GIFT CRAZY AND I JUST DON'T CARE.
So, well, wow, what a weekend...
...Saturday went on a wine course with the Mrs. at the world famous Berry Bros, and Rudd, a three hundred year old wine merchants, the home of which can be found in the ever so swanky St. James area of Londres. What an outfit, steeped in history, brimming with knowledge and encased in wall to wall bottles of wine worth more than most peoples' houses. A great experience rounded off with a three course "longue" lunch and a wee test of what your palate may or may not have picked up through the course of the day. Thoroughly recommended, in fact will probably take the team their for Crimbo. Also I'd like to say hello to Adam, from Berry Brothers, who found himself back at our house when he woke up on Sunday morning. I took a few of them our afterwards and shared a little of my "knowledge." Ha ha.
Sunday it was off To Bray for lunch at Heston's pub, (again) and then back to The Roundhouse in Camden to watch Ray Davies wrap up what has been an absolutely breathtaking week of Electric Proms. He was, as you would imagine, the business, one of our coolest and oblivious rock star sons.
Got back home to Surrey at around half past midnight and then it was the last ever episode of the Sopranos. The ending had me lying awake in bed staring at the ceiling and shuddering at the thought of.... well I won't say, just in case you're waiting to see it. Still feel bleary eyed and a little on edge as a result.
So back to the title of today's blog. I have become totally obsessed witht he mini gift catalogues that seem to be a permanent part of the collation of sundy newspaper supplements. Natasha and i have decided that they are worth their wieght in gold and that all our Christmas presents will be sourced from them this year. Favorites from yesterday include... the all purpose wherever you go, giant head torch, the tecno marble run, a roller coaster for marbles, the awesome fishing rod in a pen, let me read you something abot that, "it may look like a pen but this feat of micro engineering telescopes into a portable 482 aluminium alloy and fibreglass fishing rod, it comes with miniature reel and 82' if high tensile line., how good is that ? Oh and finally the self setting watches guaranteed accourate to one second in ten million years, or your money back.
Comments
Don't know about them being in Newspapers, but I am being bombarded by them thru my letter box.
I even got one the other day, which had been totally "customised" for me...... Everything had either my name, or my initials pictured on the items.
I was very impressed. Stuff buying people presents, I'm buying them ALL FOR ME ... FOR ME.... FOR ME.... FOR ME... Mmmmmwaaaaahhhhh ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
DWNB
Such a packed weekend and you still find time to read gift catalogues...I've not even opened half of yesterdays paper yet.
Nev
Your weekend sounds amazing as usual....mine was not quite as exciting but I had fun (I'm easily pleased!) I'm especially jealous about Heston, I LOVE that man!
Went to Gressenhall on Friday (my youngest son calls it Agressivehall for some reason!) Had a great day, watched Bridge to Terabithia when we got home, cute film.
To Bewilderwood Saturday, has lots of fun whizzing down slides and zipwires but my son's Dr Who figure fell out of his hoody pocket, so that was a bit of a trauma!
On to a Halloween party that night dressed as goths, had a fantastic night of fireworks, delicious food and scary stories, rounded off with a singsong round the piano - great fun!
Chilled out yesterday with X Factor and Strictly (hate X Factor but the kids like it) and the Sunday papers, and today I HANDED IN MY NOTICE!! Yippee! I will no longer be a dinnerlady in 7.5 weeks time and I am so happy!
Em xx
CLP
We too were up in town. A posh hotel in Mayfair and dinner at the finest Indian restaurant you could ever wish to go to.
Truly brilliant.
Alas, it all began to go wrong after that.
Mrs MfR was most unwell yesterday morning, the weather was appalling and now I have a dose of cold.
Sorry, man-flu.
Still, on the upside, Mrs MfR has recovered and today sees the first day of trading of her new company.
And I'm stuck at home with yesterday's papers and endless re-runs of Market Kitchen.
Fab.
And, less than a week to get fit again and run the 10k (all for charidee) next Sunday.
Ooh eck.
Peace & love
MfR
PS The shareef don't like it.
Mark 11 one and all
Keep getting that 502 meassage ... not today thank you.
Must admit I love reading through the innovations magazines.. furry toilet seats etc,
Hazel I did mention in my post that went to cyba space that although I have never come across anything at the home worth a mention on the Antiques Road Show. Here at the house the central heating guys founsd a few gems under the floor boards.
Item One. A 10% voucher off from a well known department store valid till June 1980.
Item 2. A with sympathy card.
Item 3. A dirty lace mat..............any offers?
I don't know who Heston is, but I feel like I should!
Tinsel - yes I know what you mean about Ms Logan. I never felt that she was very popular but the girl could dance. Maybe people thought that she had an unfair advantage as a trained gymnast. Who do you think is out next? And as for your man dumping your clothes like that, oh my god how childish! I hope that you are feeling ok about things now xx
Em - I watched that film weekend before last, I cried! It's not at all what I expected though. Good for you handing in your notice like that. You must feel like a weight has lifted from your shoulders x
Gingembre - how did you get on? Hope your ok x
As for Christmas presents, I can't bear to think about Christmas shopping yet. I have to get firework night out of the way at least!
Debbie xx
Thanks bloggers for all your comments, you cheer me up.
A while ago I went swimming in the rain in a heated out door pool, it was brilliant.
That was a first for me, now I want to do the same in the snow!
How am I feeling today? It`s a beautiful day, don`t let it get away... Been sweeping leaves, had a trip to the wood yard, apparently the pine comes from Scandinavia. It made me think of log cabins/houses. Which made me think of a posible winter project to help keep the booze at bay - design and make a model log cabin.
I mentioned I was reading Billy Piper`s autobiography, I think Chris abandoned his, why?
Last night I was reading a book about bygone Kent. Did you know they use to smuggle tea into blighty from Ostend. Up until 1745 the tax on tea was so high the smugglers could make a very good living from it.
Chris mentioning techno gadget shopping, if your stuck for crimbo ideas you could also try www.firebox.com.
m xxx
Not a great weekend for me.
Might try to the wine tasting as a treat though.
Luv
Lyndyloo
& Booboo
-x-x-
Yo Christoof,
Bingo Star ere.
I've looked up the birth sign of Katie Meluelelularr as promised and she's not capricorn but..... VIRGO..... yyyyyessssssss!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The same as Wrightie and Sally Boazman.
I'm so damn excited CLP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Chow!
PS - 16th September!
chris back to the grind for me this week after a radio holiday sounds like you had another busy weekend
Chris, Have I got a gift for you!!!!!
But where can I send it?
Actually I have two gifts for you: One is quite unique which I hope you can use to raise funds for CIN 2007, a few years ago we gave a similar gift to a Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú Radio Kent Presenter who auctioned the gift for over £350 just in Kent, it would be nice to better that for this years CIN and as a thank you there is one for you personally, because I think, you'll think, its cool!
Come on Chris, you've forgotten all about the salt and pepper mill with a torchlight built in to allow you to see how much condiment you're putting on your food. Indispensable in the modern home. Ahem.
DPJ
Heston Bloomingtall That's whooo.
Martin James.... The Chef? Backwards.
We love you too.
I was brought up swimming in an outdoor pool. On the west coast of scotland. On a good day, (when it wasn't raining) we could reach the heady temperatures of 58 degrees farenheight! Ha Ha And I wonder why I'm a bit mad. On a cold day, with the wind and the rain, we were normally swimming in about 45 degrees. (F) Not entirely sure about these temps in C. We all went swimming there. It was the best place in the world. We didn't mind the cold, we'd even lie on the sun balcony on a cold day, just for the view.
The swimming pool has been gone since 1985..... and everyone in the town still refers to the Green Field as "The Old Swimming Pool".
Loved It!
DWNB
Evening all.
Well I'm not a happy bunny!
Firstly - thank you all for your thoughts/interest in my boring knee problems.
Secondly - the surgeon has told me that the knee is repaired as far as the work he has done
but...
...the pain will stay with me forever unless I have a quite serious operation which I cannot pronounce but in lay terms will mean opening up the knee (again) moving the knee cap and then removing some of my shin bone to totally re-align/re-build my knee.
This will then mean a minimum of 3 months rehab and then more time to up my fitness to be good for work again.
What am I to do? It's such a dilemma. I am going to see the physio, my GP and the force medical team over the next few days/weeks to get all the facts and figures. Then I will have to make a choice - painful or painfree?
This has hit me like a sledgehammer today and I'm totally down in the dumps.
KWx
martin - good stuff mate, keep it up, thinking of you x
Chris Evans are you a fundamental source of energy or what? How do you do all this stuff without becoming exhausted?
JK Nonegreen
You titled last night's show "Failure is an essential part of Success." Actually, half my blog is on this subject of 'Turning Adversity to Advantage', but you might enjoy this video clip which states the case in a particularly effective way: - "I’ve missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. 26 times I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot…and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed." - Michael Jordan.
Christophe, I wrote a post yesterday, of course, and it got et by whatever or whoever is eating all the submissions bar the few...I have no idea what it was...suffice to say...don't forget to get a tartan 'Big Slipper' for both Mrs Evans'...I'm sure you'll find them in at least ONE of the cataloguettes...a fleecey and microwaveable hot water bottle is also a fine and welcome gift...fab and fast for those chilly nights when you find yourself without a warm snuggle-partner...
...and only £2.99
love
hazel
x
Gingembre...I think if you can, you should bite the bullet. It's only going to mean this time now instead of much longer when you are older...and if you can get it done now, even better...think of waiting around again...too much my friend! The ankle biters are gonna get as high as your knees one day, and you don't want to be having to sit down the whole time do you...xx
mj - love the leaves. One pair of wellies + one pile of leaves = instant satisfaction!
Plum, I'll give you tuppence ha'penny for the card...
How kind of you to invite the B A girl on your "DO" Hope she doesn't turn out to be Glenn Close. Seriously tho spur of the moment invites usually turn out to be the best kind and no doubt she'll be more nervous than you. The last leaving do i went on i ended up playing pool with a full set of golf clubs, winner took all, Needless to say we got barred from the hostelrie before we could finish our game.
Guten Tag one and all
I was catching up with Coronation Street late last night which was then followed by the Katie Price and Peter Andre chat show. Actually I found it rather good I think they could be the next Richard and Judy. Not so sure about the Tattoo competition. This a competition for the most unusual tattoo. The leader is a bald guy with a full english breakfast tatto on his head. So Chris if your magic shampoo don't work..........
Hazel. Thanks for the offer for the Sympathy card, most generous.
Gingembre. Sorry to hear about you ongoing knee problem. I would be wary of more surgery though if they did it wrong in the first place.
No doubt the experts will advise you.
Martin. All the best to you.
Bingo. Can you do my horoscope? I am Pisces.
Adrian. What a great idea pool golf.
I am keeping my fingers crossed, praying that Mr P will cave and buy me that oh-so-chic microwaveable scarf that I spied in said magazine recently.
Morning all,
Gingembre, oh dear no wonder you are fed up today. To be honest I probably agree with Hazel. A lifetime of pain doesn't sound good, at least if you get the operation over with you can get on with the rest of your life without the pain. I agree with speaking to as many people as you can i.e GP and physio so that you're armed with all the information that you need to make a decision. Hope that you don't have too horrible a day stressing over it xx
I know who Heston is now, saw him on Jonathan Ross last Friday. Seemed like a nice bloke.
Going to make the most of this sunshine today, don't like the dark evenings already. Need to get used to driving home from work through the forest in the dark.
Have a lovely day all xx
Hiya one and all,
I have been trying and trying and TRYING to comment, but nothing goes through. Yet, here I am trying again!
Chris, We have decided that this Christmas we are no longer buying gifts for the adults in the family. It's just crazy and too expensive. Plus, everything ends up in the bin. I really have no need for bath salts, sponges, and candles that when you try to light them, you discover they are not real candles! Sorry, bah humbug!
Gingembre: surgery is always such a frightening prospect. But I have to say, I'm with Hazel on this one - this operation is going to sort you out for later life. You are in shock at the moment and you have to work your way through it, but I would think you are looking at six difficult months for the op, rehab and getting back to normal. After that, you have a pain-free life to look forward to. The alternative really seems too high a price to pay for not going through with the surgery. Thinking of you on this one x
Hope everyone else is ok today.
C xx
Gingembre - sorry to hear about your knee, I don't think I could bear the thought that I would be in pain for the rest of my life, but I can understand you feeling apprehensive - it's a difficult dilemma.
Debbie - I saw Heston Blumenthal on Jonathan Ross too, I hope he didn't make you put a t#*$"n in your mouth Chris (not sure if I'd be allowed to type that word on here!)
What's this about you nearly burning down the Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú Chris? I heard it on Have I Got News For You - not sure if it was an old one.
Em xx
Morning everyone.
((((Gingembre)))) - I'm with the other girls - pain now, but so much gain later - otherwise your quality of life will always be less than it could be.
Debbie - I think Mr Logan will be out next - I reckon Gabby will have drummed it into him that he should just do his hoover impersonation again or else no more fun for him ha ha!!
Chris - I too LOVE those catalogues. How did we ever live without all those gadgets?? I saw that fishing rod pen - I think its genius!!!!
Martin J - being out in the rain is lovely (altho I hope the pool was heated!!!). I went out for a walk in the rain on Sunday with my wellies on, fantastic.
Have great days all.
Txxxx
Greetings CLP & ALL Blog Operatatives,
Bingo Star ere.
Martin James - Glad ter see yer back bloggin. I've wondered a few times if your ok.
I'm sorry ter 'ear you've started drinking again -
I wish you well & 'ope it all works out good for you.
Liz - CRITTERS!!!!!!!!! 'Ave you thought of getting yer cats a shivering critter each - mine love them.
They sell they sell them at Tescos in the pet toy section.
Gingembre - Very sorry to 'ear about the knee problems. I suppose looking on the bright side medicine is always advancing and 'opefully they will be able to help you. I sympathise - it must be very painful knee problems.
My knees are beginning ter go & i'm only 34. I'm trying ter gently exercise mine ter keep them lose, which is 'elping - often I get abit of pain and a crunching noise as I bend them.
Incidently yer not a capricorn are you Gingembre?
I've read one of the no1 things suffered by capricorns are knee problems - just curious ter see if there's abit more truth in all this astro stuff i've read!
(I hope you realise I'm being slightly lighthearted but I am being serious about your ilness & do wish you well Gingembre).
Prof Plum - I'll give you an astrlogical reading know, sorry now.
Pisces - i'll just look inter me crystal ball........ mmmmmnnnn..... mmmmmmnnnn..... mmmmmmnnn..... i'm getting water.. no.. FISH!!!
I see a wall.... I see a plastic BIG BILLY BASS mounted on me 'all wall singing "Rollin', rollin', a rollin' down the riverrrrrrrrr!"
Sorry don't know what 'appened there Prof man.
Pisces - me ex was pisces very nice people I find. Can be a little over sensitive and dreamy but very kind, caring, understanding but in an authoritive way. Make good teachers. I bet if yer went inter a school outta ten teachers 7 would be pisces - don't believe me? Try it Prof and see the Proof of.... The Zodiac!!
Female pisceans normally 'ave very good skin!
And round moooonly eyes - don't know much about male pisceans... sorry!
Prof Plum - fellow pisces are - Janey Lee Grace, Brucey, Mellinda Messananger, Sharon Stone, Venessa Feltzzzz, Elaine Page, Ronan Keating.... oh and the big dude Ayrton Senna was!!!!
'ope this elps abit Prof man!
CLP - You ARE a very, very nice man letting the Rexie or Dexie was it? come ter yer do.
She sounded, hot, abit shy but serious, abit capricorn ter me!
Yer should 'ave Dexies Midnight Runners playin' friend!!!!!!!
Unfortunately CLP welcome ter the world outside the 'appy beeb.
I've worked at 'orrible places were the drivers were the back bone of the place - worked the longest, 'ardest hours - 15hr days, carrying dangerous chemicals in our tankers and away all week living in our truck. Yet at the Christmas do all were invited except.... you guest it or should it be none guest, drivers not allowed ter the Christmas do!
Makes yer feel appreciated life!
PS ALL - I don't know if I should open up but i've got mesen inter a VERY BIG MESS at me local dating agency, I've goot a court appearance soon a a result.. I don't know whether ter tell all on the blog?
Chow!
Hurrah Christoffe, excellent listening figures so yah boo sucks to all those knockers when you took over.
Mind you, you,ve bin down one listener since last week as I can't join in the fun whilst I'm over here in Dublin. Roll on me little chapel renovation in Termonfeckin, when I can tighten the rubber band, tune the right knobs in and not miss the party.
When I last looked you were contemplating your navel and talking about faith. Well now. Over here they've plenty of that, and I,m reminded of the Gerry Ryan Show on RTE 2, in the aftermath of the death of Pope John Paul ll, when a woman from somewhere in County Galway rang in to say she'd experienced a miracle whilst having the curly perm re-surfaced at Breeda's Hair Salon in Ballinasloe. Having had the curlers put in and settling down with a copy of the Catholic Times and a nice cup of tea, she looked down at her nylon gown and 'God Bless Us And Save Us, Gerry, there was the face of the Pope smilin' out at me.'
Bloody marvellous. Never mind the Turin Shroud, Breeda and all her customers have been genuflectin' ever since and the said nylon relic with its peroxide John Paul ll remains in evidence. Praise the Lord.
And only on Friday there was a right kerfuffle when somebody questioned the validity of Saint Padraig Pio (I'm not sure how you spell that) who was beatified for having the healing powers and who claimed to have the Stigmata, you know, the bleeding wounds of Our Lord on his hands, and some cheeky blighter suggested he was a fake. By the crin you should have heard them givin' out. One woman was furious about the allegation that the said Friar drove a Mercedes. 'He never drove any such thing, Gerry. Sure it would have been a Fiat Punto.'
Excellent. Mind you I hope he had one of them wipe-clean covers on his steering wheel.
Ah no have I just blasphemed? Oops. I'm on me knees as we speak.
Anyway, must get going, I've a boat to catch and after the rigours of the Dublin Marathon yesterday (that's the M50 ring-road to me by the way, 26 miles runnin' backwards with a bucket on me head is a piece of piss after circumnavigatin' that), I shall need a stiff Black Russian before I board.
Bottoms up.
Clodagh.xx
Yay Clodagh, we've missed you!!!
Bingo - I'm agog with anticipation .........
Bingo - if I can help at all with any advice/phone contacts etc then I will!
Thank you all for your lovely comments, I'm not so down today having slept this morning after a hectic night at work whish entailed me getting a lift on the back of a tractor around a farm in the early hours looking for a rapscallion!!!
I think i will go for the op but need to find out all the %'s n stuff first.
I will have odd legs in that the 'new' one will be straight and my old 'un will remain bow-legged! Only 3mm difference but still - a bit of comedy thrown in for good measure!!
Thank you again - you're the best
KWx
Oh and Bingo...
...Aquarius!
Let me know if I can help with your dating problem?
KWx
Yo CLP & ALL Blog Operatatives,
Bingo Star ere again.
CLP Man - The best way ter lose weight is dabble on the stockmarket... I recently went from 15,000 pounds ter just 161 pound in two days!!!!!!!
Gingembre - Thank you for you your kind words about my kind words about your kind words.
Aquaurius.... yer right in between me and the Prof Plum.
A very 'appy birthdee for between Jan the 23rd and Feb the 22nd!!!!!!
As for the dating thingy am gonna reveal all know.... just 'ope I don't end up with a five mile exclusion order from around BC 'ouse!!! >>>>
I've got mesen inter a BIG MESS blog friends at me local dating agency.
I've been a member for 8 years & after 783 dates, i'm still unlucky in love!
So I thought it's time for a one ter one with the agency proprietor... aka Linda Lovelady!
I said "Lin, I don't understand why am still unlucky in love?"
She said "Bingo."
I said "pleeease call me Bin, call me Bin."
She said "BIN.... what you need is chemistry."
I said "aaaaahhhhhh gotcha..... wink, wink.... chemistry aye, munch two, munch damn two!!!!!"
So blog friends I 'ung around me local chemists store until after five days the ploice were called by one of the dispensing operatatives... yes the damn ploice.
The despenser wanted ter dispense of me!!!
I was arreasted for loiterance of the peace!
DAT iz the last DAMN time I use a dating agency.
I've know, sorry now, got a court appearance coming up as a result - only knows 'ow am gonna get mesen outta this one as i'm still on a contraditional discharge after me Tiger Woods incidentation in Carnoustie in July!
On top of this am still trying ter get me agency fees back from Linda Lovelady!!!
PS CLP - Any chance of playin' Hue & Cry - Looking For Linda.... I am damn cryin' blog friends, I am cryyyyin'!!!!!!!!
Chow!
Chris
Please stop ringing the door bell as I have answered the door twice and my dogs are going berserk!!!!!!
I know it's my age¬!
Grear show!
My friend happened to be mentioned in your recent post (Adam of Berry Bros.) and flicked it proudly to all his mates back here in Melbourne.
We have one question, were there any wet patches left on the carpet?
Desparate for a fishing rod in a pen, what's the name of the catalogue!
Thanks.
Hi Chris,
Really glad you enjoyed your wine course and I hope Adam wasn't too much trouble! That was all, except thank you for mentioning Berry Bros & Rudd, it truly an exceptional company both to work for and buy wine from. One confession, when Johnnie Walker left I was gutted, then they announced you were taking over, gutted again! Too manic I thought, gang radio I thought! Now the gushing part, I love the show and my drive home from Basingstoke to sunny south coast whizzes by!
I've just watched X Factor Final. It Was Unfair, Leon sings 'I Believe' then lines are open to vote for Leon. Then Much later Ryhdian sings and people don't have enough time to vote for him and its stated the lines are now closed. People have had loads of time to vote for Leon but only 5 mins to try and vote for Ryhdian. I tried to vote and it was a complete waste of time, engaged all the time and then lines closed. I wonder how many thousands of Ryhdian voters like me who never got the chance to vote. Both Finalists should have sang Then the lines should have been open to vote this would have been fair.