And what a week it has been. I cannot believe it is summer! Longest day just a few days ago and nothing but rain. IOW Festival with mud to rival Glastonbury. Will 'T in the Park' fare any better?
Nearer at hand, I was photographing seals on Wednesday - it didn't seem to bother them, but lying down amongst the wet coastal grasses was not so enjoyable But worth the pictures).
Of course though, you can take your mind off all that nastiness by taking part in our two weekend guessing games. Yes, TWO of them!
Think of a word that when added to a declared word will make either a new word or a well-known phrase (not a person's name).
Four such pairings are sought in each version of the game.
In the KM Version of the game, the four given words come from Kate Mepham's GK Crossword in the Saturday Telegraph. They will be posted in Q&P early on Saturday morning by seekeerz. Play anytime before midnight Sunday when the Monday Herculis crossword will provide the sought-after answers. Points awarded are 1, 3, 6 or 10 points for 1, 2, 3 or 4 correct matches.
The MM version (named after Kate's late father) is our own bit of fun set by one of the AB players (on a monthly basis). This month you are being challenged by deecee131, who for the purposes of this game has assumed the guise of 'Don Corleone'.
His four challenge words will be revealed in Q&P at 9am precisely (with an introduction 15 minutes earlier). You will have until the results are posted at 7pm Sunday to post your guessed link-words. Early play is advised because a different scoring method is applied. All correct guesses score 1 point. If you are first to discover a correct link, or within 2 minutes of that first discovery, then you will be given a bonus point. If you correctly guess all four links, then you get a further 2-point bonus.
The Shrubbery' is now open for the usual Friday-night socialising and frivolity.
Please tread carefully because the ground is still waterlogged.
Enjoy yourselves and don't overindulge on intoxicating substances.
I agree, Gen2; I don't easily get depressed, but this almost constant rain and wind is not nice. However, a little ray of sunshine on Saturday mornings does help - even if I do have to juggle link-guessing with rushing out to bring in the washing as the heavens open again!
Evening all. Just got back from a week in Yorkshire. Miraculously we didn't get too wet. We had 5 dry days out of 6, two were even sunny! Can't complain I suppose, but this rain is relentless....even for Manchester!
Welcome home, Pauline. I hope you're feeling better after your break.
It nearly broke my heart when, at the end of last summer, ill health persuaded me to sell my boat. Based in the Walton Backwaters on the Essex-Suffolk border, I had hoped to spend the rest of my summers dreamily sailing up and down the rivers Stour, Orwell, Deben and Ore/Alde. This summer I find myself really pleased to have escaped the misery of a cold, damp floating hutch, listening to the howling of the wind
Aq, I know what you mean.
I can remember from nearly 50 years ago being stuck, stormbound, in a yacht at Gosport with the wind screaming through the shrouds and the halyards slatting against the mast with condensation dripping of the roof of the cabin.
Misery only alleviated by frequent rowings ashore to the comforts of a warm pub albeit the visits restricted by the, then, licensing hours!
Sorry about your exhaustion, Pauline, and I was just going to offer you a drink on me ... Never mind, there might be another occasion one day if I'm feeling generous. Cheers, anyway