Tea Room the Twentieth: The Greek Island

[asmallbunchofflowers]

Welcome to the twentieth (yes, really) Tea Room.

We find ourselves on a sun-kissed Greek island, where our whitewashed, blue-shuttered house nestles in the dappled shade of a gnarled old pine tree. In the olive grove, Mellors the gardener/handyman/factotum is tending the tea room menagerie of horses, camels, bison and guinea-pigs, recently joined by some recalcitrant old donkeys. The distressed chintz sofa, aga and cardboard cut-out of George Clooney have survived the relocation from the south of France and the aspidistra has pride of place on the mantelpiece.

Come in, put your feet up and join in the conversation. It may not make sense, but that's not important. What matters is the lovely people here and the chance simply to relax.

[Scout19075]

Wahoo, our new home!

Very nice, small.

[Catitainahatita]

Hurray.


I've never been to Greece (not that's saying much, for an expat I've never seeen much of the world).
I'd did watch/read My Family and Other Animals by the magnificent Gerald Durrell though. So I am probably an expert.

[asmallbunchofflowers]

Oh. Maybe not.

My Family and Other Animals is one of the funniest books I've ever read. We need to find a Spyros who will take the children on nature rambles.

[Catitainahatita]

Well I have to say Durrell's Mother was always my favourite. Remembering his description of the day she got a flee in her corset in the cinema still makes me laugh.

[Scout19075]

Don't know that book....

I feel warmer already, just being here.

Seriously, I know I have always felt the cold. I can remember being the kid in five layers to go sledding and still being a popsicle in five minutes despite running around like a loon. But I've never been this cold this constantly this early in the winter....

[Scout19075]

OH! And I saw my first Royal Engagement Memoriabilia on sale today. Eurgh. Do we have to deal with this all winter and spring?

[Catitainahatita]

Sympathies Scout. Yes you do. There will also be stickers, special supplements in newspapers, annoying street parties.

I invoke my Mexican citizenship and say that I'm a Republican (ie for a republic not a US Republican ). My plan is to disestablish the monarchy and try for a head of state with slightly more power who might actually head off the highly centralised, dictatorship which is the Commons.


Oh sorry, off on a rant again. No more politics for me. Guide' honour.

[asmallbunchofflowers]

Yes, I've seen a few awful-looking engagement books.

What I remember about MFAOA (which, eek, I read 40 years ago*) is Gerry describing his sister Margo as having a complexion like scarlet porridge. Very cruel but it creates such a vivid picture.

You should read the book if you can, Scout.

• Clearly I was a precocious reader and could read fluently at six months.

[Catitainahatita]

Just remembered: I am currently showing off my dear darlings in their finery from the Centennial National Revolution Celebrations (20 Novemeber 1910) in the [whispers darkly] other tr...

I saw Oxeye's lad on there this morning and couldn't resist putting up some photos of my own.

[UniS]

Yep. Will and Kate tat for the next 5 months , it "will" be unes-kate-able.

I'm assuming there will be commiserative coins for school children, then boy can add his to the collection his father has, yep, DH KEPT his Chas n Di commemorative coin AND the mug too.

So, this is a Greek island? or is it a geek island, which is how I first read it with out thinking or actually reading all the letters. I guess on a geek island the wi-fi coverage should be good. Dh points out that Greek islands did produce their fair share of mathematicians.


The nmbs are busy applying fake tan.


Our Christmas tree is now decorated and lit. Tis visual feast o tasteless colour. You can tell a 4 yr old was heavily involved.

[UniS]

And I thought our posed preschool pics were a bit naf. Pale into insignificance agist the Mexican ones.
He looks soooo serious about it tho. Blesss


Did any one bring the hay pile and carrots and bucket for tea? donki may get woried on a greek island if old ladies start eyeing her up for load carrying capacity.

Oh and Hi again Roselil and Hi to Osterich. nice to meet you.

[Catitainahatita]

Oh yes Unis, naff is the word. I have some classics from Xmas last year.... I will find them and put them up for you.

Still, Kittenito loves dressing up. He wore his disguise all day, the next day and (you get the picture). Thankfully the gun didn't make it back from nursery in one piece.

[asmallbunchofflowers]

Catita - Will message you elsewhere.

Oh no. I should have made plain that our dear Donki is not one of the recalcitrant old donkeys. But I didn't dare use the word ass in case it alarmed the bishops.

Sorry, Donki.

[Scout19075]

I was a kid when Chuck & Di got married -- my friend's older sister, who was a (gasp!) teenager got up at stupid o'clock to watch it on tv. I thought she was a loon. People at home kept telling MrScout and I that "Kate's so nice!" Um, do you know her personally? Blurgh. I saw they're going to do a commemorative Oyster Card. Double Blurgh. Makes me glad I don't commute to the Big Smoke any more....

[Scout19075]

Oh biscuit-eaters!

Have just had a horrible thought as I got everything together for tomorrow -- Are Senior Section members supposed to get a certificate when they make their Promise? I have their badges....

[oxeye]

Found you!
I think mince piece with crumbly orange pastry are best
Don't diss the Royals they are ones family you know I am such a sucker. I still have C&D coin and Queen Mum 80th coin and other tat heritage items

I am officially popiscled too

[Scout19075]

Oh cr@p. There are certificates. The YLs never got them when they made their Promise (when there was no SS unit). I guess the important thing is they have their Badges -- I can get them their certificates later.

I am a terrible leader.

[Catitainahatita]

Small: have also replied.

[Catitainahatita]

Don't panic Scout. The badges are what matter. Who needs paper anyway? You can't sew/pin your certificate to your hat (or whether you sew/pin things these days).

Sorry Oxeye. Obviously no offence meant but being disestablished isn't a very radical notion. You can keep the corguis, the crown, the palace etc. I just want to stop you signing things really, and all that kissing hands stuff. It'll free up more time for the horse racing. Honest, ma'am.

[Scout19075]

My girls are more excited about ice skating and pizza lunch with BabyScout, me and their friends than a badge and certificate. LOL

[Scout19075]

Oh, and yes Catita, I'm to pin the Promise Badge onto the girls' uniforms. Most of my girls are bigger than me, so this should make for amusing pictures.

[thumbplumpuddingwitch]

Very nice!



I do like Ouzo, me. I realise aniseed isn't to everyone's taste but I am a bit of a sucker for it. Have a thing for Pernod and Pastis too (sadly not indulged in our last TR!)

Given the heads of state in certain other countries, I'd actually rather keep the monarchy. And surprisingly I haven't met that many republicans here in Australia either - most people I have met so far are more keen on the Royals than the alternative (although they do have trouble with our Governor General and what she's actually for. But then, with a name like Quentin Bryce (can you imagine naming your DD QUentin? I can just see the MN threads about that!) I can't honestly blame them. Although I suppose "Quentin" might be quite appropriate for a Queen stand-in, as it were!

I remember uncle Quentin in The Famous Five - and the Comic Strip's Five Go Mad in Dorset - where aspersions were cast upon UQ's sexual bias. That probably affects my feelings around the name.

Had a great birthday with miniThumb yesterday - 4 train rides, 2 boat rides and a trip to OceanWorld in Manly, followed by Baskin-Robbins ice cream (except the gits had run out of Love Potion #31, the only reason I wanted to go there!) - we "did" presents when we got back and he was pretty happy with his loot! Except of course that his new toy garage was in kit form, and so was his toy cooker - so I waited until he had gone to bed (he was very tired) and put them together for him. He is now sitting "cooking" me sausages and mushrooms every 5 minutes on his with-sounds hob. So cute!

[Catitainahatita]

OOh sounds good Thumb. Can he do a sausage for me too?

[thumbplumpuddingwitch]

He'd be glad to, Catita! Although he's just taking a break from the cooking to play with his road mat, garage and road signs - but I expect it will be ready soon!

[amberlight]

I've never been to Greece. Thanks! What do Greek people do?



Slept better. Still don't feel better. May be more use to people later.