Bluestocking Women's Pub - cheapest bar on the internet.

[EdithStourton]

The thread in which Gosie's mysterious adventures will continue. All women welcome to join us for a virtual tipple, fun, support and arcane knowledge. And tractors.

Little did I know what was going on when I waved Gosie off on her trip to France...

She's been very happy at the Bluestocking but I think she met one of the chaps from her past when she was in France. And he may have put her onto the trail of the adversary.

Funny you should mention the Pie Shop, @AuntieMsDamsonCrumble, they are expanding into the pub next door to become the Lochinver Larder and Boathouse:
https://www.lochinverlarder.com/vision

Famous for its extraordinary array of delicious homemade pies, the Lochinver Larder restaurant has attracted a loyal following over the last thirty years. Travellers of the North Coast 500 will regularly stop in to pick up a pie and enjoy the warm hospitality and breathtaking setting. The pies have earned such a reputation that they can be sent by post to anywhere in Britain - helping people to share their tales of adventure in the North West Highlands around the kitchen table, wherever home is.

Next door, the Caberfeidh pub has seen a roaring trade in the past, serving beer in the garden or to those sitting atop the large rocks on the small beach outside - with a takeaway Lochinver Larder pie in their hands. The pub was a popular place for locals to gather throughout the year, until its closure in 2018.

By combining the two properties to create the new Lochinver Larder and Boathouse, we can continue the great work created by Ian and Debra Stewart and create an authentic experience that can be enjoyed by both locals and visitors to the area.

I don't think Gosie finding the boathouse was a coincidence...

Sorry

ok, now that's just creepy! 😮

A cake, awaiting consumption, grieving its fate. shudders

There are a lot of things that AI shouldn't be allowed to create, and that's definitely one of them!

@MarieDeGournay when you quote the song “Oh the cuckoo is a pretty bird” I have to hear it in Maddy Prior’s voice.

Or possibly Jacqui McShea’s voice as I’m now torn between remembering whether it was Steeleye Span or Pentangle playing in my head.

Mixed feelings about cuckoos - they are born ‘liars’ and don’t bring good news to the poor little birds they parasitise. #teamwillowwarbler.
….and this is a case where anthropomorphisation really is inappropriate.

I'm currently having lunch envy. My mate just sent me a photo from inside the chippie of our youth with "guess where I am".

I really really want chips and curry sauce now.

I've never understood chips and curry sauce. Curry and rice, yes. Chips and vinegar, yes. Chips and curry sauce? Not my thing.

But, I can empathize with the concept. Without fail, if I see someone drinking coffee on TV, wherever, it makes me crave coffee!

I'm feeling guilty today, because I have my copy of Joanna Cherry's book, and planned to spend the weekend reading it, but instead I've been reading a great little book called Zombie Simpsons by someone called Charlie Sweatpants (probably not his real name)

Mr Sweatpants gives a very enjoyable overview of what a revolutionary show The Simpsons was in the 1990s, how it lost its creative mojo, and how it has been coasting for years on boring mediocrity and relying on ageing fans who watch out of habit without really expecting to be entertained.

This book was published in 2012.

This is top secret knowledge, but if you know the right places to go to in Belfast, you can get chips with thousand island.

I took a healthy homemade salad for my lunch at work. I ate it and then I went and bought crisps and chocolate at the thought of my meetings this afternoon. I wasn't even hungry, just pissed off with the world.
We've had lovely weather the last few days up here, which I'm very pleased about, however it does make it even tougher going into a windowless lab for a couple of hours. I want longer weekends (despite already only working 4 days per week as schools round here finish at lunchtime on Friday's).

Interesting... I shall have to give that some serious thought. I like thousand island dressing...

Interesting! I was a bit Simpsons fan decades ago but not seen anything since about 2004.

My co-pilot is strictly rationed. I didn't want to waste one on a do-over. Frankly, I'm surprised MN didn't censor it.

@MyrtleLion Funny you should mention the Pie Shop, they are expanding into the pub next door to become the Lochinver Larder and Boathouse:

They must have gone up in the world since I was last there - in 2023 I think.
I have very fond memories of a venison and cranberry pie, which they used to serve from a hut in the garden for bikers and hikers. I have also been in the pub next door in the days when the NC500 was just 'that nice road round the top of Scotland' and before every tik-tokker in existence was encouraged to hurtle round it in a camper van.

You're right. Some folksongs make it nicey-nicey by having the cuckoo suck on flowers to make her voice clear, but in the song I know - the English-language Irish ballad 'Bunclody' [in Co. Wexford] sung by...well, sung by me and my pals in the days when sing-songs were part of our get-togethers -

O were I at the Moss House where all joys do increase
At the foot of Mount Leinster or some silent place
By the streams of Bunclody where all pleasures do meet
And all I would ask is one kiss from you sweet

it goes:
The cuckoo she's a pretty bird she sings as she flies
She brings us good tidings and tells us no lies
She sucks the young bird's egg for to make her voice clear
And the more she cries cuckoo the summer is near

I raise you cheesy Chips

What about eggs contemplating omelettes?😧

• well one of them is, the other is more taken with why you'd go to Tesco to get Aldi prices instead of just going to Aldi in the first place..

a very funny TV ad that appeared on our screens recently. Terrific animation, isn't it? Makes me smile every time.

I have not been to Maggie May's on Botanic Avenue in a long time, but they used to do a really nice cheesy garlic chip.

Once I was in there and was surprised to see Griff Rhys Jones at the next table. I have no information on what he was eating.

🤢 nope! That is an abomination!

I remember the joys of working in Hull many years ago and discovering "chip spice". I've no idea what was in it but it made the chips taste amazing.

Oh why oh why are some people so deliberately dense?!!!

Bag gerbils, could I have a very large hot chocolate, with extra cream, and a few cinnamon biscuits on the side, please. Thank you.

I just need a moment alone with the chocolate, thanks. (I might growl at you, so just give me a minute.)

leaves image & backs away silently while thinking of Hot Fuzz & "Morning, Angle!"

😀
<whispers thank you>