Gave in and got telly

[Flyfisher]

You could think about one of those whizzy arangements where the screen rises automatically out of some hidden recess.
http://www.activateddecor.com/

Not sure about that under-bed version though. :shock:

 

[Gareth Hughes]

It's OK Jose, our local paper is advertising just what you need - For Sale, antique, solid wood TV cabinet. Now I wonder if that was for Georgian or Victorian TVs? Anyway, you can just pop it in there, and never need to look at it again.

Still just occasionally there is something worth watching and I'm hoping that tonight's new series on BBC Four with Michael Wood exploring the history of a village in Leicestershire might be good.

The Michael Wood was excellent and part 1 is now available on iplayer
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00tw231/Michael_Woods_Story_of_England_Romans_to_Normans/
I hope that, when the whole series has been shown, it will encourage people to understand what everyone here knows - that history is made by the little people, even if they are responding to the big peoples' demands. And that the results of that are to be seen and enjoyed everywhere, not just at the grand spots on the tourist map.
Also worth catching up with, if you can find the time between lime plastering in the early frosts, and choosing the best thermals for the new season, are "Churches - how to read them"
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/search?q=churches how to read them
and "People's Palaces" about Victorian civic buildings (only a couple of days left for this one - it goes offline on Saturday, and the first episode, on the Georgians and early Victorians is already no longer available).
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episod...Age_of_Civic_Architecture_The_Gothic_Revival/
Don't be put off by its presenter having also done the rather more "oh, wow! look at that!" climbing up old buildings shows that are currently on BBC2 at 6.30 on weekday evenings - this is much better.

 

[FamilyWiggs]

The Michael Wood was excellent and part 1 is now available on iplayer

Agreed - an exciting story. Looking forward to part 2.

It was great to hear Old English being spoken - not surprisingly it sounds a bit germanic. As a teenager I once tried to learn OE from a book because I thought it would be cool to read Beowulf in the original. I gave up when I discovered how complex the grammar was - it has 19 different forms of the word "the" or something! I'm sure we have some OE buffs amongst us though?

 

[JoceAndChris]

Years ago I could read OE, and have delicious memories of little Sally Mapstone, mediaeval expert, curled in her massive white armchair in her beautiful room at St Hilda's, with her mellifluous tones making those knotty, violent sounds appear the most musical and enchanting of languages.

I really love Anglo Saxon literature, and the bejewelled artefacts remaining are SO much more interesting when you've dipped into Gawain, or Pearl, and learned about their treasure culture.

But I'm preaching to the converted here.

 

[JoceAndChris]

The Michael Wood programme was excellent - he really is quite a dish!

And I'm taking a leaf out of the Roman ladies' book, and in future will wear a tunic (over the thermals) with a girdle that has my great bunch of keys on it. Not only will this tell all passers by that I am a woman of status and property, but also will avoid what happened yesterday, when I found myself locked out of the house. I had to break a wobbly pane to get in. :roll:

 

[philpjuk100]

Yes great program,Joce,bury a spare key in the garden in a poly box or bottle,it may save broken glass and in many years time may be dug up by folks doing a telly program!phil. Do not tell ANYONE where it is! do not post its location on this forum!

 

[vicky whitworth]

Vaguely sort of in the same vain (or perhaps I'm hijacking the thread) does anyone out there spin - as in spinning wheel? I've just got an old wheel and am trying to learn. My neighbour makes it look effortless. I am using a lot of Anglo Saxon words, and make spagetti. Any advice? It's made me appreciate just how much effort goes in from fleece to jumper.

 

[Feltwell]

will avoid what happened yesterday, when I found myself locked out of the house. I had to break a wobbly pane to get in. :roll:

I got fed up of "I've locked myself out" phone calls from Mrs F (Ok - only twice - but both times highly inconvenient to have to drop everythig and rush home!) so I bought one of these.

http://www.screwfix.com/prods/77908...ation-Key-Cabinets/5-Key-Combination-Key-Safe

It is fastened to a wall now, quite well concealed. Even if someone did find it though it would be very very difficult to open, certainly more difficult than breaking into the house! It has been used a few times by Mrs F (in her defence - a heavily pregnant and rather distracted Mrs F!), but has also found an unexpected use for visitors - if family or friends turn up early and you're out, they've called me and I've told them where the box is and what the combination is so they can let themselves into the the house.

 

[Flyfisher]

bury a spare key in the garden in a poly box or bottle,

Or use something like this ?

 

[JoceAndChris]

Wonderful ideas chaps! I must sort that out. I'm the kind of girl who forgets her keys, leaves handbags in the garden centre, coats in the cafe..

Vicky, don't worry about hijacking the thread, but I don't know any weavers!

 

[Moo]

Vaguely sort of in the same vain (or perhaps I'm hijacking the thread) does anyone out there spin - as in spinning wheel? I've just got an old wheel and am trying to learn. My neighbour makes it look effortless. I am using a lot of Anglo Saxon words, and make spagetti. Any advice? It's made me appreciate just how much effort goes in from fleece to jumper.

In my 'umble opinion there's very little point in aspiring to perfect, regular yarn. These days they have factories with machines that do it perfectly (and cheaply). Much more interesting is the lumpy, irregular yarn that costs a fortune to buy ready-made.



(and if you colour the yarns yourself with vegetable dyes and a variety of mordants, the results are quite magical)

 

[Penners]

In my 'umble opinion there's very little point in aspiring to perfect, regular yarn. These days they have factories with machines that do it perfectly (and cheaply).

What's more, they have factories with machines that will turn that factory-made yard into wonderful garments for you - and all without your having to utter a single Anglo Saxon word.

This will, of course, leave you with a dearth of spaghetti. But there are factories for that , too.