On 24/03/2024 18:06, Rosie Mitchell wrote:
> kosmo <kosmo@whitnet.uk> writes:
>
>> On 20.3.24 19:37, john ashby wrote:
>>> On 20/03/2024 17:41, Mike McMillan wrote:
>>>> Rosie Mitchell <rcmitchell@golgonooza.co.uk> wrote:
>>>>> Chris <chris.mcmillan@ntlworld.com> writes:
>>>>>
>>>>>> J. P. Gilliver <G6JPG@255soft.uk> wrote:
>>>>>>> In message <87il1ipdfr.fsf@golgonooza.co.uk> at Tue, 19 Mar 2024
>>>>>>> 13:18:48, Rosie Mitchell <rcmitchell@golgonooza.co.uk> writes
>>>>>>>> "J. P. Gilliver" <G6JPG@255soft.uk> writes:
>>>>>>> []
>>>>>>>>> I remember in the '70s our school chaplain saying plaintively
>>>>>>>>> that he
>>>>>>>>> wished more "creatures great and small" would come to his evensong
>>>>>>>>> (which was voluntary).
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> The rich man in his castle, the poor man at his gate...
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> If you mean I (or my folks) was rich, it was a boarding school -
>>>>>>> and you
>>>>>>> wouldn't think that if you saw the dormitories, especially in Winter!
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Been there, done that.  Had the blackout blinds in one dormitory.
>>>>>> Wooden
>>>>>> shutters that let light in at another dormitory.  Enid Blyton etc all
>>>>>> carried a flavour of some aspect or other girls point of view at
>>>>>> boarding
>>>>>> school: even though my second was co-ed, we could appreciate the
>>>>>> plots even
>>>>>> if others didn’t.
>>>>>
>>>>> As Evelyn Waugh said, anybody who has been to an English public school
>>>>> would be perfectly at home in prison.
>>>>>
>>>>> Rosie
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>> At the age of nine, I arrived at my boarding school with my parents after
>>>> several hours and more of travelling by rail. My parents were immediately
>>>> taken off to meet the Headmaster and I was told I would see them later,
>>>> whilst ‘matron’ took me to see my dormitory and unpack my case. Within
>>>> minutes, my parents were told that they could now leave for home. “But we
>>>> wish to see our son again as we promised him!; Oh no, (said the
>>>> Headmaster)
>>>> trust me, you leave now, it is the best way, I have done this many times
>>>> before!’ That particular head was sacked about a year later.
>>>>
>>> Did he go on to Maidwell Hall?
>>> john
>>
>> BTN?
>
> I was about to say no on the grounds that I didn't know what you were on
> about, or whether there was a dodgy pun in there somewhere.
>
> However, after a brief investigation of the sort of news story that I
> would not be minded to read, I am allowing this.
>
> Rosie

Thank you. It's an education, this job, isn't it?

john

In message <utpa5i$crv5$1@dont-email.me> at Sun, 24 Mar 2024 13:34:42,
Clive Arthur <clive@nowaytoday.co.uk> writes
>On 24/03/2024 13:21, Clive Arthur wrote:
>> On 23/03/2024 14:43, Jenny M Benson wrote:
>>
>>> For a while we had a Matron who insisted that it was bad for us to
>>>drink while eating...
>> My mother has a similar view, she called it 'sobbling'.  I've not
>>heard the word since and can't find it online.  Maybe it was a
>>Reading word.
>>
>*had* a similar view...

(-:

I've not heard the word either. (My blind friend has the word "clobble",
for mess up, scrambled, etc.; "that's clobbled", or "that will clobble
the ...". I've not heard that one from anyone else, either.) [We also
have a couple of family words - poohm and nacits (and bacits) - but I
know the origin of those, and those are definitely unique to us. (Now
only two of us, sadly.)]

As for the _concept_ of sobbling (or rather banning it), the _reason_
for the ban needs explaining. I could conceive reasons; I'm glad I don't
have anyone banning it on me, as I find certain foods a lot easier to
digest if I _can_ take a mouthful of liquid.
--
J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/<1985 MB++G()AL-IS-Ch++(p)Ar@T+H+Sh0!:`)DNAf

Remembrance of things past is not necessarily the remembrance of things as
they were. - Marcel Proust

On Sun, 24 Mar 2024 19:27:20 +0000, J. P. Gilliver wrote:

> As for the _concept_ of sobbling (or rather banning it), the _reason_
> for the ban needs explaining. I could conceive reasons; I'm glad I don't
> have anyone banning it on me, as I find certain foods a lot easier to
> digest if I _can_ take a mouthful of liquid.

There seem to be plenty of reports of polywolyphenols in tea and
coffee inhibiting the uptake of haem iron from food eaten at the
same time -- even up to 50%. But no clear consensus that that
leads to deficiency in blood iron content.
So Matron wasn't totally wrong.

Iain

On Sun, 24 Mar 2024 19:03:49 +0000, john ashby wrote:

> On 24/03/2024 18:06, Rosie Mitchell wrote:
>> kosmo <kosmo@whitnet.uk> writes:
>>
>>> On 20.3.24 19:37, john ashby wrote:
>>>> On 20/03/2024 17:41, Mike McMillan wrote:
>>>>> Rosie Mitchell <rcmitchell@golgonooza.co.uk> wrote:
>>>>>> Chris <chris.mcmillan@ntlworld.com> writes:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> J. P. Gilliver <G6JPG@255soft.uk> wrote:
>>>>>>>> In message <87il1ipdfr.fsf@golgonooza.co.uk> at Tue, 19 Mar 2024
>>>>>>>> 13:18:48, Rosie Mitchell <rcmitchell@golgonooza.co.uk> writes
>>>>>>>>> "J. P. Gilliver" <G6JPG@255soft.uk> writes:
>>>>>>>> []
>>>>>>>>>> I remember in the '70s our school chaplain saying plaintively
>>>>>>>>>> that he wished more "creatures great and small" would come to
>>>>>>>>>> his evensong (which was voluntary).
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> The rich man in his castle, the poor man at his gate...
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> If you mean I (or my folks) was rich, it was a boarding school -
>>>>>>>> and you wouldn't think that if you saw the dormitories,
>>>>>>>> especially in Winter!
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Been there, done that.  Had the blackout blinds in one dormitory.
>>>>>>> Wooden shutters that let light in at another dormitory.  Enid
>>>>>>> Blyton etc all carried a flavour of some aspect or other girls
>>>>>>> point of view at boarding school: even though my second was co-ed,
>>>>>>> we could appreciate the plots even if others didn’t.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> As Evelyn Waugh said, anybody who has been to an English public
>>>>>> school would be perfectly at home in prison.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Rosie
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>> At the age of nine, I arrived at my boarding school with my parents
>>>>> after several hours and more of travelling by rail. My parents were
>>>>> immediately taken off to meet the Headmaster and I was told I would
>>>>> see them later, whilst ‘matron’ took me to see my dormitory and
>>>>> unpack my case. Within minutes, my parents were told that they could
>>>>> now leave for home. “But we wish to see our son again as we promised
>>>>> him!; Oh no, (said the Headmaster)
>>>>> trust me, you leave now, it is the best way, I have done this many
>>>>> times before!’ That particular head was sacked about a year later.
>>>>>
>>>> Did he go on to Maidwell Hall?
>>>> john
>>>
>>> BTN?
>>
>> I was about to say no on the grounds that I didn't know what you were
>> on about, or whether there was a dodgy pun in there somewhere.
>>
>> However, after a brief investigation of the sort of news story that I
>> would not be minded to read, I am allowing this.
>>
>> Rosie
>
> Thank you. It's an education, this job, isn't it?
>
I thought you'd clocked a clear round there, but I'm currently aptly reading
Richard Beard's Sad Little Men, on roughly the same theme as the new book
by a dead celebrity's brother that's getting media attention. So with a little
help from google and a link to a website happily named paradise-education
I too know what you're on about.

Iain

In message <utqd1o$krjh$1@dont-email.me> at Sun, 24 Mar 2024 23:30:00,
Iain Archer <ianews@montaigne.me.uk> writes
>On Sun, 24 Mar 2024 19:27:20 +0000, J. P. Gilliver wrote:
>
>> As for the _concept_ of sobbling (or rather banning it), the _reason_
>> for the ban needs explaining. I could conceive reasons; I'm glad I don't
>> have anyone banning it on me, as I find certain foods a lot easier to
>> digest if I _can_ take a mouthful of liquid.
>
>There seem to be plenty of reports of polywolyphenols in tea and
>coffee inhibiting the uptake of haem iron from food eaten at the
>same time -- even up to 50%. But no clear consensus that that
>leads to deficiency in blood iron content.
>So Matron wasn't totally wrong.
>
>Iain

OK, so "don't drink *tea or coffee* while eating" _might_ be valid
advice, though I suspect the quantities involved are sufficiently
minuscule that just a sip or even _small_ mouthful wouldn't harm. But
extending that to "don't drink [_anything_] while eating" sounds the
usual sort of completely unscientific expansion that's all too common.

Though I think the directive is probably more something to do with
"manners", though I can't actually see why it could be rude (any more
than elbows on the table). All I can think of is some concern about
squirting - but if you can't eat and drink without doing that, you
shouldn't have been allowed out of your high chair.
--
J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/<1985 MB++G()AL-IS-Ch++(p)Ar@T+H+Sh0!:`)DNAf

I finally got my head together, and my body fell apart.

On 25/03/2024 03:09, J. P. Gilliver wrote:
> In message <utqd1o$krjh$1@dont-email.me> at Sun, 24 Mar 2024 23:30:00,
> Iain Archer <ianews@montaigne.me.uk> writes
>> On Sun, 24 Mar 2024 19:27:20 +0000, J. P. Gilliver wrote:
>>
>>> As for the _concept_ of sobbling (or rather banning it), the _reason_
>>> for the ban needs explaining. I could conceive reasons; I'm glad I don't
>>> have anyone banning it on me, as I find certain foods a lot easier to
>>> digest if I _can_ take a mouthful of liquid.
>>
>> There seem to be plenty of reports of polywolyphenols in tea and
>> coffee inhibiting the uptake of haem iron from food eaten at the
>> same time -- even up to 50%.  But no clear consensus that that
>> leads to deficiency in blood iron content.
>> So Matron wasn't totally wrong.
>>
>> Iain
>
> OK, so "don't drink *tea or coffee* while eating" _might_ be valid
> advice, though I suspect the quantities involved are sufficiently
> minuscule that just a sip or even _small_ mouthful wouldn't harm. But
> extending that to "don't drink [_anything_] while eating" sounds the
> usual sort of completely unscientific expansion that's all too common.
>
> Though I think the directive is probably more something to do with
> "manners", though I can't actually see why it could be rude (any more
> than elbows on the table). All I can think of is some concern about
> squirting - but if you can't eat and drink without doing that, you
> shouldn't have been allowed out of your high chair.

If there is a fear of the food "going down the wrong way" the effect of
a coughing fit with solid food would be less than solid plus liquid.

john

On 24.3.24 18:06, Rosie Mitchell wrote:
> kosmo <kosmo@whitnet.uk> writes:
>
>> On 20.3.24 19:37, john ashby wrote:
>>> On 20/03/2024 17:41, Mike McMillan wrote:
>>>> Rosie Mitchell <rcmitchell@golgonooza.co.uk> wrote:
>>>>> Chris <chris.mcmillan@ntlworld.com> writes:
>>>>>
>>>>>> J. P. Gilliver <G6JPG@255soft.uk> wrote:
>>>>>>> In message <87il1ipdfr.fsf@golgonooza.co.uk> at Tue, 19 Mar 2024
>>>>>>> 13:18:48, Rosie Mitchell <rcmitchell@golgonooza.co.uk> writes
>>>>>>>> "J. P. Gilliver" <G6JPG@255soft.uk> writes:
>>>>>>> []
>>>>>>>>> I remember in the '70s our school chaplain saying plaintively
>>>>>>>>> that he
>>>>>>>>> wished more "creatures great and small" would come to his evensong
>>>>>>>>> (which was voluntary).
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> The rich man in his castle, the poor man at his gate...
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> If you mean I (or my folks) was rich, it was a boarding school -
>>>>>>> and you
>>>>>>> wouldn't think that if you saw the dormitories, especially in Winter!
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Been there, done that.  Had the blackout blinds in one dormitory.
>>>>>> Wooden
>>>>>> shutters that let light in at another dormitory.  Enid Blyton etc all
>>>>>> carried a flavour of some aspect or other girls point of view at
>>>>>> boarding
>>>>>> school: even though my second was co-ed, we could appreciate the
>>>>>> plots even
>>>>>> if others didn’t.
>>>>>
>>>>> As Evelyn Waugh said, anybody who has been to an English public school
>>>>> would be perfectly at home in prison.
>>>>>
>>>>> Rosie
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>> At the age of nine, I arrived at my boarding school with my parents after
>>>> several hours and more of travelling by rail. My parents were immediately
>>>> taken off to meet the Headmaster and I was told I would see them later,
>>>> whilst ‘matron’ took me to see my dormitory and unpack my case. Within
>>>> minutes, my parents were told that they could now leave for home. “But we
>>>> wish to see our son again as we promised him!; Oh no, (said the
>>>> Headmaster)
>>>> trust me, you leave now, it is the best way, I have done this many times
>>>> before!’ That particular head was sacked about a year later.
>>>>
>>> Did he go on to Maidwell Hall?
>>> john
>>
>> BTN?
>
> I was about to say no on the grounds that I didn't know what you were on
> about, or whether there was a dodgy pun in there somewhere.
>
> However, after a brief investigation of the sort of news story that I
> would not be minded to read, I am allowing this.
>
> Rosie

Thank you. I believe the brother of DiPoW is making allegations of some
sort - probably that the head of Harrods had her killed in the underpass
or some such.

--
Kosmo Richard W
www.travelswmw.whitnet.uk
https://tinyurl.com/KRWpics

J. P. Gilliver <G6JPG@255soft.uk> wrote:
> In message <utqd1o$krjh$1@dont-email.me> at Sun, 24 Mar 2024 23:30:00,
> Iain Archer <ianews@montaigne.me.uk> writes
>> On Sun, 24 Mar 2024 19:27:20 +0000, J. P. Gilliver wrote:
>>
>>> As for the _concept_ of sobbling (or rather banning it), the _reason_
>>> for the ban needs explaining. I could conceive reasons; I'm glad I don't
>>> have anyone banning it on me, as I find certain foods a lot easier to
>>> digest if I _can_ take a mouthful of liquid.
>>
>> There seem to be plenty of reports of polywolyphenols in tea and
>> coffee inhibiting the uptake of haem iron from food eaten at the
>> same time -- even up to 50%. But no clear consensus that that
>> leads to deficiency in blood iron content.
>> So Matron wasn't totally wrong.
>>
>> Iain
>
> OK, so "don't drink *tea or coffee* while eating" _might_ be valid
> advice, though I suspect the quantities involved are sufficiently
> minuscule that just a sip or even _small_ mouthful wouldn't harm. But
> extending that to "don't drink [_anything_] while eating" sounds the
> usual sort of completely unscientific expansion that's all too common.
>
> Though I think the directive is probably more something to do with
> "manners", though I can't actually see why it could be rude (any more
> than elbows on the table). All I can think of is some concern about
> squirting - but if you can't eat and drink without doing that, you
> shouldn't have been allowed out of your high chair.

You had a high chair? We ‘ad to make do with sitting on a mound of manure….

--
Toodle Pip, Mike McMillan

>>> The seagulls there do seem particularly troublesome.
>>> Were your fish & chips safe?
>>> Whenever we eat F&C from "The Balancing Eel" (round the corner from
>>> the Sloop Inn) we keep everything covered except briefly when
>>> actually transferring food from container to mouth.
>>>
>> I've never had F&C from the Balancing Eel, but I've had the odd pint
>> or two at the Sloop, we sit outside, the gulls don't show much
>> interest in beer. They're keen on ice cream though. Guess how I know.
>
> There are times, when there is a particularly high tide, you could sit
> outside The Sloop and have a paddle in the sea without getting up from
> your seat.
>
> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqkwN2r8u_g
>
I was in St Ives once when the rain started coming down like Noah was
still around. It was the only time I've seen a manhole cover leap up out
of the road, and it was a proper cast iron one, not one of those sissy
aluminium ones we have now.
Steve

> (-:
>
> I've not heard the word either. (My blind friend has the word "clobble",
> for mess up, scrambled, etc.; "that's clobbled", or "that will clobble
> the ...". I've not heard that one from anyone else, either.) [We also
> have a couple of family words - poohm and nacits (and bacits) - but I
> know the origin of those, and those are definitely unique to us. (Now
> only two of us, sadly.)]
>
> As for the _concept_ of sobbling (or rather banning it), the _reason_
> for the ban needs explaining. I could conceive reasons; I'm glad I don't
> have anyone banning it on me, as I find certain foods a lot easier to
> digest if I _can_ take a mouthful of liquid.
I don't drink whilst eating, unless someone's poured me a glass of wine,
which I would find it rude to refuse.
Steve

On 23/03/2024 18:19, Vicky wrote:
> On Sat, 23 Mar 2024 17:32:21 +0000, john ashby <johnashby20@yahoo.com>
> wrote:
>
>> On 23/03/2024 15:51, Steve Hague wrote:
>>>
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>> I used to love kidneys.  Then my mum (who for much of her life would
>>>> have eaten anything apart from meat fat, which made her sick) said she
>>>> had gone off them because of the smell of urine when preparing them.
>>>> I scoffed.  I bought kidneys.  When I was preparing them they smelled
>>>> of urine.
>>>>
>>>> I did manage to prepare and eat them, but have never done so again.  I
>>>> think I still like to eat them, though.
>>>>
>>>>
>>> The smell of wee is what put me off kidneys many years ago, I don't
>>> consider them food now. A question I've never had a convincing answer
>>> too is why, when all the supermarkets sell goose fat for roasting
>>> potatoes, do you never see cooked goose for sale? As far as I know, you
>>> can only extract goose fat by cooking, so what happens to the rest of
>>> the goose? And don't get me started on how hard it is to get mutton
>>> these days when it makes such good curries.
>>> Steve
>>
>> If it's there a lot of mutton goes to the halal market and for Carribean
>> cuisine so specialist butchers might be worth a try.
>>
>> john
>
> Our Asda has a manned Halal meat counter, with deli, and another
> counter with ready wrapped Halal stuff too.

Ours doesn't. The Cornish people in rebellion are not to be trifled with.
Steve

On 25.3.24 14:44, Steve Hague wrote:
>
>> (-:
>>
>> I've not heard the word either. (My blind friend has the word
>> "clobble", for mess up, scrambled, etc.; "that's clobbled", or "that
>> will clobble the ...". I've not heard that one from anyone else,
>> either.) [We also have a couple of family words - poohm and nacits
>> (and bacits) - but I know the origin of those, and those are
>> definitely unique to us. (Now only two of us, sadly.)]
>>
>> As for the _concept_ of sobbling (or rather banning it), the _reason_
>> for the ban needs explaining. I could conceive reasons; I'm glad I
>> don't have anyone banning it on me, as I find certain foods a lot
>> easier to digest if I _can_ take a mouthful of liquid.
> I don't drink whilst eating, unless someone's poured me a glass of wine,
> which I would find it rude to refuse.
> Steve

I do. I was told it was wrong to have a meal without a drink.

--
Kosmo Richard W
www.travelswmw.whitnet.uk
https://tinyurl.com/KRWpics

Clive Arthur <clive@nowaytoday.co.uk> wrote:
> On 23/03/2024 14:43, Jenny M Benson wrote:
>
>> For a while we had a Matron
>> who insisted that it was bad for us to drink while eating...
> My mother has a similar view, she called it 'sobbling'. I've not heard
> the word since and can't find it online. Maybe it was a Reading word.
>

Not one I know. A third generation to my knowledge on paternal granny’s
side. No idea how many generations for paternal grandfather as I only know
where great grandfather lived: 15 minutes walk from where I’m sitting now!

Mrs McT

Steve Hague <stevehague82@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>>>> The seagulls there do seem particularly troublesome.
>>>> Were your fish & chips safe?
>>>> Whenever we eat F&C from "The Balancing Eel" (round the corner from
>>>> the Sloop Inn) we keep everything covered except briefly when
>>>> actually transferring food from container to mouth.
>>>>
>>> I've never had F&C from the Balancing Eel, but I've had the odd pint
>>> or two at the Sloop, we sit outside, the gulls don't show much
>>> interest in beer. They're keen on ice cream though. Guess how I know.
>>
>> There are times, when there is a particularly high tide, you could sit
>> outside The Sloop and have a paddle in the sea without getting up from
>> your seat.
>>
>> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqkwN2r8u_g
>>
> I was in St Ives once when the rain started coming down like Noah was
> still around. It was the only time I've seen a manhole cover leap up out
> of the road, and it was a proper cast iron one, not one of those sissy
> aluminium ones we have now.
> Steve
>

I have seen the very same spectacle during very heavy rain years back in
Yeovil. There is a conjunction of 5 roads known as Fiveways (who’d have
guessed?!) and these roads all blend into a large roundabout at the bottom
of a hill. The person hole covers (yes, plural!) had been forced upward,
thrown to the side and spouts of high pressure water were rising 5-6 feet
into the air!

--
Toodle Pip, Mike McMillan

On 24-Mar-24 19:27, J. P. Gilliver wrote:
> In message <utpa5i$crv5$1@dont-email.me> at Sun, 24 Mar 2024 13:34:42,
> Clive Arthur <clive@nowaytoday.co.uk> writes
>> On 24/03/2024 13:21, Clive Arthur wrote:
>>> On 23/03/2024 14:43, Jenny M Benson wrote:
>>>
>>>> For a while we had a Matron who insisted that it was bad for us to
>>>> drink while eating...
>>> My mother has a similar view, she called it 'sobbling'.  I've not
>>> heard  the word since and can't find it online.  Maybe it was a
>>> Reading word.
>>>
>> *had* a similar view...
>
> (-:
>
> I've not heard the word either. (My blind friend has the word "clobble",
> for mess up, scrambled, etc.; "that's clobbled", or "that will clobble
> the ...". I've not heard that one from anyone else, either.) [We also
> have a couple of family words - poohm and nacits (and bacits) - but I
> know the origin of those, and those are definitely unique to us. (Now
> only two of us, sadly.)]
>
> As for the _concept_ of sobbling (or rather banning it), the _reason_
> for the ban needs explaining. I could conceive reasons; I'm glad I don't
> have anyone banning it on me, as I find certain foods a lot easier to
> digest if I _can_ take a mouthful of liquid.

"Right! You will eat all of these Cream Crackers - and don't let me see
you sneaking a sip of tea, or you will be in serious trouble!"

--
Sam Plusnet

On 25-Mar-24 9:10, kosmo wrote:
> On 24.3.24 18:06, Rosie Mitchell wrote:
>> kosmo <kosmo@whitnet.uk> writes:
>>
>>> On 20.3.24 19:37, john ashby wrote:
>>>> On 20/03/2024 17:41, Mike McMillan wrote:
>>>>> Rosie Mitchell <rcmitchell@golgonooza.co.uk> wrote:
>>>>>> Chris <chris.mcmillan@ntlworld.com> writes:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> J. P. Gilliver <G6JPG@255soft.uk> wrote:
>>>>>>>> In message <87il1ipdfr.fsf@golgonooza.co.uk> at Tue, 19 Mar 2024
>>>>>>>> 13:18:48, Rosie Mitchell <rcmitchell@golgonooza.co.uk> writes
>>>>>>>>> "J. P. Gilliver" <G6JPG@255soft.uk> writes:
>>>>>>>> []
>>>>>>>>>> I remember in the '70s our school chaplain saying plaintively
>>>>>>>>>> that he
>>>>>>>>>> wished more "creatures great and small" would come to his
>>>>>>>>>> evensong
>>>>>>>>>> (which was voluntary).
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> The rich man in his castle, the poor man at his gate...
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> If you mean I (or my folks) was rich, it was a boarding school -
>>>>>>>> and you
>>>>>>>> wouldn't think that if you saw the dormitories, especially in
>>>>>>>> Winter!
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Been there, done that.  Had the blackout blinds in one dormitory.
>>>>>>> Wooden
>>>>>>> shutters that let light in at another dormitory.  Enid Blyton etc
>>>>>>> all
>>>>>>> carried a flavour of some aspect or other girls point of view at
>>>>>>> boarding
>>>>>>> school: even though my second was co-ed, we could appreciate the
>>>>>>> plots even
>>>>>>> if others didn’t.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> As Evelyn Waugh said, anybody who has been to an English public
>>>>>> school
>>>>>> would be perfectly at home in prison.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Rosie
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> At the age of nine, I arrived at my boarding school with my parents
>>>>> after
>>>>> several hours and more of travelling by rail. My parents were
>>>>> immediately
>>>>> taken off to meet the Headmaster and I was told I would see them
>>>>> later,
>>>>> whilst ‘matron’ took me to see my dormitory and unpack my case. Within
>>>>> minutes, my parents were told that they could now leave for home.
>>>>> “But we
>>>>> wish to see our son again as we promised him!; Oh no, (said the
>>>>> Headmaster)
>>>>> trust me, you leave now, it is the best way, I have done this many
>>>>> times
>>>>> before!’ That particular head was sacked about a year later.
>>>>>
>>>> Did he go on to Maidwell Hall?
>>>> john
>>>
>>> BTN?
>>
>> I was about to say no on the grounds that I didn't know what you were on
>> about, or whether there was a dodgy pun in there somewhere.
>>
>> However, after a brief investigation of the sort of news story that I
>> would not be minded to read, I am allowing this.
>>
>> Rosie
>
> Thank you.  I believe the brother of DiPoW is making allegations of some
> sort - probably that the head of Harrods had her killed in the underpass
> or some such.

I'm sure Harrods would offer the services of an assassination squad to
any discerning customer.

--
Sam Plusnet

On Sat, 23 Mar 2024 18:25:57 +0000, Sam Plusnet <not@home.com> wrote:

>On 23-Mar-24 10:01, Chris J Dixon wrote:
>> Iain Archer wrote:
>>
>>> On Fri, 22 Mar 2024 19:35:00 +0000, Sam Plusnet wrote:
>>
>>>> Like the school milk that was left in full sun in hot weather (or frozen
>>>> solid in winter) but the kids were still expected to drink it.
>>
>> I can still picture the frozen candles of milk poking out of the
>> tops of the bottles, before it was thawed to lukewarm. Yuck! :-(
>>
>>> Still don't like warm milk, or even the top of the milk, but late in life I think
>>> I've discovered the secret of tea -- let it mash for at least three minutes,
>>> then add just a very smidgen of dried skimmed milk. It nicely neutralises
>>> the tannic notes while bringing out the real, solid flavour.
>>
>> Eventually I realised that the way I decided on the right amount
>> of powdered milk in my coffee was just sufficient so that I
>> couldn't taste it. Realising the pointlessness, I took it black
>> from then on.
>>
>> For about 35 years I have drunk no coffee, and only fruit, herb,
>> and spice teas.
>
>Whilst I am contemplating a new espresso machine.
>
>My DeLonghi Dedica refuses to switch on properly (poor quality On/Off
>switch) after only three years of moderate use, and will only function
>if you press hard on the ON button - and keep pressing hard for the
>duration of proceedings. My finger's still sore.
>This might be my excuse to buy the Gaggia Classic that I have always
>hankered after.

I know... I know... In your mind's eye that Gaggia Classic is already
on your kitchen worktop so you won't appreciate any "helpful"
suggestions but here goes anyway.

I have a different model of Delonghi espresso machine and as far as I
can see there are many common parts to different machines. For
instance I'm pretty sure most use the same on-off switch which on mine
which seems to be a basic push-push mechanical type and is probably
generic. Could it be worth splashing out a coupe of quid, swap in a
replacement and see if that does the trick?

My on/off switch is still working well, thank you, but I'm having
trouble with the sump trying to unscrew itself whilst working and I
have to be careful that the sump doesn't get forced off the brewing
head whilst in operation. I've dismantled that bit of the machine to
take a close look at the O-ring which seems to be in perfect
condition. I suppose the problem has to be the O-ring: do you think it
could be anything else?

Nick

On Tue, 26 Mar 2024 00:25:30 +0000, Nick Odell <nickodell49@yahoo.ca>
wrote:

>On Sat, 23 Mar 2024 18:25:57 +0000, Sam Plusnet <not@home.com> wrote:
>
>>On 23-Mar-24 10:01, Chris J Dixon wrote:
>>> Iain Archer wrote:
>>>
>>>> On Fri, 22 Mar 2024 19:35:00 +0000, Sam Plusnet wrote:
>>>
>>>>> Like the school milk that was left in full sun in hot weather (or frozen
>>>>> solid in winter) but the kids were still expected to drink it.
>>>
>>> I can still picture the frozen candles of milk poking out of the
>>> tops of the bottles, before it was thawed to lukewarm. Yuck! :-(
>>>
>>>> Still don't like warm milk, or even the top of the milk, but late in life I think
>>>> I've discovered the secret of tea -- let it mash for at least three minutes,
>>>> then add just a very smidgen of dried skimmed milk. It nicely neutralises
>>>> the tannic notes while bringing out the real, solid flavour.
>>>
>>> Eventually I realised that the way I decided on the right amount
>>> of powdered milk in my coffee was just sufficient so that I
>>> couldn't taste it. Realising the pointlessness, I took it black
>>> from then on.
>>>
>>> For about 35 years I have drunk no coffee, and only fruit, herb,
>>> and spice teas.
>>
>>Whilst I am contemplating a new espresso machine.
>>
>>My DeLonghi Dedica refuses to switch on properly (poor quality On/Off
>>switch) after only three years of moderate use, and will only function
>>if you press hard on the ON button - and keep pressing hard for the
>>duration of proceedings. My finger's still sore.
>>This might be my excuse to buy the Gaggia Classic that I have always
>>hankered after.
>
>I know... I know... In your mind's eye that Gaggia Classic is already
>on your kitchen worktop so you won't appreciate any "helpful"
>suggestions but here goes anyway.
>
>I have a different model of Delonghi espresso machine and as far as I
>can see there are many common parts to different machines. For
>instance I'm pretty sure most use the same on-off switch which on mine
>which seems to be a basic push-push mechanical type and is probably
>generic. Could it be worth splashing out a coupe of quid, swap in a
>replacement and see if that does the trick?
>
>My on/off switch is still working well, thank you, but I'm having
>trouble with the sump trying to unscrew itself whilst working and I
>have to be careful that the sump doesn't get forced off the brewing
>head whilst in operation. I've dismantled that bit of the machine to
>take a close look at the O-ring which seems to be in perfect
>condition. I suppose the problem has to be the O-ring: do you think it
>could be anything else?
>
>Nick

I use one like this and it makes good coffee.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/MaxMiuly-Cafetiere-Stainless-Double-French/dp/B0BM4C55ZG/ref=sr_1_3_sspa?crid=1TUXRV9F2QGN8&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.a4jresdatkFBpdDhwP6Vn_HbUdE35tu42C4lCwI0dvTSElKofyki-mt24EXJi1K-KIvWci4ihejGmMqrZ7U73eAbfrfijFFefTF1qwQZQLUSj5Hw-kiAmmd35odwvHJy1kO6tCCBTYb7EtDROhAvL0VYajaOzy8wawmVR3OL0Gj8AmzGoK6DzJRjv15hNZ88Hv3Fnsn8E5ySCG5nTZPdnSU4E6zsY3WFafwW3UVsUYoJX8RcqdzAW1AGecXySEU-4TdRTPZ8Bts92RMdjwh7hR2pmdOhC47tagy-OS5moKE.AcmcAP_QvGra6fHzPRZtXphg95oBe-xXwSN_Bte8fqU&dib_tag=se&keywords=cafetiere%2B4%2Bcup&qid=1711439176&sprefix=cafetiere%2Caps%2C103&sr=8-3-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&th=1

On 26/03/2024 00:25, Nick Odell wrote:
> On Sat, 23 Mar 2024 18:25:57 +0000, Sam Plusnet <not@home.com> wrote:
>
>> Whilst I am contemplating a new espresso machine.
>>
>
> I know... I know... In your mind's eye that Gaggia Classic is already
> on your kitchen worktop so you won't appreciate any "helpful"
> suggestions but here goes anyway.
>
If Nick's suggestions don;t work I can recommend the Lavazza il Modo Mio
machine. WE've had one for ages and so has Italian SoL.

I think there is still a special deal where you take a subscription out
and get the machine for £1, but I do;t know if your consumption will be
enough for it to make sense.

On 26-Mar-24 8:48, BrritSki wrote:
> On 26/03/2024 00:25, Nick Odell wrote:
>> On Sat, 23 Mar 2024 18:25:57 +0000, Sam Plusnet <not@home.com> wrote:
>>
>>> Whilst I am contemplating a new espresso machine.
>>>
>>
>> I know... I know... In your mind's eye that Gaggia Classic is already
>> on your kitchen worktop so you won't appreciate any "helpful"
>> suggestions but here goes anyway.
>>
> If Nick's suggestions don;t work I can recommend the Lavazza il Modo Mio
> machine. WE've had one for ages and so has Italian SoL.
>
> I think there is still a special deal where you take a subscription out
> and get the machine for £1, but I do;t know if your consumption will be
> enough for it to make sense.
>
I always been somewhat leery of capsule machines since you are
restricted to someone else's choice of coffee (and their prices).

That said, the Classic weighs more than three Lavazza A Modo Mio Jolie
and takes up a fair bit more space - and costs quite a bit more...

However, I've wanted a Classic for a couple of decades now and I've
finally invented a sufficient excuse to 'justify' buying one.

--
Sam Plusnet

On Tue, 26 Mar 2024 19:45:56 +0000, Sam Plusnet <not@home.com> wrote:

>On 26-Mar-24 8:48, BrritSki wrote:
>> On 26/03/2024 00:25, Nick Odell wrote:
>>> On Sat, 23 Mar 2024 18:25:57 +0000, Sam Plusnet <not@home.com> wrote:
>>>
>>>> Whilst I am contemplating a new espresso machine.
>>>>
>>>
>>> I know... I know... In your mind's eye that Gaggia Classic is already
>>> on your kitchen worktop so you won't appreciate any "helpful"
>>> suggestions but here goes anyway.
>>>
>> If Nick's suggestions don;t work I can recommend the Lavazza il Modo Mio
>> machine. WE've had one for ages and so has Italian SoL.
>>
>> I think there is still a special deal where you take a subscription out
>> and get the machine for £1, but I do;t know if your consumption will be
>> enough for it to make sense.
>>
>I always been somewhat leery of capsule machines since you are
>restricted to someone else's choice of coffee (and their prices).
>
>That said, the Classic weighs more than three Lavazza A Modo Mio Jolie
>and takes up a fair bit more space - and costs quite a bit more...
>
>However, I've wanted a Classic for a couple of decades now and I've
>finally invented a sufficient excuse to 'justify' buying one.

We were given a Nesspresso pod machine some years ago but I felt
guilty about the pods being bad for the environment, but not guilty
enough to do re-filling. Actually as I like very strong expresso with
hot milk the cafetiere makes coffee that suits me fine.

On 27/03/2024 08:02, Vicky wrote:
>
> We were given a Nesspresso pod machine some years ago but I felt
> guilty about the pods being bad for the environment,

The Lavazza pods can go in the recycling.

but not guilty
> enough to do re-filling. Actually as I like very strong expresso with
> hot milk the cafetiere makes coffee that suits me fine.
>
Cafetieres may make strong coffee that you like but it is not eSpresso.

On 27/03/2024 08:02, Vicky wrote:
> We were given a Nesspresso pod machine some years ago but I felt
> guilty about the pods being bad for the environment, but not guilty
> enough to do re-filling. Actually as I like very strong expresso with
> hot milk the cafetiere makes coffee that suits me fine.

I have a Tassimo machine(1) (and a 3-monthly subscription) which I love.
The pods are recyclable - put in the bags provided and sent free of
charge via Yodel.

(1) I lie - I actually have 2 Tassimo machines because I have one at my
sister's house as well as one at home.

--
Jenny M Benson
Wrexham, UK

On Wed, 27 Mar 2024 08:02:41 +0000, Vicky <vicky.ayech@gmail.com>
wrote:

>On Tue, 26 Mar 2024 19:45:56 +0000, Sam Plusnet <not@home.com> wrote:
>
>>On 26-Mar-24 8:48, BrritSki wrote:
>>> On 26/03/2024 00:25, Nick Odell wrote:
>>>> On Sat, 23 Mar 2024 18:25:57 +0000, Sam Plusnet <not@home.com> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> Whilst I am contemplating a new espresso machine.
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>> I know... I know... In your mind's eye that Gaggia Classic is already
>>>> on your kitchen worktop so you won't appreciate any "helpful"
>>>> suggestions but here goes anyway.
>>>>
>>> If Nick's suggestions don;t work I can recommend the Lavazza il Modo Mio
>>> machine. WE've had one for ages and so has Italian SoL.
>>>
>>> I think there is still a special deal where you take a subscription out
>>> and get the machine for £1, but I do;t know if your consumption will be
>>> enough for it to make sense.
>>>
>>I always been somewhat leery of capsule machines since you are
>>restricted to someone else's choice of coffee (and their prices).
>>
>>That said, the Classic weighs more than three Lavazza A Modo Mio Jolie
>>and takes up a fair bit more space - and costs quite a bit more...
>>
>>However, I've wanted a Classic for a couple of decades now and I've
>>finally invented a sufficient excuse to 'justify' buying one.
>
>We were given a Nesspresso pod machine some years ago but I felt
>guilty about the pods being bad for the environment, but not guilty
>enough to do re-filling. Actually as I like very strong expresso with
>hot milk the cafetiere makes coffee that suits me fine.

Liliana was given a Nespresso machine by her children this
Christmas[1] It's not so much the unrecyclability of the pods - the
local pod supplier takes back the used pods and recycles the materials
- but the boodily expensive cost of the pods in the first place. Even
third-party pods, which sometimes contain jolly nice coffee and
sometimes don't, cost a huge amount.

My DeLonghi, subject of an earlier post, processes ordinary ground
coffee but will also accept ESE pods. ESE pods are made of paper and
the whole, used pod can go straight to the compost heap. The only
thing that troubles me is that the foil used to individually wrap ESE
pods is not recyclable and it's quite hard to find them bulk packed.
Bought in quantity they are only slightly more expensive than using
good quality loose coffee so I tend to use either loose coffee or pods
depending on the situation.

Nick
[1]Which is quite amusing because I gave her a Dutch-made Technivorm
Moccamaster filter coffee machine and neither of us knew the other
were planning coffee-related gifts

On 27-Mar-24 17:17, Nick Odell wrote:
> [1]Which is quite amusing because I gave her a Dutch-made Technivorm
> Moccamaster filter coffee machine and neither of us knew the other
> were planning coffee-related gifts

Not coffee related, but when Wofe had a 'significant' birthday I bought
her a birdbath - I bought this somewhat in advance of her birthday.

In discussion, I discovered that the type of birdbath she actually
wanted was not the type I had bought.

Since the price wasn't too high, and we have a fair sized garden, I
bought one of those as well. After all, you can't have too many
birdbaths can you?

On her birthday we had afternoon tea with friends, and they had bought
her...
a birdbath.

--
Sam Plusnet