A couple of days ago we went across to, well, you know, that foreign country over there… erm, France… as we were in the neighbourhood (of Folkestone). The idea being that it was a good opportunity to stock up with local wine. As Mary had been working in Folkestone we decided to hop across on the Sunday morning. I had been a little apprehensive about going on the Sunday as I thought the French shops might be closed. But, reassured by one Mitchell. E., that the Frenchies worked normally on a Sunday we went ahead. Well, Mitchell. E. soon to be deceased, was not exactly correct. In fact he was more exactly incorrect. Not a supermarket in the whole north of France was ouvert. Not even the Tesco store based at the cite d'europe was open (that's where the grocks on day trips get taken). Worse, as petrol in France is only 60p a litre (rather than our 85p a litre) we'd set off with a nearly empty petrol tank to take advantage - but all the petrol stations at all the supermarkets were also all closed and were only accepting store cards - and we didn't have one. Eventually we had to pay £4 to go on a 'pay' motorway as that was the only place we could get petrol. And it was wet and windy all day. So, if you're planning a little break away from it all, ask Bradworthy's premier travel agent, Eric.
Notice the price of petrol - 60p instead of 85p. If we'd joined the euro that's how much we'd be paying here - instead we have to pay nearly 50% more.
Last month it was pointed out to me that I'd omitted the end of Richard's Farming Matters column. Actually, only Richard noticed. So here's the missing bit…
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“I wrote last month that we had turned the cows out in March and that I'd hoped for a good spring. Unfortunately, yet again we have had a very wet April which has reduced milk yield and increased feed costs at a time when we were hoping to produce a lot of milk cheaply from grass. Hopefully by the time you read this the weather will have improved.” Finally I would like to wish my neighbour, Patrick, all the very best in his new farming venture. We will miss him as he has provided me with some useful material which lead to some entertaining tit-for-tat articles from each of us in the Bradworthy News!” |
Well. The weather is no better, and Patrick and Ann have had their leaving bash. Why did I miss it out? Well, Richard actually wrote the last bit on the back of the piece of paper! This month he's done a lot better - he sent it as an e-mail. For those of you who are a bit confused with e-mail, ameliaearhart was a famous lady flyer in the late 1930's who disappeared over the Pacific (captured by the Japanese whilst spying for the Americans, or just crashed after running out of fuel, whichever version you prefer).
I was more than a little surprised the other day to receive an e-mail from the Trinity Episcopal Church. For those doubters amongst you, it's more proof that e-mail and the internet are 'the future', which is the mantra that Bradworthy's computer experts often chant down the pub.
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I was amazed to find the email address to your paper on the Anglican List this morning. It was posted there by Andrew Carey, the archbishop of Canterbury's son. In the late fifties my mother was the district nurse-midwife centered in Bradworthy and I lived there for a while before going to college. All these years later I'm rector of Trinity Episcopal (Anglican) Church in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. I still miss the Devonshire lanes and long bike rides to Hartland, Morwenstow, Bridgerule or trips into Bideford for a pint. Thanks for giving me back some memories. Warmly, Tony Clavier |
Richard Dorrington, the Rector, denies doing it, so I've no idea how my email got onto the Anglican List. Anyone know? Don't say “Divine intervention“!
Finally, a thought for June. It is well known that heat reflects off shiny objects (such as silver foil). The thing is… when it's dark how does the heat know whether the object is shiny? Eric knows the answer.
As is normal, the deadline for the July issue is 20th June. Items for inclusion to the editor, Phil “totally sans French vino“ Mayhall, Hillcrest, Lower Village (tel: 241748, fax: 241167: e-mail: phil@bradworthy.co.uk)
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