Hi augusta, try and think of it as an opportunity to really get going on your jewellery business.
You know what they say (whoever THEY are) , every cloud has a silver lining.


There was a programme on BBC2 quite recently about life below stairs, the title escapes me now. I wish I'd made the effort to watch it. I think it would have been really interesting to see if it bears any resemblance to Downton Abbey.

Downton has really caused a flurry of sensationalist headlines even The Telegraph today has used a quote from Joanne Froggatt (Anna Bates) completely out of context as a strapline. I can't believe a storyline has got people so hot under the collar.
I could understand it if we'd been subjected to some horrendous scenes of rape pre watershed, but I thought it was dealt with in a responsible manner. It was nearly 10pm when the scene was shown, not 7.30pm.
I've seen ridiculous over the top comments about Downton being a family show (it's not), and I don't remember even a ripple when we had three main characters moving a dead man from Mary's bed. I've seen far worse on soaps pre watershed over the years. I just don't get what the problem is.

On a lighter note....I had a call from my Aunt who tells me she and her o/h went to their local Inn last Thursday for a Pizza (one of their specialities) only to discover Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall was there filming for his next series, due to start airing in a couple of weeks.

He was doing a pizza challenge and they were all interviewed. He took a particular interest in their two young Labradors (they love a camera), so we wait with baited breath to see if they're used.

She's most embarrassed as she was in her dog walking gear with her hair scraped back in a clip, if she'd known she'd have made an effort.

How are the legs Georgy, any better?
Walking's supposed to be one of the best all round exercises you can do. Well done.

I've just bought an exercise dvd on walking indoors, handy when the weather's bad or I can't be bothered to put my face on before going out
Also it means I can exercise in bare feet which is also the latest idea, perfect for me with my aversion to footwear lol. Walking along coastal paths with bare feet is all in apparently.

I agree Lena, I thought the whole thing was very well done. And I look forward to the playing out of the emotional ramifications in future episodes.

In a way I think the furore is a compliment to Joanne Froggatt, who has made Anna such a well loved character, and who who played her fear, distress and bewilderment brilliantly, imo

Im sure something will turn up......im trying to remain cheerful and optimistic!!!!

I love the idea of getting to grips with my jewellery business and even though im a bit scared about earning enough..to keep me and my daughters in the style to which they are accustomed!!!
In some ways it is a bit of an exciting challenge, Im starting to think of maybe also doing things like making jewellery parties ........
But I do need to be sensible and build up some stock and really seriously do a business plan and webpage......it will be fun to really get to grips with it all.


Nyannie your reunion sounds wonderful, I wimped out of my school reunion earlier this year, it was in London on a weeknight, and I just was too tired to get up enough enthusiasm to go, but it did mean I chatted to an old friend who was over from New Zealand who I hadn't properly spoken to for over 25 years Im sure once you get there you will have an amazing time.

sometimes there is something wonderful about being able to dip back into the past. Another friend of mine,....decided for her 50th year to go back and revisit every house she had ever lived in.......over the course of the year. That sounded fun. I worked out I have lived in 21 different houses over my life, so it would have been a bit complicated for me to do the same!!!


I must admit 21 addresses does however seem a bit excessive..!!!.....

you must tell us when the programme is due to be aired, and isn't it always the way.....you get stopped when you definitely least expect it, im sure she will look lovely...and the dogs even better !!!

I haven't really watched much of Downton before, so I wasn't quite sure of the context or where they are planning to go with the storyline....

I thought it was very underplayed performance....where nothing needed to be shown for us to all be aware of what had happened. Which to me made it even more dramatic and distressing....

Hmmm....addresses. Just worked it out. I have lived at at least 16 different addresses, and there may be others that I've missed out So no more than 3 - 4 years at each one on average......no wonder I feel so rootless!

Still, it's maybe as much who you're with as where you are that's important To reveal all there might be too much information!

Morning all.

You must remain optimistic augusta - why not take some small business classes like spreadsheets, doing business plans etc - a lot are free! I remember meeting with the small business advisor who gave me very valuable information about keeping financial records, pricing etc.

Your local library should have information on courses and business groups which give information and support - many of them might be free too.

Don't worry about your daughters - they are both over 18. Time, I think to put yourself as number 1 - easier said than done, but it is time!

Good morning, cloudless sky today but there's a bit of a cool breeze. Still it's great for drying the towels.

Laid in bed this morning with the blinds partly open watching the seagulls soaring over the Downs and suddenly realised that the trees are no longer that lovely rich green, more yellow. Autumn is definately on it's way.

Goodness augusta and Lindy, 21 and 16 addressess respectively!
Makes my 5 look pretty measly.
Mind you we've lived in this house for 27 years at the end of the month so that explains a lot.

Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall's new four part series River Cottage to the Core begins next Wednesday, 8pm on C4.
They were told it would probably be November and they'd be sent an email before the episode goes out so I'll let you know. Guess it might be the last episode.

Just looking at Chris Packham's twitter and he's agonising over only being able to choose eight tracks for Desert Island discs this weekend.

Must admit I'd be hard pressed to name only eight. How would you choose? Songs that have some significance or just plain like them?

Wonder what John's favourite tracks are? We've seen plenty of pics wearing headphones, what's he listening to?

Heads up nyannie, Graham Norton's back tomorrow night and HARRISON FORD is on.

Sorry was I shouting? Be still my beating heart.
Saw his interview on Letterman back in May and he was hilarious. It's just a question of whether people get his sense of humour.

Might be light relief after the England - Montenegro match

Sorry, was I shouting as well?

Must get on, jobs to do, emails to send, hair to wash, going out at 5.30..........

Hello .......... Waves

been so sick, just climbed out of bed
for the first time this week

throats sore, sneezing, aches and pains
but feeling a little better, will catch up with all tomorrow

going to have a bath and back to bed
just wanted to let you know
i hadn't disappeared , no need to put me
on the gone missing list

speak soon xxx

Love Graham Norton! Hope I stay awake. I have been dropping off at about 8.30 pm!

Not feeling great so will keep this brief.

8 songs - let's see - Annie's Song by Graham Norton, Rachmaninoff's Variations on a Theme by Paganini, O Papa. . . Puccini ( Kiri Te Kanawa sang it on Downton last week), Blowing in the Wind, My Father (Judy Collins), New World Symphony, Polonaise by Chopin, Theme from Schindler's List, Bruch Violin Concerto and some Russian Folksong (name I can't remember) - more than 8 but it is hard to narrow it down.

I went to Marlow today but don't feel great so I'm off to bed.

Have a lovely evening

Have to agree with you Lena, wonder what John would choose!

evening all, just back from an open view at a picture framing shop, they had these gorgeous cup cakes with tiny frames made of icing......mmmmmm

I also wandered into the library looking for some business course, so the leaflets are in the dining room, next stop actually reading them!!! Im also thinking of different ways to display things....


This wind is incredible isn't it....


If it came to 8 of my favourite songs...I would have problems, I spose it depends on whether you want silly or serious? I love cheerful songs like....The Hollies and Sugar Sugar, and of course The Candy man.....as beloved of Chris Evans. One of my favourite songs of all time is White Horses the Theme tune to Belle and Sebastian, and I also love Skippy.... And I also love My Eternal by evanesance, and I am What I am...and Somewhere over the Rainbow, by either Judy Garland or the other famous version. Almost anything by Annie Lennox , or Denis Denis by Blondie or love Cats, .....oh the list could go on and on............

Graham Norton was on the 'one show' last night.... he was as witty as ever, and there was a strange blonde woman sitting next to him who I spent most of the show wondering who on earth she was. All was revealed at the end.....Helen Fielding ...the writer of Bridget Jones, and she is so like the character she created....very ditsy and funny somehow.....but it would have been nice to know who she was earlier!!!

Time goes fast

Take good care off you.
Warm up and drink a lot off hot tea with whyskey in it that helps

Sorry to hear you're unwell Georgy

Get lots of rest and get well soon

Lindy xx

Eight songs.....I have to admit I'm no musician, but faves might include:

Eleanor Rigby, Jumping Jack Flash, anything by Bob Marley (okay, that's a cop-out ), Waterloo Sunset ( the Kinks), I Feel Pretty and There's a place for Us (both from West Side Story), Another Suitcase, Another Hall ( Evita), Some Enchanted Evening and I'm Gonna Wash that man right outta my hair (South Pacific) and so on........

Then there are my all time favourite 'old songs' like No Regrets (Piaf), Cinderella Sweetheart and Oh we ain't got a barrel of money (from music hall days). These latter tend to be the ones I hum to myself on a daily basis Okay, I guess I'm an old- fashioned sort of girl

Apologies one and all.

Hope you are feeling better georgy, lots of liquids and get plenty of rest.

Went to bed at 7 last night - still feeling pretty awful - back to bed for me in a minute - have loads of things to do but no energy!

I also love West Side Story and Camelot songs. I also forgot to add the duet from The Pearl Fishers Opera - love it.

Feeling really awful so back to bed with my cup of tea and bottle of water - see you when I feel better. . .

Good Morning
Thanks for the well wishes

feeling a little better, but not by much

what a wonderful question Lena ...... 8 favourite songs

but here goes

The Who ..... Quadrophenia The whole album really well its a story, but if one track is needed , Can you see the real me.

The Clash ....... London Calling

The Kinks ....... Waterloo Sunset

Dire Straits......... Romeo and Juliet

Beach Boys....... Good Vibrations ( i know but it always makes me smile )

Led Zeppelin ........ Stairway to heaven

The Jam.......... Going Underground

Adele ....... Rolling in the Deep, The first line to that song, always draws me in

P.s this could change, because i can't believe i have no
Phil Collins, Michael Jackson, Meatloaf, Beatles, or The Carpenters on my list. That can't be right :eek

Nyannie hope you feel better soon, of back to bed, and i,m going to check out the songs on all the jjat lists

be back later

Damn ..... Forget Blurs Parklife

evening all....

wow its so wet and windy here, the dogs don't want to go out for their walks....


Busy day today, but not really doing anything of any note....I hope anyone who isn't feeling too good feels better tomorrow..


I like all the song suggestions they are very evocative, when you see a title and hear the song in your head!!!

wow...I know security is important, but ...
We have a secure email at work, but...if the computers are playing up, then its hard to access, I couldn't get on yesterday, so thought Id try again this morning, no luck. I didn't want to send a really important document, just ask someone a practical question.!!!

You are left in a strange place with these kind of systems, to some extent they are useful, if they are accessible, which this one isn't 100% of the time, which leaves you to try and chase after everyone and do things face to face...!!! Which kind of defeats the idea of the secure email system!


How is everyone with all their colds and flu?

Morning all.

Bit of a family emergency so won't be around until the end of the week -

We are still in the last stages of our colds/flu so another quiet weekend. However, I have bought the tablecloths and napkins for our Xmas drinks party.

Must get going so I will say adieu - have a good weekend all.

See you next week!

Hope all's well nyannie. Hope you feel better soon and get the problems sorted

Ooooh, great choices Georgy

Think I'll have to add Good Vibrations and Parklife (as a minimum) to my list........so something else has to go.......probably the two South Pacific songs, sadly .....

Hope you're feeling better

Love to all x