Storm Darragh is a blowing in. He is planning on doing so anyway. I checked the BBC weather app, which I’m not sure I realised I had until a link on the BBC news app took me there.
In the next hour Lincoln is expecting light rain and a fresh breeze. Pwllheli however is currently being battered by severe gales and heavy rain. Apaz we are in the eye, of the storm, hence the relative calm.
In Cardiff I happen to know they are canceling Christmas craft markets. I heard it from my sister Sue and on the BBC news on the wireless. Sounds like Wales is cut off. Both Severn bridges closed and all flights into Cardiff airport cancelled. There might be a back road or two still open but drive carefully (through Caerphilly) and look out for falling trees. Doubt there will be ferries from Fishguard today. The Cardiff bound 06.36 out of Bridgend was cancelled causing enormous disruption. I looked on realtimetrains.co.uk. It didn’t mention the enormous disruption bit. I added that in for effect. All domestic football and rugby matches are off. Strong winds make kicking the ball v difficult even if one of your mates puts his finger on the top of it to hold it still.
The falling trees, drift by my window. A topical variant on a popular song.
Stay safe, stay indoors, stay under the duvet. End of weather bulletin.
Food for Free by Richard Mabey
The holly and the ivy
The holly and the ivy,
When they are both full grown,
Of all trees that are in the wood,
The holly bears the crown.
The rising of the sun,
And the running of the deer
The playing of the merry organ,
Sweet singing in the choir.
The holly bears a blossom
As white as the lily flower,
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ,
To be our sweet Saviour.
The holly bears a berry
As red as any blood,
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
To do poor sinners good.
The holly bears a prickle
As sharp as any thorn,
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
On Christmas Day in the morn.
The holly bears a bark
As bitter as any gall,
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
For to redeem us all.
The holly and the ivy,
When they are both full grown,
Of all trees that are in the wood,
The holly bears the crown.
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Dunno about you but I go through phases of which room I sit in to drink a post breakfast cup of tea. It doesn’t appear to be day of the week dependent but there is an element of seasonality to it. Currently I use the snug. The only reason I can think of is that it must be marginally warmer than the living room which has the conservatory attached.
Today we have visitors arriving from Laandaan. I don’t think any of them pronounce it like that but that is how it is sbelled. Their train is running late because the inbound train from Leeds was 59 minutes late. One more minute and everyone would have got all their money back instead of just the half you get when it’s 30 minutes late.
Fortunately that 59 minutes won’t knock on to a similar delay on the Lincoln train as the expected arrival time from Leeds was 08.50 cf scheduled departure to Lincoln of 10.06. I think we all would rather get there on time than take the delay repay refund. Innit.
Wood brought in from the log store. I uncovered quite a few nice sized bits that meant I didn’t need to get the axe out. Next job is to light the fire, baby, which I will do once I’ve finished this cup of tea. I’ll need to take the coat stand in from the shed as THG has requested it as expansion hanging space for guest coats tonight.
Life is good. Read all about it, read all about it.
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A few people posting pics from the champagne bar at St Pancras. Quite a few years ago I took some customers out to lunch at Claridges and afterwards we had a bit of time to kill before the train back north so we stopped by the champagne bar.
The following week one of the guys, Barry, was meeting an old flame he hadn’t seen in 35 years and taking her out to dinner and the theatre “for old times sake”. She was a dentist fwiw. He had a word with one of the barmen and arranged to reserve a table and have a bottle of champagne and a dozen oysters delivered when they arrived.
One week later and Barry and the old flame rock up at the bar at which point the barman says he has reserved the “usual” table. The two sat down and the barman then said shall I bring the usual? That’ll be fine thanks sez Baz.
Barry then excuses himself to go to the loo at which point the old flame asked the barman whether the lad went there often. Once or twice said the barman, quite truthfully without elaboration. Discretion is essential in his line of business.
When Barry got back to the table she asked him the same question. Do you come here often? Once or twice said Barry with a smile. You couldn’t make it up.
Barry related this tale to me a couple of weeks later at a trefbash and the following year he brought the old flame along to the bash as well. I pried no further…