Hi Duchess and all
I'm putting up my hand to jump on the back of Butch Cassidy's (Paul
Newman's) horse with you. We might have to put Nipper and Tuck (plus Blue
Bear) on leads to make sure they follow us. Nipper will be wearing his
Santa hat, Tuck insists on wearing his reindeer antlers. Both of them carry
a tune well so they can lead us in 'Raindrops'.
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| A much better use for a tank - love the pom pom! |
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| A lovely Aran chair |
I haven't noticed that there are any knaughty knitters attending the party
this year but I'm bringing my size 4mm needles and my stash of wool with me
just in case.
Chris, Nipper and Tuck in Perth WA - on the way to Helston
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| Very fetching! |
Dydh da, oll -
We've passed the tip of DelMarVa, and off into the open sea. Be there late this (Wednesday) evening. Did we agree on day for the Furey? I'm thinking the 24th so's not to conflict with Tom Bawcock's Eve. Which of you gallant gents will partner Ms. Jayne Mansfield? Requires a redoubtable gentlemen of refinement and I shall be checking credentials. I shall be leading the event with ListMon as my partner. Morning suits for the gentlemen are optional, else I'd wear my father's old Methodist Minister preaching suit. I'll be wearing my very proper Cornish National Tartan kilt and a green Montrose doublet.
Of course you all remember the Furey, even if you've not been invited to the May 8th doings by the Official Committee to Exclude The Less Worthy. Form up in line in two couple sets. Step, step, step, hop (or skip), repeat. At the change - the start of the B music - gentlemen pass each other by the right shoulder to turn the other gent's lady. Pass right shoulder again to turn your own lady. Repeat all, and continue until the Helston Town Band needs a respite and we make a pit stop for Sherry and Biscuits.
MaryPat, I'm sure you'll be besieged with offers to be your partner. Since these are all Cornishmen of unquestionable good breeding and all that, I've no doubt you'll have you choice. Only one gentleman for the dance, dear friend, you really must share the wealth.
Who's on for a side trip to Goonhilly Down to see Mr. Marconi demonstrate his "wireless telegraph"?
Ooo yes please! Can we get one of those old fashioned char a bancs? let me see ..... here's one!!
Albert of Anvower Mill
Albert: I have forgotten how to say Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year in Cornish. Dydh da. Carol on my way to Helston
Carol: it's "Nadelek Lowen hag Bledhen Noweth Da" - please excuse what may be archaic spellings. At Least I have the pronunciation right. Weren't you supposed to be hanging on to a channel marker bouy to be picked up as we sailed past?
Albert of Anvower Mill
Confusion in Delaware Bay
Where were you? I got picked up more or less on schedule. Y ou were nowhereto be found, and the rest of the "crew" were very evasive about your napping through the loading of me and the crabs I always bring. I hope the crates don't fail as they did one year. I still have the scars from the claws. Perhaps you had a memory of that, and it made you suddenly feel sleepy. The crates were inspected before we were allowed on board. I felt as though I was going through airport security. That's me in the snow attire without
shoes and catcher's mitts on my hands.
Carol
Boyd's a fan of Ian Marshall too!
Enjoying the blog, and much appreciative of the link to YouTube for some samples of Cornish songs from Ian Marshall. I have his CD, but it adds so much to see the man perform! Thank you!
Boyd
Glad you liked it Boyd!
Bishop's Rock Lighthouse jogs Duchess Daft's memory
Hi Janet and Everyone:
You mentioned seeing Bishop Rock and I was interested in Jennie's photo of it on the Party web site. As you may know, I keep a web site directory of stonemasons, builders, etc. from Cornwall and Devon, and I was in touch with the daughter of one of the mason's who worked on the lighthouse and how terrifying it was.
Matthew Andrews was a stone man who worked on Bishop Rock, Wolf Rock, Longships and the Beachy Head lighthouses. The stone for the lighthouses was cut on land and then the blocks were shipped to the sites for assembly.
Mr. Andrews' daughter Rosa remembered him talking of the waves breaking over the stumps of the lighthouses as they were built, and how difficult it was at times even to get out there. As the building reached the lantern stage, the spray in a storm whipping up over the top was terrifying enough, but as the waves receded for the next onslaught "it was like looking down into the jaws of hell."
Seeing Jennie's photo made me understand exactly how he felt!
Best wishes, Joan (alias Duchess Daft)
Hi Joan
I can see it all. Last time I came past the Wolf Rock in the Scillonian, in a Force 9 gale with the wireless operator shouting "ten more minutes and every man for himself!!!", the waves were breaking right over the top of the lighthouse! I wondered what it felt like being shut inside! They were very brave men.
Happy Christmas to you all.
Cheers
Pat in very hot and humid Perth, Western Australia.
Julie the Camborne Girl pops in
Hi Joan,
I just caught a glimpse of the message subject line and thought I would mention the fact that my brother was, at one time the lighthouse keeper on Bishop Rock as well as other lighthouses in Cornwall.
Cheers and have a great Christmas
Julie the Camborne Girl
Dear Julie:
Lovely to hear from you and your brother must be a very brave man. All that isolation and waves breaking over the Rock - I cannot even imagine it. Were you ever able to visit him there?
Have a very Merry Christmas, Joan
Merry Christmas to all the Lighthouse Keepers (of whom there can't be many left what with new navigational aids - thanks Andrew for the following)
Lighthouse keepers are a special breed, much celebrated in fiction, theatre and film; so are lighthouse builders. To get some idea of what they went through, as well as the methods and materials employed, I can commend "The Lighthouse Stevensons" by Bella Bathurst (Flamingo/Harper Collins, London, 1999, the paperback ISBN is 0 00 653076 1).
The builders of the Bishop's Rock lighthouse were following in a grand and heroic tradition which started with the Pharos in Alexandria, with the first to be built in Scotland, the field of Bella Bathurst's book, being the Isle of May, in 1636. Her book deals in some detail with four of the engineers of the Stevenson
family (ancestors of the novelist Robert Louis Stevenson) and a half-dozen or so of the many lighthouses which surround the Scottish coast, including one with the delightful name of Muckle Flugga, and
is an engrossing read, especially having regard to the techniques available at the time and the absence of any efficient form of power assistance.
Love those Lighthouse Keepers!
Hi Pat:
I agree completely with about how very brave the lighthouse keepers were and it was so interesting to hear from Julie the Camborne girl that her brother was on Bishop Rock.
Have a Merry Christmas and I hope we'll see you at the ball and how about joining us for the Raindrops ride?
Best wishes, Joan (alias Duchess Daft of Kistle, Kissle, Kissel, Kisstell, Kiss-me-quick ancestry.)
The Duchess loves her Christmas present from Andrew
Hallo Andrew:
Thank you so much for this information! "The Lighthouse Stevensons" is on Amazon and I've just ordered a second-hand copy for one cent plus postage. I'm also looking at another of her books called, "The Wreckers: A Story of Killing Seas, False Lights, and Plundered Shipwrecks". Love to read and I'm delighted to have found an author who is new to me!
Merry Christmas, Joan (alias duchess Daft"
Hi Joan,
I didn't get to see my brother when he was on Bishop Rock as I was still in boarding school in Penzance. However I will see him tomorrow and ask him to write something about his experiences. Maybe he will, if so I'll post to the list if people would be interested.
Cheers
Julie
More from DD, a Knaughty Knitter
Hi Chris, Jennie and Everyone:
I'm definitely a Knaughty Knitter - I am a DVD film addict and cannot keep my fingers still while watching, so I knit all year round, mainly scarves, gloves and hats for the homeless and only yesterday took a bunch down to the Rescue Mission. I have my needles with me and I'll knit cosy scarves and gloves for Nip and Tuck as it has been snowing in Cornwall and they'll be shivering coming into a cold winter. I believe Carol might be a knitter too? And Janet?
Then there is the matter of the featherless parrots, poor little souls. I think we'll have to build them up with nourishing fish and chips at every meal which should finally grow some feathers on their chests. One the other hand, I do wonder if Lady Lorna serves them enough whiskey?
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| Just what the little fellows need! |
I've emailed Butch and he's looking forward to having you on the back and I hear that Jenny is a Paul fan, so he'll take her too. He says that if there are any more volunteers for the Raindrops ride then he'll have to bring
Sundance along! (I wouldn't mind one little bit!)
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| Way to go! |
Merry Christmas, Duchess Daft
Steve Saunders wishes us all Christmas Cheer - and we wish you the same Steve!
Just a few kind words to you all, wishing everyone a wonderful Christmas & a merry new year.
With many thanks for all your kind help, with out you I would not have known my Ancestors. Keep up the good work.
Regards,
Steve Saunders
Janet applies for a title
How are we all doing? Mistress Agnes and I rowed past Mousehole at dawn - we've picked up the Mousehole cat on the way and are heading for Helston. Unfortunately Mistress Agnes is trying to practice furry dancing, which is making rowing rather difficult. Da da de daa daa daa da de da de de da de da.
Yes I'm an honorary knitter - will begin on garlands for the dancing. In past years pets have donated their fur for us to knit Mousehole cat is looking wary as Mistress A approaches him with the shears - any offers?
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| Found this one complete Janet - those lambs look quite juicy! |
Maybe I could bring the knitivity that my daughter has fashioned? It is, as yet, minus a shepherd and an ox but otherwise all present. The knitted sheep might be a problem with no shepherd but we could always add lamb to the menu if they are troublesome.
I'm afraid the fish and chips are no more - Mistress A wanted to keep up her strength for the rowing so she ate them. Actually I think she was trying to soak up the home brew.
Janet - I wasn't a participant in the year when everyone was enobled - I really think I should have a title - maybe I could be a sultana?
Janet, what about Scheherazade, Queen of 1001 Cornish Knights? If you like it, it's yours. Happy Partying - Cousin Jennie
Carol tells of the time when titles were conferred on the worthy (they had to perform a difficult task perhaps?) - we're giving them away now, all it takes is a contributionI received a title many years ago when John (last name?) who is no longerwith us was awarding them. I think we had to earn them in some way. AnywayI have forgotten mine, but the memory is sweet. Carol with the Maryland
crabs
(Listmom Yvonne, can you tell us what Carol's original title was?)
Wasn't he "John O"?
Jan
Jan. Yes, that's it, John O. I believe he was Canadian. Great fun. Never met an obnoxious Canadian, but some must exist - the ones who aren't Cornish.
Carol
Carol. Do I remember that he passed away a couple of years back? Jan
Nadelek Lowen hag Bledhen Noweth Da to all of you Cornish listers (thank you, Albert). Like the other two Jans in California, I've been lurking in between out of town trips.
It was John Zimmerman and Violet Sunderland who initiated the titles, after we earned them. John O, I believe, was John Overholt and I thought he lived in the UK. Someone else will know this.
Best wishes,
Ann Tumser
Hi Ann - Nice to see your message!
Jan Davis
It is with pleasure and some sadness to recall the brilliant JohnO who was a Londoner. He lived near the Thames River in the UK and had a great background in British History. That is how we all got our names. He came up with Royal or -near Royal Titles for all of us. Over time I ended up as Loopy Lorna, once I fell from grace as being Virtuous, quite apt. I was never allowed to sing because I wanted to do "For Unto Us a Son is Boho, ho, ho ho, ho, ho, ho ho, ho, ho, ho, ho, ho ho, ho ho, horn!". Neither was I allowed in the Royal Barge when JohnO, as Henry VII, or someone very like him, barged down the rivers and channels to get to Cornwall with an entourage of Royal Ladies wrapped in furs etc. His description of his cod-piece was hilarious. He was ever the gentleman with a brilliant sense of humour.
Yes, he died a couple of years ago, probably 3... and missed very much.
Loopy Lorna who is a Canadian Citizen ...but born in UK of Cornish Heritage, so I guess I fit the bill.
Gosh, Ann, I thought it was JohnO who dubbed me with a Royal ID. Maybe not, I was not among the first ones on this list, so might have missed something. Anyway, I have decided to dub Geoff, the Australian who is being pulled around by some Cook a barrows, the Magnificent. I don't know what he will be Magnificent of or what or why, time will tell. As Carol has mentioned, it is a sweet memory. I think I will beckon JohnO to join us at the ball. Now, let me see, Geoff the..Magnificent Master of...? Hmmmmm... Ancestral Rolls,
Polls, Lists? I am going to change it to Magnificent Keeper of the Ancestral Rolls.
Lady Lorna of the temporarily re-gained Virtue
Lorna, you are right in that you got your royal ID from John O. John Zimmerman started giving out the titles to some list members first and later when John O. became Henry VIII and we sailed on his Royal Barge he gave me mine and yours and everyone on the barge got a title too. I do miss John O and I hope you will get him to come to the Ball. I remember when he mentioned living at Kingston-upon-Thames, I said that I knew it well as when I was a child I used to visit an aunt of mine who lived there, long since gone, and had such good memories of the place. He was interested in knowing the address and he actually went there and sent me a photo of the house and was intrigued because the front door was at the side of he house.
Have you and the parrots chosen your hats yet for the Furry Dance? There has been no sign of Connie and John T. arriving on his 747. Wherever can they be? Has he kidnapped her, do you think?
Warm wishes, Duchess Daft
From Carol
Lorna: I am sure it was John O that gave me my title. I must have it
written down somewhere in my Cornwall files. I don't remember what It was I
did to earn it. But I know these titles, while plentiful (in more than one
way) were earned. Carol of Maryland
More fond memories from Christmas Past stirs John Tremewen who's been snoozing thru the party
Hi Lorna and other old friends,
Lorna's tribute to the memory of John O prompted me to add a few thoughts:
Especially at this time of the virtual year, it's time to great homage to a
virtual Henry VIII.
But Lorna - John wasn't English! He lived in Kingston Upon Thames was a colonial! He had given some hints about his Ontario roots and I have friends in Ontario who had known his family back to his grandfather (I think) who was a very well known and admired Principal of a College in Brantford.
John and I swapped a number of off-list messages including the news that John's sister had introduced one of my friends to cigarettes!
I still miss ol' Henry!
Cheers and happy Christmas to all.
John
See, apparently I was right about John O's connection to Canada, even tho I
was wrong about his living there. I may forget things (like where I left my
glasses), but apparently I did remember some connection. The important
thing is that I remember John fondly (although we never met in person) and
that we who knew him on e-mail have such good memories of him. Carol
Here's a tiny sample of the Great JohnO's wit and humour - how lucky you were to be in at the beginning:
"As there did not appear to be universal acclamation
for my hedgehog-flavoured(NB-spelling) nibbles,
I shall also bring some bubble and squeek! It is a
marvellous palliative for the" night before "--so I'm
told. Along those lines Joan writes:
>Better not drink too much Swanky or we'll end up in Bodmin Jail!
Best wishes, Joan<
For those who may feel they run a risk of possible/probable
incarceration,I have an involvement in the criminal justice
system and if sufficient silver were to cross my palm,I
MIGHT see if mitigating circumstances could be put
before the beaks.
The mention of silver is of course not to be interpreted as
bribery in any way,shape or form,but merely a suggestion
that the VISA system might appreciate!!!
John Overholt als The Heavenly Flier
Kingston upon Thames"
You know, Lorna, we had titles with the Xmas party and titles with the
C.I.P. thing - and I've been referring to John Zimmerman's C.I.P. *titles*.
I'm sure you know of John Zimmerman but he's (apparently) been a lurker the
last couple of years.
I'm sure many of the *old timers* remember John Coles, as well. His
knowledge of Cornwall was remarkable and we were very close friends.
Ann
Lorna: I am sure it was John O that gave me my title. I must have it
written down somewhere in my Cornwall files. I don't remember what It was I
did to earn it. But I know these titles, while plentiful (in more than one
way) were earned. Carol of Maryland
Luscious (preferred name) Lorna replies
Too many Johns going on around here. John T in the 747 and no one knows where he and she have got to (don't ask). John Tremewan who revealed that JohnO was a Canadian (Colonial indeed!) - that is 3 of them! Ah, well, we love 'em all. The more Johns the merrier.
I am reporting in about my hat for the Furry Dance. It will be my usual bejewelled White Stetson with the brim flattened out and made wider by 'someone' having sat on it following attacks on the brandy barrel. I shall have it decorated by the Royal Keeper of the Shears aka knitter of scarves
and such in her spare time... anyone want this title? It is up for grabs.
Re Royal Titles: You may dub yourselves as Royal anything or anybody -- we will believe you -- most of the time. Funny thing is, I don't remember being in Henry VIII's Royal Barge -- I wonder why? I am glad I was there though according to Duchess Daft. I wish I could remember all of my Royal name -- it was quite long with Virtue being a big part of it.
Christmas Eve tomorrow - what day is the Furry Dance. Have I missed it? And the huge ball where Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire turn up to dance with the animals all decked out in feather boas..?
I have sent the parrots off to seek out the missing man in the party -- Gregory Peck, he usually dances with me. Sooner or later I dance with all the men... that is why I am referred to as Unvirtuous Lorna by someone at this party.
I prefer Luscious Lorna
Albert wakes and yearns for Star Gazey Pie
Now, Carol m'dear, an old fella is entitled to a nap, now'n again, ain't 'ee? And we still haven't made it clear whether they crabs is party-goers or party eats! That were never settled last time, with confusin' results for the crabs.
'ow many is goin' over to Mousehole for the Tom Bawcocks Eve celebration? Can't wait for a bit of that Star-Gazey Pie.
Albert of Anvower Mill
Yes Please says Titleless Serf Janet (could that be her new title??) and Mistress Agnes
Mistress Agnes and I are up for earning titles - what do we have to do?
Janet (currently a titleless serf)
Jollity in the JB
What a night! We certainly lightened the load in the JB. Drinking the brew, and having a few of the empty casks shipped home or on to Helston, is brilliant ! Languid Lorna and Drunken Duchess Daft were so much fun! I am so glad you all hopped on for the pre-pre-party-party.
What was Mistress Agnes doing with that ... does it even have a name? Luved her description of it -- I wrote it down somewhere... It was sorrowful that we had to restrain her during the first course of dinner, oohh! the poor octopus!
From my scurrying sources, Albert ( a Prince of a Man ) was not napping when it was thought to be so. Only he can be the one to reveal his where his where-abouts were when he was ....
MaryPat ( of Excellency? )
Who also said
Yes, Janet, both You and Mistress Agnes deserve a title for sure.
What is that writing I see on the back of your left shoulder there? It is a little hard to decipher.....
It was a lovely compliment when John Travolta cried out "Sandy!" ( in boyhood exuberance ) across the dinner table to You last evening --- it gave me a moment of living vicariously -- visualizing myself as the recipient of such passionate words!
And
Morning Carol,
There is so much to talk about this morning! I don't know who the heck it was, but someone set up that Airport Security Game to "screen" everyone! That was all of our furry pets I believe. The ones that have fur or feathers were losing it with laughter! The parrots repeat everything they hear -- you just have to lend an ear for a minute and you have a clue to their ( and everyone else's ) shenanigans!
MaryPat
Kind Duchess Daft feeds the animals
Hi Catherine:
I've warmed some milk for the poor shivering cats and I've caught some fish
for their dinner, unless the Wyrm decides to eat ME for his dinner or
Mistress Agnes sees it first and eats it. She ate my order of fish, chips
and green peas and I'm very put out about it, though Very Great Aunt Grace
nearly wet herself laughing. I think she's found a kindred spirit in
Mistress Agnes and heaven only knows what they will get up to!
Has anyone seen the lovely Jayne Mansfield?
Merry Christmas, Duchess Daft
Jan In San Diego - are you OK?
Hi Everyone:
Is anyone in touch with Jan in San Diego? She hasn't come to the party as
she usually does and I keep seeing on TV news that there is a lot of
flooding and horrible mud slides in San Diego. Wondering if she is OK.
Best wishes, Joan
Jan in Orange County reassures us re San Diego JanHello Party Goers,
Jan Davis may be okay as she lives outside of San Diego. I believe she's
situated higher up than those who were in trouble. I've sent her a message and
hopefully she'll answer soon.
I can see that you've been having a wonderful party and wish you all:
Nadelik Lowen ha bledhen nowydh da
Jan Mackey
in Orange County by Disneyland where we are drying out
And San Diego Jan checks in with news of floods and big 'weather events' in her part of the world - hope you are all drying out now Jan, and we're thinking of you
Jan and list -
Wow, thanks for asking! I didn't realize we were in such bad shape until I watched the Weather Channel last night and then my sister called from Northern California. There has been a LOT of flooding in the usual low areas around San Diego. We get so little rain normally that when it DOES rain a lot, things get a bit dicey. The Mission Valley and Fashion Valley areas, in my opinion, should NEVER have been approved to have buildings built, and I'm not the only person who thinks that. I sold a condo there last year that I am wondering about now. Where we live, there were a lot of flooded intersections because our gutters don't have an adequate drainage system for unusual rainfall and they can't handle the run-off. But after a few hours, the water all went underground and all is well. Our house is 115 years old, with no foundation and sits on redwood 4x4s right on the dirt. We bought the house in 1997 just before the big El Nino Winter so we were concerned about what was happening that year, but all went well. After all, it HAS been here all this time without going anywhere!
I was out and about yesterday, met some friends for lunch in La Jolla 25 miles away, drove through a heavy downpour on the way home. It reminded me of the heavy rains where I grew up in Oakland, nothing more than that. We just don't have the infrastructure here to handle that much rain. Today is getting back to normal, the sun is out sporatically and no more rain expected till Saturday night, but not much.
The big worry is that Qualcomm Stadium will be "wrung out" in time for the big Bowl Game (Navy v. SDSU, my alma mater) tonight. They had crews working there all night pumping water out. A water main broke nearby that SHOULD have drained the stadium but it turned into a Football Pool, one that nobody wanted to join!!! What a mess!
Judy and I were in Grass Valley and Nevada City December 15-19 for Victorian Christmas and Cornish Christmas. From Friday till we left on Sunday, it was raining ferociously. They said 5 inches in 24 hours. Thanks goodness it was the Pineapple Express so not cold enough to snow at that altitude.
Have a Merry Christmas!!!
Jan (The other one)
Jan confesses to Joan that she's been lurking behind the potted palm
Joan - Thank you for your concern. I didn't think anybody would even miss me!!! I have been "lurking" at the party, from behind the potted palm tree over here in the corner. I was busy getting ready to go out of town for several days when the party started, then was up in Grass Valley and Nevada City for Victorian Christmas and Cornish Christmas with my sister. When I got home, I had some real estate work to catch up on and now it looks like the party is ready to break up. Darn, I missed hitching a ride with you or Connie in Utah. My surfboard is still leaning on the wall by the front door and my heated pasty slippers and Cornish plaid muu-muu are still in the closet.
You can read the email I sent to Jan Mackey about the flooding here. The bad parts were mainly in the low areas where nobody should even build buildings, old riverbeds!!! DUH!!! We're OK and doing fine. I have been out and about everyday, doing whatever I would be doing if it were the normal 75 degrees and sunny. Which is what we are all looking forward to!!!
Merry Christmas to everybody!
Jan Davis in San Diego, actually Lemon Grove, the first suburb just outside S.D.
Duchess D makes plans for Tom Bawcocks Eve
Albert m'dear, I'll join you over at Mousehole for the Tom Bawcocks Eve celebration and raise a glass or two, though I'll skip the Stargazey Pie. Perhaps unvirtuous Lady Lorna will bring the parrots and large helpings of the Pie will put some feathers on their little chests. I'll bring Very Great Aunt Grace and Old Scruff, the quarry dog, will sing some very bawdy songs. Maybe Butch Cassidy will show up too and bring some of his drinking buddies from the old Hole-in-the-Wall Saloon. Albert, PLEASE bring Jayne!
Toodle-loo, Duchess Daft
The Red Feather Boa comes out of mothballs
So there I was up on high with a Gigantic Trifle trimmed with Pasties, being drawn with rocket-like speed across the North American Continent when we suddenly exceeded the speed of light, the trifle went one way, I went the other and the parrots sped bravely on muttering something about NASA. Somewhere down below there is a part of the United States covered in trifle. We are hanging bravely onto the Red Feather Boa, it must look familiar to the 2 small parrots. Something is swishing by us, probably the Voyager on its way to Outer Space... Wow! Just a minute, I think it is Geoff the Magnificent with his Kukkabaras. I wish they wouldn't sing so loud, they've scared some tiny new feathers off the parrots who are doing a nose-dive as Geoff and his posse pass overhead. We are descending at rapid rate over the coast of Ireland, down across Wales and into Devon. Devon? Hang a right! There, we can see the Inn coming up at rapid speed, too rapid, watch out down below...aaaargh! Barrels and tables fly as we land. There is Duchess Daft with a small red parrot on each shoulder standing on a table with her skirts held high singing to the accompaniment of a tuba while a wild assortment of cats, dogs and a horse screech out an ear-bending chorus. Maybe I have been knocked unconscious...
Lollygagging Lorna of the Variable Past
Carol has a flashback
I'm in! We pass through Newlyn, my grandfather's birthplace, on the way to Mousehole. My grandson was just reading about the Mousehole Cat and is fascinated by the picture of a Star-Gazey Pie. The crabs are definitely for eating. I've arranged ahead of time this year for the outdoor cooking essentials. I know some of us have crazy pets, but crabs have not been one of them.
I may even stop at Paul Church where I have stood by the font where grandpaand all his sibs, also great grandpa were baptized. Do you believe those scars on the pillar are really from the Spanish invasion when they burnedthe church? Carol
Chris (alias Mata Hari ..)
HAS ANYONE SEEN LITTLE TUCK'S BLUE BEAR!!!!!!
Last seen Tuck was carrying him in his mouth while following the Sundance Party - perhaps he dropped him while he was singing Raindrops. I hope those pesky pawwots haven't pwucked him up!
Chris - who has never had a Royal ID either but rather likes the idea of being Mata Hari.
Little Tuck is in for a big shock! His favourite buddy has been eating spinach ... or something!
What a relief! this can't be him! Just received further info from Chris alias Mata Hari
PS - he is blue except for an orange patch on his eye (the other eye is
missing) and there is a possibility he might be a bit sticky.
The parrots are all togged out in their top hats, white ties and tails. 
Luscious Lorna, I see you dancing with Gregory and you say you usually dance with all the men and the next thing I know you'll be dancing with Butch, as I sit sadly in the corner clutching my wallflower. Perhaps I need a drop of Mother's Ruin brewed by Mistress Agatha and Very Great Aunt! Oh dear me 
as one who has done only a little driving in the UK some years ago, is those square-sided gutters along the sides of Coinagehall Street which I fear could capture car or bus wheels and immobilize a vehicle. Glad we have an expert driver. 
