Friendly chat

They do a lot of work with captive wild animals now to help them when they have to be moved or receive treatment. They feed animals in transportation crates and let them move in and out, without going anywhere. They get animals to present paws or feet without doing anything but they still get a treat. At least part of the experience isn't scary, when they do need it.

I saw the film about her life and it was wonderful - well worth watching. I think it was called Temple Grandin. She is still a champion for autistic people and their families.

Hi all, I'm not long back from an errand in Birmingham. Covid has a lot to answer for in terms of what it has put an end too. For years, if working in the centre of Birmingham, my favourite eating hole was the cafe inside St Martins Parish church. It's gone! Another missed treat, was buying a bag of freshly roasted sprats from a market stall holder. It's gone! A STORY About thirty odd years ago, after completing a job in Birmingham, I boarded a train to Coventry, only to sit next to a retired neighbour, "Ron", who offered me one of the sprats that he was munching. It was beautiful. We arrived in Coventry, whereupon instead of coming home to Holbrooks with me, he decided to go back to Birmingham to buy some more roasted sprats, as between us, we had eaten the lot. I've loved them ever since.

Just noticed the number of total visits to this site since we began on January 2010..... closing in on 3 million!

That's got to be a knighthood!, Sir.

You, together with your successful staff should be well commended Rob. I think Congratulations are in order. Here's to the next 3 million. ........Down the hatch.

Either well commended... or committed - never been quite sure which!

I'm having a good day, I hope that the rest of you are feeling the same. I've done my tax, my new car should arrive at the beginning of March, I've ordered sausages for Friday and I've just identified a Sydney Bunney sketch of Shut Mill that had no label.

Is a knighthood so you don't get your hair wet after dark?

Call me a numpty, but what's a Java knighthood? An award for excellent Java coding? Something to do with the East India company? Or a coffee poured over the head?

I've no idea what a Java knighthood might be, except that I certainly won't be getting one..... but I have noticed that since yesterday we did indeed pass that 3 million hits! I'm really enjoying the fresh injection of photos, mysteries and memories that have been coming on here lately! And I'd like to also say a big welcome and thank you to the new members who have participated and kept us on our toes!

Remember the film Airplane, where the stewardess asks the two jive-talking chaps what they want for lunch, and the reply is something like "Bet Babe, slide me a piece of da Porter, and drinkside I run dee Java". The last bit means "I'll have a coffee". Java is a well-known brand of coffee in the USA. Yes, I had to look it up.

I do remember that Slim. What I don't remember is how I found out what Java means to the Americans. Along with 'a cup of Joe'. I have watched a lot of US TV and films so I know quite a lot of the references.... Does that make me bi-lingual?

Went to Warwick Arts Centre last night for a 2 hour talk by Sir Ranolph Fiennes. What a life he has lived!!!!