Jacqueline

I read the Anne Darwin book courtesy of the library. Apart from finding the dumbness of it all annoying, the book was so badly written. His beard disguise was laughable and incredible that he wasn't recognised. But I suppose nobody expected to see him as they thought he was dead. That was autobiographical but hard to believe people could behave in such a way. Then again, maybe it isn't. I felt sorry for their sons. There have been a number of fictional best sellers over the last few years, written by women and about women who are depicted as hopelessly weak, stupid, drunk, victims of heartless men or other women or the system or whatever. These characters can be relied on to do the most moronic thing, that puts them in some sort of peril or is just unlikely. I know everyone makes mistakes but I do get irritated when women are depicted as whimpering, simpering halfwits. We are invited, presumably, to feel sorry for them and root for them to be strong and get there in the end. I just want to tell them to get a grip.

I was in Waterstones this morning to collect a book I had ordered. I had stopped buying books but have got into the habit again. For me, there's nothing more relaxing than reading. I get my novels, thrillers and suchlike from the library. But recently I have bought The Stars - the definitive visual guide to the cosmos. A History of Pictures by David Hockney and Martin Gayford and Psychobook which is full of fascinating information, tests, games and questionnaires. All three are beautifully produced on good quality paper and worth every penny. Recommended for Christmas presents if anyone is seeking inspiration. While I was in the bookshop, I noticed a book called Under the Tump. It turned out to be about living as a newcomer in a Welsh town. Rather less scary than my immediate thought as to what its storyline might be, until I realised I had misread the title!

No sign of Jupiter this morning unfortunately. Just thick fog!

Opened a big selection box of biscuits this morning. They all look very nice in the packaging and I took out a chocolate chip cookie, to find there was nothing underneath it. Turns out the whole thing is single layer as in one of each biscuit! Not at all like the picture which shows a generously packed box. Perhaps that was just one of those serving suggestions, although you would need about six boxes worth to get that many biscuits. Con!

For anyone who likes this sort of thing, at the moment, even with moderate light pollution, there is an incredibly clear, bright crescent moon in the western sky, with Mars faint but visible to the left of the moon and an extra bright Venus low down in the sky to the right. Stunningly clear, starry night and all visible to the naked eye. Amazing! Apparently, Jupiter will be visible in the eastern sky around dawn tomorrow.

I also get annoyed by people who drag themselves to work, crying look at how ill they are but they still made it as they believe themselves to be indispensable. They will even share all their unspeakable germs with as many of you lucky people as possible, as they snivel and cough all day but don't actually do any work.As for migraine, there is no concensus on what actually causes it, according to my doctor. Just a collection of triggers which vary from person to person. For some it is certain food, like dairy products. For some it is hormonal and for me, it is heat, bright and/or flashing/flickering lights such as television, sunlight, excessive noise and that sort of thing. Sometimes it is nothing in particular, I can wake up with a migraine or one just starts out of nowhere. Which is what makes the whole thing so frustrating as it makes planning anything difficult. You just don't know how you will be from one day to the next, however hard you try to avoid whatever your own triggers may be.

I tried the triptan up the nose thing as it was supposed to be faster acting, but all it did was leave an absolutely foul after taste on top of everything else. It also irritates me when I hear people saying they've got a migraine when they've no idea what it even is, or just dismiss it as a bit of a headache. Some of the so called professionals I've seen have been quite happy to admit they don't know much about migraine. I think it is gradually being taken more seriously though.

Yes, I'm on sumatriptan but they can make the nausea worse and make me drowsy. I was told by a doctor that migraines often manifest as severe stomach aches in childhood, developing later into the symptoms I am now so familiar with. I used to get really bad stomach aches as a child and terrible travel/motion sickness, which is another sign that one is more likely to suffer migraine in adulthood. I couldn't go anywhere in a car and school coach trips were a nightmare. When I was a child though, such things weren't on the radar. I just had unexplained aches and nobody wanted to sit next to me on the coach. Couldn't blame them really! I had to sit at the front and the last person to get on the coach was always the teacher with the sick bucket and paper towels. She used to sit at the back for some reason so when the inevitable happened, by the time she got to my seat it was too late. She used to say that if she sat next to me, it would just make me think about it and encourage me to throw up. I didn't need any encouragement and used to worry more knowing the bucket was so far away! Happy days!

Agree, they've been the bane of my life. I saw a neurologist recently, who advised me to try not taking my prescribed medication next time I get a migraine, in case I am over medicating. I only take the meds when I have an attack. I tried the preventative medication route but they didn't work and turned me into a zombie. I asked the neurologist if he suffers from migraine and he said no, which came as no surprise as anyone who says don't take your pills has no idea what a migraine is like. You would do just about anything to make it go away! Even these pills don't always work but they are better than nothing.Having said that, I was told elsewhere to try feverfew as a herbal remedy. They are supposed to work as a preventative and are non addictive etc. I got some from Holland and Barrett last week and take one a day. The blurb says it can take a while for them to have an effect so too soon to tell as yet. Still, I will try them and see. H&B have that offer on them so a pack of 30 tablets is 7.99 and you can buy another pack of 30 for 1p. Two months worth should tell me if they work, on me at least.

RIP Andrew Sachs. Although he did other things, he will always be remembered for the wonderful Manuel, a truly great many faceted creation of comic genius. My favourites were Mrs Richards and Manuel in mutual incomprehension - si, que, what? And the builders - you are orilly men. Too many other quotes and scenes to mention. What a legacy and a very nice man by all accounts.

Thanks for the tip, just had a look at their website but no luck. I even clicked on their exotic option, but there was nothing like that. Nothing exotic at all in fact!

Just seen an ad for Iceland, for the avoidance of doubt, the shop not the country! The scene shows a family being set a challenge to give a party that same day/night for ten people. The goods duly arrive and the people get busy, saying how incredible it is to be able to get such an amazing spread together in such a short time. As it appears all they have to do is open boxes and put stuff on plates, via a brief trip to the oven to heat some of it up, this is hardly catering ordeal of the century. I like the KFC ad with the rather loaded commentary, regarding the little darling who has just had a tantrum and trashed a shop.

I agree and remember a few years ago, the shop had some pretty little embroidered swan decorations, which sold out quickly. It sounds like good marketing to have performance related items in the gift shop at any time of the year and particularly around now. Much better than some of the ghastly, over priced tat they keep putting out that seems to bear no relation to anything, other than having the ROH emblem.I would even buy an umbrella if they produced a replica of the one in La Fille.

Following my earlier post,if you like walks and a bit of sea air, try Cuckmere in East Sussex and Sands End in North Yorks which are also good for fossil hunting. I had two good finds which was exciting - for me at least, just keeping my eyes peeled, not actually digging or doing anything destructive to the landscape. There was something rather thrilling about just being able to pick up the fossil of a creature that lived millions of years ago, from among countless pebbles. Gives you a sense of perspective along with being in a beautiful, almost unspoiled place.

Not far from Hull is Beverley, an attractive market town with a beautiful minster. From there, you can get to the North Yorkshire coast which is stunning. As is the East Sussex coast - my home turf - Beachy Head, Seven Sisters and numerous villages and towns set in wonderful countryside such as Rye, with the cobbled streets and the famous Mermaid and Winchelsea with its beach and countryside combi.

I think Kevin sold out in Aldi quite quickly yesterday. Predictably, the toy is now on ebay for grossly inflated prices, the most expensive so far is 30 pounds and I doubt the proceeds will be going anywhere near a charity! I did wonder about that when some people at my local check out had far more Kevins than they could really want, unless they were buying one each for a number of presents. Even so, if stock was allocated on a when it's gone it's gone basis, there should have been some rationing, or given the success of the ad, a lot more Kevins available. I suppose they couldn't have known the ad would be so popular and risk being left with a warehouse full of unwanted carrots though. Just a shame about greedy people who will exploit anything to make money. I hope nobody buys Kevin online.

I bought a sandwich toaster yesterday. The instruction book, which is inside all the wrapping, inside the box, advises you to unwrap the toaster before using it! The booklet also has a warning that the first time you use the toaster, there may be a slight burning smell and some smoke. This is completely normal and nothing to worry about. Presumably if the smoke and smell of burning develops into a fire, that's when you should start worrying!

Good point. This town seems to have several areas where access is a problem even without roadworks. The main road to/from the hospital/town is always busy and takes in a low tunnel under the railway. There is nowhere to give way - a raised walkway with railings on one side and a brick wall on the other - if an emergency vehicle appears. Any alternative route for the ambulance is a very long way round, almost certainly just as congested and could be the difference between life and death.

Well, they say people have complained, but I wonder if they just get a laugh out of not moving the bus stop and the traffic chaos that ensues.

A lot of roadworks round our way at the moment along with the temporary traffic lights. One near here has three way lights and a bus stop right in the middle. The wait for a green light is interminable, then if there is a bus and it stops, there is no way round it so the queue and the wait get ever longer. Then the lights change for traffic to come the other way, but it can't move because the bus and all traffic behind it is still coming through. Then you get dirty looks and horns blaring as you come past, as the people you are passing have a green light so they assume you must have gone through on a red, even though you were just stuck behind the bus. All the highway people need do is move the bus stop, but they say people complain about it then being too far to walk!

More vegetable news! Kevin the cuddly toy carrot went on sale this morning at Aldi stores and I was there. Not at the crack of dawn of course, I don't want to appear ridiculous! I fully expected them to have sold out and they very nearly had. There were quite a few people at the check out, clutching their Kevins, so to speak, and it was all quite good natured, no pushing and shoving. Although I suspect there may be later, when allocated stock has run out. The toy is actually quite big and of good quality. I thought it would be about two inches high and pretty low rent looking, but no! The best bit is the label states that ALL profits from the sales of Kevin will go to charity, specifically Barnardos, not just the tiny fraction we usually hear about. Anyway, all hail Kevin the carrot! That's enough from me now, in case folks think I am a little obsessed.

If the future is indeed McGregor, perhaps Kevin could persuade him to resurrect those tea dances. What a great marketing opportunity for when the latest refurbishments are completed and the all singing, all dancing, top of the morning theatre for the people is open. There could be associated catering at affordable prices and a chance to walze with Wayne himself, subject to availability and all in the best possible taste. I'd give it a go.

One of the main reasons I stopped going into town was because the parking became so expensive. There used to be certain roads within walking distance of the shops where you could park free for a set time, but the council slapped meters everywhere or residents only permits which means the spaces are empty for most of the day as the residents are elsewhere. There has been no attempt to encourage people into town, just to put them off it seems. Apparently coach trips still bring people in to visit the now threadbare market which must be seriously disappointing for them. The outlets offer free parking and most of what you could possibly want under one roof, but I can't abide such places. I do some online shopping, but I really prefer to try before I buy. I would like to live in a place where I can walk to nice shops, Miss Marple style with my basket and buy locally sourced produce at fair prices. Only without the murder and people wanting to know my business of course! But I also want convenience, good value, to get the shopping over with as quickly as possible and I have an aversion to carrying things. Maybe people will eventually tire of malls and Internet shopping and the high street will come back to life. These things do go in cycles I suppose.

I had another look at the article in case I had misread it, only to find it has been amended to an estimated 20 million pounds! I wonder if perhaps the experts are making it up as they go along. I could be an expert on anything you like if it was only a guess. For a fee of course.