Canny lass

Erring on the side of caution I listened to what he said three times - and three times I heard him say that an emergency budget wasn't needed "YET". In linguistic circles this little, but never the less important,adverb 'yet' usually expresses a degree of uncertainty - an uncertainty which is strengthened when placed in final position in the sentence (as it was here). So, maybe we shouldn't be to hasty in our judgements - yet. Darn this biological attention to detail!

This can be a very interesting topic and maybe a money-spinner for Bedlington if tunnels exist. Two years ago I was invited to a rather unusual birthday party which started with a tour of the tunnels under Gothenburg. It was fantastic (the tour - the party afterwards wasn't bad either). There is so much history underground. It's hard to imagine it when walking around the streets above. Tunnels had all sorts of uses! Here, they've been opened up by enthusiasts working voluntarily and made available to the public by charitable trust. I'd gladly give up a few weeks of my time every year to open up the tunnels of Bedlington.

Welcome to the forum, Pauline.

This sounds very interesting! I'm afraid I know nothing about them but I'm looking forward to hearing about them.

You may have misunderstood. I was not referring to 'our' nation but to our 'host' nation where our present migratory status is that of immigrant.

Shame on me! I've rapped my own knuckles and if I do it again, I'll escalate the punishment to serious wrist slapping. I, personally, think it's the software that's at fault.

That which epitomizes the differences in our thinking is that one of us engages our brain before putting our mouth in gear. Just look at what you’ve written. You say that I focus on the minutiae and round of your post by pointing out a wrongly spelled word. I rest my case. You ask if I have Germanic ancestry. My surname at birth suggests that I do. Like you, I was born into a family with an Anglo-Saxon surname. We can try to convince ourselves that our surnames are Scottish in origin but both go back to Saxon. So, yes – it appears I do have Germanic background – as do you. Now we have two things in common: We are both immigrants and we both have a Germanic background. However, the latter rather blows a hole in your assertion that “They” – those of Germanic ancestry – “ are masters of detail, but are alarmingly easily led… so, they get all the big decisions terribly wrong!” Didn’t you just argue the case for us being different?

You may have misunderstood my 'Oh dear'. I was refering to your last sentence about another threegee observation that will be proven right on the nail.

What has Wilf done to his knees?

Oh dear!

Thanks HPW! A joy to read, as always.

Would that be 'Dirty World' or 'If you belonged to me'?

I wouldn.t dream f buying one, Moe. I was just amazed that they might exist!

I just have to ask: Can you really get "industrial steamed leek-pudding". Serious question. Can leek pudding be bought ready made?

Hoy you! Speak for yourself! Rock buns are compulsory in this house. Very easy to make - even for the grandchildren. The recipe is so simple you can keep it in your head: 8 - 4 - 4 (oz) f - m - s (alphabetical order; flour, margarine, sugar) Multiply the recipe by four. Rub the margarine into the flour until it looks like breadcrumbs. Add the sugar. Store in a plastic box in the fridge. When you fancy a rock bun: Heat the oven to 425-450 (gas not sure, but the oven needs to be hot) Place 1lb of the mixture in a bowl. Add 4 oz of something you like - be adventurous, it doesn't always have to be currants! Add one egg and two tablespoons of milk and mix until 'claggy'. Place 12 heaps on a baking tray Sprinkle with sugar Bake for 12-15 minutes. They do not freeze well! They become dry very quickly so it's better to mix and store the dry ingredients in the fridge and only bake them as you need them - without having to get your hands in a mess several times.

At last, somebody who knows somebody who has one - and a fellow female at that! I've read all the literature and understood a third of it but nothing beats the advice of someone, without a financial interest, who's tried and tested for themselves. Practical and reliable sounds just up my street. That he's got a well polished body and chrome gear-stick is simply an added bonus.

I'm afraid I don't have time with consumption and emissions research and the like before my trip to Brussels. I need to be in top trim next week so it will have to wait until I return. I've already given him a good grope where I would expect to find the spare tyre. There isn't a sign of one! Just a discrete little bottle of something with a longish rubber hose and a nozzle of some sort. He obviously isn't the type to let a girl do the heavy work or get her hands messy. I'm liking him more and more.

X-rated! I don't know what you mean, mercuryg. All I did was ask for advice on buying a new car. A girl can't just go directly to things like the big E. I was thinking one of you guys might bring it up. I've now heard rumours that he's prone to overheating. Any truth i this?

Why not? Would you have me in any other colour?

Good heavens, I didn't know that! I don't speak a word of German but mixed marriages have been known to work.

His man-servant tells me that he may well come with a feathrlite rear protection mat in situ though he may equally well come without. He assures me, however, that with or without protection his performance is always the same. I have to confess, though, that at my age accidental spillage is not a problem. Three or four inches, I agree, can make all the difference when entering from the rear but a false bottom can be purchased at very little cost. I don’t see it as a problem. Do you know if his clothing is easily removable?

Incandescent you say. I must get a new hat!

Maj has been and gone here. So has Juni and now we are into Juli.

Darn! I never thought to look at the cup holders. I was too busy admiring the gear stick. I'll just have to go back and have another look - how we women sacrifice ourselves!

But what if I promised to be very gentle with him? He’s very inexperienced – dare I say ‘a virgin’ – untouched by any other woman’s hand. I’d only need his ‘services’ a couple of times a week and only for two twenty minute rounds per session. There’d be plenty of time for rest in between. Surely he could stand that pace? Does he have a drink problem?