Tuesday 21 February 2006

Busy, Busy, Busy.....

Last week and this week have been frantic, I went to Head Office on Friday, so that was 6 hours in the car and two in at an informal interview, then back to Devon. On Monday and Tuesday I was away on a course in Southampton. I had too much wine on Monday night, even though all my colleagues thought being on a course with my boss would cramp my style and the evening jollys....oh no it didn't! Then back on Tuesday night, to piles of emails and "proper" mail which included a few books.

Waiting amongst the pile of mail was this from a fellow Book Crosser, with a lovely Journal Entry. Thanks LyzzyBee. This just demonstates how lovely it is to be involved with Book Crossing, and the wonder of such friendships.

"Friendships are glued together with little kindnesses" Mercia Tweedale
(b 1915)

Saturday 18 February 2006

What it is to be British

One of the British national daily newspapers is asking readers "what it means to be British?". Some of the emails are really very funny but this is one from a chap in Switzerland ...

"Being British is about driving in a German car to an Irish pub for a Belgian beer, then traveling home, grabbing an Indian curry or a Turkish kebab on the way, to sit on Swedish furniture and watch American shows on a Japanese TV. And the most British thing of all? Suspicion of anything foreign".

Great isn't it?

Comments on the What BC means to me Journal?


I've just read through the journal and its great. I'm going to really enjoy putting things into this. Perhaps we should start one for BCUK?

BC is to me a really friendly community. I share the same comments as other BookCrossers, meeting people and reading books that I would not normally have read. Others have put all sorts in the journal and I think it is great. I am wondering what "bits" I can put in. Some postcards and a couple of bits from my local paper.

Some LJ Success

I've only made three posts to LJ. I wanted to copy the post from Blogger to LJ about my NSSVS pressie. I managed the post, but could not load the photo on 14th.

On 16th I managed to work out how to load photos to LJ. So there has been some success. I still can't work out how to add photos to an edited entry on LJ, but I can't have everything!

Friday 17 February 2006

Embroidery Table Cloth

I bought a great collection of material from eBay. Amongst the two suitcases of material was a lovely embroidered tablecloth. Pre printed with Little Bo Peep ready to be embroidered. Some of it has been done and some hasn't. The material is a bit grubby, but in a shade of pale pink. There are no marking of manufacturer, but I suspect this dates from the 1940s. I've shown the material to Mum and she thinks that it is a cotton linen mix. The material reminds me of something that I have seen before; I suspect it is a peice of material that my grandfather embroidered during 1940 when he was in Africa. That particular peice of material has been professionally framed and hanging on the landing.

Thursday 16 February 2006

What BC is to me Journal?


I am taking part in the "What BookCrossing is to me Journal" book ring. The journal arrived today with a few other packets, but this is the one I'm the most interested in!

What shall I put in it?
Here are the Journal Entries

Tuesday 14 February 2006

NSSVS


My parcel arrived today from Tiggysbabes.

Thanks so much for a lovely pressie.

Monday 13 February 2006

Border Terrier Cross Stitch



I spotted this great cross stitch patten of a Border Terrier on eBay and simply had to have it! Whether or not the finished version will actually look like this remains to be seen!

Monty Napping!

Doesn't he look beautiful?

I couldn't resist taking this one, with his little teeth showing. He was obviously dreaming about something as his little jaws were moving frantically!














Napping this morning on the settee, with his blanket.

Sunday 12 February 2006

CRAFTY Little Devil!

I was delighted to see that this crafty shop had opened in Town.
CRAFTY Little Devil!

As I walked past earlier I see they run two classes, one for Craft and one for scrapbooking, which typically I missed last week.

I've Caught a book!


A friend rang me today and we arranged to meet. There is a cafe in town and, as I ordered us some tea spotted a book under a pile of newspapers. I caught a book from here last year, so I delighted to find another!

Saturday 11 February 2006

Poem - Unknown Journey

I do not know where it will end, this journey I am on.
I only know that it will end just as it has begun.

I do not know what lies ahead or which path I should choose.
I only know some times I'll win and some times I will lose.

I do not know whom I will meet, who will affect my way.
I only know how I react to those I know today.

I do not know what each day brings when rising up at dawn.
I only know of yesterday and it's already gone.

I do not know what thoughts will come when pondering my fate.
I only know of memories and those you can't escape.

I do not know if all my plans will work out for the best.
I only know to make them now and time will be the test.

I do not know if all my dreams will ever come to me.
I only know you strive for them and what will be--will be.

I do not know whom I will love or love me in return.
I only know that I will love and love is what I yearn.

I do not know whom I will need when troubled unaware.
I only know that I will want someone to come and care.

I do not know how I can help if one is in distress.
I only know I will be there to try to do my best.

I do not know who'll come to me and need a helping hand.
I only know how I respond will measure who I am.

I do not know whose life I'll touch, how affected they will be.
I only know the ones I meet will also affect me.

I do not know the time that's left, I do not have a hint.
I only know the time I've had and that's already spent.

I do not know the distance or how long my trip will last.
I only know to forge ahead and not live in the past.

I do not know within myself if there will be tomorrow.
I only know I have today and even it is borrowed.

I do not know what they will say when my journey's through.
I only know there will be some who say, "oh, him, we knew."

I do not know who else will know when my journey's done.
I only know there will be some that know I've come and gone.

I do not know if some will mourn when at my journey's end.
I only know that on this trip I tried to be a friend.

I do not know what road you're on as you travel on your way.
I only know that it will end and it could be today.

I do not know where it will end this journey that I'm on.
I only know that it will end just as it has begun.

Unknown Journey © 1998 James A. Kisner

Reading - The Salt Letters


Here is the Synopsis from Amazon

"It is 1854, and with the certainty of land behind her, Sarah flees her home for the uncertainties of life in the new colony. In steerage, she joins the other unmarried women, where the horrors of their close confinement bring an unraveling of secrets no one can control"

Frankly I was disappointed with the book. The story wandered back and forth through the book and various threads were left dangling. This is such a real shame. It is wonderful that letters and other primary source material sent at the time (1854) have survived, and could have been put to much better use. I was irritated by the error on the first page that Birkenhead is near Portsmouth!

I had ancestors that left England for Australia as assisted migrants in 1854, and I had high hopes for details of what the voyage was like, and there is lots of details about this, but on the whole, for me, this book was disappointing.

The Journal Entries are HERE
The Journal Entries for the 2nd copy, which is out on a bookring are HERE

Live Journal

Ok, I've given in......I'll have a look at Live Journal. I did make my first journal entry. It is more complicated than Blogger and I prefer this, but there are lots of Book Crossers on LJ.......See, I'm weak I 've given into to peer pressure...LOL!

Live Journal

Friday 10 February 2006

Haggis Pie

A colleague told me how to make Haggis Pie - nothing difficult or time consuming. As luck would have it, lurking at the bottom of the freezer was a Haggis.

Cook Suede and Potatoes
Defrosted Haggis (took from freezer yesterday) and then cooked for about 3 minutes in the microwave
Cut Haggis into sections and place in bottom of a dish, I use a Lasagna dish
Mash Suede and place on top of Haggis
Mash potatoe and place on top of Suede.
Place in Oven for (mine is fan assisted) so 20 mins until nice and brown.

Verdict: Delicious!

Frustration update!

I've spent some time today restoring the computer and uninstalling and reinstalling various things. I then finally decided to restore the PC back to mid January and gradually reinstalled the few things that I had installed since then to see if I could establish the problem. My gut feeling is that the anti virus is at the bottom of the problem.

Just caught up on journal entries for books and my backlog of books will be in the post next week.

The readers of alt.pcnews & soc.genealogy.computers were brilliant - if your reading this Thank you!

Book Crossing Frustration

I've been happily accessing the main BookCrossing web site for over a year, then about three weeks ago, it stopped. Clicking on the URL gave me the "We can not access the page...."
Last week it was back, as I posted previously it was anti virus....well, it wasn't, because access has gone again.

I've updated the anti virus, scanned the computer, pinged the machine (whatever that is!)
checked the URL is on the accept list for IE. I've even downloaded another browser, but still can't access the site.

I've now gone over to the newsgroups - alt.pcnews & soc.genealogy.computing for help.

Frustrated!

FIBIS Transcription Project 2006

I emailed the Society and volunteered to transcribe a small section. Yesterday, or perhaps the day before I received the email copy of the template, and example and the important instructions. Now just waiting for the actual sheets and then I'm off!

Sunday 5 February 2006

Book Crossing Devon Meeting - Walk from Castle Drogo to Fingle Bridge .....and Back

It was a beautiful day for a walk. There was twelve of us, including a well behaved 9 year old and four dogs. We set out from the car park at 11.15 and walked the mile down to Fingle Bridge. We all sat outside and had a rest and refreshment and of course had a look at a few books. The view on the way down was lovely, really breathtaking.

On the walk back, we walked along the river and then had the STEEP climb back to Castle Drogo. I became seperated from the group as I went back to see where my husband was. He had, I eventually deduced walked back the way we had come down, not realising the walk was circular. While hubby was walking back the way we came, I was walking along the river. This route was slightly hazzardous if, like me you are unfit! - Anyway, I didn't catch up to the others, but knew they were in front, by the messages they left with other walkers coming the other direction. Having negociated several hazzardous sets of steps, I started the steep climb up to Castle Drogo and the walk to the car park, where I was greeted by some rather worried Book Crossers and of course Hubby. Nevertheless, the views and River are lovely to see, especially as the sun shone through the trees onto the River.

I am exhausted, I've worked muscles that I'd forfotten I had. It must be 20 years since I had done this kind of walking.....A quick look at my CV shows I did my Duke of Edinburgh Silver Award in 1985!

The Wagga Quilt

I am in the process of thinking of making a quilt for one of our spare rooms. I was having a look online for quilting and stumbled across a reference to a Wagga Quilt and thought this would be a good one to find out more about, especially as I have lived in Wagga Wagga NSW, and some of my family still do.

A Wagga is a very basic rug made from recycled materials like old curtains and clothing. The term dates back to the 1880s when a couple of bush workers sewed some wheat bags together to keep themselves warm.

Further details:
National Quilt Register
http://www.ozquiltnetwork.org.au/archive/brown_quilt_gallery.htm
Australian Country Threads
Wagga Rugs

Saturday 4 February 2006

Friday 3 February 2006

Time Watch Programme - The Floating Brothel

Time Watch broadcasted their programme called "The Floating Brothel" here in the UK at 9pm. I remembered to video the programme for a member of the GOONS list who resides in paradise, oops, Australia!

What a great programme. Incredibly fascinating. It was well put together and a pleasure to watch. What was interesting to see was the visit to what is left of Newdigate Gaol. There is a Henry Goucher who was tried and convicted and received the punishment of death in 1811. His sentence was commuted to transportation to Australia and he sailed on The Guildford in 1812. The explaination of the Gaol was therefore of interest as it fleshed out the last days of Henry's life in England.

Here is a link to the trial details on the of web site of the
Proceedings of the Old Bailey 1674 - 1834

Sadly, we can not "claim" Henry, but it is fun to try and establish his origins.

FIBIS Transcription Project 2006

I saw a posting on the India list, hosted by Rootsweb, earlier in the week about a Transcription project. A trawl of the Archives today found the posting. I must have been delete button happy and deleted the posting. Lucky we are early in the year, otherwise there would have been loads to read through. Anyway, here is part of the posting

"FIBIS has negotiated with the British Library that our transcription Project for 2006 shall be the 'Arrivals & Departures' (Shipping Lists) of passengers to and from India. We shall be starting with those from theMadras Almanac, commencing in 1811. We are very fortunate that many of our team from earlier years have kindly volunteered to help once again. However, we would always be grateful for any further volunteers. All you need is a spreadsheet (Excel, or compatible), enthusiasm and a little spare time. We issue the data in the form of photocopies, by snail-mail, and a template with instructions on how to transcribe, by e-mail. You then return the completed spreadsheet by e-mail. If you would like to volunteer, would you kindly confirm by return of e-mail and I'll include you on the list.Please indicate your snail-mail address in your message. The photocopies are scheduled for mailing out in mid-February and the templates (in Excel) with full instructions for their completion, will be issued by e-mail once the final list of volunteers has been established. As you know, these transcriptions are placed in our searchable databases on the FIBIS Web-site for all to have access free-of-charge. Your efforts are therefore very much appreciated by the increasing numbers of family historians researching their ancestors who lived and served in India & South Asia."

Families in British India Society

Just how I am going to do I have no idea, but this is a worthwhile project, so I may volunteer.

Thursday 2 February 2006

Time for a nice cup of tea ? - How do you take your tea?

Following a recent discussion on BCUK about how we each take our tea, nice_cup_of_tea has got various comments on her Live Journal.

Time for a nice cup of tea ? - How do you take your tea?

I've even made a comment, and everyone knows I'm not keen on LJ!

Preserving Our Heritage

I've belonged to this group for ages, but find I struggle to keep up with the postings.....its an active and friendly list. Each month there is a share an ancestor spot,where a list member volunteers to share all known details of a given ancestor and everyone else on the list helps with research, suggestions and so forth. I've volunteered to present an ancestor in October.

What has happened to Blog?

07.43am
Oh no, what has happened to my blog? I seem to have acquired a photo of a lady all down the left side of the my blog. I have no idea who she is or how this happened. Yesterday, I read somewhere that there had been some issues over a blog server update. I didn't take too much notice of it, as I had not been affected.....Drat. Now where was that information.

08.15am
I've just emailed support and then checked blog, and guess what the picture that had been on the site has now gone. Support will think I am a complete twit! It must have been a glitch on the blog server. I still haven't found the web page I spotted yesterday.

08.20am
A quick Google and I located the page - Bloglines

Wednesday 1 February 2006

I was born in the Year Of The Rooster!

1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005

People born in the Year of the Rooster are deep thinkers, capable, and talented. They like to be busy and are devoted beyond their capabilities and are deeply disappointed if they fail. People born in the Rooster Year are often a bit eccentric, and often have rather difficult relationship with others. They always think they are right and usually are! They frequently are loners and though they give the outward impression of being adventurous, they are timid. Rooster people¡¦s emotions like their fortunes, swing very high to very low. They can be selfish and too outspoken, but are always interesting and can be extremely brave. They are most compatible with Ox, Snake, and Dragon.

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