It must be nice to have a hoover that lasts as long as this one has done. It is good going to last so long. I remember the old metal build ones, we had one when I was a kid, though it is a nuisance to have to keep emptying the bags and buying new belts for them.
We have had no such luck with our vacuum cleaners. We bought an upright, bagged push along a few years ago. It worked brilliantly until one day it started glowing orange after it was switched on. It was still under guarantee at the time, so it went back to the shop and we were given a replacement.
The replacement worked fine until both wheels dropped off, rendering it impossible to push along. This was still under guarantee, so it too went back to the shop. This time we got our money back and decided to try a different brand of vacuum cleaner from another shop.
Our replacement was our first bagless one, and it was brilliant not having to keep changing bags, it saved a bit of money. It was too good to be true of course, and after a few months (while still under guarantee) it stopped working altogether and was taken back to the shop.
Since that happened in 2008 we have had two more cleaners. Why don't they make things to last more than just a few months?
Monday, 1 April 2013
Tuesday, 5 February 2013
Bring Richard III home!
Yesterday it was confirmed that a skeleton found under a car park in Leicester was that of the English king Richard III.
Richard III had lived in North Yorkshire, at Middleham Castle, and was said to have wanted to be buried at York Minster.
However, it is likely that he will be buried in Leicester Cathedral, much to the disappointment of those who wanted him buried in Yorkshire.
A petition has been set up on the government website calling for him to be buried in York Minster.
I believe that Richard III should be buried in the county he was said to have loved, in the church he was said to want to be buried in.
For those interested in Richard III, there is a Richard III Society.
Richard III had lived in North Yorkshire, at Middleham Castle, and was said to have wanted to be buried at York Minster.
However, it is likely that he will be buried in Leicester Cathedral, much to the disappointment of those who wanted him buried in Yorkshire.
A petition has been set up on the government website calling for him to be buried in York Minster.
I believe that Richard III should be buried in the county he was said to have loved, in the church he was said to want to be buried in.
For those interested in Richard III, there is a Richard III Society.
Wednesday, 22 February 2012
Memories
Although I wasn't around in the fifties or sixties, this article in today's paper brought back memories for me.
I spent the early years of my life in a village outside Barnsley in Yorkshire. Kids there played outside (sometimes even when it was raining!) and there was no obsession with health and safety to ruin our fun. I liked finding caterpillars, dropping them into jam jars and waiting until they changed into moths (the big hairy caterpillars, known as "woolly bears", were my favourites). I liked going out on walks, my favourite was to the local pond, and I used to beg my Grandad to take me there to see what I could catch. I could name every animal which lived in a pond and had some "pet" water snails in a bucket in the back garden.
Another favourite walk was along the River Dearne, we used to spot kingfishers and water voles while our dog swam in the river.
Our toys were bikes, swings, Sindy dolls, space hoppers.
Fish and chips were a treat. My Grandad made the best chips and so we used to just get fish from the fish shop and have a chip butty with home made chips (we never, ever used frozen chips in our house).
We used to go up to the local sweet shop and get a 5p or 10p mix - gobstoppers, liquorice, bubbly, sherbet flying saucers, white mice. Another of our favourite sweets was called Space Dust which popped when you put it on your tongue. We also had sweet cigarettes, which would be discouraged now (if you can still get them, I don't know).
Kids today would probably find such a life boring without computers, games consoles, internet, chat etc, but we certainly enjoyed ourselves.
I spent the early years of my life in a village outside Barnsley in Yorkshire. Kids there played outside (sometimes even when it was raining!) and there was no obsession with health and safety to ruin our fun. I liked finding caterpillars, dropping them into jam jars and waiting until they changed into moths (the big hairy caterpillars, known as "woolly bears", were my favourites). I liked going out on walks, my favourite was to the local pond, and I used to beg my Grandad to take me there to see what I could catch. I could name every animal which lived in a pond and had some "pet" water snails in a bucket in the back garden.
Another favourite walk was along the River Dearne, we used to spot kingfishers and water voles while our dog swam in the river.
Our toys were bikes, swings, Sindy dolls, space hoppers.
Fish and chips were a treat. My Grandad made the best chips and so we used to just get fish from the fish shop and have a chip butty with home made chips (we never, ever used frozen chips in our house).
We used to go up to the local sweet shop and get a 5p or 10p mix - gobstoppers, liquorice, bubbly, sherbet flying saucers, white mice. Another of our favourite sweets was called Space Dust which popped when you put it on your tongue. We also had sweet cigarettes, which would be discouraged now (if you can still get them, I don't know).
Kids today would probably find such a life boring without computers, games consoles, internet, chat etc, but we certainly enjoyed ourselves.
Friday, 6 January 2012
Zeebrugge - September 2011
Our latest trip to Zeebrugge was on 7th September 2011, a very windy day, though thankfully it didn't rain while we were in Zeebrugge!
That was the windiest I had seen Zeebrugge, and the kites were up! I made a video but the bits with the strong zoom are very shaky, you can still see the waves crashing up, the kites and a big ship coming in to port.
It was much more sheltered near the West Hinder boat.
We had ribs and chips for dinner in our favourite Old Barrel and then a nice cold glass of Hoegaarden in our other favourite Old Steamer.
I hope to see Zeebrugge again this year, I love it there!
That was the windiest I had seen Zeebrugge, and the kites were up! I made a video but the bits with the strong zoom are very shaky, you can still see the waves crashing up, the kites and a big ship coming in to port.
It was much more sheltered near the West Hinder boat.
We had ribs and chips for dinner in our favourite Old Barrel and then a nice cold glass of Hoegaarden in our other favourite Old Steamer.
I hope to see Zeebrugge again this year, I love it there!
Sunday, 1 January 2012
Roast grouse for New Year
Our first Sunday dinner of 2012 was something I had wanted to try for years, but had never been able to get hold of - grouse.
We went to a food lovers market in Malton last November, and we were pleased to see a stall selling game, including the elusive grouse. We just had to buy some, and so we bought two.
Although some recipes suggest one grouse per person, we cut one in half, meaning that we have one left for another time. It was just the right size.
The grouse, with a few game chips and the bacon it had been topped with
We served the grouse with game chips, bread sauce and steamed cabbage, which were perfect accompaniments.
I always enjoy game, I only ever eat free range meat, and grouse is the ultimate free range bird.
We went to a food lovers market in Malton last November, and we were pleased to see a stall selling game, including the elusive grouse. We just had to buy some, and so we bought two.
Although some recipes suggest one grouse per person, we cut one in half, meaning that we have one left for another time. It was just the right size.
We served the grouse with game chips, bread sauce and steamed cabbage, which were perfect accompaniments.
I always enjoy game, I only ever eat free range meat, and grouse is the ultimate free range bird.
Tuesday, 22 November 2011
Lissewege
On our last holiday in Belgium we visited the pretty white village of Lissewege, located between Brugge and Zeebrugge. I had always liked pictures I'd seen of Lissewege and it was nice to finally go and see the village.
When we were there, a sculpture trail had been set up round the village in various locations, including outside the railway station, in the canal and behind the church.
We had a nice meal at Huyze Saeftinghe (we had spaghetti carbonara) and would certainly like to go there again.
The video of our trip to Lissewege:
When we were there, a sculpture trail had been set up round the village in various locations, including outside the railway station, in the canal and behind the church.
We had a nice meal at Huyze Saeftinghe (we had spaghetti carbonara) and would certainly like to go there again.
The video of our trip to Lissewege:
Thursday, 14 July 2011
Ampleforth
Yesterday we had a trip to Ampleforth Abbey - catching the bus to Helmsley and then another one to Ampleforth (it would have been much handier if the Scarborough-Ampleforth bus still operated!)
The weather could have been better, as it was overcast and quite cold for July, and there was a bit of rain. Ampleforth Abbey is known for its school (Ampleforth College) and its cider, produced from the apples grown in the Abbey orchard. We had become quite keen on the cider, and so that it what inspired us to visit the Abbey - to buy some of the cider (unobtainable where we live!) and also to try the tearoom and the renowned cider apple cake!
Ampleforth Abbey
When we arrived it was shortly after 10am, and the shop did not open until 10:30. We seemed to be the only people around, and our footsteps echoed in the hallway. We went outside for a walk and a look round the grounds, which are beautiful, giving excellent views of the surrounding countryside. I would have loved to have gone to school in a place like this!
We had a nice meal in the Abbey Tearoom - Wensleydale cheese on wholemeal bread with salad and crisps, followed by Father Rainer's Apple Cake - which was superb -moist and tangy. After buying our cider we returned to Helmsley. The weather could have been better but I would love to go there again!
The weather could have been better, as it was overcast and quite cold for July, and there was a bit of rain. Ampleforth Abbey is known for its school (Ampleforth College) and its cider, produced from the apples grown in the Abbey orchard. We had become quite keen on the cider, and so that it what inspired us to visit the Abbey - to buy some of the cider (unobtainable where we live!) and also to try the tearoom and the renowned cider apple cake!
When we arrived it was shortly after 10am, and the shop did not open until 10:30. We seemed to be the only people around, and our footsteps echoed in the hallway. We went outside for a walk and a look round the grounds, which are beautiful, giving excellent views of the surrounding countryside. I would have loved to have gone to school in a place like this!
We had a nice meal in the Abbey Tearoom - Wensleydale cheese on wholemeal bread with salad and crisps, followed by Father Rainer's Apple Cake - which was superb -moist and tangy. After buying our cider we returned to Helmsley. The weather could have been better but I would love to go there again!
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