I'm often asked by fans of my blog about the number of foreign visitors to my site and I tell both of them the thing that always surprises me is the number of Russians who have a gander at my ramblings.What interest can it be-even my dearest and dearest can't be bothered but are too kind to tell me -yet 26 Russians, 19 Indonesians and 1Bangladeshi are sat ,eyes glued to their monitor, awaiting enlightenment regarding the state of my health, chemical toilet, family, friends and Britains'canals?
So I shall try and make this posting more educational avoiding all silliness.
Here's last week's tally.
Tally-
mid-15c., "stick marked with notches to indicate amount owed or paid," from Anglo-French tallie(early 14c., Old French taille "notch in a piece of wood signifying a debt"), Anglo-Latin talea (late 12c.), from Medieval Latin tallia, from Latin talea "a cutting, rod, stick" (see tailor (n.), and compare sense history of score). Meaning "a thing that matches another" first recorded 1650s, from practice of splitting a tally lengthwise across the notches, debtor and creditor each retaining one of the halves; the usual method of keeping accounts before writing became general (the size of the notches varied with the amount). Sports sense of "a total score" is from 1856. Also in 19c. British provincial verbal expression live tally, make a tally bargain "live as husband and wife without marrying."
And here's last week's Tilley. (http://tilleylamp.co.uk/
mid-15c., "stick marked with notches to indicate amount owed or paid," from Anglo-French tallie(early 14c., Old French taille "notch in a piece of wood signifying a debt"), Anglo-Latin talea (late 12c.), from Medieval Latin tallia, from Latin talea "a cutting, rod, stick" (see tailor (n.), and compare sense history of score). Meaning "a thing that matches another" first recorded 1650s, from practice of splitting a tally lengthwise across the notches, debtor and creditor each retaining one of the halves; the usual method of keeping accounts before writing became general (the size of the notches varied with the amount). Sports sense of "a total score" is from 1856. Also in 19c. British provincial verbal expression live tally, make a tally bargain "live as husband and wife without marrying."
And here's last week's Tilley. (http://tilleylamp.co.uk/
My mum used to work for the Tilley Lamp company when they were based in Hendon until they decided to relocate to Northern Ireland in the early 60s about the same time Bernadette Devlin started campaigning and the Wilson Government put the army in. The rest as they say is hysterical.
They relocated back to England in 2000 and are currently based in Guildford.
Tilley lamps were used by the British armed forces, and became so popular that Tilley became used as a generic name for kerosene lamp in many parts of the world, in much the same way as Hoover is used for vacuum cleaners. During the 1920s the company had diversified into domestic lamps, and had expanded rapidly after orders from railway companies. After WWII fears about the poisonous effect of paraffin fumes, and widely available electricity, reduced demand for domestic use.
I recall during the three day week hiatus back in the 70s we used Tilley lamps to light the windowless toilets in the Civic Centre at Harrow, Needless to say we lost a lot to the "Light" fingered.
And here's last week's telly. Do you remember when a tv looked like this-it's not that long ago the first slimline tv was sold in 1997.
Since then the style and reliability has improved.The programmes however........
Since then the style and reliability has improved.The programmes however........
And here's last weeks tolly
The tolly was one of the instruments of punishment used with regularity and enthusiasm at my gramma skool. It comprised a thin tongue of leather with a split end attached to a wooden handle. It was allegedly named after the first boy to be on the receiving end but I am dubious. The tolly was used by housemasters, the cane being the privilege of the Head and Deputy Head. Needless to say I copped for both with some regularity both for minor and major misbehaviour and academic under achievement. So enlightened.
Unfortunately I can't find a picture of the tolly and I presume they all lie unused in the cupboard of some sadistic old bastard ruing their obsolescence; both of the tolly and the old bastards.
And here's last week's Tully
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He was educated at Twyford School (Hampshire), |M|arlborogh College and at Cambridge where he studied Theology ]After Cambridge, he intended becoming a priest in the Church of England but abandoned the vocation after just two terms admitting later that he had doubts about "trusting [his] sexuality to behave as a Christian priest".
Last week we spent a few days in the Kent Countryside and the harvest is good.
Any self-respecting Englishman cannot gaze upon such a vista and not think " You could build lots of semi detached three bedroomed houses on that."
Last week saw Mathilda's first birthday-what a difference a year makes.
Of course strictly speaking her first birthday was the day she was born..............discuss.
A quick trip down memory lane. Actually it is down Honeypot Lane, Stanmore where I worked (and drank) at the Green Man for many years. Sadly it's a block of flats now.
You know the words from the song "you don't know what you've got till it's gone"-well that certainly applies to the pub world. My two local watering holes "The Cow Roast Inn" and "The Lamb" have both been closed for some time now; ruined by the appalling Punch Taverns and now owned by Heineken they sit, unkempt, unloved and unopen. Both are an eyesore, both are listed buildings and both once were and could be again, profitable. Sadly I fear after a suitable length of time and with no action by the local authority there will be a couple of unfortunate fires and the same fate as befell the Green Man will befall them.
When will people realise that pubs aren't just about a drinking culture but provide a hub for the community vital in these days of increasing numbers of lonely people; a social ill that lots of blathering goes on about but no bugger does anything positive; a game of crib can do wonders.....
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As I listen to the welcome rain
And indeed it is apourinìg
My thoughts are on our path again
That runs along our mooring
CART can't fix it though it's bust
And bits of it are "No go"
They have no money at the Trust
Except for a brand new logo
So as we wade up to the gate
Thru mud that is hard to stand in
For a safe sound path we're pleased to wait
Cos we'd much rather have rebrandin.
"Every pound we save is another pound we can spend looking after the waterways."
This is a quote from the CaRT Annual Report. I don't know what the new logo cost but they stated that no "new" money would be used. "New" or "old" it's still money that won't be spent looking after the waterways including providing a safe, usable path on our mooring despite having recently benefited directly from an extra 2k generated by the iniquitous mooring auction scam.
It did stop raining long enough to powerhose Independence
which needed doing as did Twirly the Pig
Below is the picture on the front page of the Nicholson's Guide for 2012. It is, of course the Lock at Cow Roast. If you look very hard you can see Independence directly in line with the centre of the top lock gates
=====================================
The following is an extract from my ramblings just over a year ago when I reflected that my elected representative was and still is David Gaulke who despite some deree of dodgyness as reported in the Torygraph had been appointed to the Treasury. A year later and he has been appointed as Lord Chancellor. Who says Theresa May doesn't have a sense of humour.
===================================
June 2017
Allegedly I'll be wasting my vote in Berkhamsted by voting Labour. You could put a donkey up with a blue rosette and he'd get elected -even if he had been guilty of a slight mis- remembering of his carrot allowance a while back.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/9684441/Minister-in-cash-row-keeps-27000-profit-from-sale-of-second-home.html
He was obviously a perfect candidate for a Treasury job which is exactly where they put him.
======================================================
So Independence and Twirly has had a tidy up in readiness for a cruise in September alongside Moorhen with Ady plus a crew comprising Kevin, Peter and Ted. It will be jolly and though we don't intend to travel too far we should achieve a fair amount in nearly 3 weeks. Anything missing? Of course there is. The end of September marks one year since dear friend and valued crew member, Geoff, died. It cannot do other than cast a pall over affairs afloat.We will no doubt raise a glass or twelve to his memory-but I'd rather the old boy was there to drink with us. Hey Ho.
==========================================
Talking of hols I've booked two of my "away from the mooring in the Winter" breaks. One for ten days in Derbyshire and one for a week in Whitstable. Both before Christmas with the Derbyshire trip follwed by a visit to Lancashire to visit my sister, Moira and Tom. I noticed during my research into staying in Whitstable that one pub's website boasts a selection of real and craft ales, no music, no tv and no kids. I suspect that is where my crossword will be found...........with me looking at it.😉
After Christmas I hope to spend some more time in Kent and the West Country/Somerset.
All of this of course is dependent on health and wealth....oh and the small matter of the DVLA now requiring me to have a medical after I informed them of my sleep apnoea. (see previous boring snoring posts). Since I've been using the CPAP machine I have been so much better with no need for frequent and inconvenient dozes and my readings show a considerable reduction in "sleep interventions" (47 per hour before CPAP/0.8 per hour since!)
Wish me luck.
==============================================
And to finish my 3 favourite cartoons this week (courtesy of P Eye)
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Sir William Mark Tully, KBE (born 24 October 1935)[ is the former Bureau Chief of the BBC, New Delhi. He worked with the BBC for a period of 30 years before resigning in July 1994.. He held the position of Chief of Bureau, BBC, Delhi, for 20 years.[4] He has received awards and written books.
Coincidentally Tully was born in Tollygunge, Calcutta. (Tollygunge sounds like a disease resulting from the aforementioned school punishment.) His father was a British businessman who was a partner in one of the leading managing agencies of the Raj He spent the first decade of his childhood in India, although without being allowed to socialise with Indian people; at the age of four, he was sent to a "British boarding school" in Darjeeling before going to England for further schooling from the age of nine.
He was educated at Twyford School (Hampshire), |M|arlborogh College and at Cambridge where he studied Theology ]After Cambridge, he intended becoming a priest in the Church of England but abandoned the vocation after just two terms admitting later that he had doubts about "trusting [his] sexuality to behave as a Christian priest".
Tully's personal life has been complex. In 2001 he was married to Margaret Tully by whom he had 4 children. When in London he lived with his wife. When in India however, he lives with his partner Gillian Wright.
Tully joined the BBCin 1964 and moved back to India in 1965 to work as the India Correspondent.He covered all major incidents in South Asia during his tenure..
Tully resigned from BBC in July 1994, after an argument with John Birt, the then Director General. He accused Birt of "running the corporation by fear" and "turning the BBC into a secretive monolith with poor ratings and a demoralised staff". In 1994 he presented an episode of BBCs Great Railway Journeys "Karachi to The Khyber Pass" travelling by train across Pakistan. Since 1994 he has been working as a freelance journalist and broadcaster based in New Delhi. He is currently the regular presenter of the weekly Radio 4 programme Something Understood.
So that's tally telly, tilley, tolly and tully-I told you it would be more educational
========================================Last week we spent a few days in the Kent Countryside and the harvest is good.
A quick trip down memory lane. Actually it is down Honeypot Lane, Stanmore where I worked (and drank) at the Green Man for many years. Sadly it's a block of flats now.
When will people realise that pubs aren't just about a drinking culture but provide a hub for the community vital in these days of increasing numbers of lonely people; a social ill that lots of blathering goes on about but no bugger does anything positive; a game of crib can do wonders.....
========================================
On the Moorings we have a new problem. We have a richness** of mink-Six of the blighters have been spotted and the other night I thought somebody had got on board. When I looked out there was a mink sat in the front well. A little later I found the sod on my roof looking into my Pigeon Box (not a box of pigeons but the narrowboat equivalent of a skylight). I've written to Canal and River Trust as our Landlords to see if they can sort this minky business. Watch this space.
https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/enjoy-the-waterways/canal-and-river-wildlife/the-rogues-gallery/american-mink
** Believe it or not a "richness" is the collective noun for mink. I'd have thought "ministry" more appropriate.
Ode to a Path
As I listen to the welcome rainAnd indeed it is apourinìg
My thoughts are on our path again
That runs along our mooring
CART can't fix it though it's bust
And bits of it are "No go"
They have no money at the Trust
Except for a brand new logo
So as we wade up to the gate
Thru mud that is hard to stand in
For a safe sound path we're pleased to wait
Cos we'd much rather have rebrandin.
Sadly CART haven't come up trumps on our path, pictures of which are above, taken this month. They are not going to repair it so Heaven knows what it will be like mid Winter.
I think, I speak for many boaters and certainly those that have paid lots of money over the years, that most were supportive of CaRT recognising that they had inherited myriad problems and were short of funds for essential and routine maintenance. Sadly that support has
dissipated following the rebranding and creation of a new logo. CaRT were formed in 2012. Five years later some eejit decided it was appropriate to spend fortunes on a new logo-there was nothing wrong with the old one."Every pound we save is another pound we can spend looking after the waterways."
This is a quote from the CaRT Annual Report. I don't know what the new logo cost but they stated that no "new" money would be used. "New" or "old" it's still money that won't be spent looking after the waterways including providing a safe, usable path on our mooring despite having recently benefited directly from an extra 2k generated by the iniquitous mooring auction scam.
It did stop raining long enough to powerhose Independencewhich needed doing as did Twirly the Pig
Below is the picture on the front page of the Nicholson's Guide for 2012. It is, of course the Lock at Cow Roast. If you look very hard you can see Independence directly in line with the centre of the top lock gates
 |
| Add caption |
=====================================
The following is an extract from my ramblings just over a year ago when I reflected that my elected representative was and still is David Gaulke who despite some deree of dodgyness as reported in the Torygraph had been appointed to the Treasury. A year later and he has been appointed as Lord Chancellor. Who says Theresa May doesn't have a sense of humour.
===================================
June 2017
Allegedly I'll be wasting my vote in Berkhamsted by voting Labour. You could put a donkey up with a blue rosette and he'd get elected -even if he had been guilty of a slight mis- remembering of his carrot allowance a while back.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/9684441/Minister-in-cash-row-keeps-27000-profit-from-sale-of-second-home.html
He was obviously a perfect candidate for a Treasury job which is exactly where they put him.
======================================================
So Independence and Twirly has had a tidy up in readiness for a cruise in September alongside Moorhen with Ady plus a crew comprising Kevin, Peter and Ted. It will be jolly and though we don't intend to travel too far we should achieve a fair amount in nearly 3 weeks. Anything missing? Of course there is. The end of September marks one year since dear friend and valued crew member, Geoff, died. It cannot do other than cast a pall over affairs afloat.We will no doubt raise a glass or twelve to his memory-but I'd rather the old boy was there to drink with us. Hey Ho.
==========================================
Talking of hols I've booked two of my "away from the mooring in the Winter" breaks. One for ten days in Derbyshire and one for a week in Whitstable. Both before Christmas with the Derbyshire trip follwed by a visit to Lancashire to visit my sister, Moira and Tom. I noticed during my research into staying in Whitstable that one pub's website boasts a selection of real and craft ales, no music, no tv and no kids. I suspect that is where my crossword will be found...........with me looking at it.😉
After Christmas I hope to spend some more time in Kent and the West Country/Somerset.
All of this of course is dependent on health and wealth....oh and the small matter of the DVLA now requiring me to have a medical after I informed them of my sleep apnoea. (see previous boring snoring posts). Since I've been using the CPAP machine I have been so much better with no need for frequent and inconvenient dozes and my readings show a considerable reduction in "sleep interventions" (47 per hour before CPAP/0.8 per hour since!)
Wish me luck.
==============================================
And to finish my 3 favourite cartoons this week (courtesy of P Eye)
===============================================
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