Hospitality Planning Scepticism Bird-flu

From Facebook archives

9 February 2011 at 13.06

Like it when friends drop in unexpectedly for tea, a bacon sandwich and a laugh.

9 February 2013 at 16:29

Everything booked for half term Scottish trip. 

Easter holiday cottage booked. 

Oyster card topped up for Mummy's Away Days in London. 

Fester's hotel booked for The Verral in March. 

Email re PTA sent out.  

Having a rare burst of efficiency!

The Verral coincides with Thunderthighs' CentreParcs' trip with school, so for one night it will just be me and Ferretfingers!

9 February 2014 at 15:20

"Add your phone number to help secure your account and more"?

That 'more' presumably being even more unwanted cold calls because 'you gave your number on a form online.'

Come off it facebook you just want my number to sell it - it's how you make the money to provide the service - please don't piss on my leg and tell me it's raining.

9 February 2022 at 08:13

It was good to get back to Ouseburn yesterday but it was so sad and quiet with all the fowls gone.  

No clucking or quacking or crowing.  

Beavis the Green Amazon parrot has been moved, cage and all, into quarantine in an office with a window looking out into the small animal room and shop.  Apparently he was not pleased and screamed blue murder. I mananged to catch sight of him through the glass but there was no conversation.

Addendum 

The Verral is an annual meeting of water beetlers which Fester attended regularly before Covid.

Having had all last year’s plans scuppered by Ferretfingers’ ankle infection, this year I’ve been reluctant to start planning; however the date and location of the first Coven has been set, which is a start.

Beavis the parrot was saved from the bird-flu cull because he lives in a large cage in the small animal room and shop, but only if the vet took a blood sample to test that he wasn’t infected.  Beavis also drew blood from the vet.

Away T-shirt Stuff

From Facebook Archives

8 February 2010 at 21:54

It feels really strange without Thunderthighs in the house.  

I've put a hotwaterbottle in his bed so Felix doesn't miss him too much.

(Thunderthighs was on a residential school trip to the Calvert Trust)

8 February 2012 at 11:31

The t-shirt I won online from Danepak arrived today.  

XXL - grey bears a golden legend "Morning Person".

It might fit Thunderthighs 

8 February 2016 at 20:36

Fester's mahoosive sort out has left us with:-

    Scores of battered manilla pocket files;

    A couple of dozen lever arch/ring file binders, some knackered some not;

    Vast amounts of A4 paper, some clear, a lot written on one side or out of date 

        letterhead;

    A couple of dozen magazine boxes, labelled and a bit battered but still useable;

    Card file boxes and cards;

    A six inch high pile of large postcard/A5 sized cards with black and white outline 

        gridded maps of Tyne&Wear on one side.

If anyone can find a use for them and wants them let me know and you can come and get them - or I could bring them to you ...

 

See also https://bentonbag.blogspot.com/2021/01/more-fing-gondolas.html

Meeting Compliment

From Facebook archives

7 February 2024 at 16:19

This morning's LDNE board SWOT analysis and governance meeting was not as painful as it might have been; actually it was almost enjoyable and certainly informative.

Mind you my mood wasn't enhanced by the surgery ringing me half way through to ask if I could make an appointment for his father and I with the Physician’s Assistant to discuss Ferretfingers' weight and diet, and please could I take his blood pressure night and morning for a week (Ferretfingers’ that is).  

Like either of those things are likely to happen.  

I did tell the receptionist that the PA really wouldn't enjoy a meeting with Fester, even if he were to go, as she would probably end up getting dog's abuse (as they say around here), not that he would go anyway. 

I'll leave the look on his face when I told him about it to your imagination.

Mrs Treasurer  Glad you almost enjoyed this morning’s meeting!!

7 February 2025 at 16.20

Isn't it odd.

Someone says something unpleasant to me and it's shrugged off.

Someone says something really nice to or about me and I'm nearly in tears.

Mrs Poet  You lovely daftie! 

 

It is seven years since this happened

https://bentonbag.blogspot.com/2020/02/hospital-log-1.html

Ferretfingers has demanded a chocolate cake each year to celebrate the anniversary. 

Weather & Travel

From Facebook Archives

5 February 2013 at 12:36

Snow!

Kentishlady No!!!

5 February 2013 at 23:28

School has managed to wangle Thunderthighs a Concessionary bus pass for travel training sessions/lessons (like he needs them!):   

which means we've also been able to get him a Metro gold card (£25 for a year's travel); 

which means his exploration of the local public transport systems will cost virtually nothing 

- so much less expensive on daddy's pocket.

5 February 2023 at 14.35

First day this year I've had the windows open to air the bedrooms and living room.

Also first afternoon coffee in the back garden suntrap.

FifiD  Same here!!

Paganess  Bloody freezing here, frost on the grass most of the day!

5 February 2025 at 20.57

After a fraught few days and a problem solved I am going to put myself on the outside of a large glass of Baileys.

It won't be the only reason I shall sleep slightly sounder tonight.

Tylebach  I may very well join you. I hope you’re ok Ben xxx

Bentonbag  I am now. Diolch. Dim dost. Bod yn cadeirydd bwrdd yr ymddiriedolwyr ac yn angen prif swyddog gweithredol newydd. Diolch i Duw am google-cyfieith

Tylebach  Dim yn rhwydd i ti xxx

Shipskitchen  Baileys? What’s wrong with pastis tomate?

Bentonbag  If only I had some Ricard, grenadine, ice and South of France sunshine ....

 

Lidl Flowers Salutation

From Facebook Archives

4 February 2011 at 12:45

Went to Lidl with Fester this morning with no incident or accident.

Beaverbrook  You're just hanging back for bets aren't you 😛

Bentonbag  To quote himself "it's not worth opening a book on."

4 Februaury 2022 at 15:51

What a lovely treat. 

Cousin Daisy Just called with a bunch of flowers for me.

"I've been reading your blogs and thought you needed cheering up."

It will look wonderful when those daffodils open out in a day or two.

4 February 2025 at 22.40

Fester  is forever getting spam emails from learned journals asking him to submit his latest paper.  

Very often the journals are far outwith his expertise, being a PhD type doctor there have been some interesting ones.  

He never replies.   

They always get binned or spammed.   

But some of the attempts to get a reply do amuse, especially if you know him.  

I've just opened one with the salutation

"Dear Dr Fester,

May your day be filled with beautiful thoughts and happy moments."

Mrs Quilt  So like our own learned scientist.

 

See also

https://bentonbag.blogspot.com/2023/02/not-that-sort-of-doctor.html 

https://bentonbag.blogspot.com/2024/02/not-that-sort-of-doctor-again.html 

https://bentonbag.blogspot.com/2024/02/still-not-that-sort-of-doctor.html