tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32570460.post2787064075832993761..comments2024-03-13T07:34:24.149+00:00Comments on The Age of Uncertainty: Table TalkSteerforthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07627936539372313828noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32570460.post-68821990297457731452016-05-13T21:18:36.150+00:002016-05-13T21:18:36.150+00:00That's funny, I walked past the super swank Li...That's funny, I walked past the super swank Lily's Kitchen headquarters today. It's in Hampstead. Bet that's some high-class cat chow.Sashanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32570460.post-51692789213656536732016-04-03T16:28:47.537+00:002016-04-03T16:28:47.537+00:00Luckily I have a C&G in Interior Design so Oli...Luckily I have a C&G in Interior Design so Oliver is in no position to argue about my design choices for the homes. ; - )<br /><br />I hope books hurry up and become the new vinyl for you. Vinyl is booming - well at least here in Brighton and Hove anyway.<br /><br />Re talking posh, last time I was made redundant I had real problems claiming benefits owing I suspect to my 'posh voice' no matter that all the paper proof of my redundancy was presented for all to see. As for council tax relief, forget it!The Poet Laura-eatehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07779308486569849157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32570460.post-64199227773032245362016-03-31T07:36:12.970+00:002016-03-31T07:36:12.970+00:00Lucy - The other drawback of talking 'posh'...Lucy - The other drawback of talking 'posh' is that some people assume that it's all been handed to you on a plate. I used to get a lot of flak for going to a public school, which was baffling as I'd never set foot in one. Is it too late to change to Mockney?<br /><br />D. I. Dalrymple - It's Phil._.BSteerforthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07627936539372313828noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32570460.post-68699744120905829312016-03-30T20:45:20.351+00:002016-03-30T20:45:20.351+00:00Steerforth - I enjoy your photos and would like to...Steerforth - I enjoy your photos and would like to follow you on Instagram. May I ask your username?D. I. Dalrymplehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13975446519920126985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32570460.post-39790603664349688162016-03-29T12:15:38.648+00:002016-03-29T12:15:38.648+00:00I was that elderly woman... Yet another drawback o...I was that elderly woman... Yet another drawback of talking "posh" - people think you can do things without being shown how, and slow to realise that no, you really can't do them! And I enjoyed the cameraderie between exactly those types. The manager was very stylishly dressed, and I got away with some lovely 80s jewellery! I have now reached the "writing books that nobody will publish" stage of retirement.Lucy R. Fisherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08632983296994349550noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32570460.post-19071001995669120532016-03-27T09:47:12.492+00:002016-03-27T09:47:12.492+00:00Carol - Fortunately, we don't have any of that...Carol - Fortunately, we don't have any of that 'Happy Holiday' business over here, so I'll wish you a Happy Easter. <br /><br />Peter - There's a thin line between good service and harrassment and too many shop staff cross it. I used to leave my customers alone unless they indicated that they needed help, but when HMV took over Ottakar's, we were encouraged to 'hand sell' with phrases like "Did you find everything you wanted?". Awful. It didn't work either.<br /><br />I haven't noticed any trans staff, but if I spend more time in Brighton, no doubt I will. Steerforthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07627936539372313828noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32570460.post-39098193891313878882016-03-27T08:12:15.070+00:002016-03-27T08:12:15.070+00:00Yes, the charity shop cast list is on the nose.
Fr...Yes, the charity shop cast list is on the nose.<br />From my experience there is quite often a trans person as well and a young European girl who has been advised to volunteer to improve her English. Once, in the Oxfam near the British Museum -- one of the best -- I heard a young German exchange student ask if she could volunteer for this reason. The man behind the counter was really horrible to her.<br />Last week I was in Brighton and visited a charity shop where some young Goth-y volunteer literally followed me around asking what I was looking for and, when I mumbled 'poetry' kept bringing me new arrivals. Most unwelcome -- it's all about the joy of random discovery, isn't it? <br />Thanks for your blog -- I really enjoy it.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06338492937994044447noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32570460.post-5134606682923837252016-03-24T21:37:36.125+00:002016-03-24T21:37:36.125+00:00Love the photos of the trains, and the house at th...Love the photos of the trains, and the house at the bottom, which immediately put me in mind of the Bennett's house in Pride and Prejudice. A lovely set of reflections yet again. So glad you're still writing and posting.<br /><br />Hope you and all the family have a happy Easter, if I dare say that in these parlous politically correct times. But you know i mean well even if I have put my foot in it, yet again!<br /><br />All the best to you and yours, always, love, Carol Canadian Chickadeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12995693884248628958noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32570460.post-74375426066004632352016-03-23T15:47:15.684+00:002016-03-23T15:47:15.684+00:00Marianne - The problem with that is that people wo...Marianne - The problem with that is that people would either disagree with me, which would be annoying, or they'd confirm my wife's lapse in taste, which would be unfair to her. My older son agrees with me, so it's a 50-50 split. My mother-in-law will probably like it, but she doesn't get a vote.Steerforthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07627936539372313828noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32570460.post-89072804855723587832016-03-22T23:01:45.262+00:002016-03-22T23:01:45.262+00:00I should have liked a photo of the tablecloth.
I should have liked a photo of the tablecloth.<br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16514468942056628549noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32570460.post-74027344880646116212016-03-20T23:14:17.171+00:002016-03-20T23:14:17.171+00:00Lucille - I would NEVER dare to buy my wife anythi...Lucille - I would NEVER dare to buy my wife anything from a charity shop. There would be trouble. I'm not surprised to read about the manager pinching stuff - it's that lethal combination of temptation, opportunity and no scruples. I hope they have a whisteblower policy in place, where volunteers can report cases like that.<br /><br />Anna - Thanks for reminding me. I've seen quite a few, although I expect Hastings has more than most towns. Steerforthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07627936539372313828noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32570460.post-3250623106420169572016-03-20T13:22:35.518+00:002016-03-20T13:22:35.518+00:00And, in most charity shops, several copies of Fift...And, in most charity shops, several copies of Fifty Shades of Grey....or is that just Hastings??Annahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01456473594842815442noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32570460.post-74987486522997905372016-03-19T16:28:30.087+00:002016-03-19T16:28:30.087+00:00But you've left an important point hanging. Ha...But you've left an important point hanging. Have you thought of a little treat for your wife? And will it come from the charity shop? My son used to volunteer in one and I'm afraid the manager used to appropriate all the best stuff.Lucillehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14414527658216916537noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32570460.post-42106760709041265022016-03-18T15:31:17.205+00:002016-03-18T15:31:17.205+00:00You see, animals have an instinct for when somethi...You see, animals have an instinct for when something isn't right, unlike Mr Harper. I must admit, I wasn't a big fan of our cats and used to hope that they'd run away, but they've redeemed themselves. Steerforthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07627936539372313828noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32570460.post-76296783334373438712016-03-18T15:27:13.480+00:002016-03-18T15:27:13.480+00:00Thank you so much for your kind words. I'm ver...Thank you so much for your kind words. I'm very glad that the blog amuses you - that's always been my principal aim. Steerforthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07627936539372313828noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32570460.post-45025819781320046502016-03-18T14:10:59.602+00:002016-03-18T14:10:59.602+00:00The only time my beloved late cat Morley vomited a...The only time my beloved late cat Morley vomited anywhere but outside was on a review copy of something called <i>Linda Frum's Guide to Canadian Universities</i>. As a student, Ms Frum was a great critic of the anti-Apartheid movement. Twenty years later, she was appointed to the Senate by Prime Minister Stephen Harper.<br /><br />I'll never match Morley's level of criticism.Brian Busbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04120341319506205062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32570460.post-14914951650926186952016-03-18T10:31:55.283+00:002016-03-18T10:31:55.283+00:00You are such a marvellous comic writer; I really a...You are such a marvellous comic writer; I really appreciate and enjoy your blog, many, many thanks.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32570460.post-81304708154437933632016-03-18T09:33:38.146+00:002016-03-18T09:33:38.146+00:00Lesley - The other book I notice that's always...Lesley - The other book I notice that's always in stock is The Girl With a Dragon Tattoo. Steerforthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07627936539372313828noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32570460.post-58004208641503436022016-03-18T09:19:51.574+00:002016-03-18T09:19:51.574+00:00I volunteer in a charity shop and recognised mysel...I volunteer in a charity shop and recognised myself.... the 50 something woman, although I don't like to talk all of the time.......<br />There's always a lot of jigsaws, slightly dodgy glasswear ( often with age related inscriptions ) and I shall check the shelves for Dan Brown. Lesleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03375383555248787561noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32570460.post-44184033421370236722016-03-18T08:14:00.799+00:002016-03-18T08:14:00.799+00:00Roger - But no Uriah Heep, I hope.
Rog - Yes, Ch...Roger - But no Uriah Heep, I hope. <br /><br />Rog - Yes, Christmas and death. There seems to have been a whole industry built around producing china and glassware that nobody actually wants. My father 'invested' in those awful limited edition collector's plates, thinking that he'd found an inflation-proof way of doubling his money. Sadly, in addition to being ghastly, they've also lost 90% of their value. Steerforthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07627936539372313828noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32570460.post-22540954309007767972016-03-18T07:06:02.276+00:002016-03-18T07:06:02.276+00:00Very perceptive on Charity shops Steerforth! As a ...Very perceptive on Charity shops Steerforth! As a regular customer I'm always amused at the similarity of the stock which seems to obey certain unwritten rules. Every shop must contain:<br />A Readers Digest Book of the House<br />A full set of Dan Browns<br />A whole shelf of glasses which never sell<br />At least one "Ronco" product<br />A Magazine Rack<br />An "Operation" board game<br />A Teasmaid<br />A large pile of jigsaws<br />A novelty, and useless, bottle opener<br /><br />I believe Christmas has a lot to answer regarding the reason for this constant.Roghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09430706557035189147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32570460.post-32938729439418539092016-03-17T22:32:55.052+00:002016-03-17T22:32:55.052+00:00"t in St. Paul, Minnesota, there's a book..."t in St. Paul, Minnesota, there's a bookstore called Micawbers"...and there's Copperfield's in Wimbledon.Roger Allenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11012987757094423896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32570460.post-20020897951345511912016-03-17T20:46:49.762+00:002016-03-17T20:46:49.762+00:00Sustainablemum - I'm glad someone else recogni...Sustainablemum - I'm glad someone else recognises the stereotypes. I'm never sure whether it's true or I'm writing my own script. You'd be welcome at my table, but we'd have a plain tablecloth! I'm glad provided amusement after a long day.<br /><br />Anon - I think many parents feel that they're depriving their children of a perfect childhood if they don't spend a fortune on a day out. But the things that make children happy are often pretty cheap: looking in rock pools, finding a good stick, a lolly, pulling a shard of ice from a frozen puddle, climbing a steep hill... all far more fulfilling than a trip to the gift shop. At least, that's what I tell myself. Steerforthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07627936539372313828noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32570460.post-62602747181989992722016-03-17T19:01:59.329+00:002016-03-17T19:01:59.329+00:00your photos of the Bluebell line trains look like ...your photos of the Bluebell line trains look like Ladybird illustrations! it is chokingly expensive though - same with the Bodiam/Tenterden steam train. luckily my sons are also happy to look at them without boarding... <br /><br />re: tablecloths - yes. my dad has some truly awful ones (covered in violently-coloured olives, poppies, wine jugs, blazing suns etc) purchased in italian and french markets - he loves them, but no one else is keen... however, we have no obliging cats at his house to see them on their way, sadly. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32570460.post-40675604310923436802016-03-17T18:20:39.757+00:002016-03-17T18:20:39.757+00:00I would like to be at your table, please this post...I would like to be at your table, please this post was wonderful. Your list of charity shop volunteers is so spot on that I could visualise the people in my local shops as I went down the list. At the end of a long day this was just the ticket!<br /><br />sustainablemumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04099701194160334671noreply@blogger.com