The Breakfast Club

[LilyLangtrey]

Good afternoon, Clunkers!

Welcome to the Breakfast Club where the kettle is permanently on, the drinks flow and the snacks are both self-replenishing and calorie-free.

We start each day with a look at history and a tribute to a brave or inspiring woman. Mostly though, we just chat randomly about current affairs, recipes, life in lockdown, literature, music and anything else that comes into our heads.

Veteran Clunkers welcome. Anyone else who wants to join in the chat - sense of humour essential! - welcome.

Kettle's on

Oh what fascinating OTD, thank you, Lily.

Good morning, Clunkers. No news here. Still living on a building site. But peace has reigned. No GC today. Love them, but they're here a lot Just me, the dog and Mr S who woke me up at 7.45am to remind me of an eye test at 8.30am, TOMORROW.

Thank you, for breakfast, Tracy. I'm cheating today and eating that now. Sans beans. I don't eat beans.

Interesting facts about Yawkshire this morning and the NHS app from Zombie.

@TheReturnOfGavlar

Morning all, I could polish that off this morning Traceys, apart from the baked beans which have no place on a full English breakfast plate at Gavlar Hall.

My nephew lives for rugby, played for the County's u18 squad until he left for Uni. He is a good lad and the discipline of sport has been very good for him. Now playing at Uni (well I don't actually know if he is due to COVID but you get the idea).

I am very disappointed to see that John Sentamu has not been awarded a life peerage - what a silly place to start thinning down the house if this is what it is.

He is a good man, I have met him a number of times. He was very good for York and the wider Yawkshire. He appeared to be a man without an agenda which is refreshing as I don't think that about the majority of this country's senior clergy.

I struggle with members of the senior clergy exerting their influence politically in their unelected daily roles generally and consider it a failing of the system.

I can see this being blamed on an administrative delay or something equally ridiculous. According to the Times he was asked to confirm his suitability and willingness to accept in late June. Well, we know he is eminently suitable. I gather that 'he missed out in this round', inexcusable.

Extremely poorly and insensitively handled imo.

Gavlar he may not have missed out. I think the honours just announced were the Birthday Honours delayed from the official Birthday in June. OI think they would have been arranged and settled well before June. If he was approached in June it may be because they are pouting together the list for the New Year Honours? Fingers crossed for him. We need sensible and balanced people there.

Interesting that there is so little information about Hilary, Lily (note placement of comma). I suppose her achievement has slipped note in many quarters due to the lack of www at the time but unlike others it isn't considered of huge historical interest.

I've got an audiobook on the go at the minute 'Invisible Women' - exposing data bias in a world designed for men. Very interesting and exposes a great deal of information we would love in the BC. Like ... most of the population of the USA believes that the USA has never been successful in the world football league, only they have, the USA women's team is widely considered the most successful women's football team in the world.

I don't know how to reply meerkat sorry - the world knew he was retiring in June, it has been on the cards for 18 months.

Previous Archbishops have all had their life peerages announced on retirement.

Just the delay is being viewed as a snub in many quarters - mine included - because I like the man, his principles and values very much. Yawkshire took him into their hearts.

Of course it won't matter to everyone but I struggle to see how the machine could have got it so wrong/failed to see the implications of not planning for the retirement of this extraordinary public figure.

Let's hope someone rattles the can.

Good morning Clunkers.
Thanks for the OTD Lily and for that warming breakfast Tracy.

I spent yesterday with family and DGSs in beautiful gardens in Shropshire. Freezing cold but enjoyable. There were only 5 of us and outside all day so allowed but cold and tiring.
And I ate my body weight in cake which was good at the time, but on reflection, a bad idea.

Writing and admin today.

Morning!

Morning Clunkers. Thanks for the OTD Lily and the lovely breakfast Tracy. That has set me up for the day. Getting ready for church at the moment so will drop by later. Hope you're all well.

Good morning Clunkers and thank you Lily and Tracy. Relieved to hear you are feeling a little better Gavlar.

We had a delicious roast pork dinner last night, which means today we get leftovers! All the joy of eating and none of the cooking .

It’s a really misty and grey day here, very different to yesterday when we enjoyed a wonderfully sunny walk on the beach. I will tuck into that breakfast then put on a big jumper and go and potter in the garden. Haven’t seen a butterfly for a week now so think it might be safe to uncover what is left of the brassicas. Carrots to be sown too, and more garlic I think. Have a lovely day everyone.

Morning, Fleegle

Seems like ages since I've e-seen you.

Andy Burnham I know Zombie won't agree with me, but impressive on AM. He is talking about a balance between public health and economics. He is right. But, crikey, he has got a right cob on.

Politics NW at 10am will be interesting.

Cam, I've turned 10am Politics Yawkshire off as it morphed into the Rachel Reeves show. Not a fan.

Morning Clunkers,

Hope you are all well?., @TheReturnOfGavlar glad you are feeling much better. ❤️

@TracysShoulder, I have not long eaten your breakfast, it was beautifully presented, I had your smiley coffee instead of tea. I now have a frothy moustache. 😁

@LilyLangtrey, thank you for my history lesson, a thumbs up to Hilary.

@BakedCam, glad you have a quiet home for today, but I did laugh at what Mr Baked did. 😁❤️

Mr N is doing my car, the starter motor has gone, the poor old dear has been sitting in the same spot for roughly 6 weeks now, we used Mr N’s car while we were away, hence he had to do all the driving, hopefully she will be fixed and I can be whizzing about again.

I loved watching strictly. 💃🕺

All have an enjoyable Sunday.

Cold here today, the robin is singing away on top of the shed, which he has claimed and god forbid any other bird that decides to land there, he is a feisty fella, who (I think) is safe guarding the ivy for a spring nest, he has has a few mealworms and sunflower hearts.

Not been for a walk today, I will go later with Mr N to the big park, where we will feed the swans, ducks, birds and squirrels, have coffee and cake (if cafe is open) and a slow walk, because now Mr N has a dodgy knee and hip, so is beginning to waddle when he walks, if it’s not one thing with him it’s another. 😁

Morning dear Nelly and thank you , not bad, I was going for a cup of tea with a friend but cancelled it. I do need to get dressed and go to the shop for stuff for GavSprog's school lunches by 3pm.

Have a nice walk with MrN - poor chap!

Morning Nelly. We had a little robin visitor to the garden yesterday. Our main visitors are a pair of very funny pigeons who continually lose their footing on the fence as they peck away at the day's delights on the bird table. A clattering of jackdaws descends demanding space at the table. The jackdaws threaten the pigeons by staring at them and a face-off ensues. The pigeons freeze, but don't move out of the way.

I don't think they they were enamoured with yesterday's offerings on the bird table as they are still there: left over sweet potato wedges and spicy rice with some olive bread. I'll have to clear it off if it's still there this afternoon. There are sunflower hearts and wild food underneath the all you can eat buffet.

I don't watch Strictly, de de de de de de derr- de de de de derrière's. Haha I'm leaving this auto-correct of derr to derrieres as it's appropriate.
Did Nicola Adams dance?

Morning all, thank you for the OTD & breakfast. I’ve been out walking & then exercising.

I second the recommendation for Invisible Women, it’s very good. CCP also has a weekly newsletter you can sign up for. If you like stats Tim Harford’s new book is good; he is the presenter of Radio 4’s More or Less.

@MoreHippoThanPenguin

Oh, what a lovely breakfast, thank you Tracy. I will have some of that yoghurt and maybe if the butlers could make me some herbal tea?

Thank you for the OTD Lily. I love the Viking stories. I was looking at an old building at the coast in Suffolk and it has an inscription along the lines “walk in with God and remain with God” in some ancient form of Nordic/Swedish. I could read and understand it, the owners had never thought about it.

Also, did you all know that the word “bairn” which they use for child in the north is almost identical to the Swedish word “barn” which also means child?

I will have my breakfast and then read the papers in the library quickly before heading off. LittleBoyHippo is playing a football fixture this morning.

Great OTD, Lily.

Yes, Hippo, years ago I had a business trip in Stockholm. DH and then 9 mo old DD joined. The restaurants were happy to accommodate us - barnwagonparking (or very close) was where we were meant to put the pram. DH is from Yorkshire and we recognised the 'bairn' link there!! It was cool.

😁😁@TracysShoulder, not as in doing a dance with her partner, she did the group dance at the end, she did ok but will need to work hard which she will have no problem with, she has a good partner, who will get her dancing, I love her smile, you only have to see it and you instantly feel happy.

Birds are funny things, we have lots magpies and crows here, the fighting and noises, everyday at the same time roughly 4pm for whatever reason is brutal.

Gosh if you left that food here, it would be gone in seconds, London birds are not as fussy. 😁

We have 2 wood pigeons that come into the garden, they are so fat it is a wonder that they can take off and stay in the air. 😁

@TheReturnOfGavlar

Morning dear Nelly and thank you , not bad, I was going for a cup of tea with a friend but cancelled it. I do need to get dressed and go to the shop for stuff for GavSprog's school lunches by 3pm.

Have a nice walk with MrN - poor chap!

💐😁❤️👍🏻

Yes Nelly Nicola has an infectious smile. She's used to dancing around the ring ducking and diving isn't she? It will be interesting to see how that transfers to the ballroom . I'll try to remember to watch her at least once. Remind me will you please?

Oh, yes, we get a visit from a pair of magpies at around 4pm each day too.

@TracysShoulder

Yes Nelly Nicola has an infectious smile. She's used to dancing around the ring ducking and diving isn't she? It will be interesting to see how that transfers to the ballroom . I'll try to remember to watch her at least once. Remind me will you please?

Oh, yes, we get a visit from a pair of magpies at around 4pm each day too.

I can’t wait to see her in a full ballroom dress and heels.😁

I will remind you. 😁❤️👍🏻

I was all set for a nice day, doing a 6 hour pork recipe, when the phone rang, and my so dear Mama enquired what time I'd be over? I wasn't going over today, or so I thought, but in shocked tones I was informed it is he'd changing day, and her dirty sheets have been washed, and are on the line. I am not allowed over til 1330 as she is having her lunch. That's my dinner put back somewhat. I don't want to go out and leave the oven on, and ds helps me with her bed, as it's quicker. That's at least 40 minutes wasted. Damn.

Bed changing day. Garr.

@thegcatsmother, oh wow, not nice, I feel for you, sending a hug. ❤️

Good afternoon all.

Thank you Lily for the OTD and Tracey for the hearty breakfast. Very different from my usual bowl of porridge, but how can I refuse when it's all prepared.

Interesting about the first lady rugby referee. DS had a few school matches refereed by a lady. He doesn't play now, but many a Saturday morning was spent cheering on from the sidelines. Rain, hail or snow.
DH played for his school and was 'the one to watch' by the other teams. He probably could have played professionally, very stocky with thighs like tree trunks, but he stopped growing at 5' 6".

It's been a few years from I watched Strictly Nelly. I lost interest after Len Goodman left. I don't watch much tv, apart from The railway journeys of Michael Portillo and Chris Tarrant.

Children are known as wains in some country parts here. I think it probably comes from wee ones.

A day for the house catching up on my ironing.
It's to be a wet week here.

Have a good day all.

Afternoon all

I went to a car boot sale this morning, nothing much doing there, but on the way back I discovered a really lovely garden centre. After having a look round, I went to pay for the plant I'd chosen and got chatting to the chap at the till. I mentioned that I'd never been there before, and asked how long they had been open. I'm a real garden centre fiend and thought I knew all the local ones. Apparently they've been there for 17 years!
I'm obviously not quite as observant as I thought I was...

Thanks Nelllyy - am about to depart. Chairman Miaow is cross at being shut in; prefer he is indoors if we are all out, and he is in disgrace having decided to regurgitate his rump steak at 0300 this morning.