Letters

On Saturday last I reached a pinnacle of fame. Little Maisie Ellis from Lambeth got a letter published in the posh peoples' paper "The Times". (Don't tell the Editor but I don't even take The Times)I occasionally read my daughter's copy. I am a Telegraph person.

I have, in the last two years, had four letters published in the Telegraph after many frustrated efforts. I have decided that it is all due to e-mails. When a letter arrives by snail mail the subject has either been done to death or some earth-shattering event has overtaken it. With e-mail one's response is immediate and one's letter doesn't necessarily end up in the WPB.

Cousin Madeline rang me to tell me the good news. What price fame? Who cares about the X Factor or Strictly when you get your name in The Times?

A View from the Conservatory

From where I sit no houses can be seen,
Just puffy clouds ride the bright blue sky.
The world outside is encompassed in green.
The noisy street outside passes me by.

Who would think that lorries, cars and buses
Hurtle past our front door to the town?
From Hove station down to the Marina
The number seven bus speeds up and down.

Here at the back garden all is quiet.
Just the soughing of the warm wind in the trees.
The tall and graceful eucalyptus sways,
The bamboo rustles gently in the breeze.

The pretty leaves of ever-changing green
Of the false acacia please the eye.
A crow swoops low, he's come in search of food,
Then swiftly flies away with raucous cry.

The constant voice of seagulls fills the air.
I hear them calling, calling to each other.
The mournful cry of one low-flying gull
Sounds like a small child crying for its mother.

The rushed and busy world I do not heed.
I sit here idly musing in the sun.
I realise that I have all I need.
I count my many blessings, one by one.

TEA

I do drink quite a lot of tea. At the moment it is Twining's Breakfast Tea which is not too strong. My brother used to like "builder's tea" where the spoon practically stood up in the cup. My mother, who had a saying for everything, used to say it was "the cup that cheers but does not inebriate".

We have just had a visit from two more members of our Danish family. Throughout their childhood the photographs of Ernie and his crew were on show in their living room alongside photos of their own family. For new readers see www.ee138.net They were delightful compay and really enjoyed our tea! They were intrigued to see MIF (milk in first).

Our friend in Tokyo writes wonderful blogs about tea. She is on a very restricted diet so a pot of tea is a real treat but I am amazed at how much some teas can cost.

Further to the above there is an article in today's Daily Telegraph about tea in China. The price of one particular variety has soared to levels only rivalled by the finest wines. It is called Dahongpao. On line traders are selling a single kilo for more than £1,000. Do you drink it or put it in the bank's vaults?
Tea is important in Chinese culture and Dahongpao was planted to serve the Emperors of the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644). My Tokyo friend mentions tea from the Yunnan province which has also risen dramatically in price. I hope she can still afford it.
My humble tea costs less than £5 for 250 grammes but it does say on the box "By appointment to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the second".

Swine Flu

Talking of conservation this government certainly doesn't mean to waste anything. Having spent good money on buying swine flu vaccine mostly unused, I read they are proposing to add it to the normal flu jabs that we poor old souls get given each year. So we are going to get this vaccine whether we want it or not. There is some talk of it having links to narcolepsy. Oh dear! If I sleep any more it won't be worth my getting up to get dressed.

Going Green

I have decided I am now too old for candlelit dinners. No use whispering sweet nothings. As the wine goes down the volume goes up! I have dined out three times in the past few weeks. Each time in delightful company and with good food but the restaurants were lit almost entirely by candlelight. After I had stumbled my way to the table I had to ask my neighbour to read the menu. When the food arrived I couldn't see what was on the plate. I am all for conserving energy but this was ridiculous. I wished I had brought a torch!

David

A sad day!! My friend David ,the beekeeper from Denmark, has died. Although in very poor health he took part in the ceremony in May at the crash site, playing the flute and reading a beautiful poem. He was a man of many talents and I was fortunate to meet him. Despite his problems he was cheerful company and interested in all the world around him. I shall miss him as will many others whose lives he touched.

Bath

Have just spent 3 days in Bath visiting old friends. Stayed in a house on top of a hill with marvellous views and slept in a fourposter bed! Felt like Elizabeth 1st (or Mr. Pickwick when he found himself in the wrong room).