Anne should really learn how to log out of livejournal before some horrible fellow does somthing evil with it.....
bwahahahahahahaha
bwahahahahahahaha
May 10th, 2010
August 28th, 2009
I discovered earlier this week that apart from visiting one fort years ago, my husband had never ventured onto Hadrian's Wall. I was horrified - all the times I have dragged unsuspecting German guests (and the occasional American) along stretches of the wall and my own husband had never been! I saw no reason why he should escape the experience so as he had a free afternoon yesterday I insisted he come with me and the dogs to see for himself what the Romans had to put up with.
For those who don't know, the Wall extends slightly over 73 miles and runs from Wallsend near Newcastle in the east to Bowness on Solway in the west in the far north of England. It marks the northern boundary of the Roman Empire, though not, as some people think, the border between England and Scotland. The wall is punctuated by a number of major forts (16 of these), milecastles every roman mile (80 of them) and turrets spaced at regular intervals between the milecastles. The wall was originally 12' high and 8' wide and was made a formidable border by the topography of the landscape, running along the top of the Whin sill. Even this wasn't considered enough and a deep ditch (the Vallum) was dug along the northern side of the Wall. After 2,000 years, the Wall is much reduced but it's still impressive. Well, John was impressed. As he was a newbie to the Wall, I took him to my favourite stretch, Steel Rigg to Crag Lough.
( image heavyCollapse )
We had time after our walk to visit the Temple of Mithras a little further along - it was under several feet of water (the local water nymph Coventina was clearly mounting a takeover bid) but the altar stones were still clearly visible and the place was completely deserted, so it was worth making the trip. John has even promised to do another stretch with me, maybe next week. I'll hold him to that.
For those who don't know, the Wall extends slightly over 73 miles and runs from Wallsend near Newcastle in the east to Bowness on Solway in the west in the far north of England. It marks the northern boundary of the Roman Empire, though not, as some people think, the border between England and Scotland. The wall is punctuated by a number of major forts (16 of these), milecastles every roman mile (80 of them) and turrets spaced at regular intervals between the milecastles. The wall was originally 12' high and 8' wide and was made a formidable border by the topography of the landscape, running along the top of the Whin sill. Even this wasn't considered enough and a deep ditch (the Vallum) was dug along the northern side of the Wall. After 2,000 years, the Wall is much reduced but it's still impressive. Well, John was impressed. As he was a newbie to the Wall, I took him to my favourite stretch, Steel Rigg to Crag Lough.
( image heavyCollapse )
We had time after our walk to visit the Temple of Mithras a little further along - it was under several feet of water (the local water nymph Coventina was clearly mounting a takeover bid) but the altar stones were still clearly visible and the place was completely deserted, so it was worth making the trip. John has even promised to do another stretch with me, maybe next week. I'll hold him to that.
February 22nd, 2009
"How to play: go to the all knowing GOOGLE. Google "Your name needs" and then post the first 10 results.
1. Anne needs to win sexiest veg
2. Anne needs to retire from circus life
3. Anne needs no man
4. Anne needs a spanking
5. Anne needs your support
6. Anne needs your prayers
7. Anne needs a job
8. Anne needs no enhancement
9. Anne needs at least six people
10. Anne needs help!
Some of these are actually true, and some of them sound like good advice. I have ongoing health issues at the moment so this was a nice distraction.
1. Anne needs to win sexiest veg
2. Anne needs to retire from circus life
3. Anne needs no man
4. Anne needs a spanking
5. Anne needs your support
6. Anne needs your prayers
7. Anne needs a job
8. Anne needs no enhancement
9. Anne needs at least six people
10. Anne needs help!
Some of these are actually true, and some of them sound like good advice. I have ongoing health issues at the moment so this was a nice distraction.
October 25th, 2008
I'm off in about an hour to spend a week gliding up and down the English canal system in a narrowboat. When we first booked the holiday 7 months ago it seemed an idyllic way to spend the Autumn half-term week, but now, with gales blowing around the house and a cold snap predicted for next week, I'm not so sure.
Still, Murphy's looking forward to it - the plan is for me to spend as much time as possible walking the towpath with him whilst John and the girls drive the boat and operate the locks. He's sitting by the front door already, with his lead by his feet and a collection of balls scattered around him (it's so easy to pack if you're a dog).
Nike, our German guest, also says she's looking forward to it as she's never been on a boating holiday before - we haven't dared tell her yet that neither have we.
Back in a week if we survive.
Still, Murphy's looking forward to it - the plan is for me to spend as much time as possible walking the towpath with him whilst John and the girls drive the boat and operate the locks. He's sitting by the front door already, with his lead by his feet and a collection of balls scattered around him (it's so easy to pack if you're a dog).
Nike, our German guest, also says she's looking forward to it as she's never been on a boating holiday before - we haven't dared tell her yet that neither have we.
Back in a week if we survive.
September 30th, 2008
Go spoil yourself girlie and as Carole suggests, get a fish. Or go mad and get two!
I hope your day proves stress free, the creative juices run smoothly and that the coming year brings you success and happiness.
Have a wonderful day!
I hope your day proves stress free, the creative juices run smoothly and that the coming year brings you success and happiness.
Have a wonderful day!
September 27th, 2008
Have I moved to a parallel world overnight? I read my morning paper today and these are the headlines on the front page...
"Passengers get out and push plane along runway"
"Driver flees exploding custard truck"
"One-legged driver convicted of parking in disabled space"
and my personal favourite...
" Tea for everyone arriving in UK" (The main dispute here is which biscuit to give new arrivals to our fair land, as bourbons are deemed too squidgy to be dunked, digestives too plain and garibaldis too European. Jammie dodgers are apparently the front runners)
It certainly beats tales of collapsing banks for entertainment value.
"Passengers get out and push plane along runway"
"Driver flees exploding custard truck"
"One-legged driver convicted of parking in disabled space"
and my personal favourite...
" Tea for everyone arriving in UK" (The main dispute here is which biscuit to give new arrivals to our fair land, as bourbons are deemed too squidgy to be dunked, digestives too plain and garibaldis too European. Jammie dodgers are apparently the front runners)
It certainly beats tales of collapsing banks for entertainment value.
September 25th, 2008
Happy birthday to 
phantom_queen - I hope your final frantic bout of studying this year is leaving you with time to celebrate your special day!
phantom_queen - I hope your final frantic bout of studying this year is leaving you with time to celebrate your special day!September 19th, 2008
( views on short sellingCollapse )
What? You didn't really think I was going to give you a financial/political commentary so early in the day, did you?
What? You didn't really think I was going to give you a financial/political commentary so early in the day, did you?
September 12th, 2008
Ellie, Ronja and I visited Alnwick castle earlier this week and Ronja was entranced (it was the location for Hogwarts and "Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves" and various other films close to her heart). I had rather foolishly loaned her my camera and she was snapping away at everything in sight when I suggested that we take a walk through the fountains. Alnwick, for those who don't know, has beautiful gardens and one of its many features is an area of water sculptures (interactive fountains to you and me).
Ronja played with every single one - squeezing through the "canyon", pushing her hand through the water curtains, standing under the mushroom etc etc UNTIL we got to the big one with a central pillar and a series of surrounding jets.
"If you go and stand in the middle before the fountain starts" said Ellie and I "You won't get wet at all, but you'll be surrounded by a wall of water. Won't that be fun?"
"Umm" said Ronja "I think I'll just stand here and watch it this time."
"WIMP!!" shouted Ellie and I as we gaily dashed to the centre seconds before the fountain started playing and ( THIS was the resultCollapse ) We were thoroughly soaked and were still wringing our clothes out three hours later. It was fortunate that it was a fairly sunny and warm day.
Ronja was still laughing at us on the way home. On that journey, Ellie was ticking me off about something or other and I complained "I've gone straight from being told off by my mother to being told off by my children!"
"Actually" Ellie said "There was quite a significant overlap." It's fortunate that I have a sense of humour.
Ronja was a huge hit at the pub too - there is a folk night there on the first Sunday of every month, and so Ronja decided to join in last week. She sang three songs - a geordie love song (sung with a very credible accent), a Chilean lament in Spanish and finally an Italian lullaby. When I called in there today for lunch, the landlord was asking me if I could persuade Ronja to come back in two weeks - he's so desperate for her to return he was offering free bed and board if she wanted it (and James who works there doesn't get that!)
Apparently I now have my very own shelf of drinks at the pub as they've had to widen their stock recently to accommodate my tastes (surely not so exotic?). I have there my very own bottle of green ginger wine, creme de cassis, Pimms and sweet cider to mix with the cassis. I'm special apparently.
Ronja played with every single one - squeezing through the "canyon", pushing her hand through the water curtains, standing under the mushroom etc etc UNTIL we got to the big one with a central pillar and a series of surrounding jets.
"If you go and stand in the middle before the fountain starts" said Ellie and I "You won't get wet at all, but you'll be surrounded by a wall of water. Won't that be fun?"
"Umm" said Ronja "I think I'll just stand here and watch it this time."
"WIMP!!" shouted Ellie and I as we gaily dashed to the centre seconds before the fountain started playing and ( THIS was the resultCollapse ) We were thoroughly soaked and were still wringing our clothes out three hours later. It was fortunate that it was a fairly sunny and warm day.
Ronja was still laughing at us on the way home. On that journey, Ellie was ticking me off about something or other and I complained "I've gone straight from being told off by my mother to being told off by my children!"
"Actually" Ellie said "There was quite a significant overlap." It's fortunate that I have a sense of humour.
Ronja was a huge hit at the pub too - there is a folk night there on the first Sunday of every month, and so Ronja decided to join in last week. She sang three songs - a geordie love song (sung with a very credible accent), a Chilean lament in Spanish and finally an Italian lullaby. When I called in there today for lunch, the landlord was asking me if I could persuade Ronja to come back in two weeks - he's so desperate for her to return he was offering free bed and board if she wanted it (and James who works there doesn't get that!)
Apparently I now have my very own shelf of drinks at the pub as they've had to widen their stock recently to accommodate my tastes (surely not so exotic?). I have there my very own bottle of green ginger wine, creme de cassis, Pimms and sweet cider to mix with the cassis. I'm special apparently.
August 17th, 2008
Today is the birthday of two of the nicest people on my flist, krazycat and damnskippytoo.
Jo surmounts personal problems on a daily basis with grace and a surprising verve for life. She is one of the bravest people I know, whilst Debs has a talent for making the day seem brighter just by posting. For some reason long forgotten, I shall forever associate sexy nuns with Debs, and I want to publicly thank her for giving me the wonderful gift of laughter on a regular basis.
Happy birthday to both of you, and may you both have the fabulous day you so richly deserve.
krazycat and damnskippytoo.Jo surmounts personal problems on a daily basis with grace and a surprising verve for life. She is one of the bravest people I know, whilst Debs has a talent for making the day seem brighter just by posting. For some reason long forgotten, I shall forever associate sexy nuns with Debs, and I want to publicly thank her for giving me the wonderful gift of laughter on a regular basis.
Happy birthday to both of you, and may you both have the fabulous day you so richly deserve.