General Chat

goodness I doubled clicked there :-)

Tighten your seat belt Petunia you could be in for a bumpy ride when you visit our beautiful county ;-)

Clickety click Teresa :-D :-D :-D

Hello Susan. x

Good evening dear Ladies,

I fear our dear Teresa has been eating radishes!

It was indeed Eric that narrated Magic Roundabout. His younger daughter opened a shop near us. Twas a little card/paper/fancy goods/kitchen equipment shop. I thought it very nice, but it only lasted a short time. Such a shame.

I know of a gentleman acquaintance who regularly watched Tiswas with his two young children on a Saturday morning. Just to see Sally James, wearing navy hat bands as garters! Tutty tut.

However onto higher things. Good evening Lesley, are you inviting me to your county dear, I could take the train!

Now let me tell you the tale of the old iron pot concering Beatrice. Alas she is not a Bea, if you saw her face you could tell that. That woman could stop a clock!

As I said, we visited a vineyard yesterday. It was very pleasant to wander inbetween the vines on a warm summer afternoon. Of course we wore our straw hats, we have to protect our peaches and cream complexions.

It may be that she is an organist dears, but she has very nimble fingers, and pulled more than a few grapes off the vines as we pass. As you can imagine dears, some of the grapes were starting to ferment, and they become potent.

The warm sun may have had something to do with it, but she began swaying along through the vines, still picking, still fermenting!

By the time we reached the Chateau she was fairly weaving her way along.

We reached the house, and we were been given a Tasting Session. They were Pinot Grigio grapes, and there was an array of green bottles on the table. Suddenly from the back we were treated to Ten Green Bottles being sung slightly off key, and very, very loudly. I must admit that I had never heard Beatrice singing quite so gustily. When she had reached No Green Bottles she turned her attentions to singing about Inverness! I fail to see how the French countryside could compare to Scotland, but nevertheless she felt compared to sing her heart out. Something about Four and Twenty Versions from Inverness? She was slurring so much, it was not plain.

George, being the gentleman he was gently slipped his arm under hers, and bundled her out, and let her flop onto the back seat. Two hours later, we joined her and found her snoring loudly and dribbling onto the leather seat.

As you know dears, I am teetotal, but Georgianna and Octavia much enjoyed the Tasting Session, with a little Brie, I comforted myself with a cracker or two, some Cheddar and Elderflower Cordial.

Dinner was waiting for us when we got back to the Boulangerie, and dear little Valentine run up to the car as we slew to a stop. What a bonny little fellow he is.

Strangely enough, Beatrice did not want anything to eat, and excused herself and went to bed. Such bad manners. We may not like rabbit stew, but if we refused their hospitality, it would be bad form.

So that my dears, was yesterday........................................we have had a quiet day today, Beatrice was not too well!!!!

Exasperated with it all
Auntie Petunia

Good morning Ladies and silent watchers!

A silent day yesterday, Beatrice did not surface until noon, and then complained of a headache. We left her to it.

Us jolly trio of gels went shopping in the next village. There are lots of lovely little local shops there. Individual to each other. We have bought lots of nick-nacks to bring home with us.

George dropped us off and left us to our own devices, so we pottered, sipped cooling drinks, and ate plenty of croissants.

Suitably refreshed, we wended our weary way home, along the dusty paths.

As if by magic, a horse and cart came trundling behind us, packed with loose hay, and offered us a lift home. My French is a little rusty, but we did manage to communicate to the farmer.

After giving us a bunk-up onto the back of the cart, we sat among the hay, fanning ourselves, and singing merrily. How many times can we sing about a pen of our aunt?

Jolly times girls, jolly times, so calm, so innocent, so covered in mosquito bites!

Scratching furiously
Auntie Petunia

Blimey O Riley Auntie ;-) How people let the demon drink control them like that, well tutty tut.

I do remember Papas liking Tiswas as well. It was a mystery to me but is now solved :-D

Garlic Auntie dear, and a certain brand of body lotion from the lady what brings cosmetics to the doorstep. That will stop the mossies

Orff to feed the hoards

Teresa

Mosquito or flea bites Aunty??.. what lurks in hay ?. So glad you are having a jolly old time of it. It all sounds lovely and relaxing, shopping is one of my favourite pastimes - especially in places new..

~~~~ to Teresa and Lesley, hope things are well with you both and yours?..

Tis Friday again here, hooray. Last day of toil. End of the month again so a tad busy at work.

We are puppy sitting tonight :-D. She is sleeping over... OH will take her for their usual Saturday morning constitutional... it does them both a power of good.
Ladies, I have three times this week, dragged my sorry youknowwhat from the bed and taken myself for a constitutional :-). Two mornings in a row there was quite a heavy frost, things were a bit slippery in places. I managed to stay upright, always a bonus while walking, I feel.

My youngest sibling turns 49 today, for three weeks, he and next eldest are the same age ;-)....

Fruit had organised a family meal here on Sunday. It is national roast day. Fruit is cooking a roast for dinner... by dinner I mean evening meal. Dinner is always eaten in the evening - otherwise it would be luncheon :-\..

Toodle pip, have a lovely weekend.

Susan

National roast day :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-)

Im on my way over Susan :-D


Teresa

Good morning Ladies,

The boat-train arrived at Victoria this morning at 7am. Pat-trish-aaaaah picked us up in the tuk-tuk and trailer, and we descended upon Motie Towers just after 8am.

We are now suitably bathed and refreshed and off to church.

I shall report on our last day in France, and our return journey later, as usual it was not without mishap.

I hope that by our return all our frillies will be fluttering gently on the line, and Mrs Berry has left a delicious meal for us.

Your cyber presents will follow in due course.

Picking up my Bible as I close the door.
Auntie Petunia

YOOHOO Ladies,

Excuse me for shouting but you all seem to have disappeared...

Petunia, I trust your frillies are suitably washed, dried and put away nicely... Err, not being greedy but I haven't seen any cyber present as yet??... I do so like to receive a present, especially from overseas ;-).

Jolly hockey sticks, your boys won the Ashes :-D.. Hip hooray !!. Fancy it raining in Manchester :-(. ** titters quietly to myself **.

Today we have had an almost spring like day, marvellous stuff. I could almost be tempted into the garden.. Perhaps tomorrow :-S.

I have been out to afternoon tea with a dear friend. Most enjoyable , as was the slice I ate that I shouldn't have :-D. Oh dear, how sad, too bad, never mind, it was delicious :-). Nearly time to think about cooking dinner.. Curried chicken tonight, Mama's simple recipe.

~~~~~~~ to you all,

toodle pip

Good evening Ladies, I am sorry for my disappearance, but SO many things needed to be put in order.

Firstly at Church, the flowers were wrong, the cassocks had not been washed, the kneelers needed a good brush, and the altar cloth could have done with a renovation, such was the amount of wine stains on it! Tutty tut.

You see I go away, and everything goes to wrack and ruin. They were all surprised to see Beatrice and I, and their good wishes were such that they wished we had had such a lovely time, that we could have stayed longer! Naturally, I know the nature of these things, and one must not outstay ones welcome when on holidays, and of course the usual everyday things must not be neglected!

When service was over, I wrote out a rota of things that needed to be done, and distributed it amongst the WI Ladies, delegate dears, that is the key!!!!

My frillies have been put away for the summer dear Susan, one only wears them in warmer climes, the old cotton dependables have come back to the fore.

Yes our good proud boys have won the Ashes again. Such a tiny urn! I don't know what the fuss is about.

NOW..........................................pressy time. Are you sitting comfortably with your cyber hatches open? Good! I have bought you all the same, as we are all equal in our little brood.

Stand by for a bottle of extra virgin olive oil. A bottle of delicious home made wine. Some delightful cheese. A small bottle of perfume made by the nuns of the Weeping Willow Tree by the Estuary convent. A handmade tapestry for your walls, and a pair of handknitted fine merino wool bedsocks for the cooler nights. Don't worry about the bottle breaking dears, they are in a small hamper, lined with clean straw.

Don't bother to thank me dears, it is the least I could do for you all.

Supervising Pat-trish-aaaaah loading the hampers into the cyber hatch.

Pip Pip
Auntie Petunia

Well Petunia, you have outdone yourself with our gifts. I am over the moon... or under it, depending from where you are looking :-D.

Extra virgin olive oil - :-(, Petunia, I have children :-D :-D :-D.

Home made wine, now that is THE ticket... It is chilling as we speak.. Red you say?. Ooops, I shall remove it from the fridge tout suite..

Merino bed socks?. Why, thank you, I think :-D. We have three million woolly blighters here, possibly even more. Not all bear Merino though.

Ah, eau de Estuary, I am not quite sure how to thank you :-S.

A tapestry, how lovely. Do you think it is like the one Carol King sang of??.

French cheese, delicious :-).. I shall purchase a baguette to accompany the cheese and the wine. I shall be as happy as a porker in muck....

Never look a gift horse in the mouth they say... I shall not.. Not that I am calling you a horse dear... Is it true the French eat horse :-S.... I feel sick..

Good Evening All

I will return very soon from my sabbatical:-D

Trusting you are all well and happy<3

Lesley xxx

Hello dears, what a warm day again today.

Lesley dear, have a good time wherever you are orft to. Send us a card.

Susan dear, I am SO pleased that you liked your gifts. Thank you for your photos too dears. Is the dog in question in the Dog House? It has a hangdog expression alright. I think that is all for today with the puns. One can have too much of a good thing.

I presume Teresa is at paid toil, she works too hard that gel!

Now....................has anyone heard from dear Cherry? I sent her an electronic letter about a week ago, but have had no answer. Please let me know if you have heard from her.

All is back to normal now at Motie Towers, the gels have gawn home, Pat-trish-aaaah is still clomping around in her hob-nail boots, and Mrs Berry has taken her brood off to Broadstairs for their jolly holidays.

Take good care girls, and keep well. I think our missives may be a bit fewer over the next few weeks, as we all depart in different directions.

Waving my lace edged hankerchief
Auntie Petunia

Haloooo, I'm passing down a cream tea to you all :-D :-D :-D :-D Tis my gift from our short stay in Devon. No paid toil for me this week ;-) Holidays instead. We alighted Corf Castle, Studland bay and Lulworth cove. These all have a lot of climbing to get to so my back and knees are a bit jippy today but happy times :-D

We have been to these areas before when the Fruits were young and they are the same as they were then, hot and sunny :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D

I have not heard from Cherry, I will send communication soon.

Susan I did laugh at your naughty grand dog :-D :-D :-D I know of a dog who was partial to chewing anything and everything. e cost his owner a shed full of money in vets fees!

~~~~ to Lesley, is that bally road done yet. Its difficult to drive in the dark with no white lines or cats eyes. tutty tut :-S Enjoy your sabbatical :-D

Never fear Aunty, I am back for a while so will be here with a smile and a wave

Teresa :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D

Auntie I have heard from Cherry and sent a communication :-D :-D :-D :-D

I do miss her wisdom and insight into Motie Towers. How are you managing without Mrs Berry. I do hope she enjoys her well earned rest :-D

We are orff to see her Majs gaff next week, we have seen her other houses but not the main event. FTY will not be with us, Grandmamma will stay here with the Fruit for he gets a little restless when looking at places of interest. Twas bad enough at the V&A when I was trying to absorb and read all the artefacts of the great Mr Bowie. The Fruit was chomping at the bit after two hours. Humph, I needed at least another two hours in there but it was not to be. This time we will wander at our leisure and have a gander at all the coronation exhibition as well :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D

Toodl;e pip for now

Teresa :-D

Teresa dear, I now have too heard from dear Cherry. I am pleased to receive her message, I was getting a little worried about her.

How unfortunate you did not let me know earlier, I could have opened the doors of Motie Towers to you. Are you avoiding me dear?

Mrs Berry deserves a rest with her brood, if you can call it a rest, I believe she is still cooking for them on a Campus stove.

As for us here, I might say I am growing a little tired of corned beef sandwiches!!!!!

Bully for me, and bully for you all!

Pip Pip
Auntie Petunia

#Flicks the corner of a hardened corned beef sandwich#

Hello Ladies, I hope you are all well. I am positively weak with hunger, thank you for the cream tea dear Teresa, but I think that it was intercepted before I go to it.

#mention no names, just follow the direction of my eyes towards Pat-trish-aaaaah#

The crumbs were delightful dear, and I did manage to run my finger around the rim of the plate to get the last vestige of cream and jam.

Thank you so much for the lovely photo dear. What a pretty young thing you are. One presumes that is your gentleman walker, and youngest fruit. What a handsome pair they are!

I do hope Lesley has a lovely, lovely jolly holiday. Not quite so warm now, but she may be off to warmer climes.

I dropped a boo--boo with the woollen socks for dear Susan, as I forgot her homeland is over-run with sheep! Never mind, it was the thought that matters.

I hope that all is well with you all, and we WILL make arrangements for our mini-meet very soon.

Toodle
Auntie Petunia

Good Evening Ladies

Thank you for your kindness Auntie Petunia your gift was gratefully received, socks and all:-)

Oh I am sorry if I gave the impression that I was going on a jolly holiday .............. I should be so lucky..................... the last time I had a summer break was when our last fruit left school:-( after that the fruits lost interest in holidaying with mama:-( and unfortunately or fortunately MOG line of work means he can't take time off from July to October:-( :-D

Can you believe how time flies, last week I had the pleasure of attending the 1st birthday of the Princess of Essex:-D

Sorry Teresa I can't tell you if the road is fit for vehicles:-( I have been heading the opposite way towards the station so as to avoided it:-D

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ to Susan<3

Open the cyber hatch Auntie I'm sending you a freshly baked food parcel.x

#wipes mouth with back of hand, and burps loudly#

Excuse me! I do beg you pardon. I don't usually act like a navvy, but I am SO hungry that I cannot begin to tell you.

Thank you dear Lesley, for the lovely food parcel. I cannot say what I ate, because it barely touched the sides.

I am sorry, forgive my bad manners, twas the hunger................welcome back Lesley!

I have just received the post and inside was a box of Th@rntons premium collection, I must say they were lovely!

I shall get the 'bloats' later on, but needs must when the devil rides!

Trying to suppress windy-pops
Auntie Petunia

Ah hallo Auntie, I was not sure if you had got the photo. I have a new device!its the power of the I phone so I can now do email etc etc from it. The power of the blueberry was very poor, 'twas an old one and due for the antiques road show. I will ends or to send the photo to Susan and Lesley although I'm not sure if I have Lesley's email. I'm sending down some titbits in a secure box for you to nibble on. Don't forget the password will you? Unless the phantom muncher is also a code breaker all should be well ;) we were at a wedding my dear when the photo I sent was taken, it was on Saturday, a senior service military wedding dear to a lovely gal who is in a similar but not same branch of paid toil as I. The Mama is a dear friend who I have know for many decades :) It was a wonderful day, We danced all night but do you know Auntie, I developed a bit of a sore head the next day ????? Must have been the fizzy orange juice and the grape juice ;-) ;-)

Lesley the road is done :-) :-D :-). Belated birthday greatings to The Princess of Essex. :-D how time flys. It's FTYs birthday today. He has requested Toby Cavery for tea. The Fruit has a fellow Fruit staying and will be off later to mooch about and as always be off to play the devils football in the kick about place. Goodness knows where the years fly to

To olde pip for now

~~~~~to Susan :-D