tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-310823632024-03-13T19:56:44.471+00:00Little Corner of the EarthAvushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16512540148378201058noreply@blogger.comBlogger250125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31082363.post-83512656437060076432023-04-06T11:17:00.000+01:002023-04-06T11:17:27.559+01:00CAFE ENCOUNTER<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr87rGxtaDtil4H8qRpWi4cID4OVSw17X1gIcYa0u240oYXdU05ztnUMjmWjZ13GdRjCXratR0YDwhGTx3QgJ_wXIVfWlNXIVq93dZOSzS4k123im0lSkch3vDyBJXrgVswgCprgRup2iEyA77qUfR8yUCSAzgMyBlg8Y0Heo4SyeSFxE0cA/s640/PAUL%20NASH.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="404" data-original-width="640" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr87rGxtaDtil4H8qRpWi4cID4OVSw17X1gIcYa0u240oYXdU05ztnUMjmWjZ13GdRjCXratR0YDwhGTx3QgJ_wXIVfWlNXIVq93dZOSzS4k123im0lSkch3vDyBJXrgVswgCprgRup2iEyA77qUfR8yUCSAzgMyBlg8Y0Heo4SyeSFxE0cA/w505-h319/PAUL%20NASH.jpg" width="505" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>Dymchurch 1923 Paul Nash</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 13.5pt;">I live
about 12 miles inland from the little coastal town of Dymchurch on Romney
Marsh. The small cafe I have frequented there for about 30 years had recently
changed hands. It was, at last, a brilliant cold sunny day so I hoisted out the
ebike and decided to toddle down there to have lunch and see what the new
owners had done to it.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 13.5pt;">It was
the Easter holidays and there is an amusement park about 200 yards away so the
cafe was teeming. But a small elderly man at a table for two offered me the
place opposite him. I ordered my meal at the counter (meat pie, chips and mushy
peas if you are interested) and joined him.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 13.5pt;">" I
hire out sun loungers on the beach and popped in for elevenses" he said.
His accent was pretty heavy Geordie and I commented that he had originated
somewhat north of the Kent coast. That got him going.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 13.5pt;">He had
been born in Northumberland and did his National Service in the RAF (so must
have probably been at least 80). After his two years service he had fetched up
in London, served an apprenticeship in the building trade, stayed there and
eventually married and moved to Hastings. "You have kept your Geordie
accent still", I commented. "You never lose it lad" (Lad - I am
84!) he proudly replied. This opened the flood gates and I was treated to all
his working life story.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 13.5pt;">Being of
a size and enjoying horses he had been a part-time jockey. He rose in the
building trade to become a site agent until his retirement at 60. "So what
are you going to do now?" his wife asked him. "I bought a dozen
donkeys and hired them out for beach rides. I also had a couple of fields
nearby at Camber Sands and hired them out in season as overflow car
parking". He had three daughters, one in insurance, one a solicitor and
the last an accountant. "So they did all the paperwork for me and I
collected all the cash. Some nights when the wife and I cashed up there
was five grand lying on the table, It was cash in hand, boy - they paid me
for the donkey rides and for the car park when they parked, so no paperwork or
invoices and my daughter kept the tax man sweet".</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 13.5pt;">When he
had been doing this for 20 years the family said he should slow down a bit.
"So I sold the donkeys and the fields and bought 30 sunloungers to hire
out on Dymchurch sands as I could see a niche for them. That's what I do
now".</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 13.5pt;">He rose
to go. "Come down to the beach sometime for a chat" (he loved to
talk). By now I had tuned into that Geordie accent - still there after some 60
years. I got on with my meal, reflecting how a simple invitation to sit with
him had gifted me with an encounter to remember.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 13.5pt;">By the
way - the new owners have transformed the cafe with redecoration, good food and
friendly atmosphere. I shall return to Ivy's Tearoom in the High Street.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p>Avushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16512540148378201058noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31082363.post-29154944663323117162023-02-24T08:28:00.002+00:002023-02-24T08:32:16.613+00:00ELECTRIC VEHICLES<p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">I take an Australian motorcycle magazine having been out to that country a few times to visit my daughter who married an Aussie and lives in Perth. A recent editorial contained the following paragraph which chimed with my own opinions:</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvh0WWJcMbm6XrsSrqz9EEusj87KEZ_0PMr7LQYFYiPLbMpX2pfNRyeLsevon7ZmIbkMd3zIy9bkhmaTwHL7WKTDVCYGDgeeDkAUKVT-YwYJOInwmyvUBIcjU9aNWvtLUlJJPQ2vYWAC14SpSSNZBZURK4SbSy8xakt8vuYBzk_PAkKr-osg/s862/quote.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="862" data-original-width="698" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvh0WWJcMbm6XrsSrqz9EEusj87KEZ_0PMr7LQYFYiPLbMpX2pfNRyeLsevon7ZmIbkMd3zIy9bkhmaTwHL7WKTDVCYGDgeeDkAUKVT-YwYJOInwmyvUBIcjU9aNWvtLUlJJPQ2vYWAC14SpSSNZBZURK4SbSy8xakt8vuYBzk_PAkKr-osg/w518-h640/quote.jpg" width="518" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Loving motorcycles I am glad, at 84, that I should not be around when our government's decree that all new vehicles must be electric powered by 2030. Motorcycles were originally exempted from this ban but are now included. Batteries in motorcycles could not be large enough for any long range. Even cars are suspect here, especially on dark, cold winter days when all ancilliary equipment, lights, heaters and demisters may be all needed to take power from that battery.</span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Ecars are expensive. Charging takes too long and the infrastructure is just not there. Imagine a journey of say 300 miles in winter with a full passenger load and a need to stop to recharge batteries at a motorway car park. It could be filled with others using all the chargers (if all are working) and even "quick charging" could take 20 minutes.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Still, I envisage that the existing, used IC vehicles will have enhanced selling prices and will be cherished, repaired and used for decades, rather like the vintage American cars in Cuba.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Synthetic fuels, as being developed by Porsche could be the answer to this collective madness.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">A Luddite's musings.....</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p>Avushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16512540148378201058noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31082363.post-52604906289865141872023-01-17T15:05:00.007+00:002023-01-17T15:27:34.090+00:00KEEP RIGHT ON!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwAoO5ZF-x-5wF31qFsFVhzZcv1QVvO3-QHA3_ase1H7ITU861RF1hU62iB3dgWSXWo4Dbuhp3FFIXZ0LZjWmd5G3wcD2ls-Ajqi0lb_lTlfIpDqJ7Jo7N1y-jJB0mcJj0jvmICvbcjpCRLUpktJDKk7WD0cQRobTHpa-e-8023zu8c218AA/s1238/Memories.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="920" data-original-width="1238" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwAoO5ZF-x-5wF31qFsFVhzZcv1QVvO3-QHA3_ase1H7ITU861RF1hU62iB3dgWSXWo4Dbuhp3FFIXZ0LZjWmd5G3wcD2ls-Ajqi0lb_lTlfIpDqJ7Jo7N1y-jJB0mcJj0jvmICvbcjpCRLUpktJDKk7WD0cQRobTHpa-e-8023zu8c218AA/w400-h297/Memories.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>I am attaching a link to a post I made in 2011. I make no apologies for this as, in old age, it continues to inspire me - and indeed can bring tears to my eyes.</p><p><span style="color: #660000;"><a href="https://little-corner-of-the-earth.blogspot.com/2011/06/keep-right-on.html"><b>https://little-corner-of-the-earth.blogspot.com/2011/06/keep-right-on.html</b></a></span></p><p>Most of those bloggers who commented at the time have faded away into other more superficial social media, but a very few old faithfuls are still around. Good luck to them and long may they continue.</p>Avushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16512540148378201058noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31082363.post-148470509472237022023-01-02T10:38:00.000+00:002023-01-02T10:38:04.193+00:002023 A HOPEFUL NEW YEAR<p><span style="font-family: verdana;">First, I hope all readers will have a calm and contented 2023. I do know that some of you have health issues in old age, but maybe even those will find nuggets of joy for contemplation.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">You will have seen from my last post that my life has had its setbacks, but I am determined to resurface and look to the future (however short that may be at age 84).</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6UASZMniwi_kGOjgdZZgtaQWGaGwChlH_2wWlcxtTokZMryBMM2ThzX0gdU_zPwfI7QMdPKX-mQcP8XdYBIIIKrGu3Qth7wJN9y6gPK27KCK3g_to3yvxlApOxQWKqpo0acyn9CSr61DFydxA_2jnW60x-VqQeWyQ8uz1QnNr8yEGXQZ94g/s632/Old%20motorcyclist.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="616" data-original-width="632" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6UASZMniwi_kGOjgdZZgtaQWGaGwChlH_2wWlcxtTokZMryBMM2ThzX0gdU_zPwfI7QMdPKX-mQcP8XdYBIIIKrGu3Qth7wJN9y6gPK27KCK3g_to3yvxlApOxQWKqpo0acyn9CSr61DFydxA_2jnW60x-VqQeWyQ8uz1QnNr8yEGXQZ94g/s320/Old%20motorcyclist.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">The weather has not been kind for me to exercise my motorcycle for a while but that has led me to consider my (small) stable. I still like my classic 1997 Suzuki TU250X</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNa_rPXHYEk5Z7HDCNTX3-8Zxx9C60L9OBeCIWA9l5adUWKPTC81l93y3QRny_YZ0mGcbE9WILrkp-6snEMPulf3fGOMJDioHEOQDOLy2RBqrslH1p0z1zwopBInMfNmURT5AYR62YSq2kXh7vOX6hCVOAt8KlhXjANZH8F0xnmkV1-nxJ7g/s1600/Image2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNa_rPXHYEk5Z7HDCNTX3-8Zxx9C60L9OBeCIWA9l5adUWKPTC81l93y3QRny_YZ0mGcbE9WILrkp-6snEMPulf3fGOMJDioHEOQDOLy2RBqrslH1p0z1zwopBInMfNmURT5AYR62YSq2kXh7vOX6hCVOAt8KlhXjANZH8F0xnmkV1-nxJ7g/w400-h266/Image2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /> which will continue to be ridden as long as I can keep it upright. But I decided to discard the small Honda scooter and find a small, lightweight motorcycle to replace it as a general runaround. I have never really been a great fan of scooters, but they are a useful convenience. Their riding position is akin to squatting on a kitchen chair, legs primly ahead, knees together and with no ability to ride the bumps by taking weight on the footrests as with a motorcycle, legs apart, with some body weight on the arms - akin to astride a horse.<p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Honda has recently updated their perennial Honda Cub (100 million produced since 1958 - the most amongst all road vehicles of any kind ever made in the world). Their new 125cc Super Cub seemed to fit the bill for this decrepit, ageing motorcyclist. I looked around and eventually found a 2020 example, down in Gloucester (joys of the internet) which had only done 180 miles </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6hElDJfPakGn6EYSxeLLbhYKdrttvKqLx-LcFn7EJJyfxWm_XcS7z-a2VaQMDMsdOcA9uL_LhNK9J030dX7TB88ZdSZc8Ap0p6UlIelgtfhbu_TWoWCE6XJYWfbkNVMXSaftC16bsgkKWAKqJEiAdayzh3IY547kCSB2JnRjKuYXAE_dLdg/s1280/thumbnail_20221110_132048.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6hElDJfPakGn6EYSxeLLbhYKdrttvKqLx-LcFn7EJJyfxWm_XcS7z-a2VaQMDMsdOcA9uL_LhNK9J030dX7TB88ZdSZc8Ap0p6UlIelgtfhbu_TWoWCE6XJYWfbkNVMXSaftC16bsgkKWAKqJEiAdayzh3IY547kCSB2JnRjKuYXAE_dLdg/w400-h300/thumbnail_20221110_132048.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />The dealer offered free delivery to Kent too (no doubt included in their asking price but still....). Is it a motorcycle or a scooter? I suppose it is the former, but dressed somewhat like the latter. It has the advantage of a bike's riding position, but with a scooter's weather protection. And it only weighs a touch over 100 kgs - a great selling point for this ageing, decrepit, etc., etc.<p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Now we only need some decent weather for me to ride it!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p>Avushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16512540148378201058noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31082363.post-50824638267982198642022-12-21T08:34:00.002+00:002022-12-23T19:03:32.005+00:00<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIKPL00UuYdkAHkhSzssR_40_geGKPBbMhFVOzIvHADyX9aiGbBLNGMVI22uJ9SIUYCmv_yfP4hUZZW3ah3JhFiR_wae4pVL9h3TQvOdkRdyAm0gTv7XPC2WHth9ipK9FmOg7-uag9hf1ZuAe8Y4_O1pgyLiVUoHLukJ1RPrfqJZFf8mL2cA/s546/Anna%20Dillon%20Ridgeway%20Series.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="409" data-original-width="546" height="467" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIKPL00UuYdkAHkhSzssR_40_geGKPBbMhFVOzIvHADyX9aiGbBLNGMVI22uJ9SIUYCmv_yfP4hUZZW3ah3JhFiR_wae4pVL9h3TQvOdkRdyAm0gTv7XPC2WHth9ipK9FmOg7-uag9hf1ZuAe8Y4_O1pgyLiVUoHLukJ1RPrfqJZFf8mL2cA/w623-h467/Anna%20Dillon%20Ridgeway%20Series.jpg" width="623" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i> (Anna Dillon - The Ridgeway series) </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><u><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></u></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><u><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></u></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><u><span style="color: #2b00fe;"> HAPPY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE</span></u></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I see my last post here was in April. A lot has happened in my life since then as my wife for 63 years died last May. But life goes on and Christmas is here. A verse of Joyce Grenfell's seems appropriate:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>If I should go before the rest of you</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Break not a flower nor inscribe a stone</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Nor if I go speak in a Sunday voice</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>But be the usual selves that I have known.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Weep if you must, parting is hell.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>But life goes on, so sing as well.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;">I had intended that this blog should close (running since 2006) since most of the others seem to have faded away. But it is something I have always enjoyed and interacting with your replies (which have likewise tended to fade away). So, "life goes on" and so will this blog.</div><p></p>Avushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16512540148378201058noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31082363.post-74350748802087083412022-04-13T09:42:00.000+01:002022-04-13T09:42:52.745+01:00HOW TO LOAD A RUSSIAN TANK<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwdE-xjz5vxAlIb90d9eFVMvmictLE6KOxx9h58S0BgpxRy9fxHMtFwopQ8kwy_8SMM07e7AM-wKiQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I sincerely hope that bastard Putin's army are all so incompetent!</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I also submit an idea for local councils to change the front of their dog waste bins.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9u1M-KsG-hlUklxb4SApQgStuaGVz5ACcc2vG8e0SXhi_P7byLKOxFlYx8WZsFJ8s9w1lUeZI3thtSo_uAwiQO5TsD-PcrSp8OthKsFWYhJ9HnFXqjKMOLHt6MLuwNOVGWP8WtuvrvWUKMIxSYIouuU8FzK9eIfzZ_ev-YguceY_vpoFxCA/s924/Poo%20tin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="924" data-original-width="896" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9u1M-KsG-hlUklxb4SApQgStuaGVz5ACcc2vG8e0SXhi_P7byLKOxFlYx8WZsFJ8s9w1lUeZI3thtSo_uAwiQO5TsD-PcrSp8OthKsFWYhJ9HnFXqjKMOLHt6MLuwNOVGWP8WtuvrvWUKMIxSYIouuU8FzK9eIfzZ_ev-YguceY_vpoFxCA/w388-h400/Poo%20tin.jpg" width="388" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p>Avushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16512540148378201058noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31082363.post-80888301043868006912022-04-04T10:42:00.001+01:002022-04-04T10:48:33.037+01:00PIPPA (PIPS)<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7yVWCa0K2gqGZCSqEGGlkXQXvcQLa-ilzrbdLrKi3fhr3VcYd1TioIvgOOUGL1h1UDvnzyo96SjXEnwZzNXqG0fuAj_5iWjG4l_LLYNWpwKpOyMsceVVbQBnbjAzFsi3pp5ZtGGVzQDJM9Chy01T4Ja3NHej2hP-vL2za5tTbUO_ULYncGg/s1496/Pip%20enlarged.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1052" data-original-width="1496" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7yVWCa0K2gqGZCSqEGGlkXQXvcQLa-ilzrbdLrKi3fhr3VcYd1TioIvgOOUGL1h1UDvnzyo96SjXEnwZzNXqG0fuAj_5iWjG4l_LLYNWpwKpOyMsceVVbQBnbjAzFsi3pp5ZtGGVzQDJM9Chy01T4Ja3NHej2hP-vL2za5tTbUO_ULYncGg/w640-h450/Pip%20enlarged.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>A "Hello" from Pippa (to be known by me as Pips). I have had 6 dogs over my adult life, but my last, Roxy,<b> <a href="https://little-corner-of-the-earth.blogspot.com/2021/07/roxy.html" style="background-color: #fcff01;"><span style="color: black;">sadly had to be put down</span></a></b> last July.</p><p>For some months I was just bereft, but after Christmas the urge came on me once more to get another companion. Never can such be called a "replacement" for a previous dog who can never be "replaceable". After much searching of rescue centres, where suitable mature small dogs were gone before I could even apply for them, I decided to consult the private "dogs for sale" adverts. Again, most were gone before I could get to them.</p><p>At last, a week ago, an advert came up to sell a 6 year old Jack Russell, which was reluctantly for sale by a mature lady who was no longer mobile and was going into a one bedroom council flat where dogs were not allowed. I rang the number immediately and was told that she had had many enquiries <i>(I should think so as many dogs are for sale at £2000/£3000 where this one was priced at £100)</i> but no one had yet arranged to call to see her. I said I would be there by 4.00 pm - it was now 1.00 pm and snowing heavily at that time and accordingly I made the 70 mile round trip to Tunbridge Wells.</p><p>I was met by the lady carrying a towel-wrapped dog. "I have just bathed her to show her to you at her best" she said. The animal at once wriggled free of the towel and enthusiastically attached herself to me, tail going at 20 to the dozen. "Oh, she likes you. She has never done that to a stranger before" the surprised owner gasped.</p><p>I was sold! My daughter, a confirmed "dog person" has always said, "When the right dog wants you it will find you". Well this one obviously did and has.</p><p>She is a Jack Russell terrier in body, but her head is definitely Chihuahua, with her fine skull and pricked up ears. It is an excellent combination though and makes for a good looking dog. She settled in immediately, although would not eat for the first day. No problem, as she is overweight through overfeeding and lack of execise. "I just put a bowlfull of food down for her each morning and she eats it all day when she wants it", said the owner. That will change......</p><p>She goes to the vet tomorrow for a check over, vaccination and to get her over long claws clipped (lack of walks on road surfaces).</p><p>She is a quick learner and has become my little shadow, following me everywhere - but she can be a tart at times.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe5_nCFYPJeArJyGGEMcU-QAyNv0eWDjhQCqfTfWJgXCzEaabsBbt0Gy-2LSCgbP5cm691MukIXdJXklfS4e_xqqSHJGu2Qiwds6IBIsDLdfWfVZPWbGSRFZvzVBYuXDtJcChhd5ycQDpc3FwRhEP08BY7vJlHL1uPONcQE_qkp6mXgYMqoA/s2588/pip%20tart.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1436" data-original-width="2588" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe5_nCFYPJeArJyGGEMcU-QAyNv0eWDjhQCqfTfWJgXCzEaabsBbt0Gy-2LSCgbP5cm691MukIXdJXklfS4e_xqqSHJGu2Qiwds6IBIsDLdfWfVZPWbGSRFZvzVBYuXDtJcChhd5ycQDpc3FwRhEP08BY7vJlHL1uPONcQE_qkp6mXgYMqoA/w640-h356/pip%20tart.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Avushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16512540148378201058noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31082363.post-2023391899719452742022-02-26T17:09:00.005+00:002022-02-26T17:21:05.850+00:00SPRING IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"> </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">A cold January morning, but the sun shone and a bike ride beckoned although time was at a premium.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">A favourite run when only a couple of hours is available is to <a href="https://little-corner-of-the-earth.blogspot.com/2008/04/coffee-cake-and-things.html" style="background-color: white;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>St. Rumwold's Church</b></span></a>, Bonnington (a bench to rest on is usually available in churchyards). On reaching my destination I walked up the church pathway and these views convinced me that I needed to change my Blog Title from "Winter" to "Spring" (where this church is part of its scenery).</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgwZ8q3aypbLFnmZ0Cj5K8ZQI29ONkyUiIY9Cq0KzftOPnpY-c_5zgh-s1sQnxLatrzQjkQG7p2Gxkh9VYeB_SLUov6bF8U7L0JagUSvuRHf5O2XYuMJIbde3OXqLDR0ra65fHUM93BUufLPUSxQfHU4Zs6ezV1J6P9HpcarsDw0-wPfz2mLg=s3720" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3720" data-original-width="2670" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgwZ8q3aypbLFnmZ0Cj5K8ZQI29ONkyUiIY9Cq0KzftOPnpY-c_5zgh-s1sQnxLatrzQjkQG7p2Gxkh9VYeB_SLUov6bF8U7L0JagUSvuRHf5O2XYuMJIbde3OXqLDR0ra65fHUM93BUufLPUSxQfHU4Zs6ezV1J6P9HpcarsDw0-wPfz2mLg=w461-h640" width="461" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiPtuNnyvDp_j8L5zdzgjPWDVaqNaZ0lVU0QlmO4LjwPgIkWTxzg2PI4WfRddPpnIFmFQHhHedBGnQ5ty1Eah6XeGlU4ZKdJNK0E6-JfJHrXfew4_ePjyj8EEbNXEWU7CX1_SA4SJhsS7RGvIgKiQEw6PnpptzcAaXORe6NL0qRoNgtPnXFbA=s2652" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2574" data-original-width="2652" height="622" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiPtuNnyvDp_j8L5zdzgjPWDVaqNaZ0lVU0QlmO4LjwPgIkWTxzg2PI4WfRddPpnIFmFQHhHedBGnQ5ty1Eah6XeGlU4ZKdJNK0E6-JfJHrXfew4_ePjyj8EEbNXEWU7CX1_SA4SJhsS7RGvIgKiQEw6PnpptzcAaXORe6NL0qRoNgtPnXFbA=w640-h622" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Daffodils were starting to bud and the Narcissi were in bloom on the yachtsman's grave. Note his grave "stone" is made from a single piece of oak - as is the memorial bench nearby, with this Stevenson quote engraved on it:</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">"Home is the sailor, home from the sea"</span></i></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I always make use of it when I stop here and today a flask of whiskey laced coffee was very welcome whilst I enjoyed the utter silence of the landscape around this little Romney Marsh church.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi8BcKe9yzSboQ-HmWkftn45r3FtV5C-U7zseES9IbEkZODfJDIe9MtAa9xdSb1a0S5rTWdbfumLQs1v4jScBrXV2oDvlT_8wr6iCzD6ikpoBpintED-Ag6ucJDWFcCp0Cf1aR1AVNRFHQy0Q1-rXepBfP_ZvIQjeU6pxyF--toQ1rXNSfJJg=s4000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi8BcKe9yzSboQ-HmWkftn45r3FtV5C-U7zseES9IbEkZODfJDIe9MtAa9xdSb1a0S5rTWdbfumLQs1v4jScBrXV2oDvlT_8wr6iCzD6ikpoBpintED-Ag6ucJDWFcCp0Cf1aR1AVNRFHQy0Q1-rXepBfP_ZvIQjeU6pxyF--toQ1rXNSfJJg=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><p style="text-align: left;">Then home, refreshed, to get the lunch ready for my invalid wife.</p></span><p><br /></p>Avushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16512540148378201058noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31082363.post-45206460238842009452021-09-13T15:46:00.007+01:002021-09-24T16:20:23.659+01:00CANNOT KEEP AWAY FROM THEM!<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8Uqc19j6aVo/YT9c-9ihJzI/AAAAAAAACXc/zKOkhcmX4LwMz2LGThWRIQEDKs654cYlQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Image2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8Uqc19j6aVo/YT9c-9ihJzI/AAAAAAAACXc/zKOkhcmX4LwMz2LGThWRIQEDKs654cYlQCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h266/Image2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">A few posts ago I mentioned that , after nearly 65 years of riding "proper" motorcycles I had joined the dark side and bought a new <span style="background-color: white; color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://little-corner-of-the-earth.blogspot.com/2020/09/last-of-long-line.html"><span>"twist 'n go</span>" <span>scooter</span></a> .</span></span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">However all those years have so much engraved themselves on my riding that I found the <span style="background-color: white;"><span>scooter</span> bored me solid. Everything worked, nothing to fettle and the ride was about as involving as a kitchen chair on wheels! So I sold it and bought this "barn find" (6 years at the back of an old garage). A 1997 "classic" with a bit </span><span style="background-color: white;">of a difference. Uncommon in the UK but very popular in the USA and OZ. A Suzuki TU250x with 20,000 miles on the clock. Just surface rust on chrome, paintwork good, sounds and goes like a MOTORBIKE. And something with which to get my hands dirty again.</span></span></b></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">So I fitted a couple of new tyres (old ones cracked with age) and while the wheels were off new chain and sprockets (adding an extra tooth to the front sprocket to drop the revs a bit) and new front brake disk and pads. </span></b></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">It will chug along sweetly at my preferred 50 mph around the lanes and cruise easily at a legal maximum 60 mph on country main roads with enough in hand for brisk overtakes (it's top speed would be around 80 mph). Motorways I avoid as totally boring.</span></b></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Yes, that left foot gear change gives me a challenge since my stroke left me with neuropathy in left leg and foot, but at least it <span><i><u>is</u> </i></span>a challenge and something to practice and smooth out. That scooter felt to me like one step away from an invalid buggy. </span></b></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">It's wonderful to be back! As long as I can hold it up I'll ride it.</span></b></span></p>Avushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16512540148378201058noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31082363.post-50115814340573343002021-07-12T08:32:00.007+01:002021-07-12T08:51:17.766+01:00ROXY<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fUN2GguD5do/YOvoO3m7QyI/AAAAAAAACWc/1ClR1nV-Kaoie5M0cNWI-zy5Mbz8wGLngCLcBGAsYHQ/s1480/Roxy%2B2015.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1082" data-original-width="1480" height="469" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fUN2GguD5do/YOvoO3m7QyI/AAAAAAAACWc/1ClR1nV-Kaoie5M0cNWI-zy5Mbz8wGLngCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h469/Roxy%2B2015.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: medium;">Roxy came to us in 2016 as can be viewed in <span style="background-color: #fcff01;"><a href="https://little-corner-of-the-earth.blogspot.com/2016/01/the-new-addition-roxy.html"><b>this link</b></a>.</span> I had been used to German Shepherds, but, following a stroke and wanting another dog, I did not feel I could manage another Shepherd. She was a perfect little bitch who quickly became my shadow, following me everywhere and sleeping outside my bedroom door.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Recently she stopped eating and lost 3 Kilograms - a lot for a little dog whose normal weight was only 14.5 Kilos.The vet checked her over and said they could do x-rays and body scans. It would cost £500 and they could do it in about 10 days time and to go away and think about it. A crafty move. For two evenings I watched her panting and refusing to take tit bits. Not bearing to see her like it any longer I decided to take her back again to be put down (the final act of love for a much loved dog).</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">In the past she has walked quite happily into the vets but this time she pulled back on her lead and refused to walk up the path. In the end I had to pick her up and carry her in. Somehow she knew - weird!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">The same vet saw her and said he had detected swollen lymph glands on the last visit, but had given me the option of further tests. I said I thought we both knew that the trouble was probably tumours - he did not reply but gave me a "meaningful" look.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Her end was peaceful and remarkably quick. A simple injection and she "went to sleep" with me stroking her head and murmering "Good girl". Would that humans could have this option to a peaceful end to life.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">I am bereft and the house seems empty. Should I get another rescue dog? I am 82, would it be fair to the animal if I died soon and left it without me? Maybe another mature dog (Roxy was about 7 years old when she came to us). We shall see....</span></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #000066;">I have done mostly what most men do,</span><br style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #000066;" /><span style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #000066;">And pushed it out of my mind;</span><br style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #000066;" /><span style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #000066;">But I can’t forget, if I wanted to,</span><br style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #000066;" /><span style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #000066;">Four-Feet trotting behind.</span><br style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #000066;" /><br style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #000066;" /><span style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #000066;">Day after day, the whole day through—</span><br style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #000066;" /><span style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #000066;">Wherever my road inclined—</span><br style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #000066;" /><span style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #000066;">Four-Feet said, ‘I am coming with you!’</span><br style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #000066;" /><span style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #000066;">And trotted along behind.</span><br style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #000066;" /><br style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #000066;" /><span style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #000066;">Now I must go by some other round,—</span><br style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #000066;" /><span style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #000066;">Which I shall never find—</span><br style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #000066;" /><span style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #000066;">Somewhere that does not carry the sound</span><br style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #000066;" /><span style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #000066;">Of Four-Feet trotting behind.</span></span></p></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;"> <i>Rudyard Kipling.</i> </p></blockquote><p><br /></p>Avushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16512540148378201058noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31082363.post-84872493768502857762021-03-31T10:27:00.007+01:002021-05-14T15:46:30.397+01:00A "WORKING LUNCH"<p> <span style="font-family: verdana;">Spring has truly sprung this week and a morning ride on the ebike meant that I could actually leave off a couple of layers of clothing; sun pleasant and warming on my back.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">I decided on a complete change of route and abandoned Romney Marsh for a wander in the Kent Weald. My route took me into the Wealden village of <a href="https://www.google.com/search?source=univ&tbm=isch&q=smarden&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwic8ZnS3drvAhUw8bsIHWGtCY0QjJkEegQICBAB&biw=1920&bih=975"><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: black;">Smarden</span>,</a> a lovely spot best described by this quote:</span></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: #fcfff4; color: #003300;">"This enchanting village was established in around the 14th-century at the time when the forests of the Weald of Kent were being cut down to make way for permanent villages. Smarden, is little more than one street, yet it has a host of attractive properties including large half timbered houses built by prosperous wool merchants during the 17th-century.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: #fcfff4; color: #003300;">At the time when the forests were being cleared to make way for sheep, King Edward III chose to grant Smarden a charter to hold a weekly market, his thinking was, that this would encourage the wool trade, and how right he was. Wealthy merchants came to do trade and they settled here and built magnificent homes for themselves and their families. They also donated generously to the church. The charter granted by Edward III was endorsed by Queen Elizabeth I and hangs in the church to this day."</span></span></p></blockquote><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Being in the edge of what was once the Wealden forest of Anderida the whole village is built of wood. The large merchants' houses referred to above and the village street full of weather-boarded cottages.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">I entered the village and made for the church, since experience tells me that one usually finds a bench in a churchyard and sitting on the ground is OK but getting up again is difficult without something to hold onto these days.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4qOy4S8y9r8/YGQ5H0l4iSI/AAAAAAAACVA/TwWB_Zm3k_MoyysKGx4vdCbqND88xGTtwCLcBGAsYHQ/s550/smarden.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="367" data-original-width="550" height="429" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4qOy4S8y9r8/YGQ5H0l4iSI/AAAAAAAACVA/TwWB_Zm3k_MoyysKGx4vdCbqND88xGTtwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h429/smarden.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Ensconced in the cosy corner seat to the right of the blue porch door I settled down to enjoy a pork pie and a flask of tea. The church is in an angle of the village so the paths across the yard are used as a shortcut. An upright old gent came by and stopped. "I see you are enjoying sustenance on this warm day." His exact speech and dress complimented the overall image I had formed.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">I had parked the bike on its prop stand on the other side of the path and he was obviously interested. "I have considered one of these machines to get around the village" he said, poking it with his walking stick as a farmer would poke a favourite pig.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">I said that this was my fifth ebike since a stroke and it was a marvellous way of getting about and keeping active.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"> "I have a car and seldom use it, but walking is beginning to get tiresome. Are they expensive?" he queried, beginning to explore the handlebars and their controls.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">The upshot was that I provided him with the contact details of <a href="https://www.e-bikesdirect.co.uk/"><b style="background-color: #fcff01;"><span style="color: black;">Ebikes Direct</span></b></a>, my supplier at not too far away Bodiam. I think I must ask them for commission on any referrals since the amount of interest I get and conversations generated on stops is quite encouraging.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">A "working lunch" indeed.</span></p><p><br /></p>Avushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16512540148378201058noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31082363.post-6307360962585989332021-01-14T12:55:00.001+00:002021-01-14T14:17:43.958+00:00MOTHER GRIZZLY BEAR AND PLUCKY CUB<p> </p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">A parable for these times.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Keep going, folks!</span></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzg1nsvhfZDiiie03QIMBfMyVW_w-Us1jecIYhqgKDOKmLNG087D8Ztu3xMcFXh8bycGWEIcXukpNQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><p></p>Avushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16512540148378201058noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31082363.post-83577260630417931082021-01-09T10:45:00.002+00:002021-01-09T10:47:02.763+00:00COVID 21st. CENTURY v PLAGUE 17th CENTURY<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y8hHYRHp3zw/X_mG3EoUCHI/AAAAAAAACT4/-5GESiOH1mIdlq7_RKPVjG6F6h2PLkFRgCLcBGAsYHQ/s574/plague.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="574" data-original-width="437" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y8hHYRHp3zw/X_mG3EoUCHI/AAAAAAAACT4/-5GESiOH1mIdlq7_RKPVjG6F6h2PLkFRgCLcBGAsYHQ/w488-h640/plague.jpg" width="488" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">In two successive years of the 17th century London suffered
two terrible disasters. In the spring and summer of 1665 an outbreak of Bubonic
Plague spread from parish to parish until thousands had died and the huge pits
dug to receive the bodies were full. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Bubonic Plague was known as the Black Death and had been
known in England for centuries. It was a ghastly disease. The victim’s skin
turned black in patches and inflamed glands or ‘buboes’ in the groin, combined
with compulsive vomiting, swollen tongue and splitting headaches made it a
horrible, agonizing killer. (<i>Covid seems a pussy cat in comparison</i>)</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">The plague started in the East, possibly China (<i>What's new?</i>) and quickly
spread through Europe. Whole communities were wiped out and corpses littered
the streets as there was no one left to bury them.</span></p></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p>Avushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16512540148378201058noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31082363.post-63004059456980540722020-12-28T09:15:00.004+00:002020-12-30T16:00:27.294+00:00CHRISTMAS ELEVENSES<p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Christmas morning 2020. Very quiet. No frost but extremely cold north wind when I took the dog for her morning walk at about 8.00am.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">No visitors either that day to cater for, so no traditional lunch for us to worry about. Mrs Avus was cosily ensconced in an armchair engrossed in a crossword (what's new) so I decided on a Christmas morning bike ride.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">The temperature meant that I did not intend to go far and since no cafes are open I decided on a route that would bring me home in about two hours with an elevenses break halfway. That would mean somewhere to sit off the bike and that would mean looking for a churchyard on the route. They are usually equipped with a seat somewhere for weary pilgrims.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">An ebike means that I am still able to continue cycling, thank God, at 82, post stroke. However I don't manage to work up any body heat since the electric genie does most of the work. However the fact that my arthritic legs revolve on the pedals helps to keep them from seizing them up! But with the temperature at 5C and the chill north wind it was going to seem like below freezing.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">So layers of clothing were needed. A Damart thermolactyl long sleeve vest (top grade 5), heavy shirt, fleece sweat shirt and then a Corrine Dennis waterproof/windproof cycling jacket (in fluorescent yellow - I like to be seen). Legs were taken care of with knee length merino wool socks and full length woollen legwarmers, topped with a pair of Hebden Cord traditional cycling trousers, a make long gone. (the fact that these I have worn for 20 years and are only the third pair in my 65 years cycling shows why the firm went under. They are too well made and Lycra, which I abhor, has taken over).</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">I put on a silk balaclava under my cycling helmet, donned a pair of golfing mitts and was ready to go.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">By golly it was cold, but the northerly was behind me and I reached <a href="https://wealdanddownlandchurches.co.uk/bilsington-church/"><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #2b00fe;">Bilsington church </span></a>for elevenses, a mince pie and whiskey laced coffee.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ABGugTrBq_A/X-mkX1xshWI/AAAAAAAACTY/eLuO5-26FDYJFfpA4oqpi9ieRGbpfLIMQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Dscf2851.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1419" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ABGugTrBq_A/X-mkX1xshWI/AAAAAAAACTY/eLuO5-26FDYJFfpA4oqpi9ieRGbpfLIMQCLcBGAsYHQ/w444-h640/Dscf2851.jpg" width="444" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Here is the view in the opposite direction the close up blur is because with cold fingers I couldn't be bothered to go for a larger "f stop"! I think it was colder sitting there than actually riding along.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OuKt9cja39A/X-mXdfWG9xI/AAAAAAAACS8/soKMvzWRBUcMvTW8w0xq0lw26CzbOTCBQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Dscf2852.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1609" data-original-width="2048" height="314" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OuKt9cja39A/X-mXdfWG9xI/AAAAAAAACS8/soKMvzWRBUcMvTW8w0xq0lw26CzbOTCBQCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h314/Dscf2852.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">So it was a case of finishing off the flask of coffee then back on the bike to dive down the escarpment and circulate a bit of Romney Marsh before heading for home. Into that north wind,</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-maYlZk8PRIA/X-me18W4MvI/AAAAAAAACTM/f8FT_KunjYsi9P-Awbv5Y3QopJx_jVFBgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/adj%2Bnear%2BIvychurch.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1439" data-original-width="2048" height="281" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-maYlZk8PRIA/X-me18W4MvI/AAAAAAAACTM/f8FT_KunjYsi9P-Awbv5Y3QopJx_jVFBgCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h281/adj%2Bnear%2BIvychurch.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Only about 13 miles home but even with all those layers I felt close to hypothermia when I got there! My feet were like solid blocks.</span></p>Avushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16512540148378201058noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31082363.post-42260296546080493952020-12-18T10:09:00.002+00:002020-12-21T09:09:16.227+00:00GOOD WISHES TO ALL OF YOU<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Es9Sk3PoL_8/X9x27_O3CDI/AAAAAAAACSs/ckItFkkEYEsZLJRLbGsJVu62ht3dJucxwCLcBGAsYHQ/s547/aNNA%2BdILLON.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="396" data-original-width="547" height="290" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Es9Sk3PoL_8/X9x27_O3CDI/AAAAAAAACSs/ckItFkkEYEsZLJRLbGsJVu62ht3dJucxwCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h290/aNNA%2BdILLON.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><b><i>A Christmas Card to wish all my fellow bloggers good health and happiness over this curious Christmas and for 2021 which I hope will be better for us all.</i></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It is by one of my favourite artists, <a href="http://www.annadillon.com/" style="background-color: #fcff01;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><b>Anna Dillon</b></span></a> and depicts Whitefield
Hill, Wiltshire in February. I suppose she could claim copyright, but it is a good introduction to her work if you don't know of her.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">2020 has been a poor year for Mrs Avus and me. My heart attack in June led to me being infected by Covid whilst in hospital, which I then gave to her as well. Soon after we emerged from that (fortunately mild) she turned yellow and stopped eating and was eventually diagnosed with a small tumour on her pancreas.This was successfully removed by a <b><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pancreaticoduodenectomy" style="background-color: #fcff01;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">"Whipple Procedure"</span></a> .</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But I expect you all have encountered enough doom and gloom this year. So who would have thought that our best, joint Christmas present was a phone call from our doctor inviting us two 82 year olds in for the first of the two anti-covid jabs tomorrow. Hurrah! Grey skies clear and angels sing Noël!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Try to keep safe and well, folks.</div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p><br /> </p>Avushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16512540148378201058noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31082363.post-56601906351846543852020-09-29T16:39:00.006+01:002020-10-01T08:07:09.512+01:00ODE AN DIE FREUDE<p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b><span><span style="color: #351c75;">Fellow blogger </span><span style="color: red;"><a href="https://ldptonedeaf.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: red;">RR</span></a> </span></span><span style="color: #351c75;">caused me to recall a beloved school master who taught us German and music. </span></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b><span><span style="color: #351c75;">Sadly he died before his time, many years ago, but </span><u><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a23945btJYw&index=18&list=RDa23945btJYw" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">THIS</span></a></u></span><span style="color: red;"><u><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a23945btJYw&index=18&list=RDa23945btJYw" target="_blank"> </a></u></span><span style="color: #351c75;">is to his memory</span></b></span></p><p><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b>It brings chills to the spine and tears to the eyes. Well done Ludwig! (and Schiller, of course)</b></span></p>Avushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16512540148378201058noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31082363.post-31053137160097178922020-09-26T18:36:00.003+01:002020-09-27T08:00:29.626+01:00LAST OF A LONG LINE<p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b> <span>Over some 63 years I have owned various motorcycles (56 actually) some together, others singly. As life has gone by I have adapted. My first, a small BSA Bantam 150cc, I bought from necessity when doing my National Service to get to and from the army camp. It was the start of a lifelong involvement with and enjoyment in motorcycles of all kinds. you can see most of the story in a <span><a href="https://little-corner-of-the-earth.blogspot.com/2016/05/a-motorcycling-life.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">previous blog post</span></a><span style="color: #2b00fe;">.</span></span></span></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Now I am 81 and neuropathy in my left leg/foot (result of a stroke about 5 years ago) has made it increasingly difficult and painful to operate the left foot gear change on a conventional bike. "Why not get an older machine with a right foot gearchange ?" you ask. Well, that would mean no electric starter and I cannot contemplate jumping up and down on a kick start any more!</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>I have had a number of "twist and go" automatic scooters (a shame that no motorcycles are made that way) that require no input from the feet at all. It has not been a good year for me (heart attack and hospital-acquired Covid whilst being treated) so I thought about a little treat. </b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>I already had such a "twist and go" (<a href="https://little-corner-of-the-earth.blogspot.com/2019/12/last-amendment-to-motorcycling-life.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">see a couple of posts back</span>)</a>. But it was made in 2011 and had no prop stand so I needed to get off, balance on one foot and lift the scooter onto its centre stand - not easy with a dicky left leg. I tried fitting an after market prop, but to no avail. So I decided to get Honda's latest model SH125 with its updated engine and a prop stand which I could just kick down as I came to a halt. I<i> </i>specified all the bells and whistles - screen, hand guards and heated handlebar grips (I have poor hand circulation so these last will be useful in winter). I did consider the more powerful and faster 300cc model, but the sort of riding I do these days on country main roads and lanes and no motorways did not warrant the extra expense and weight as this 125cc can maintain an easy 60 mph if necessary and only weighs 135 kgs.</b></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9yQ0r5SAu-8/X293ttPmMxI/AAAAAAAACQo/QhGQdP-4CvYUHf80ElNF_WG39I8jp75EwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/sh125%2BMereworth%2B1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="1290" data-original-width="2048" height="253" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9yQ0r5SAu-8/X293ttPmMxI/AAAAAAAACQo/QhGQdP-4CvYUHf80ElNF_WG39I8jp75EwCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h253/sh125%2BMereworth%2B1.jpg" width="400" /></b></span></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><br /></b></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v2HVlqq9aKE/X293ttVJO5I/AAAAAAAACQs/yS68F15MKBEM3_Jz_-n6-Dm6oVphxlViACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/sh125%2BMereworth%2B2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1909" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v2HVlqq9aKE/X293ttVJO5I/AAAAAAAACQs/yS68F15MKBEM3_Jz_-n6-Dm6oVphxlViACLcBGAsYHQ/w373-h400/sh125%2BMereworth%2B2.jpg" width="373" /></b></span></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><br /><span>The lot came to a trifle under £4000, but the dealer, eager for sales after lockdown, allowed me £1000 on my old one. Being new it comes with a full Honda 2 year warranty, which will probably last me with it until I eventually have to give up motorcycling for good. Then I shall sell it for a good price as a recent model with a very low mileage.</span></b></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>So, my 57th "motorcycle" and last of the line. I would it was still my old BMW 1000cc, but one has to make necessary adjustments for age and health if one needs to keep the glass half full.</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><i>(And I will still have and enjoy riding my pedal ebike)</i></b></span></p>Avushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16512540148378201058noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31082363.post-56458669445367832152020-08-21T15:03:00.001+01:002020-08-22T15:44:20.826+01:00OUT CYCLING ONCE MORE<p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">As mentioned in my previous post I had a heart attack and contracted Covid-19 in hospital whilst being treated. Consequently June 2020 is practically a lost month to me and my poor wife who was infected by me on return home. So we only really surfaced again in July.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">July was a month of careful rehabilitation - Covid, even mildly as ours, takes in out of you. But August has seen me out and about on the ebike once more, although some days were far too hot for cycling.</span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w8OfgSXiLgg/Xz_Obe5D7OI/AAAAAAAACPs/rxO2S4mJmXwl9F2ZqdEQo6idEb4UNnAEwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1975/swans.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1545" data-original-width="1975" height="501" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w8OfgSXiLgg/Xz_Obe5D7OI/AAAAAAAACPs/rxO2S4mJmXwl9F2ZqdEQo6idEb4UNnAEwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h501/swans.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">So a cheery photo of an exceptional encounter whilst cycling alongside one of the many dykes on Romney Marsh. Mum and Dad Swan leading a flight of eight cygnets whom they have successfully preserved from the predations of Marsh foxes.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Truly a"<i>resurgam</i>" moment both for them and my spirits!</span></p><p><br /><br /><br /></p>Avushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16512540148378201058noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31082363.post-78267886750709260092020-06-21T09:43:00.000+01:002020-06-21T09:46:18.068+01:00LIFE'S LITTLE PROBLEMS....<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b03ajeOW6t0/Xu8dCObv9KI/AAAAAAAACO8/a10uG4EPTLod-3Z6bP65lBGktoVm9ASBgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/angioplasty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="979" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b03ajeOW6t0/Xu8dCObv9KI/AAAAAAAACO8/a10uG4EPTLod-3Z6bP65lBGktoVm9ASBgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/angioplasty.jpg" width="520" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">About three weeks ago I had a heart attack. I had been feeling a bit uncomfortable but decided, as usual that a ride out on the ebike would take me through it. It didn't. Towards the end of the ride I wondered if I would make it home, with left shoulder pain, running up into left cheek and jaw. But I got there, slung the bike in the garage and went in to flop out in a chair for the rest of the day.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Next morning I emailed my GP who told me he was writing a letter for me to take to A&E and my wife should drive me there. On arrival I was immediately tested for Covid-19 and admitted to the cardiac unit for an Angiogram next day. This was performed and a stent fitted as part of the procedure and I was discharged next day. Job done.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">However, I had further symptoms so got readmitted three days later - again tested for Covid. But the next day I was in isolation since I was now Covid positive! I had been nowhere since the previous hospital visit so presumably I caught "it" during that first stay. Then I was sent home again where, of course, I infected my wife.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So we were now both in self isolation (what's new - we have been religiously self isolating since a month before lockdown began), Not a happy situation with me recovering from the heart attack and my poor wife going down with the plague too. But we have shared lives for over 60 years - and illnesses, so another step along the road together.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fortunately the Covid was not a serious infection and did not go "respiratory" - just as well since my wife has a very poor immune system due to rheumatoid arthritis drugs.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We are slowly resurfacing, but riding a bike, even the "e" variety is out at present. I miss it - so does my skeleton which is seizing up from lack of use - even the dog is missing her short walks.</span>Avushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16512540148378201058noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31082363.post-11356589069999172492020-06-06T12:56:00.000+01:002020-06-06T12:59:35.706+01:00RETREAT AND INVASIONDunkirk and the subsequent D Day invasions of WW II have been in the news just recently. But little has been mentioned of our great naval planner for both these events - the rout of the British army and then the triumphant allied invasion that led to victory.<br />
<br />
He was Admiral Sir Bertram Ramsey KCB KCE who served in WW I and was recalled from retirement at the outbreak of war in 1939. His statue stands overlooking the cliffs at Dover Castle where he planned and executed both Operation Dynamo (the Dunkirk evacuation) and Operation Overlord (the D Day invasions) from the operation rooms deep below in the cliff tunnels.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IddUPki96AE/Xtt-j1pfR6I/AAAAAAAACN4/RKL8hvtGPuQg8cT0QiHUhqbZ-lqyDRBVACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/ramsey%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="857" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IddUPki96AE/Xtt-j1pfR6I/AAAAAAAACN4/RKL8hvtGPuQg8cT0QiHUhqbZ-lqyDRBVACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/ramsey%2B3.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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Underneath this verse appears</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CxzdFUVIkCE/Xtt--2ww5bI/AAAAAAAACOU/A9LkrAu2EwcJZnjLW4BnF7SuKFzA20qZgCEwYBhgLKs4DAL1OcqzQ-Q9Ars9XCa2dYlgPk-8LM2N8sY7nZHKpwfSMVD2-PlsonXdh3SoOoG8onoHu7sZjIm6upMn_-gM0xv40XxWhl3RMwgV92_Ji_kg_wHoamBqpwqNaO1suyvBiInke15JLQe46OyCO4KIDsH_Pl16ChP2dMDt5PKlOnO7MSB6CHBg1ILj5uxxv6KP9iIurxmt-5ZFKD1XpdhICRCSvWsEXUG2esTD5xl5p1C3y-eerMmRN_IsiAeo5kOE9jtsshzLYn6ofoGpozCqromy2fVehnbPP-b72UWqD-unLGr6qz-knl8q7w2qy7-eWrhntQi4T7Z_W_1MrXHChYyKvHqyHu18G1IBFh-uI_SdIp7JnQq8Wygjr9svknx1ICEwBAoKLkMLICoVHX4N641IqXSBFnX2oTk26LUxpEQtKNtFzO5i3JwbJRY3xxpQ9oq3dhRqsM3hlVQ5OL736ae69Uyd3jOfhbm_i9Zp8QDpuH0b3o7FRA43yJKJHFx0MekMWTgzShH_g5J8noLyXLq4mS6R7BWHWvRZRPgWGNm8yKhO736_5PldZ60TTheoAi0ZkhNhOwtqKfQRwSkgQhFZh9rtG3Ef66CQAO_KkMNeD7vYF/s1600/ramsey%2B4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="528" data-original-width="1600" height="130" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CxzdFUVIkCE/Xtt--2ww5bI/AAAAAAAACOU/A9LkrAu2EwcJZnjLW4BnF7SuKFzA20qZgCEwYBhgLKs4DAL1OcqzQ-Q9Ars9XCa2dYlgPk-8LM2N8sY7nZHKpwfSMVD2-PlsonXdh3SoOoG8onoHu7sZjIm6upMn_-gM0xv40XxWhl3RMwgV92_Ji_kg_wHoamBqpwqNaO1suyvBiInke15JLQe46OyCO4KIDsH_Pl16ChP2dMDt5PKlOnO7MSB6CHBg1ILj5uxxv6KP9iIurxmt-5ZFKD1XpdhICRCSvWsEXUG2esTD5xl5p1C3y-eerMmRN_IsiAeo5kOE9jtsshzLYn6ofoGpozCqromy2fVehnbPP-b72UWqD-unLGr6qz-knl8q7w2qy7-eWrhntQi4T7Z_W_1MrXHChYyKvHqyHu18G1IBFh-uI_SdIp7JnQq8Wygjr9svknx1ICEwBAoKLkMLICoVHX4N641IqXSBFnX2oTk26LUxpEQtKNtFzO5i3JwbJRY3xxpQ9oq3dhRqsM3hlVQ5OL736ae69Uyd3jOfhbm_i9Zp8QDpuH0b3o7FRA43yJKJHFx0MekMWTgzShH_g5J8noLyXLq4mS6R7BWHWvRZRPgWGNm8yKhO736_5PldZ60TTheoAi0ZkhNhOwtqKfQRwSkgQhFZh9rtG3Ef66CQAO_KkMNeD7vYF/s400/ramsey%2B4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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A great man, highly intelligent and self effacing. One of our little known commanders. <span style="text-align: left;">A separate display explains his part in it all</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u9AkD9wzpSo/Xtt-8yomrFI/AAAAAAAACOQ/7XKcw-3Fe34HRQICqjg9JItqCMfcTCLpwCEwYBhgLKs4DAL1OcqxpK4-qgUcPlDdponkSE1ZwUYTuEJ-ew9eVZQAAe8VMpoHjGFOtDIPJNautrd9KX9MFYy4dLDK1TpEMD9wp-YpWH39vlMaBxv7Z9BWO10LrINW2Kvf5XL3m2WT2zQlGmBc5zM_CApIAXBIABOVRY53UwycCjdaAChYUdncJdDQT_KELstI9rcEL2znC7FcU20O_0E61mmSLOwIz3u3XLYJmVbSz2BuO6vn5M7F0c3V_b-gUGRb0MgxX-Lk5OSE0AA7hPl1AayH3nRw2yB_di-cJNQoZXutWTMJEahHiBN46MUuHS5bHc6Cp6o1BhLQK4RmAiOfBONvSDNmrZD7jmGbMNQo5uOybxMdxj-b46SgUMnM7OSurC7mHA43MayQhjbM45hmBjRYH9ML98Et4NxiSinsrQWCW4zryInqc6IadhsD0D24TzMou9kzSxzK9aVptVbaXOi6_syjVngbjoUeiYQqJZxQLnGZ3hDFtdJ-2sW15vMOUPvwJJIddFRgMq6yr-mbyAEd63Ko8Vvp-O0lV0IuIG8hj2nbTHFxq6WZLzoNz4vU-mEKx7tIa2j4BVn6ADaK0lZzdxrgrnZtyQe8vgo0mIQULWENGMPyH7vYF/s1600/Ramsey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1040" data-original-width="948" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u9AkD9wzpSo/Xtt-8yomrFI/AAAAAAAACOQ/7XKcw-3Fe34HRQICqjg9JItqCMfcTCLpwCEwYBhgLKs4DAL1OcqxpK4-qgUcPlDdponkSE1ZwUYTuEJ-ew9eVZQAAe8VMpoHjGFOtDIPJNautrd9KX9MFYy4dLDK1TpEMD9wp-YpWH39vlMaBxv7Z9BWO10LrINW2Kvf5XL3m2WT2zQlGmBc5zM_CApIAXBIABOVRY53UwycCjdaAChYUdncJdDQT_KELstI9rcEL2znC7FcU20O_0E61mmSLOwIz3u3XLYJmVbSz2BuO6vn5M7F0c3V_b-gUGRb0MgxX-Lk5OSE0AA7hPl1AayH3nRw2yB_di-cJNQoZXutWTMJEahHiBN46MUuHS5bHc6Cp6o1BhLQK4RmAiOfBONvSDNmrZD7jmGbMNQo5uOybxMdxj-b46SgUMnM7OSurC7mHA43MayQhjbM45hmBjRYH9ML98Et4NxiSinsrQWCW4zryInqc6IadhsD0D24TzMou9kzSxzK9aVptVbaXOi6_syjVngbjoUeiYQqJZxQLnGZ3hDFtdJ-2sW15vMOUPvwJJIddFRgMq6yr-mbyAEd63Ko8Vvp-O0lV0IuIG8hj2nbTHFxq6WZLzoNz4vU-mEKx7tIa2j4BVn6ADaK0lZzdxrgrnZtyQe8vgo0mIQULWENGMPyH7vYF/s640/Ramsey.jpg" width="582" /></a></div>
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And is followed by this verse of Masefield's</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kguB6IS25ag/Xtt-66ocuFI/AAAAAAAACOM/p6U5XhSn95oql3EqmRBoLAw74kVEG2S6gCEwYBhgLKs4DAL1OcqwWx-dttoJB-z9StRGRCl9zsCupb5xwBO1Lz1mO3qyOFEHLFgHRBH1yl9AQpFhWzs5BrTP3AP0g76PxGEvMO6-q2f16d-k-k1kBXvmabMXl6RS6px8Qz7ERGpcy1Z_f5JebVY0OkknhExa2YdV2aO5OKcuW6vFxXiZPGna7QC8G5beoskGHvSWu1H8EASR5NMSU53oSCsB5_zbkOqHl6U26yivLbn4sTw2ZFc73Ow22l2VKuvVHGE8IhtZN1TwCumbCR4C006FV2y5HrksTqI3BWN8iMN5Z2skxrZnmDB8VCoGbdKPAZCBENYuUUA7_BND2pXyhyi7QZu2oZF2tCu5RMXKTE1AtS7jJbZ4beGYl5HDWe59cwaOsWP6NwuofcMd2MGBPNi6psC-NA7QEQgrTBHxvyA4mAaqwrThj_zYq4-U8xHiMg4eGcIVCNwe6RL7F8lDhRBQl4raMm1RQGhHeAW6aM1wLNxTWk_yHr1XmZMaImYif0vYF4Syzw--JKzQD9G4tMZm-5lcm0NZMdT7fWPxVYJQlTbWntueD1Bl9QdBadUQvfxLMnezY00fY094k7DcbqJp4uk3sAcyIJ3rEELMo2xydPs_HMMWI7vYF/s1600/Ramsey%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="542" height="257" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kguB6IS25ag/Xtt-66ocuFI/AAAAAAAACOM/p6U5XhSn95oql3EqmRBoLAw74kVEG2S6gCEwYBhgLKs4DAL1OcqwWx-dttoJB-z9StRGRCl9zsCupb5xwBO1Lz1mO3qyOFEHLFgHRBH1yl9AQpFhWzs5BrTP3AP0g76PxGEvMO6-q2f16d-k-k1kBXvmabMXl6RS6px8Qz7ERGpcy1Z_f5JebVY0OkknhExa2YdV2aO5OKcuW6vFxXiZPGna7QC8G5beoskGHvSWu1H8EASR5NMSU53oSCsB5_zbkOqHl6U26yivLbn4sTw2ZFc73Ow22l2VKuvVHGE8IhtZN1TwCumbCR4C006FV2y5HrksTqI3BWN8iMN5Z2skxrZnmDB8VCoGbdKPAZCBENYuUUA7_BND2pXyhyi7QZu2oZF2tCu5RMXKTE1AtS7jJbZ4beGYl5HDWe59cwaOsWP6NwuofcMd2MGBPNi6psC-NA7QEQgrTBHxvyA4mAaqwrThj_zYq4-U8xHiMg4eGcIVCNwe6RL7F8lDhRBQl4raMm1RQGhHeAW6aM1wLNxTWk_yHr1XmZMaImYif0vYF4Syzw--JKzQD9G4tMZm-5lcm0NZMdT7fWPxVYJQlTbWntueD1Bl9QdBadUQvfxLMnezY00fY094k7DcbqJp4uk3sAcyIJ3rEELMo2xydPs_HMMWI7vYF/s400/Ramsey%2B2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Today's problems are put into perspective. We could use his skills now.</div>
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<br />Avushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16512540148378201058noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31082363.post-33439810009778646492020-04-29T09:37:00.000+01:002020-04-29T09:42:11.604+01:00JOURNAL OF THE PLAGUE YEAR (3)<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In my wanderings around the Fifth Quarter of the World - "<i>The World,
according to the best geographers, is divided into Europe, Asia, Africa,
America and Romney Marsh" (Rev. Richard Barham) </i>I tend to avoid the coast around Dymchurch during the holiday period, from Easter until late August. This is because the little town, or large village, is the magnet for daily and seasonal holidaymakers. The first because it is so accessible from the towns of East Kent and the second because there is a number of large residential caravan parks in the vicinity.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">However, during this Easter week I decided to cycle the 15 miles down to it to see how the "lockdown" was affecting it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The lanes I cycled on the way were absolutely deserted by the usual traffic, making my journey pleasantly quiet and brought back memories of my early cycling days in the 1950s. But, on reaching Dymchurch I found it a ghost town, with all shops closed and shuttered and very little traffic in a High Street, which at this time of year, is usually quite difficult to cross.</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2F3LUM9pK3c/Xqk5KuozAhI/AAAAAAAACMs/q0VVqQ-mw_E4azqAmX7T0_VCkzLFR827ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Dymchurch%2BHigh%2BStreet%2BEaster%2B2020%2BCovid%2Blockdown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2F3LUM9pK3c/Xqk5KuozAhI/AAAAAAAACMs/q0VVqQ-mw_E4azqAmX7T0_VCkzLFR827ACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/Dymchurch%2BHigh%2BStreet%2BEaster%2B2020%2BCovid%2Blockdown.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Of course my usual cafe was amongst all those closures, but I had allowed for this and packed a raspberry jam sandwich and banana (the ultimate in naturally self-packaged cycling snacks) along with a flask of coffee, laced, as usual, with whiskey.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I rode up onto the sea wall to sit and eat my elevenses and viewed the sands which in Easter week would normally be teeming with holidaymakers. I could just make out one man and his dog.</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fYWY8704FJY/Xqk5bvWLUXI/AAAAAAAACM8/IEXH8rJqIeYEe1ortKRPEXarqrhCNHfrgCEwYBhgL/s1600/Dymchurch%2Bsands%2BEaster%2B2020%2Bcovid%2Blockdown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fYWY8704FJY/Xqk5bvWLUXI/AAAAAAAACM8/IEXH8rJqIeYEe1ortKRPEXarqrhCNHfrgCEwYBhgL/s640/Dymchurch%2Bsands%2BEaster%2B2020%2Bcovid%2Blockdown.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> The sea wall is usually a favourite promenade, but this year, no one</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WV3pkdXZyXU/Xqk5cyhn0hI/AAAAAAAACM8/pbYGpWYF338lh7fX2wVxSHGHkjdZnKS6QCEwYBhgL/s1600/Dymchurch%2Bsands%2BEaster%2B2020%2BCorona%2Blockdown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WV3pkdXZyXU/Xqk5cyhn0hI/AAAAAAAACM8/pbYGpWYF338lh7fX2wVxSHGHkjdZnKS6QCEwYBhgL/s640/Dymchurch%2Bsands%2BEaster%2B2020%2BCorona%2Blockdown.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Quite eery, really. I felt alone in a deserted world and it is not something I would ever wish for again, in spite of being a solitary and natural avoider of noisy crowds.</span><br />
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<br />Avushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16512540148378201058noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31082363.post-82586647915807247842020-04-18T15:12:00.001+01:002020-04-18T15:12:31.890+01:00Coronavirus USA..............<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qmKS_D5bkJY/XpsJoaEgz5I/AAAAAAAACME/Hlk3_toZchQDBiDk2OQHHQJhXiDDjTlrwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/trump%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="628" data-original-width="481" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qmKS_D5bkJY/XpsJoaEgz5I/AAAAAAAACME/Hlk3_toZchQDBiDk2OQHHQJhXiDDjTlrwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/trump%2B1.jpg" width="488" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kFGGMAaLCqA/XpsJxuPuFKI/AAAAAAAACMI/IdWl5GM3qasyr1OzkCMaKFBkWoBU9fbugCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/trump%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="546" height="351" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kFGGMAaLCqA/XpsJxuPuFKI/AAAAAAAACMI/IdWl5GM3qasyr1OzkCMaKFBkWoBU9fbugCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/trump%2B3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I see the current deaths from Coronavirus in USA at running at about 30,000...................</div>
Avushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16512540148378201058noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31082363.post-44082516648798078642020-04-03T10:33:00.001+01:002020-05-05T08:55:45.458+01:00JOURNAL OF THE PLAGUE YEAR (2) The kindness of neighbours<br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We live in a large close of 48 houses, subdivided into a number of smaller, five house closes.Being on the entrance corner we have a good view of all that passes in and out.</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EGRMjEyXOmU/Xob5heYScfI/AAAAAAAACLw/6gEvXk--9GIa7BqWUx0fkiMoQr4yDPDIQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Home%2Baerial.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="472" height="291" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EGRMjEyXOmU/Xob5heYScfI/AAAAAAAACLw/6gEvXk--9GIa7BqWUx0fkiMoQr4yDPDIQCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/Home%2Baerial.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A number of inhabitants, us included, are old and retired, some are widows/widowers. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We have tended to nucleate with neighbours immediately surrounding us and our neighbour on the opposite side of the road came up with the idea of all keeping in touch during these unusual, self isolated times. He (and others) is using the "Whatsapp" smartphone app to do this, but some of us old Luddites do not have smartphones. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So we have all have initiated a system whereby, if OK and in good health, a green paper is displayed in a window. If needing help with anything one changes this to a red paper and a passing neighbour will get in contact.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It takes me back to the village where I was a boy. Everyone knew everybody else and if you needed anything you stood in the doorway to hail a passer by. Since there were only 10 cars in the village (mostly owned by farmers) everybody walked past to get to the one shop.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Fortunately no "red cards" have been displayed yet in our close...........</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>Avushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16512540148378201058noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31082363.post-29834536311494865762020-04-01T07:59:00.001+01:002020-04-01T07:59:55.765+01:00ALL FOOLS DAY 2020<br />
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<br />Avushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16512540148378201058noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31082363.post-10750507042749209892020-03-26T09:02:00.000+00:002020-03-26T16:24:50.428+00:00JOURNAL OF THE PLAGUE YEAR The first Sunday morning ride since the lockdown and I met with my 80 year old cycling buddy, also an ebike user due to health problems. We usually meet on a Sunday either at a cafe in <span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamstreet"><span style="color: blue;">Hamstreet</span></a> </span>or one in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Appledore,_Kent"><span style="color: blue;">Appledore</span></a> and, after coffee and toast, ride out together over Romney Marsh. At a convenient place we split up he returning to New Romney and I to Ashford.<br />
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Cafes are now a no-no, but we still met at Hamstreet and sat on a bench (at each end, to preserve "social distancing") by the village green, having each brought a flask and food. Munching a banana/jam sandwich it was just like "elevenses" breaks in the old Cyclists' Touring Club (we are both life members) club run days of some 65 years ago.<br />
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Luckily it was dry, but we would not have been out anyway if it was raining. Whilst we so sat a woman, who we both recognised as a regular<span style="color: blue;"> </span><span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g190759-d6827960-Reviews-The_Cosy_Kettle-Ashford_Kent_England.html#photos;aggregationId=&albumid=101&filter=7"><span style="color: blue;">Cosy Kettle Cafe</span></a> </span>customer walked over the green, holding a takeout cup of coffee and sat at a nearby bench. She also recognised us and on greeting said, "the cafe is still open for takeaways if you want a cup of coffee and a slice of cake". We said we were a self preservation society, thank you. "I need to get out amongst others since my husband died a while ago, so it is good to be able to still go the the cafe, even if I can't sit there and chat to people", she said - from a safe distance.<br />
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The cold wind began to make itself apparent on our backs after a while so we shouted our goodbyes and "Marsh meandered" away. Around Hamstreet (which is just off the Marsh) primroses were absolutely prolific, but it is a known <span style="font-family: "futura bk bt";">phenomenon</span> that once below the Royal Military Canal and on the Marsh proper all wild primroses disappear completely.Avushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16512540148378201058noreply@blogger.com6