Amazon exiles discussion
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revival of pedant's corner alert!
as a pacemaker is employed in athletics to mark the speed/pace of middle/long distance runners, it is more likely that les will be taped up to an athlete of lesser renown that mr bolt! sorry les, but that's the way it is. but on the plus side, he'd be good for 10,000 metres or more! nudge nudge, wink wink!

revival of pedant's corner alert!
as a pacemaker is employed in athletics to mark the speed/pace of middle/long distance runners, it is more likely that les will be taped up to an athl..."
Roger Black would be my choice. Mmmm...
Unfortunately he's a sprinter.



"is that kung fu?"
"aye pal, e's ferr steamin'!"
Pushing my luck:
Normally, when Mrs Grizzly and I go out together, it is me who drives. When we arrive at wherever we are going and park up in a car park, I always ask if she has enough room to get out of the car.
"I'm fine - how much room do you think I need?", is the usual reply.
Well, the other day I managed to find an end space in a car park, so there was nothing on her side of the car. I put on the handbrake, switched off the engine and, with a grin, turned to Mrs Grizzly and was met with a withering look as she uttered the words "Don't...you..dare..." :)
Normally, when Mrs Grizzly and I go out together, it is me who drives. When we arrive at wherever we are going and park up in a car park, I always ask if she has enough room to get out of the car.
"I'm fine - how much room do you think I need?", is the usual reply.
Well, the other day I managed to find an end space in a car park, so there was nothing on her side of the car. I put on the handbrake, switched off the engine and, with a grin, turned to Mrs Grizzly and was met with a withering look as she uttered the words "Don't...you..dare..." :)
Nah, there's a couple of good reasons why she didn't throw a left hook;
There's not enough room while sat in the car and she might hurt her hand on my thick skull!
Besides, my little five foot fury is mellowing with age :)
There's not enough room while sat in the car and she might hurt her hand on my thick skull!
Besides, my little five foot fury is mellowing with age :)

Lez, I've been in the hospital with a family member for weeks, sometimes months at a time. Just as it takes time to adjust being there, it also takes time to get used to being home. The first time I got in my car to go grocery shopping after a long stay, I felt like I was driving on another planet. Even my house felt weird, and I lived there for 10 years.
It may take a few days or a few weeks, but being home will soon feel normal again. Best of luck to you!



I will be presiding over my usual poll station on 12th December (being politically neutral, of course.) Not sure what sort of turnout to expect. In that area, the feeling to 'leave' was very high, and I'm sure still is, but this will also be accompanied by one huge feeling of being p'd off and bored with the whole affair and an attitude of 'we told you what we wanted, why hasn't it been done?' I fully expect some opinionated electors visiting us - or maybe they'll register their disgust by staying away. Who knows, eh?

My wishes for a return to health to all who are still not 100%.
Paul.

This thread does feel like it's gone into some kind of hibernation P!

Anybody been watching the His Dark Materials TV serialisation?
I'm quite hooked. Reckon the girl playing Lyra isn't too shabby an actress. She's quite believable.
I'd be interested in opinions on how the TV version compares to the Golden Compass film.
I liked the flamboyant nature of the airship and carriage in the film, myself, but the cgi animals are pretty convincing on TV. I've been trying to follow the credits at the end to see where it is filmed, and think there is an 'Ireland' film crew.

Article about it in Radio Times - it's filmed mostly in Wales and Oxford and studios in Cardiff.
https://www.radiotimes.com/news/tv/20...


Please send her my best wishes, as well, please, Anita.

Many thanks for that, Lez. Read it with interest. I looked at the credits at the end of yesterday's episode, and whereas it mentioned filmed/produced in Wales, it also listed a Montreal and a London film crew.

Father in law's house (empty) has apple tree in back garden. I picked most of the apples from it in September, leaving just a few smaller ones. Some of these had now fallen, about 3 remained on the tree.
Outside back door (nowhere near the apple tree) is a potted Japanese acer. A few weeks ago I noticed an apple (most likely from the apple tree) had been carefully placed on the soil of the acer pot. About a week ago this had doubled to 2 apples!
Don't suspect human involvement as the garden is not accessible except to an agile burglar, and they would have more on their mind than planting 2 apples oin separate occasions.
Complete apples would be too heavy for all bar an eagle, if a bird.
Surely not a cat?
Could it be a vegetarian fox?
I can only think of a squirrel.
Would a squirrel have a penchant for apples?
Would this be a squirrel with an interest in gardening?
Suggestions please?
Would a squirrel have the strength to be carting around apples?
Personally, I reckon it's another member of your family who has access to the house and is having a bit of a laugh at your expense.
Any practical jokers in the family? :)
Personally, I reckon it's another member of your family who has access to the house and is having a bit of a laugh at your expense.
Any practical jokers in the family? :)

Father in law's house (empty) has apple tree in back garden. I picked most of the apples from it in September, leaving just a few smaller ones. Some of these ha..."
Yes, squirrels do eat fruit P. I have an mature apple tree in my garden..and our resident nutkins, often scurries up it in the autumn..for a snack. I've often seen him 'nick' an apple from the tree..then scurry off to his home..whereever that is. So, my guess is, there's a drey somewhere near that Acer tree.
And as for whether a squirrel would be strong enough to carry a large apple in it's mouth....well..you'd be surprised. They'll give it good go! :)
And to prove the point..these images should confirm it!:


(There's loads of images on the net of this!) :)


I'd like to say that I sent Suzy a Christmas card and letter sending best wishes from us all ,I've had a birthday card and Christmas card back from Suzy,she says that hopefully she will be back back on here soon.

I'd like to say that I sent Suzy a Christmas card and letter sending best wishes from us all ,I've had a birthday card and Christmas card back from Suzy,she says t..."
Yes, i did the same, just received a card back from her today..she seems to be good spirits....hopefully we'll see her back soon in the new year.



Where i live Helen..snow would be considered as an omen! I'm lucky if i see one day a year with a light dusting of the stuff here! :)

Very different up here, Duke. We never ever have a winter without some snow. One year we had snow constantly on the ground for four months, didn't see any green until March/April. And obviously gets v cold too, but not so bad just yet this year, only been down to -10°C so far.

Personally, I reckon it's another member of your family who has access to the house and is having a bit of a laugh at your expense.
..."
Practical jokers - yes. However, our 3 offspring have all fled the nest (and squirrels) to other parts of the country, so not them. Wifey unable to open the back door as key is very stiff in lock. No, others have confirmed my suspicions that the trickster is of the furry kind, perhaps leaving the windfalls for its Christmas dinner.
Good to hear news from Suzie.
In case I don't get a chance to look in again over the next few days, I should like to wish all the 2nd generation of 'Snails' a very merry Christmas and happy Hogmanay, and much happy 'snailing' throughout 2020.

It's about the same here at Peterborough - I thought that the Nene was a river, not an ocean! :)

Ah, well, the forecast is for a dry and sunny Christmas Day.
Happy feasting all.

Only really use the Kiddy Ring Road for going to places like Stourport or Bewdley.
Do you know the area well, Gordon?


Anyhoo.....everything is set, here at Chez Duke's, looks like the weather is going to be pleasant tommorow....it's a bit damp outside at the mo.
Wishing you all a joyous chrimbo everybody. :)


Grew up on the southern edge of Birmingham. Now live in Shrewsbury (via London, Basel, London again, Hamburg & Southampton). Drive through Kidderminster most weekends on way to visit aged & ailing parents, trying to avoid J2 of the M5 and the never-ending roadworks.
My brother works in Oldbury. I have an uncle & a cousin in the Black Country.
Books mentioned in this topic
Ten Poems about Snow (other topics)And So This is Christmas: 51 Seasonally Adjusted Poems (other topics)
The Tiger Who Came to Tea (other topics)
The Quangle Wangle's Hat (other topics)
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Christina Rossetti (other topics)John Keats (other topics)
Joan Aiken (other topics)
Well..that would certainly get the thump thump racing wouldn't it! :)