jackson

Aaaaaaaaaah you Darling. The miracle of the imagination conjuring up that super appetizing smell as I pass by . . . on no! I shall have to turn back and climb the narrow, lop-sided, rickety stairs again. X

As I remember there was only one boy in my infant's class who caused mischief and I suppose looking back he only wanted attention - his father was in prison.

Anyone mentioned the fabulous 'Chippy' on Wollaton Street - in town - yet?: Up the rickety stairs to the top where formica topped tables were assembled, long, low wooden benches underneath; and you could treat yourself to a golden, crispy battered fish, a mountain of hot chips and a dollop of peas on a huge plate. Delicious.

Memories, memories of 'bad lads' Compo.

Beautiful photograph of dunnock Beefsteak; pristine detail.

Tragic stories; a suicide's mind so distraught, all sense of reasoning lost.

Then those people who are cooking 'a nice fried egg' aren't taking the trouble!; Connoisseurs of 'a nice fried egg' know that there is an art to this: you don't just throw an egg in a pan and forget about it, you have to make sure the fat is hot and carefully ladle it over the egg until the yolk is sealed. Sealed on the top but a golden, runny yumminess when dabbed into with your bread.

Every once in a while when I can't think what to have for dinner, I'll have a boiled egg sandwich. I'll boil my eggs for 4 minutes, cool them under a running, cold tap then place them on some buttered, fresh, brown, bread, add a dash of salt and pepper, cut in two and I've a tasty egg sandwich. Served with a hot cup of tea and a slice of Genoa cake for after, I consider I've made myself a satisfactory meal.

Thanks for the above poohbear, it really is entrancing. 'Entrancing'; haven't used this word in ages, yet as soon as I set sight on the print above this word came into my mind.

I love poached egg on toast but my favourite of all is a fried egg sandwich, with tommy ketchup. You'd be surprised how many people are partial to a fried egg sandwich. I remember reading how Omar Sharif had tried for the hand of Miss Julie Christie back in the 60's - this was when they were making 'Dr Zhivago'. Apparently Omar lost interest when during a break he caught the beautiful, young thing tucking into a fried egg sandwich; Omar thought it most common of her. A plate of chips and a fried egg sandwich, every once in a while, who cares? You only live once.

Isn't it just wonderful mudgie that record: Louis Armstrong's 'What a Wonderful World'? I remember it being top of the charts for ages - I can see now why.

My son-in-law makes roast potatoes this way and he's a Yorkshire lad.

Hi mudgie, how nice of you: 'missed you yesterday'. I'll have to confess I can't recall there being any music played at the Cinema yesterday, I was that busy chatting to a couple of ladies. First lady about: the tastiness of Walker's 'Worcestershire Flavoured' crisps and the second lady about living with labyrinthitis. A little bit of light entertainment before the intellectual content of Polanski's film (that's my excuse)! Anyway wasn't struck with the film, felt tired and had an early night. x

Pixie, when I was a young I had dreams in my head and heart and I set out to achieve them; now that I'm a pensioner, I'm still the same. Don't think of yourself dying whilst living. Whilst living, let Hope dwell within you to take you on into the future . . . . You are doing the most admirable job in the world in looking after your little girl.

Good idea Pixie.

Pixie, you shouldn't be terrified of passing, what you must do - if I can advise is: 'cease the day', live each day as if it was your last. Then if you reach a grand old age you can look back on your life and be content that you did much with your time on earth.

Pixie, I make my chips in olive oil. Tesco sell potato wedges tossed in parsley; these make tasty chips when cut up.

Kath, can you remember sitting on the pavement's edge back then and watching the world go by? The smell of newly laid tar and picking at it with a stick - for want of something better to do!

Wishes Kath. I'll try and sort one out.

I love making myself a plate of home made chips. Comfort food do you think? When I was a kid, during the school holidays for a treat my mum used to make my sister and myself chips. She made the best chips you ever tasted: thickly sliced, crisp on the top and soft in the middle. She'd serve them for us in a piece of Co-op waxed bread paper; my sister and myself would sit and enjoy them, either outside in the garden or out on the front, sitting at the pavement's edge.

I remember the place Gibbo, vast wasn't it? It was known as a Superstore then but hardly that being as occasionally produce was left in boxes on the floor - and the boxes were piled up.

Hi mudgie, sad to say last week there was no twitchin' - no Otis played; and I really missed that. Let's hope tomorrow . . . . Have you been sunning today? If so, you lucky fella.

Thanks for these two Fynger; they bring back lovely memories of days when sweets ruled . . .

Really! My local sweetshop didn't stock them until the late fifties. Being mad on sweets as we all were back then - no such thing as being bad for your teeth - I would have noticed the colourful wrapper displayed at the front of the counter.

Hi pixie, after a terrible cough last year I suffered viral labyrinthitis: vertigo, extreme dizziness - couldn't get my balance. I'm still suffering - there's nothing they can give you - but managing to get about with confidence. It is very common. As for the ringing in your ears, I should check this with your doctor; there is an ailment called Tinnitus, I'm not saying this is what it is but go and have your ears checked.