General Chat

Hello Ladies and Peeps,

Here we are, January 4th already.... Christmas Day seems an age ago. I survived the day and managed to feed the hoards. We had a fine day so I am thankful for that.
New Years Eve was spent with my parents and their neighbours, sitting out in the garden having a few wines. Most pleasant. We didn't wait to see the new year in...

I am off to a hens party tomorrow, my fruit is one of the bridesmaids. Then we go to the wedding on the 12th. :-) I have known this hen since she and fruit became friends, aged 5 !!

Lesley, your mention of hospital visiting, I hope you are ok. I trust your fruit was none the worse for wear on New Years Day??. My male fruit was sober driver for a mate, daughter is not a drinker, she will have the very odd tipple. She leaves the imbibing to her ma and pa :-D...
Hope E loved her teddy :-). I had to chuckle about the box, my parents neighbour was telling us he had been given a boxed bottle of Johnnie Walker Blue. His son joked he would save the box and put his Dads ashes into it :-D ;-). It is satin lined, I think?

Teresa, I trust you found pants long enough for FTY... I wonder how much taller he will get. I remember my brother 'shooting' up. He is 6' 4" now... The height gene passed me by :-P.
Glad to hear of FTE's travels. I think you said she comes to NZ as part of this big cruise? Hopefully, Summer proper will have arrived by the time she berths here.

My mama and papa are off on a little cruise around the Pacific next month. I cannot convince my OH to take a cruise. He, and I, like to holiday away from the masses. Though I am curious about cruising..

CC, I meant to say thanks for the cyber sprouts. We do get them here, only in Winter....

Petunia, looking at an old boys 'hornpipe'..... ewwww ;-). Have you got the Church ladies under control now??. I can well imagine there are a few 'ladies' who think they are more important than the rest of the group. I think it is the same in any organisation ;-).

Tis Friday again, hooray. Though next week we will be back to working a whole week.... I have quite enjoyed these short weeks.
I am on the countdown now to Fruits wedding :-D. Must make a list of all the things we need to get done. 1) get groom to organise a new passport, honeymoon for one not acceptable :-D.

Toodle pip, keep warm and well,

Susan

Buenas noches señoras.

Happy New Year I hope you all survived the festive season without eating or drinking to much :-D

Theresa today I had to attend breast screening at your place of paid toil my goodness what changes have occurred since I was there five months ago :-0 twice I got lost in a maize of tunnels/walkways :-S

CC all I bought baby E for Christmas was the teddy, I've saved the box it came in for next Christmas when I think she will be old enough to appreciate it :-D........................... has Joe Brown got a daughter who is/was a celebrity :-S

Auntie Petunia the only person that came first footing/tripping through our door was our youngest fruit.....................she certainly didn't survive the festive season without to much to drink :-|

Hello Susan I hope you are well. x

Afternoon Ladies :-D

Well the new year is well and truly here. I have been buying FTY new school uniform. His school trousers look like they have divorced his ankles and married his knees :-D

FTE starts her big adventure round the world in a week or so's time. What fun she will have. A potted noodle Auntie dear is a snack thing which is a bit like cardboard until reconstituted with hot water. A staple snack for students and Fruits who live away from home. You should try one for research purposes only of course ;-)

Joe Brown, I do think I may recall him on the black and white television Cherry dear when I was but a very very small fruit :-D

We have booked for some entertainments in the next few months. A gentleman called Tony Stockwell is going to be in our local theatre so a posse of us are orff to see him :-D We are taking FTY to see dear Mr Suggs and his one man show. We are great fans of the great man and are very very very excited. FTY is a little less excited but I'm sure he will enjoy the show :-D

Some friends and OH and I are off to see.........................................






Simple Minds :-D :-D :-D :-D


The real deal with Jim Kerr and co. oh joy I never got to see them in the 1980s but will be able to now :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D


Orff now dig out new gold dream


Teresa

Younger than Springtime am I
Gayer than laughter am I
Lala la la la la la la

Well what a jolly time we had today.. we sung, we laughed, we even danced. Trust me to get some jolly jack tar who wanted me to see his hornpipe! It was very good too, very intricate, and nimble? Crickey who would have thought he was in his eighties.

Beatrice was a revelation. She can sing and vamp at the same time. And I thought that meant something entirely different. Apparently she copied the style of Mrs Mills, and vamped with her left hand, and played the tune with her right. Just goes to show what you see when you haven't got your gun!!!!

I say Cherry dear, that was a bit racey what that Mr Brown said. I have seen him on interviews and he is a cheeky chappy. He often recalls when he worked from the Railways, and fried an egg on a shovel. That bloke must have eaten half a battery farm the amount of times he has told that story.

I remember him in a film with Marty Wilde. They were Teddy Boys, wearing drape suits and crepe sole shoes. I believe they were called Brothel Creepers. How coarse!!!

I shall now drift upstairs dears, singing merrily as I go. I have not had such a good time in a long time!

Some enchanted evening
You may meet a stranger
You may meet a stranger, da da da da da dum!!!

Auntie Petunia

oh Petunia dear, if you have worked out who the Phantom RR'r is, please do whisper the name in my ear. I am way behind with such updates, because I have been so busy borrowing your computer and credit card to avail myself of some new HeE Bay purchases that I have barely looked up, except to look down at a plateful of food.
:-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D

I must say that Mrs Berry's idea of spreading a little Greek yogurt on a digestive biscuit and eating it like a kind of lazy cheesecake, is a most note worthy concept. It goes down well with a cup of tea :-)

No of course it couldnt have been you traipsing down the area steps dear. You returned from Spain as pure as a certain Madonna song, as well ;-)

A few years ago I went to a Joe Brown concert and because of a mix up with the tickets, instead of the posh comfortable seat with lots of leg room at the back of the auditorium wot I thought I'd bought, I ended up sitting in the stalls instead much to my annoyance because the seats were harder. Well, Mr Brown did a little patter inbetween the songs and at one point he referred to Teddy Boys, saying there was a bit of Teddy Boy in everyone during the 1950s. Then he pointed at me and he said "... and there was a bit of Teddy Boy in you as well, at one time, Madam". We wont discuss what bit, but everyone laughed and how I blushed. ;-)

I do hope the singsong at the Home went well, and that everyone returned to their respective rooms with their kit bags well packed for Tipperary!

CC

Good morning dears, and the other two silent peepers who have joined us overnight!

Please come forward and leave your calling cards dears. We don't bite, well, not very hard.

Am I the only one up and about this morning. These few days inbetween Christmas and New Year, seem to allow people to sleep in..............tutty tut.

Off to the Old Soldiers and Sailors Home today dears. Pat-trish-aaaah is waxing down the tuk tuk to get us off bright and early. I hope to organise a sing song this afternoon, and so have asked Beatrice to accompany me, as he touch is as light as a feather over the old keyboard. She is of the age to know all the songs too, and she has a marvellous contralto voice, so the men should feel at home with her, singing the ditties of years ago.

Well must away dears, time waits for no man, or woman. Titters.

Toodle
Auntie Petunia

Good evening Ladies and silent onlookers [another one has 'tuned in']

May I wish you all the happiest of new years, and many more of them!!! I think I have already said that but the pickled onions are repeating, again...........and again.........and again.

Cherry dear, I am booking you into SpecsMarket at the earliest convenience dear, that person you saw ascending from the area steps was definitely NOT me. There is only one door, and one set of steps I use, and that is the Front Door and the Front Steps. The area steps are for the servants dear, not the Lady of the House. Tutty tut.

I think the photograph I have posted is rather lovely dear. It was taken when I had my, erm, sourjourn to Spain, just after I heard that dear Patrick was Missing in Action. As you know I threw myself whole heartedly into the Spanish culture. I learned the language, the customs and was quite pleased when someone asked if I had a little Spanish in me, because I could only answer....................yes!!!!

I was a whizz at the spanish dancing, very intricate you know, none of this dancing around the handbags malarky!!! My mantilla was also remarked upon, on several occasions.

I am pleased you have had word from your fruit dear Teresa. How wonderful it is by the magic of the Tinternet that we can speak with anyone, anywhere in the world. What exactly is a Potted Noodle dear? Is it some kind of exotic herb? Like the one that is shown on t-shirts at Camden Lock dear?

Lesley dear, I hope you had a lovely time at midnight dear. Did anyone come first footing?

Dear Upsidedown Susan, you managed New Year before us dear. I saw the fireworks on the television from the Southern Hemisphere. Not exactly your neck of the woods, but as the crow flies.

We had a spiffing display at the Thames. And I have to say I had a hand in it. There is nothing I like better than getting my hands on a Roman Candle. Such pretty colours. I was not over enamoured with the choice of music, I rather fancied Pomp and Circumstance myself, but they were having none of it. A little man sat in a tent by the side of the River and masterminded the pyrotechnics. Clever chap.

We have had a New Year service at the Church this morning. Not my cup of tea I must say. This new Womens Institute Ponsonby woman is gaining power by leaps and bounds. I will not have it in my church, erm, The Church. She thinks we should have a Power Meeting once a month. Good grief we do have to talk about the electricity bill on a regular basis? I think not. She has lot of 'ideas' that she would like to put into action over the coming months. She does not see the purpose of the Flower Rota weekly, but the one person should do it monthly. I shall speak to her privately for want of saving someone's face, but that dear little mousy Miss Rowbottom can barely spare the price of flowers for one week in 12, never mind four consecutive weeks. I am all for change dears, but simply because her husband tickles the ivories on the organ, I do not think she should rule the roost!!! There is only one true leader, and I think you all know who that is!!! Smooths down skirt of a very attractive suit.

I think we have found the Phantom RR'er of the Threads. I also think we have all had a good titter [behind the confines of a lace edged hankerchief of course]

So then, I shall begin in earnest tomorrow to get back into my usual round of good deeds and visits. The Old Soldier and Sailors Home seems to be flourishing, but nevertheless, if dear Lavinia left it in my charge, I do have to make the regular visits to see all is tickety boo.

Good night dears, remember what dear Scarlett always said

Tomorrow is another day! [ did she have an O level in Stating the Obvious?]

Pip Pip
Auntie Petunia

Petunia dear, please change out of that silly dress, no one wears that style these days. Yes dear I know you looked good in it when you were a gel but really with your height and figure you should stick to wearing what suits you especially at your age.

Yes dear I know we cant judge books by the cover and its what is in the heart that matters.

Oh all right dear, if you want to go around looking like that, please feel free. But as your friend, I felt obliged to mention it, as I would hate for you to find anyone laughing at you behind your back.

Do bear in mind how easily accidents happen dear. You could trip on the hem. Or, while you walk down the street, a gentleman could trip over your hem and land in the road to be run over by a dray horse. It happened to a gentleman in the early 19thC, and at the inquest the coroner commented it was a tragic accident but ladies would wear these fashionable full skirts with crinoline hoops.

Now - has anyone owned up yet? No dont point the finger at me. I dont have an itchy RR finger, just a lot of private opinions. :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D

blywddyn newyth dda. .... I think I have spelt it right, but pronunciation is another matter.

CC

A Happy Healthy and Content New Year to one and all <3 <3 <3

Dear Ladies,

May I wish you all A HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR any may all your dreams come true.....................

Back to reality tomorrow!!!

Auntie Petunia

A HAPPY NEW YEAR to everyone who reads this message, and may 2013 be a happy, healthy (or healthier) and prosperous year for one and all.

CC

Send some soup down the cyber hatch please Cherry dear, I will take it to paid toil tomorrow :-D

Gosh Auntie, you do look a little different in your photograph. In my day we went dancing in a different attire but it was the 1980s and 1990s :-D :-D :-D :-D

Poor Mr Bush, he must have been a little arthritic in his hands :-S :-S :-S

Enjoy your celebrations Susan, you of course will be celebrating a little earlier, Aunty dear I will be unable to visit the Towers this evening for I am on an early shift at paid toil tomorrow so will tucked up long before the midnight hour. It does save awaking with a muzzy head on the first of the month and allows the bright young things at toil time to go out and celebrate :-)

Lesley the coast is clear along the hills and dales to paid toil, the road is much dryer thanks to you siphoning the water into the fields for me :-D :-D :-D

Sending warm good new wishes to you all and DET who visits in spirit from time to time :-D

Orfff now to get a supply of pot noodles to send to FTE :-S :-S :-S :-S poor thing must be missing home comforts on the seven seas :-D


Teresa

*sends a pointed glance at dear Susan*
you have taken the trouble to drop in dear, so I insist you have a portion of soup dear. There is freshly baked bread to go with it, dont worry about the mud stains on the crust, that is only where the next door's dog dragged the loaf into the garden.

It's still 30th December here. For a few more hours. I really will be another year older next month - 21 again, for the umpteenth time.

Yes Britain does have some lovely churches, many built by the Normans and still standing. The architecture is quite remarkable, in all of the churches and cathedrals.

Enjoy your hours on the beach and catch a good tan for me :-)
CC

CC, would you mind if I pass on the 'soup'...... Thankyou !!

Golly gosh, tis the 31st already. Well I never. I hope 2013 has all good things in store for us all. Another year older, hopefully wiser too, though I won't count me chickens just yet :-D.

Petunia, I hope the service you attended was to your liking?. I must confess to not being a 'goer' :-(. I do try to be good and do no ill to my fellow man , or woman, come to that. Though I must say, whilst OH and I were visiting your shores, we were both much enamoured with the beautiful churches we saw.
Here we have quite a few old ( ??, by a young countries standard) wooden churches. They are rather lovely, most often quite small, though not always.

I am back to work today for a bit before we rush off to the beach for a couple of days.

To all, I wish you a very Happy New Year, have fun and be good :-).

Susan

*looks out of scullery window*

oh my goodness, is that Petunia I see disappearing up the area steps? What on earth is she wearing - that style went out of style before God was a lad. She has clearly been up in the loft again, disturbing the dust and rummaging through the old trunks.
*tutty tut* Fancy going to church dressed like that.

Ah well, back to the cauldron, and I shall take Pat rish aaaah a pot of tea shortly, with the hope she doesnt throw one of her boots at me.

Good morning Ladies, there is a strange smell coming from the scullery, it smells of boiling bones. Surely we do not have Hannibal camping out downstairs?

As you know Cherry dear, I do not sully my hands with the preparation of vegetables. That is for others to do. I only use my hands for the necessities of life, and then cream then, and ensconce them in while cotton gloves at night. That is why I have the hands of a young gel, while the rest of me heads south!!!!

I heard the door slam in the early hours dears, so I assume Pat-trish-aaaaah is back. She gallumped up the stairs, and threw her suitcase across the room, and took off her boots and let them drop onto the floor. Either that, or she has managed to sneak an elephant into her room. All is quiet now, except for the sound of snoring. No doubt she will emerge later in the day.......................

As it is the year end, I decided to have a sort out. I took the best china and a little burner for the portable kettle, and locked myself into my room. I must have tea to hand whilst I am sorting and disposing.

I found, well actually it wasn't lost, a large box of photographs, what a joy to sort through them all. Joy tinged with sadness too, as I sorted the photographs of dear Mama and Papa when we lived in India. I did not realise what a grand house we lived in................quite a mansion. My dear Nanny too, what a pretty lady she was.....so feminine. I still dont know why she left in such a hurry.....................

Then my photos of my youth. A few photographs of dear Patrick, even though he was a wrong un I cannot throw them away. He was so handsome in his uniform. No wonder he was the cream of society, with all the debs throwing themselves at him.

As you know I spent a few years in Spain after Patrick went missing, and I have posted it as my new avatar. Do you like it dears? Does it show me in a new light? I was once young and pretty dears. Not the distinguished person you see standing in front of you now.

We are going to a later Service today dears, the 11am. Mrs Ponsonby a new addition to the Womens Institute will be doing the flowers today. She is relatively young in comparison to the rest of us. Her husband is the new Verger, so she should have some experience in flower arranging, as they have moved here from Oxford. He is also the organist, since poor old Mr Bush retired. He could no longer move around his organ with ease, and pulling of the stops had become a chore for him.

Apparently we are to be treated to the Entrance of the Queen of Sheba as we take our seats this morning. I shall report back..................new arrivals are so tiresome, talking about new brooms, and updating...............Tutty tut.

Hmmmmmm, still smells of a nasty nature coming from the scullery, I shall make my excuses and leave...............hopefully by the time I return someone would have opened the windows.

Toodle
Auntie Petunia

*clattering pots and pans in the kitchen*
The turkey carcass soup will be ready in two days time Petunia dear, I'm boiling lots of water, with pearl barley, onions, carrots, and potatoes; and stirring in cornflour for the thickening, and a drop of apple juice for flavour, and as soon as everything is pulped down nicely I will add more water, and herbs and spices, until it looks like something resembling Campbells Condensed.

You will have to hold off the launching of the Ark for a few days, dear, because I cant leave the pans on the hob unattended.

Dont worry I will clean the kitchen up, as I go, we wouldnt want Mrs Berry to walk in on this mess would we. That is best white flour on the floor, by the way; I didnt tread snow in. Dont take any notice of the blackened wooden spoons, they should scrub up all right with some bleach and elbow grease, Pat rish aaaah can sort that out when she returns from the North Pole. Speaking of which - she is overdue now isnt she? Just when does that gel get home?

Oh - you look quite horrified, dear. What do you mean - I should have peeled the potatoes first ??

Dear Ladies,

I am soooo pleased that you have been with, and had contact with your Fruits. The whole meaning of Christmas is Family. Be they near or far, they are always in our thoughts. And that is the way it should be.

Teresa dear, why did you not pop in for Afternoon Tea? Tutty tut, dear. A mere bus ride away from Arrods, and you would have been walking up the drive, past the half-buried car, and you would have been generously entertained with Mrs Berry's finest. Never mind dear, next time!!!!

Cherry dear, you have done me proud with disposing of the tit-bits of food that were left. How ingenious of you to eat them, I would never have thought of that!!!!

Lesley, I hope Little One enjoyed her Christmas. Christmas is for children whatever their age.

What a good thing we all enjoy different humour too. Or else, we would all be watching the same boring programmes all the time. I do love M and W. too. I cannot take to that shock humour from that Scottish person though. I think he tries to hard to be clever. I use the word humour in its widest sense.

Upsidedown Susan, I hope you are well, we too have heard of shock waves in your neck of the woods. There is something strange happening in that corner of the world. Tsunami's, earthquakes, tremors etc. I do hope it calms down very soon.

In the meantime here, it has been raining again. The Ark has moved a few inches toward the drive, so if we get a rush of water...............we will be orft.

Have a safe and dry evening ladies.

Pip Pip
Auntie Petunia

~~~~~~~ to Lesley, thank you for the thermals and draught excluder dear, but they are not controlling the wind ....... perhaps a bottle of best brandy could be spared, next time ??? :-) ;-)

I hope Baby had lots of fun rockin' around the Christmas tree. Of course, you do realise that all the expensive gifts she was given will be discarded - and she will only want to play with the cardboard boxes. You must see changes in her every day now.

Teresa, so there you are. I am so pleased your Place Of Toil let you out for a little while. I'm pleased to hear that your FTE had a good time on board ship during the Festivities. So a Merry Time was had by all? Well, they are young, good luck to 'em, I say. As long as they stay safe :-)

Fear not, Mr Paul Bearer has not arrived yet, and I have no time for Miss Ribble. I want to have some fun first, before I let Miss Ribble thru the door.

*tuts* another one who has acquired the complete works of Mr Shakespeare. As long as it is not much ado about nothing. Did you realise, that we speak of Shakespearean times, and Dickensian times, and these are the only two authors I am aware of whose names have been entrenched into our collective consciousness as a Descriptive Noun.
I mean, we never speak of Bronte times, or Austen times, or Hardy times ..... only "hard times"