| Visit to Leyland |
| Lady Griffin | Hi folks,
Just to let you know -have ticket -will travel.Hope to be in 'Merrie' England on April Noddies Day-Manchester for two days and then to Bamber Bridge until Easter.
If any of you are around maybe you could catch up with me for a quick hello at the Eagle-I shall go there anyway for old times sake and to look around Leyland-so don't be troubled if you aren't able to make it."No probs" as they say here.
Am going to suggest noon Wednesday 16 April as I won't have access to a computer after leaving here so will need to make sure at least that I'm there at the right time,just in case anybody can make it.
Week before that is not an option for me.
Do hope the weather behaves when the wanderer returns.
Cheerio all
LG
Linda
|
| noel | It's a beautiful sunny day today Linda, but can't guarantee the weather except to be unpredictable.
If you are prepared to travel 9,000 miles for a quick chat I'm sure I can manage 2 miles. It'll be in my lunch break so will be quick. |
| Martin | I wish I could be there to meet you Linda but it looks like I will be hard at work in my new role at County Hall in Somerset. I hope your trip is a happy one. |
| Hayleypink | sorry wont be around to meet you - will be at work in London |
| LDunlop76 | Can probably managed to bob over for half an hour on the 16th - depends on what the kids are up to. |
| Lady Griffin | Is it really only 9000 miles! -feels like 90000.Hope there is an airfield for my plane to land.I seem to have chosen a dicey time to fly.
Well -nothing ventured as they say.
Noel, has Lostock Hall progressed to having an internet cafe yet?
|
| Caroline | So sorry I won't be over until very late April- beginning May, I'd love to be there.
|
| noel | I'm sorry LG we're a bit backwards in Lostock Hall. No internet cafes , I think there may possibly be one in the library,(many libraries do have them these days but hey, this is Lostock Hall, home of the inbreds) [:)].
I'll check and get back to you. |
| Lady Griffin | Thanks Noel -hadn't thought of the Library-of course they may.
Internet cafes are sprouting up here like mushrooms-especially with the growth in the Asian Community and young people who sit in there for hours and 'chat' to each other.
I think it's a modern form of the courting process.Doesn't sound like much fun to me.
There are also increasing numbers of Karaoke Bars.A sign of the times.
NZ is pretty close to a 4 million population and I think they are just about all in the Queen city.
Off the topic but a peace protest in Auckland yesterday featuring naked protesters in a peace sign.Not a pretty sight!
Never mind Caroline-just think we will be treading on English soil at the same time.Have a great visit. I'll be leaving soon after you arrive but will catch up with you on the Net.
L |
| Tee | Hi Lynda,
Hope you enjoy your visit back in UK Leyland
Leyland library have PC’s it’s called the Peoples network!
They probably have the same at Bamber Bridge
http://www.peoplesnetwork.gov.uk/
Cheers
|
| Lady Griffin | Kia Ora, Tee.
Welcome and thanks for the info.
L |
| Tee | I didn’t know that!!!!!
Thanks for the Maori traditional greeting - salutation,"Kia ora", meaning hello and/or goodbye.
You learn something every day
Cheers
quote:
Originally posted by Lady Griffin
Kia Ora, Tee.
Welcome and thanks for the info.
L
|
| noel | quote:
Originally posted by Tee
I didn’t know that!!!!!
Thanks for the Maori traditional greeting - salutation,"Kia ora", meaning hello and/or goodbye.
You learn something every day
Cheers
quote:
Originally posted by Lady Griffin
Kia Ora, Tee.
Welcome and thanks for the info.
L
Crikey I thought it was Orange Squash. |
| Martin | quote:
Originally posted by noel
quote:
Originally posted by Tee
I didn’t know that! Thanks for the Maori traditional greeting - salutation,"Kia ora", meaning hello and/or goodbye. You learn something every day
quote:
Originally posted by Lady Griffin
Kia Ora, Tee. Welcome and thanks for the info.
L
Crikey I thought it was Orange Squash.
I remember the adverts on tv, rather strange cartoons. |
| noel | can vaguely remember "give me some kia ora arora" Nice drink , wonder if that's what was in Robinsons orange thingy wingy , you know what I mean Caroline. |
| Lady Griffin | I believe kia ora is a well known name for orange squash and I seem to associate it with Chivers???? jam people???? Sometimes has a hyphen.
In Maori it has a general meaning -like hello welcome goodbye and an expression of approval like Well done,mate.Kia Ora.Sort of Cheers! |
| Hayleypink | wow kiora now i reember the advert!!!!!!!!!! the monkey singing |
| Caroline | There's a similar word in French- 'Salut' which means Hello or Goodbye, or more like Hiya and See Ya as it's used by the young mostly . We never learnt that from Ma Brom! |
| JohnH | quote:
Originally posted by Hayleypink
wow kiora now i reember the advert!!!!!!!!!! the monkey singing
something like "... I'll be your dog ... wuf, wuf.."
|
| Martin | What about the good Lacashire "Eye up" |
| LDunlop76 | I thought hello and goodbye were 'owdoo' and 'sithee' in Lancashire? (Though I will acknowledge 'eye up' as a good fits-all phrase!) |
| noel | What about good old Ecky thump. |
| LDunlop76 | Eeeeh, bah gum! A'll go to't foot of our sturs! |
| noel | Eye up, I stuck up for thi yisterday, tha pal sed thadn't got t'brains of a 'en. I sed tha 'ad. He sed tha weren't fit ter eat wi'pigs. I sed tha were.
Now look what you've started Linda. 8-) |
| Lady Griffin | Mi yed's gon mazy wi all tha cawin' |
| Karen | Na then.
Karen. |
| Martin | I wonder if google could translate that lot! I say, would you chaps mind speaking proper.[:o)]
|
| Hayleypink | yes for us people who speak proper, i cant understand!!!!! |
| LDunlop76 | quote:
Originally posted by Hayleypink
us people who speak proper
In totally tongue in cheek school marm manner and with absolutely no intention to offend, but......
"Speak" is a verb, so must be described with an adverb. The phrase should have read "people who speak properly". [}:)][;)][}:)]
LD <~~ running off very fast before Hayley thwaps me! [:o)] |
| Caroline | Ah thewt it wor ' talk proper', any road...
My grandma used to use words like 'slutch' and 'mithering'or 'moidering' I was surprised my partner didn't know what a 'shippon' was, coming from as nearby as Rochdale........
|
| Karen | Tha means like ..gerrin mucky int' sluch when we was mitherint' cahs in yon shippon?
K. |
| LDunlop76 | quote:
Originally posted by Caroline
I was surprised my partner didn't know what a 'shippon' was, coming from as nearby as Rochdale........
Love of my life didn't know what "to side the table" meant - they obviously never do that in Wallasey![:o)] He didn't know what a "clubman" was either! |
| William R | Linda, In Barnsley we "mend us fires" "weer us coyts" and "bray us bairns" if they don`t "frame" as they "did owt ter do", or if they "laike" abaht. Wives are "our lass" Husbands are "yon mon" children are always "bairns". Boots are "booits", schools are "schooils". Niver mahnd, Cheerio,Bill. |
| Caroline | Grandma complained her neighbour was ' allus bettyin' fer folk!' |
| William R | Caroline, We seem to be back in business, thanks Martin. Wasn`t the stand used to hold fire tongs etc in the hearth called a "Tidy Betty" hence the term "bettying"? Somebody will know. Cheerio, Bill. |
| LDunlop76 | Is the meeting still on for 16th April in the Eagle & Child? If so, who's going and how will we recognise each other? |
| William R | Linda, As far as I know, YES. You`ll know Joyce and me, we met at New Year, I believe Noel will try to get. Lady G will make it if she can, she has my contact numbers. We will be there for 12 noon, visas applied for, passports in order, coming M1/M62/M61 then from Chorley exit. We can make ourselves prominent, I`m the scruffy one with Joyce leaning on a stick. Cheerio, from over the Pennines, Bill. |
| Caroline | I'm so sad I won't be there! Hope you all have a good time .Can I have one when I get over??? |
| noel | I've got a meeting on the wednesday next week at 10-30am. I'll try and cut it short to be there. |
| LDunlop76 | quote:
Originally posted by Caroline
Can I have one when I get over???
Put it this way : I shall be flippin' annoyed if you don't! [;)]
Noel, I hope you can make it this time after you missed New Year's Eve.
Bill, it will be nice to see you again..... and Joyce. I might bring my daughter along..... if she's up in time! It's school holidays mext week and long lies-in are the order of the day! You've no chance of seeing the 17 year old! [:o)] |
| noel | I'll be there Linda but it may be a bit later than 12. It was 12 wasn't it? how long are you expecting to be there for? It might get 12-30 or possibly a bit later depending on meeting. All being well I'll cut it short and be there 12-12-30.
Gables wasn't it? 8-) |
| William R | Noel, You`ve said Gables, as I have it its the Eagle and Child on Church Road, at the end of Balcarres Road. Will be there 12 ish Cheerio, Bill. |
| Hayleypink | let us know how you all get on and big hugs from me and martin!!! |
| LDunlop76 | I thought it was the Eagle too, Bill - where we met at New Year, yes? |
| William R | That`s where we are going to go, I`ve looked back through the postings and it seems to be the venue. See you there. Bill. |
| noel | quote:
Originally posted by Caroline
I'm so sad I won't be there! Hope you all have a good time .Can I have one when I get over???
They're all ignoring you Caroline. When are you back "in town?" By the way my friend is in Vitre now, got a 3 bedroom house for not a lot of rent with a massive garden as well. |
| Martin | I wish I could be there too... Caroline, Let us know the date and we'll try and make it. |
| William R | Caroline, I`ll watch this space to see when you are thinking of making the trip. I have to rely on the kindness of my daughter to provide transport, and as she is a professional child minder, it takes a bit of organising, she`s a very busy lady, believe me. Cheerio, Bill. |
| noel | I've just returned from the meeting at the Eagle and Child. Meeting people whom I knew in name only was a bit of an adventure for shy little moi, however I plucked up courage and as I walked in the Pub there they were in the corner trying to hide from me, the 2 Lindas(LG and t'Wiganner) Bill and his daughter . We chatted for an hour or so then I had to go back to work leaving the 4 of them about to start eating a sandwich ( one sandwich between 4, you could tell a yorkshire man was buying)[:)] . The sun was scorching down it didn't seem fair having to go back. A lot of the time was spent trying to avoid being photographed--- I don't like being photographed , I'm not photogenic ( which is a euphanism for "I'm ugly" )
Bill presented LG with a home made wooden egg with initials on it. A very practical man . We spent some time examing fingers he'd injured during his time with a circular saw and discussing his frequent visits to hospital to be patched up . He'll have to pack in this hobby soon, he's running out of fingers. And LG presented the others with token gifts, the other Linda also gave out gifts. I sat in a corner trying to be avoided as I'd come with nothing, except my charm and my brilliance. But I couldn't escape without being presented with a gift from the "Make Dentists Rich League" a bag of Uncle Joe's see their web site at www.uncle-joe.com.
Linda LG is staying until May 9th in this country . I was sorry to leave after such a short time, I would have liked to have heard more stories about Balshaw's and of life in New Zealand, a country I have always wanted to visit , however Tempus Fugit and all that.
It was a pleasure meeting you 3 forum members and your daughter Bill. I look forward to hearing more on the Leyland Forum.
|
| Martin | Thanks for the feedback Noel
I wish I could have been there to experience it. However, if there are some photographs of the occasion, I'm sure we could load them onto the forum for all to see.
Now it's Lindas turn for a write up of her day. |
| noel | quote:
Originally posted by Martin
Thanks for the feedback Noel
I wish I could have been there to experience it. However, if there are some photographs of the occasion, I'm sure we could load them onto the forum for all to see.
Now it's Lindas turn for a write up of her day.
OK Martin, Bill got some photos ( hopefully with camera shy me not on!! ) [:)] I'm sure he'll be sending some to you very shortly. |
| William R | Noel, You brought the best present of all to the little meet, you brought yourself. Why else would say we were glad you made it. Sorry you couldn`t stay longer, but someone has to work to keep us layabouts in pension money. We took Lady G for a quick run round to see various places that keep cropping up on the Forum, and finished up saying goodbyes in Bamber Bridge. I feel that she may be feeling a little bit overwhelmed by the good wishes being showered on her. We even had a look round Leyland Church graveyard, now that`s something isn`t it? Anyway, we got back to the sad side of the Pennines at 5-15pm. Both Joyce and me feel it was well worth the effort, so no more remarks about lady drivers!!! Keep posting Noel,see you around the keyboard sometime, Cheerio, Bill. |
| Martin | It sounds like we missed a good one Bill
By the way, when you get your pictures back, can we see them? |
| William R | Martin, Don`t hold your breath, it may be week or two before they are developed. I don`t want to publish and upset anyone, I`ve sent a digi one to Wiganner for comment. Cheerio, Bill. |
| noel | Thanks Bill, it was good to see you all. You know I think the ladies are great drivers really. (slave drivers!!) [;)]Sorry I had to leave early. PS I've nearly eaten all those Uncle Joe's , sorry Linda none for my kids/grandkids. |
| LDunlop76 | Well, it was lovely to have another face-to-face meeting of the forum at the Eagle today. Noel, it was very brave of you to have to approach us, ensconced in the corner as we were, you not sure whether we were t'right folk. Thanks so much for giving up your lunch hour to join us. By the way, the Uncle Joe's were an after thought, picked up in the supermarket - hardly warrant the term "gift" - but glad you like them! (Definitely not part of a get rich quick scheme as I am salaried, so it's actually easier for me if my patients don't get decay - same pay for less work [;)])
Lady G, it was great to meet you. I'm enjoying putting faces to names and it was smashing to meet the forum's most distant member!
Bill (and Joyce, of course) - lovely to see you again and hear more of your tales in person. Next time Joyce is ferrying you the right side of the Pennines again [;)] be sure and let me know. Maybe we can encourage you to walk on the 'forbidden' sides of the street again?
Now then, when's Caroline coming over? [8D] |
| Martin | quote:
Originally posted by LDunlop76
Noel, it was very brave of you to have to approach us, ensconced in the corner as we were, you not sure whether we were t'right folk.
You mean you weren't wearing your bright blue and yellow Leyland Forum t-shirts and caps?
Linda!!! And what about the forum beer mats and car stickers? did you make sure everyone in Leyland got them? |
| LDunlop76 | Ooooops! Sorry, boss! |
| Lady Griffin | Well what can I say! A lovely lovely day and as Linda said smashing to meet you all and thank you for overcoming your 'shyness' Noel-which I don't believe for a minute -and to Linda for twisting your arm.At least I think you did make it reluctantly on to one photo.Well done.
Have to confess I was a bit scared-like my one and only blind date- but no need to be.I felt instantly at home in the Forum Corner with such lovely folk.
Thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it -the chat and the guided tour by Bill and Joyce and the walk around the Churchyard-still didn't find my Grannie but maybe I'll come again on my zimmer frame in a couple of years and look again.
I hoped that Brian might make it just so I could display my ability to perch on a bar stool still.
Am half way through my Uncle Joe's thanks Linda and will treasure Bill's gift-something to remind me of my visit and friends.
Have been frantically on the move visiting relatives and the oldies who kept saying you will come back tomorrow won't you.One is over 90.After three visits to each one I knew it was time to move on or I would never get away.Had an offer to move back to live here but will have to remain torn between two countries I think.
I was tempted.The call of your birth place is very strong even after many years.But I know what Noel would say about that.
I know you all talk of changes but I did recognise the places I went to.It was good to have the tour around Leyland as I don't think I would have walked that far otherwise and seen so many of the places referred to on the Forum.
Bamber Bridge and Lostock Hall very much the same-likewise Preston-grimier but familiar.
Delightful trip around the Fylde District-Wrea Green Lytham etc but never got to Blackpool -maybe just as well- but I did see the Tower in the distance.
In Manchester now and using my brother in law's computer which is set up quite differently to mine so I have to ask for help frequently-I hate that.
Hope this message arrives safely.
Next two weeks uncertain-visit to Carlisle briefly -another relative.
Then who knows.Leaving on the 7 May provided that I don't develop sniffles in which case it may be a case of Quarantine in Singapore.I believe they have detectors for high body heat in case of Sars.Should be interesting.When I get back I shall maybe quarantine myself for a month with plenty of supplies and my computer for company.Perhaps I may even catch up to some of you racing ahead with your postings.Congrats Noel by the way on you 500.I could tell you lots about New Zealand but another time perhaps.
Balshaws still the same with the same cubby hole under the stairs where I hid during Gym lessons.Met some old friends- still recognised each other after over 50 years.
Lunch at the Leyland Golf Club.The old one burned down I believe.
All for now everyone .Thanks again. Best wishes for a lovely trip to Caroline when she comes.Am sorry I missed her.
Byee!
Linda
|
| noel | It was lovely meeting you Linda, sorry I couldn't have stayed longer. And yes you know what I would say about New Zealand versus England. Maybe one day ....I wish Brian could have turned up as well. Waste of a pint though.8-) Only joking Brian. |
| Caroline | It's lovely you all had such a good time! Don't yet know when I'll be over, it's looking likely to be June-ish. Before the ferry fares get ludicrously expensive! |
| Martin | I think I'll have to plan a visit to Leyland sometime in the next few months. I'll be taking lots of photographs to use on the web sites. |
| Thornley | Hi all, sorry to have missed the meeting it would have been nice to have met. I was on holiday but ended up with a meeting on that day[:(] Lady G, I hope you are enjoying your stay. Did you pass through Whitestake by any chance?
Vanessa |
| noel | quote:
Originally posted by Martin
I think I'll have to plan a visit to Leyland sometime in the next few months. I'll be taking lots of photographs to use on the web sites.
The Tiger's gone now Martin, newly built apartments. houses opposite where Damps shop was replaced by a warehouse. Leyland and Birmingham of course site now clay, the largest road ramps you've ever seen on Wheelton Lane. The excitement of it all is making me want to .....fly[:)].[img]http://usa.venus.co.uk/weed/agifs/images83/owl.gif[/img]
|
| Thornley | Yes, Noel I have experienced the speed ramps on Wheelton Lane, slightly misjudged them my poor car [:(!] I don't understand the need to have them that big. Lord knows how it would feel to be travelling in the back of an ambulance!
Vanessa |
| noel | If you travel along the middle of the road Vanessa you don't need to slow down, it's those great big ones on each side of the white line that are the problem. Wonder how many exhausts have become a cropper on them? |
| LDunlop76 | Speed bumps! GRRRRRRR! [:(!]
Round our way they've also taken to installing little islands in the middle of the road. On my route to the supermarket there is one right by a bus stop - effectively closing the lane when the bus stops at the stop as you can't get round the bus because of the island. [:(!][xx(]
But the council have excelled themselves on the route I need to use on Mondays. I travel through Garswood and the council have seen fit to put in "traffic calming measures" on the main road through the village, which consist of islands which block the entire lane, reducing the road to single track every 100 yards. The islands have steel bollards on top. Hmmmmm. The islands were built 2 weeks ago. I drove along there on Monday and already one of the islands has had its "keep left" sign demolished and two of its bollards scraped where some poor s*d hasn't realised his lane was blocked and has driven straight into the island! Why am I not surprised?[:(!] |
| William R | Wiganer, In Sheffield they have a magnificent Supertram system, for pssengers, but you can`t overtake a tram. When it stops, you wait. In the rain the tracks are deadly, cars skid on them, more bumps. If you want traffic calming measures, put some trams in, motorists just keep away. People come so far by car, park near the tram tracks, and finsh on trams, so you have a massive car park during the day on the outskirts. At finishing time, major traffic holdups on the outskirts of the city. The street where I live is full of parked cars at night (residents) and full of cars all day (Commuters). Road sweeping? thats a joke! Grid emptying? another joke! Dustbins? we take them to the end of the street!. The milkman comes at 3-30am, he says its the best time. I could go on, but South Yorks is notorious for traffic hold-ups. Just going to walk into town, Cheerio, Bill. |
| noel | Linda the council have got to spend their extra council taxes on something. Just be glad you've got a bit of landscaping to look at. |
| LDunlop76 | Ah, but where we could do with a bit of traffic calming, we get nothing. The road I live on has no pavements for most of its length and is narrow. I live on a corner, an unmarked crossroads. Now in theory all vehicles should slow down and prepare to give way at unmarked crossroads, but on our road the crossroad is hard to spot and cars race up the street and fail to slow. You take your life in your hands sometimes to turn right, even though it's a very quiet road. The council put in rumble strips a few years back to herald the crossroads, but of course they've worn to almost nothing now. What we need is either a cross roads sign or give way road markings... or a mini roundabout at a push, but please, no speed bumps![B)] |
| LDunlop76 | quote:
Originally posted by noel
Linda the council have got to spend their extra council taxes on something.
Yes, grrrrr! £1500 a year my bill! [:(!] I went and spoilt my ballot paper yesterday - round objects to the lot of 'em! Not that they'll notice my protest, but it made me feel better! And while I sat here, reading the board late last night, I heard the dulcet tones of my MP (Ian McCartney, Labour Chairman) on the TV behind me..... turned the radio on first thing this morning and there he was again on the Today programme - does the b*gger never sleep? As you can gather, it's a Labour stronghold here, but I don't see much socialist activity - just hikes in the council tax. [V] |
| LDunlop76 | Bill, friends of ours live within 5 minutes walk of Cheltenham town centre. The police issued them with residents' traffic cones (nice royal blue and gold to befit "Regency Cheltenham"!). These are supposed to be placed outside the house to ensure residents have a space to park outside their own homes. But shoppers drive up, chuck the cones down the basement steps and park in front of the houses anyway!
I was in Sheffield last weekend, but in the Whirlow area - not in the city centre, so I didn't get to see the trams. The ones in Manchester are a bit scarey - they come up so quietly behind when you're crossing the road! When the old tram system was in place in Manchester in the 20's and 30's, my grandad got his motorbike wheel stuck in the tram line and had to "go with the flow" for a while before he could release it! LOL! |
| LDunlop76 | Apologies for 3 ranting posts in a row (oops, 4 now![:I])
I'm not chasing Noel in the rankings, honest! [;)] |
| William R | In post-war times, we used to get a train from Leyland to Manchester Victoria, nip outside the station onto the tram to Belle Vue for the Speedway (up the Aces) then have a quick look on the Amusement Park, back on the trolley bus to Stevenson Square and dash for the last train. We enjoyed life in those days, where`s it all gone? The old trams didn`t half rattle up Ashton Old Road, past the tram sheds, happy days. Sheffield Supertrams are just that, super. The driver announces the stops, conductors are polite, the journey is fast because the tram has priority at road junctions and cross roads, and for a golden oldie (like me) its only 35p from Meadowhall to Middlewood, that`s right across Sheffield, just over 30 mins, its normally £1.40 single for adults. Rates subsidies apply. I wish there was more of it. Cheerio, Bill. |
| Caroline | Now I'm going to make you all as sick as parrots because we rarely have parking problems ( I forget how to get into a small space), and there's so little traffic- someone here on holiday once asked ' where is everybody??? ) .I just came back from a heated outdoor swimming pool overlooked by woods and an ancient abbey- cost £1 50 , went on the little country roads by apple orchards and small farms........... Which brings me to a programme I heard yesterday about luxuries and how most people now have the things which were regarded as luxuries some time back. Well, perhaps now, space and peace and quiet are the new luxuries- hence the number of Brits coming to France..... whaddya think?? |
| LDunlop76 | quote:
Originally posted by Caroline
Which brings me to a programme I heard yesterday about luxuries and how most people now have the things which were regarded as luxuries some time back. Well, perhaps now, space and peace and quiet are the new luxuries- hence the number of Brits coming to France..... whaddya think??
Things which were unheard of luxuries in our youth (who could have envisaged the home computer revolution?) are required items these days. A school child without access to a home PC is at a definite disadvantage these days. Teachers even set homework on the assumption kids can use the internet at home, rather than wait for their all too brief turn on the school computer.
Caroline, I think you're right that peace and quiet are the new luxuries. Mobile phones! I have one for emergencies and to use when I'm staying away from home, but apart from that, it's rarely switched on. But the girls at work have them and at times there's almost a disco effect coming from various lockers as phones go off with jazzy ring tones! I don't want to be omni-contactable!
I must admit one of the things I like about going on holiday is the absence of TV - we sit around after our evening meal and play cards and talk - make our own amusement like the olden days (as my kids refer to it!). These days it's all too easy to become individuals living in the same box, each plugged into his/her own activity, rather than a family unit. |
| noel | Tu as beaucoup de salle [:D] over there Caroline, yes I know that's pigeon French, how about taking a few of the asylum seekers we have? |
| noel | And tomorrow Linda (Lady Griffin) returns to New Zealand. Bon Voyage LG, hope you enjoyed your stay. |
| Martin | It's a pity we all couldn't have met up... How long before she's back at her computer Noel? [:D] |
| noel | It was pleasant meeting everyone, as Linda put it "a bit like a blind date" but we all ( I think) liked each other and got on well . The flight's about 22 hours I think. Lucky Linda going back to NZ. Wish I could afford to go to NZ. |
| LDunlop76 | quote:
Originally posted by noel
how about taking a few of the asylum seekers we have?
Guardian newspaper:
Yes, in terms of absolute numbers, Britain received the most applications in Europe last year. But this refers to requests for refugee status, rather than the number to whom it is granted. And although the number of applications to the UK has been high in recent years, when looked at per capita Britain remains mid-table; indeed, below the EU average. From 1992 to 2001 it ranked 12th in asylum applications received compared to national population and 11th in total refugee admissions. Taking a longer- term perspective, other countries have received far higher numbers in the recent past. In the early 90s, Germany, for example, had one million applications in three years.
Of the world's 12 million refugees, developing countries together provide asylum for 72% of them. But despite this, a Mori poll conducted in May last year found that the general public believed that around 23% of the world's refugees and asylum seekers resided in the UK - the true figure was less than 2%.
[url]http://www.guardian.co.uk/g2/story/0,3604,946914,00.html[/url]
[url]http://www.guardian.co.uk/g2/story/0,3604,946964,00.html[/url]
|
| LDunlop76 | Bon voyage, Lady G! |
| Lady Griffin | Thank you all so much for the good wishes.It was great to meet in the Forum Corner of the Eagle and on such a warm sunny day.I wish you all the sunshine that is hopefully still to come in your half of the world.
I would have liked to stay longer but maybe next time!!!!
Apart from the Eagle experience there were many highlights-if you wish to look at yours truly and six other mature ex- Balshavians from 46-53 you will find us on the Balshaws Website under the News items.
The old school appears not to have changed too much and yes the statue is still there-I have a photo to prove it.
So too is the cubby hole under the stairs where some of us used to hide to avoid gym classes.
It was lovely to walk rather than climb as in the old days around the Lake District and sit quietly in the old churches.
The flight home was long as usual but not so full.Sars has obviously taken its toll on travelling numbers.
I tried valiantly on at least four occasions to watch 'Chicago' on the screen but gave up each time after the first 10 minutes.
Wonderful to fly over so many countries and to realise the vastness of Australia for example and identfy landmarks like Ayers Rock from above.
Sunsets and sunrises and those glorious cloud formations are worth any discomfort on long flights I think.
I came home to a full inbox-including 40 jigsaw puzzles which I'd forgotten to cancel and a garden full of weeds.
I hope you all have many pleasant meetings to come in Leyland.
Best wishes from LG in NZ.
|
| William R | Welcome back onto the forum after your travels, glad to see you posting again, everybody missed you during your travels. The Traveller has returned (cryptic). From a sunny Saturday in Barnsley, Cheerio, Bill. |
| Caroline | Welcome back, Linda!
On another subject, my sought-after luxuries now include: visiting England and seeing my family; taking a bottle of wine round to some old friends of an evening; English bookshops, and being called 'luv' by a shop-assistant..... |
| LDunlop76 | Welcome back home, Linda! I hope the weeds don't take you too long to shift.
And nice to see Bill back on the forum - you cryptic traveller, you! |
| Lady Griffin | Thanks Caroline and I'm sure you'll have a great time when you make the trip.If you do get to Leyland and the pub please raise a glass to absent friends.
I'm still half up in the air travelling on and thinking a lot about the good folk I met.
You learn so much about strangers too, especially when whiling away long hours in Airports.
Say 'And have you come far?'just out of politeness and life stories
flow.
I met a lady from London whose mother was living two streets away from where I stayed in Bamber Bridge-probably walked past her several times, and a very elderly man on his way back from marrying a young Chinese lady . They had just honeymooned in Shanghai.I didn't ask any questions -honestly.
Now I'm back to talking to my cat who hasn't stopped purring.My computer is clean and tidy and I've rid it of several messages from a Dr Jones who wanted me to visit his website where I could get Viagra without prescriptions-can't think how he got through my security.Much still to do-oak leaves to sweep up and kindling to chop-it's chilly here.
Cheerio.
LG |