Friendly Mr and Mrs C
There has been much debate here on the ethics of the occasional blog stalker.
Looney tunes? Possible obsessive behaviour? Bunny boilers? Potential friends?
You can look at it from both sides of the spectrum , but it must be odd to regularly read about the generally banal and occasionally amusing life of a scruffy Welsh homosexual without feeling that you perhaps know him in one small way.
A one way friendship so to speak.
This morning one such stalker appeared baring gifts
One glimpse of a Waitrose scotch egg, settled any worries about a potential bunny boiler.
People that are mad as badgers don't shop at Waitrose!
As it turned out my main stalker was Mrs C. Mr C was friendly and affable as could be, but he didn't really know me from Adam, yet over a cup of tea and Mary continually throwing herself into his arms, he good naturedly joined in with his wife's friend. A friend she had never met before.
I was glad to hear that I don't bore Mrs C. And it was nice for her to see that the village I talk about with do much colour actually exists.
They seemed tickled that Trendy Carol floated past the lane window as we sat there.
She was wearing something delicious and sported a straw sun hat.
I wondered if it was possibly like someone going to Disneyland for the first time and bumping into a plastic looking Micky Mouse and being disappointed ?
For me , I enjoyed their visit...
I was flattered
Lunch
Note the Basil and tomatos, my nod to healthy eating!
How lovely! Hello Mr and Mrs C. Lucky you meeting our friend in person ! ( and the dogs)
ReplyDeleteWell they may have found me a right old wanker!
DeleteWhat a lovely surprise! I hope you ate your scotch egg 'garnish'! I think you could open the cottage as a guesthouse John. Now that would be an adventure for you (and for us too!) x
ReplyDeleteNow there's a thought!
DeleteYes!!! That would be awesome! Turn your cottage into a Bed and Breakfast and watch how hordes of your loyal followers come to stay! Maybe that should be your post-retirement job....
DeleteThey sound fun. I once had a visit from a couple on bikes. They asked if I was Cro, then said they would have recognised Haddock's anywhere. The bastards didn't bring any Pork Pies, or even Scotch Eggs.
ReplyDeleteBastards!
DeleteStalkers that bring treats are always welcome....and Mary liked them....so you know they were okay. Now if Albert liked them, it would be safe to ask them to live with you.
ReplyDeleteThey brought cocktail sausages for the dogs oo
DeleteAll stalkers please bring me cookies if you find me! Lol. I highly doubt anyone would be disappointed meeting you John. :)
ReplyDeleteI planted basil in the garden for the first time, fresh basil is fantastic, I put it in everything now.
Have you ever eaten a quality scotch egg Steven? If not.......do give it a go...sublime
DeleteI've met several blogging buddies over the years and it has always been a delightful experience!
ReplyDeleteAnd they, I am sure has said the same thing Debra x
DeleteMy son makes Scotch eggs, but as of yet, I've not tasted them because he lives in California and I'm on the other side of the country in Georgia. He always sends pics and his family seem to enjoy them! I've met a few bloggers, but we've always ended up having a drink after a walking tour of the Historic District here in Savannah. They do pay for the drinks, so I'm guessing that's as good as a food gift! ;) Your blog is always fun to read! xox
ReplyDeleteOr it might be like discovering the Wizard of Oz is just an ordinary middle-aged bloke. As for your lunch, clearly nouvelle cuisine at its finest!
ReplyDeleteI think its wonderful.
ReplyDeleteThe Boy Scout and I are planning a trip to Paris in September and he said, "You know, John is just a hop skip and a jump away. We could make it a two day trip." I laughed at him because it seemed stalkish to me too.
How lovely. At least you are well disposed to your "stalkers". Which is more than can be said for one of your blogging friends and his fevered imagination.
ReplyDeleteHaving been certified a few times among your circle I am most gratified to learn that you don't think people who shop at Waitrose "mad as badgers". Unlike one of your other friends who tends to shop at Marks and Spencer. If I knew how to strike that last sentence with those horizontal thingies I would have done so to make it "humourous". Not that I don't shop in M&S. Their prawns and other goods are eyewateringly remarkable. First at the check out, later in the pan.
Should I ever catch up with you in person, and nothing is too good for you for me, you'll get the real thing (Scotch egg) made by my own fair hands. They are one of the many reasons father-of-son was reluctant for us to divorce.
Best to Albert, Basil and Isle of Wight tomato greetings,
U
How delightful. I have met several blog friends in person - always great fun. We could hold the John Gray festival, people would come from far and wide to meet you.
ReplyDeletelike meeeeeeeeee! and my spouse! :)
DeleteAs I read your post, I kept wondering what a "scotch" egg was so I looked it up! In the USA where I live, I have never encountered a scotch egg.
ReplyDeleteYou haven't lived they are one of life's pleasures
DeleteI've not had any stalkers but I have met 3 people whose blogs I read and who read mine and it was just like meeting an old friend.
ReplyDeleteSweet
DeleteI want to meet some of my blog friends...and you, John, are at the top of the list!
ReplyDeleteAm always here at the moment
DeleteSending you a virtual scotch egg, John :)
ReplyDeleteOne of those posh ones with the runny yolk.
Bloody lovely
ReplyDeleteSending you a virtual scotch egg, John :)
ReplyDeleteOne of those posh ones with the runny yolk.
Swoon
DeleteMr and Mrs C look very nice ''stalkers''.If I was famous I would happily meet them for a chat especially if they were bearing gifts-for me no pork as I'm 40 years vegetarian -a mango would be welcome though x
ReplyDeleteThis is getting quite surreal! Love it x
ReplyDeleteMine have to bear chocolate :)
ReplyDeleteI'd stalk you!
ReplyDeleteOhhh errrrr
DeleteWhat fun! and I agree … John's Bed and Breakfast.
ReplyDeleteI think thins kind of friendship is a wonderful thing...as are Scotch Eggs from Waitrose. Nothing better. :)
ReplyDeleteI had scotch eggs at the Burroughs market based on your obsession. They are obsession worthy!
ReplyDeleteYes the best in the world a borough market!
Deleteyes they were!!!!!!
DeleteI must say that the 'healthy eating' bit was aa bit thin compared with two Scotch eggs - but hope you enjoyed them. Wish I lived near enough to pop in like that.
ReplyDelete"Going Gently Bed & Breakfast." Must serve scotch eggs with the breakfast.
ReplyDelete-invisigal
What a darling couple and of course if Mary likes them it is Gold.
ReplyDeleteWe have a English Pub styled restaurant near and my first dinner was Scotched Eggs. They were good but I am not sure if they were what you are used to.
cheers, parsnip
Opps forgot to say I have met several blogger, even living in the far Southwest (next to the Mexico Border) and have had such great visits.
DeleteWhat can I say, Scotch eggs are simply the best. Even I have blogged about them.
ReplyDeletehttps://ilikeknittingandsewing.blogspot.com/2017/10/just-some-ramblings.html
As for people wanting to meet you, I quite understand. You have endeared yourself to us followers of your blog. Doubt you will find me on your doorstep though as it has been many years since I crossed back over the pond but if you are ever in my area of the US please drop by and see us.
Mr and mrs C had several rather interesting stories to tell, I'd read their blog
DeleteWhat is her blog.
DeleteShe doesn't write one
DeleteWill your bed and breakfast be dog friendly?
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteYou will be disappointed to hear that I gave the birds the outer bit from several deli Scotch eggs husband brought back from a day out sailing. The birds loved 'em xx
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful! All I got were Jehovha Witnesses! I sent them on their way, without my soul.
ReplyDeleteDebbie I love your comment.
DeleteI once made Scotch Eggs, dropped on and it cracked a floor tile. Not attempted them again. We dont have a Waitrose near here....
ReplyDeleteI may need counselling
Deletehow nice! if you ever visit Philadelphia, I will buy you a cheesesteak, a soft pretzel, and a beer - all philly made!
ReplyDeleteAnd I will be delighted to join u x
DeleteScotch eggs! They are so delicious, but I have to be so careful in quantity 'a moment on the lips, forever on the hips'. Only made them at home once, scoffed the lot in 2 days so can't do that again. Sigh.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a perfectly wonderful surprise visit!
ReplyDeleteIt used to be that acolytes visited Wordsworth's Dove Cottage in the Lake District but now they are flocking to the corner cottage near the church in Trelawnyd. Perhaps you should sell a range of souvenirs, T-shirts and baseball caps.
ReplyDeleteJohn doesn't do tacky!
DeleteMy guess is Mrs C is now even more in love. And, yes, it would be like a visit o Disneyland.
ReplyDeleteI doubt it, her hubby was a dish
DeleteI met Lovely Grey in the flesh three years ago and we've become good real life friends.
ReplyDeleteArilx
How lovely! I have met a few fellow bloggers on a pre arranged basis and they have all always been lovely. One appeared one day at my - open to the public - place of work which was a little odd and approached and asked if I was Amy and they introduced themselves as a fellow blogger that I "know" from their blog and it was lovely too. I like to think that most people are mostly nice and I am glad that your visitors found you to be so and that you found them to be the same way!
ReplyDeleteYes that happened to me with Diane and her hubby Gary who came to my first allotment open
DeleteI do believe that we make/find friends here in the blogosphere. Some of whom we may never meet in the flesh, but they are friends just the same.
ReplyDeleteThe only people who know me better than my blogging friends are my family
DeleteI've met a few blog readers over the years, luckily they have been very pleasant and loved looking around at all the things they normally only get to read about and see in photographs.
ReplyDeleteA little B&B would be lovely, and you would make a charming host :-)
The world loves you John.
ReplyDeleteHow lovely to have fans bearing Scotch eggs! We make our own, occasionally and they are delicious.
ReplyDeleteA B&B seems like a nice idea, but it is a tremendous amount of work to run one.
That's lovely and you were gracious..but I wouldn't want anyone from the internet showing up at my door. Ever.
ReplyDeleteMr C bears more than a passing resembelance. Forgive the spelling I have a cold and my brain doesn't want to cooperate with my fingers.
ReplyDeleteForget returning to nursing, open a B&B!
Every time I've ever met a blog friend in real life, I have been incredibly surprised at how lovely they are. Just...amazed. This is just one of the many ways that blogging has enriched my life so.
ReplyDeleteOk, I've withheld comment about 'Scotch Eggs' for years. John, I have to say I don't see the attraction. Why not cook a semi-hard boiled egg, make a biscuit, and stuff it inside? Must be something.
ReplyDeleteWhen we visited there for two weeks each time, I found the food horrid. 'Carvery's'....another word for overpriced bad cafeteria food that some lout was cutting off pieces of overdone pork or beef. I'm sure I missed the trendy places in London, Liverpool and Manchester (the three places I spent time), but to me this is like me extolling the virtues of a Big Mac or a Whopper on my blog.
Lissen, please if you get a chance, at a demonstration, put in a 'boo' for me at a trump thing.
Ok, so as your youngest I feel entitled to comment that no it wasn't all bad. You may not have enjoyed beans on toast as I did, but there were plenty of non-trendy pubs, bakery's and the like in London that were quite good. #beansontaost4life
DeleteI love the family connection , welcome Emily xxx
DeleteYou know, reading comments here I can see once again that blogs literally have saved me from being completely forlorn about this shitshow world. Since Nov 2016 the most calm I feel is when I take part in the civilized, caring, supportive world of the blogs I follow. This post and the comments are a prime example of that effect! Thank you.
ReplyDeleteSweet Jill xxxsweet
DeleteWhat a lovely visit from Mr and Mrs C how considerate to come bearing gifts for you and the dogs, your a good man John.
ReplyDeleteLove love love it! Now where's the petition to sign on 'John's B&B, opening soon'?
ReplyDeleteElsewhere from amsterdam
Your visitors seem like wonderful people. How kind and classy of them to come bearing gifts! I hope they enjoyed the visit and have a safe trip home.
ReplyDeleteScotch eggs — new to me, but look good! Was initially leery of idea meeting bloggers when I first entered blogosphere knowing there are so many strange people in the world. I was just learning to use a computer and discovering the internet over a decade or so ago. Have since had a Blogger visit and was most pleasant.
ReplyDeleteAs for your blog, I enjoy reading what you write and am attracted to tales you tell with a touch of humor to everyday life — a necessity to survive life I’ve always found. Love hearing about your Village, and your animal pets. You remind me a bit of a nurse I once worked with and was so much fun to lighten the load amidst serious business.