Elphinstone's Army

bulletin - I remembered the sugar water advice, put some on a jar lid and some local honey, and with a tissue eased him onto the (large) lid, and watched him eat, he was weak, he suddenly buzzed, rose vertically, so I opened the window and out he flew - I do not have access to a garden, or I would have put him outside in a sheltered spot. I say 'he' Sue, as he was so large, just guessing really, I hope he will be fine, thank you for replies and concern. I was pleased to be able to view him at close quarters whilst he was greedily feeding, a privilege.

I have a large bumble bee in my bathroom clinging to the edge of the window ledge, and unable to upload a picture. He is handsome but doomed this cold weather surely. What can I do with him?

DulwichFox Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Has anyone else noticed their water having a > strong Chlorine taste. > > My water tastes terrible. > > DulwichFox Invest in a water filter, with jug, ?22.99 at Argos, Brita is best, - you can have a narrow one which fits into your fridge door. The difference is astonishing, and especially good if you get up in the night for a drink, when tap water is at optimum chlorination.

uncleglen Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > even worse is the common practice of leaving > expired goods on the shelves like the newsagent in > CPRd do you mean the chrome yellow shop? A few people have remarked on this aberration. - I went in one time years ago for chocolate? and noticed this, came out empty handed. The shop smelt, dirty, the owner? answered a civil question in an unpleasant manner and I have not been in since nor will again - yet another shop I would not be surprised or sorry to see close and surprised frankly that it endures.

What about road cones, is that legal? there is a guy on CPR working in a house opposite the nursery, leaves two cones out, keeping a space for his big grey transit, seems arrogant and not vey sporting, somewhere he doesn't live but securing a large space.

KK - I don't understand your comment, - the last line was residual from Chick's comment, a stray, which probably invalidates my post so will now remove it, thanks for drawing my attention to it. KalamityKel Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Elphinstone's Army Wrote: > -------------------------------------------------- > ----- > > Chick Wrote: > > > -------------------------------------------------- > > > ----- > > > There are two things that no matter how I try > I > > > can?t understand. The trivial one is some > > fashion > > > of young men to walk around with their > trousers > > > hanging halfway down their bum. It?s > > > uncomfortable and looks stupid. The other is > > > teenagers ?self harming?. I knew lot?s of > > > teenagers when I was one and never heard of > > this. > > > > > > > > Don't you run a book group? and read yourself > > presumably? Perhaps you don't know how to > research > > a subject, e.g. the correct use of an > apostrophe, > > or the origin of 'sagging' > > > > Sagging is an American hip hop affectation, > which > > is designed to cause the wearer to look tough > and > > hard, as one would expect anyone in a US jail, > in > > pants too large and no belt but with a swagger > and > > an attitude to look. > > Unless of course you are Justin Bieber. > > > > Self harm is not a fashion, as has been pointed > > out here by others,but a manifestation of self > > loathing and unworthiness trivialised into > > something generational which has by passed your > > understanding or empathy. > > > > Am I correct in remembering that your book > group > > analysed and dissected 'Love in the time of > > Cholera' - presumably showing insight and > > intelligence - yet you open this bizarre thread > at > > a time when most people's valid concerns are : > no > > water, boiler malfunctioning, keeping warm, > > running out of milk and Andrex, staying > vertical > > on treacherous pavements, childcare, flu, > getting > > to work, Dog Kennel Hill, barking dogs, > cancelled > > trains/flights/family visits, > > all in exceptionally cold and disabling > weather? > > > > fashions > > lots > > > > > I just dont think it happened. Any ideas? > > And your point is?

Today is, apart from being St David's Day, Self injury Awareness Day the birthday of Justin Bieber and Javier Bardem ! I saw a small child walking to the nursery, red cape flapping - once I had dismissed the disturbing imagery of Don't Look Now, I realised - Red Riding Hood -`National Book Day - another coincidence, given the query in my post to 'Chick'

Chick Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > There are two things that no matter how I try I > can?t understand. The trivial one is some fashion > of young men to walk around with their trousers > hanging halfway down their bum. It?s > uncomfortable and looks stupid. The other is > teenagers ?self harming?. I knew lot?s of > teenagers when I was one and never heard of this. Don't you run a book group? and read yourself presumably? Perhaps you don't know how to research a subject, e.g. the correct use of an apostrophe, or the origin of 'sagging' Sagging is an American hip hop affectation, which is designed to cause the wearer to look tough and hard, as one would expect anyone in a US jail, in pants too large and no belt but with a swagger and an attitude to look. Unless of course you are Justin Bieber. Self harm is not a fashion, as has been pointed out here by others,but a manifestation of self loathing and unworthiness trivialised into something generational which has by passed your understanding or empathy. Am I correct in remembering that your book group analysed and dissected 'Love in the time of Cholera' - presumably showing insight and intelligence - yet you open this bizarre thread at a time when most people's valid concerns are : no water, boiler malfunctioning, keeping warm, running out of milk and Andrex, staying vertical on treacherous pavements, childcare, flu, getting to work, Dog Kennel Hill, barking dogs, cancelled trains/flights/family visits, all in exceptionally cold and disabling weather? fashions lots edited to remove rogue comment which was last line of Chick's post, strayed

If this was the 'vomit' thread I am surprised that it was displayed for as long as it was : removal was mercifully, not your call.

cornelia Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Yesterday morning I saw four jays having an > altercation on Stradella Road, near the Burbage > Road end. So entertaining. Jays are one of the reasons there is a dearth of small garden birds - they are nest raiders, take fledglings - along with magpies, also a handsome bird, they are the scourge of park, wood and countryside although of course, protected.

lavender27 Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Afew years ago I heard my neighbours shouting and > knocked on the door and gave them a jar of jam, > there was no noise after that.

lavender27 Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Afew years ago I heard my neighbours shouting and > knocked on the door and gave them a jar of jam, > there was no noise after that. omg Lavender what are you saying? did it have an 'undertaste' ? - possibly of bitter almonds? was it laburnam jam?

Meghan, I repeat : who are you ? answers in plain speak English please, and reasons why your ?local community? should support your endeavours taking place half way across the globe with a remit to draw attention to plastics in the sea which David Attenborough has eloquently described and that we are well aware of, and if you want to hit the source you could begin with M &S, who use as much as possible, and describe how you are going to achieve approbation for rowing out against the prevailing tide to raise money for Mind and plastic warriors, when it seems that you need/want/require funds to enable your ?three women in a boat? self indulgent escapade. We already aware of Mind through the charity shop on GG and frankly, should donations, often carried for a distance be better received, we would think more kindly on Mind as this season?s Charity of Choice. This expedition is doomed to failure - at least males could pee over the side : have you not reaad ?The Old Man and the Sea??

Who are you? As this is a row from California to Hawaii how will it provide a platform for anyone half way across the world. Are you financing your own passage to California with boat. Please describe how this will draw attention to the plastic in the sea and not a self indulgent crackpot dangerous undertaking to which you hope level headed people will subscribe.

We all need something to look forward to otherwise it is easy to slump, or wonder 'what's it all about' if I am feeling the same, I buy daffodils - harbingers of Spring - which is on the way, sticky buds, blossom, nest building, tulips, ducklings on the lake, - lighter evenings, sunshine ! and take vitamin D3, and sleep well, which is important, and eschew alcohol. It's the turn of the year, always a contemplative time. We don't know if you are having a mid life crisis?! Stay away from Ferrari showrooms just in case. It's natural to want to feel the sun on our face midwinter and why able people flee to sunnier climes for a fix. As DF suggested, Lloyds Pharmacy on NCR are endlessly patient and will advise. Feel better soon.

lavender, if you want to move, any time/day/month/season is good, provided it is not in torrential rain, in which case, as we did, have a rider on the agreement that the removal will be in abeyance, save you being sued for breach of contract - it is meant to be stressful, pack a box with tea making stuff for when you arrive, and happy removals

I would fly from my house in France from Poitiers then Limoges, despite what titchjuicy declared,the online booking was a nightmare, particularly in rural France with poor or no broadband, and arriving at Limoges to be told we were too late? when the incoming plane had not even arrived, and battled for a flight - and the ignominy at Stanstead of waiting until the last moment for the flight gate to be called and the mad rush, and at the gate arguing because the bag wouldn't fit into the check in device, even though it was meant to be the other way up??? and altogether a defeating and dispiriting experience. I upgraded my car and drove, varied the routes, none matched the first time I drove through France years ago before the motorways and tolls, kilometers of tree lined roads, dappled sunshine, black berets, five baguettes underarm, somnambulant villages, sonorous bells tolling, quiet but busy markets, 250ffranc chambers d'hote, almond croissant and murky coffee for breakfast, and on our way. Now it is a hurtle down the autoroute, or hours and hours by regular roads, camera always at the ready, reach Poitiers, only a couple of hours now and I will be sipping cold Pineau and a pintard roasting, and dropping down into the town, always a joy and a delight, medieval, churches, river, weir, I drive around the town in a burst of homecoming, before heading along the river over the bridge and home. I have put in the effort, time and concentration, expense, far too much luggage and resisted would be passengers as I prefer to travel alone, all preferable to the stultifying Ryanair 'experience' - any other airline story is not what this thread is about and therefore irrelevant. I have been close to despair in the last few years when Ryanair or the French ATC have cancelled or disabled flights, always at an important time for me personally, as for others, many others. At one point probably 15 years ago people were moving to SW France with the notion that they could commute. This never lasted long. Michael O'Leary is the boyfriend/partner/husband who will promise you anything, then when you have given up your independence and he has got you dependent, and lets you down, on being challenged, tells you : well my darlin' I never actually promised you....' he is wealthy and 'successful' but has no integrity, morals or empathy - now what do we know about such people ...

Louisa Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Sue Wrote: > -------------------------------------------------- > ----- > > Elphinstone's Army Wrote: > > > -------------------------------------------------- > > > ----- > > > Describing the busiest station/interchange in > > the > > > U.K. and indeed Europe, as Clappy J. > > > > > > Oh, I quite liked that when I saw it for the > first > > time on the forum this morning! > > > > I intend to use it from now on :)) > > Gentrification has even invaded local slang! > Unbelieavable. > > Louisa. do not despair Louisa, really she won't, when she realises it's an Americanism and worthy only of a 12 year old : this will not enter a mature person's lexicon, be assured ...

Describing the busiest station/interchange in the U.K. and indeed Europe, as Clappy J.

legalbeagle Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > I was once told, in all seriousness, that hemlines > are a leading indicator of economic conditions. > Any fashionistas out there who can tell us whether > skirts are long or short this season? we are all wearing trousers/culottes/city shorts, what does that tell you?

Has anyone travelled to Walthamstow from Lordship Lane by public transport in the week and can recommend the best and quickest route please. I thought it might be easier to travel from Forest Hill, as the Victoria Line is something of a dogleg but it seems we would have to change from Whitechapel to Bethnal Green with a 10 minute walk in between. I am able to map it out but would prefer to hear from someone who has accomplished this journey physically and found a good route in defiance of TfL and google maps. Thank you

and so it begins..... can anyone explain this meaningless peurile quote please

Alan Medic Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > SpringTime Wrote: > -------------------------------------------------- > ----- > > SpringTime Wrote: > > > -------------------------------------------------- > > > ----- > > > Probably bottles of Clinique moisturizer - > > never > > > get through one before mum gives another, so > > ended > > > up with surplus. > > > > > > Supplied to patients at the Maudsley. > > > > > > Oooh, we'll have that! > > I nominate this as the most confusing post of the > year! Then you havn't read Pato's

We have spent a consideable amount of money in this store over the last six weeks and sure we are not alone in this. However, checking receipts, we have found, twice, mistakes. On one receipt we were overcharged four times (four items duplicated) and receipts difficult to decipher when buying reduced items. I watch the amounts rung and often find 'reduced' items do not register at the checkout. Mistakes made at the checkout and noticed immediately necessitate a queue at the Customer Services. Where do locals shop as an alternative to this lacklustre store? We are concerned that meat is sold with the sell by date current, despite assurances that it is legal to do so - I check everything now. Buying cheese, we found the sell by dates varied by over 10 days, and cream also bore a current date. Be vigilant good citizens, happy shopping.

DulwichFox Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > They need to be locked in a room with you and > have you TALK at them for 5 hours, > > That'll learn em.. > > Foxy In Welsh