The Bluestocking: it's the season of mulled wine, conversations about pineapple and, of course, gerbils. Confused? You will be...

[EdithStourton]

Welcome to the anarchic and marvellous women-only on-line pub, the Bluestocking. The booze won't give you a hangover, the cakes won't make you fat, and the conversations are fascinating, covering knitting, health and safety, the Muppets and anything else that comes to mind.

Climb Peak Woo, have a cuddle with Rosie the Red Panda, and watch out for capybaras busy with any necessary building works.

Welcome in (and name change at the door if you need too).

Good evening. Welcome. The more the merrier.

The gerbils will be along shortly to take your order.

In the mean time I'll just do a little taste test.

Cake will be so glad of another food stuff patron it means she'll get a break from me licking her icing.

Are you sure?

Ooh, thank you. I look delicious, if a little young (but I'm not complaining!).
Sadly, Crumble describes my current state of being, as well as my favourite food. Not quite got bits dropping off, but definitely fraying round the edges.

I was right, it is lovely and cosy in here - it's fair nitherin' out there, as we say in these parts.

Goodness me, when did we acquire a donkey at the Bluey?!

We’ve had donkeys for - well, donkey’s years. But they’re supposed to stay out in the paddock with the goats.

Welcome Crumble! I'm quite grateful I'm not a foodstuff, if I'm honest!

That's true. Looks like one has found her way indoors.

Hi, Crumble!

Hello Crumble, you're very welcome! It's lovely to have new Stockingers, adding their own brand of barmy intriguingness to the rich tapestry...

And thank you for telling us what your nickname will be, I'm not sure we've settled on what to call LordEmsworthsGirlfriend yet, or did I miss that? Is it LEGS? Ems? something else?

Since you're both new here, may I introduce you to each other?
LEGS, meet Crumble, Crumble, LEGS😁

I’m just catching up on this thread. The only book by Elizabeth Von Arnim I’ve read was a beautiful old copy of The April Babies Book of Tunes with Kate Greenaway illustrations. It was in a fragile state - I think it must have been my mother’s when she was a girl - so it was handled with great care. One of my cousins painted and did a couple of watercolour copies which adorn my box room (used to be DDs nursery).

Hi Android <waves> and hello @MariedeGournay too!

I must confess, I've passed by the Bluestocking several times and often thought I should call in, but every time I think about it, I find you've moved.

I was lucky tonight, to spot a young gerbil marching down the road and dinging her triangle, while singing "hi ho, hi ho, it's off to work we go". So I followed at a discreet distance and she led me here.

Hello LEGS (if that's not too familiar?)

Taste delicious too. (Love crumble. Love Damsons, so why have I never had damson crumble before).

I think quite a few of us are frayed at the edges and crumbling so you won't be alone in that score!

Heee haw.

Heee haw.

Heee haw.

Hello lordelm and crumble boiledbeatle beat Marie to you both

Marie is our Tigger type welcomer

Boiled is currently cute and sweet. She has been lying all day long about her tunnocks stash though.

Boiled doesn’t like vegetables so if her evil twin shows up just show her a plate of broccoli that should fend her off.

keep any shiny things stuffed under your clothes as magpie likes to nick them.

Android likes to experiment in the basement so just make sure you are of no interest to her.

Cake will be glad to see you crumble as a fellow edible.

lord elm you are harder toe read

<skims a a couple of stiff drinks down the bar>

I'm not going in the paddock.

It's bloody freezing out there.

We've had biblical amounts of wild damsons this year, so I've been crumbling and jamming since September. I even have a jar of damson gin bubbling away nicely. It should be ready by Christmas if there are any parties happening.

With damson gin, you should probably make sure you have parties! Or maybe not, if that means more for yourself?

So... you've never touched my Tunnock's stash?

Hmmmm?

<Checks the cctv>

Ooh, shiny things! Mine!

I wondered why we couldn't hear little Gubbins and her bloody lovely triangle playing.

I didn't realise she's gone out to round up cold and weary women passing by!

I am insanely jealous right now.

I feel a sulk coming on.

I always share.

Did someone mention a stash of Tunnocks?

< whistles nonchalantly>

Oh shit ermmm that was my eldest <going upstairs to discipline them>, its just not on.

Went into town today for a routine eye test, while waiting realised the museum and art gallery was open again after being closed for ages for renovation so we had a quick look round.
a while ago on MN the painter Laura Knight came up, and I took a look at some of her paintings - I was very taken with this one - I got to see it for real today
https://www.artchive.com/artwork/in-for-repairs-laura-knight-1942/

i love that