ABritAbroad

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Everything posted by ABritAbroad

  1. How beautiful, thank you for posting, Cliff Ton. I have never seen these before.. quite something.
  2. How on earth did you keep those crisp whites clean, Margie? The nurses always look so elegant and refined, times changed.
  3. There's a saying, Dave... "The sign of intelligence is that you are constantly wondering. Idiots are always dead sure about everything"
  4. Ayupmeducks, yes they are a big problem aren't they... and not a native species. You can thank those lot across the pond for bringing them over for hunting game, way back in the day. We have two farms in Northern Alberta that provide boar to the restaurant industry. A few got loose, thrived through the seasons and bred, they became an issue. Some towns offered $50 for each one killed so they are rare now but it needs watching as there's a lot of crown forest land up here for them to hide out on. I'm a big animal lover, but I am reasonable enough to understand that these
  5. loppylugs, I'm a suck, I can't do sad dog stories. I watch dog rescues on Youtube and I'm a blubbering mess, slays me every time.
  6. NewBasfordlad, Akitas are beautiful dogs, that's like owning your own bear, what a regal dog. Sorry for your loss, you must have years of wonderful memories of her. Yes, you would've been subject to going into everyone's homes and the mercy of the pets inside, can imagine. Ah, firearms, yes big changes on that front, law wise. My family is big into arms and I have a number of former Armed Forces friends and current police friends through work who are active in the local gun club. I just hosted a scotch party for the lads there - good fun! Myself, I'm partial to the
  7. Have to agree with you, NewBasfordlad. Never had an issue with a bully type breed going for me (though I'm not ignorant to say that they do not exist, of course they do) but I have on a couple of occasions been bitten by smaller dogs. A Dachshund bit my leg last year after it's owners didn't shut their gate and I walked past unsuspectingly. It's a double standard really, irresponsible owners of less powerful dogs are no less irresponsible than owners of bigger dogs (in my eyes at least) but because bigger dogs can cause more damage they and their owners are judged by a different y
  8. They aren't too common, katyjay. Seems in the US they are mostly owned in Texas by hunters due to the feral boar problem, apparently they do $millions worth of crop damage each year. Here's my boy in the tub, he's pouting because I wouldn't turn the tap on, a full bath tub is his best treat ever. http:// I'll keep other pics to the pet post as not to sway off topic!
  9. Mosquitoes here are stinkers, they'll chase you, relentless little buggers. There are man-made still water lakes/ponds in every new community, I myself live in a new lake community, beautiful place but it sure can bring them in. Ironically, it was living in Bridgeland where they were the worst, maybe is was still water pockets in The Bow River? Who knows, but wow it was bad there, I'd run for the train just to outrun them! Dogo Argentinos are not allowed in the UK but they are allowed in Canada. I'm torn to be honest, here’s why... I waited years to get my Dogo, waited u
  10. Hoping you're right as rain after tomorrow, Michael.
  11. All the best for tomorrow, carni, lots of people here routing for you.
  12. I think you're right, NewBasfordlad, likely a lot of wild imaginations, one too many pints and such. It's hard to tell from some recent photos, plus our technology today for doctoring is so advanced. I have seen a couple of clips, however, that were definitely much bigger than your average mog... makes me wonder a bit what they might be. I was hiking last Winter, quite close to the city limits, I passed a dead deer up in a big tree. Lots of cat tracks at the foot of the tree so I made myself scarce, I didn't want him/her coming back and thinking I wanted an arm wrestle for it.
  13. That was a short lived search, you're both right, they no longer make Bar Sixes. I missed out, sounded like a good one. woody, are you talking about the gob stopper that had a tiny brown seed in the centre?
  14. katyjay, hope you and yours stay safe with those fires going. Teach me to assume, I always thought those were some sort of pig/boar. My lesson for the day! They look like they could do some serious foraging, much like a boar. Arizona looks beautiful, what terrain, stunning. You don't see vistas like that back home.
  15. Yes, you are right about the Lyme disease, I should have asked if you were in remission, not just ok. I'm glad to hear you have been symptom free for 7-8 years now as it can be truly horrible, I know I don't need to tell you as you know full well. It's a very controversial topic in Canada, I'm not sure how it is in the States? I knew someone who ended up going down to the US to get tested many years back. Good for you for seeking out a treatment that works in keeping it at bay, I truly hope it continues to do so for you. I got very sick from eating a rotten, undercooked
  16. Thank you NewBasfordlad, I can't take any credit for him personally of course but I sure share your kindred appreciation of the beauty and the work. It is a marvel to me, how these men made such majestic things, given their resources in that era. They were Russian immigrants who came to America to start a new life. Their trade from home was wood carving. They started with women's hair combs, it was the only work they could get, then they progressed to horses. Finally owning their own business. Their first full carousel was a massive machine, however, it burned to the ground on openi
  17. catfan, your Wife looks lovely on her steed, what smile. Thank you for sharing, great snap!
  18. Forgot about the cherry lips, those were good. I must look up your Wife's Bar Six, I haven't heard of it. Hmm, making bonfire toffee, now that's an idea *off to look up recipes*
  19. What on earth are they thinking, eh, Cliff Ton? That Gustafson Porter + Bowman lot wrecked the market, it looked better in the 70's with the fountains and the gardens, it was beautiful at one time. Ok so it wasn't the Trevi Fountain but it was in keeping with the British aesthetic, it had character. I don't mind modern art at all, I appreciate it, but build a freestanding statue or put it in a gallery, don't F up historical architecture in the name of it. That's like the carousel horses, they all got replaced after the Great Depression with fibreglass and aluminium ones, they
  20. I'll ask my Dad, he'd remember, I think. Would love to see a photo, whenever you get chance. Is it vacant now, I thought I heard somewhere it was derelict? Did you go to Viyella's nursery? Everyone is lovely, yes Melissa, lots of trips down memory lane too
  21. My favourites where, bonfire toffee (not the preformed sweets, the proper stuff, in shards) rhubarb & custards, sugar mice, mojos (spearmint - the best) fruit salads, the "cigarettes" (very un-PC now) the big Easter eggs (especially the Quality Street one) parma violets, drumsticks, Mr Freeze pops, sticks of rock from the seaside, sugar dummies, lemon sherbets, monster munch, frazzles, scampi crisps, 99s with a flake from the icecream man, cornettos, pepperoni sticks, prawn cocktail crisps, dip dabs, space dust (crackle - pop!) floral gums, jelly lager and beer bottles (again, not PC these
  22. I'm gutted to hear this FLY, elephants feet were a rare luxury for us, it was a special treat for Mum to buy them. I always ate the bottom first by itself then turned it upside down and ate the chocolate glazed top and the cream together by taking big mouthfuls, the cream would always go up my nose, it was the best! And it was proper rich whipped cream too, none of this light stuff. They need to stop messing with our food, if I'm going to indulge I want the real monty.
  23. katyjay, I have never seen a javelina in person. They're like a smaller version of wild boar right? Do they cause any damage to gardens and such? I have family in The Forest of Dean and wild boars have dug up their garden a few times. I have heard lovely things about Arizona, how do you like it there?
  24. Oh carni, that's tragic, progress isn't always progress is it? That must have been bewildering for you, no? I only knew the Market Square had changed quite a bit, when I left it was still with the fountains, which I know weren't always historically there but still... My mates did a leg-and-a-wing and tossed me in one on my last day in the UK. T'was like pigeon poop soup, at least I kept my head out of it! I tried not to "squelch" when I got on the bus home, I was worried the bus driver wouldn't let me on. Better bring a box of tissues with me next trip home, a pint or two
  25. It's so true, Jill, what a step backwards. Back in the day things were made with such artistry and craftsmanship. People treasured them and they stayed in families for generations. They were made so well, form, function, and beauty. Now, it's the norm to buy new furniture every few years, on a whim or for fashion, or because it falls apart and you have to. Same for clothing, I'm in awe of how men and women's clothing was once made. Now that was tailoring and dressmaking, exquisite! Not that you can't find well made things today, but it's a niche, a rarity. The general min