Tales of Chateau Midden

Thursday, 23 July 2026

Piped Up

My radio alarm is set to catch Radio 3’s 07.30 news. We decided long ago that the Radio 4's Today Programme’s attitude was tiresome, and the other music stations not for us. Radio 3’s news headlines cover the essentials and the music either side enough to wake me up and usually not too annoying.

From Facebook Archives

23 July 2024 at 17.04

We woke up yesterday morning to an interview with the Duke of Northumberland's piper followed by a lovely rendition of Chevvy Chase on the Northumbrian pipes.

It was part of Breakfast Live from Lindisfarne “voices and sounds of nature from

Radio 3's tour of north east England”

As I put the light out last night Fester said "... and can you arrange that I'm not woken up by Andy Piper's dulcet tones tomorrow morning."

Andy Piper I'll come and play the half longs under his bedroom window to remind him of old times if he likes........

Bentonbag He says "Any time you like, I like them. The neighbours might mind."

Actually I think numbers 15, 12 and 11 would probably be fine with it.

Also "Ask him if the pipes he was playing were the ones he made at school. I remember they sounded really mellow."

Miss Doozer We have the Northumbrian pipes for congregations and I really like them.

Wednesday, 22 July 2026

The Joy Of Cats

From Facebook Archives

22 July 2017 at 11.54

This morning, so far, at Chateau Midden:-

"That ginger git's been using my balls as a trampoline"

"Go away Felix you're wet"

I protest he's not that wet

"He's wet enough to ruin my work by walking on it"

Felix then sits next to the A4 pad and proceeds to drool on it.

Woolerwoman They love paper don't they. Remember trying to read the papers around a very large, six-toed ginger, and little but cunning black&white socks. 🐱

Bentonbag ... and they always know which bit of the paper you're trying to read.

Fester comes into the office this morning in his socks and underpants.

"I put my socks on and the ginger git sinks his teeth into my big toe through the sock. So I pick him up by the tail and swing him to the right and the bugger keeps on chewing on my toe. Totally unmoved, un-phased, un-anything the little bastard!"

Tuesday, 21 July 2026

Lovely Yesterday

From Facebook Archives

21 July 2019 at 10:13

I had a lovely day yesterday.

Painted my toenails for the first time this summer then off in open-toed sandals, light trousers and shirt and sun-hat carrying a matching umbrella to catch the 52 to Haymarket for Pride.

Had to get off at the Civic Centre and walk through the beginnings of the march.

I was early so stood on the steps to the Mucky Angel statue, put my umbrella up and enjoyed the cloudburst.

Eventually met up with Mrs Leftfoot and her lovely youngest daughter and watched the parade.

So many people, so good humoured, so fun.

When they came back around to the Haymarket we followed on to Exhibition Park.

Had a look around the stalls.

Were given rainbow cheek strips.

Then to Northern Stage cafe for a light lunch (toastie) and the bus home.

Popped into the newsagents and St Oswald's Hospice Shop and the heavens opened again.

Went out with my sturdy brolly but it was raining so hard my feet were sliding around in the sandals.

I paused to take them off, walked home barefoot and arrived just in time for the end of the day's Tour de France.

Was quite wet when I got in so removed the outer garments.

Also enervated by heat and humidity so had a little lie down.

Tea was a strong, sweet cup of coffee and two Gregg’s caramel custard doughnuts (saving Ferretfingers from himself).

Then shower, hair-wash and get ready for Mrs & Mr Quilt’s Golden Wedding do -

to which Mrs Leftfoot gave me a lift.

It was a lovely evening.I danced Grenoside with Tyne Bridge (and Mrs Quilt) and the Gay Gordons with The Squireen.

Excellent food by Mr & Mrs Bodrhanman.

Great chatting with old friends.

Brought home twice as many doggy bags as I'd intended as Mrs Banjoman insisted that I've "got big boys at home."

Thank you everyone.

Today I shall be mostly ironing, needle working (LD:NorthEast blanket and/or snowman) and watching Le Tour de France, Montalbano, original 1960s black&white PerryMason, High Chaparaal and other stuff off the TiVo box - although I shall have to fight Ferretfingers over whether I wear headphones or not.

Distracting visitors, as always, welcome.

Miss Doozer Sounds like a perfect day x

McChurch Cheers Ben. This is better reading than the Sunday papers.

Bazoukiboy I painted my toe nails once. Problem was I did the rest of my foot as well.

I stepped in a paint roller reservoir...

Monday, 20 July 2026

In The Twilight

July 2007

Thunderthighs cannot rest unless both cats are safely in at night. In the summer this leads him to entice them in whilst it’s still light. So we often let them out again until it’s properly dark as they love stalking around in the twilight. Always giving them supper when they do come in ensures that they usually, eventually, come when called.

And I do like to be out in the night air.

From Facebook Archives.

20 July 2025 at 10.32

Yesterday evening (9ish) Thunderthighs was out the back doing his cat valetting.

He tapped gently on the back window and gestured for me to come outside.

There on the lawn was a hedgehog which caused us both some silent delight.

It was so still I had to check it was alive so put some catfood in front of it which caused a shiver of prickles.

We went back indoors and watched.

After a few moments it lifted its head, sniffed at the cat food, then walked over it, up the lawn and into next door's garden where there is obviously better pickings

Woolerwoman Nice to see the little hog, though! I really miss my hedgehogs.

Mrs Poet Little snob!