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).

Denmark

I find when I Google something I rarely retain the information for very long whereas when I spend time searching through dictionaries, atlases, books of quotations etc. the words on the printed page stay in my memory and I can recall them later. Is Google atrophying my brain?

Last weekend we had the pleasure of a visit from Kirsten from Denmark. She is the granddaughter of the farmer whose family have been tending the memorial in Denmark where Ernie's plane crashed. We also had a visit from Anne who has been instrumental in tracing families of airmen who were killed in WW2. We had all met in Denmark earlier this year.

The weather has been so gloomy this week, more like November than August so am reading for the umpteenth time " Winter Solstice" by Rosamunde Pilcher which is like sitting in a cosy room by a welcoming fire. Pure escapism!

Gadgets

I have just got a new digital hearing aid. I am as deaf as a post without it. It has different controls from the last one but i shall get used to it.

I have warned my family to be careful now of what they say in my hearing or I will cut them out of my will!

When I confronted my new washing machine 4 years ago with its dials, numbers and flashing lights it seemed like learning to pilot Concorde. I soon put it in its place and showed who was master by using just two of its many programmes (as I think many housewives do).

The word "housewife" intrigues me. I don't remember marrying a house. For once an Americanism might be more accurate. They say "homemaker".

Savings

The Bankers are getting richer and I am getting poorer yet the Government urges us to save money. What money? Perhaps we should hold National Savings Weeks like we did in WW2. Then we were encouraged to save to boost the war effort. The slogan was "Save for Victory". What would it be now? Suggestions on a postcard .

.My friend Kitty,
and I would occasionally seek respite from the nightly London blitz by going to her Auntie's at South Mimms, then a straggling village just off the A1 road to the north. It consisted of one long lane dotted with several pubs.

One day we were met by the young cousins in a high state of excitement. It was National Savings Week and there was to be a procession! Sure enough at 2.30 there was the sound of a Military Band. We rushed to the front gate so as not to miss anything.

Around the bend in the lane came a small Boy Scout pushing an ancient perambulator on which was perched, rather precariously, a wind-up gramophone valiantly blaring forth martial music. He was followed by a gaggle of Scouts, Guides, Cubs and
Brownies desperately trying to keep step. Following them was the vicar, his white surplice billowing out in the wind and a crowd of rather noisy choir boys.

Then came a bevy of Land Girls wearing their distinctive breeches and carrying pitchforks. Next two members of the Auxiliary Fire Service carrying Stirrup Pumps,
two ARP Wardens in tin hats, three ladies from the Women's Voluntary Service (WVS)
some St. John's Ambulance men, a party of pretty young nurses from the Cottage Hospital and some RAF cadets. Bringing up the rear was a platoon of Home Guards (Dad's Army) and finally the village policeman. We gave them all a cheer as they marched past.