The view from our bedroom...spring has sprung
This week the people vote for our county councillor representative and two Trelawnyd-ites are up for election.
I know them both.
Helen Papworth, a quietly spoken woman who lives down our lane, is a writer and illustrator. David Ellis has been a stalwart of the village infrastructure for many years. I am sure both would hold the village and its population as their priority if they were elected, so in the similar way that the BBC is publicly impartial in such matters I shall keep my thoughts on who would be the better choice to myself.
I used to be on the community council myself, but that was in the days that The Red Faced Welsh Farmer was alive and very much kicking. Then the community council meetings were an entertaining bunfights with TRFWF throwing conspiracy theory after conspiracy theory at the harassed Chair with much shouting and a twinkle in his eye. It was worth sitting through the dross just to watch him perform!
Alas things are much more professional now.
I was talking about the local elections to a nameless villager only yesterday.
He said he wasn't voting at all, claiming all councillors to be " a shower of shits"
We all have an opinion.
I bumped into Affable Despot Jason yesterday too. It's springtime and he's out of his usual hibernation, so much so that he's started a new cycling fitness regime. "I'm up to 50 miles " he told me proudly, tossing his floppy hair and flexing his muscles like Gaston from Beauty And The Beast.
" It's a mid life crisis" despot wife Claire chuckled as she got into her car
New blog character " Tinkering Pete" waved as I passed and asked me a question on The Walking Dead. He was hoovering and cleaning the inside of his ice blue vintage Jaguar, ( something he does every day of the week- hence the nickname)
His beloved car will be entered into the local car show at the end of the month,the very successful car show which is organised by my brother in law Tim! See
http://prestatyncarshow.blogspot.co.uk
Mrs Trellis was practising her piano when I turned the dogs for home, I think she was performing ragtime which seemed a little incongruous to me, I wondered idly who she would be voting for in the elections?
I know this is a bit off-topic, but I am getting a bit worried about your dirth of comments. What's going on?
ReplyDeleteOh hang on - it's only been up for a few minutes...
DeleteI cant be interesting all of the time
DeleteWhat's going on you ask, Tom.
DeleteI don't think John's "numbers" will fall much. Yet there may be some of his readers who will wonder how "nice" a guy he really is.
He lets people (well, Millicent) slander me as "Ursula aka Petra" and when I reply, and in no way offensively, he deletes my reply and let's the likes of Millicent's stand. That ain't cricket. John knows that Petra and I are not one and the same. Yet he makes it look just so.
It takes a lot for me to lose respect for someone. John, and who'd have thunk it, has achieved just that.
U
Ive never pretended to be nice or fair ursula...i am just me...
DeleteI am my own special creation!
I find it interesting that your blog is titled "bitchontheblog", and yet you are so sensitive about being criticized for being critical ?
DeleteEvery time I see your name, Ursula, I reach for the 'delete' button in the same way my foot goes for a phantom brake-pedal in a car when I am in the passenger seat of a looney, humourless driver. Then I realise that I am not in the same car as you - thank fuck.
DeleteUrsula, I know that you are not Petra or Miamore or anyone other than yourself. But John has asked you over on your blog not to comment anymore on Going Gently. You said that you wouldn't. But here you are. You are not stupid. How you misjudge John is incomprehensible to me.
DeleteJan, my blog's name is meant ironic. The reason it came about is a short story but possibly too long to relate here. You say I am "sensitive". Problem is, Jan, I am NOT. Which is why I am continually baffled at how tender some people (by which I don't necessarily mean John) are. Criticize me all you like. But be fair about it. To insinuate that I am someone I am not and then deny me to put the record straight is not fair.
DeleteTom, the way you have treated me is beyond contempt. "Every time [you] see [my] name" you reach for the delete button. That's the problem, Tom: You are on autopilot.
Iris, hi. You are right: I popped up again like the proverbial despite what I said. Yet, if you have any sense of fairness I am sure the reason why I did so is evident.
I haven't misjudged John. I am very fond of him. Have "known" him for years. I think of him as one of life's good guys; and, admittedly and silly of me, occasionally I am surprised when John is not always Mr Nice Guy and I find myself disagreeing with. That's just me being naive.
There is a big fat problem with commenting on blogs, Iris. Namely that it's largely based on trust. Just because I don't agree with someone, just because I challenge a view, just because I dare to differ, doesn't mean I am attacking the person I am addressing. Neither should it make me an outcast. Add in some cultural differences. I come from a country which, in their communications, are outspoken to the ouch factor. Since living in England I have toned it down, considerably. Or at least tried to. Though, in all fairness, and maybe this will make you smile, even some of my country men remark on my ability to cut through the crap in, yes, a sometimes scathing manner. An observation I most definitely have taken on board. Trouble is, and this is rather amusing, that half the time, no most of the time, I have no idea why someone takes offence. It's a mystery to me. I wish no one harm or ill, my intent is never that to hurt; but I am a sucker for discussion and, yes, the odd dig in the ribs to provoke thought and a response. I will also freely admit that, by way of example, I did ridicule Tom. But instead of parrying, and with some elegance like a good fencer would, he goes for the chop and a not to be lifted sulk. Never mind. Some people have finesse, others have clay.
U
John, thanks for letting me "stand" on this occasion.
DeleteIndeed, you are you - and a fine specimen you are.
U
And so it goes on.
DeleteUrsula , i welcome comments from all, including you, but unfortunately, for some reason you choose to constantly argue and disagree with people .
DeleteMy mother once said to me " pick your fights...dont battle everything and everyone" as she was right...to exhausing to do and exhausing to watch.
This is my blog, its not a forum for arguement., stay and comment but do so positively with an ofcassional debate for sure. But if you want to ague every point, well then please dont bother
Ursula, I am German, as well. Of course, there are cultural differences. You say that Germans are outspoken to the ouch factor. I do not think that this is the case. I do not attribute your abrasiveness to your nationality. A couple of days ago John asked you not to comment on his blog. His blog, his turf and, therefore his terms. But he has addressed this himself in his comment above. Please respect his request.
DeleteVOTE FOR TRELLIS!
ReplyDeleteSHE'S BETTER THAN ELLIS!
IF YOU'RE A FELON
VOTE FOR HELEN!
VOTE FOR THE FAMOUS BLOGGER JOHN GRAY
PRETTIER BY FAR THAN THERESA MAY!
Good!
DeleteYAYZ, YP! hell, ANYBODY is better looking than theresa may (and our donald dump).
DeleteIf those two had had kids together the poor little devils would have had to always wear brown paper bags with little eye holes.
DeleteOr white pointed hoods with eyeholes?
DeleteVery good !!
DeleteA shower of shits. I love that; and your deadpan response.
ReplyDeleteI love the thought of Mrs Trellis playing ragtime.
ReplyDeleteYes, its a bit like hearing a nun swear
DeleteLOL, both of which I would love to be there to hear it .
Deleteaffable despot jason can flex his muscles on your blog any time (rawr). and I would love to see a pix of the vintage jag.
ReplyDeleteI'll get a photo of him on his bike, just for you
Delete"BBC . . . impartial"
ReplyDeleteSince when?
BBC Wales might be but BBC World - that's another story.
ReplyDeleteIm an optimist
DeleteI don't care how impartial they are, I would rather listen to/see the news from BBC than local US .. or even "World News" which is sort of nonsensical.
DeleteI was watching BBC yesterday and they showed riots and protesters and various things on fire in Venezuela and the caption to the images being shown read 'Protests in Russia.' The BBC is so obsessed with debunking Russia they have literally lost the plot.
DeleteI stay way out of discussions on politics but I'll pass a comment on the view from your window....it looks like something out of a fairy tale...I love it.
ReplyDeleteI agree ... it is the sort of sight that I would expect if I were to visit that part of the world .
DeleteWhen an election offers a poor choice, I still vote for one of them, then I have the right to say I voted for or against him or her, and I was hoping for better. You should get into politics after your retirement.
ReplyDeleteWhat do you do when the choice is hopeless ... neither one should have ever been nominated in the first place ... ?
DeleteI agree . . .
ReplyDeleteWindow view from the bedroom "sprung my spring!"
Oh my . . .
that is a storybook view you have! just gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteYour window view Is a lovely springtime picture. I can now picture you and the dogs walking up that path.
ReplyDeleteTinkering Pete sounds like a good blog addition. My sister meets all kinds of strange people. Her latest one is 'inappropriate blind man.' :)
ReplyDeleteDo tell!
DeleteInappropriate blind man holds on just that little bit too tight and a little too close the body, asks if you're married, tells you to ignore your husband and give you a great big kiss on the lips when you have taken him wherever he is going!
DeleteLOL, Simone, I know that type ! Mine wasn't blind, but hard of hearing and needed a cane. I asked my husband, what is it about me ???
DeleteHappy May Day!
ReplyDeleteThe view from your window is great, and so is your reporting on what's going on around the village.
Are there any burning issues in the upcoming election besides taxes?
xo
No pavement outside the crown pub, that always gets the locals pissed
DeleteHmmm..a shower of shits. I like it. That describes what going on perfectly in our White House today in the good ole' U.S. of A. Unfortunately we'll be dealing this shower for the 4 years.
ReplyDeleteLovely view - and no hedges to cut - wish we had stone walls here except we only have flints in suffolk and they are too small for wall building so stuck with hedges that need cutting.
ReplyDeleteMy field does have a hedge further down..it takes about 4 minutes for the local farmer to cut it for me at a cost of 20 quid!
DeleteIt's a wonder that with your impending retirement, nobody has approached you with a view to re-entering the fray.
ReplyDeleteThe canvassers rarely come down our street. Maybe that's because a) we're a cul de sac off a turning off a dead end, b) we're on the very edge of the constituency and nobody's certain exactly where the start and end are, or c) they know I live here, and don't fancy their chances debating with someone who scraped an O level in Government & Politics over 30 years ago.
The view from your bedroom is bittersweet - the U. Village looks like a ghost town. I don't suppose it will ever be restored to its former glory with ducks, chickens, and geese ... That chapter seems to be over. :-(
ReplyDeleteCan you see the batchelor cockerels? Sat on the roof!
DeleteI see them :)
DeleteWhat a beautiful view from your window.
ReplyDeleteIt is May Day here, isn't this the day the Russians roll out the tanks for a parade ?
ReplyDeleteI remember it as a day that children used to put small paper baskets of flowers on peoples doorknobs.
Love the view out your window. So very lovely. Do you have some local wildflower growing in your lawn ? It looks very charming in your photo.
Like @S.J. Qualis I miss all your stories of the crazy U. Village. I did see the 3 white chickens on the roof so funny. Time to close that chapter.
cheers, parsnip
You are a lucky couple to have that view out your window! It's beautiful. And I realize it's hard work as well as luck. Those plants don't just look after themselves.
ReplyDeletePolitics ... I have gotten so cynical over the last year due to local issues. Now it extends to provincial and federal. I don't trust anyone anymore.
I'm telling you, between the lovely picture out your window and the post itself....I keep thinking the Vicar of Dibley.
ReplyDeleteGim as large as dawn french
DeleteNot sure what "Gim " was meant to be unless it is I'm ? and then I would say you have that thing- body dysmorphia ?
Deleteyou know, when you are really normal looking but you see yourself as very fat ..
Dawn is looking pretty good these days..she has slimmed down heaps. Could be a pin up for the 'fat club'😆
DeleteThe goings on of a small town. :) I am so in love with your stone wall,John. Such a nice view.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful view, John. Happy May Day!
ReplyDeleteIf they don't make 'Trelawnyd - The Movie' soon, I.am.going.to.die.
ReplyDeleteIve always said russell crowe will play me
DeleteDoes he know about it yet?
DeleteThat would work..you have nice eyes too..when they are not red eyed & bleary from night shifts
DeleteGood choice but how will he look in crocs and baggy sports pants.
ReplyDeleteMagnificent millicent
DeleteXoxo
DeleteXoxo
DeleteBeautiful view! You have a lovely garden (what we would call a "back yard" instead). I take it that's the "Ukrainian Village" across the back lane? It looks great too.
ReplyDeleteI want your bedroom!
ReplyDeleteI'm watching a cultural prog on BEEB Four about Amsterdam and hankering after a big fat joint! That's my alter-ego talking, by the way, in real life, I'm sooooo boring!If I were to look out of your window each morning I'd want to start singing 'How are things in Glockamorra'! Just perfect.
ReplyDeleteI am so jealous of your view. Nothing like it here on the wild prairie of Canada. You truly are blessed.
ReplyDeleteOh John, your view is so peaceful and lovely.
ReplyDeleteWe should all post photos of our views to compare ... no ... no need .. you won without doubt.
ReplyDeleteIt s sad to see the Ukrainian Village empty and abandoned now.
ReplyDeleteThe batchelors still live there!
ReplyDeleteLovely round up of village characters. We have a " Tinkering Pete " I call him Perfect Peter. Perfect Peter cuts the hedges with precision then sweeps the clippings on his path & the pavement until not once single leaf remains. He even sweeps the pavement outside his neighbours' houses when they cut their hedges !
ReplyDeleteAs a Scarborough born girl, I just love Yorkshire Pudding's response.
ReplyDeleteTrelawnyd, the way you describe it, is better than Lake Wobegon.
ReplyDelete