ooh dear.
-- 
Robin Fairbairns, Cambridge

"Robin Fairbairns" wrote

> ooh dear.

My thoughts exactly.

-- 
SB

"Robin Fairbairns"  wrote in message 
news:g0kj1n$d18$1@gemini.csx.cam.ac.uk...
> ooh dear.

Looks like the halo is slipping somewhat.

Steve Brooks wrote:
> 
> "Robin Fairbairns" wrote
> 
>> ooh dear.
> 
> My thoughts exactly.

Or, as Wife said from the other room, "Did you hear *that*?".

-- 
David

"Steve Brooks" <steveb@postmaster.invalid> wrote
> "Robin Fairbairns" wrote
>
>> ooh dear.
>
> My thoughts exactly.

My response was rather different.  I thought "oo-er."
-- 
Sid
Make sure Matron is away when you reply

On Fri, 16 May 2008 19:41:28 +0100, "Steve Brooks"
<steveb@postmaster.invalid> wrote:

>
>"Robin Fairbairns" wrote
>
>> ooh dear.
>
>My thoughts exactly.

The origin of that expression (with the precise inflection in which it
is held in our household) was a performance by Taunton Operatic
Society years ago of the musical Robert and Elizabeth.There is a very
fraught dramatic scene between Elizabeth Barrett and her father,
ending in an ouburst of passionate anger followed by a short silence.
In this short silence could be heard a little old lady in the front
row saying "ooh dear". 

Of course the auditorium erupted with laughter, and it  was greatly to
the credit of Ms Walker and Mr Bush (later of Time Team) that they
didn't twitch a muscle, even though they said later they were curling
up inside. 

I've stuck it into the odd rehearsal (and at least one performance).
I've usually been slapped.

I like "spoilereliops" btw - sounds like a dinosaur. Did otherrats
know that TNMF is actually a tritonope? (that's another one)

lff

On Fri, 16 May 2008 19:41:28 +0100, "Steve Brooks"
<steveb@postmaster.invalid> wrote:

>
>"Robin Fairbairns" wrote
>
>> ooh dear.
>
>My thoughts exactly.
I enjoyed it.  Someone, who now knows better, rang me at 7.05 and I
had to reply in case it was daughters replying about something I'd
asked, but I told them TA and hung up and rang back later.  They are
footie fans and I said it would have been like me calling during the
cup final just before a goal.

On May 16, 10:14 pm, badriya  wrote:
> On Fri, 16 May 2008 19:41:28 퍝, "Steve Brooks"
>
> <ste...@postmaster.invalid> wrote:
>
> >"Robin Fairbairns" wrote
>
> >> ooh dear.
>
> >My thoughts exactly.
>
> I enjoyed it.  Someone, who now knows better, rang me at 7.05 and I
> had to reply in case it was daughters replying about something I'd
> asked, but I told them TA and hung up and rang back later.  They are
> footie fans and I said it would have been like me calling during the
> cup final just before a goal.

As a lawyer Usha knows the importance of preserving the integrity of
evidence: the letter should not have been handled by anyone else
before being given to the police. When I said this to my wife she
suggested that Usha handed the letter to Shula with the intention of
getting her dabs on it and thus fingering her as the poison penner.

Mike Ruddock

On Sat, 17 May 2008 00:15:30 -0700 (PDT), mikepedant@live.co.uk wrote:

>On May 16, 10:14 pm, badriya  wrote:
>> On Fri, 16 May 2008 19:41:28 +0100, "Steve Brooks"
>>
>> <ste...@postmaster.invalid> wrote:
>>
>> >"Robin Fairbairns" wrote
>>
>> >> ooh dear.
>>
>> >My thoughts exactly.
>>
>> I enjoyed it.  Someone, who now knows better, rang me at 7.05 and I
>> had to reply in case it was daughters replying about something I'd
>> asked, but I told them TA and hung up and rang back later.  They are
>> footie fans and I said it would have been like me calling during the
>> cup final just before a goal.
>
>As a lawyer Usha knows the importance of preserving the integrity of
>evidence: the letter should not have been handled by anyone else
>before being given to the police. When I said this to my wife she
>suggested that Usha handed the letter to Shula with the intention of
>getting her dabs on it and thus fingering her as the poison penner.
>
>Mike Ruddock
I had an incoherent feeling this was A Bad Thing, but more with the
evidence than the fingering.  I do like the idea though :)

mikepedant@live.co.uk wrote:
> On May 16, 10:14 pm, badriya  wrote:
>> On Fri, 16 May 2008 19:41:28 +0100, "Steve Brooks"
>>
>> <ste...@postmaster.invalid> wrote:
>>
>>> "Robin Fairbairns" wrote
>>>> ooh dear.
>>> My thoughts exactly.
>> I enjoyed it.  Someone, who now knows better, rang me at 7.05 and I
>> had to reply in case it was daughters replying about something I'd
>> asked, but I told them TA and hung up and rang back later.  They are
>> footie fans and I said it would have been like me calling during the
>> cup final just before a goal.
> 
> As a lawyer Usha knows the importance of preserving the integrity of
> evidence: the letter should not have been handled by anyone else
> before being given to the police. When I said this to my wife she
> suggested that Usha handed the letter to Shula with the intention of
> getting her dabs on it and thus fingering her as the poison penner.
> 
> Mike Ruddock

I thought a variant of that .... Shula's prints are now on it so she 
can't be ruled out and the suspicion continues. Like I said, she and 
Susan are heading for a bad place, Coventry perhaps.

I thought it was quite clever of the script-writers to have Usha unable 
to argue or respond to the writer of the letter so she found a substitute.

mikepedant@live.co.uk wrote:
> On May 16, 10:14 pm, badriya  wrote:
>> On Fri, 16 May 2008 19:41:28 +0100, "Steve Brooks"
>>
>> <ste...@postmaster.invalid> wrote:
>>
>>> "Robin Fairbairns" wrote
>>>> ooh dear.
>>> My thoughts exactly.
>> I enjoyed it.  Someone, who now knows better, rang me at 7.05 and I
>> had to reply in case it was daughters replying about something I'd
>> asked, but I told them TA and hung up and rang back later.  They are
>> footie fans and I said it would have been like me calling during the
>> cup final just before a goal.
> 
> As a lawyer Usha knows the importance of preserving the integrity of
> evidence: the letter should not have been handled by anyone else
> before being given to the police. When I said this to my wife she
> suggested that Usha handed the letter to Shula with the intention of
> getting her dabs on it and thus fingering her as the poison penner.

That did cross my mind, but it would be far too blatant.

-- 
David

DavidK wrote:
> mikepedant@live.co.uk wrote:
>> On May 16, 10:14 pm, badriya  wrote:
>>> On Fri, 16 May 2008 19:41:28 +0100, "Steve Brooks"
>>>
>>> <ste...@postmaster.invalid> wrote:
>>>
>>>> "Robin Fairbairns" wrote
>>>>> ooh dear.
>>>> My thoughts exactly.
>>> I enjoyed it.  Someone, who now knows better, rang me at 7.05 and I
>>> had to reply in case it was daughters replying about something I'd
>>> asked, but I told them TA and hung up and rang back later.  They are
>>> footie fans and I said it would have been like me calling during the
>>> cup final just before a goal.
>>
>> As a lawyer Usha knows the importance of preserving the integrity of
>> evidence: the letter should not have been handled by anyone else
>> before being given to the police. When I said this to my wife she
>> suggested that Usha handed the letter to Shula with the intention of
>> getting her dabs on it and thus fingering her as the poison penner.
> 
> I thought a variant of that .... Shula's prints are now on it so she 
> can't be ruled out and the suspicion continues. Like I said, she and 
> Susan are heading for a bad place, Coventry perhaps.
> 
> I thought it was quite clever of the script-writers to have Usha unable 
> to argue or respond to the writer of the letter so she found a substitute.

Perhaps she could write a column in the Echo addressing the Unknown Racist.

-- 
David

badriya wrote:
> On Sat, 17 May 2008 00:15:30 -0700 (PDT), mikepedant@live.co.uk wrote:
> 
>> On May 16, 10:14 pm, badriya  wrote:
>>> On Fri, 16 May 2008 19:41:28 +0100, "Steve Brooks"
>>>
>>> <ste...@postmaster.invalid> wrote:
>>>
>>>> "Robin Fairbairns" wrote
>>>>> ooh dear.
>>>> My thoughts exactly.
>>> I enjoyed it.  Someone, who now knows better, rang me at 7.05 and I
>>> had to reply in case it was daughters replying about something I'd
>>> asked, but I told them TA and hung up and rang back later.  They are
>>> footie fans and I said it would have been like me calling during the
>>> cup final just before a goal.
>> As a lawyer Usha knows the importance of preserving the integrity of
>> evidence: the letter should not have been handled by anyone else
>> before being given to the police. When I said this to my wife she
>> suggested that Usha handed the letter to Shula with the intention of
>> getting her dabs on it and thus fingering her as the poison penner.
>>
>> Mike Ruddock
> I had an incoherent feeling this was A Bad Thing, but more with the
> evidence than the fingering.  I do like the idea though :)
> 
TMI

DavidK wrote:
> mikepedant@live.co.uk wrote:
>> On May 16, 10:14 pm, badriya  wrote:
>>> On Fri, 16 May 2008 19:41:28 +0100, "Steve Brooks"
>>>
>>> <ste...@postmaster.invalid> wrote:
>>>
>>>> "Robin Fairbairns" wrote
>>>>> ooh dear.
>>>> My thoughts exactly.
>>> I enjoyed it.  Someone, who now knows better, rang me at 7.05 and I
>>> had to reply in case it was daughters replying about something I'd
>>> asked, but I told them TA and hung up and rang back later.  They are
>>> footie fans and I said it would have been like me calling during the
>>> cup final just before a goal.
>>
>> As a lawyer Usha knows the importance of preserving the integrity of
>> evidence: the letter should not have been handled by anyone else
>> before being given to the police. When I said this to my wife she
>> suggested that Usha handed the letter to Shula with the intention of
>> getting her dabs on it and thus fingering her as the poison penner.
>>
>> Mike Ruddock
> 
> I thought a variant of that .... Shula's prints are now on it so she 
> can't be ruled out and the suspicion continues. Like I said, she and 
> Susan are heading for a bad place, Coventry perhaps.
> 
Oi !   ;)

mikepedant@live.co.uk wrote:
> On May 16, 10:14 pm, badriya  wrote:
>> On Fri, 16 May 2008 19:41:28 +0100, "Steve Brooks"
>>
>> <ste...@postmaster.invalid> wrote:
>>
>>> "Robin Fairbairns" wrote
>>
>>>> ooh dear.
>>
>>> My thoughts exactly.
>>
>> I enjoyed it. Someone, who now knows better, rang me at 7.05 and I
>> had to reply in case it was daughters replying about something I'd
>> asked, but I told them TA and hung up and rang back later. They are
>> footie fans and I said it would have been like me calling during the
>> cup final just before a goal.
>
> As a lawyer Usha knows the importance of preserving the integrity of
> evidence: the letter should not have been handled by anyone else
> before being given to the police. When I said this to my wife she
> suggested that Usha handed the letter to Shula with the intention of
> getting her dabs on it and thus fingering her as the poison penner.
>
> Mike Ruddock

Do we know that it was the actual letter, rather than a copy of it?

-- 

CaroleT

In article <NLwXj.4818$DZ6.136@text.news.virginmedia.com>, 
usenet.omrud@gEXPUNGEmail.com says...
> mikepedant@live.co.uk wrote:
> > On May 16, 10:14 pm, badriya  wrote:
> >> On Fri, 16 May 2008 19:41:28 +0100, "Steve Brooks"
> >>
> >> <ste...@postmaster.invalid> wrote:
> >>
> >>> "Robin Fairbairns" wrote
> >>>> ooh dear.
> >>> My thoughts exactly.
> >> I enjoyed it.  Someone, who now knows better, rang me at 7.05 and I
> >> had to reply in case it was daughters replying about something I'd
> >> asked, but I told them TA and hung up and rang back later.  They are
> >> footie fans and I said it would have been like me calling during the
> >> cup final just before a goal.
> > 
> > As a lawyer Usha knows the importance of preserving the integrity of
> > evidence: the letter should not have been handled by anyone else
> > before being given to the police. When I said this to my wife she
> > suggested that Usha handed the letter to Shula with the intention of
> > getting her dabs on it and thus fingering her as the poison penner.
> 
> That did cross my mind, but it would be far too blatant.
> 
> 
How about if it happens unintentionally?

Usha was a little emotional at the time, so she would remember showing 
Shula the letter, but might not recall that Shula touched it.

Mind you, I somehow doubt that the police would do a great deal in 
response to just a couple of nasty letters.

I think things would have to get much more serious before they started 
applying resources to this.
-- 
Sam

"the Omrud"  wrote in message 
news:NLwXj.4818$DZ6.136@text.news.virginmedia.com...
> mikepedant@live.co.uk wrote:
>> On May 16, 10:14 pm, badriya  wrote:
>>> On Fri, 16 May 2008 19:41:28 +0100, "Steve Brooks"
>>>
>>> <ste...@postmaster.invalid> wrote:
>>>
>>>> "Robin Fairbairns" wrote
>>>>> ooh dear.
>>>> My thoughts exactly.
>>> I enjoyed it.  Someone, who now knows better, rang me at 7.05 and I
>>> had to reply in case it was daughters replying about something I'd
>>> asked, but I told them TA and hung up and rang back later.  They are
>>> footie fans and I said it would have been like me calling during the
>>> cup final just before a goal.
>>
>> As a lawyer Usha knows the importance of preserving the integrity of
>> evidence: the letter should not have been handled by anyone else
>> before being given to the police. When I said this to my wife she
>> suggested that Usha handed the letter to Shula with the intention of
>> getting her dabs on it and thus fingering her as the poison penner.
>
> That did cross my mind, but it would be far too blatant.
>
> -- 
> David

But as a lawyer Usha would also know that to get the police involved she 
would have to kill Shula, or at least cause GBH. It's yet another case of 
the personality transplant fairy visiting Ambridge.
Steve Hague

the Omrud wrote:
> mikepedant@live.co.uk wrote:
>> On May 16, 10:14 pm, badriya  wrote:
>>> On Fri, 16 May 2008 19:41:28 +0100, "Steve Brooks"
>>>
>>> <ste...@postmaster.invalid> wrote:
>>>
>>>> "Robin Fairbairns" wrote
>>>>> ooh dear.
>>>> My thoughts exactly.
>>> I enjoyed it.  Someone, who now knows better, rang me at 7.05 and I
>>> had to reply in case it was daughters replying about something I'd
>>> asked, but I told them TA and hung up and rang back later.  They are
>>> footie fans and I said it would have been like me calling during the
>>> cup final just before a goal.
>>
>> As a lawyer Usha knows the importance of preserving the integrity of
>> evidence: the letter should not have been handled by anyone else
>> before being given to the police. When I said this to my wife she
>> suggested that Usha handed the letter to Shula with the intention of
>> getting her dabs on it and thus fingering her as the poison penner.
> 
> That did cross my mind, but it would be far too blatant.
> 
It's also too calculating. Usha was obviously boiling over with anger 
and just wanted to give vent to her feelings. She wasn't acting in a 
rational way.

-- 
Marjorie

To reply, replace dontusethisaddress with marje

In message 
, 
mikepedant@live.co.uk writes
>On May 16, 10:14 pm, badriya  wrote:
>> On Fri, 16 May 2008 19:41:28 +0100, "Steve Brooks"
>>
>> <ste...@postmaster.invalid> wrote:
>>
>> >"Robin Fairbairns" wrote
>>
>> >> ooh dear.
>>
>> >My thoughts exactly.
>>
>> I enjoyed it.  Someone, who now knows better, rang me at 7.05 and I
>> had to reply in case it was daughters replying about something I'd
>> asked, but I told them TA and hung up and rang back later.  They are
>> footie fans and I said it would have been like me calling during the
>> cup final just before a goal.
>
>Mike Ruddock

Hurrah!

Sincerely Chris
-- 
Chris McMillan
http://www.chinavision.org.uk/
http://www.oneplusone.org.cn

In message , DavidK 
 writes
>mikepedant@live.co.uk wrote:
>> On May 16, 10:14 pm, badriya  wrote:
>>> On Fri, 16 May 2008 19:41:28 +0100, "Steve Brooks"
>>>
>>> <ste...@postmaster.invalid> wrote:
>>>
>Susan are heading for a bad place, Coventry perhaps.
>
I resemble that remark, David K.  :-)

Its not quite all bad (though I know plenty of people who might agree 
with you).

Sincerely Chris
-- 
Chris McMillan
http://www.chinavision.org.uk/
http://www.oneplusone.org.cn

In message , Plusnet 
 writes
>In article <NLwXj.4818$DZ6.136@text.news.virginmedia.com>,
>usenet.omrud@gEXPUNGEmail.com says...
>> mikepedant@live.co.uk wrote:
>> > On May 16, 10:14 pm, badriya  wrote:
>> >> On Fri, 16 May 2008 19:41:28 +0100, "Steve Brooks"
>> >>
>> >> <ste...@postmaster.invalid> wrote:
>> >>
>> >>> "Robin Fairbairns" wrote
>> >>>> ooh dear.
>> >>> My thoughts exactly.
>> >> I enjoyed it.  Someone, who now knows better, rang me at 7.05 and I
>> >> had to reply in case it was daughters replying about something I'd
>> >> asked, but I told them TA and hung up and rang back later.  They are
>> >> footie fans and I said it would have been like me calling during the
>> >> cup final just before a goal.
>> >
>> > As a lawyer Usha knows the importance of preserving the integrity of
>> > evidence: the letter should not have been handled by anyone else
>> > before being given to the police. When I said this to my wife she
>> > suggested that Usha handed the letter to Shula with the intention of
>> > getting her dabs on it and thus fingering her as the poison penner.
>>
>> That did cross my mind, but it would be far too blatant.
>>
>>
>How about if it happens unintentionally?
>
>Usha was a little emotional at the time, so she would remember showing
>Shula the letter, but might not recall that Shula touched it.
>
>Mind you, I somehow doubt that the police would do a great deal in
>response to just a couple of nasty letters.
>
Unless someone reminds them that Usha has been involved in a racist 
attack.  It wasn't just Roy involved.
 >
>I think things would have to get much more serious before they started
>applying resources to this.

Yes.

Sincerely Chris

-- 
Chris McMillan
http://www.chinavision.org.uk/
http://www.oneplusone.org.cn

chris mcmillan wrote:
> In message , DavidK 
>  writes
>> mikepedant@live.co.uk wrote:
>>> On May 16, 10:14 pm, badriya  wrote:
>>>> On Fri, 16 May 2008 19:41:28 +0100, "Steve Brooks"
>>>>
>>>> <ste...@postmaster.invalid> wrote:
>>>>
>> Susan are heading for a bad place, Coventry perhaps.
>>
> I resemble that remark, David K.  :-)
> 
> Its not quite all bad (though I know plenty of people who might agree 
> with you).
> 
Oi to you too !

"Plusnet"  wrote in message 
news:MPG.2298f86f641a12f4989dc6@usenet.plus.net...
> In article <NLwXj.4818$DZ6.136@text.news.virginmedia.com>,
> usenet.omrud@gEXPUNGEmail.com says...
>> mikepedant@live.co.uk wrote:
>> > On May 16, 10:14 pm, badriya  wrote:
>> >> On Fri, 16 May 2008 19:41:28 +0100, "Steve Brooks"
>> >>
>> >> <ste...@postmaster.invalid> wrote:
>> >>
>> >>> "Robin Fairbairns" wrote
>> >>>> ooh dear.
>> >>> My thoughts exactly.
>> >> I enjoyed it.  Someone, who now knows better, rang me at 7.05 and I
>> >> had to reply in case it was daughters replying about something I'd
>> >> asked, but I told them TA and hung up and rang back later.  They are
>> >> footie fans and I said it would have been like me calling during the
>> >> cup final just before a goal.
>> >
>> > As a lawyer Usha knows the importance of preserving the integrity of
>> > evidence: the letter should not have been handled by anyone else
>> > before being given to the police. When I said this to my wife she
>> > suggested that Usha handed the letter to Shula with the intention of
>> > getting her dabs on it and thus fingering her as the poison penner.
>>
>> That did cross my mind, but it would be far too blatant.
>>
>>
> How about if it happens unintentionally?
>
> Usha was a little emotional at the time, so she would remember showing
> Shula the letter, but might not recall that Shula touched it.
>
> Mind you, I somehow doubt that the police would do a great deal in
> response to just a couple of nasty letters.
>
> I think things would have to get much more serious before they started
> applying resources to this.

I don't know. Political pressure means that racial incidents are taken 
pretty seriously.

BrritSki wrote:
> chris mcmillan wrote:
>> In message , DavidK 
>>  writes
>>> mikepedant@live.co.uk wrote:
>>>> On May 16, 10:14 pm, badriya  wrote:
>>>>> On Fri, 16 May 2008 19:41:28 +0100, "Steve Brooks"
>>>>>
>>>>> <ste...@postmaster.invalid> wrote:
>>>>>
>>> Susan are heading for a bad place, Coventry perhaps.
>>>
>> I resemble that remark, David K.  :-)
>>
>> Its not quite all bad (though I know plenty of people who might agree 
>> with you).
>>
> Oi to you too !

I've lived in Coventry, and Kenilworth, and a plate glass institution 
between them too. I was thinking along the lines of being sent there, of 
course, as during the Cromwellian civil war.

http://www.worldwidewords.org/qa/qa-cov1.htm

* Robin Fairbairns wrote, On 16/05/2008 19:16:
> ooh dear.

I have a vague recollection that there was a previous campaign of 
poison pen letters in Ambridge, some years ago, and that the culprit 
was found to be Derek Fletcher (or was it his wife?).  I can't 
remember what that was about but, having talked to a TA listening 
fiend about it, we had a vague feeling that it was to do with Janet 
but we couldn't remember whether it was just about her being a woman 
vicar or about her relationship with Tim.

Could Usha's letters be coming from the same source?  If not, who do 
umrats think is behind them?

-- 
Cheers, Serena
Don't wait for your ship to come in, swim out to it. (Anon)

In article , 
ReplaceWithMyMoniker@hotmail.co.uk says...
> "Plusnet"  wrote in message 
> news:MPG.2298f86f641a12f4989dc6@usenet.plus.net...
> > In article <NLwXj.4818$DZ6.136@text.news.virginmedia.com>,
> > usenet.omrud@gEXPUNGEmail.com says...
> >> mikepedant@live.co.uk wrote:
> >> > On May 16, 10:14 pm, badriya  wrote:
> >> >> On Fri, 16 May 2008 19:41:28 퍝, "Steve Brooks"
> >> >>
> >> >> <ste...@postmaster.invalid> wrote:
> >> >>
> >> >>> "Robin Fairbairns" wrote
> >> >>>> ooh dear.
> >> >>> My thoughts exactly.
> >> >> I enjoyed it.  Someone, who now knows better, rang me at 7.05 and I
> >> >> had to reply in case it was daughters replying about something I'd
> >> >> asked, but I told them TA and hung up and rang back later.  They are
> >> >> footie fans and I said it would have been like me calling during the
> >> >> cup final just before a goal.
> >> >
> >> > As a lawyer Usha knows the importance of preserving the integrity of
> >> > evidence: the letter should not have been handled by anyone else
> >> > before being given to the police. When I said this to my wife she
> >> > suggested that Usha handed the letter to Shula with the intention of
> >> > getting her dabs on it and thus fingering her as the poison penner.
> >>
> >> That did cross my mind, but it would be far too blatant.
> >>
> >>
> > How about if it happens unintentionally?
> >
> > Usha was a little emotional at the time, so she would remember showing
> > Shula the letter, but might not recall that Shula touched it.
> >
> > Mind you, I somehow doubt that the police would do a great deal in
> > response to just a couple of nasty letters.
> >
> > I think things would have to get much more serious before they started
> > applying resources to this.
> 
> I don't know. Political pressure means that racial incidents are taken 
> pretty seriously. 
> 
> 
Is this racial or religious intolerance?
(Write your answer on one side of this Möbius strip)
-- 
Sam

On Sat, 17 May 2008 20:07:32 +0100, Serena Blanchflower
 wrote:

>* Robin Fairbairns wrote, On 16/05/2008 19:16:
>> ooh dear.
>
>I have a vague recollection that there was a previous campaign of 
>poison pen letters in Ambridge, some years ago, and that the culprit 
>was found to be Derek Fletcher (or was it his wife?).  I can't 
>remember what that was about but, having talked to a TA listening 
>fiend about it, we had a vague feeling that it was to do with Janet 
>but we couldn't remember whether it was just about her being a woman 
>vicar or about her relationship with Tim.
>
>Could Usha's letters be coming from the same source?  If not, who do 
>umrats think is behind them?
Possibly yet another cop-out unknown person.

On Sat, 17 May 2008 21:11:31 +0100, badriya 
wrote:

>On Sat, 17 May 2008 20:07:32 +0100, Serena Blanchflower
> wrote:
>
>>* Robin Fairbairns wrote, On 16/05/2008 19:16:
>>> ooh dear.
>>
>>I have a vague recollection that there was a previous campaign of 
>>poison pen letters in Ambridge, some years ago, and that the culprit 
>>was found to be Derek Fletcher (or was it his wife?).  I can't 
>>remember what that was about but, having talked to a TA listening 
>>fiend about it, we had a vague feeling that it was to do with Janet 
>>but we couldn't remember whether it was just about her being a woman 
>>vicar or about her relationship with Tim.
>>
>>Could Usha's letters be coming from the same source?  If not, who do 
>>umrats think is behind them?
>
>Possibly yet another cop-out unknown person.

Malcolm.  He'll turn out to have form in this area known only to some
mate of Baggy's.
-- 
Stephen

Into my heart an air that kills From yon far country blows:
What are those blue remembered hills, What spires, what farms are those?
That is the land of lost content, I see it shining plain,
The happy highways where I went And cannot come again.

DavidK wrote:
> BrritSki wrote:
>> chris mcmillan wrote:
>>> In message , DavidK 
>>>  writes
>>>> mikepedant@live.co.uk wrote:
>>>>> On May 16, 10:14 pm, badriya  wrote:
>>>>>> On Fri, 16 May 2008 19:41:28 +0100, "Steve Brooks"
>>>>>>
>>>>>> <ste...@postmaster.invalid> wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>> Susan are heading for a bad place, Coventry perhaps.
>>>>
>>> I resemble that remark, David K.  :-)
>>>
>>> Its not quite all bad (though I know plenty of people who might agree 
>>> with you).
>>>
>> Oi to you too !
> 
> I've lived in Coventry, and Kenilworth, and a plate glass institution 
> between them too. I was thinking along the lines of being sent there, of 
> course, as during the Cromwellian civil war.
> 
> http://www.worldwidewords.org/qa/qa-cov1.htm

Yes, I know, hence the smiley on my first post...

<delurk>

I've been lurking for some time. I thought it was about time to come out. 
Hello!

I just felt compelled to point out that Usha is almost an anagram of Shula, 
give or take the odd 'L'....

Right. I'll just get me coat....

Oh, I'm not allowed to relurk, then? Oh well, you seem like a friendly, if 
eccentric crowd. Perhaps I'll stay... I'll probably fit right in....

ally

a l l y wrote:
> <delurk>
> 
> I've been lurking for some time. I thought it was about time to come out. 
> Hello!
> 
> I just felt compelled to point out that Usha is almost an anagram of Shula, 
> give or take the odd 'L'....
> 
> Right. I'll just get me coat....
> 
> Oh, I'm not allowed to relurk, then? Oh well, you seem like a friendly, if 
> eccentric crowd. Perhaps I'll stay... I'll probably fit right in....
> 
> 
> 
I'm sure you will - welcome !

On Sat, 17 May 2008 22:29:39 +0100, "a l l y"
 wrote:

><delurk>
>
>I've been lurking for some time. I thought it was about time to come out. 
>Hello!
>
>I just felt compelled to point out that Usha is almost an anagram of Shula, 
>give or take the odd 'L'....
>
>Right. I'll just get me coat....
>
>Oh, I'm not allowed to relurk, then? Oh well, you seem like a friendly, if 
>eccentric crowd. Perhaps I'll stay... I'll probably fit right in....
>
>ally 
>
Hi Ally, nice to meet you. No, re-lurking is not possible, there is
just the one way door IN to umra, no way back out, but there is a very
nice bunker, filled with chocolate.  If you are sorry you de-lurked
and are feeling shy you could hide there until the shower of biscuits
and welcomes dies down.

"badriya"  wrote in message 
news:9iku241okdcgifl076v85qufg985fsml3p@4ax.com...
> On Sat, 17 May 2008 22:29:39 +0100, "a l l y"
>  wrote:
>
>><delurk>
>>
>>I've been lurking for some time. I thought it was about time to come out.
>>Hello!
>>
>>I just felt compelled to point out that Usha is almost an anagram of 
>>Shula,
>>give or take the odd 'L'....
>>
>>Right. I'll just get me coat....
>>
>>Oh, I'm not allowed to relurk, then? Oh well, you seem like a friendly, if
>>eccentric crowd. Perhaps I'll stay... I'll probably fit right in....
>>
>>ally
>>
> Hi Ally, nice to meet you. No, re-lurking is not possible, there is
> just the one way door IN to umra, no way back out, but there is a very
> nice bunker, filled with chocolate.  If you are sorry you de-lurked
> and are feeling shy you could hide there until the shower of biscuits
> and welcomes dies down.

Biscuits? Chocolate? Don't you know I'm trying to lose weight? You fiends! 
Just chuck me some grapes and apples and I'll be happy. And no, I'm not shy. 
I intend to dive right in with me eyes open.

ally

"BrritSki"  wrote in message 
news:6991slF3256ugU1@mid.individual.net...
>a l l y wrote:
>> <delurk>
>>
>> I've been lurking for some time. I thought it was about time to come out. 
>> Hello!
>>
>> I just felt compelled to point out that Usha is almost an anagram of 
>> Shula, give or take the odd 'L'....
>>
>> Right. I'll just get me coat....
>>
>> Oh, I'm not allowed to relurk, then? Oh well, you seem like a friendly, 
>> if eccentric crowd. Perhaps I'll stay... I'll probably fit right in....
>>
>>
>>
> I'm sure you will - welcome !

Thank you!

ally

On Sat, 17 May 2008 23:15:22 +0100, "a l l y"
 wrote:

>
>"badriya"  wrote in message 
>news:9iku241okdcgifl076v85qufg985fsml3p@4ax.com...
>> On Sat, 17 May 2008 22:29:39 +0100, "a l l y"
>>  wrote:
>>
>>><delurk>
>>>
>>>I've been lurking for some time. I thought it was about time to come out.
>>>Hello!
>>>
>>>I just felt compelled to point out that Usha is almost an anagram of 
>>>Shula,
>>>give or take the odd 'L'....
>>>
>>>Right. I'll just get me coat....
>>>
>>>Oh, I'm not allowed to relurk, then? Oh well, you seem like a friendly, if
>>>eccentric crowd. Perhaps I'll stay... I'll probably fit right in....
>>>
>>>ally
>>>
>> Hi Ally, nice to meet you. No, re-lurking is not possible, there is
>> just the one way door IN to umra, no way back out, but there is a very
>> nice bunker, filled with chocolate.  If you are sorry you de-lurked
>> and are feeling shy you could hide there until the shower of biscuits
>> and welcomes dies down.
>
>Biscuits? Chocolate? Don't you know I'm trying to lose weight? You fiends! 
>Just chuck me some grapes and apples and I'll be happy. And no, I'm not shy. 
>I intend to dive right in with me eyes open.
>
Can ye do fishpuns, lass? 

Whelkome to umra

lff

On Sat, 17 May 2008 21:59:58 +0100, Stephen 
wrote:

>On Sat, 17 May 2008 21:11:31 +0100, badriya 
>wrote:
>
>>On Sat, 17 May 2008 20:07:32 +0100, Serena Blanchflower
>> wrote:
>>
>>>* Robin Fairbairns wrote, On 16/05/2008 19:16:
>>>> ooh dear.
>>>
>>>I have a vague recollection that there was a previous campaign of 
>>>poison pen letters in Ambridge, some years ago, and that the culprit 
>>>was found to be Derek Fletcher (or was it his wife?).  I can't 
>>>remember what that was about but, having talked to a TA listening 
>>>fiend about it, we had a vague feeling that it was to do with Janet 
>>>but we couldn't remember whether it was just about her being a woman 
>>>vicar or about her relationship with Tim.
>>>
>>>Could Usha's letters be coming from the same source?  If not, who do 
>>>umrats think is behind them?
>>
>>Possibly yet another cop-out unknown person.
>
>Malcolm.  He'll turn out to have form in this area known only to some
>mate of Baggy's.

Greg. He wrote them several years ago but with the state of Royal Mail
and rural deliveries etc, they've only just started arriving.

Nick O
-- 
real e-mail is nickodell (at) bigfoot (dot) com

On Sat, 17 May 2008 23:15:22 +0100, "a l l y"
 wrote:

>
>"badriya"  wrote in message 
>news:9iku241okdcgifl076v85qufg985fsml3p@4ax.com...
>> On Sat, 17 May 2008 22:29:39 +0100, "a l l y"
>>  wrote:
>>
>>><delurk>
>>>
>>>I've been lurking for some time. I thought it was about time to come out.
>>>Hello!
>>>
>>>I just felt compelled to point out that Usha is almost an anagram of 
>>>Shula,
>>>give or take the odd 'L'....
>>>
>>>Right. I'll just get me coat....
>>>
>>>Oh, I'm not allowed to relurk, then? Oh well, you seem like a friendly, if
>>>eccentric crowd. Perhaps I'll stay... I'll probably fit right in....
>>>
>>>ally
>>>
>> Hi Ally, nice to meet you. No, re-lurking is not possible, there is
>> just the one way door IN to umra, no way back out, but there is a very
>> nice bunker, filled with chocolate.  If you are sorry you de-lurked
>> and are feeling shy you could hide there until the shower of biscuits
>> and welcomes dies down.
>
>Biscuits? Chocolate? Don't you know I'm trying to lose weight? You fiends! 
>Just chuck me some grapes and apples and I'll be happy. And no, I'm not shy. 
>I intend to dive right in with me eyes open.
>
>ally 
>
We do weight loss too! Thanks to umrats I lost 7 stones!  Having said
that, I've just eaten lots of things I shouldn't.  My excuse was I'm
going away from here tomorrow and need to finish them all up!  No, I
can't just throw them away, it's Jane's fault and probably Marjorie's.
We've all been talking about not wasting food!

On Sun, 18 May 2008 00:22:59 +0100, Nick Odell
<gurzhfvp.jbexfubc@ntlworld.com.invalid> wrote:

>On Sat, 17 May 2008 21:59:58 +0100, Stephen 
>wrote:
>
>>On Sat, 17 May 2008 21:11:31 +0100, badriya 
>>wrote:
>>
>>>On Sat, 17 May 2008 20:07:32 +0100, Serena Blanchflower
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>>>* Robin Fairbairns wrote, On 16/05/2008 19:16:
>>>>> ooh dear.
>>>>
>>>>I have a vague recollection that there was a previous campaign of 
>>>>poison pen letters in Ambridge, some years ago, and that the culprit 
>>>>was found to be Derek Fletcher (or was it his wife?).  I can't 
>>>>remember what that was about but, having talked to a TA listening 
>>>>fiend about it, we had a vague feeling that it was to do with Janet 
>>>>but we couldn't remember whether it was just about her being a woman 
>>>>vicar or about her relationship with Tim.
>>>>
>>>>Could Usha's letters be coming from the same source?  If not, who do 
>>>>umrats think is behind them?
>>>
>>>Possibly yet another cop-out unknown person.
>>
>>Malcolm.  He'll turn out to have form in this area known only to some
>>mate of Baggy's.
>
>Greg. He wrote them several years ago but with the state of Royal Mail
>and rural deliveries etc, they've only just started arriving.
>
>Nick O
Daniel?   He's heard Shula talking about Usha and ALan and picked up
her ideas,   and his inner demon is once again emerging.  Didn't we
think it might one day?

In article , Linda Fox 
generously decided to share with us..

Snippetry..

> Can ye do fishpuns, lass? 
> 
> Whelkome to umra

Now that's just shellfish of you.. if you'd been a dab hand at fish 
puns you would have let her perch a while and watch for them, rather 
than let her flounder at the start.. for pities hake, what are thing 
coming to these dace?.. treat people like this and they may just skate 
off again in a fit of high gudgeon..

-- 
Gid

Current Project: Bragdy'r Ddraenen Wen 
(if it ever stops raining for long enough)

a l l y wrote:
> <delurk>
> 
> I've been lurking for some time. I thought it was about time to come out. 
> Hello!

Hello and welcome!


-- 
Jane
The potter in the purple socks

http://www.clothandclay.co.uk/umra/cookbook/contents.htm for recipes 
supplied by umrats

* badriya wrote, On 18/05/2008 02:41:

> Daniel?   He's heard Shula talking about Usha and ALan and picked up
> her ideas,   and his inner demon is once again emerging.  Didn't we
> think it might one day?   

Oh, I do hope so!

-- 
Cheers, Serena
I cannot always control what goes on outside. But I can always control 
what goes on inside. (Wayne Dwer)

* a l l y wrote, On 17/05/2008 22:29:
> <delurk>

Glad to meet you Ally.

-- 
Cheers, Serena
Maturity is a high price to pay for growing up (Tom Stoppard)

Linda Fox wrote:
> On Sat, 17 May 2008 23:15:22 +0100, "a l l y"
>  wrote:
> 
>> "badriya"  wrote in message 
>> news:9iku241okdcgifl076v85qufg985fsml3p@4ax.com...
>>> On Sat, 17 May 2008 22:29:39 +0100, "a l l y"
>>>  wrote:
>>>
>>>> <delurk>
>>>>
>>>> I've been lurking for some time. I thought it was about time to come out.
>>>> Hello!
>>>>
>>>> I just felt compelled to point out that Usha is almost an anagram of 
>>>> Shula,
>>>> give or take the odd 'L'....
>>>>
>>>> Right. I'll just get me coat....
>>>>
>>>> Oh, I'm not allowed to relurk, then? Oh well, you seem like a friendly, if
>>>> eccentric crowd. Perhaps I'll stay... I'll probably fit right in....
>>>>
>>>> ally
>>>>
>>> Hi Ally, nice to meet you. No, re-lurking is not possible, there is
>>> just the one way door IN to umra, no way back out, but there is a very
>>> nice bunker, filled with chocolate.  If you are sorry you de-lurked
>>> and are feeling shy you could hide there until the shower of biscuits
>>> and welcomes dies down.
>> Biscuits? Chocolate? Don't you know I'm trying to lose weight? You fiends! 
>> Just chuck me some grapes and apples and I'll be happy. And no, I'm not shy. 
>> I intend to dive right in with me eyes open.
>>
> Can ye do fishpuns, lass? 
> 
> Whelkome to umra
>
I am certain that  a l l y  is short for alice, which as eny fule know 
is an Italian anchovy...

On 17 May, 22:29, "a l l y"  wrote:
> <delurk>
>
> I've been lurking for some time. I thought it was about time to come out.
> Hello!

Welcome.

Are you our only Cumbriarat?

We need a rep from that lovely (wet) area.

a l l y wrote:
> <delurk>
> 
> I've been lurking for some time. I thought it was about time to come out. 
> Hello!
> 
> I just felt compelled to point out that Usha is almost an anagram of Shula, 
> give or take the odd 'L'....
> 
> Right. I'll just get me coat....
> 
> Oh, I'm not allowed to relurk, then? Oh well, you seem like a friendly, if 
> eccentric crowd. Perhaps I'll stay... I'll probably fit right in..

Hello Ally, I know you from ukmf.
This is a much livelier forum altogether. Friendly and eccentric - yes, 
I think you've got it sorted already. We have our little ways but I'm 
sure you'll soon get the hang of them. Welcome!


-- 
Marjorie

To reply, replace dontusethisaddress with marje

badriya wrote:
> On Sat, 17 May 2008 23:15:22 +0100, "a l l y"
>  wrote:
> 
>> "badriya"  wrote in message 
>> news:9iku241okdcgifl076v85qufg985fsml3p@4ax.com...
>>> On Sat, 17 May 2008 22:29:39 +0100, "a l l y"
>>>  wrote:
>>>
>>>> <delurk>
>>>>
>>>> I've been lurking for some time. I thought it was about time to come out.
>>>> Hello!
>>>>
>>>> I just felt compelled to point out that Usha is almost an anagram of 
>>>> Shula,
>>>> give or take the odd 'L'....
>>>>
>>>> Right. I'll just get me coat....
>>>>
>>>> Oh, I'm not allowed to relurk, then? Oh well, you seem like a friendly, if
>>>> eccentric crowd. Perhaps I'll stay... I'll probably fit right in....
>>>>
>>>> ally
>>>>
>>> Hi Ally, nice to meet you. No, re-lurking is not possible, there is
>>> just the one way door IN to umra, no way back out, but there is a very
>>> nice bunker, filled with chocolate.  If you are sorry you de-lurked
>>> and are feeling shy you could hide there until the shower of biscuits
>>> and welcomes dies down.
>> Biscuits? Chocolate? Don't you know I'm trying to lose weight? You fiends! 
>> Just chuck me some grapes and apples and I'll be happy. And no, I'm not shy. 
>> I intend to dive right in with me eyes open.
>>
>> ally 
>>
> We do weight loss too! Thanks to umrats I lost 7 stones!  Having said
> that, I've just eaten lots of things I shouldn't.  My excuse was I'm
> going away from here tomorrow and need to finish them all up!  No, I
> can't just throw them away, it's Jane's fault and probably Marjorie's.
> We've all been talking about not wasting food!

Don't blame me, I only told you ten useful things you could do with a 
carrot. (F'r'us?)
But I'm not much of an example. There is somewhat more of me now than 
there was when I joined umra umpty years ago. I'm not sure I can 
recommend umra for weight loss.



-- 
Marjorie

To reply, replace dontusethisaddress with marje

"Steve Hague"  writes:
>"the Omrud"  wrote...
>> mikepedant@live.co.uk wrote:
>>> As a lawyer Usha knows the importance of preserving the integrity of
>>> evidence: [planting evidence that tsts was guilty...]
>>
>> That did cross my mind, but it would be far too blatant.
>
>But as a lawyer Usha would also know that to get the police involved she 
>would have to kill Shula, or at least cause GBH.

and she seemed not to think tsts was the author, merely the begetter.

>It's yet another case of 
>the personality transplant fairy visiting Ambridge.

no: it was made clear that she was under extreme stress, not
necessarily in control of her own actions.   as i said (or rather,
implied) at the beginning of this thread, she seemed a bit cross.
-- 
Robin Fairbairns, Cambridge

Serena Blanchflower  writes:
>* badriya wrote, On 18/05/2008 02:41:
>
>> Daniel?   He's heard Shula talking about Usha and ALan and picked up
>> her ideas,   and his inner demon is once again emerging.  Didn't we
>> think it might one day?   
>
>Oh, I do hope so!

a brilliant hypothesis, in fact.  in particular, tsts can claim it was
snappy's failure as a father that led to it all, nothing to do with
her.
-- 
Robin Fairbairns, Cambridge

Marjorie wrote:
> badriya wrote:
>> On Sat, 17 May 2008 23:15:22 +0100, "a l l y"
>>  wrote:
>>
>>> "badriya"  wrote in message 
>>> news:9iku241okdcgifl076v85qufg985fsml3p@4ax.com...
>>>> On Sat, 17 May 2008 22:29:39 +0100, "a l l y"
>>>>  wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> <delurk>
>>>>>
>>>>> I've been lurking for some time. I thought it was about time to 
>>>>> come out.
>>>>> Hello!
>>>>>
>>>>> I just felt compelled to point out that Usha is almost an anagram 
>>>>> of Shula,
>>>>> give or take the odd 'L'....
>>>>>
>>>>> Right. I'll just get me coat....
>>>>>
>>>>> Oh, I'm not allowed to relurk, then? Oh well, you seem like a 
>>>>> friendly, if
>>>>> eccentric crowd. Perhaps I'll stay... I'll probably fit right in....
>>>>>
>>>>> ally
>>>>>
>>>> Hi Ally, nice to meet you. No, re-lurking is not possible, there is
>>>> just the one way door IN to umra, no way back out, but there is a very
>>>> nice bunker, filled with chocolate.  If you are sorry you de-lurked
>>>> and are feeling shy you could hide there until the shower of biscuits
>>>> and welcomes dies down.
>>> Biscuits? Chocolate? Don't you know I'm trying to lose weight? You 
>>> fiends! Just chuck me some grapes and apples and I'll be happy. And 
>>> no, I'm not shy. I intend to dive right in with me eyes open.
>>>
>>> ally
>> We do weight loss too! Thanks to umrats I lost 7 stones!  Having said
>> that, I've just eaten lots of things I shouldn't.  My excuse was I'm
>> going away from here tomorrow and need to finish them all up!  No, I
>> can't just throw them away, it's Jane's fault and probably Marjorie's.
>> We've all been talking about not wasting food!
> 
> Don't blame me, I only told you ten useful things you could do with a 
> carrot. (F'r'us?)
> But I'm not much of an example. There is somewhat more of me now than 
> there was when I joined umra umpty years ago. I'm not sure I can 
> recommend umra for weight loss.
> 
It wasn't me, either, who brought up the subject of waste.  Though I 
agree.

-- 
Jane
The potter in the purple socks

http://www.clothandclay.co.uk/umra/cookbook/contents.htm for recipes 
supplied by umrats

* Robin Fairbairns wrote, On 18/05/2008 10:44:
>  Serena Blanchflower  writes:
>> * badriya wrote, On 18/05/2008 02:41:
>>
>>> Daniel?   He's heard Shula talking about Usha and ALan and picked up
>>> her ideas,   and his inner demon is once again emerging.  Didn't we
>>> think it might one day?   
>> Oh, I do hope so!
> 
> a brilliant hypothesis, in fact.  in particular, tsts can claim it was
> snappy's failure as a father that led to it all, nothing to do with
> her.

except that she should have known better than to marry an atheist.

-- 
Cheers, Serena
The sky is not less blue because the blind man does not see it. 
(Danish Proverb)

On Sat, 17 May 2008 00:15:30 -0700 (PDT), mikepedant@live.co.uk wrote:

>On May 16, 10:14 pm, badriya  wrote:
>> On Fri, 16 May 2008 19:41:28 +0100, "Steve Brooks"
>>
>> <ste...@postmaster.invalid> wrote:
>>
>> >"Robin Fairbairns" wrote
>>
>> >> ooh dear.
>>
>> >My thoughts exactly.
>>
>> I enjoyed it.  Someone, who now knows better, rang me at 7.05 and I
>> had to reply in case it was daughters replying about something I'd
>> asked, but I told them TA and hung up and rang back later.  They are
>> footie fans and I said it would have been like me calling during the
>> cup final just before a goal.
>
>As a lawyer Usha knows the importance of preserving the integrity of
>evidence: the letter should not have been handled by anyone else
>before being given to the police. When I said this to my wife she
>suggested that Usha handed the letter to Shula with the intention of
>getting her dabs on it and thus fingering her as the poison penner.
>
>Mike Ruddock

Nice to have you back, Mike :-)))

Shouldn't Shula have resigned as churchwarden by now. If not on
principle, because she can't accept the Vicar's marriage, then because
she has caused a scandal in the parish by talking anonymously to to
press?

Or did she stop being a churchwarden long ago?

-- 
Jo

On May 18, 11:13 am, Serena Blanchflower 
wrote:
> * Robin Fairbairns wrote, On 18/05/2008 10:44:
>
> >  Serena Blanchflower  writes:
> >> * badriya wrote, On 18/05/2008 02:41:
>
> >>> Daniel?   He's heard Shula talking about Usha and ALan and picked up> >>> her ideas,   and his inner demon is once again emerging.  Didn't we
> >>> think it might one day?  
> >> Oh, I do hope so!
>
> > a brilliant hypothesis, in fact.  in particular, tsts can claim it was> > snappy's failure as a father that led to it all, nothing to do with
> > her.
>
> except that she should have known better than to marry an atheist.
>
> --
> Cheers, Serena
> The sky is not less blue because the blind man does not see it.
>(Danish Proverb)

When the subject of Shula's brief affair with Richard came up Usha
(who conveniently seems to have forgotten that she and Richard were
already drifting apart before Shula intervened) made mention of Shula
having Alastair to give her emotional support. Am I right in thinking
that Alastair and Shula weren't married at that time? And were not
Shula and Alastair also drifting apart at that time? Or have I
conflated different episodes?

Mike Ruddock

On Sun, 18 May 2008, Bob E wrote
>On 17 May, 22:29, "a l l y"  wrote:
>> <delurk>
>>
>> I've been lurking for some time. I thought it was about time to come out.
>> Hello!
>
>Welcome.
>
>Are you our only Cumbriarat?
>
>We need a rep from that lovely (wet) area.


Hallo Ally, how did Bob know you were in Cumbria or am I being 
peculiarly ignorant?  We have a Barrow-rat, I believe she may be in the 
bunker.  Hallo Rosie, are you still there?  Come back and play!



-- 
Kate B

PS 'elvira' is spamtrapped - please reply to 'elviraspam' at cockaigne dot org dot uk if you
want to reply personally

mikepedant@live.co.uk wrote:
> On May 18, 11:13 am, Serena Blanchflower 
> wrote:
>> * Robin Fairbairns wrote, On 18/05/2008 10:44:
>>
>>>  Serena Blanchflower  writes:
>>>> * badriya wrote, On 18/05/2008 02:41:
>>>>> Daniel?   He's heard Shula talking about Usha and ALan and picked up
>>>>> her ideas,   and his inner demon is once again emerging.  Didn't we
>>>>> think it might one day?  
>>>> Oh, I do hope so!
>>> a brilliant hypothesis, in fact.  in particular, tsts can claim it was
>>> snappy's failure as a father that led to it all, nothing to do with
>>> her.
>> except that she should have known better than to marry an atheist.
>>
>> --
>> Cheers, Serena
>> The sky is not less blue because the blind man does not see it.
>> (Danish Proverb)
> 
> When the subject of Shula's brief affair with Richard came up Usha
> (who conveniently seems to have forgotten that she and Richard were
> already drifting apart before Shula intervened) made mention of Shula
> having Alastair to give her emotional support. Am I right in thinking
> that Alastair and Shula weren't married at that time? And were not
> Shula and Alastair also drifting apart at that time? Or have I
> conflated different episodes?

Not married, certainly, but IIRC she was torn between two lovers.  As it 
were.

-- 
David

On Sun, 18 May 2008 09:22:58 +0100, Marjorie
 wrote:
>
>Don't blame me, I only told you ten useful things you could do with a 
>carrot. (F'r'us?)
>But I'm not much of an example. There is somewhat more of me now than 
>there was when I joined umra umpty years ago. I'm not sure I can 
>recommend umra for weight loss.

I believe I was the one who pointed vicky in the right direction.
Using the same method, I lost 5 stone.

Since when I put on 6 :o/

lff

On Sun, 18 May 2008 12:44:19 +0200, Jo Lonergan
 wrote:

>On Sat, 17 May 2008 00:15:30 -0700 (PDT), mikepedant@live.co.uk wrote:
>
>>On May 16, 10:14 pm, badriya  wrote:
>>> On Fri, 16 May 2008 19:41:28 +0100, "Steve Brooks"
>>>
>>> <ste...@postmaster.invalid> wrote:
>>>
>>> >"Robin Fairbairns" wrote
>>>
>>> >> ooh dear.
>>>
>>> >My thoughts exactly.
>>>
>>> I enjoyed it.  Someone, who now knows better, rang me at 7.05 and I
>>> had to reply in case it was daughters replying about something I'd
>>> asked, but I told them TA and hung up and rang back later.  They are
>>> footie fans and I said it would have been like me calling during the
>>> cup final just before a goal.
>>
>>As a lawyer Usha knows the importance of preserving the integrity of
>>evidence: the letter should not have been handled by anyone else
>>before being given to the police. When I said this to my wife she
>>suggested that Usha handed the letter to Shula with the intention of
>>getting her dabs on it and thus fingering her as the poison penner.
>>
>>Mike Ruddock
>
>Nice to have you back, Mike :-)))
>
>Shouldn't Shula have resigned as churchwarden by now. If not on
>principle, because she can't accept the Vicar's marriage, then because
>she has caused a scandal in the parish by talking anonymously to to
>press?

Gosh, no.  Everybody else should resign for having placed her in such
an embarrassing position.  She has a business to run and an odour of
sanctity to preserve.

>Or did she stop being a churchwarden long ago?

I note from the OED: "Churchwardenism: the rule of churchwardens, used
contemptuously in reference to the damage done to the architecture,
art, etc., of many churches under the direction of illiterate
churchwardens."

I think Shula should take up smoking a long-stemmed clay pipe.
-- 
Stephen

Into my heart an air that kills From yon far country blows:
What are those blue remembered hills, What spires, what farms are those?
That is the land of lost content, I see it shining plain,
The happy highways where I went And cannot come again.

Jo Lonergan wrote:
> On Sat, 17 May 2008 00:15:30 -0700 (PDT), mikepedant@live.co.uk wrote:
>
>> On May 16, 10:14 pm, badriya  wrote:
>>> On Fri, 16 May 2008 19:41:28 +0100, "Steve Brooks"
>>>
>>> <ste...@postmaster.invalid> wrote:
>>>
>>>> "Robin Fairbairns" wrote
>>>
>>>>> ooh dear.
>>>
>>>> My thoughts exactly.
>>>
>>> I enjoyed it. Someone, who now knows better, rang me at 7.05 and I
>>> had to reply in case it was daughters replying about something I'd
>>> asked, but I told them TA and hung up and rang back later. They are
>>> footie fans and I said it would have been like me calling during the
>>> cup final just before a goal.
>>
>> As a lawyer Usha knows the importance of preserving the integrity of
>> evidence: the letter should not have been handled by anyone else
>> before being given to the police. When I said this to my wife she
>> suggested that Usha handed the letter to Shula with the intention of
>> getting her dabs on it and thus fingering her as the poison penner.
>>
>> Mike Ruddock
>
> Nice to have you back, Mike :-)))
>
> Shouldn't Shula have resigned as churchwarden by now. If not on
> principle, because she can't accept the Vicar's marriage, then because
> she has caused a scandal in the parish by talking anonymously to to
> press?
>
> Or did she stop being a churchwarden long ago?

I think she was re-elected (if they are elected) at the recent  AGM, the one 
that also saw the announcement of the engagement. I understood that there 
was some new rule that limited how long one could remain as a church warden 
and that she and Bert were both over this limit, so both should have been 
replaced. As a result of this new rule Bert was replaced (by Neil?), but in 
order to maintain continuity, Shula had had dispensation to remain longer.

As I remarked to someone the other day, I bet Alan wishes that he had kept 
Bert now.

-- 

CaroleT

a l l y wrote:
> <delurk>
> 
> I've been lurking for some time. I thought it was about time to come out. 
> Hello!
> 
> I just felt compelled to point out that Usha is almost an anagram of Shula, 
> give or take the odd 'L'....
> 
> Right. I'll just get me coat....
> 
> Oh, I'm not allowed to relurk, then? Oh well, you seem like a friendly, if 
> eccentric crowd. Perhaps I'll stay... I'll probably fit right in....
> 
Hi, Ally,  a  belated welcome!

Looks like this place is right up your alley..
Yes, OK, mine's the pashmina..


-- 
Tout de bonbon,
Anne, Seriously, Traditionally Built Curvey Gumrat

* Jo Lonergan wrote, On 18/05/2008 11:44:
> On Sat, 17 May 2008 00:15:30 -0700 (PDT), mikepedant@live.co.uk wrote:
> 
>> On May 16, 10:14 pm, badriya  wrote:
>>> On Fri, 16 May 2008 19:41:28 +0100, "Steve Brooks"
>>>
>>> <ste...@postmaster.invalid> wrote:
>>>
>>>> "Robin Fairbairns" wrote
>>>>> ooh dear.
>>>> My thoughts exactly.
>>> I enjoyed it.  Someone, who now knows better, rang me at 7.05 and I
>>> had to reply in case it was daughters replying about something I'd
>>> asked, but I told them TA and hung up and rang back later.  They are
>>> footie fans and I said it would have been like me calling during the
>>> cup final just before a goal.
>> As a lawyer Usha knows the importance of preserving the integrity of
>> evidence: the letter should not have been handled by anyone else
>> before being given to the police. When I said this to my wife she
>> suggested that Usha handed the letter to Shula with the intention of
>> getting her dabs on it and thus fingering her as the poison penner.
>>
>> Mike Ruddock
> 
> Nice to have you back, Mike :-)))

ditto :)

> Shouldn't Shula have resigned as churchwarden by now. If not on
> principle, because she can't accept the Vicar's marriage, then because
> she has caused a scandal in the parish by talking anonymously to to
> press?

I think so, especially as some of the scandal she spread involved 
blabbing about stuff she had been told, in confidence, in her position 
as church warden.

> Or did she stop being a churchwarden long ago?
> 

Sadly, no.

-- 
Cheers, Serena
Dogs come when they're called. Cats take a message and get back to 
you. (Mary Bly)

* mikepedant@live.co.uk wrote, On 18/05/2008 11:57:
> On May 18, 11:13 am, Serena Blanchflower 
> wrote:
>> * Robin Fairbairns wrote, On 18/05/2008 10:44:
>>
>>>  Serena Blanchflower  writes:
>>>> * badriya wrote, On 18/05/2008 02:41:
>>>>> Daniel?   He's heard Shula talking about Usha and ALan and picked up
>>>>> her ideas,   and his inner demon is once again emerging.  Didn't we
>>>>> think it might one day?  
>>>> Oh, I do hope so!
>>> a brilliant hypothesis, in fact.  in particular, tsts can claim it was
>>> snappy's failure as a father that led to it all, nothing to do with
>>> her.
>> except that she should have known better than to marry an atheist.
>>
>> --
>> Cheers, Serena
>> The sky is not less blue because the blind man does not see it.
>> (Danish Proverb)
> 
> When the subject of Shula's brief affair with Richard came up Usha
> (who conveniently seems to have forgotten that she and Richard were
> already drifting apart before Shula intervened) made mention of Shula
> having Alastair to give her emotional support. Am I right in thinking
> that Alastair and Shula weren't married at that time? And were not
> Shula and Alastair also drifting apart at that time? Or have I
> conflated different episodes?

They weren't married then but, as far as I recall, the only reason 
they were drifting apart was that Shula was lusting after Richard.

-- 
Cheers, Serena
It's never too late to be what you might have been (George Eliot)

On Sun, 18 May 2008 13:18:59 +0100, Serena Blanchflower
 wrote:

>* mikepedant@live.co.uk wrote, On 18/05/2008 11:57:
>> 
>> When the subject of Shula's brief affair with Richard came up Usha
>> (who conveniently seems to have forgotten that she and Richard were
>> already drifting apart before Shula intervened) made mention of Shula
>> having Alastair to give her emotional support. Am I right in thinking
>> that Alastair and Shula weren't married at that time? And were not
>> Shula and Alastair also drifting apart at that time? Or have I
>> conflated different episodes?
>
>They weren't married then but, as far as I recall, the only reason 
>they were drifting apart was that Shula was lusting after Richard.

And she was supposed to be Usha's friend.

-- 
Jo

On 18 May, 11:58, Kate Brown  wrote:
>
> Hallo Ally, how did Bob know you were in Cumbria or am I being
> peculiarly ignorant?  

From postings to uk.local.cumbria

Are you from Blackheath?

"Jo Lonergan"  wrote in message 
news:ur10341ek2qe4mm1rf4bjs0dej1i439bla@4ax.com...

> Shouldn't Shula have resigned as churchwarden by now. If not on
> principle, because she can't accept the Vicar's marriage, then because
> she has caused a scandal in the parish by talking anonymously to to
> press?

On the first point, I don't see why.  In the CofE a churchwarden is an 
officer of the bishop elected by the laity, and has to co-operate with, but 
is neither answerable to nor responsible for, the incumbent.  They are 
legally responsible for the property of the church, so resigning is not 
something that should be done lightly (a bit like a charity trustee)

> Or did she stop being a churchwarden long ago?

I dunno, but they generally have "term limits".

In article , 
linda.ff@ntlworld.com says...
> On Sun, 18 May 2008 09:22:58 +0100, Marjorie
>  wrote:
> >
> >Don't blame me, I only told you ten useful things you could do with a 
> >carrot. (F'r'us?)
> >But I'm not much of an example. There is somewhat more of me now than 
> >there was when I joined umra umpty years ago. I'm not sure I can 
> >recommend umra for weight loss.
> 
> I believe I was the one who pointed vicky in the right direction.
> Using the same method, I lost 5 stone.
> 
> Since when I put on 6 :o/
> 
I suspect that, in order to keep umra in true harmony with the universe, 
when one umrat loses weight....

I blame Vicky for my parlous plight.
-- 
Sam

In article , BrritSki@iname.com 
says...
> Linda Fox wrote:
> > On Sat, 17 May 2008 23:15:22 +0100, "a l l y"
> >  wrote:
> > 
> >> "badriya"  wrote in message 
> >> news:9iku241okdcgifl076v85qufg985fsml3p@4ax.com...
> >>> On Sat, 17 May 2008 22:29:39 +0100, "a l l y"
> >>>  wrote:
> >>>
> >>>> <delurk>
> >>>>
> >>>> I've been lurking for some time. I thought it was about time to come out.
> >>>> Hello!
> >>>>
> >>>> I just felt compelled to point out that Usha is almost an anagram of 
> >>>> Shula,
> >>>> give or take the odd 'L'....
> >>>>
> >>>> Right. I'll just get me coat....
> >>>>
> >>>> Oh, I'm not allowed to relurk, then? Oh well, you seem like a friendly, if
> >>>> eccentric crowd. Perhaps I'll stay... I'll probably fit right in....
> >>>>
> >>>> ally
> >>>>
> >>> Hi Ally, nice to meet you. No, re-lurking is not possible, there is
> >>> just the one way door IN to umra, no way back out, but there is a very
> >>> nice bunker, filled with chocolate.  If you are sorry you de-lurked
> >>> and are feeling shy you could hide there until the shower of biscuits
> >>> and welcomes dies down.
> >> Biscuits? Chocolate? Don't you know I'm trying to lose weight? You fiends! 
> >> Just chuck me some grapes and apples and I'll be happy. And no, I'm not shy. 
> >> I intend to dive right in with me eyes open.
> >>
> > Can ye do fishpuns, lass? 
> > 
> > Whelkome to umra
> >
> I am certain that  a l l y  is short for alice, which as eny fule know 
> is an Italian anchovy...
> 
How do you determine the nationality of an anchovy?
-- 
Sam

In article , 
jolonergan@hotmail.com says...
> On Sat, 17 May 2008 00:15:30 -0700 (PDT), mikepedant@live.co.uk wrote:
> 
> >On May 16, 10:14 pm, badriya  wrote:
> >> On Fri, 16 May 2008 19:41:28 퍝, "Steve Brooks"
> >>
> >> <ste...@postmaster.invalid> wrote:
> >>
> >> >"Robin Fairbairns" wrote
> >>
> >> >> ooh dear.
> >>
> >> >My thoughts exactly.
> >>
> >> I enjoyed it.  Someone, who now knows better, rang me at 7.05 and I
> >> had to reply in case it was daughters replying about something I'd
> >> asked, but I told them TA and hung up and rang back later.  They are
> >> footie fans and I said it would have been like me calling during the
> >> cup final just before a goal.
> >
> >As a lawyer Usha knows the importance of preserving the integrity of
> >evidence: the letter should not have been handled by anyone else
> >before being given to the police. When I said this to my wife she
> >suggested that Usha handed the letter to Shula with the intention of
> >getting her dabs on it and thus fingering her as the poison penner.
> >
> >Mike Ruddock
> 
> Nice to have you back, Mike :-)))
> 
> Shouldn't Shula have resigned as churchwarden by now. If not on
> principle, because she can't accept the Vicar's marriage, then because
> she has caused a scandal in the parish by talking anonymously to to
> press?
> 
> Or did she stop being a churchwarden long ago?
> 
> 
Good Shula certainly should stay as a churchwarden since she will 
clearly be beatified[1] shortly after her demise.
However, Bad Shula is rising closer to the surface, issuing bile, 
ectoplasm & nasty letters.

You may not believe me now, but when Usha wakes to find a horsehead in 
her bed.....

[1] OK, the CofE doesn't usually go in for beatification, but I'm sure 
they'd make an exception for her.
-- 
Sam

On Sun, 18 May 2008 03:57:01 -0700 (PDT), mikepedant@live.co.uk wrote:

>On May 18, 11:13 am, Serena Blanchflower 
>wrote:
>> * Robin Fairbairns wrote, On 18/05/2008 10:44:
>>
>> >  Serena Blanchflower  writes:
>> >> * badriya wrote, On 18/05/2008 02:41:
>>
>> >>> Daniel?   He's heard Shula talking about Usha and ALan and picked up
>> >>> her ideas,   and his inner demon is once again emerging.  Didn't we
>> >>> think it might one day?  
>> >> Oh, I do hope so!
>>
>> > a brilliant hypothesis, in fact.  in particular, tsts can claim it was
>> > snappy's failure as a father that led to it all, nothing to do with
>> > her.
>>
>> except that she should have known better than to marry an atheist.
>>
>When the subject of Shula's brief affair with Richard came up Usha
>(who conveniently seems to have forgotten that she and Richard were
>already drifting apart before Shula intervened) made mention of Shula
>having Alastair to give her emotional support. Am I right in thinking
>that Alastair and Shula weren't married at that time? And were not
>Shula and Alastair also drifting apart at that time? Or have I
>conflated different episodes?
>
(Hello Mike - lovely to see you in your new guise!)

I thought it was a beautifully crafted scene. Each of them bringing up
supposedly long-forgotten matters that have in reality been simmering
under the surface; each of them twisting the past to make it fit the
current argument. Authored by the Cascading Style Sheet woman, I
believe - yes?

Nick O
-- 
real e-mail is nickodell (at) bigfoot (dot) com

Plusnet wrote:
> In article , BrritSki@iname.com 
> says...
>> Linda Fox wrote:
>>> On Sat, 17 May 2008 23:15:22 +0100, "a l l y"
>>>  wrote:
>>>
>>>> "badriya"  wrote in message 
>>>> news:9iku241okdcgifl076v85qufg985fsml3p@4ax.com...
>>>>> On Sat, 17 May 2008 22:29:39 +0100, "a l l y"
>>>>>  wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>> <delurk>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I've been lurking for some time. I thought it was about time to come out.
>>>>>> Hello!
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I just felt compelled to point out that Usha is almost an anagram of 
>>>>>> Shula,
>>>>>> give or take the odd 'L'....
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Right. I'll just get me coat....
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Oh, I'm not allowed to relurk, then? Oh well, you seem like a friendly, if
>>>>>> eccentric crowd. Perhaps I'll stay... I'll probably fit right in....
>>>>>>
>>>>>> ally
>>>>>>
>>>>> Hi Ally, nice to meet you. No, re-lurking is not possible, there is
>>>>> just the one way door IN to umra, no way back out, but there is a very
>>>>> nice bunker, filled with chocolate.  If you are sorry you de-lurked
>>>>> and are feeling shy you could hide there until the shower of biscuits
>>>>> and welcomes dies down.
>>>> Biscuits? Chocolate? Don't you know I'm trying to lose weight? You fiends! 
>>>> Just chuck me some grapes and apples and I'll be happy. And no, I'm not shy. 
>>>> I intend to dive right in with me eyes open.
>>>>
>>> Can ye do fishpuns, lass? 
>>>
>>> Whelkome to umra
>>>
>> I am certain that  a l l y  is short for alice, which as eny fule know 
>> is an Italian anchovy...
>>
> How do you determine the nationality of an anchovy?

Ask for its passport, Shirley.

-- 
David

On Sun, 18 May 2008 14:25:20 +0100, "Mark Williams"
<spam.me@your.peril> wrote:

>
>"Jo Lonergan"  wrote in message 
>news:ur10341ek2qe4mm1rf4bjs0dej1i439bla@4ax.com...
>
>> Shouldn't Shula have resigned as churchwarden by now. If not on
>> principle, because she can't accept the Vicar's marriage, then because
>> she has caused a scandal in the parish by talking anonymously to to
>> press?
>
>On the first point, I don't see why.  In the CofE a churchwarden is an 
>officer of the bishop elected by the laity, and has to co-operate with, but 
>is neither answerable to nor responsible for, the incumbent.  They are 
>legally responsible for the property of the church, so resigning is not 
>something that should be done lightly (a bit like a charity trustee)
>
Don't you think it might be a bit difficult for her to co-operate with
Alan, in the circumstances. It would be different if she'd owned up
and apologised when the article was published.

-- 
Jo

Marjorie wrote:
> a l l y wrote:
>> <delurk>
>>
>> I've been lurking for some time. I thought it was about time to come 
>> out. Hello!
>>
>> I just felt compelled to point out that Usha is almost an anagram of 
>> Shula, give or take the odd 'L'....
>>
>> Right. I'll just get me coat....
>>
>> Oh, I'm not allowed to relurk, then? Oh well, you seem like a 
>> friendly, if eccentric crowd. Perhaps I'll stay... I'll probably fit 
>> right in..
> 
> Hello Ally, I know you from ukmf.

Goodness, I wouldn't have guessed any esteemed umrats were mf's as well...

Plusnet wrote:
> In article , BrritSki@iname.com 
> says...
>> Linda Fox wrote:
>>> On Sat, 17 May 2008 23:15:22 +0100, "a l l y"
>>>  wrote:
>>>
>>>> "badriya"  wrote in message 
>>>> news:9iku241okdcgifl076v85qufg985fsml3p@4ax.co