Vagueness and the Aftermath - A sporadic diary

[Laxie]

I have a question (well, a few actually) and I was going to ask you via PM, but figured no harm to just post.  

We have a caravan that we no longer use (can't set it up meself any more since the back operations) except when we have visitors and need the extra beds.  It's sitting across the road in our neighbour's driveway and we often get people from the Travelling community calling to the door with offers to buy it.  The offers have always been silly low, so we've politely refused and named our price which they've politely refused.  End of.  

2 weeks ago an elderly woman called to our door.  She says she has leaks in the roof of her caravan and asks if we'll sell ours.  Timothy has always wanted 3k+ for it and I tell her this.  She says she's a very poor woman and can't afford that, but will offer 1.1k.  Looking over at the '06 van she's landed in, I've no doubt this isn't entirely true, but don't mention it to her.  I explain that I can't let it go for anything below 2k+ because Himself would be a very unhappy lad if I did.  She has to think about it.  Fair enough.

She's been back 4 or 5 times since with relations, having a look around the caravan and says she wants it.  She says it'll take her a week or two to gather the money for it, but she's agreed to buy it.  Not the 3k Timothy was hoping for, but we're happy enough with the price.  Truth be told, I've actually enjoyed her visits.  The neighbour's were a little worried at first, but I've stuck to me guns and told them to trust me...she's grand.  Will be sad to see the caravan go, but I'm happy with the new owner.

So my questions.  Actually, I was going to ask you if I did OK, but that doesn't matter now because the deal is done and I won't change the goal posts on her now.  In fact, after typing all of that out, I've only one question left.    Is it customary to give a few bob back for good luck and if so, how much should I give her?  If not, I'm still going to give her a few because it's an Irish thing, but don't want to look mean or the fool.  

    

[RED-DOG]

I have a question (well, a few actually) and I was going to ask you via PM, but figured no harm to just post. 

We have a caravan that we no longer use (can't set it up meself any more since the back operations) except when we have visitors and need the extra beds.  It's sitting across the road in our neighbour's driveway and we often get people from the Travelling community calling to the door with offers to buy it.  The offers have always been silly low, so we've politely refused and named our price which they've politely refused.  End of. 

2 weeks ago an elderly woman called to our door.  She says she has leaks in the roof of her caravan and asks if we'll sell ours.  Timothy has always wanted 3k+ for it and I tell her this.  She says she's a very poor woman and can't afford that, but will offer 1.1k.  Looking over at the '06 van she's landed in, I've no doubt this isn't entirely true, but don't mention it to her.  I explain that I can't let it go for anything below 2k+ because Himself would be a very unhappy lad if I did.  She has to think about it.  Fair enough.

She's been back 4 or 5 times since with relations, having a look around the caravan and says she wants it.  She says it'll take her a week or two to gather the money for it, but she's agreed to buy it.  Not the 3k Timothy was hoping for, but we're happy enough with the price.  Truth be told, I've actually enjoyed her visits.  The neighbour's were a little worried at first, but I've stuck to me guns and told them to trust me...she's grand.  Will be sad to see the caravan go, but I'm happy with the new owner.

So my questions.  Actually, I was going to ask you if I did OK, but that doesn't matter now because the deal is done and I won't change the goal posts on her now.  In fact, after typing all of that out, I've only one question left.     Is it customary to give a few bob back for good luck and if so, how much should I give her?  If not, I'm still going to give her a few because it's an Irish thing, but don't want to look mean or the fool. 

     

Yes you did OK. The lady drove a hard bargain and no doubt got the better of the deal, but money isn't everything.

It is customary amongst ourselves to give a little "luck money" You would be exempt. (That probably won't stop her asking though)  It's a nice gesture, but don't feel obligated. £10 is plenty.

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Interesting timing - the Obscene Publications Act is about to get it's first outing in 27 years. Story here. The publication concerned is just slightly stronger in content than Lady Chatterley. Just a bit.

Random trivia - D H Lawrence went to Nottingham High School (the one next to the Arboretum) on one of the first publicly funded scholarships to a fee-paying school (in 1898).

Wow! That really is a coincidence, I just chose that piece at random from the Times archive.

I didn't know about the "Girls Aloud" case, it's very interesting. I hope he is prosecuted. That sort of thing, along with racial supremacy propaganda etc, take the notion of free speech too far. (IMHO)

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Saw this the other day. Isn't it beautiful?

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This is how it works. Study it carefully, I may ask questions later.

http://www.keveney.com/newcommen.html

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Another Quick Quiz.

Thatched roofs are no longer allowed in the city of London. The one exception to this is the building that was rebuilt after the original burned down causing thatched roofs to be outlawed in the first place.

Name the building.

[Newportlad]

Bakery in Pudding Lane that started the Great Fire of London?

[The_nun]

Globe Theatre?

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Bakery in Pudding Lane that started the Great Fire of London?

It's good, but it's not right.

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Globe Theatre?

Excellent Maureen. You didn't learn that down on the farm.

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I was just going into the kitchen (Portacabin) to make myself a cheese and beetroot sarnie when I happened to notice this chap sunning himself on the path. He reminded me of Mrs Red. (Because he likes to lie in the sun, I hasten to add)

Can anyone help me to identifly him?

Is he a horse, a damsel, a dragon, or something else?

Click to see full-size image.

[Laxie]

I was going with dragon fly, but he's HUGE! 

[The_nun]

Maybe

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I was going with dragon fly, but he's HUGE! 

He is big. I accidentally stepped on him and he just shrugged and said "Gerroff!"

[RED-DOG]

Maybe

That looks close Maureen.