Little Lambalot #bentley 5

This little lamb was a bit adventurous. Rather than running away, it was curious and decided to follow us. At least it didn’t chase us. I wonder how it got the guts to do that. How can something so small and fluffy be so confident? Maybe it’s been shunned by the flock and just wants to make friends. Maybe it’s mistaken us for the famer who’s going to feed and nurture it. Or maybe it needs our help and wants us to follow it. It could have come from a different land. The hole in the hedge behind it looks a little warped like a portal. The branches could even be made of bones of previous lambs and we can still see specks of their fur. The one in front of us could be a ghost. We climbed the hill in a northeasterly direction to return to the road where we were parked.

Bric-a-Brac #titannabell 27

Finally, a breeze came through. The more she moved towards it; the smaller it was; until; suddenly, she burst through the brick and she was outside. Her next thought was where her small friend ended up. She quicky remembered where she was place and fished her out and placed her on top of the ramparts. She then realised how big she was in order to achieve this simple action. Her hair had also grown and some of it was still inside. Then she realised that she might have drawn a bit of attention to herself over the course of this interaction, and the best thing to do was to clean herself up. There was only one other way to ensure her safety. She wrapped her hair around herself as if it was a golden dress and headed off down the hill, still shaking the foundations of the castle as she walked.

The Hills might endeth #bentley 4

There’s little sign of a town in front, but you get the feeling that years ago, there used to be more trees. At least they’re facing whatever’s approaching us to offer us some cover. Someone’s been busy. But the diggers are approaching them from behind while they’re distracted. I don’t know how you can tell the front of a tree from the back, but you just get the impression that they are. Maybe they’re scared of the sun, and they’re using the hills to shelter from it. How far back do those hills go? Just when you think you can see the sky, another one fades in just behind it. Each one gets steeper as you go up and down to face the next one. Fortunately, we’re not going that far. We continued west alongside a stream, then our footpath shifted ninety degrees and we started to climb north-west. We passed over a track into the next field, then turned immediately left.

How do you tell someone their name is wrong?

You take a deep breath and speak to them. Or you can write it in a letter if you prefer. You don’t even have to post it to them; you could send it as an email. It all depends on how direct you want to be with them and fast you want a response. It depends on how urgent you think this is. If you wanted to be novel, you could splash out and hire a skywriter. But the name that they’re using could be a nickname or it’s shortened for something else. The parent could have really liked the sound of the name but was unsure how to spell it. Or maybe they wanted to be unique. It might be for religious, family or cultural reasons. The person in question might not like their real one. But do you really have the authority when someone’s been using it for so long? Does it offend you?

Watch your Step #bentley 3

At least someone’s made an effort to aid our progress across the brook. A simple plank mounted securely on two bits of wood makes all the difference and we don’t have to worry too much about getting our shoes wet or muddy. I suppose in winter the whole thing floods, but no-one would venture to come out in that anyway. There’s still someone who’s going to be overly cautious though. They just can’t bear to get a speck of mud on their shoes. I can’t stand that type of person. What’s the point of venturing out into the countryside in the first place? You’re there to enjoy it and should expect a bit of dirt. At the T-junction, we turned right and headed north along the road. We crept up a small incline until a farm appeared on our left. Turning left, we headed south-west through the farm to reach a footpath at the end.

More tonne bags of Crushed Granite conveyed to site and unloaded by workboat 'Swinton' this morning. Plenty for the volunteers to work with

I suppose it’s another way of telling us that the towpath is going to be closed for a while. But whereabouts specifically and for how long? When will it be safe to plan a trip out there again? Maybe we can track the boat to find out. Is this a call for volunteers to come and help get the job done quicker? It’s going to take more than one morning, but there’s no call to arms here or indication of how long it will take. Will a morning be a whole session? It sounds like everything is organised and is divided by a number of teams but we just have to wait and look out for future tweets. In the meantime, we have to hope that the work doesn’t get in our way. Maybe we have to revert to previous tweets to find out. Hopefully, nothing got vandalised in the first place.

On the Bench #bentley2

You come across certain features on a walk that look so good that you just have to pose with them. Some places are so popular that people even queue up for them. Spring was in bloom and this was a perfect spot for a weary traveller; though we hadn’t clocked up much mileage yet. We continued past a junction on our left, then just before a barn on our right we took a signed footpath bearing east through a steel gate. Here, we bore right through a field alongside the edge of a thicket, then passed over a stile and through a second field to reach another stile. Instead of crossing, we headed south and followed the outline of the wood and continued directly south through a section of it before emerging into another field. This footpath ended on a small track and we turned right to head west to a T-junction.

 

Left Behind #dream 222

I’m visiting a theme park with a friend. I wouldn’t say it was a childhood friend; it was more like a bully that your Mum had paired you up with for the convenience since they lived up the road from you. But we’d both had a good day out at the park looking at all of the models on display. When it was time to go, the exit to the station was a lift made of lego with red, yellow, white and green bricks. I’d stopped for one last photo, and when I’d put my phone away, my friend was nowhere to be seen. I assume that she must have gone up without me. I pressed the call button and ascended alone. But when I got to the top, there was so sign of her there either. It was an empty walkway with a concrete floor and colourful barriers made of lego to look like those sturdy iron gates with the curves.

Bentley Book Store #bentley 1

This walk had an interesting start and we were quite lucky with the weather considering the time of year. There were also a lot of lambs about which made it fun. There’s been some great use of red phone boxes across the country to keep them in their place as part of our English heritage and this was a good one that we’d stumbled across. Unfortunately, we didn’t bring any cash or books to purchase one. They also don’t seem to be published on the map. There was also no official car park, but we found a lay-by on the edge of a corner which seemed to be suitable without blocking anything or getting in anyone’s way. Bearing east, we followed the road alongside private cottages with pristine trimmed hedgerows as it slowly curved to the south. We came across a beautiful bench placed underneath an oak tree that was begging for a pose.

Can you get Funky?

I’m not expecting her to move, but I’d imagine that you’d have to in order to get funky. I can’t see anyone getting funky while just standing there. She’ll have to play some sort of music. Or she may be honest and just say no and admit to being an inanimate object. After a pause, I’m treated to a variety of sounds before I realise it’s beatboxing. It’s not what I would call getting funky.  I think it’s a slightly different tune every time, though it’s not very memorable. She doesn’t answer the question, but there is an attempt. I wonder how many tunes she knows and whether she can do any other styles of music as well. There’s no reaction at all when I ask her to get jazzy or hippy. I’ve got no idea why the genre of funk is so important to her, but I suppose that’s just down to preference.

The Sheep Detectives

This was a fun and novel idea, with a cure theme, but it could have been a bit more comedic with more jokes. It seemed to be a seriously focused on the murder to get the plot right; though there’s some slight slip-ups for the Americans. The inheritance is in dollars, there’s mail carriers instead of post men who also happens to be the local paramedic, though it’s possible that some roles are doubled up in village life. Some of the voice actors will keep you guessing, and kids will love the chaotic actions that the sheep will get up to. For an ensemble cast, it’s quite well-balanced, although there would have been more chaos and fun if more of the sheep had decided to adventure from, the meadow. But there’s also mockery and common sense amongst the hysteria. But there could have been a bit more mockery with the detective theme.

On the Fence

One of the things that my mum likes to collect are garden ornaments; specifically colourful animals that can be pinned to the fence. These get mounted via tiny nails which is risky during storms. I should invest in proper hooks to stop them from being blown across the garden. Some of them are never found again. The ladybirds an the butterflies are the worst as they’re 3D. It’s as if the tortoise by the pond is jealous of their view. The sets come from bargain clearance shops; but we order the bigger ones online for occasions. Look how bright they are compared to now. We tried to set a scene so that each panel tells a story. The girls love it and they instantly realise when an ornament’s been installed that they haven’t seen before. The ones sticking out of the pots seem insignificant in comparison. Maybe those should be a symbol of what we suspect is growing in them.

Are Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce about to tie the knot? Why speculation has hit fever pitch

Why are you asking me? I’m just a humble reader in another country. Yes she’s a beautiful pop idol, but I won’t let it bother me. Perhaps it’s hit fever pitch because there’s a world cup game involved and the ceremony will be performed as part of a half-time show as a tribute to their country? It is coming up to an American holiday after all. I’m not entirely sure who one of them is either. I thought he might be a singer but apparently he’s an American  football player. I wonder what they have in common? Apparently one of them thinks that they’re at school and they’re both teachers. Weird. Maybe they think they’re getting married at a school. In actual fact, it’s at an arena, and there’s been a lot of celebrity invites. It’s not something that can be easily hidden. The secret’s out. And it’s also getting in the way. It’s easier not to care.

The Pink Flamingo Club

I have a friend  who’s obsessed with flamingos. She’s built herself a little bar in the back garden that’s completely flamingo-themed. It comes with an obvious name because I don’t know of a flamingo that isn’t pink. Perhaps it’s an excuse to exhibit as many pink things as possible. I don’t really know how this fit into a bar though. Perhaps if it was an outhouse, it would fit in with the décor if the building was used for other things as well. I’ve also got no idea why flamingos are ideal for featuring on an ironing board. Perhaps they make people think of happier times or places when they’re doing their chores. Anything that sells. Maybe there’s other products like tablecloths and glasses available. They might be different shades, patterns and sizes, which makes the whole bar seem random. But she might not appreciate this entirely, especially as it’s not bar-themed.

What if your teacher embarrassed someone every day and today was your day?

They might be doing it deliberately to build up your character and resilience. It might even be part of the curriculum. But you just have to put with it. After all, everyone else has had their moment which you’ve enjoyed which is only fair. But what if you’ve had enough? You’ll have to think of a way to fight back. How have other people coped? Have they ignored what is happening? Have they cried; complained, got upset or ran away? Maybe they’ve fought back in an outburst; either physically or verbally. Or maybe someone’s stood up and said this isn’t right. Maybe this person could be you. How cool would that be? You could be the class hero. Or maybe you could get together with your friends to talk about it. You could discuss what’s happening with another teacher if you haven’t got the confidence to talk to your teacher directly. It all depends on how wrong and inappropriate you feel this is. It is important to emphasise that this needs to stop for everyone and not just for the people who complain.

Potato People

This was a homework project that one of the girls had to do for an art class, and it was so much fun that the rest of us ended up joining in. We had to use household items to decorate them, and we got the idea of using pushpins for legs and clothing buttons. I had a small one so I decided to make it into a ladybird. We’ve been watching too much Ben and Holly. I had enough pins to make it 3-D but I’m not sure if they’re eyes, tails or feelers. The youngest one thought that we were just drawing on potatoes so she drew her favourite character which is the blue alien named Stitch. And I’m not sure if the oldest one’s bear has a moustache or a surprised expression. She was going for a Paddington. It was difficult to draw clothes on potatoes so we got the ideas of making them paper clothes instead like dolls. Hopefully they’re warm enough.

Mysterious Bricey Boy

He’s a man that’s mysteriously ended up on my phone. I’ve got no idea why. And with the inclusion on mobile phones, there’s no area code so I haven’t a clue where I know him from. It’s tempting to ring him up and say, “Hi Bricey, how are you, it’s your old mate here’ but I doubt that he doesn’t know me either. He could have even passed away or have changed his number so who knows who I’m ringing. I might get someone bugging me for life that I can’t stand. But if I don’t take that chance, however, bizarre, I might never know. I haven’t added him on social media and he may not use that anyway. But somewhere down the line, I’ll go ‘Oh, he was the guy I met at’. Come to think of it, I’ve just worked it out. He was a teacher who I used to work alongside as a van driver.

Final Take

 

I’ve done my best to get rid of my squeaky voice. I was gong for an X-Factor announcer. I wonder if that’s something that ChatGPT can fix? Chloe’s voice can be heard a lot clearer. Maybe it’s because the microphone is a little closer. I wasn’t sure what was wrong with the other takes, but this was the one that she liked the best. She tries to be so serious in her newscaster pose that it’s cute and hilarious. Maybe she took the time to improve upon everything with each take. But you never know when it’s the final take. You might not get a chance to do another one. You may be out of time and resources. And there may be a take you don’t like that someone else does and vice versa. But there’s always a chance that someone will correct and edit the mistake in editing. Hopefully her teacher was pleased with the project.

"Pain is temporary. Quitting lasts forever."

Not all pain is temporary. Many will agree with this, particularly those who have been in a serious accident. You might be able to forget about it sometimes, but it still comes back. It might be a long type of temporary that gets numbed with medication. You might need some help to get rid of it, but if you’re an independent type, you might choose to stick it out. But there’s a way forward with everything, though it might not be a path that you like. If you give up on something, it’s a definitive moment. But something or someone may persuade you to return to the role later. You might have been too hasty. There are some things that can be undone, providing that others are willing to cooperate. But you’ve got your morals to follow. It’s up to you. It might benefit just yourself, or it might benefit everyone. You’ve got a decision to make.

Spinning Chairs

 

They’re good fun. And a simple turn can make some dramatic reveals. Sometimes you don’t want to stop spinning. You get to take in a lot of the room very quickly. The smaller you are; the easier this is to do. It’s tempting to make a fun noise as you go. The danger is when they turn too fast, as the older ones aren’t really designed for riding. Parts could fall out very easily; especially if they haven’t been checked and tightened in a while. And when you stop, nothing has changed. Time may have travelled, but so have you. It might take a while for your head to catch up with everything else. Once it stops, it’s irresistible to move it back in the other direction. But you should take advantage of it when you can. You never know when you’ll get the opportunity again. It’s difficult to do it when someone’s watching.

Curvy Corridors #nuclearmermaid 27

Jenny’s curves were confusing after digesting the biped. Some of them had grown larger and beyond her control. She felt heavier, but she needed more. It was a shame that she’d scared the others away. They could still be in the building. Perhaps if she found enough material, she could in good time grow her way up. There must be something nearby that she could consume. Some of the tubing was smaller than others. Maybe she could bend them. But for now, she needed to move. It was no good lying propped up on her globes. To propel herself forward with her fin and stomach would take ages. It would be easier if she slowly rolled across the floor. She wasn’t sure how she’d fit through some of the gaps, but maybe she could fall through some of the other walls. A few strikes from her tail might weaken it.

Where could the Treasure have gone?

 

It’s hard to decipher what our young reporter is saying. It’s probably the low-quality microphone that I had available at the time. I also can’t remember the full subject; but it’s something to do with the Egyptians. It might have ended up with the original family, if they can be traced. That would be nice. If not, it should be sold off to help support the local people. It certainly shouldn’t have gone to the people who discovered the tomb in the first place, as they were the thieves that broke in (sorry Chloe!). I don’t think these groups of people would be willing to share, and there was probably a fight or maybe even a war about this. Some of it might still be lost out there. Some of it might have been taken to a faraway land. And some of it could have been melted down and disguised as other objects. 

Reflex Active 50m SeaVenture AMOLED GPS Blue Smart Watch

I’m familiar with the brand. My niece has one that I’ve set up for her. Some of the reviews weren’t kind, but as long as it was functional, I was willing to take the risk for the price cut. The silicone band isn’t a great look, but as least it’s comfortable and secure. I'm hoping that the abbreviation stands for armoured which makes it sound tougher. I haven’t managed to get the heart rate function working yet, and I must remember to sync it every day so that I don’t lose any data. The different faces are quite fun. I can upload a photo, but I’m a bit disappointed that there’s not a random function. I haven’t tested any of the sport functions or timers yet, but I’m happy with the notifications that I receive. I’m a bit reluctant to test it in water. It’s the sea that killed the last one. But I do have the insurance.

Questions with Chloe

 

This was a little project that we worked on as a piece of homework. We had a question and we decided to answer it in the form of a kids news show, hence the big chair. It was giving off the impression that she was a TV reporter. My voice is a bit crackly with the intro. With a bit of time, we could have rehearsed a proper TV voice, but we didn’t have all the time in the world to get this project done. The wardrobe also needs a bit of work. And we’re not sure what she’s grabbing onto at the end. Maybe it’s a bit of stress relief. But she’s only eight. She wrote down what she wanted to say, then she rehearsed it. What we did do were a number of takes to make sure that we got it right. It’s good to know what kids think. Maybe she’ll get recruited to a news agency. 

Why don't we eat Turkey eggs?

Come to think of it, I’ve never heard of them; even though I’m sure they must exist. |They are birds after all. Duck eggs are widely available; so why not turkey? Perhaps it’s the taste. They might not be fully developed,  or we must wait for them to mature. Maybe they’re like drugs and they’re too good to be put out for sale. You’d have to sneak onto the farm to obtain them yourself or try the black market, though you’d need to know the difference otherwise you could be fooled. Apparently the real reason is all to do with commercial production, and it’s much cheaper to produce chicken eggs as they’re laid more often. Maybe the market for turkey eggs is already saturated, and there’s a secret waiting list to get on it for a supply. You’ll have to ask your local turkey farmer. He’ll probably tell you that turkeys don’t lay eggs.

Wanderlust #dream 221

I’m on a holiday walk with the girls. It’s late afternoon. We should be heading back to the apartment complex for evening showers ready for a night out. We’ve decided to climb a huge steep stone trail which is in the direction of our complex. We think it’s a shortcut as it feels that it’s in the right direction, but there could be a fence or locked gate that stops us from entering our property. The path is lined either side by a walled fence with vegetation growing on top. As we reach the peak of the hill, we literally have to pull ourselves up. At the top of the trail, there’s a bungalow on our left and the trail carries on to the right. The gates of the bungalow and a man in an electric wheelchair comes out. He’s wearing a hat at an angle which exposes part of his brain. He explains that the quickest way back to the apartment complex is to go back the way we came as there’s no throughfare to our apartment complex. We’re baffled as to how someone has managed to build a bungalow at this altitude.

Extra Time

It looks like the course has been extended. A glass table has been set up as an obstacle. Although it looks sturdy, this probably wasn’t the best of ideas. There’s also a bottle slug powder, which we wouldn’t want them to touch. Meanwhile, the judge’s table comprises of a cordless telephone (perhaps we were expecting an important call), a lantern with mock-effect shattered glass that had probably  been blown down by the wind); the worksheet in question alongside a pen, a mobile phone, a tablet, and possibly some medicine as it’s too small a glass to be refreshment. There’s also the possibility of a pink thing that could be a water bottle but its natural soft pink brightness could be a flower or a stuffed toy. But if it encourages them to get out into the open for some fresh air then it’s worth doing, especially if it tires them out. 

 

Can you Hum?

She probably can, but it could be an annoying constant humming rather than carry a tune. Or it could be very repetitive. She could just say yes or no and not provide an example. With a bit of luck, she’ll launch into a creative rap and we’ll hear something different every time. I can’t believe that the first attempt is a Christmas tune. It’s June. And the suggestion was published in May. At least I only get the full chorus. The second time, it’s something different. I can’t name it, but it is one I recognise. I’m ignored the third time around. Perhaps she’s gotten bored of me. I don’t recognise the fourth one. Maye it’s because it’s too short. At least she hasn’t told me that she’s not fed up of trying. On my fifth attempt, I’m back to Jingle Bells. I wonder if the sixth attempt will echo the second?