MRS B

I think this is a common trend this year, my son who is 39 paid £400 + last year and his renewal quoted over 1K this year. Even with shopping around he couldn’t get it below £700. Not good.

I agree totally about Monty Don, not exactly charismatic although I enjoyed his series of gardens in Italy. Think that was more the affection for Italy that I have though! Barnsdale is definitely worth a visit and Geoff’s son Is a lovely guy. It is nice that he has carried on the legacy. The cafe is good too. Didn’t get my onion sets planted in modules today. Tomorrow is another day as they say.

Please remember we are only at the start of February peeps and the weather will undoubtedly change to being cold again shortly. Broad beans are pretty hardy and I am going to put my onion sets into modules tomorrow to start them off and then they’ll be in the greenhouse till they start sprouting and rooting ready to plant in my polytunnel. Jobs to do for now will be preparing the ground and adding compost or fertilisers if you can actually get onto the soil, it’s so wet!

This is a Cessna bird dog that my friend and her partner lovingly completely renovated a couple of years ago. It was a lot of work but definitely worth it. Pictured at Bidford Gliding Club where we always have an annual reunion with fun things like target flour bombing.

Phil, you made me laugh when you said that the insurance company paid up over the odds. Never mind the fact that you nearly killed yourself! In the face of adversity there’s always a bonus. We had an a/c go off the runway at Dinard once, apparently it was at the time one of the longest runways in France.

It wasn’t me that wrote your roster either Phil.

Widnes station is supposed to have been where Paul Simon wrote Homeward Bound. Love that song, on my playlist along with lots of others of his and Art’s.

We did, only one left. EBay have some though.

I’ve ordered it Phil from Amazon thanks.

Sorry, there should be a “dot” between co and uk on that link Phil. Oops

Phil, if you go on tollertonvillagehistory.couk there is a section on the airfield which would no doubt be of interest!

Phil, didn’t one of the scholars of St. Hughes college throw himself off a turret back in the day ? I can remember walking past it with Mum down to the farm past St. Peters church to feed the pigs and going on a guide camp in the grounds of Tollerton Hall. I was in the choir at the church and can remember doing maypole dancing at the church fete behind the old rectory. Tollerton will always be home to me, funny how you think about the places that mean so much to you in later life eh.

It were all fields when I lived there. Grrrrrr

Phil, this may be of interest to you being a past user of Tollerton aerodrome. The development looks huge and will more or less link up Tollerton with WB. Residents’ upset over plans for thousands of new homes between Gamston and Tollerton There are concerns the development would 'swamp' the area Read in Nottinghamshire Live: https://apple.news/APyWNhkUARSeECsauEkuepw

As far as I’m aware BM never operated with either Zeppelins or broom sticks so you are both wrong with your boyhood humour.

You’re hilarious Barrie. Alpha I worked in Ground Ops in crew scheduling for British Midland.

I started A level English and dropped it for the “Use of English” course. The A level content was Shakespeare (which I actually enjoyed) and Chaucer. The use of English was far more interesting language wise and I believe used to be a requirement for entry to Oxford and Cambridge. Not that I got to that point, I entered the world of aviation instead and that became my love for 30+ years.

My brother used to pick up nub ends of discarded cigs and extract the baccy to use in roll ups. Disgusting!

A Barnsley Chop is a lamb chop taken from right across the loin which becomes a double sided chop. It is sometimes referred to as a saddle chop as it is cut across the saddle producing a double loin chop with a little under fillet all in one.

Yummy Beekay

Hash browns are usually on an English breakfast but you are correct, they are a US import and usually quite greasy or overcooked here. Not anything like as good as “home fries” in the States, particularly in the south.

My son also grew a beard in lockdown but I have to admit it does suit him! Back to the dress code, why are some blokes still wearing shorts this weather? Can understand the posties wearing them cos there’s a bit of a competition going on there. I’m all muffled up this weather if I’m out, bobble hat, scarf and duvet coat. Maybe it’s cos I’m getting old or just cos I like to be warm.

I see that Keir Starmer was in Loughborough today visiting flood areas with the Charnwood Borough Council Chair. I went to Pilates this morning and the flood damage en route through Hathern and Long Whatton shows the damage. Numerous houses flooded. I guess the whole country is similar. Thank goodness we live quite high up.

Barrie, why did you fall out of bed in the first place ?