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Yes, I have an earworm too, "Galway Bay". It was enough to make me visit there!
It's sad about your house, Elle. My son has an 1880s manse in Wales, which still has the lovely cornices and ceiling roses. And huge draughty bay windows, of course! I still have all my 1930s doors (though not window frames) and even a picture rail!

Are there internal shutters in those period houses? My Aunt in Oxfordshire had a big old house with big bay windows and there were internal shutters - but I don't think the house was as old as the Victorian era.

Internal shutters were commoner in the 18th century ,but survived into the 19th up to about the 1860s, after which people preferred curtains. Because they could have a device to stop the fixing bar being lifted they provided security especially for those with no front gardens, as well as insulation.

Oxford has some surviving external shutters (no mention of internal ones) according to my book on period fixtures and fittings. Curiously, another book called "A Lust for Window Sills" (which is kosher and not an odd form of deviation!) does not even mention shutters.

Well, perhaps that lovely house was older than I thought. I was young at the time (early to late teens) and did not look into the matter at the time; and then after that, my Aunt had moved to Dorset.

Hi, Rusty!
I do not think that we have any ghosts! although it is a common thought that Victorian houses especially do have ghosts.
Shades of the Bates Motel in Psycho - wasn't that a Victorian building? It was certainly scary!
I think it's nice to stay in the family home.........providing, of course, that circumstances permit one to do so.
Are you still living where you brought up your boys, then?
Your painter sounds to be very reliable - you were lucky to find him. All too often these days workmen sadly do not come when they have promised.
We, too, are lucky in that respect as we are very friendly with our local builders/ decorators, and they are excellent.
We still need to organise new carpets and possibly repaint one of the bedrooms.
Usually , we do it ourselves (the decorating, not the re-carpeting!)
We shall see.........
How is your cold?

Hello, Elle!
I have heard of Psycho but seen the picture.
Yes, this was/is home for my and my boys.
My painter is fairly dependable and works quickly and I like that. These two rooms will be getting new carpets and blinds too, and I know who to get them from. All local lads.
Keep the money in the community!
Cold is going...slowly!
My son just told me they are having a week away soon and my two granddaughters are in charge of me until they come back.
That is going to be a hoot!
I have just finished my book on Mildred Harnack and the Red Orchestra. Was a good read but the subject matter was very heart-rending. But...my choice!

Hi, Rusty!
Like us, you are staying in your family home then. That is good, I think.
I like the feeling of continuity that it gives.
There may be a necessity for us to downsize one day, but meanwhile I like the fact that we have enough bedrooms to accommodate everyone when they come to stay. It is only our elder daughter and her family who need to sleep here (the others live locally) - plus of course any other family members or friends who come to visit us.
I am sure that Miss L-B and Miss Orlando will look after you very well whilst your son and daughter- in law are away!
They may spoil you and take you out for bacon rolls! (you haven't been for a while?)
Speaking of going out........tomorrow I am going up to London to meet my friend, Sue (the one from Tewin in Herts, whom I meet up with once a month)
We are going to see an Art exhibition - "Painting the Modern Garden: Monet to Matisse" - at the Royal Academy of Art.
We are both very keen on Impressionism and Post Impressionism , so should greatly enjoy this.
I don't know about Mildred Harnack? but I 'm thinking Resistance movement against Hitler?

Hello, Elle!
I agree, Elle, about the family home.
Memories everywhere. I shall resist leaving.
Well, I am not too sure about those two girls.
They recently put their dog on a diet and hope they will not try the same with me!
Going to have to rethink the Pine Cone thing.
The girls are at Uni or working now, so it is difficult.
Hope you and Sue have a good time.
I have been to Hemel Hempstead and St Albans in my youth!
Mildred Fish-Harnack was a literary historian from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She married a German, lived in Germany and was a member of the Resistance movement, the Red Orchestra.
The Gestapo hanged her husband and they guillotined Mildred shortly after. Dreadful times!
I believe in Wisconsin the schools have a Mildred Harnack Day each year.

Hi, Rusty!
Thank you, yes, I am sure that we will have a good day!
I am very much looking forward to it!
We have heard of a good curry restaurant near Piccadilly, so may try that for lunch afterwards.
It is but a brisk walk away from the Royal Academy.
I shall be out all the day tomorrow........dog walk first, then a quick change out of dog walking gear, and then straight off up to London.
Talk later in the day........ I should be back early evening.
I hope your cold is much better tomorrow!

Good evening, Rusty!
How are you feeling ? Is your cold any better?
I have had a very enjoyable day. The Art exhibition was wonderful!
If anyone is thinking of going, I would definitely recommend doing so.
The only criticism I would offer is that it was overcrowded with viewers.
An effective timed entry would have worked better, as it was difficult to see, and read about, the exhibits because of the crush of bodies.
We strolled up to Regent Street afterwards and went to a restaurant famed for its salads. We had a most healthy lunch!
Have you been feeling up to going out today?