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Very good, Pigale!
Glad I was useful!
I noticed they have a section called "Amazon Pantry", too.
I am sure there will be lots of "goodies" there!
May appeal to lots of "ex-pats" living abroad.

Hi, Rusty!
I have done nothing whatsoever useful or productive with my day!
It is just "one of those days".
However, I have since spoken to our neighbour's son- in law , and he tells me the patient is quite bright and alert now, so that is a good omen.
So maybe things are looking up!
I have but forty pages left to read of Mr M's autobiography.
I am so far not changing my (somewhat shattered) opinion of him - unless he pulls something out of the woodwork in the last chapter, I find that I do not like him very much!
I do though like his books.......I shall read "Tales of the South Pacific" next.
How has your day been ?

Hello, Elle!
I thought you and Mr M were a match made in Heaven, too!
Some of his books are very good though.
Truman Capote was not up to much either, they say!
My day has been fine!
Especially since I discovered that Pope Leo XIII advertised Bovril!
Now, I never dreamt of that!

Hi, Rusty!
I have just watched "Eggheads"!
I like the two new additions to the team - they seem to fit in very well.
Knowledgeable, pleasant and unassuming!
Truman Capote.......other than his writing "Breakfast at Tiffany's", I know nothing about him?
All I can remember is Audrey Hepburn being in the film!
I am still adjusting to Ninian's having milk in bovril? I have asked him/ her about it but no reply!
How is the pup coming along?

Elle. Sorry for the delay in responding to the Bovril comments, every-thing a bit hectic at present. I think my dad was given milky Bovril whilst
in hospital and he introduced me to it over 60 years ago. I now dilute
the milk a little as I'm now resembling a hefty, mature Beltie! Rusty will
explain no doubt. A friend gave me a spoon embossed with "for Bovril
and Milk only", now less than pristine through usage but as yet I've not
been able to get Bovril to replace it.

Hello, Elle!
I have not watched Eggheads in ages.
It is a good prog, though.
I only know Capote through "In Cold Blood", about the murders of the Clutter family ,in Kansas, I think it was.
Many who met him said he was a very unpleasant man.
I have not tried Ninian's Bovril recipe either, but I am sure it is grand!
A good question about the pup!
I had better ask!
Miss ATW's flat is coming on well.
She sent me pics earlier today.

Hey, Rusty!
I have finally finished reading "The World is My Home."
Mr M partially redeems himself in his attitude to his mother, and her sisters and brothers, in the final chapter.
He shows genuine love and appreciation towards her.
And do you remember thinking that you had read at some point that "Jim" might truly be Mabel's son? This possibility does come up towards the end.
No positive conclusion is drawn, though.
( Now........I am puzzled by his saying that he wonders why "says" cannot be pronounced like "ways " and "days"?
Er...it is ...isn't it?)
He works nicely towards the end to include the title of the book in his closure.

On a lighter note....read Ninian's post...he /she thinks you will explain what a "beltie" is?
Do you have milk in your Bovril?

I'm glad that Miss ATW and your son are making good progress with the flat - is it a purpose built flat or a conversion?

Hello, Elle,
The flat is in old property beside a disused railway line.
So, I think the answer is "purpose built", is it?
I am glad you and Mr M are pally again!
"Says" can be pronounced "sez", by me anyway!
Is that what he means?
No, it is only a suggestion that Mabel is his mother, but he "sez" he was the only one to get the "Michener" name, so....
Now, what else...?
Ah, yes, I think Ninian's "beltie" is a breed of cattle.
The Belted Galloway.
It is a black beast with a broad white "belt" around it's middle.
No, I do not put milk in my Bovril.
I did not know that some folk did!
Do you?
I am sure it will taste fine, though!
Have the "little folk" been in admiring the "fairy lights" on your tree?

Hello, Ninian!
There are several Bovril spoons on eBay.
One is a "Bovril and milk" spoon!
Hope this is of interest to you!

Hi, Rusty!
Here, "purpose -built" means built as such....so a flat would have originally been built as a flat.
"Conversions" are usually a different function of property then made into flats.
For instance, a large old house - probably in the "olden days" used for a large family, with servants' quarters (attics and cellars/ basements) - would be made ("converted") into separate individual flats.
Warehouses along the River Thames are being converted into penthouse apartments / loft flats /and luxury flat accommodation, and studios.
Does that help?
I have never heard "says" pronounced as "sez"?
But that may be what Mr. M means, as he queries why the word is pronounced as "saze"?
No, I don't put milk in my bovril drink...but then I drink my coffee black, too!
I don't know about visitation from the little folk....but since Mr Jingles left for your place, his twin brother seems to have moved in.....