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Hi,Rrusty!
We had a nice walk this afternoon!
Did you get out again, or hasn't your weather been fit for walking?
I still haven't see any swans on the lake - or other than Lassie in the nest!
A "London Particular" is a thick fog........another name for London fog is a "pea souper"!
I haven't come across "All Lombard Street to a china orange" before?
But I'm guessing it's staking huge odds (from the wealth of banking?) against very short odds ( a puny little orange)?
I watched Eggheads earlier and learned a couple of interesting - albeit utterly useless - facts!
"Fitch" is the fur from a polecat.
And "The Greaze" is apparently a fight by students over a pancake tossed in midair.
There...... how about that for some utterly irrelevant info!
I don't understand about Nina's horse being relegated to no 42?
Does this mean that a further horse has been entered to race that ranks above Nina's horse?

P.S. I thought that you had that book "Spilling the Beans on the Cat's Pyjamas"?
I'm (fairly) sure I remember your telling me about it?



Hello, Pigale!
Thank you for that information!
I 'd also found a reference to Aphra Benn and "as sick as a parrot" in MY Brewers!
Rusty's must be a different edition from mine.
The Brewers do vary quite a bit.
I have two volumes........a very old one and then my present 18th edition.

Hello, Elle!
I do not recall having that book.
Are you sure I had it?
The swans are on the "loch", not "lake"!
They are Scottish swans!
Number 42.
A horse who was lower down the list has been promoted, and I do not know why.
On Thursday they will name the 40 runners plus 4 reserves.
I am still hopeful Nina gets in.
I know "fitch" but not the other word.

Hi, Rusty!
My apologies to the swans! A mere (sorry, couldn't resist!) slip of the tongue!
If I were a betting person , I would lay odds on your having the book!
Maybe you could have a look for it - just to satisfy both of us?!
You know how you save up books to read ...it might be awaiting its turn somewhere!
Speaking of books........ younger daughter has asked me what I want for my birthday (next Tuesday) and I am wondering whether to ask for an Amazon voucher (better value for money) or for a book token (or card, as they are these days.)
I rather like the idea of a visit to Waterstones!
It's so much more satisfying than browsing Amazon.
Time for a coffee......and a read of my book.......

I may be wrong but I think that Chris mentioned the book on the Forum - and I subsequently purchased it. But of course I may be wrong ! it definitely was a regular member of the PCT who first mentioned it; probably a year or so ago !

Hello, Elle!
I shall have a wee look tomorrow.
My phone is red hot just now.
The young ones are sending me details of the football match they were at in town tonight!
I think your daughter would like the idea of her mother browsing in Waterstones with a book token rather than soulless searching of Amazon?

Hello, Pigale,
Maybe it was Chris?
I do not remember having it anyway.
Wonder when the first egg will be laid?

Hi, Rusty!
Yes, have a look tomorrow! Humour me!
It was quite a long time ago - but I am sure I can "hear" your telling me about buying it!
Which football match would that be that the girls were watching? Do they support a local team?
I shall run the book options by daughter when I see her tomorrow - we are meeting up for lunch!
I think we shall go to Bromley, as that is midway for both of us.
Baby will of course be there, but not BB as he will be at pre-school.
I am looking forward to it!

Just heard an intriguing titbit I'd like to share. The first marriage of Ralph Vaughan-Williams was officiated by the Dr. Spooner!

Hello Chris,

I have just googled Dr Spooner and discovered they were several - Do you think that the 'The' is meant to indicate that it was the Dr Spooner who was famous for his 'spoonerisms' ?

Good afternoon, Elle!
No book.
I got rid of many prior to redecorating my home though.
I only have around 70 now.
The young ones support one of the local sides and also our ice-hockey team.
So, I get updates about the games from them.
It is a fine day here and I am off for a dander.

Hi pigale
That's what the announcer said - "he of well-boiled icicles fame".

It was "composer of the week" on BBC radio3 - available on the BBC iPLayer.