Updates … and life a la E/b …

 

What a half week this has been – yes half a week … I was due out on Saturday, but in the end decided I wasn't going to cope – it was still very warm … but I was not feeling brilliant …

Whistling Duck

... so I set about doing some washing, as one does when time becomes free … then the second lot of fun and games started … the floor was wet!!

There'd been a whistling sound, that I couldn't place - but couldn't see anything, so as one does ignored it …

Whistling Boy - 
Frank Duveneck (1872)

Mid-summer's day … the agents didn't reply, nor their emergency plumber … in the end I contacted the landlady, who lives in Kenya, thankfully she picked up the email.

In the end she suggested I contact an emergency plumbing service – he was brilliant, old school, and happily came out at 7 pm … he found the pinhole leak – hence the whistling sound.

I think this was the first edition

Then – thankfully … it was the hot-water service pipe (not the cold water inlet) … after checking he was able to cut out the pipe bit with the pin-hole … it was partly buried in an internal wall. Fix up a new bit of copper pipe – old school ability … and with all the bits and bobs with him in his van. Then we were (or I was) up and running again …

'Ole in wall - to the right ... 

Still no news from the agents … in the meantime I'd been updating the landlady … often! Fairly exhausting … trying to explain what had happened. Behind a v tightly fitted washing machine, which probably hadn't been moved since it was put in – before my time, 7 years.

Sunday no news … at some stage I'd had to call out the NHS … so was dealing with them too – necessity called … not 'the mother of invention' just plain help!

Salmon with Greek salad

Yesterday … I had a food delivery as I thought that would help take the pressure off, the agents came round to see the mess and the 'ole in the wall' … and the NHS came … today I put off the District Nurses til tomorrow – as I have something else on, which I feel I can cope with now.

I used to live in the next road up -
you can see the Town Hall at the top of the pic

Then – the bomb squad came a-calling … thankfully not here – but in the next road to where I used to live!! Today I need to walk past that area to get to the appointment at the library … it is fun and games here.

Summer berries to calm us down

Thursday – the electric meter needs to be changed – as the 'system' won't work due to old age – all meters are being changed.

So you can see – a week is not v long in this little soul's life … and as it's been so hot – I'm way behind anyway … so need to catch up.

Eastbourne tennis - town hall (reddish
building with tower - left top)

I thought I'd better post something … I was going to put up a Stitch in Time post about quilting and the stars … but I obviously managed to delete my early draft – clever clogs am I.

I do wish I wouldn't get mentally curiously diverted … it's exhausting! So much to let you know about … so little time – but I'll get there – let's hope life eases up.

Screen shot from tv ... looking south -
Devonshire buildings - theatres etc
The photo above - may have been taken
from the top of the stand.

Thankfully the tennis is on … green green grass of home in Eastbourne … and I can listen to the cricket … of course I suppose, if I admit it, I get diverted off track.

Thanks everyone – I do hope this wasn't too boring or exhausting to read … I do feel easier today, thankfully …

Hilary Melton-Butcher

Positive Letters Inspirational Stories

Tomato … toe-mae-toe/I say to-mat-toe …

 

My mind came to this when I saw a quote, which seems quite appropriate today …

Heritage tomatoes from the
Isle of Wight - as supplied to M&S

"Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.

Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.”

The bench - now in situ

Attributed to Miles Kington (1941 - 2008), journalist, humorist, and musician, on a memorial bench near where he lived in Conkwell, overlooking the Kennet and Avon Canal … who hated the spot as there was nowhere to sit and enjoy the view – now there's a bench!

Conkwell hamlet

Conkwell – I had to find out about the name of this village … it was mentioned in an Anglo-Saxon charter in 957 as “Cunuca leage”.

"Leage” refers to a woodland clearing, while “Canuca” is a Celtic word denoting “hill” … suggesting a survival of pre-Saxon British people in the area – c/o the Bradford and Avon Museum.

The Canal

Another quote pertinent to today … at least I thought so … came via Sean (we're both 13^th day of the month babies … he October, me January – what that means I've no idea!) - this post I see is the 13th too - but in the month of June ... just enjoy his library - all 10% of it!! ...

Christoph Martin Wieland
(1733 - 1813)

He sent me off to Christoph Martin Wieland from the German Enlightenment era … his thought in English … 

“Only a true cosmopolitan can be a good citizen”.

I and my thoughts have been all over the place … I'm sort of gathering them all up – eclectic mix … from all parts of the awareness … it's quite tiring! … with lots to catch up on.

Eastbourne seafront and
promenade

So finally summer's here – little wind around, perhaps living on the south coast in times like this brings some relief … so glad the summer breeze flitters a bit.

Oh yes – and we have those yellow-green balls down here next week – so there's no parking – not to say I worry, but we could do with more rain – though this week … there was a water leak – and we had no water for 9 hours … I'd heard the tell-tale ping of a text … and seeing the mess – made plans. Before my bath – I'd run it, as I was going out early to History, I saved some 'fresh water' … and left the bath in for the dirty water.

Tennis in Eastbourne - 
ground preparations

After history I came back for some lunch, then realising that the leak wasn't fixed … I went off to town – coming back at teatime as I heard the chap say 'he's just turning the tap back on' … so all is now well again. 

Well not quite – there's still an 'ole in the road … but we have water: thank goodness … and I can't think of other places too much – I just remember how lucky I am.

Strawberry Moon - over Belle Tout
lighthouse and Beachy Head

Oh yes – there was a magnificent strawberry moon – that I didn't actually get to see … but so worthwhile via this pic …

Life toddles on … I'm pushing through … and I'll be around to see you all soon now, I hope …

Hilary Melton-Butcher

Positive Letters Inspirational Stories

Savage Land update/extra for Jacqui …

 

When I spotted the Horned Melon … with names like African Horned Cucumber, Jelly Melon, or even Kiwano … so named by those down under in NZ – it looks to some extent like a kiwi … a prickly one, I'd guess …

African Horned Cucumber

... I thought of Jacqui and her prehistoric fiction … so here's another useful plant – should you ever find yourself stranded in the Kalahari or Namib deserts and need a drink …?!

Paleo Makgadikgadi Lake in
pre-historic times

However – the idea of the taste of these fruits really does tempt the palate to try … what's not to like about passionfruit, with the additional flavour of banana, or cucumber and lime?

It apparently has plenty of useful benefits … so I've included a link below to those suggestions – I do like the way they've summarised each one … but honestly do we need to be told to cut off the spikes before snacking on the peel?!

Illustration found inside the book - which
highlights where subjects may be found 

I've just had a look … and can get them via the dreaded A bookstore and all things beyond … as we can note here! I haven't ordered … they'd make me distinctly poorer … so for now they can rest on their laurels …

This is the book I refer to

One of my notes in last month's post for Jacqui inferred we could manage if we're left to our own devices – but honestly I've come across a youngster who obviously can't cook, orders a delivery-service breakfast at some ungodly hour in the middle of the morning – just about lunchtime! 

Female flower on the vine

I do wonder … she would never survive for very long … nor similar youngsters having not had to fend for themselves … sorry – I sound like a critical geriatric?!

Awaiting the sun to ripen the fruit

Anyway perhaps natural selection will take to weeding the human race?!

Namib - Sand and Sea

I do feel better – the brain murkiness has eased, which certainly helps – the actual clarification needs to be sorted out via the GP … but at least we know what's what … thanks for your thoughts one and all …

Healthline on the Kiwano melon - benefits

Savage Land - my post for Jacqui 

The presumed maximum extent of the Paleo Makgadikgadi Lake in early Pleistocene and the course of the rivers in the early to middle Cenozoic - website here ...

Hilary Melton-Butcher

Positive Letters Inspirational Stories