Still Blue, Still Stocking: The Bluestocking remains open in 2021

[ErrolTheDragon]

I've nicked a title, opened the door, dusted off the bar.

Come in and drown your sorrows, celebrate or just hang out in good company.

Not sure Molly I think water voles are smaller and I don't think they would destroy my plants. These young ones were very cute but I haven't seen the new lot who've just moved in, just found their destruction.

Or - you know how developers have the distressing habit of naming their estates and roads after what used to be there before they built all over greenfield?
I was literally just thinking about this this afternoon. I think 'distressing' is exactly the right word. 'The Orchard' (not any more). 'Pattle's Pasture' (well, it was, when I were a nipper). I'm also not a fan of ads for new estates that rave about the 'stunning views over the beautiful Norfolk countryside'. That would be the same countryside you're covering in bloody concrete.

I honestly think that some people have no idea what the countryside is actually for. I remember some imbecile wondering in a newspaper opinion piece about 'how much land do farmers actually need?'

Wishing you well, Embarrassing.

Bank vole look cute but I'm not the one whose garden is damaged by them. These feel like subtle differences between them, water vole, and field vole - but I'm far from a reliable observer on such matters.

www.wildlifetrusts.org/wildlife-explorer/mammals/bank-vole

Hope you’re ok embarrassing, very worrying.

and here you are Embarrassing still giving us your time whilst watching and waiting. Which part of the country, then we an keep an eye on the forecast?

Going for a big spend with DD tomorrow so I'll look out something special for you. It will help me forget about the destruction being wrought on my garden. Which is nothing compared to yours E but I'm a very self absorbed person 😂

Glad you are still dry. Hope you stay that way.

Really ought to sort something out at my mother's as she would e prone to run off too.

Ah, thanks for the link embarrassing -- the water vole`s face seems a little rounder and the bank vole a little more ratlike.

@highame

Not sure Molly I think water voles are smaller and I don't think they would destroy my plants. These young ones were very cute but I haven't seen the new lot who've just moved in, just found their destruction.

Water voles are a lot bigger (roughly rat v mouse sizes) but afaik they are very much river and wetland dwellers, not likely to be seen in a garden.

river and wetland might be where embarrassing is right now.... hoping you are still dry.

Popping in for a quick one after the Zoom with Helen Joyce and Justine R.

A couple of short squalls today but the rain stayed away - so, everything crossed, things will improve.

Good!
My garden could do with some rain, I think we're getting a bit tonight and more tomorrow.

Oh thank goddess for some rain!

On an irrelevant note, I am very happily slightly pissed, having watched gymnastics and dressage, with a wine and nice crisps, on i player.

And ignored a load of shite from family. They can sort them selves out, like the adults they all (allegedly) are (supposedly)
I'm not playing their games. Over to you "D" H

And we had a flood, tonight. Violent heavy rain, bit biblical, smashed to bits lots of flowers and veg, sadly

@SpringCrocus

And we had a flood, tonight. Violent heavy rain, bit biblical, smashed to bits lots of flowers and veg, sadly

Spring - I'm so sorry, it's such a mess. Can you hire some dryers from HSS or somewhere?

💐 spring

I am putting on coffee and bringing fig rolls and custard creams, as it's that kind of a day. We have delayed PCC elections coming up so I need to check my draft emails to the candidates and then press Send on them all.

Spring, is it your house that was flooded or the garden?

It's certainly been a day of epic downpours. I was caught out in a thunderstorm and even though I was wearing a waterproof jacket and waterproof boots, the rain got inside the jacket and boots and even my bra got damp (my pants were soaked...) I was very glad of a hot shower.

We're having more squalls of heavy rain but nothing sustained right now so I'm cautiously optimistic.

I'll take a hot ginger and if anyone else fancies a toastie I'm making some.

Pack of prawn cocktail crisps and a pint of lager shandy please. Really busy day today. Had positive replies back from 2 PCC candidates so that was encouraging.

I'll join you in those, in spirit at least. DH has responsibility for supplies, our stock of beer is a selection recommended by a pal in Germany. I think DH would be somewhat horrified if I added lemonade. Though DD did have a glass of IPA and a can of sprite on the table at dinner time so I suppose a slurp of each in quick succession might work.

It's very grey and overcast here so we're on alert again.

Marine ply, outdoor quality OSB, and sandbags are very helpful.

I may be popping in for elevenses later.

NB - as I was about to post, the rain has just started.

It's raining properly here now, but at the 'ahh, the plants needed that' level.

Bloody quiet in here tonight.

Anybody for crackers and cheese with lashings of port?

Hope you're dry, @EmbarrassingAdmissions

Can I join?

I would very much like a quadruple vodka redpoll, lots of ice and a large slice of cake.

Struggling today.

Redbull