philmayfield

Indeed. I intended ‘formidable’ as a compliment Mrs. B. I think Jill’s formidable as well! I apologise if my comment was misinterpreted.

I hold no brief for the ‘Royals’ as an institution but I admire her courage to make the statement she has done and wish her well.

I have a Nikon Coolpix, P610 bridge camera with built in zoom. It's probably been superseded by now. It was recommended to me by my old schoolfriend Prof. Malcolm Peaker FRS, a prominent zoologist. He was always a keen photographer back in the old schooldays. He's travelled the world photographing wildlife and was, for a brief period, director of London Zoo. Can't get a better recommendation than that! It's an excellent camera but I seldom use as my iPhone is always in my pocket. Incidentally I bumped into a local villager who was going birdwatching at Attenborough nature reserve this morning.

No, I’m just the same in real life!

We can’t keep promulgating like this. People will start to talk!

There’s only one hostelry within walking distance of me and it only opens at lunchtime on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. In any case Mrs B has already promulgated the venues for the ensuing year and I wouldn’t dare cross her. She sounds formidable!

Just look on me as a happy memory. The passage of time has stolen my sweetness and my innocence. I’m not the skinny waif I used to be. The nurse put me down as ‘stocky’ at my last medical! Rog has met me. He can vouch for my existence.

‘Promulgated’ is a word I use often but others do rarely. I’m delighted to meet a fellow user if only across the airways.

I'm sure she'll see my name written on the roll of honour or the toilet wall.

Me shy, nervous! You gotta be jokin’. Having run a multimillion £ company nothing phases me. The problem would be that I would tell them where they were going wrong and that would upset them! Never go back ‘tis said!

I’m sure they wouldn’t want to meet a doddery old fart like me. I’d frighten the children!

I remember Miss Lee. I believe she came from Calverton on the ‘bus each day. Only Mr. Turner, I think, arrived by car. He came all the way from Cropwell Bishop where I gather he was known as ‘the Bishop’. The names I recall were Mrs Lockwood, Miss Lee, Mrs Hatter, Mr Tilley and Mr Turner. The head was Mr Brace. Who have I forgotten? I must have been a ‘trusty’ as the head used to give me the school mail to post on my way home. A separate infant’s school was subsequently built in the field on the far right of the main school. On snowy mornings I recall making giant eight foot snowballs on the s

My alma mater Henry Mellish was demolished some years ago after its closure and I believe this was due to some arson attacks. I hear the site is now earmarked for house building. It was a magnificent edifice which should have been put to good use after it closed as a school. My primary school, Arno Vale at Woodthorpe, built before the war, is still flourishing. I’m often tempted to stop and have a look as I regularly pass by but fear I might be mistaken for a child molester!

‘Screwfix’ is a dating agency.

Ah. I’m not the only one then!

I think it was Lobby Lud originally Barrie but he was way before my time. I am intrigued by him but I can't find any reference. He might overnight in Rog's shed if he gets that far tomorrow.

I think he must have lunched in the Bromley as he hadn't covered much distance whilst we were in Newark. My wife spotted him at the top of Highcross hill yesterday afternoon.

He seemed quite happy acknowledging toots from passing cars!

There’s a bearded Scotsman in full highland dress, complete with sporran and a walking staff, hiking along the roads in the Trent Valley. I saw him near Fiskerton early this afternoon and then again later going up Brinkley Hill towards Southwell. Probably quite harmless but he looks a bit incongruous round here. He’s got a map attached to the back of his rucksack. Keep a lookout if you’re in the area!

Wouldn’t want to be caught in flagrante delicto would we?

The sort of people who came round last ‘open gardens’ I would prefer to see them clothed!

I’m pleased to say that the lake has finally gone from the end of the field. I’ve just been down on the quad to inspect it. It’s a brown patch but not muddy. The first plants springing up are buttercups but it looks like it’s going to recover and there should be another crop of hay in the summer. There’s no ‘open gardens’ in the village this year so we won’t have naturists viewing the wild flowers. Should that be naturalists?

When I die I want to go like my grandfather. Peacefully in my sleep. Not screaming like the passengers in his car.

That sounds like a bakery!

My pub shed would be ‘in vitrio’!