Morning all. Relieved it's Friday - seems like a long week. An OSM yesterday, which will do nicely.



As for today's ARFO, any of these would be grand:



JOEY RAMONE - Wonderful World



GENESIS - Turn It On Again



DAVE EDMUNDS - I Knew The Bride When She Used To Rock 'n' Roll



STATUS QUO - Paper Plane



DIVINE COMEDY - National Express

Good Morning Simon and Poppeteers



So pleased you had a nice time celebrating with child 2. My lovely step daughter was a tad disappointed with her 3 Bs having had As and A*s all the way through her year ;( Anyhoo, still good I thought.



Arfo today?



TULANE - THE STEVE GIBBONS BAND



DOWN THE DUSTPIPE - STATUS QUO



3 word Friday - SEE YOU TOMORROW..........................YIPPEE

Morning Simon and the Drivetime team



I don't get here much these days, work just seems to get in the way but I'm not complaining s I work for myself and as they say, time is money and money is time!



Now, today is my birthday. I'm officially Forty Phoarrrrrrr years old today so, for ARF I'd love for you to kick the party off with



BIRTHDAY - THE BEATLES



a fine rocky number from that popular Scouse beat combo of yesteryear!



Yours, in hope



Deevs



x

x

x

Morning all.



Songs of wonder and noise, hmmmmmm!



Thats the wonder of you - Elvis Presley. Not sure if it contains enough noise though?



Heavy heavy rain here and its the Dunster show which will be a mudbath, but as its takes weeks of setting up, then the show will go on.



Definitely a day for a walk on the beach. There's a place you can walk in any type of weather. Sou'wester and mackintosh at the ready.



Splish splash, gotta dash.



Happy Days.

Good morning all - warm here already but dry



C'mon everybody, and the NYM.....................



LETS TWIST AGAIN - CHUBBY CHECKER



It has to be done!



JW

La Tristese Durera - MANIC STREET PREACHERS.



Both wonderful AND noisy.



(Statuses)

#3 ha! I was going to put that very track as my next suggestion before I decided 5 suggestions was already being greedy!

Thanks for the hat Katy - very fetching! ;0)



And Happy Birthday Deevski... you don't look a day over 39 !! ;0)) Have a wonderful day



JW

Massive congratulations to the Mayo family - [these results really are a family affair nowadays] - and all the other Blogpoppet families who have received good news.



Our family seem to be in an A Level Result-free zone this year but kudos must go to my youngest - the one who decided against A Levels and opted for an apprenticeship - who has completed the NVQ required in order to TEACH her subject. At the local college. Oh my.

:^)





Think it's time to climb aboard the ARFO train again ...



REWARD - THE TEARDROP EXPLODES

♪´¯`♫ 'Bless my cotton socks I'm in the news ..'



BAILAMOS - ENRIQUE IGLESIAS

♪´¯`♫ ' Let the rhythm take you over .. '



UP AROUND THE BEND - CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL

♪´¯`♫ 'There's a place up ahead and I'm goin' just as fast as my feet can fly... '



WHAT IS LIFE - GEORGE HARRISON

♪´¯`♫ 'Tell me, who am I without you, by my side .. '



WISHING WELL - FREE

♪´¯`♫ 'Put up a fight you believe to be right and someday the sun will shine through ... '



SMOOTH - SANTANA ft. ROB THOMAS

♪´¯`♫ 'Man it's a hot one .. like seven inches from the midday sun... '

#3 Good to see you x

Let's have cake in here as well, eh?





♥♣♪♫♫HAPPY BIRTHDAY☆♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸•☆*•TO DEEVSKIFORTYPHWOARRRRRRR!•*¨*•.¸¸♪♫♣♥



...................Ƹ̴Ӂ̴Ʒ

.................☆☆☆☆

...¸.•*☆*••*♥☆°❤°☆♥*••*☆*•.¸

¸¸¸.•*..•*¨*•..¸¸..•*¨*•.¸¸.•*¨*•..*•.¸¸¸

¸¸..•*¨*•..¸¸..•*¨*•.¸¸.•*¨*•..¸¸..•*¨*•.

.★°★°★┃★┃★┃★┃★°★°★

..\°°º¤ø„ø♥.☆•°❤°•☆.♥ø„ø¤º°°/

....\°°º¤øø♥☆•°❤°•☆♥øø¤º°°/

......\°°º¤ø♥☆•°❤°•☆♥ø¤º°°/

.......\°º¤ø♥☆•°❤°•☆♥ø¤º°/

........\°º¤ø♥☆°❤°☆♥ø¤º°/

.........\♫*♪♪*..❤..*♪♪*♫/

..........══════════

Haha! All this cakery - I'll be even more cuddlier than normal!



;-)



x x x

#3, #11 somehow I managed to miss the relevance of your suggestion (though I should have guessed)...



HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Good Morning Each!



ARFO, hows about these...



'Motorhead' by Motorhead



'Wheels Of Steel' by Saxon (Turn it up to 11)



'Hey You' by The Quireboys



'King Rocker' by Generation X



'Love Missile F1-11' by Sigue Sigue Sputnik

Happy Birthday Deevski..........Life begins and all that. Hope you have a great day and that the weather is good to you too!

Morning all,



Congratulations to Mayo child 2! Exciting times ahead!



HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEEVS!



I have decided to change my blog name as madchickenwoman no longer applies in my case. :-(



Same initials and a small reference to my feathered friends who are no longer.



My OARF choice? Need you ask?



EVERYBODY WANTS TO RULE THE WORLD - TEARS FOR FEARS!



Have a great weekend all.



x



Same initials



New name same

Good Morning All from a very wet and miz Anglesey.



I haven't been here since Monday. Did nobody miss me? Just been very busy.



Today is the 2nd. Anniversary of my first post. Tempus fugit.



Happy Birthday - belatedly to Alison - and Happy Birthday Deevs.





ARFO -



Haven't tried this for ages - but why not?





THE BEAT by The Look







Yes!

Looks like most of us are in for some 'miz' Billie.



https://www.raintoday.co.uk/



Great new name Molly :)

Of course you were missed Billie - no new recipes to try for supper!!



JW

Good morning all,



Apothecaries for yesterdays absinthe, had a day out in the midlands metropolis. So no blogging sadly but I did get to hear most of the show on the way home for a change :) Choon congrats to Amelia, Jennie Wren and Deebee (I think that's what I heard anyway!)



HAPPY BIRTHDAY Deevski (yum, cake!)



ARFOs ...



WONDEROUS STORIES - YES



THE SOUND OF THE SUBURBS - THE MEMBERS



Right, head down now for a few hours 'for the man'



Fabulous Friday one and all



GoD 8-)

Good Morning Simon, Team and Blogpoppets



Well done to Mayo Child 2 and sighs of relief all round on the Estate! But - Parent 1 and 2?? I won't ask which is which...



;o)



#3 Oh, hello - you're here as well Deevs - lovely to see you over this side of the fence. I've wished you happy birthday 'next door' but just to keep things tidy



HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEEVS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

❤~X~❤❤~X~❤❤~X~❤❤~X~❤❤~X~❤❤~X~❤❤~X~❤❤~X~❤



Hope you have a fantastic day, and enjoy your 'surprise'.



And a happy 2nd blog anniversary to Billie too!



~X~

#17 Agree with Sal - Molly Coddle has that certain Mayoblog charm and has longevity written all over it.



Billie you are ALWAYS missed when you're not here. But while you are - Huge Congratulations on your second year of BlogVeteraniness.



:^D

Good morning Simon and everyone



Congratulations, Simon, on your daughter's successful exam results.



It's raining here today... typical after I had spent ages last night watering the hanging baskets, tubs, troughs and borders!!! Ah well the grass was cut yesterday too so it should green up nicely!



FUNKYTOWN ~ Lipps Inc



COME ON FEEL THE NOISE ~ Slade



ROCK THIS TOWN ~ Stray Cats

I guess as it's been a few months since my ARFO I might as well throw another one into the pot:



BROWN SUGAR - The Rolling Stones



#15 Love the new moniker, Molly Coddle!



Back later for chat...



~X~

Yikes - I'm confuddlemented! Lots of new blogger names but are they the "old" bloggers with new handles or new bloggers I've never yet encountered.



Whichever it is, THANK YOU for my hippy bathday messages - you're all fab!



x

Congratulations to Mr M and all whose offspring had success yesterday. Also to whoever suggested BREAK THE RULES by Status Quo last night - I don't think Simon credited it to anyone.



Welcome to Molly Coddle - gives a much warmer and welcoming picture than madchickenwoman. I think this label will go a long way.



ARFO - possibly more related to yesterday, but may still work



WIDE EYED AND LEGLESS - ANDY FAIRWEATHER-LOW

Hello All,



Congratulations to Mayo child 2



Happy Birthday wishes to Deevs



ARF Suggestions,



'Start Me Up' Rolling Stones



'Stay With Me' Faces



'Changes' David Bowie



'I Love To Boogie' T Rex



Have a good day everybody

Morning all



Congrats to Child 2 Simon, and to all those who also got results yesterday.



Although I've said it else where Happy Birthday Deev's, I'm sure you have an exciting day.



Also loving the new name Molly Coddle!



Can I suggest for ARFO



NIRVANA - SMELLS LIKE TEEN SPIRIT



As I believe it was released 21 !!! years ago(surely it's not that old)



Cheers



A

Hi Simon and everyone



Woo hoo! Congrats to your A Leveller Simon!



I have just had a blast from the past and tweeted a photo of all the Playschool characters and sent it to Dermot O'Leary by telling him these are Arsenal's new 2012/13 signings ( Simon may appreciate this joke being a THFC fan!)



Happy birthday Deevski ( Top Age ;)



Now for an ARF:



Hows about:



MOTOR BIKING - Chris Spedding



Loud and proud and fits the criteria perfectly me thinks.



Have lovely weekends



Laters



Mandy ;)

Morning All



Happy Birthday Deevski and to Alison for yesterday.



What a great name Molly Coddle and I was just thinking earlier that you hadn't been about this week Billie.



Have a good Friday everyone.





Fields of Fire - Big Country



It’s My Life - Bon Jovi

Good morning all



For todays ARF opener Simon has asked for some noise!



How about a bit of Phil Spector and 'Wall of Sound'



DAA DOO RON RON - THE CRYSTALS

Deevski, Happy Birthday. I know, I know, they ARE laugh lines. ;0)



Child 2. Well done, lass!

Hi Everyone,



Just pooping by with an ARFO - first in a while. Please may we have EYE TO EYE CONTACT, EDWIN STARR to kick-start the weekend.



For the first time in a very long time we have a weekend of celebrations ahead. Normally, I'm the one cooking fish 'n' chips in the kitchen listening to everyone else's plans but not this weekend. My sis, her husband and my niece are heading down the Great North Road to the Shire to help us celebrate the eldest boy's exam results and his 18th birthday on Sunday. We're off out for a slap up meal on Sunday evening - looking forward to it muchly.



Just spotted it's Deevski's birthday - happy birthday Deevs, hope you have a good one.



Rightio, I'm off to start the weekend preparations with a trip to the tip.



To quote old Malcolm Powder - Weasant Pleekend to one and all :)



Cheerio for now,



~ xx

Ooops how remiss of me, must thank Zoe for the Twitter clarification on Retweets etc. However, what is the purpose of a retweet? And I get the impression Replies are much better? Yes?

Well done Mayo child #2 - just listened to the beginning of yesterday's show (episode doesn't sound right) and am glad the 'girl done good' - more uni fees Simon, and transportation duties or is she doing the gap year thing?



JW

How very remiss of me, I'd like to add my heartiest congrats to Child 2 - well done :)



Blimmin' 3 minute rule!?!



~ xx

#33 Mandy - a retweet is for when you receive a tweet from someone you are following and you'd like to share it with all the people who are following you.



For example, I might be following someone who posts something funny or interesting or which I feel needs to be brought to the attention of other people. If I retweet it and you were following me then you'd receive it. Seems to get used mainly for jokes, petitions and campaigns, charitable pleas, etc.

#15 - Molly you'll always by MCW in our house. Sad to read your news but loving the new name :) xx



~ xx

#34 - does anyone go directly to university these days ? In my day (sounding very old) it was unusual not to do so, but now everyone seems to do some sort of 'gap year'.



I had a sponsrship through a local major employer amd worked for them for a year before heading off. I was a year older than most other first years apart from an odd (in all respects) mature sudent or two.

hi all



ARFO



LIVING ON A PRAYER-BON JOVI

#32 Toots!!!! How lovely to see you m'dear :o) Sounds like you've got a lovely day planned for your boy's double celebration.



#33 #36 I sometimes RT a tweet that someone I follow has posted, if I think it's interesting or funny - some folks do seem to go overboard with RTs though, and I don't get the thing about asking celebrities to RT. I find it quite irritating, and I'm glad our esteemed leader doesn't rise to it.



#38 Both my children went straight to Uni from sixth form, and most of my daughter's friends did as well. However, I do know a number of kids who have/had gap years - usually to go and work for some charitable cause abroad.



~X~

Greetings Si Dude & ALL Bloggies...



Bingo Star 'ere...



Firstly 'APPY BIRTHDEE GREEETINGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ter Chezza The Diva (as ave said too on The CLP Blog)



Bingo Star's Dairy Of A Quest Ter Be An Olympic Track Cyclist Champion By 2016:



DAY 4 (Thrusdee) - Analysis Of Me First Cycle 'ome : Lately 'ave been taking me bike on the train ter work but riding 'ome!!!!!!!! (get too sweaty when a arrive at work).... But if a wanter be a track cyclist with power and INDEED pinache AND panache.... Then from now on a NEED ter cycle both to work and back... Noot one way!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So after a week were ave been unable ter take me cycle ter work due to needing ter go too B&Q for DIY 'appenings.... And the next an importan tmeeting with The Mangement (don't wanter sit there during the meeting dripping with sweat... They'd think a couldn't 'andle the 'eat of the meeting!!!!!)

Finally Thursdee was the dee a was gonna ride to work and back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So what 'appened ter stop me riding ter work.... Torrential rain.... so a took..... The train!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A know a top champ should power redargless of the weather.... INDEED ave often cycled 'ome when it's below freezing in the winter.... But arriving for work wetter than an otter on a bicycle in the middle of the UK summer is notta good situation!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



A did ride 'ome and by total coincidence me cycle from work is about 6.8 miles aka 10.94km!!!!!!!!!!! 10km 0r 6.22miles being The Sprint event at the Olympics indoor veeeeelodromedome event!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



So a decided ter compare mesen with the Women's sprint (just as a starter comparing with the women as the men's pace could frighten me off me bike!!!!) (the women still go nearly a squick as the men anyway!!!!!!!!!!!)

Me record ter do the 6.8 miles is 22 minutes aka me fav number - whatta coicidence!!!!!!!



But on this Thursdee a did it in 25 minutes.... With mostly a fairly moderate slightly coming from the left 'ead wind... And at times a direct 'ead when a altered direction slightly!!!!!!!!

Me ride is all main roads with slight up and down 'ill all the way!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Excellent for cycle training!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And a did the whole ride in top gear.... Forced mesen up the 'ills without dropping a gear even though it's 'ard going on the legs and lungs!!!!!! (track cycles don't 'ave any gears just a very small cog equal to a VERY top gear for maximum speed!!!!)



Taking inter consideration about 30 seconds of me ride was spent stationary at 2 traffic lights.... a will still count it as 25 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



The Women's Olympic sprint they did their 10km race in 12mins 39seconds!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That's 47.43kph or 29.48mph average!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! All indoors with no wind and on the flat aka no 'ills!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



A did my 10.94km ride 'ome in 25minutes... which is 26.26kph or 16.32mph average!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



Not bad going and considering am on a 'eavy slower mountian bike notta light weight carbon fibre bike!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



Still a long way ter go ter get me fitness up.... But as am reasonably fit am 'alf way there already!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



Although a insane mountain ter climb ter get as fit and strong as the top male cyclists.... and age against me being only six months from me 40th birthdee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



But age is only numbers.... Yer as old as yer feel and a feel like a 25 year old!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



Tatty bye!



PS Take a look at this BBC sport link of the sprint (click number 4 box)



https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/olympics/2012/live-video/p00w321l

PS ALL - A very interesting link above... Like the commentator says it's like the track cycle version of Mo Farah's 10km run that 'e won!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



Very similar event over the same distance... Except one is running... One power cycling!!!!!

#37 Hello Toots! I hope you are going to phone DT to get a request played for all your celebrations.



Ooh and Deevski too for her birthday?

#40 - Deebee - thanks - interesting update. It's obviously just a misperception that I had about gap years. I don't have children (you've probably guessed). I always felt that having a year outside of education didn't help me when I did go back into it.

#41 Bingo, what accent do we read your posts in again? I've been trying to read your posts as if it was Paul O'Grady speaking but sometimes I can't get it to work ~)

Happy birthday Deevs. Another quick post in my lunch time (which is mostly an illusion anyway).



STEPPENWOLF - BORN TO BE WILD



For all bikers who got soaked to the skin on Wednesday.

#46 - Lady_S - good to see your presence again. I have illusory lunch breaks, too. Low calorie, though.



Are you likely to make the blog meet suggested for 20th October ? It wouldn't be quite the same without.

#30 Vildeen, last week Simon asked for a dance tune and played We Will rock You, so as he's asked for some 'noise' this week, we may get a nice Simon and Garfunkel song ;o)



Loving the name Molly Coddle now that your last hen has sadly gone! :o(



#45 Shona, I try to read Bingo's posts in a Cilla Black accent, but it doesn't work!

#48 LOL Flo, I now have Cilla and Paul's voices going round in my head. I may need to lie down;)



Can I also say how much I like Molly Coddle's new name.



Is anyone going on the blog meet staying over on the Saturday night? I probably won't arrive til around 5pm and I wouldn't want to get there and everyone leaves ~



One last thing before "back to work", did Amelia and I mention we are going to see SIMON TOMORROW? And Amelia and I are meeting up too. How very exciting;;;)))

Thats where you're all going wrong...



Read Bingo Star a la Ringo Starr, think Thomas the tank ;)



Actually before I met Bingo, I thought he must be from Manchester, for some reason there seems to be a hint of a Lancastrian accent to his posts!!



Still too torrential here to set foot outside the door, those poor folk at the show, but the met office say sunshine by two, I think thats going to take some kind of miracle.

Sal, sorry about the Dunster show/bad weather.... we started off with rain until 11am and it's nice and sunny and warm now. I must go and read Bingo's posts again and think of Thomas the Tank (Ringo ?)



I'm sorry to be missing Simon tomorrow... a wedding to go to, but had it been today I could have gone as I am going into Edinburgh tonight to see someone Katy knows/likes and maybe Shona too... Dougie McLean, and could have gone up earlier and I would most certainly have made Simon a cake like his ITCH book!



Have a lovely time, Shona and Amelia... it looks like Simon is ready for Edinburgh!!



https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8301/7801135438_3cbecf8754_b.jpg

#49 - I won't be staying, but I won't be arriving until about 3pm either, so unless I get very bored very quickly (which I'm sure won't happen), I'll still be around at 5pm.



One question does arise, though. How will we all recognise one another ? (There are ones an two who may have met previously - Shona and Amelia for example - but as for the rest ?)

Bless the met office, 20 minutes early too!



Off to join the bucket and spade brigade :)

#51 Oh Flo, that made me laugh out loud and yes, I do like Dougie MacLean. Enjoy yourself tonight!



#52 Parsley Cat, F/B has kindly provided photos to give us a clue. Failing that, I'll be wearing my Alan Carr Rosette! Tee hee. X

#52 Maybe everybody could arrive with a copy of Itch under their arm...



;o)

ARFO:



ITS MY LIFE - Bon Jovi



OR



COZ I LUV YOU - Slade

Hi All!



Simon, wonderful to read that clever #2 did so well!

Happy Birthday Deevski and to Alison for yesterday. (Thank you Ameila!)

Molly Coddle nice switch!

Have fun to all that are meeting up tomorrow to see Simon f2f

No songs to offer and good luck everyone!

Sitting here listening to three old men talk flicks...



LB, x

Just wanted to say that I hope that the mini meet tomorrow goes well.



You bloggers (as ever) have all been very sweet over the demise of my chooks, and I am chuffed to bits that you like the name.



Thank you :-)



x



PS Bingo is a really great guy, like Sal, I have met him. He has a very softly spoken Liverpool lilt, but I always read his posts with Ringo Starr overtones.

#55 Deebee, or easier still, you could all have name badges to wear!



https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7272/7801740236_94306f93a0_m.jpg

#46 "Time is an illusion. Lunchtime doubly so."



A quote from my fave book!

#60 - so no time for any pie (or pi) ?

I re-read Bingo's posts again and found myself drifting off into a Newcastle accent and then sometimes into an Eee By Gum accent.



Never have been very good at accents though. I think it was Deebee who said her Welsh accents drift into Indian accents - mine do too!



Bringing along Itch or a Confessions book to the meet sounds like a plan! Well done Deebee.

#59 Flo, you are a clever little blogger. X

I always read Bingo's posts in an ooaarrr west country accent. I know this is wrong, bot it seems to work every time.

#63, here's an ITCH badge for you as well, Shona! :o)



https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8283/7801814098_de522d0b8f_m.jpg

#64 I'll try a Cider drinking accent too Paul......or 2nd thoughts......I might just go for cider drinking and leave out the accent part ;)

#65 Oh thank you Flo! X

#66, think of the Wurzels, from my neck of the woods, Shona!

#61 I can always make time for pie. Pi, though, goes on too long... :o)

Is it just me, or does home time seem to be taking AGES to come round?

#70 Sir Cumfy, I'm slipping out the back door in a second ;)



Enjoy the show and will poop back later.



Shona X

Hi Simon and the ARF team



We are enjoying listening in South west France whilst on holiday! We would like to hear the black eyed peas " I gotta a feeling" !

Thanks

Nick, Cath, Mark, Tom, Edward, and Henry!

And Hi to Nicola who is joining us tomorrow!

Afternoon All



The very wet and miz day just continued!





Going to read back ......................

Ha! Simon's playing "Brimful of Asha"! I can play this on KB!



#15 - Chickster - Molly - It's very sad the way you feel you've had to change your name - but I, too, love your new name. In fact "Molly Coddle" or rather "MollyCoddling" is a bit special to us. It's our name for soft boiled eggs and soldiers - usually on a Sunday - late brekky/early lunch - "Shall we have MollyCoddling?"



When we do have it - it's terribly elegant! Ha! We set the table with main plates and side plates and the sideplates have rolled napkins inside a napkin holder shaped like a duck. We have 2 eggs each and the second egg - which comes out of the water 20 secs. earlier than the ones we are going to eat first - precision (Mr!) - are put in egg cup holders which are like Humpty Dumpty legs and are covered in individual handmade egg cosies!



I'm laughing at how mad this all sounds but we've been doing this for 20 years!



Going to post this in case I lose it - back in 3 minutes ...............

@ Shona - @ Amelia - I DO hope that you have a lovely blog meet and that you enjoy Simon's talk. I hope that you are brave enough to introduce youselves. Carpe Diem - as a punter just said!

This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.

Have a great weekends all - especially Shona and Amelia!



JW

#75 - me - "youselves" - sounds good! Meant "yourselves"!



#21 - Katy - you are TOO kind! Ha!



#18 - Jennie - Ha! Tonight - not new - Bought Swedish Meatballs - Red Wine & Tom Sauce - Spag.- Parmesan - freshly grated - well potato-peeled!



Now off to play Corner Shop! Ha!



Ha! Again! Not a children's game - "Yes - may I help you?" - Corner Shop on KB!



Ha!

I played really well and supper is almost ready.



We did watch " The Best of Men" and would thoroughly recommend it. Eddie Marsan & Rob Brydon were Perfect.





Going to try "The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas" but may not make it through.

Thank you for all your kind comments for tomorrow's mini meet and major meet (hopefully) with Simon. We'll be sure to report back!



#79 Oh Billie, don't watch it! I've read it and been thoroughly depressed only to watch it and be left in down for ages. Best stick to Alan Carr for a laugh.



I'm sure Amelia is in bed now for an early start but just to say SEE YOU THERE!



WHOOP WHOOP!

Evening all.



Just back from an afternoon walk, from Blue Anchor to Minehead and all the way back again, a round trip of 8 miles, and boy do I know it right now.



However, it was such a stunning walk, none of it touches any roads.



Down the field from here and across the railway line, I had to wait for the steam train, which travels along this bit of the coast line.



Then, a delightful two hours stroll heading into the sun, which kindly showed its face.



Moving from Blue Anchor beach, onto Dunster beach. There are stretches that I dont see sign of folk, so its quite nice to be back in the land of the living.



There is a lovely community, of chalets, which command quite a price, I think they were used for evacuees, during the second world war, I need to check up on this.



They are all lovingly cared for and some of the names of the properties, are along the lines of, Gone Quackers, Ducks crossing, etc.. in reflection of the ducks that seem to own the place. There was one that I thought was called POS, until I realised, that one of the stick on letters had dropped off ;)



After passing through the chalets, you then come onto the Minehead golf course, a truly stunning setting, if ever there was. On one side, the back drop of Exmoor and the other, the beautiful coastline of the Bristol Channel.



Then you arrive at Minehead, which is well know for its 'Camp' which like it or not, provides a lot of revenue for the town. It was check in day, so there was a backlog of cars, filled with excited youngsters.



I pooped into the local Msons and treated myself to a cheeky cider with Rhubarb and spiced apple, which I felt I might well deserve, by the time I got back, then started the return journey.



By now, the heavens had opened, the tide was in and all the folk that had checked in early, and fancied a dip, were fleeing the beach.



I still had 4 miles ahead of me. On with the 'tasteful' white waterproof coat. Not deterred in the least and passed several fishermen, sitting under their shelters.



I had the show playing on my phone and was happy gazing out to sea, when all of a sudden, The local running club ran around me and told me I was their marker, heading back in the opposite direction. I'm not in the least bit paranoid about my white coat, I dont think!!



The rest of the walk was wet, but lovely. Hundreds of Canada geese, flying, literally feet away from me and despite their huge numbers, all in V formations and honking very loudly.



I plodded the last mile, asking myself why I had endeavoured on such a walk, but on recollection, each and every mile, was worth it.



We live in such a beautiful country and if you have the chance, then I would say get out there and enjoy it.





The best things in life and all that.



Oh yes, and the rhubarb and spiced apple cider.. Another 8 mile walk tomorrow? I dont think so!!



Happy days :)

Yes tiz...



https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunster

#81 Sal what a lovely post and it made me laugh out loud at the thought of you a sitting marker!

Thanks Shona.



Do they still make liniment?



Oooh arrrr! ;)

#82 - Sal - Wondeful Wonderful Wonderful!



@ Sal again - I haven't read back to verify this - but I think you were wasp stung - the day before I made my first post!



#79/80- Shona - We DID watch it and are glad we did. Sometimes we try to shield ourselves from anything that's not PinkandWhite and some times we need to face i!



Has anyone seen " Angela's Ashes"? That's a laugh!

#Mayoblog Moments to Surprise and Delight - Part 1



#74 and #81 - Billie's Boiled Egg Ceremony and Sallie's Walk To Minehead And Back ..

each - in its own way - a masterclass in how to paint a picture with words alone. Just. Perfect.







All of which has contributed to my smiley Saturday morning - I have daughterage here and we're off up to London to show her grandmother the swish new flat. Am told we're to expect a warm and sunny London sky.



:^)

Good Morning All



Somebody pinch me please. Am I really seeing Mr Mayo today? Am I really meeting Amelia today?



*sooooo excited*

Good Morning Everybody, quite bright here on south coast today



Good luck Shona hope you and Ameila have a wonderful time

Good morning all - sun is shining and we're in for a warm one, I think!



Beautiful post, Sal - it sounds wonderful. Not wishing to be at all maudlin, but going for a walk is one of the things I really miss since my MS has progressed and I have to use a wheeled walker to help me get about and they are not very good when it comes to uneven ground. But I have the garden, which is my little haven and which I enjoy immensely.



Have great weekends all and get out there and enjoy it in your own ways.



Have fun Shona and Amelia



JW

Good Morning All



Sal, your post really made me smile! You paint such a beautiful picture with words.



I didn't hear the ARFO yesterday, but I'm guessing from the silence that it wasn't a blogger. Does Ken still have the crown?



I have seen 'The boy in the striped pyjamas' - it was on TV a few months ago. I hadn't read the book, and it's fair to say that Mr B and I were both completely stunned by the ending. I don't think I could watch it again. The thing that got us was that it is supposed to be a children's story... Must look up what Dr K thought of it.



Can I also add my best wishes to Shona and Amelia for your mini blog meet, and also to Simon who will be doing all the work... I look forward to hearing all about it.



Today I will mostly be doing domestic tasks. Our village show is on this afternoon, so I will probably poop along there at some point. It sounds like it's going to be hot, hot, hot though, so I may just end up lying in the garden with a good book...





~X~

Good Morning!



The clouds are trying to rain and the sun's trying to shine ..........



Good Morning!

Wishing I had gone to Edinburgh with Amelia - it'd have been lovely to meet Shona and to hear Mr Mayo talk about Itch. The sunny day outside isn't cheering me up!!!

hi all very hot here



#90 deebee the arfo was night boat to cairo madness i have posted the vid on the blogpoppets page



gazza x

#81. Beautiful, Sal. I think I love you.





BTW, unlikely that that chalet would've been called POS, unless it comes with a 'bay window' .

We've both come indoors - too hot!



Good news though - we've been tidying up the pond and have discovered 9 fish (out of 17) that have survived the heron attack and also there are lots of tiny, tiny baby fish so hopefully our pond will come to life again. We were also wondering whether a grass snake may have taken some fish - quite possible.



As I said to Molly Coddle the other day , nature can be cruel.



Hope everyone is having a good day



JW

I have heard from Shona and Amelia - it sounds like they have had a great time. I'll leave it to them to report the details, but apparently wine is involved so be warned...



;o)

#95 Glad to hear some of your fish have survived, Jennie, and that there are babies too. Yes, nature can indeed be cruel but at least there is a (semi) happy ending.



I should take the dogpoppet out for a walk, but neither of us is very keen - its just too hot.



~X~

No news from the gadabouts yet?



Good news about your fish and fishlets, Jennie!



The sun won over the clouds. It's been lovely - Dallas Breezy!



Enjoy!

What a wonderful, wonderful day! I met the lovely Amelia and we did nothing but giggle and gab like 2 teenagers. When it was time to go into the arena to see Simon, we rushed to get FRONT ROW seats.



Simon was fantastically fabulous! Witty, informative and .........well quite simply charming. He spent loads of time with everyone at the book signing and ...well we were thrilled to meet him.



The lovely Amelia brought sherbet lemons for him which he liked as he had picked up a sniffly cold on the train up to Edinburgh. I don't know how to post pics here but will put a pic of the Simonettes on f/b.



We told Simon that were going to text Mrs Deebee and he said that he knew of a blog meet coming up *how exciting*. ( I gave him the date)



I can't remember when I last had such a wonderful day. The lovely Amelia and I had to have a glass of vino after we met Simon to calm down. 'Twas very funny trying to carry said wine to a table as our hands were shaking.



Thank you Simon for such a wonnderful afternoon and I do hope your wee cold gets better soon.



You are a star!

Best try for a hat then