philmayfield

We know neither the time nor the hour when the son of man cometh (or words to that effect). I think I’m becoming a born again Christian! There’s a happy clappy meeting in Southwell every Sunday. Not in the Minster of course - those people wouldn’t want that jolly lot in their midst!

Funny thing this afternoon. I went out without my mobile phone. I realised at the bottom of the drive and reversed back up forgetting I’d closed the gate. It wasn’t a big bang and I got out of the car saying ‘please God let there be no damage!’ Fortunately neither the car nor the gate was marked. Perhaps there is a God after all!

When I see the expression ‘unforgettable dining experience’ I know a rip off is on the horizon!

I do turn it off and listen to Times Radio instead. I’m of the generation that was indoctrinated with religion at school and didn’t realise what a lot of nonsense it all was until I was 17 and was inveigled into going to confirmation classes by a rather ‘churchy’ girl I was going out with. One class was enough when I realised that I was neither a sinner nor a ‘miserable offender’. I wrote to the vicar on those lines and have lived an honest, decent and respectable life ever since without having to talk to someone who ‘lives up in the sky’. If it makes some people happy, so be it. All the so ca

Not me. Eating out these days is a rip off. Give me good home cooking!

Sorry, ‘spell check’ wouldn’t have spotted that! I was looking on the Ratcliffe College website and, although it’s essentially a Roman Catholic establishment, the monks seem to have disappeared from the teaching staff. Even at non Catholic schools there were some sadists amongst the staff in the 50’s/60’s. Maybe they thought they were still in the armed forces.

Catholic schools used perform regular beatings. It’s to assuage their soles apparently. I had a friend who went to Ratcliffe College in Leics. and he said the monks could be real bastards!

51.8% in favour to leave was hardly an overwhelming majority. In theory it could have been decided on by one vote. Too late now of course but at least a substantial majority should have been required.

What's your secret of eternal youth then Barrie? Mine's 'clean living!'

According to published date the current average motor insurance cost is £627.

I’m getting like Ben! I went to collect my prescription today and the lady in the surgery, when she saw my age, said ‘I don’t believe it. You look so much younger, what’s your secret?’ ‘Are you asking me for a date?’ I replied. Lots of hilarity in the room!

I don’t think it’s just your age. All premiums are rising sharply across the board because of increased repair costs. It’s partially because of the greed of the insurance companies as well.

As you say, premiums have increased substantially this year. It can help to have a second driver on a policy. A friend of mine who’s turned 90 is paying £1,100 on an Astra.

The last time I went in the Reindeer, which is only a few miles away, was in the ‘60’s when it was run by two old ladies who served the beer direct from two barrels behind the bar. Nodoubt the food prices will now be astronomic and I’m not tempted to try it.

I had my right hip repaired in early 2020 after enduring the pain for a couple of years. I didn't get the physiotherapy I was promised as we went into lockdown so when I came out of hospital it was a diy exercise. It all worked out well in the end.

I don't skimp on the price of food. It's the only pleasure I have left in life.

According to YouGov the average price for a man's haircut in the UK is £12.17 and I am known for my generosity!

I don’t ask the price. I just give him fifteen quid and he seems happy!

Ah, fish and chips - used to be the poor man’s dinner. Last time I went to Burton Joyce fish and chip shop the bill for a takeaway for two was around £24! We judge all food purchases now by the price of fish and chips as a comparison. They don’t seem so expensive.

I’ve just returned home from my barber’s in Bilsthorpe. The chap before me in the chair was Lord something, the Earl of somewhere. Nice chap. All the top people have their hair cut in Bilsthorpe apparently!

I know we live out in the sticks but we do have electricity. Mains drainage came some years ago as did mains gas. We’re the last on the lane to have these facilities. Others still live in the dark ages. They’re just dropping in fibre optic cables now. Our mobile ‘phone signal is hit and miss though.

Must go there again this year. We had a chat with Geoff’s son last time. There was talk of a solar farm being built in the surrounding fields which would be a detraction.

Yes, that would seem to be a reasonable interpretation of the quotation. More of a quid pro quo. We do have to keep the Suez Canal accessible and not turn the other cheek!

I remember that quote from ‘The Water Babies’ by Charles Kingsley when it was read to us at primary school. Much better than ‘an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth!’