoke about the job. From 11 June, the College will be open for five afternoons a week; each opening calls for two guides. The season run to the beginning of September, about 14 weeks. He spoke of a mean requirement of seven attendances, about one a fortnight, across the season. In addition, there will be the Saturdays. By the time I left, I had determined to be a guide for this coming season and perhaps for the 2012 season. Following two seasons, I would re-consider.
3.1 To the RBL for fish-and-chips. I sat next to Dorothy Hartswell. We talked about Martin Green, about the museum, the community play, and the planned extension. That is, there is a plan, but as yet, no money.
3.2 To Argos to the young man and his pregnant partner. 10/02 I waited whilst they used the catalogue to buy bits and pieces for their flat. I paid the bill; we loaded the car, and I drove them to the flat. Routine business for your friendly, neighbourhood SSAFA caseworker.
3.3 Back to the client in Sackville College. Much of the IKEA furniture has been assembled, so I was able to sit on the sofa whilst he sat in a round-backed, padded chair. Previously, we had sat on wooden chairs at a small table. We spoke of the uses to which a charitable grant can be put.
3.4 Home, a sandwich, and Liam may collect me in time for bridge in Forest Row. 10/02 Liam enjoyed the session: five tables, five boards a table, conversation but no noise. All amiable. Liam is disenchanted with the Maypole club. If he had a Forest Row partner then he would be ready to switch from the Maypole to Forest Row. A meandering, low-level monologue on the way back. The absence of 'Now, what do you think? Thus said, a companionable session. We will not attend the Maypole session this evening.
4 Once again I was into the pool by 0640. There I remained until I had swimmed 40 lengths. Ten minutes with the Daily Mail. Home, breakfast, and on with business.
1.1 Afterwards, I bought and pot of tea and read The Times. In particular, I read Danny Finkelstein's article. Had there been no cloud, I could have watched the sun rise; alas, there was a full cover of cloud, so I couldn't.
2 So I was clean and bright when I joined some others in the Common at Sackville College. When the meeting began, there were 18 people in the room, including the warden and the administrator. I reckoned that perhaps three were under 60; otherwise, of the others some ten or 11 were 70 or over. Naturally enough, if you call a meeting for the morning, then only the elderly or old can attend. There were familiar people, including Peter and Joan Roberts.
3 Following a slowly-spoken contribution from the warden, Graham Edwards, there with Anne, spoke about the job. From 11 June, the College will be open for five afternoons a week; each opening calls for two guides. The season run to the beginning of September, about 14 weeks. He spoke of a mean requirement of seven attendances, about one a fortnight, across the season. In addition, there will be the Saturdays. By the time I left, I had determined to be a guide for this coming season and perhaps for the 2012 season. Following two seasons, I would re-consider.
3.1 To the RBL for fish-and-chips. I sat next to Dorothy Hartswell. We talked about Martin Green, about the museum, the community play, and the planned extension. That is, there is a plan, but as yet, no money.
3.2 To Argos to the young man and his pregnant partner. 10/02 I waited whilst they used the catalogue to buy bits and pieces for their flat. I paid the bill; we loaded the car, and I drove them to the flat. Routine business for your friendly, neighbourhood SSAFA caseworker.
3.3 Back to the client in Sackville College. Much of the IKEA furniture has been assembled, so I was able to sit on the sofa whilst he sat in a round-backed, padded chair. Previously, we had sat on wooden chairs at a small table. We spoke of the uses to which a charitable grant can be put.
3.4 Home, a sandwich, and Liam may collect me in time for bridge in Forest Row. 10/02 Liam enjoyed the session: five tables, five boards a table, conversation but no noise. All amiable. Liam is disenchanted with the Maypole club. If he had a Forest Row partner then he would be ready to switch from the Maypole to Forest Row. A meandering, low-level monologue on the way back. The absence of 'Now, what do you think? Thus said, a companionable session. We will not attend the Maypole session this evening.
4 Once again I was into the pool by 0640. There I remained until I had swimmed 40 lengths. Ten minutes with the Daily Mail. Home, breakfast, and on with business.
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