By Alison Best

MONDAY 14 APRIL

ALISON BEST
Once again, thanks for all the positive reaction I’ve received about my chat with Alison on last Friday’s Nightshift ( - it was repeated on Sunday morning, too). It was especially pleasing to get so many comments not just on how interesting her self-created new artform was but also on what a very pleasant lady she sounded. Well, she sounded that way because that’s the way she is; a very pleasant lady indeed.

That’s all very well, of course - except that Alison is trying to make her presence felt in what is a surprisingly competitive environment; she’s fighting for attention from the local arts bigwigs who not only have the power and influence to get her work shown in local galleries but can also help - or not help - to open grant-awarding doors, too. Alison has done astonishingly well to get this far with her innovative ideas. Let’s hope she doesn’t lose heart and that her upcoming exhibition is a huge success. Nobody deserves it more than Alison does.

Her show runs from this Wednesday 16 April to 17 May at the Buddle Arts Centre in Wallsend. Go and see it if you possibly can. If you’d like to meet me there one day, just say the word and we may be able to set something up.

JOHN’S ANAGRAMS
A listener called John - about whom I know nothing except his name - has sent me a list of particularly pertinent anagrams. I’m not sure whether he’s simply passing them on to me or made them up himself from scratch. In any case, they’re excellent John. Thanks for sending them.....

dormitory - dirty room
Presbyterian - best in prayer
astronomer - moon starer
desperation - a rope ends it
the eyes - they see
the Morse Code - here come dots
slot machines - cash lost in me
animosity - is no amity
election results - lies: let’s recount
snooze alarms - alas, no more Zs
a decimal point - I’m a dot in place
eleven plus two - twelve plus one
mother-in-law - woman Hitler

Brilliant!

Any more ingenious anagram contributions anyone?

CONTACT ME
Post comments on this blog or contact me in any one (or more) of these ways....
ian.robinson@bbc.co.uk
ianstuartrobinson@googlemail.com
text 07786 200954 (while the programme is on-air)
call (between about 0545 and 0630 Monday to Friday) 0191 232 6565
Ian Robinson, The Nightshift, BBC Radio Newcastle, Spital Tongues, Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE99 1RN

NOTE
Please bear in mind that the views expressed in this blog are my own and NOT the views of the BBC.

203 comments:

1 – 200 of 203   Newer›   Newest»
Kev said...

schoolmaster - the classroom
Elvis - lives
the countryside - no city dust here
Statue of Liberty - built to stay free
a shoplifter - has to pilfer
God save us all - salvaged soul

AND

To be or not to be: that is the question, whether tis nobler in the mind to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune
BECOMES
In one of the Bard's best-thought-of tragedies, our insistent hero, Hamlet, queries on two fronts about how life turns rotten.

(Acknowledgement to various websites)

Maureen said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
gillian said...

I like the god save us all, salvaged soul..well all of them really.
elvis is dead...allegedley..
so they reckon..

to be or not to be.. ?
either way doesnt make much difference in the long run,
wonder where the phrase "long run"....came from..

Maureen said...

Did it! Hope everyone else can find us. It was getting to the stage that you didn't want to write too much in case you were wasting your time. I wonder what Ian thinks of this carry on? At least he has to give us points for perseverance. We've sure got 'stickability!' I was thrilled to bits that Ian started early this morning, sorry Ian, I know it's not so good for you but I agree with you Hildie, it's different knowing that you're actually there. I did text in saying 'here come the cavalry and thank you' before Ian said that he wasn't in the right room for the texts and emails. I don't suppose you really get time to read them all anyway. Wonder what happens tonight?, it's become a bit of a guessing game!

Vivienne said...

Hi Maureen,

It's good to catch up with you on this posting. I've invited others to transfer over too.

I've just had a few seconds of panic, as Ian's Nightshift recording speeded up. I thought he was going to disappear, but thankfully the tape sorted itself out.

It was good to hear Lawrence & Grosvenor's interview tonight with Ian. Although it was concerning to learn that Grosvenor is growing old, and may not be with us much longer.

Hi Sid, I'm glad you were able to keep in touch from Galashiels. I hope you enjoyed your break in bonny Scotland.

Hildie said...

Hi Vivienne and Maureen, so this is where you are! I wonder if Ian would start a new page for us one of the days. Wasn't it lovely to hear from Sid in some car park somewhere?! Now there's dedication to duty! I wonder who looks after his tomatoes when he is away.
I heard Lawrence and Grosvenor on The Nightshift .... Ian is quite taken with Grosvenor, isn't he? And it's lovely to hear one of the gang on the radio! It happened to be the only single, solitary, item Of the show that I heard last night. I went to bed so tired at half past eleven .... I woke up twice in the night and each time heard Lawrence and Ian talking ... isn't that strange? Vivienne, I am always wondering things you know... and I am wondering why you are up in the night.

Hildie said...

I forgot to leave you my anagram of a local placename .....

ALPINE FINLAND.

It's in County Durham.

Vivienne said...

Hi Hildie,

Glad you've joined Maureen & me down under! I'm trying to think of a place in Co. Durham with an F in it. It's not Finchale Abbey! Mmm..

Well, I don't want you wasting your time and energy wondering what I'm up to in the dead of night Hildie. Sometimes I can't sleep and thankfully I don't feel so tired since I retired, so don't need so much sleep. On other occasions I stay awake listening to Ian, but last night I was enjoying the Nightshift and also worried I wouldn't wake up in time for workmen arriving from 8am this morning. I'm having some double glazing fitted plus two new doors in my porch. I was up late clearing everything out of the porch, and items away from windows. I waited until this morning before I removed curtains.

Recently I slept in when I was supposed to be taking my car in for a servicing. I was only 10 mins late! I didn't want to take any chances today.

Ian played Prelude's, 'After the Goldrush' for me, then asked for some information about Prelude. He didn't know they were a local band. I emailed back with some data. Ian read out parts of my message after 6am. I was glad I heard him on both occasions. I also heard Lawrence & Grosvenor twice!

The workmen are doing a good job, so I'll go and make them another cup of tea.....

Hildie said...

I don't know if this has got anything to do with anything or not ...... but many moons ago I was a Neil Young fan and had an L.P. of his that was called "After the Goldrush". Sorry for being curious about what you were up to in the dead of night, by the way!
I have no genuine reason for being awake in the dark hours of the night ..... it's all Ian Robinson's fault! It definitely is starting to tell on me ..... I look as though I go clubbing every night!!

Maureen said...

Hi to both of you, no one else seems to have relocated yet, I'm sure Sid will, as soon as he returns from Morrisons. I thought it took me a long time to shop!
Hope everone's ok, Hildie, my partner is still a Neil Young fan and has loads of cds by him.
Did you hear Ian ask for some 'bits and pieces' by Tuesday morning as Wedneday is a listeners nightshift. I'm sure that we can oblige! He said that he had quite a big file of stuff already, maybe we could request listen again? I know that I remember bits of stories that Ian has read out and then I've tried to remember it the next day! I wish I could get a 6 hour tape! I know that you can record from the radio to the computer, but I don't know how! Oh for the old days when I used to record Alan Freeman's Pick Of The Pops on a Sunday and play it all week until the new top ten the next week. Who needs an Ipod?

Maureen said...

Hildie, just clicked after I clicked off if you see what I mean ... Annfield Plain!

Sid said...

Hello chums, how many of us just dive in here and start with our words....and then remember they need to log in, it happens to me regularly. So here goes again...
Good idea to move to this page, it cuts out the hassle.
So Hildie, will it be Sylvia on her way out of the BB house tonight, I reckon it will be. Another nasty bit of work if ever I saw one.
Hi Maureen, I think it was you asking about my tomatoes and who does the watering. Both my greenhouse and polytunnel have battery operated digital water timers. They are connected at one end to a waterbut, and the other end to porous pipe, made from old car tyres, (not by me mind). All I have to do is fill the barrels with rain water and 'hey presto'.
Vivienne I hadn't noticed you sometimes posted in the early hours, typical of a bloke I suppose. Many years ago I used to work late into the night driving my taxi, if only there had been a program hosted by Ian then, the nights/early mornings would have been much better to cope with.
Maureen, I wonder if it is possible to store Ian's show to a usb storage device, you know, the little memory stick 'things'. I'm going to experiment...watch out for the smoke. LOL.

Maureen said...

Pleased to see that you made it back from Morrisons Sid. Hope you had good weather, although I know when I'm away I worry about my plants. I once left an irrigation system just slightly on and when I got back the paving slabs were squelching!
Don't know how you're going to work your memory stick magic but do keep us informed...oh, and good luck!(Keep a bucket of water handy!) I've heard of a programme called audacity that the schools use to record radio programmes but .... Where's Loz when you want him? Probably sleeping, I've noticed that Loz and Vivienne post during the night, making us the part timers!

Maureen said...

Just leaving a comment as I forgot to click on email notification! You must have to do it on each posting as I'm not getting them anymore. Fingers crossed...

Hildie said...

I'm going to miss the eviction as I'm off on a Girls' Night Out to a pub called The Causey Arch ......
but yes, please, Sid - let's have Sylvia out for Goodness' sake!
You got the Annfield Plain anagram, Maureen! And I am glad there are other Neil Young fans around! A unique voice he has.
This is what I am wondering tonight ..... always wondering as you know ...... why is Radio Newcastle not on SKY? There seems to be loads of radio stations on there, but not ours. I could put a tape in and tape The Nightshift no bother if it were. I'm lost with memory sticks, it is not a route I could take.
i think i have seen Ian's big file of stuff before - it used to be located in a big hold-all that went on the Blue Bus with him, bet it must be full now. So we have got to provide him with some 'User Generated Content' .... I think that's what he said. We are getting very technical now.
I heard Ian for a little while last night ..... I love his little rants at the beginning of the programme .... last night's was all about his journey to work each morning, it was lovely to listen to. I had to snuggle down soon afterwards as I had to go to school this morning. It's awful when you want to listen and you just can't.

Vivienne said...

Hi Folks,

Just thought I better call in in case you thought I'd gone into hiding! I've had a busy couple of days sorting out the house after my new windows & doors were fitted. Also, my sister came to stay last night en route from Scotland to Wales. She is trying to support a friend in Wales who has recently been diagnosed with terminal lung cancer. She treated me to a lovely meal at the Big Lamp in Newburn.

Well done Maureen for guessing Annfield Plain. Good to have you back safe & sound, Sid.

Hildie said...

Hi there Vivienne, I hope that you are all ship- shape after having your doors and windows fitted. Must have caused a bit of a mess!
I don't envy your sister's task , nor the situation her friend is in - and would like to send my best wishes to them both.
Did you know we (as in 'we truckshunters') are joining a Bat Group, where you go on Bat Walks?
And we might be getting a 'Robinson Moth Trap'?

Hildie said...

Also, quite soon , Ian is hoping to record a chat with 'Animals in Asia' which is a charity that protects the Moon Bear in China and in other countries.
The 'Robinson Moth Trap' is the idea of J. Arthur Smallpiece.

Maureen said...

Hi Vivienne,
Nice to hear from you and yes I did wonder where you were. Isn't it funny how we have got into a kind of pattern of just 'checking in' now and again? I've been to the Big Lamp, isn't it lovely? We had sunday lunch after 'doing the walk' along the river to Wylam. Wonderful! Isn't there a connection with Ian there somewhere? Is that the brewery that he was inolved with? It rings a bell there somewhere! Can you remember Sid or Hildie?
Been up most of the night with Ian (!). He played your 'bit' on Peter and Gordon again Vivienne and a fascinating piece on Brinkburn. I had to get up to check the website! Hoping to get there if we can. Thanks Ian, there isn't enough publicity on these events. Enjoy your company Vivienne, it makes a nice change doesn't it?
Brass concert on at South Shields Amphitheatre this afternoon if anyone fancies a run out, hope it stays fine!
Toodle Pip!(Now where does that expression come from? I'm sure Ian would know!)

Sid said...

Morning everybody, the weather forcast for the week looks to be ok, so I'm off to the Costa del Car Park for a few days.
I'm sorry Maureen, can't help with the Ian thing, but he'll tell you as and when he reads this page.
Must go now before the cat hides himself, as soon as I pick the 'cool box' up he's off to his many hiding places.

PS.Maureen, if you google (other search engines are available) Toodle Pip several answers come up...I prefer the French connection.

Hildie said...

Nor me, Maureen, sorry I can't remember where Ian had his brewery. I'll have to follow Sid's lead now and google 'Toodle Pip' ..... sounds interesting!

Maureen said...

Hi All,
Just found Loz next door with good news about the blog ... check it out!
I've left him a note though and hopefully he should be joining us here soon.
Well, I hope you've all had a nap today as Ian mentioned all of our names as contributors for tonights Peoples' Nightshift which means that you'd better get your flask filled and a rug over your knees as we'll not want to miss a minute of the show. Which is exactly what he'd planned!
Did you realise Hildie, that Ian will be the only one free to go on a bat watch or whatever it was, as we are on duty by the wireless every night! I know what you mean about these late nights too, I've taken to wearing dark glasses as much as possible to hide the black rings under my eyes. My neighbours wonder what I am up to and before long I'll have the fraud squad at the door. (I wish!) I'm going to take a power nap now and I hope Ian Robinson feels suitably ashamed of himself!

Hildie said...

Maureen! I can't find the good news that Loz has left about the blog!! I went to check it out on the blog we have just left - but there was no new message there from him. (I looked on the Grosvenor blog that has 220 comments on.) Where should I be looking? You are so right about us not being able to go on the Bat Walks ..... it's all down to Ian, he'll have to represent us while we stay home and tune in to The Nightshift. Perfect excuse! I'll be doing my best to stay awake tonight then - being as we have all made a contribution ........ we're good as gold, you know! I have been to school today, and we had Sports Day this afternoon. The school was split into four teams ... Greece, Great Britain, Russia and the U.S.A. I was in charge of Russia. I was helping people into sacks, and giving out the eggs and spoons - important jobs like that! Unfortunately, we came second to the U.S.A. It was scorching down that field ..... hope it was as hot where Sid and his gang have gone. Wonder if he'll be on the car park tonight?!

Maureen said...

Hi Hildie, are you remembering to click on newest? You had me puzzled for a minute, I couldn't find it at first!
Pleased you had a good day, it's been glorious today hasn't it? Just be glad it didn't rain, my memories of school sports days were rain and wind, usually together! You can have another go at those Yanks next year!(I was wondering if Sid will be able to hear the show tonight, I bet we all sleep through it!

Hildie said...

Thanks, Maureen, that's where I went wrong ... forgot to click on newest! Silly me! I will just hop over there now, in search of glad tidings. Paul Mooney said on the local weather news that it was just like Summer had switched on today, the first day of July.....however, I'd just like to add that
it's a pity it was only for one day ! I like our BBC TV local News Presenters, do you ever watch them? They can be very humourous and entertaining. Tonight they said that they had Paul in an exotic location - and there he was, in his sunglasses, on the BBC roof!
Wonder what Mr. Robinson has in store for tonight? I'm going to take my listening seriously. Good job I'm not in charge of Russia tomorrow!

Vivienne said...

Hi Folks,

I'm enjoying listening to Ian's special Truckshunters' show, but hope I don't sleep in, as I'm going out for the day with friends!

Ian is concerned about Gilly as she hasn't been in touch. Gilly, if you still read the blog please let Ian know how you are. We miss you.

Love Vivienne xxx

Maureen said...

Mornin' all,
enjoyed the show very much. Woke at 1.50, thought that I stayed awake the rest of the programme, but I must have dozed off at times as I didn't hear anything from either Hildie or Vivienne? Heard 'my bit' twice though! It had been that long since I sent them in that I'd forgotten it and enjoyed them all over again. They are so much funnier when Ian reads them out!
Lovely to hear 'old friend' Peter Dodds again, I used to love the banter on the Blue Bus. Wonder if he took some soup in ....
Hope you are up in time for your day out Vivienne, and Hildie, I think I'd just let Russia take care of itself today!

Hildie said...

Morning all ... I enjoyed this morning's show too, but don't I always! It was lovely of Ian to give us all credit for our contributions. It's true what you say, Maureen - that, whatever we send in, is always so much funnier when Ian reads it out ...... I often send something in for that specific purpose ... just because I want to hear him read it! I heard some Home Remedies I had sent in, but it was early in the show so you were still power napping, Maureen. I heard your 'bit' and heard Loz's newsreel items, and I heard Ian enquiring after Gilly and Margaret( I do hope they get in touch with him), I heard Vivienne's 'insults', the Rev. Eddie's jokes and Kev's 'dit - lloyds' ..... so, I didn't do badly before sleep overcame me! Kev, where are you? We miss you here on the blog! And why isn't the Rev. Eddie on here? I am sad though, Maureen, to say that I didn't hear Peter Dodds - now that I would have liked to hear.( I have no doubt he would have taken some soup in!) There were contributions from other people too ... and I was just wishing that every one of them would come blogging with us. All in all, it was a great show , Ian, but aren't they all!

Maureen said...

Hildie, I agree with everthing you say about people coming onto the blog; how about Martin from Houghton Le Spring, Peter from South Shields, Isobel from Morpeth area I think, and where has Ryan disappeared to? (He of the snowy angel blog)I think they still have internet in Hampshire... You are right I'm sure the Rev Eddie would be great fun. Maybe they can't find us, or they are sitting on their hands ...C'mon p l e a s e! I'm sure Ian will sort it out, he always does!
Do you know Hildie, when you said what you'd heard I thought 'oh yes I heard that. and that, etc, Ian had quite a banter with Charlie at 7 with your household tips. Apparently her husband is going to hold the veg tonight while she cuts them blindfolded!
Ian also mentioned Tony from Fenham, haven't heard from him in long time. It's nice to think they are all still listening ... howay Gilly, we miss ya!

Hildie said...

Maureen ..... on the programme last night Ian had heard from Mel, Martin, Paul, Viv, Loz, Kev, Carol, Pete, Peter,Rev Eddie, Jim in Canada, Tony in Fenham - as well as these strange people called Maureen and Hildie. It would be so much fun if we could get them all blogging.
I didn't hear Ian talking to Charlie - I'm feeling quite worried about her husband tonight though!!

Vivienne said...

Good Evening Folks,

Just wanted to add my appreciation for Ian's Nightshift last night. We were all included and Ian put the show together in such a way that there was an excellent range of material.

After spending most of last night listening to the radio and then having a lovely time today at Langley Garden Station & Castle, I'm ready for my bed tonight.

Good night!

Hildie said...

Hello, I've been doing some extra days in school this week .... fitting in the listening hasn't been easy! I stayed up to hear Ian's chat with Alfie and Steve - it was a treat. Can't stay on here long, got to make my son's packed lunch and pack my schoolbag for tomorrow. We might see Sid back soon as the weather for the weekend isn't looking promising for them. Vivienne, I'm glad you had had your day out yesterday while the weather was still good.
Sid .... does Jean want Jennifer out of B.B. this week? I certainly do!

Sid said...

Good morning everybody, its nice to be back and within range of Ian once again.
I must have a word with the owner of our caravan site and see if he's prepared to instal a Wi-Fi internet connection that we can log onto. Both Jean and Gilly are getting a bit fed up of spending some of our break sat in a car park in Hawick, while I read the Truckshunters blog.
Loz cheered me up immensely with the news that Ian may start up again with page 101. Now how good would that be.....bit like Santa coming early.
Hildie, Jan did have to go, she was such a spoilt brat.
Must go now, have some weeding to do....

Maureen said...

Welcome back Sid. Yes it would be wonderful if Ian would just leave a message now and again. Great news. I think everyone is out and about enjoying the fine weather. Make the most of it, good time for weeding isn't it? Nothing too strenuous ...

Hildie said...

Hiya Sid , hope you all had a good time! While you were away they put me in charge of Russia. It only lasted for a day though. I had a bit of trouble locating Loz's news about Ian and the possibility of page 101 appearing one of these days. It would be good, wouldn't it? I got lost negotiating my way around the blog when I was trying to find Loz's comment. I got there in the end, but what a pickle I got myself into. Sometimes I wish that we could have a fresh page each week. Mostly, though, it would be just so lovely to hear from Ian. Yuky weather , isn't it? got caught in the rain at Consett. I'm wondering how my daughter (Kelly) is getting on. She has gone to the Boosh Festival in London, hope she has got her wellies on.

Sid said...

Hildie, you in charge of Russia, that's a step up the ladder and no mistake. Did you manage to get us Truckshunters a special deal with cheap gas?. At the rate things are going we'll have to keep warm in Ian's studio this winter.
I'll have to research the Boosh Festival, see what its all about.
I hope it works out with Ian and page 101. I wonder if he would consider another story from us towards christmas time.....or did the last one land him in tooooo much hot water. LOL.

Vivienne said...

Hi Everyone,

That's a good idea about a Christmas story, Sid. I think Ian would agree if we didn't mention any living persons. Maybe it should be a ghost story? Nothing too scary - a friendly ghost?

If Ian doesn't post again we can move below again, and keep one posting for our story. There are two posts below with only 3 comments.

I've been facinated recently at finding 'orbs' in some of my digital photos. Needless to say they appeared at Lumley Castle. I visited Langley Castle last week and found a couple there too! Last December my nephew moved into a new housing estate at near Crook. I took some pictures outside his house and several orbs appeared on and around his and the nearby houses.

Hildie said...

Morning Everyone!
Not very jolly out there again, is it? Isn't it dark? I thought it was summer! Hope you are all well.

Yeah, Sid, fingers crossed for page 101. I heard some of The Nightshift last night, there were definitely new listeners getting in touch with Ian - some Beatles' Fans in Corfu - and a man who gets up at 6 o' clock to see his wife out to work - and a lady called Eleanor.

I hope Ian is okay. I heard that he was giving up smoking. I should be joining him.

I heard something about Santa from Maureen last night and some stories from Lawrence.

Vivienne, I think I heard Ian say he had been to Langley Castle a few weeks ago. Sure he said he went there to a wedding.

Sid, The Boosh Festival was a Comedy Festival. There was music as well, I gather, and the weather was beautiful, I needn't have worried!

Sid said...

Hello everyone,
I heard a bit of Ian this morning, our Gillian was in a mischevous mood at the time, and had me out of bed. As Hildie has already said Ian has been told by his Dr to give up the tabs. I have no doubt Ian will succeed, no matter how difficult it may be.The big day is July 10th, it fits in with a bit of pre-planning by his doc.

One of his other topics was outside loo's. Could they make a comeback. It appears they could be an attractive addition to folk's homes. As Ian said "handy when you have a party" but the toilet roll used to get damp.
Toilet roll...(here we go), when I was young it was newspaper torn onto squares. During the winter the water used to freeze in the cistern, the draught used to blow under the badly fitting door...and they could come back! NO, never.

Hildie, who do you think is ready for the chop on BB now. Given the choice I reckon Mario is overdue, but he is such a fibber. I can hardly wait to hear what else he has done in his lifetime. Apart from saving the world that is.

Hildie said...

Sid ... I think they might go for Belinda, Belinda, Belinda - and hopefully for Rebecca! Mario, yes, is well overdue for the chop but I think he'll get away with it again. You are right about him, he really grates, he should have a nose as big as Pinocchio's. I remember those outside toilets, by you didn't half rush .... and it was definitely newspaper hanging neatly on a nail. Does anyone know when Toilet Rolls were invented?

Sid said...

Hildie, as you may guess, it was the Chinese who came up with 'Toilet Paper Sheets' in the 14th century.
They were for the exclusive use of the Emperor, and other 'Royals'. The toilet paper came pre-cut in sheets measuring (get this) 2ft by 3ft. They produced 720,000 sheets per year.
I got this info from a bbc web page, its www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A18310538 . It gives a history of what unusual items were used prior to the arrival of the toilet roll. It may provide Ian with a subject for his show....or, on thinking, perhaps not.

Maureen said...

Hi All,
What's all of this talk of outside loos? Sid, we must have had it posh. My grandma used to burn a candle in a flower pot to stop the pipes freezing. Wouldn't have thought that it would generate enough heat...Anyone remember Bronco toilet paper? Aaargh!, and I remember the same redoubtable old lady, placing the tissues that the oranges used to be wrapped in to be brought into service too. (She could have taught them a thing or two about recycling, except then it was called make and mend! Talking about loos and the like, I keep hoping that posting 101 isn't about to become Room 101 where Ian gets rid of all of the things he objects to ... fingers crossed!
What would you put in? There's a topic for the show!

Sid said...

Maureen, what a good question, things to go into THAT room.
Automated, telephone answering systems.
You know the thing, If you imagine ringing for the Fire Brigade and you were to get a reply like....
If your house or home is full of smoke...Please Press 1.
If the flames are in the front room but not yet up the stairs ....please press 2
OR.... All our operators are busy at the moment, but your call is important to us...chuck some wood on the fire till we get there.
I would love to get rid of things like that.

Hildie said...

Sid, you're funny! Loved your 999 call.

Maureen, what an excellent topic you've come up with! You should definitely suggest it to Ian. I'd put in it all those people who say, "I'll ring you back" and never do, and those people who ring you up about new kitchens, and those charities that knock on your door (like yesterday) to get you to make them a Direct Debit.
I asked my son what he would put in Room 101 as he floated past me a minute ago - without a moment's hesitation he answered, "Robbie Williams".

Maureen said...

Glad you like it, I could really get into grumpy old woman mode:
The people who answer you on the telephone with "2 seconds" what does that mean? I was always told to apologise for keeping people waiting and promise to get back to them as soon as possble. Also the 'no problem' reply that seems to be standard these days. I'm telling you it IS a problem! And when did a problem become an issue? I'm a grown up, I can cope with problems, it's ok! Sid, I loved your comments, which reminded me of my sons' advice after working in a call centre for a while: ignore the press button 1,2,3 etc. press a few random numbers, they decide that you are an idiot and put you straight through to a real person! I'm sure I could think of plenty others ... give me some time to think about it!

Lawrence said...

Ah hello gang - I found ya..... 10 days late.

Grosvenor says hi too, in his little old-mans voice.

He's still doing well and is fit and healthy.

I'll be on soon for a bigger blog now I've found you again,

No more hidey-seekey.

Lawrence

Hildie said...

Something I'm still puzzling about ..... if the Chinese invented Toilet Paper sheets in the 14th. Century - why did they take so long to get to Dipton?

Glad to see you, Loz! Sorry if we took a some finding .... we are a bit itinerant at the moment!

Vivienne said...

Hi Folks,

I'm posting in the middle of the night again!

I remember Izal as well as Bronco, though my Grandma always had newspaper neatly cut into squares and strung together. I guess I was quite lucky as both sets of Grandparents had inside loos, and we moved into a house with an inside loo when I was 7yrs old. I was young enough to use a chamber pot at night, so can't recall visiting our loo in the dark. Interesting about the Chinese Sid.

I agree with your son Hildie, Robbie Williams for Room 101, together with Amy Winehouse! I'd include junk mail with the automated phone calls and telephone sales, plus all the people who allow their dogs to fowl the pavements outside my house, despite a Council sign on a lamp-post threatening prosecution. Room 101 better be very large as I'd also include everyone who deliberately drops litter. I'm really ashamed to be English when I look at the amount of rubbish which is littering our countryside. It was particularly noticeable one year when I travelled back from Gatwick by bus after returning from Barbados, where there is no litter. We are supposed to be a civilized country, but I call it Litter Bin Britain, as so many people discard their rubbish anywhere and everywhere.

I blame the Government for being so complacent, and Local Councils for failing to implement littering legislation. It's now a case of too little too late for those Councils which have begun to take action. No wonder so many young people grow up with a lack of respect, when they follow the bad examples set by their elders.
Oops! I'm getting on my soap-box, like Ian!

Hildie, you could be right about Ian attending a wedding at Langley
Castle, as I found a large Wedding Album advertising weddings when I was there.

Perhaps you could give up smoking too, then you and Ian can support each other? I'm glad I never started as I know I wouldn't be able to stop.

Loz, I'm glad you found us. I'm waving to Grosvenor!

Hildie said...

Hello everyone!
I have just posted some bits and pieces off to ian and I mentioned to him to have a look on the blog and see Maureen's "Room 101" idea. I think she has come up with a good topic for the show. hope he has a look, that's if he can find us of course. We should be doing what Hansel and Gretal did, so that people can follow our trail.
I heard the beginning of The Nightshift last night and thought Ian sounded 'not his usual, upbeat self'. However, he has got his lovely friend, Sue, staying with him - so hopefully she'll be able to cheer him up.
Sid, I only heard mention of this, I wasn't awake long enough to hear the actual item, but there was something on called "Weird Gardening". Thought of you straight away!

Sid said...

Hello everyone, how are you all. Thanks for thinking of me Hildie with the item on weird gardening. If it doesn't stop raining soon I am going to explode. Thankfully my garden drains away quite quickly, but other gardeners further down the site get it all.
I'm going to start sawing logs for the winter time soon. I had thought of buying a chain saw, but my wife Jean advised me against it. She says she likes me the way I am...10 fingers, two hands, both legs.
I hope Mario gets his marching orders on BB tonight.
Must go and watch the rain hitting our windows, Jean says I'm wearing the carpet out going backwards and forwards.

Maureen said...

Hi All,
Or is everyone watching BB. Don't let them suck you in Sid! Get your seed catalogues and start planning for next year! It hasn't rained everywhere you know, my sister has a nursery near Stanley and gets really annoyed when they are so negative on the weather reports as people hear them and decide not to go out! We had good weather Tuesday and Wednesday this week with only a few dark clouds which blew over! And Jean's right about the chainsaw, my sister also arranges training courses for those type of things and is horrified that people can buy one in a supermarket these days. Scary!
You should pop up there one day, she has lots of different gardens to look at and lovely coffee and cakes. Gillian would love it.
I missed the 'weird gardening' maybe Ian will repeat it over the weekend. He did an interesting interview last night (I think!) with Loz. I'm afraid I missed the beginning so I'm not sure. But I certainly enjoyed Ian talking about his brewery and how he got into broadcasting. Well worth repeating.
Hope Hildie and Viv are ok, C'mon Loz, you promised to call back!

Sid said...

Maureen you are right again, I had so easily forgotten those two days, I even had my coffee outside with my pals.
Any chance of a clue as to the whereabouts of your sisters nursery, I would like to pay a visit, it was the coffee and cakes that clinched it.

Maureen said...

Hi again,
Just thought Sid, you're probably watching Gardeners World, my Friday therapy, my partner isn't interested in gardening but doesn't mind watching it as he says it's so relaxing. If you can't get out, you might as well watch! (Missing Monty, but I still have other favourites on the show)

Maureen said...
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Sid said...

I have passed a sign for the Secret Garden many times, now I shall definitely have to go. Sounds like a good place to get Ian to visit.

Maureen said...
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Maureen said...
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Lawrence said...

Hi all,

Yeah it t'was I hi-jacking the nightshift - it was excellent fun to do and interviewing Ian was highly enjoyable and what a great interview subject her was.

We did about 20 mins all tolled and it is due to be repeated in its entirity on Sunday Morning's show... the greatest hits one.

Not sure what time it's scheduled for though...

Cheers .... if you catch it hope you like it as much as I did doing it.

lawrence

Maureen said...

Thanks for letting us know Loz. I really did enjoy it. Quite a few little snippets about Ian that I didn't know. I wish he would give us an idea of when these things were going to be on, then we could set our recorders ... ooops! well, he should be on listen again. I really can't understand the logic of repeating daytime programmes and not the night ones, especially when they are so interesting. (Back on my high horse again!)
Anyway, thanks again. Well worth listening out for, everyone!

Hildie said...

Hello, hello,
I'm going to try to catch
The Night Bus tonight, as I'd love to hear Loz interviewing Ian.
Maureen and Sid - I wish I could tell you more about the Weird Gardening .... all I can remember is that hairdriers had something to do with it!
And, Sid, Mario has left the building - well, to be fair to the man, the universe was calling him (according to Lisa.) !!
I'm waiting for The X Factor to start ...... does Jean like it, Sid? Must be going to begin in the next few weeks.
Hope you are all having a lovely weekend and, Loz, I hope I get to hear you and Ian.

Vivienne said...

Hi Everyone,

I kept checking in during the week but we seemed to be stuck on 49 co
mments, then this morning we were suddenly up to 59, and now 60! It's good to hear from all of you, but I wish Gilly would come back too.

Hildie, I'm sorry I can't join in with the BB conversation. I watched Davina's interview with the first evitee, and one subsequent session, but I can't get into BB this year. I feel BB has outlived its appeal. Sorry Hildie I know you are really hooked.

I've been a passionate follower of Dr Who. Well David Tennant has something to do with its appeal! The current series has been particularly good, and I'm sad that it has now ended. You'll think I'm really 'sad' when I confess that I've downloaded all of the Dr Who screensavers for this series, so I can ring the changes!

I heard Loz's interview with Ian with great interest. However, I kept dropping off to sleep, so now can't remember much about their conversation! I planned to listen again tonight but Ian has announced their interview will be repeated in 2 hours time. I'm afraid I won't stay awake that long, as I keep having to delete wwwwwwwwwwwwww & sssssssssssss etc! However, I'll leave the radio on just in case I'm awake.

Vivienne said...
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Vivienne said...

Hi again,

For some unknown reason my comment was posted twice, so I have deleted the last posting.

Goodnight all,

Love Vivienne xxxzzzzzzzzzz........

Maureen said...

Mornin All,
I tried to stay awake as well. Heard Sue Sweeney until 12.45 that I can remember, then Railton at 5.35! Missed it completely, I seem to have a vague recollection of a postcard form Corfu and Ian asking them for more detail... Sometimes I think we hear more than we remember!
Just a thought, can you imagine if Ian called us together... we'd look like the cast of Night of the Zombies! What a dedicated bunch we are!

Hildie said...

Hi Everyone,
by some miracle I think I heard best part of Loz's interview with Ian. I was interested to hear that it was Ian's book about placenames that had led him to his job as a radio presenter. Loz, it was a great interview, I enjoyed it very much ..... but wished I had been more awake. As you say, Maureen, what a bedraggled rabble we would look if Ian called us all together ..... it isn't often I get a good night's sleep and it is certainly telling on me. I'm a bit tickled with myself at the new name I thought up yesterday for the programme (The Night Bus) .... did anyone else like it? Mind you, I doubt that Ian is up for a change of name but - it's cute isn't it?
Vivienne, no need to worry about not being a Big Brother fan. I always look upon it as a study of human nature and - to be honest - I think I like to watch it as it kills a lot of time for me until my knight in shining armour comes riding by! I spend a lot of time on my own, unfortunately, and programmes like B.B. and 'The X-Factor' - because they are long-running - are quite absorbing.
I have never watched Dr. Who but I see what you mean about David Tennant! Anyway ..... you must explain to me one of the days how to delete a comment, I have occasionally wanted to do it but I don't know how!

Vivienne said...

Hi Hildie,

When you are signed in you will see a small 'bin' at the bottom of each of your postings. To delete a comment just click on the bin and you will be asked to confirm that you wish to delete the comment. However, the bin only appears on your own comments, so you can't delete other people's. The exception is if it is your own blog, then you can edit and delete others' comments.

Ian once took almost a chapter out of one of mine. I think he thought I was sharing confidential information about the Blaydon redevelopments, but I only shared information which was already in the public domain.

Hildie said...

Vivienne, thank you so much for taking the trouble to explain but I still can't manage to see any bin. If I ever spot it I will let you know!

Loz, I heard your "out - take" last night. Sounds like you both had a giggle doing that interview! I have heard you doing the 'i-dents' ..... it took a while, kept thinking something was familiar about the voice ..... and eventually the penny dropped.

I'm on the look out for that bin now, Vivienne! I can see a wheelchair!

Hildie said...

Guess what?
Now I see it! x x

Vivienne said...

Well done Hildie. You can delete, delete, delete like the cybermen on Dr. Who!

Hildie said...

But ... why's the wheelchair there?!

Maureen said...

Hi Hildie,
The wheelchair's there to help people who have difficulty separating the letters. If you click on it someone actually says the letters for you to type. I thought that was quite a good idea as I can't decide sometimes between some of them so I thought I'd give it a go ... I heard the voice but things started flashing on and off, so I think I'll leave it alone!
You've got some sunshine today then but it's very windy here ... hoping the washing will stay on the line!

Hildie said...

Hello .... is anyone about?
I have stayed up to listen to The Nightshift .... it's after 1:30, we are on the tenth track of non-stop music and there is no sign of Ian. I'm a terrible worrier - I know he was in the studio this morning, so I presume he will have recorded the programme for tonight..... anyone know what's up? x x

Lawrence said...

Morning Hildie,

Yes I'm up writing my usual stack of speedway bitws and pieces for next weekend's programmes and have of course tuned in.

No idea why the constant music unless the computer's gone pop again as it has done several times of late even keeping Simon and Ann off the air for an hour a week or two ago leaving Alfie to fill in.

Let's hope it's because there's vital computer maintainence going on and it will be all ok from now on.

I saw Ian Monday morning and all was well, so I presume all is now .... and I'm so proud of his stopping smoking too..... excellent effort.

Fingers crossed he pops up at 1am tomorrow.... looks like tonight is a dead loss till 6am now as far as distinctive radio is concerned.

Oh got a few ideas for some items on the nightshift coming up soon.... so stay tuned and incidentally Ian is still looking at a 101st posting on here so keep logging on - you never know when it might appear - he misses the regular blogging.... and we all miss his regular blogging.

Here's to tomorrow's show.

Lawrence

Maureen said...

Mornin' all,
Hildie I don't know if you stayed the distance but it turned into Radio Tees eventually! Ian came on just before 6 and apolgised. I don't know about anyone else but I am getting fed up with this carry on. Ian must be sick after all of the work he puts into the show. It's the BBC for goodness sake, I can't believe that they can't broadcast one programme without all of this bother. I'm thinking of keeping a log. Sorry, but it's bad enough that you give up your sleep to listen without flipping a coin to see if it's going to be on!
I'll understand if you feel that you have to delete this Ian but I had to write it while I was still upset!I@ll come back later after I've calmed down!

Vivienne said...

Hi Folks,

I share your frustration Maureen, although I'm more accepting that there has been another problem! You solved a mystery when you said Radio Tees had been broadcasting. Usually we hear Five Live, but I too had been wondering why we were receiving continuous music. I went to sleep when I realized Ian's recording wasn't being transmitted.

The fact that we could receive Radio Tees indicates that the problem lies within Radio Newcastle, rather than a national breakdown across the BBC local radio network. I took the opportunity to catch up with my sleep. I hadn't slept at all the previous night.

By the way, I didn't know why the disability wheelchair sign was displayed next to the word verification, but had been aware of the difficulties some people must experience. When the letters appear in a joined up way, it isn't easy to define each letter. I'd thought it must be a real challenge for people with sight problems and with dyslexia. I need not concerned myself again now that you've explained that voice support is available.

Hildie said...

Hi Maureen
I'm afraid I didn't stay the distance. Went off to bed all perplexed .... last track I heard went something like this ... "There's nothing on the T.V., nothing on the radio , that means that much to me". It just about summed it up!
And Lawrence
I'm still looking forward to the 101st blog, or even a new page once a week just for us to do our blogging on, or I'd even be happy if Ian joined in and left comments as we do. I'm very easily pleased! I even wondered if he could let the Rev. Eddie (and the other people who send him emails)
know where we are. We could do with swelling the gang somehow!
Ian, hope all goes well with the broadcasting tonight. It's soul-destroying for you - losing all the work you put in. It's a wonder you didn't start smoking again!
We missed you!

Hildie said...

Phew! I reckon we owe a round of applause to Paddy, don't we? We nearly didn't make it on air again tonight .... you couldn't say it was seemless - there was that now familiar, pregnant pause!
Good thing Paddy was there.

Maureen said...

Mornin' All,
So it was a near thing again was it Hildie? I think they need a new battery! I heard the latter end with Ian and all was right with the world! In case anyone missed it he's away at the latitude festival until Tuesday so we can catch up on our sleep. (Sundays' programme will still be on with the weeks' 'highlights') I'm thinking since Ian's away we usually come up with some kind of entertainment ... any ideas anyone? Ian read some 'magical solutions' from Rev Eddie. Household hints which Ian seemed to doubt would work. I'm sure I've got some somewhere...
And he's asking for contributions for a 'peoples' nightshift' for August the 6th. Says that he has loads from last time, I know I sent a few that I haven't heard, maybe I was asleep! I'm thinking that I might put some on here as we might as well share them, how about everyone else? I miss Gilly at these time we used to have such a laugh. I think I'll see if I can 'dig' her up! C'mn Gilly we miss you!

Maureen said...

Here's a mindmangler to be getting on with!
A man is standing in front of three light switches and then there is a shut door. He is only allowed to go through the door once and there he will see three light bulbs. By turning any light bulbs on or off the man must be able to know which light switch goes with which light bulb. E.g. He can turn two on and know which switch is for the unlit bulb but will remain uncertain about the other two. How does he figure out which switch is for which bulb?

Vivienne said...

Hi Maureen,

I can only think that the man opens the door without entering the room, then tests the switches/ bulbs, then enters the room when he knows the answer?

Vivienne said...

Bye the way I sent Ian several pieces of material for our special night, but he seemed to have used only one contribution from each of us. He made us all equal, which is only fair.

Hildie said...

Well, Maureen, I had to use my "Ask the Audience" option about your light bulbs and what they (my son and his girlfriend) came up with was something to do with the heat of the lightbulbs. Switch them on a while then touch them. They seemed to understand what they were saying about it better than I did!
So, there's no Ian tonight then? Did he not record a programme this morning when he was in? Must have recorded the Sunday one, that'll be it. We'll get some sleep, you're right, for a few nights! Hope he has a good weekend. Here's the tricky question .... is he back at 1a.m Tuesday or at 6a.m?

Maureen said...

Hildie, you were wise to use the 'phone a friend option'! The man would switch the first one on for ten minutes, then switch it off and switch the second one on. If he goes into the room now, one bulb will be hot, one will be on, and one will be off! Easy when you know eh? We keep saying that at the quiz that we go to as one of our friends sets them and keeps saying that they are easy!
You've got me thinking now Hildie. Ian said that the next time we heard his voice live would be Tuesday morning and that Michael Poulter would be on this morning. I can't confirm that as I slept A L L night! Isn't it amazing how good you feel after a good nights' sleep? Ian Robinson you've got a lot to answer for!
Has anyone here seen Sid? Can you remember those Gas adverts where they used to say "If you see Sid, tell him" I'm sure Sid will remember them very well! Hope he's enjoying some sunshine wherever he is, looks like the brolly's getting an airing this morning, again!

Maureen said...
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Hildie said...

Try these instead ......
You are driving a bus.Four people get on, three people get off, then eight people get on and ten people get off, then two more people get off. What colour are the bus driver's eyes?


"That attorney is my brother", testified the accountant.
but the attorney testified he didn't have a brother.
Who was lying?

Before Mount Everest was discovered, what was the highest mountain in the world?

How far can you walk into the woods?

Hildie said...

Did you hear the joke Ian told the other night about the cannibal who came back from holiday with one leg missing ... he said it was self-catering.

Maureen said...

Hi Hildie, the first one is whatever colur eyes you have as you're the driver.
Was the accountant a woman?
Brain's not working for the other two. I'm off for a f u l l nights' sleep. Such luxury!
Nite Nite!

Hildie said...

ZZZZ
ZZZZZ
ZZZzzzz
zzzzzzz
zzzzz

Vivienne said...

Hildie,

I agree with Maureen about the driver's eyes. I was going to say, 'brown' as mine are brown. I also thought the accountant was a woman, and Mount Everest was always the highest mountain, even if we didn't know it was there.

Now how far we can walk into woods I guess depends upon the walker. As soon as you walk passed the first tree you are in the wood, and I suppose you could walk around the wood forever.

However, how far 'I' can walk into the woods is a different matter! I once got lost in Chopwell Woods! I was with a group of service users
and we were undertaking an orienteering exercise. The guy who had organised the venture was leading another party. I took charge of our group, and carefully followed the path on the map. I couldn't understand why we failed to meet up with the other party. The path didn't seem to reflect the lines on the map. I'd been diligently following a line of telegraph poles and not the path! We could have still been there if Brian hadn't found us!

It was good to hear Ian again last night. I've felt bereft with no Ian and no Sue Sweeney!

Vivienne said...

Hi Folks,

I've just been viewing the Radio Newcastle website and the email address is:
tyne@bbc.co.uk

When I have time I plan to write and complain about the disappearing Nightshift, and request they employ someone to cover when Ian is on holiday.

Hildie said...

Vivienne, that was a funny tale about your walk into the woods!
I forgot that Ian was going to be on the radio last night, I just had it in my head that he was away till further notice! Is it 6a.m. Tuesday we are expecting him back?
Summer is arriving on the same day I believe, but I don't know how long it intends to stay!
I'm off to the dentist's in the morning for some bridge preparation under sedation, hope he doesn't make rhythmical movements to 'Car Wash' while he's drilling my teeth!

Sid said...

Morning everyone, my bit of sea-weed tells me that the weather is to improve this week, so we're off to the caravan for a few days.
Hildie, be gentle with the dentist. If you are asked to "raise your hand" when the pain is too much, try to resist punching the dentist in the eye.
Well I must go, my wife tells me I'm not going out in THAT 'T' shirt, and has given me another to wear......no change there then.
I shall keep in touch from the usual car park in Hawick, so behave yourselves.

Vivienne said...

Hi folks,

Well we've reached our 100th comment. I hope Ian posts again before we reach 200!

Sid, what's this about wearing a 'T'shirt? I'm back into my winter woollies! I hope the sun keeps shining for you all week. It must be bleak sitting in Morrisons' car park in the rain!

Last week I took my parents' friends to Keswick, where they've been staying for a week. They are in their mid/ late 80s, and this is their first holiday without a car. Ken gave up driving last year when he was very ill. Sadly they've had rain every day, so have been stuck in their hotel most of the time. I'm collecting them tomorrow, when the weather is due to improve!

Hildie said...

Sid, it was the dentist who should have got that warning from you ... first thing Liam said when he came in from work was, "What's happened to your lips, mam?" He couldn't have been very gentle with me, I was under sedation so don't really know how it happened, but I'm well battered about the lips. Added to that, he is off on holiday, so I have to wait until August 11th to have my very expensive bridge fitted!
That's a shame, Vivienne, about their holiday in Keswick. I know a couple, both teachers, who went to a quiet hotel in Yorkshire the last half- term we had ... their holiday lasted precisely one hour. They had a shower and a cup of tea .... then the hotel had a power cut - they decided just to come home! I reckon Sid and Jean and Gilly will be okay for a bit of sunshine this week though!
Do you happen to know if Ian is back on the airwaves tonight or not?

Vivienne said...

Hi Hildie,

I'm sorry you've had such a battering from your dentist. I hope your follow up treatment will be less traumatic. I appreciate what you're going through as I've had a lot of treatment over the past year. I've opted for an implant, which hopefully will be fitted later this year. It all depends upon my gum healing following a tooth removal a couple of months ago. My pension lump sum is being well abused by my dentist!
I hope your mouth isn't too painfull.

I'm sorry your teacher friends had their holiday cut short in such an upsetting fashion, Hildie. Ken was a headmaster and Audrey was a school secretary, so it seems the teaching profession is under attack from some external power! Would you believe they celebrated their 65th wedding anniverary earlier this month? Tragically their only child died aged 12 years with leukemia.

I wasn't sure whether Ian would be back tonight, but thankfully he is. I had a couple of minutes of panic just before 3.30am as another programme cut in, after a slight interruption of Ian's Nightshift. However, Ian returned and all was well with the world!

Maureen said...

Hi All,
Including Sid in a secret location near the Borders! Looks like everyone has been making the most of the sunshine. I have to say, I'm not good at sitting in the sun, I tried this afternoon and fidgeted that much I had to give up and come inside. I just keep thinking of things I could be doing, I don't know how people lie in it for hours. Mind, give me a market and I'll wander round all day! Hope you are feeling a bit better Hildie, sounds like you've had a rough time at the dentists.
It was nice to have Ian back this morning, he disappeared at 6.45 also Vivienne, but not for long fortunately. Hildie, Ian read your news reports about the lady who found a lizard in her bananas ... scary, I know they're not dangerous but I would have been horrified! My sister used to eat her breakfast cereal on the terrace of her house in Cyprus, before someone told her the smell of the milk was attracting snakes!She'd seen them a couple of times and couldn't figure out why it was only her that they appeared to!I sent her a cartoon drawing of her as little miss muffet with the bowl on the ground and snakes following her up the path! Some people just don't have a sense of humour...

Vivienne said...

Hi everyone, including Sid, Jean & Gilly in the car park!

My friends are home again from Keswick. Thankfully they had lovely weather on their last full day, and took a taxi to the place they most wanted to visited during their stay. Their nephew had been killed in a cycling accident abroad last year. His friends had planted a tree in his memory and scattered some of his ashes at his favourite place in the Lakes. This was the first chance Ken & Audrey had to visit and photograph the tree.

How's your mouth today Hildie? Better I hope? I wonder whether some dentists aren't so careful when their patients are sedated. I like to know what's going on. My dentist keeps asking if I'm ok. I think he's very good. He takes a pride in his work.

That's interesting about the milk & snakes, Maureen. I've some friends who've stayed in a villa in Cyprus this year and last. I'll let them know in case they go again.

Well, I'm off to my sister's in Fencehouses this afternoon. She broke up from school yesterday and is taking the opportunity to babysit her grandaughter.

Maureen said...

Hi All,
looks like we're all very busy at the moment. Vivienne, I'm pleased that your friends mananged to make their visit. It seems to help the grieving process. It's so tragic when something like that happens isn't it? I had a friend who's son died in a motorcycle accident, so sad.
Hildie, it sounds like Murphy and Dora are in our area at the moment. Ian's received a couple of postcards from Berwick and the Millenium Bridge. He said that they had a history and were kind of mini-mascots for the show. I wonder where they'll turn up next?

Lawrence said...

Hi folks,

I know you were saying that you'd like a little notice if any of us go on air, well he can't keep me out of the place these days and there's a bit due for the Friday morning show between the start and 2.30am I'd imagine if you'd like to focus in.

It may be repeated much later in the same show and then again sometime on the Sunday show = Greatest Hits edition.

Hope you enjoy it... it was another fun thing to prepare and do.... and it might not be the last :-)

All the best gang... hope you're all well.

Lawrence

Hildie said...

Hi everyone
sorry haven't popped up on the blog for a while - had some time in at school last couple of days of term - we broke up yesterday. Thanks for your concern about my dental problems, appreciate that hope you know! Today I had to go back to the dentist to get him to file down one of the temporary crowns. The lips are beginning to recover, the temporary crown has been made to fit - all I have to do now is wait for the bridge to be fitted - in about a fortnight's time.
I wonder, Maureen, where will those two turn up next? Have you any guesses? I haven't been lucky enough to hear The Nightshift this week, but I shall be listening out tonight for Lawrence.
How's it going in the car park at Hawick, Sid?

Sid said...

Hello chums, we're back home safe and sound. It was much too hot to sit in the car and log into Truckshunters from the car park, so this is my first visit since Monday.
My haven't you all been busy,its a shame I haven't anything of interest to add.
I hope Ian is still doing well with his no smoking campaign, I might get to hear him tonight/tomorrow.

Maureen said...
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Hildie said...

Ahh, Maureen , you needn't have made a bolt for it after all! However, with any luck you may have found some better weather. Sid, hello, it's good to see you back. Bet you all got a suntan this week. While you were away you missed , at the very least, two treats on The Nightshift this week - one was called "On Lawrence's Doorstep" which was the story of Mary Ann Cotton (who was a very nasty piece of work!) and the other was an interview with Steve Drayton about a band called "Elbow". I loved hearing Steve Drayton's voice last night, it was kind of like bumping into an old friend!
I wonder if Vivienne has hopped off somewhere? We could have asked her to send Ian a postcard from Murphy and Dora while she was away.
It has been red hot in Dipton today, I hope you people have had some sunshine today wherever you all may be!

Hildie said...

p.s. Does anyone know what "COLLAPSE COMMENTS" means?
I'm very tempted sometimes to click on that little instruction, just to see what happens.
I had better not. Maybe tomorrow!

Maureen said...

Hi Hildie,
You are right, the fog was rolling in as I left and I was met with a blanket of it on the coast at Whitley Bay, where I was visiting friends.Couldn't even see the sea! Drove home through beautiful sunshine past droves of people heading in the opposite direction! You never know what to expect with our weather... I can hear fog horns now, looks like a day to be heading inland tomorrow!(And the suntan's coming on nicely thank you!)

Vivienne said...

Hi Everyone,

I hope you enjoyed your stay in Scotland Sid.

Hildie, I'm sure I'll run into Murphy & Dora on my jaunts. I'll prompt them to send a card to Ian!

I'm disappointed that the mist stopped the air display at Sunderland today. However, Radio Newcastle did us proud as usual. Sorry Maureen but I love seeing the Red Arrows. I guess my interest grew from my parents. My Dad was a pilot in the 1940s, although thankfully he did not see active service. He and my Mum always went to the Sunderland Air Show. When he could no longer drive I took them instead. I'm hoping to see the Red Arrows tomorrow, weather permitting! My main passion is Concorde. I was shocked when they were withdrawn from service, and have supported campaigns to get her back into the sky.

Lawrence, I'm sorry I slept through your session with Ian. I hope I catch your recording this weekend.

Sid said...

Morning everyone,
Am I being short changed, I can't find a 'COLLAPSE COMMENTS' on my screen.
Maybe it gives you famous quotes from politicians who are about to hit the deck. ie, when one gets the results from a Glasgow east bye election...

Hildie said...

Sid ..... I know not how I got to that bit where it offered "Collapse Comments" as an option - maybe I get to a place where other bloggers cannot reach! I only remember that I was really looking for the place where you tick the box to be informed when comments have been left on the blog. Suffice to say I never got to that place. I had it set up once upon a time, but now I don't get the messages in my in-box. Hot, isn't it? Been out in the back yard with the weed-killer spray .... my best attempt at gardening, Sid!

Vivienne said...

Hi Folks,

I've just lost a long comment I was trying to post! I had to enter the word verification twice, and the second time I tried to post it jumped to another blog identity and my comments disappeared!

Lawrence, I enjoyed hearing your broadcast last night, and look forward to your next installment!

Hildie, Ian told a couple of your stories; the lizard in the bananas & the bra in the cable car. The latter was rather near the bone, as I'd received a text from my sister from the top of Cairngorm an hour or so earlier! She was spending the night on the mountain on her own, while walking several peaks in one go. Thankfully, she arrived home safely, although completely exhausted. She hadn't slept as she felt overly fatigued with her ventures.

She does some crazy things at times. She's walked all of the Munros, mainly on her own and sometimes in awful conditions.
On at least one occasion which I know about, her compass ceased working in fog, and she almost walked off a mountain!

I've been pondering about the, 'Collapsed Comments' too, as I'd seen it somewhere.
After a search I have the answer. 'Collapse Comments' appears on our own blogs when other people post comments. By clicking on this option we see only our own comments. The names of other contributors appear, but not their comments. It's useful when editing our blogs.

Sid said...

Afternoon gang, I hope you're all ok. I actually heard a bit of Ian during the night.
He explained that one of the advantages of the show being recorded, and played later, is that things can be re-done. However we all know that some of Ians best work is heard when it isn't redone.
He played one such item in the early hours. This story takes place in Amsterdam, its important to remember that as the tale unfolds.
Some tame animals escaped from a circus. They all kept together and wandered into the town. In the group were Zebra's and some 15 camels. As they were tame, folks started to feed them. Ian had kept his giggling pretty much in the background till he got to the part where he said "could you imagine someone getting up first thing in the morning in Amsterdam, looking out the window, and finding 15 camels strolling by". Ian couldn't contain his laughter any longer.
I thought that well worth a mention.

Hildie said...

Sid, you beat me to it .... I was going to tell the same story .... not just for the story, but for how Ian had started me off laughing when he couldn't contain himself any longer! That's the beauty of him .... I agree that he should never re-do anything!!

Hildie said...

Vivienne ...... have I got a blog then? !!!

Maureen said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Vivienne said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Hildie said...

Vivienne, was it you who was losing blog comments the other day? It has been happening to me today ..... earlier in the day I lost three attempts to post comments on the blog.

i love those interesting, little chats Ian has at the beginning of The Nightshift. Last night's was about his recent visit to the cinema (to see the new Batman film ) where he saw those people with the gigantic bucket of popcorn and loads of other snacks to eat during the film. It does all seem a bit over the top nowadays.

Do you know what?! .... I saw a dog with blue eyes yesterday! It was kind of a Husky sort of a breed. Amazed, I was!

Vivienne, hope you are okay. I just honestly thought that I had joined the Truckshunters' Blog when I had to open a blogger account or whatever you have to do initially, sorry if I seem a bit dippy ..... but half the time I really don't know what's going on when it comes to computers! I'm the wrong generation, I think!
I've had loads of trouble with this computer of mine today, I often do because it's really stupid ....... I was trying to open an email .... it (the computer) told me it was working on my request .... it blatantly wasn't you know!!! If I ever win the lottery, it's a trip to the dentist's for me ( for implants) and a new computer!!

Vivienne said...

Hi Hildie,

Yes it was me who had problems posting comments. Buying a new computer seems like a good idea, but they can bring a new set of problems. I treated myself to a new laptop a few weeks ago, and it's taking me ages to get used to it. I'm using my old one at the moment so I can read my emails in Outlook Express. I can't install Outlook Express on my new laptop as it's been superseded by something like Windows Mail.

I found my Hotmail account ok, and eventually managed to access my new emails for Outlook Express via webmail, which a friend told me about when my inbox became choked with 29 messages (most of which were forwarded messages with large attachments). When I try to log-on to my new laptop via blueyonder my account isn't recognised, but I can log-on by using the same number tel no. 179 with a dial-up connection. ???

I've been printing off photos on my new laptop, but wasn't given the options I had on my old one, i.e. to change colour density etc. I tried printing at the weekend again and I suddenly acquired a new programme, which I can't by-pass, to print normally! The laptop keeps updating itself with new installations. Generally I don't mind, as I gained 'Google' that way, but everyday brings a new adventure!

I had to transfer a couple of Air Show photos to my old laptop to forward them to wear@bbc.co.uk. They have used one of the photos (three policemen near the BBC red bus) which seems to be on page 14 of the Wear site.

I'm also hoping to have an implant in November. The gum has to have time to heal after the tooth was removed, and be deep enough to take the implant. I didn't want a bridge as I'd heard it can feel like having something trapped between your teeth. If it wasn't for my retirement lump sum I couldn't have considered an implant. I opted to take the highest amount of lump sum, and lowest pension, as the lump sum is tax free but the pension isn't. (A financial advisor told me I'd made the right choice). If you are considering retiring in the near future you may wish to do the same.

Well I'm off to see Mama Mia tonight. So I better go and do some shopping now, before I run out of time.

Maureen said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Lawrence said...

Hi guys,

The next "On Your Doorstep" is on roughly same time as last week... should be before 2.30 Friday morning then repeated later same show around 5 and then on the Greatest Hits Sunday show...... hope you enjoy this one ... it's a crackin tale and a thought provoking one to boot.

As Ian has absolutly no idea what we're talking about 'till we start recording I'll keep the subject under wraps... but this is a bit special I think.

Hope you enjoy it...... all the very best and hope everyone's keeping well.

Lawrence

Vivienne said...

Good Morning Folks!

I'm looking forward to hearing your broadcast Lawrence. I hope I can stay awake long enough to hear it!

Maureen, we probably have passed each other on many occasions. My aunt used to live in York Street, before moving to Field Terrace. When she retired from teaching she moved to Whickham. Another aunt still lives in Jarrow, plus four of her five children, and their families.

I sent my photos by email to wear@bbc.co.uk

Hildie, it's my turn to visit my dentist this morning. I lost part of a tooth a few days ago!

Hildie said...

Morning everyone,
been having horrible bother with my computer again this week, in particular with Hotmail. Sometimes it's okay, sometimes it's not. And I didn't win the lottery so I'll have to battle on!
We heard from Peter Dodds on The Nightshift last night! It's good to hear from the old crew, isn't it? I enjoyed hearing Steve Drayton last week.
Vivienne .... the very best of luck at the dentist's this morning. I think we have a design fault, dont you? A third set of teeth appearing in our fifties should have been planned in!!

Vivienne said...

Hi Folks,

Well there's some spectacular lightening flashing across the night sky at the moment!

Lawrence, I'm glad you chose to recognise the heroism of John Kirkpatrick/ Simpson tonight. I lived and worked in South Shields for many years, so have a personal interest in supporting a campaign to honour his outstanding bravery.

How about you and Ian contacting David Miliband, Foreign Secretary and South Shields MP, to see if you can get him on board? Then start an online petition via the Prime Minister's site, and also contact the Shields Gazette. Maybe Ian could post your information, together with a photo of John's statue, on this blog to kick start the campaign? Keep up your good work!

Hildie, I think my luck is in. My dentist wants to see me for a 50 min appointment in the evening, and he's inviting a colleague along!!! I must say I like your idea about a third set of teeth. Just think of the money we'd save, not to mention the pain!

Lawrence, I've just googled John Simpson and found a site 'World War 1 in the News' in which there is a paragraph about John. It says he could be one of the first to receive an Australian-issued Victoria Cross! I'll email Ian in case he doesn't read this.

Maureen said...

Hi Vivienne (and everyone else of course!) I'm with you on the subject of John Fitpatrick. Like you, I have a special affection for him as one of our 'unsung heroes' I think you could have struck a chord there Lawrence. (No pun intended for a piano tuner!) I'm sure you will find that we are not alone. My son, living in New Zealand, informs me that John Fitzpatrick gets a special mention on Anzac Day there. Best of luck with your campaign. Isn't it lovely to hear something 'live' as well? To have some interaction brings the programme to life. It's what Ian does best! And is it just me or has the choice of music improved lately? Some lovely happy songs during the night that I hadn't heard for a while! I'm afraid I really dislike all of those dreary trailers repeating excerpts from other programmes. Why don't we hear trailers for the Nightshift?
That was some storm wasn't it? Let them complain about a shortage of water now!
Hildie I heard your seagull stories, very good! My brother in law was attacked by a South Shields seagull, but that's another story ....

Maureen said...

I don't know if anyone is interested but apparently they are experiencing an eclipse in Cyprus at the moment. Apparently it passed over Northern Scotland in the early hours of this morning. Maybe that explains the storms? I wonder if Paul Mooney knows?

Hildie said...

Hi Maureen .... I saw something on the lunch time news about a total eclipse in China. Apparently it has been partly visible in parts of Britain - but - the next tome we'll get a total eclipse here is in 2090 - the least said about that the better for all of us!

I was fascinated with the story of Jack Kirkpatrick .... I've said it before but, you know, it's an education listening to Ian's programme! How strange that they have memorials in Australia and, as Maureen says, he is remembered in New Zealand for his bravery - yet we have failed in this country to acknowledge him by awarding him the Victoria Cross. Come on Mr. Miliband! Do your bit! I have to say that, while listening to the story unfold, I really did feel extemely sad when we got to the bit where I learned of his fate - I was shocked that he died at only twenty two years of age.
Vivienne .... it sounds to me as though your luck is very much in indeed!!
I didn't hear the sea gull story that I'd sent in - that's the chance you take with The Nightshift though, and can't be helped. I am a listener to the opening part of the show, maybe the first hour and a half, so if I send items in and they are read out after that time well it's just bad luck. Maureen, you were saying you didn't like the trailers - nor do I - to be honest I don't like so much music as there is. I stay up to listen to Ian , not really to listen to music. But maybe there are people who like to listen to lots of music.
Anyway, Loz did well again. It was a great story to tell, and I knew nothing about it before last night. Jack should be as famous round here as Grace Darling - and should be as famous in the history books as Florence Nightingale.

Maureen said...

Lawrence or Loz I never know which name to use! I would say your feature was a resounding success! But you've got me thinking now. Who will come under the spotlight next...Jack Crawford, Dolly Peel, John Candlish? We have such a wealth of local characters. Who would everyone else nominate, either as a local hero or villain?

Lawrence said...

Hi gang,

Loz Lawrence - you decide so long as you don't call me Marlene... except on every second sunday in the month of course.

I am soooooooo chuffed .... so pleased you liked Doorstep this week, * sits at computer like a Cheshire Cat :D

I had a feeling Jack's story would hit the spot and it seems it really has and lets really get the VC for a real hero who is one of our own..... wouldn't that be marvelous!

We didn't think about David Milliband when we did the recording, but he's the guy alright. I'll have a natter with Ian and see if the BBC news team can get his contact and hey.... why don't we try to interview him on the nightshift???

I think we'll get a result here ..... if we all pull together.

With regard to next week's Doorstep - I actually dont decide till Sunday night then it's a mad 36 hours to prep the piece.... that's how I always get the best results by instinctive work - rarely does long term planning come in to my stuff... and it suits me so as yet I ain't gotta clue who or what or where's on the next one... but my dear oh Lord... it really is a case of follow that Loz....

Im so proud of this feature...

Lawrence / Loz / Marlene (not!)
Delete as appropriate.

Hildie said...

Morning!
Lawrence... why isn't Jack as famous locally as Grace Darling? Why isn't he as famous in history books as Florence Nightingale? I think he should be.
I was fascinated by your story the other night and so sad when I heard how Jack had met his fate... at only twenty two years of age.
Good luck with David Miliband.

Maureen said...

Hi Loz, (less typing!)
You deserve to be proud, the whole venture is a great idea. I've always said that people tune in to local radio for local interest. You've got quite an open door there, where will you go next? As long as it's North East related I'm sure it will be a success. I used to enjoy John Grundys' programmes, mooching around the area, telling us things that we didn't know about places we passed everyday.
Like Vivienne, I thought of entering a petition on the 10 Downing St website and approaching David Milliband. (He seems a bit busy at the moment, but would be good PR for him!) Good Luck! We'll be looking forward to the next one.

Maureen said...

Hi again,
guess what? I've just 'refreshed' to view my comment on the page and got 'Post a comment on Truckshunters' with 'collapse all comments!' So that must have been what you did Hildie. (I had the nerve to 'click' and got a list of Kev said, Maureen said, etc. So now you know!

Hildie said...

Sorry I have inadvertently repeated myself in the above two comments I made! Thing is - I thought the first one had got lost - and I just lost the will to live and gave up on it. This morning, when I came back, all fresh and new, to try again - I neither checked if it had posted or could remember what I had been going on about! I could only remember that I had wanted to say something about Jack Kirkpatrick. I also wasn't feeling confident that this morning's comment would post .... so decided to keep it brief. Forgive me! I am really now looking forward to a new page to write on .... it's a long scroll down nowadays ..... maybe Ian will post a little something for us soon. Do you think? Do you hope?
Maureen, I'm glad you have encountered the 'Collape Comments'
notice. You were braver than I!
The local stories Ian and Loz are telling us are very enlightening. I'm sure I remember Ian saying they will be covering local places too in the series.
I put a letter in the post to Ian yesterday describing a pub at Sunniside that a bunch of us went to the other night for my friend, Val's, birthday. I bravely suggested he might like to do 'The Ian Robinson Pub Guide'!!

Hildie said...

P.S. Ian is taking a few days off in order to watch the Olympic Games .... but I don't know exactly when. xx

P.P.S. Anyone seen Sid?

Hildie said...

QUIZ TIME.

Which drink is mentioned in all the following songs?
'Death of a Clown' The Kinks.
'Honky Tonk Woman' The Rolling Stones.
'Substitute' The Who.


What is a dew drink?
A drink before breakfast.
A drink made with rainwater.
A weak drink.


Who recorded the original version of Red Red Wine?


In 17th. Century hospitals, children were given 2 gallons of beer a week. True or false?


Which classical composer died of cholera in 1893 after drinking unboiled water?
(Mind, that seems a bit of a shame!! Poor thing!)

Maureen said...

Ooooh! I love quizzes, but not the ones that Ian's putting on at the moment...too hard!
Death of a clown ... Gin
Honky Tonk Woman ... Gin again
Substitute ... my coke for gin!
And Neil Diamond sang Red, Red, wine. That's all the ones I know. Hildie are you trying to tell us something? Do you find that drink features a lot in your thoughts? ... Only kidding!

Hildie said...

Hi Maureen, you're doing well there! I bought a book today entitled "The Ultimate Rib- Tickling, Beer- Swilling, Ice-and- a Slice Quiz". Lovingly prepared by a talented group of bartenders, it's blended to create hours of fun, and can be served chilled with a twist of lime at your favourite watering hole - or so it says on the back cover. However, the truth of the matter is that it was only 49p ..... therefore I couldn't walk past it! Just to keep you interested - Where does the word 'tiddly' (meaning slightly drunk) come from?

Vivienne said...

Good Evening Folks!

Lawrence, how about highlighting the case of William Jobling who was scapegoated and gibbetted on Jarrow Slacks (Jarrow's Lake/ Jarrow Slake) for the murder of Nicholas Fairless (South Shields Magistrate) on 3rd August 1832?

I have a booklet about the incident, which was compiled by Tom Kelly and illustrated by Vince Rea. Vince felt so strongly about the injustice levied at Jobling that he staged an exhibition about him in the Bede Gallery in 1972. You can borrow the book if you wish?

Sid, were you in Annan on Friday? There was a guy who parked in front of me in order to help his passenger in her wheelchair into their van. The young woman looked rather like Gilly in your photo.

(Hildie, I saw Murphy & Dora on my travels too!) I'm guessing the answer is 'yes' for the children being given 2 galls of beer. I've no idea about the identity of the composer.

I've been enjoying listening to Sue Sweeney tonight, and her haunted studio!
I get sick of the Mike Parr trailers. There is no need to advertise his show at all hours of the day and night.............
I don't believe it. They've just played it again at ten to one in the morning! I agree that they should vary the trailers, and include the Nightshift, rather than playing the same ones over & over again.

Good night everyone zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Vivienne said...

Hi Hildie,

I've just found your last comment which you posted while I was writing mine. Could 'tiddly' be from the game 'Tiddly Winks' as they stray all over the place instead of the intended direction?

Good night, Vivienne xxx

I don't believe this......... Ian has just mentioned William Jobling's anniversary, plus his own for the Nightshift! A good opportunity to post again, Ian???

Sid said...

Good morning chums, its been a busy few days...reading all your comments..trying to avoid the showers, and not really having much to share on here.
Sorry Viv, (can I call you that,it saves so much time) it wasn't us in Annan the other day. We haven't moved much out the area this week.
Loz I to enjoyed your item the other day. The last minute idea seems to work well for you. I tend to be one of the 'planning and preparation' type. I can see from our blog you're not going to be short of help and ideas.
Hildie I enjoy your quiz questions, I think 'Tiddly' is derived from the word Toddle, ie to walk with short unsteady steps. Fits the bill nicely I think.
I hope Ian enjoys his few days with the games.
On the subject of Olympic Games...I wonder if the powers that be are still pleased we won (or should that be given) the games for 2012. They have been very quiet over the cost lately.I often think about the things we could have done with the money.

Hildie said...

Hi everyone .... dropping off the answers -
1. Gin
2. A drink before breakfast.
3. It was true - beer was safer than water.
4. Tchaikovsky.
5. It came from Tiddly Wink (rhymes with drink).

Hildie said...

QUIZ TIME ONCE MORE!

1. In 1668 Dom Perignon (a blind cellar master) discovered champagne and shouted .....
a. "I'm going to make a fortune!"
b. " The bubbles have gone right up my nose!"
c. "Come quickly, I am tasting stars!"

2. Complete this old English proverb -
Good ale will make a cat ........
a. bark.
b. speak.
c. and bad ale will make a rat.

3. In australia if you "drink with the flies" you
a. drink alone.
b. drink hardly anything.
c. drink anything you can get your hands on.

4. Which country drinks the most beer per head?
America, New Zealand or the U.K.

5. Which country produces the most wine?
Italy, France, U.S.A?

6.In old England drunkards were forced to parade around in the "Newcastle Jacket". This was -
a. A lidless barrel with a head-hole.
b. A hessian sack.
3. A wooden placard reading 'I am mine own damnation'.

7. After years of heavy drinking, how did Ernest Hemingway die?

8. Which alcoholic footballer, who had a film made about his life, said - "I'm attending Alcoholics Anonymous, but it's difficult to remain anonymous."

9. In 1911, famous escapologist Harry Houdini had to be rescued from a huge vat of Tetley's Beer.
True or false?

10. What is 'ebriosity?

11. Why should champagne glasses always be completely dry?


love from Hildie.

Hildie said...

It is a year today since 'The Nightshift' began and Ian was, last night, singing the praises of his listeners. He's lovely, isn't he? ... after all, that's why we bleary - eyed bunch are here.

Hildie said...

Maureen ..... forgot to tell you that Taloola Did The Hoola In Hawai put in an appearance on the programme last night.
A while ago I sent Ian an item I'd found that said in Sweden there is actually a law against giving your child a really stupid name. The article was about a court case in which these people wanted to name their child LEGO. They had been told they were not allowed to give him the name . However, in the court case, surprisingly, this was over-ruled.... so there is a little Lego out there somewhere!

Vivienne said...

Hi Hildie,

Here are my answers to your quiz:

1. Dom Perignon said, 'Come quickly, I'm tasting stars!'
2. Good ale will make a cat ........ and bad ale will make a rat!
3. In Australia if you, 'drink with flies' you ......drink alone.
4. New Zealand has the highest number of beer drinkers per head.
5 France produces the most wine.
6. A 'Newcastle Jacket' was a lidless barrel with a head-hole.
7. Ernest Hemingway died from spontaneous combustion!
8. George Best found it difficult to remain anonymous.
9. I've never heard of Tetley's Beer, so I guess Houdini had to be rescued from a vat of tea. Answer .... false!
10. I guess 'Ebriosity' is the opposite from inebriated, and therefore means sober.
11. Who would want to dilute champagne?

Now Hildie, tell me how many I've got wrong!

Night, Night,

Love Vivienne xxx

Lawrence said...

Hi all,

Happy Birthday dear Nightshift.... giving us meaningful and distinctive radio through the night... keep it up!

Hildie, Vivienne and Sid, thanks again for the comments about Doorstep, they really are appreciated and also thanks for the names and ideas - i shall write them in my ever bulging note pad.

Everything I write for speedway programmes, magazines, websites, and even going back to schooldays with essays etc have always been off the cuff and impulisive with only ever one draft written... I really think that gets the best out of me, for on occassions when I have inadvertantly deleted a column, the re-write never seems to have the same feel to it.


Yes Hildie, we will be covering places too which (giving no clues) could be the theme this week.... I've just finished prepping two choices for recording on Tuesday morning - I'd expect all will be revealed as usual Friday between 1am and 2.30am.

Got to admit I love researching this stuff, I'm learning so much about this great place of ours.

Cheers Lawrence

Maureen said...

Hi All,
Well, did we all enjoy the peoples' nightshift last night? or nightshirt, as I heard Ian call it inadvertantly the other night!
I'm afraid I missed most of it as I was booked for an early run to the airport this morning. (No, their flights weren't delayed thank goodness, although it seemed extra busy.)I know I've said this many times before, but I wish Ian was on listen again, all of that work putting the programme together and I feel really cheated if I miss it ...Booo to the BBC!
Anyway I hope everyone else enjoyed it and maybe you can tell me what I missed. I heard the newsreel Hildie and your fat sheep! What a giggle, we knew someone whose neighbour had a goat that used to wander in and watch television, just Eastenders mind! I'm sure there's a punchline there, but I'd better not upset the BBC too much! I heard Ian read out my posh picnics story, and Inga with her picnics, c'mon Inga we want to hear more ... I wish these people would join in on the blog, and Rev Eddie, are you really a Rev? I'd attend your church anyday, it must be such a laugh!
It's very quiet out there ... hope everyone's ok. Sid I'm with you on the olympics, we were really lucky there weren't we? Like a bamboo bridge across the Tyne, we needed that like a hole in the head, I called it the Kerplunk bridge! What a shameful waste of money.
Hildie, I knew I'd heard about the silly names in Sweden somewhere, and maybe they should reintroduce the Newcastle Jacket for use by the police at the Bigg Market on the weekends!

Vivienne said...

Hi everyone,

Maureen, I enjoyed what I heard of last night's Nightshift, but I couldn't keep awake. When Ian announced the names of the people who had contributed to the show I was a bit disappointed that he didn't include our names, so I thought he wasn't going to use any of our material. I did hear Hildie's contribution, but no-one else's I knew. I agree that the Nightshift should be on 'Listen Again.' Incidently, I've heard Ian call it the Nightshirt on a few occasions.

Vivienne said...

Hi Hildie,

You haven't told us the answers to you last quiz.

I've been listening to Radio Newcastle for about one and a half hours tonight, and I've heard Mike Parr's trailer twice! They seem to play it every hour, as it was played during Jonathan Miles' & Alfie Joey's shows too.

Maureen said...

Vivienne, I see what you mean about the Mike Parr trailers, the latest thing is the trailers for Holby City! What is going on there? Surely there are enough trailers on TV for TV programmes? I was surprised to hear Ian say last night that he has to mention the BBC Radio Newcastle jingle every seven and a half minutes. No wonder it seems so repetitive... Because it is!

Vivienne said...

Hi Maureen,

I'm really sick of the new Radio Newcastle slogan, 'Radio Newcastle, the BBC for the Northeast.' It sounds so artificial. There is no spontaneity or individuality anymore. All the presenters say the same dialogue all the time. I wasn't surprised when Ian said he had to advertise the station every seven and a half minutes, as it seems that we hear it continuously. Now that all the presenters are repeating the same words it's all the more irritating.

I assume Mike Parr has been told he must advertise another show each time Gilly Hope finishes her Travel update. I find that irritating too. The benefit of local radio is the personal approach. The dialogue is becoming too automated and false.

I like Holby City, but agree we don't need it advertised on the radio. I think special events, like the Olympics, should be advertised once or twice before they occur. Sorry to complain but I've been getting more and more annoyed.

Lawrence, I thoroughly enjoyed your talk on Chillingham Castle. I didn't realize that all the torture items had been used at Chillingham. As there is such a wide selection I thought most of them had been acquired to enhance the collection. When you described how they were used I couldn't believe how evil the torturer was.
I met Sir Humphrey Wakefield when I took my parents to Chillingham a year or two after he took over the castle. He was very friendly and chatting with visitors in the tea room.

Vivienne said...

Hi again,

Hope you like the recent photo of my great niece, Faith!

Vivienne said...

Hi Folks,

Where are all of you? I hope you've been having an enjoyable weekend, or maybe you're on holiday? I hope you are all well.

Love, Vivienne xxx

Vivienne said...

Good morning everyone,

Did anyone manage to hear the live Nightshift this morning from 5.30am? I didn't wake up in time and wondered what I'd missed. This is why we need the Nightshift on 'Listen Again.'

Love Vivienne xxx

Vivienne said...

Hi Again,

I've written to tyne@bbc.co.uk to request they include the 'Nightshift' in 'Listen Again.'

Sid said...

Hello everyone, Its a good job I'm not a farmer, my wife and kids wouldn't have starved, but we wouldn't have made a profit either. All this rain is making life at the allotment difficult. Everything is so wet.

Having seen the opening of the Beijing games, I, like many others, have sat wondering how on earth we can keep up with such a splendid display. I have come to the conclusion that we can't. Even if we scaled the numbers down I can't imagine we could muster enough Morris dancer's to do it justice.

I wonder if the local bookmakers will give me good odds if I can guess the number of foreign competitors who fail to return home after the event....must get another calculator, this one's only got room for six digits.

Me..cynical, never.

Lawrence said...

Hi all,

Just to let you know there's no On Your Doorstep this week, but there's two next week!

The next one is due on air early on on Tuesday morning next week in the early hours of the 19th of August.

The second will be the Thursday or Friday - I shall report back later.

Hope you like the chosen subjects forthcoming.

Cheers gang

Lawrence

Maureen said...

Hi All,
hope everyone's ok. Did you hear Ian this morning? so much better to hear the 'real' Ian. It's what he does best isn't it?
Sid I'm with you on the Olympics farce. I'm sure it was just a way of getting money to spend on regeneration in London. Laughed at your Morris Dancers comment, how about some 'River Dancers' and maybe some 'Highland Flingers' or isn't that politically correct these days? Looking at the weather, we could major in Wellie Hoying!
Ian seems to be getting a few postcards in from Murphy and Dora lately, sad to hear that they have headed abroad somewhere now. I wonder where they will turn up next?
Have you had any reply about listen again Vivienne? I know that Gilly said that she hadn't got anywhere when she asked. I'd be glad to add my support if you think it would help.
Hope you are all keeping dry. Sid, wipe those boots before you come in!

Vivienne said...

Hi Folks,

Loz, I'm looking forward to your next two features. Have you thought of including Grace Darling?

Maureen, I received an automated reply to my email, which said they didn't reply to individual emails due to the popularity of the site. They gave a whole load of links to related sites, which were of no use to me. I'm sure someone will have read my email. Maybe more requests would help.

Yes, Murphy and Dora have been visiting a few places. I've no idea where they will turn up next. Maybe Hildie can tell us?

Sid, I watched the opening ceremony too, and was thinking the same as you, that there is no way we can match their spectacular opening show.

Vivienne said...

Good morning folks,

I've just had Broadband installed and what a difference it makes to dial-up! I should have changed over ages ago.

Love, Vivienne xxx

Hildie said...

Hello! I'm back .... I've not been far away but have missed you all. I think it's time I gave you the answers to the quiz -

1. Dom Perignon (the blind cellarmaster) said, "Come quickly, I am tasting stars."

2.Good ale will make a cat speak.

3. In Australia if you "drink with the flies", you drink alone.

4. New Zealand drinks the most beer per head.

5. Italy produces the most wine.

6. The Newcastle Jacket was a lidless barrel with a head hole.

7. Ernest Hemingway accidentally shot himself whilst cleaning his gun.

8. "I'm attending Alcoholics Anonymous, but it's difficult to remain anonymous" was a quote from George Best.

9. It is true that in 1911, famous escapologist Harry Houdini had to be rescued from a huge vat of Tetley's beer because he was overcome by the alcohol.

10. The word 'tiddly' (meaning slightly drunk) comes from TIDDLY WINK - which rhymes with drink.

11. Ebriosity means habitual drunkenness.

12. champagne glasses should always be completely dry because any wetness kills the bubbles.

And, just before I pop off again, is anyone able to tell me Ian's Timetable for the next few days? Will he be on The Nightshift tonight? I'm thinking he might be on tonight - but after that I am not sure when he will be back. If you can help I'd appreciate it. xx

Vivienne said...

Hi Hildie,

Ian said he wouldn't be doing the live slots on two mornings. I think he said tomorrow and either Monday or Tuesday morning. It's probably Monday as Lawrence is doing one of his broadcasts on Tuesday. I hope you have a good holiday and much better weather than we've had this week. Thanks for the quiz answers.

Love, Vivienne xxx

Murphy and Dora said...

Holiday! Holiday! Going on holiday Can Dora and me come too?

Luv Murphy xxxx

Maureen said...

Hi All,
Thrilled to bits to discover that Murphy and Dora have joined us and now have a blog. Brilliant!

Murphy and Dora said...

Top of the mornin' to you all!

We were just wondering if you have any photos of us on our travels which we can post on our Blog?
If you have some please send them by email to:

murphyanddora@googlemail.com

Ta much!

Luv Murphy xx and Dora xx

Vivienne said...

Hi Folks,

Ha,Ha,Ha! Well done Hildie. I wish I'd thought of it. I guess they'll be travelling with you?

Maureen said...

Hi All,
Ian should be on Sunday morning and Tueday morning. He said Saturday and Sunday at one stage then later Sunday only. We'll just have to wait and see ...
Cheers Maureen.

Hildie said...

Morning Everyone, I heard Ian last night, well .... the first part of the programme ..... I heard him interviewing someone from 'Animal Asia' about Moon Bears, did you hear it? Dreadful to think of how those bears are treated.
I am nearly sure there was no cover for Ian on the Saturday morning programme. It just sounded like back to back music all night to me.
Vivienne, I am here .... I haven't gone anywhere!! I heard Ian, last week, read a postcard from Murphy and Dora and they told him they were going abroad.
Maureen, I know what you mean about having a 'live' Ian. I set my alarm especially early to listen to his 5:30a.m 'live slot' the other morning. It is what he does best ---- he should be live SO much more than he is at present!
Lawrence, I'm looking forward to the next 'On Your Doorstep'.... well both of them, in fact!
Sid, just wondering how you are all doing.

Maureen said...

Hi All,
I think I heard the mention of Michael Poulter through the night Hildie, but like you it just seemed like constant music to me. I'm afraid I fall asleep if no one speaks! Wouldn't it be nice if they just told you who the artist was, or a little bit of chat? I've been wondering why Ian doesn't fill in when Mike Parr is away too. He seems the obvious choice to me.

Sid said...

Hello everyone, thought I should check in.
I'm glad your happy with your new internet connection Vivienne, it is indeed worthwhile having.
My daughter gave me my first pc about 7 or 8 years ago. It was redundant from her place of work and it had a 1 gig hard drive (yes 1). I remember saying to her "what am I going to do with that".."how will I find the time" etc. I didn't even know how to switch it on. Oh the hair I've lost and the muffled swearing used since that long ago day.
As the days and months pass it seems as though we are turning into a modern day French Resistance on here. Postings added in the early hours....have you heard..when's he back...darn trailers for...ssh you know who.
Will we get up one day and it will all be gone...just like that... I sincerely hope not.
I have seen some injustices in my lifetime, but Ian Robinson's fans (and I'm one of them) are being sold down the river. Angry.. you bet I am.

Hildie said...

You speak for us all, Sid. Ian has a following here in the North East, people love him. Maureen, I've had that Mik4e Parr thought as well!
I had a nice morning today, thought I'd tell you about it. (You will soon see I'm very easily pleased!) Liam got up and said, "Do you fancy a look to the Quayside, Mam? So, off we went! I don't get far so it felt a bit like being in the real world when I saw the Sage and the Tyne Bridge! The stalls were not the same kind of market stalls as they used to be, they were more arty and special cheeses and photographs and jewellery and there was a lovely sytall of leather goods - big notice said , "DAVID NASH OFLONDON PARIS TOKIO ROME MILAN AND BLYTH .... But Mostly Blyth". That was a really interesting stall .... near each set of items was a handwritten tale or a little quip - for instance near these large money bags it said, "As worn by the Queen when she does the car boot sale at Blyth". I got some pansies for my tub at the front of the house and a lovely hanging basket and some greenhouse tomatoes!! Cool!!
After the Quayside we went out of Newcastle past all those pigeon crees and eventually ended up in the car park of The Secret Gardens! By this time the rain was torrential, I didn't have an umbrella, and so in the end we didn't get out of the car there. Mind you, by the time we got home .... guess what? ....... the sun had started to shine!
Sorry if you can tell I'm writing this in a hurry, but I'm wanting to watch Big Brother.

Maureen said...

And so say all of us ... they'll pull the plug on us one of these days, like you Sid, I hope it won't be for a long time.
Guess what Hildie? I was at the Secret Gardens yesterday! You missed out on a super Chocolate Orange gateau ... are you listening Sid? Mmmmm ... Banoffee cheesecake ... You should have given the gardens a miss and just ran up to the coffee shop Hildie! Sorry Vivienne, I'll have to think up some clues so that you can guess where we are talking about! Pleased to hear about your nice day Hildie, I've been very lazy and spent hours on this contraption. Like you Sid I can remember when I didn't dare turn it off in case I lost everything! We can all have a good nights' sleep tonight anyway as Ian isn't back until Tuesday morning. Hope that he's had a good weekend, maybe there'll be a postcard waiting for him from Murphy and Dora ....

Hildie said...

Does that seem as amazing to you, Maureen, as it does to me ....
that I was at the Secret Gardens today and you were there yesterday?!
I was in such a rush earlier that I didn't tell you that on the way to the Quayside we called in at Blaydon Rugby Club to have a look round the car boot sale .... unfortunately for us there were only three stalls left there, the rain was drizzling down and so we just turned round in the car park and left. We used to go there years ago when Liam played for Blaydon. It was always a good car boot sale - does anyone know if it's any good these days? We obviously didn't see it at it's best today.
I bought a book at the Quayside -
"Irish Murders" - compiled by
A.P. Richards. Some of the chapter titles are
'The Ireland's Eye Mystery'
'The Newtonstewart Bank Murder'
'The Maamtrasna Massacre'
'The Tipperary Fairy Murder'
'Was She Mad?'
'A Death in Murdering Hollow'
'A Woman Tainted'
'The Strange Case of Malcom McArthur' and 'Mr Hall and Mr Ball'.... to name but a few.
So, it's off now for some bedtime reading!

Maureen said...

Ooooh, Hildie, no wonder you don't sleep at night. Maybe you should be sending stories in to Ian, like those tales of mystery and suspense, I used to like them. A ghost story would be good wouldn't it? We could all send something in for Ian to read, I love to hear him reading.
It was a stange coincidence, both going to the Secret Gardens especially after Sid mentioning the French Resistance. Maybe we should all meet there, under the grapevine, by the light of the full moon!
Did anyone hear Martin from Houghton asking for a Cliff Richard record the other night and taking Ian to task for not playing anymore after he'd promised to? Well I'm with him, I've asked Ian to play 'Move It' to wake us all up in the morning. Which got me to thinking. How about asking for something lively that we can do our physical jerks to in the mornings? Well, grope for my slippers in my case! Any ideas?

Murphy and Dora said...

Hello Friends,

Dora and I have sent you an email Hildie to thank you for your luvly photos. We've already started posting them on our Blog.

I wanted to ask Ian to play Long Tall Sally but Dora got jealous. She wanted him to play Danny Boy but then it was my turn to be jealous. So now We Don't Talk Anymore!

Luv Murphy xx and Dora xx

Hildie said...

That's so funny ..... the photo of Murphy and Dora on the plinth at Newbiggin! I have to admit I'm exceedingly baffled by the Murphy and Dora blog - what with the French Resistance, The Secret Gardens and now the secret blog - it's all a bit beyond me ! Does a person have to come onto this blog first in order to gain access to the Murph and D. blog? If only I was clever .... then I might be able to figure out what's going on. I received the email today from Murphy and Dora .... how very bewildering that was. I've got a feeling you're going to tell me to try to keep up!

Murphy and Dora said...

Hello Hildie,

Even though we nearly fell off the plinth I think we make a much better looking couple, and we could turn round and see the shore. They can't.

Our Blog is murphyanddorastravels.blogspot.com

You can drag a shortcut onto your desktop from the blog address when you are looking at the blog. You need to point the curser at the symbol before the https// then drag it onto your desktop. Anything for an easy life. Good luck.

Luv Murphy xx

and Dora xx

Murphy and Dora said...

Dear Hildie,

Murphy and I have been reading Ian's blog and see you love Big Brother. Can you get us into the Big Brother House for the next series?

Love Dora xx and Murphy xx

Vivienne said...

Hi Folks,

Welcome to the world of blogging Murphy & Dora. You sound as though you know quite a lot about blogging and computers.

Maureen, I guess I know about your Secret Garden. Some time ago I'm afraid my curiosity got the better of me when found a lot of deleted comments. I read through my blog emails to find out what I'd been missing. You'd been discussing a certain garden centre. I didn't make the connection until you said you would have to leave me a clue. I haven't yet visited the garden centre in question, but went to the Tynedale Garden Centre today.

I love the idea of Ian reading out ghost stories. He'd do it so well.

I'm sorry your plants have been drowned, Sid. You must feel really annoyed and frustrated.

Well, Night Night everyone xxx

Vivienne said...

Hi Everyone,

Great news. I had a reply to my email about 'Listen Again.'



Hi Vivienne,
Thank you for contacting BBC Radio Newcastle, and for asking about the Nightshift. We have gradually increased the range and services available on Listen Again as we have had more server space available. In the near future the size of the database will be increasing and we hope to be able to put Ian's programme on to the site then. I have no date as yet for this but hopefully in the next few months.

Best wishes,

Sarah Miller
BBC Radio Newcastle"

Hildie said...

Vivienne .... well done! Success at last!
Lawrence .... I'm just wishing that I knew Dr. Who so that he could give me a ride back to Exhibition Park in 1929 ...
I really want to go to that exhibition you and Ian talked about on The Nightshift last night. You made it sound very real.
Murphy and Dora ..... I don't think really that it would be a good idea for you to apply for Big Brother next year, I don't think you'd have much chance as I heard Ian, only last night, say that Dora is indescribable - added to that I think the other housemates are likely to stand on you. Best not take the chance!

Sid said...

Hello Everybody, this is me trying to be happy with the weather.
That e-mail from Sarah Miller came as a nice surprise Vivienne, the contents were quite promising as well...imagine Ian in my greenhouse during the day, how lovely.
Hildie..Maureen, that was uncanny you both being at the Secret Garden on those two seperate days, I've often thought us Truckshunters should have something that could identify us to each other. Perhaps a badge...or a bit of music to hum....or even a short phrase, like the spies have.
I wonder...

Hildie said...

Hiya Sid .... maybe Ian could have a hunt around for some old Blue Bus badges to distribute. We'll have to think of a tune to hum, I like this idea.
Maybe we could carry a tomato?!

Sid said...

Hildie, your mention of the quayside Sunday market jogged my memory a bit.
When I was a youngster I used to go there and listen to the men trying to sell their wares. One chap used to have a stall that sold jokes and tricks. He spent most of the day with a tap stuck on his forehead.
Another guy was a chain swallower, it was I remember a fairly hefty chain. After it had been swallowed (keeping tight hold of the end) he used to let people feel his stomach where the chain was bulging. Money was put into his hat as he walked around. I remember thinking how rough his voice was...
Another time my father had gone to the quayside on his own, and came back with a brown paper carrier bag half full of tins of food. The downside was the tins didn't have any labels on them. After spending time shaking the tins to try and identify the contents, some were opened.
It turned out to be foreign produce of unknown variety...and it went into the bin. A waste of 2/6d my parents could ill afford.

Maureen said...

Hi All,
Brilliant news about listen again. I hope it does materialise soon. I also enjoyed your tales of the Exhibition Park Loz, well done. It must be hard to concentrate with Ian asking you questions and wandering off the subject but it makes very enjoyable listening. I can remember working on a stand there, handing out leaflets for the firm I was working for at the time. No, not 1929, probably mid 70's!I think it was called the Tyneside Summer Exhibition then.
When will we run out of rain? I can hear thunder overhead now ...

Hildie said...

Hi Maureen .... apparently our weather is the way it is because the Jet Stream is in the wrong place, that's according to Trai Anfield tonight. What can we do about that, I wonder. And Sid I enjoyed your tale about the chain swallower, I have no idea how he could do that. Did you like the 'carry a tomato' idea? We'd be easily recognisable!!

Sid said...

Hello again.
Hildie the tomato idea was a good one. I shall start tomorrow.
Regarding Big Brother...I think Nicole is history, thank goodness.

Vivienne said...

Hi Folks,

Are we getting ready to move down to 'Hildie' when we reach our 200 comments? I had hoped that Ian would have posted again before we reached 200, but we're almost there.

Actually I wish Ian would post again as I feel guilty every time I see Grosvenor at the top of the blog. You see I had a nasty encounter with a poor mouse that had been trapped in my humane mouse trap, which I'd left in my garage, and checked daily until I was sure my visitor had left. I can't describe what I found as it would upset Grosvenor. When I took the remains into my garden there was another mouse in a bucket of rainwater. I think it had committed suicide as a grief reaction! I'm hoping I rescued it in time, as it looked like it hadn't been in the water very long. So you see why the sight of Grosvenor upsets me, especially as the mice were the same colour. Well one was, I'm not sure about the other!

Lawrence, I'm sorry I slept through your broadcast, but hope to catch it, and your next, later in the week.

Love, Vivienne xxx

ps Please apologise to Grosvenor and his friends from me.

Hildie said...

Definitely, Sid, good riddance to bad rubbish - and I wish she would take that obnoxious Rex with her.
Vivienne, I was hoping Ian would post again before we reached 200. Loz thought he might post in the near future so fingers crossed. Maybe his favourite Olympics photo?
Or a photo of John Simpson Kirkpatrick? Or The Secret Gardens? Or a picture of a sunny day?!

Maureen said...

Mornin' All,
Guess what? Murphy and Dora are in Holland now! Ian read a card from them this morning. I'm thinking that those two will look pretty nifty on a bicycle made for two. Can you ride tandem?...!

Hildie said...

I heard Ian read the card from Holland, Maureen. Least we now know where those two have been hiding. I also heard him having a chat with his friend Sue. I like the news from Sue, do you? The last thing I heard before I went to sleep was about the rain in Wales, where Ian went for the weekend. Earlier on he was saying the little rhyme about magpies which gave rise to Ian, and then me, wondering why there is this superstition surrounding magpies in the first place. How did it all begin?

Vivienne said...

Hi everyone,

Did you hear Ian read out the letter from Inger? She knows Cheryl Crow and her family, and spoke very highly of them.

I sent Ian an email to suggest he let Inger know about his blog, but requested he post again, otherwise she would have difficulty finding us. I said that he didn't need to post anything on the blog, but just post a new page. I also sent him the email from Sarah, as Inger said she wished the Nightshift was on 'Listen Again.'

Sid said...

Afternoon folks, nearly started without signing in...again.
Hildie I've had a quick look to try and find out why the Magpie is so steeped in superstition but I can't find one particular reason, it seems different areas had their own. Yet the rhyme was used all over the country, and probably still is. Like an idiot you can see me saluting at the odd Magpie and muttering "afternoon/morning General" as I walk to my allotment. In China the Magpie is seen as a good luck bird....and of course it was used to describe Newcastle United, maybe it still is.
Other snippets of superstition came to my attention. Did you know that horse brasses were used to protect horses from witches. Inhaling a horses breath was a cure for whooping cough and changing a horses name was considered very bad luck indeed.
Bye for now.

Hildie said...

Sid ... ta ever so for looking into the magpie situation. It's all very strange indeed and must have it's roots somewhere. Inhaling a horse's breath! Heck!
Wonder if it really worked? You know, I was brought up with a lot of superstition, were you? Even now, I wouldn't dream of putting new shoes on the table or of cutting my toe - nails on a Friday or a Sunday!
On Radio One today they were telling the story of that other Murphy .. the garden gnome one .... who disappeared from a garden and came back three years later complete with a photo album depicting his travels around the world. We were a week in front of Radio One with that story as it was on The Nightshift last week.
I've been talking today to an old friend ... I'm not sure how we got onto the subject but 'Geordie Jet' became the topic of our conversation. He was saying that the 'Geordie Jet' tales should have been put onto C.D.s and sold. He could remember so much about them and he had me in gales of laughter just remembering them. What a team!
Vivienne ... I heard the email from Inga, she is a regular contributor to the programme nowadays and, yes, we could do with her on here! You'll not believe me, but I emailed Ian over the weekend and made a very similar request of him - asking if he would be able to let Inga (amongst others) know where we are. You're right in saying that nobody would be able to find us at the moment though!!

Lawrence said...

Hi all,

Thanks for the comments on the Doorstep, and glad you enjoyed the Exhibition Park one, and yes looking at the pics the 1929 do was spectacular.

I manage quite well to keep a train of thought through our chats on air, and Ian's chat really make the item what it is, as it adds that extra air of unexpectedness and entertainment value.

The picture above is... as requested.... Jack Kirkpatrick.... a decidedly handsome chap I think. I really want results in pursuit of his VC.... so fingers crossed.

The next doorstep is tonight ... i.e. Friday morning.... hope you like.

Cheers

Lawrence

Vivienne said...

Good Evening Folks,

Sid's waiting below with a cuppa, as the advance party. I was going to say Sid's waiting below on 'Hildie' but that doesn't sound very nice! Don't forget to tick the email box when you join us.

Good Night!

Vivienne xxx

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