Friday the 13th to Tuesday

Since am sans a certain cable to connect camera to computer for photo recovery, will go ahead and write and then insert pictures later. Notice shall be given when this happens. This does not affect your statutory rights as a reader.

Friday the 13th

Had day off! Hoorah!

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is the first HP film that I have liked on the first viewing. In my humble opinion, it does quite good justice to the book and was well-directed.

Companions seemed to enjoy and approve as well -- E thinks it blows HP4 out of water, Sarah was happy, and although a little bit of grumbling seemed to be emanating from the Mat section, I think he enjoyed it, too (although approval of things is generally not the image he likes to cultivate). There are no pictures from this outing.

Evening, E and I trooped out to Thetford for concert. This was more challenging than I had planned for and it was an adventure involving £30 worth of taxis (grrrr), although we had quite a good time. Headliners were M People -- this is an early 90s band, and I don't really think they made it big in the States as much as here, although I think I recognise some of their songs. People either love them or hate them. It was a fun outing. Concert venue was Thetford Forest (which is actually in Brandon, 8 miles away, hence the need for taxis) and is funding initiative for Forestry Commission. Crowd was over 4000 and was good fun being out of doors. However, as did not know exact nature of venue, was not exactly as prepared as I like to be -- next time, we will have chairs, blankets, and plastic cups to go with our picnic. Umbrellas were confiscated at the gate (well, actually, you could check them, but it was still dramatically stupid).

Saturday
Demonstrated inanely difficult journey to pet store to Eamonn. Bought filters. E brought to pet store attention lack of replacements for products they sell, so I should have some Biofoam soon.

Toodled by train to Sheringham for the North Norfolk Beer Festival on The Poppy Line. It was actually held on the platform of the train station and was cram-packed!

There were no souvenir glasses left, but we stalked the glass-seller guy until some were turned back in to be recycled and we bought those (hoorah for souvenir glasses!). There were probably 100 different beers from local and regional brewers.

There was a Skiffle band. This was highly entertaining

as: a) their name was the Ugly Dog Skiffle Combo, b) the bass was black and white checked, c) they played music that is at every Louisiana outdoor festival (e.g., Hank Williams songs and Creedence and such like), and d) they played Does Your Chewing Gum Lose Its Flavour on the Bedpost Overnight? by Lonnie Dunnegan-- this made me laugh out loud. How do I know this song?

This is the Station Master watching the skiffle band.


Toodled into town and got some fish from the fish vendor and sat on beach. Rocks hurt your feet. I was attacked by a wave whilst trying to wade in very civilised manner. Had to console self with ice cream before we met Clem and Richard back on the platform...


(...will have to finish this later, as the person who wanted writing done has now summoned Kneece and self from Glenroy Street into civil society... hmph.)

A Very Non-busy Tuesday

In contrast to last week's manic Tuesday, today is really rawther slow. But in a good way. I don't think there has been a slower day in quite a while, as I find myself rushing hither and thither far too much :) Some of us know how unbalanced Amrie can get when she is pushed and stressed, so not having to be anywhere has been lovely!

To ease the mama's mind, I have dressed myself (am not still in pajamas, as appealing as this notion is) and put on makeup about two hours ago. Kneece and I are sitting in the house on Glenroy Street not seeing Cardiff, and this is perfectly fine (Kneece is my friend from Shreveport, who after finishing her Master's at Centenary, moved to Cherbourg, France to teach English to primary school children. She had to renew her visa to a tourist visa last week and is looking for a job for next year...eek! We are quite hopeful that she will find a job and not be either deported or poor. She has come to Cardiff for my gradumatation!).

Things Kneece has done today:
* revised her French CV
* translated French cover letter into English
* translated French CV into English
* looked for jobs online
* posted CV online
* emailed re: several likely openings
* eaten a tomato sandwich

Things Amrie has done today:
* washed some dishes (from Mexican food we cooked last evening)
* sunk into depths of despair upon realising that she forgot her yarn to finish her tiny sweater for tomorrow
* pulled herself up by mental bootstraps and figured ingenious way of 'finishing' sleeves (this involved a fortuitously-brought piece of ribbon; Kneece approves and hysteria was avoided.)
* talked to the Greek
* talked to the Dawny
* made arrangements to meet the Gradumatation Crew at 8.30am tomorrow (ick)
* drunk three cups o' tea
* completed finishing on knitted purse for Steffi's birthday (which was in February)
* painted toenails
* watched some Jeeves and Wooster
* made tomato sandwiches

There does need to be some updating of events of the past weekend, as I have been reminded by someone who is in work and needs some entertaining reading... I shall do this now, although there will be no pictures. They are on camera. Connection for camera to upload pictures onto computer is in the same county as the aforementioned yarn... grrrrrr. Brain-dead Bruner. As my Daddy used to say, 'If your head wasn't attached to your shoulders,...' ...Oh look! A kitty!

A Very Busy Tuesday

For some insane reason, have been mostly awake since 2.54am. This is slightly annoying. And I am not tired. Although, if I should sit on my lovely new construction in the living room in a bit and eat my din-dinns, a coma may be induced.

Just for everyone's information, it is very very light at 4am. If one were so inclined one could go for a run and not need reflective clothing at all. Why one would be so inclined, I have no idea.

A mere few hours later, my front door was locked behind me at 7.08am and I arrived at 7.15 at The Maid's Head Hotel, which is in Tombland close to the cathedral, for Norwich Blackfriars Rotary breakfast meeting. The meeting was really a lot of fun and I now have a Bouncy Bug hand-puppet to make of a Swallowtail Butterfly.

Two weeks ago, I met a Rotarian at my UEA New Employee workshop, and she just happens to be the new President of the club :) It is a really lively club and everyone (as usual!) was fabulously friendly. It was my intention to meet local Rotarians much sooner, but life has been slightly busy :)

The speaker was from the Norfolk Wildlife Trust and was absolutely fascinating for her unabashed adoration of the miracles of the wild. Her description of owl pellets caused quite a bit of tittering amongst the members, but it was really cool! She works with children who visit one of the Broads, therefore the Bouncy Bug Butterfly colouring activity. (Must go buy some crayons!) The Swallowtail Butterfly in Britain only lives in the Norfolk Broads, and I think this is because the reed plant it eats as a caterpillar is only found here. When it is a caterpillar it's disguise is as black and white bird poo. (tee hee, titter)

After work, rushed to Futon Co. to meet taxi! Taxi was late. Nice lady in shoppe very chatty :) If I had lots of money I would buy things from her just because she is so nice.

Then nice taxi driver helped me unload 40 kilos of frame. Then I built it! In less than an hour and with not a profanity to be heard. Hoorah!

And now, it shall be sat upon and dinner shall be consumed (this is especially needed as I forgot all of my fruit today and had no lunch. My general habit lately is to eat a banana about 11, an orange about 1 and another fruity item about 3. I am becoming predictable.).

Tip for today:
do not buy Balsamic vinegar at LIDL. The top is rubbish.

A Beating, a beating!

Someone needs to give the boys who have decided to repeatedly kick a soccer (oops, 'scuse me -- foot) ball at the church/science discovery centre wall a very large beating. It is annoying the experience of my dinner.

However, as there is a small herd of them huddled vulture-like on top of the tomb, I think it had best not be me.

It will be so nice when I have my IKEA table and chair and can go out with my tea and knitting and glare malevolently at them like the 83-year-old biddy I am inside.

Bells

This morning, mama and daddy heard the bells from St. Michael Coslany. Admittedly, this did require their phone to ring at approximately 5.10am Central Standard Time, but mama at least seemed to like it :) I was clever and managed to catch the last set with my call -- it might have been more traumatic had I rung at 4.30am CST.

St. Michael's is no longer a church as such, but is a science discovery centre. It is nice, though, that they let the bell ringers come in and practice (or whatever it is they are doing). Article linked above is quite interesting and links back to a site with information on 650 Norfolk churches! According to my neighbor, George, there is something special about these bells, but have not managed to find this out yet. Planning mission to historical section of library as George says there are lots of little old ladies with a wealth of knowledge just waiting to be asked :) (If have not mentioned it, have joined library and am quite pleased to have done so, esp. as in Cardiff was not allowed to join library as had not lived there for 3 years or something daft. Also, books on loan are for THREE weeks! Hoorah!)

Anyhoo, the Mama wants some pictures of St. Michael. And of the abode... Yes, I know. I have been negligent with the blog overall lately. So, after the sun went in for a little rest (as it is too bright for good pictures), complied with the Mama :)

From article linked above, it seems that St. Miles is a linguistic evolution of St. Michael's, hence the name of my alley. I have noticed that all the churches have alleys next to them with a matching name and could not figure out why mine was different from the church name. So, now we know!

This photo was taken from the doorway of my house. You may notice the 3-foot stump at the left of the picture. This was a lovely (and according to George, 100-year old) tree, which had the prettiest tiny pink flowers this spring. I think someone in the Council should be beaten.

Another pic looking from about the aspect of my front window and down the alley toward Oak Street.

My house is at the altar end of the church. Churches are historically built along an East-West axis. The reason for this being that Christ is to return as the sun rises (which is in the East) and also because Jerusalem is Eastward. Here is interesting article on the English Parish Church as well.

The Mama additionally wants proof that I am not living in penurious squalor (well, she didn't actually say that in so many words, but we all know how worried mamas get). So here is evidence that I am not living in squalor (although the dishes did get stowed in the dishwasher and the knitting was formed into one pile...).

Firstly, should say that I will only be sleeping on the floor for two nights (and the mattress is really comfy, so it is okay). This morning, a very nice couple came to see my futon and bought it! New (and posh) futon arrives at shop on Tuesday. And then I get to figure out how to get it home -- it is supposed it will fit into a taxi but I am dubious.

On left of top picture, mail slot in front door is seen. Green glowing life box in corner is Norfolk residence of Jasper and Carrot (and Forsythe, who will be introduced once an adequate portrait can be taken -- he has been behind the filter for about three hours now).

Now from other aspect. Doorway leads to one step down where is airing cupboard (my closet) and the shower room.

Lastly, view from bedside table corner. Sadly, the lovely curved brickwork of the fireplace going towards upstairs did not fit. Will take more pictures when new futon arrives.

And we move down a step and look into the shower room! How tidy!

And down another step into kitchen. This step down is a bit large and my poor toes got stubbed quite a few times in the first days here. Grrrr.... Kitchen looks kind of dim, but it is really not quite so. Paul -- Note cast iron skillet and muffin tin hanging on left above stove. Note Millie the Gerbera daisy in the sink. Back door is barely seen on right.

Finally, looking back toward living/bed room. It is a little less prettily fixed yet, but it is really quite fine.

[Table was obtained for me by my former neighbor, Brenda, who formed the person part of the parade of Mr. Brew (the fat Pom), and Mr. Diamond (the black cat with white socks) -- they used to toodle around the square, her on her motorised cart, and it was just the cutest thing. Mr. Brew snoofling along eating dirt and sniffing things, Mr. Diamond being flitty and cattish (and not letting you pet him if you made eye contact at all) and Brenda smoking her heart out :) They have since moved across Norwich and I owe her a note...].

And, then finally, finally... this is my screen which is almost finished for my front window. It is most unpleasant methinks to have curtains shut unless it is night-time. It is truly dark at 11.15 at night and is light at 4.30am. Not that my windows are open to the world after dusk, but you hate to be all cloistered and gloomy (after all, I haven't become a hermitess yet). So, I got a willow garden trellis and wove gossamer ribbon in black and white through it to make it a little more private to have window open in day. Need more ribbon and think maybe some little beads to tie at each of the junction spots, but overall, am quite pleased. This was one of yesterday's projects :)

Happy Impudence Day!

This is Eamonn's term.

And I like it. It is approved.
I oughtn't to have drunk tea probably, but coffee has too much acid lately :)

*******
Another independence note for the day is that Alan Johnston is free. It is just horrific to consider being held hostage for 16 weeks/114 days.

Although this is nothing compared to the story of the Oufkir family. Recommended reading in case I have failed to mention it earlier: La Prisonniere.

Must work now...

Terrorist doctors and Fin Rot

It is really not as horrible and panic-stricken as the American media might be portraying. There was a little bit of difference on yesterday's train journey, just in the presence of armed police guarding Cardiff Station entrances. It is just slightly more cautious everywhere, or at least that is what it feels like to me (maybe I am just not attuned by this point, as life in general has just become more carpe diem and fatalistic). This is not to say that I am not happy, though. Not at all!


However, the BBC does seem slightly concerned with people making sure they stay happy and British-stiff-upper-lip and strong during stressful times, as on the news this morning, they were suggesting ways and things that people can be happy about. In addition to the demon terrorism, flooding still continues in a lot of the UK, particularly the middle. No flooding close to my house; the river at St. Miles Bridge is only about 5 feet below the highest point marker from 1873, though.


*******
Other than police, train ride journey was much more mundane than Thursday's. Made train in Liverpool Street with 5 minutes to spare (train 12 minutes late and Tube slightly slow). The only entertainment other than reading my book was when a 16-year-old boy who got on in Ipswich tried to chat up this Scottish girl across the aisle from him for the last 20 minutes of the ride. It was so lame-oh :) She was 18 (but he said one would never know it) before asking how old she thought he was... He has his own place and everything; and he failed out of school; and he was born in Florida (isn't that so cool?); and he is going to move to America and be an actor; and what kind of music do you like? So, he asked how she liked Scotland -- he thinks it is pretty cool. And here was the fun part (in brief):


Boy: So, is your mom from Scotland?
Girl: No, from Liverpool.
Boy: How long has she been in Scotland?
Girl: For a long time.
Boy: (pause) So, she probably has her Scottish citizenship by now and everything, huh?


DEAR LORD.

*******
Things I/we did this weekend:
* packed up Gold Street
* E replaced kitchen door on hinges
* met Graham and James to give back Rotary dishes
* went to B's last-day-of-work-at-L&G parties
* visited IKEA (hoorah for finding discontinued table and chairs!)
* had coffee with Katharine at Shot in the Dark
* went to St. Martin's and saw my lovely friends!
* had ice cream in the rain on the way to Cold Knapp
* walked in rain at the beach at Cold Knapp on Saturday
* went to Sully Island beach on Sunday and watched tide come in
* hunted crabs




Took no pics at Cold Knapp, but it really wasn't conducive. It is just really interesting to note the rock surfaces on different beaches and also the variety on the same beach. These pictures are from Sully Island. The rock in this area is kind of softish and in some spots looks like petrified wood almost. You can break parts off in some spots. And there are layers built up. And this lets there be quite a lot of rock pools.

It took approximately 30 minutes to figure out the best method for crab hunting and then we were off!

If you look at this picture, it looks like the crab is saying 'Ooops!' There are voices for different rock pool creatures: crabs talk in Andy voices from Little Britain; shrimp have French accents; limpets have quick tiny voices. It is all quite fascinating!

Probably have written before about how Sully Island has one of the fastest rising tides. It can be quite dangerous. Here is an image when Eamonn was herding me back towards higher ground... on the left side on the island, you can just see the old ship that is preserved in the mud on Sully Island. Lindsey went with us out to the ship when she was here :) I want to go out for a day -- go over in the morning, let the tide come in and trap us over with the fisherpeople, then watch it go back out and toodle back across the rock pools to The Captain's Wife.

*******
In further news, I must find a remedy for fin rot, as it seems to have invaded the lives of Jasper and Carrot. This is very distressing.