The Nineteenth Edition of Our Newsletter

Edition 19 Monday 10th August 2020

Welcome to the Nineteenth Edition of our Newsletter

Well, it’s been two weeks since our last newsletter and I have to admit I have really taken advantage of having much more free time to get on with some sewing and other crafty projects.

Thankfully our lives are now returning to some kind of normality and it is great to meet up with friends and family we haven’t seen for quite a while. You can imagine how much work goes into the newsletter and our regular contributors (including myself) will have a little less time to work on articles as life gradually returns to normal. You may see that some regular items aren’t featured in every edition but I really hope that members keep sending in items of interest, short stories, poems, puzzles, recipes, jokes – anything that you think other members may enjoy.

Please remember this newsletter is for the members by the members so we do need contributions in order for the newsletter to continue.

Please send any contributions to Karen: [email protected]

Music in Our Time This is a regular item so if you have a relevant piece of music which reflects either the season, an event or our wonderful land, please email [email protected]

Music Inspired By Berries by Alan Malloy I don’t know about your garden, but the woods and hedgerows around us are full of either bushes in berry (Blaeberries, raspberries, strawberries) or are flowering in preparation to fruit (Brambles, etc). What else could thus inspire me? Please note. You need to click on the pictures to hear these songs

‘Blackberry Way’ The Move Written by the multi-talented Roy Wood and released in 1968, this song became the group’s most successful record. Roy Wood always seemed to be an ‘exotic’ character: long hair, face paint, zany clothes, yet behind his startling appearance was a talented musician who could play a diverse range of instruments including, guitar, sitar, French horn, keyboards and, bagpipes. Wood left The Move and went on to establish two other successful groups: The Electric Light Orchestra and ‘Wizzard’

‘Strawberry Fields Forever’ The Beatles This song was written by John Lennon, based on his childhood memories of playing in the garden of the Strawberry Fields children’s home in Liverpool. It says much that Lennon viewed this song as his finest work with the Beatles. The song was written in a difficult period of Lennon’s life and perhaps the psychedelic nature of the song reflects his turmoil.

‘More Ruddier than the Cherry’ G F Handel This song comes from Handel’s opera ‘Acis and Galetea’. This was one of Handel’s most popular operas. It is a tribute to its success that W A Mozart adapted it. As with many operas, the plot is complex, having been adapted from the Greek writer Ovid’s ‘Metamorphoses’. This excellent recording is taken from a live production. The singer is Andreas Wolf, a wonderful bass!

‘More Ruddier than the Cherry’ G F Handel Karen’s Crafty Corner

Please remember to send in your craft ideas!!

As some of you may know I have been trying out lots of different facemask ideas, not just to see which are easiest to make but more importantly to find one that fits! I was getting very frustrated with my last ‘make’ which slid down my nose every time I spoke. This week I have tried the ‘dinner plate’ face mask and I have to say it fits perfectly and is comfortable to wear. Although I machine stitched mine, this would work just as well being sewn by hand.

‘Dinner Plate’ Face Mask

All you need to make this face mask

A dinner plate – mine was 27cm diameter

A piece of fabric just slightly larger than your dinner plate

Sewing machine or needle and thread

Elastic

Step 1

Place the dinner plate facedown onto the

fabric and draw around the plate.

Step 2

Cut out the circle

Step 3

Fold the circle in half and cut along the halfway line.

Step 4

Sew along the curved edge

leaving a gap of about 1” towards one end.

Step 5

Open out and press the seam

open. Put the seams together

and stitch along the bottom edge

1 1 Step 6

Turn in the right way, through the gap that was left open and press

well.

Step 7

With the gap towards you, turn

in the pointed corners half an

inch and then again, another half an inch – if you wish to insert a

filter then leave the gap open – otherwise stitch up the gap.

Step 8

Stitch the ends (I have used

white cotton so you can see the stitches). 4

Step 9

Thread the elastic through the turned in ends using a safety pin

Step 10

Cut the elastic to the required length and tie the ends together. Pull the elastic through so the knot is hidden.

WHEN PEOPLE NEED YOUR TIME….. by Linda Jane McLean

It started with a question.

I was living in Edinburgh, when concern was raised that there were going to be a lot of elderly people alone in the Community. Many were going to be alone at Christmas. With their families far away, many could not make the journey. Feedback came from various sources about the amount of dread surrounding the loneliness that Christmas would bring.

So we asked: “Could anything be done?”

The obvious place to go for advice was the Church. The Minister heard the plan, and agreed to ask the Kirk Session for their backing. The proposal was that after the Christmas Service, they stay on, and the whole Session give of their time to serve a Christmas lunch, provided by the Church, to those who wanted company on Christmas Day.

There was 100% support.

Who would cook? We had an excellent cook in the congregation, and she offered to give up her Christmas day to assist.

Who would pay? Funds were put aside to facilitate the event in the run up to the big day. Crackers could be donated, along with items such as napkins, or disposable tablecloths. A nominal charge would be made, it was decided.

It was publicly announced in November, to ensure that this would be a proposition which would be welcomed, and if so, for an estimate of numbers. Around fifty people were expected. But, as the news of the event grew, and the final total was over 150.

People rolled up their sleeves, and started to prepare seriously for the big event. Everyone worked together: tasks were allocated: from table setting to preparing vegetables, to cooking the turkey.

And so, on Christmas day, the Church was very full. As one of the members of the Session, it was my privilege to help to serve the food afterwards. What a party we had! What happiness was shared – and all loneliness was banished.

From 1 – 3p.m. we served, chatted, helped to wash up, and generally assisted. We laughed, joked, sang, and experienced great pleasure in giving these two hours of our time to alleviate loneliness on this special day.

Words cannot describe how good it was to give on this special day. It was truly amazing. Everyone who had been involved declared it their best Christmas ever: yet it cost nothing but time and a little effort.

The warm glow, as we departed for our own meals at home, was unforgettable. We had alleviated some loneliness, brought some joy and company, and it had only taken a few hours of our time. It mightily enforced the realisation of how self-indulgent Christmas has become.

Anne Fenech sent in these funny signs for us to enjoy!

From Alan Malloy Survey of ERAS U3A Members’ Future Use of IT

Thanks to those members who have so far replied to the questions sent out a couple of weeks ago. There have been 48 responses up to now and if you

haven’t already replied and would like to do so, then please email Alan Malloy (email address below). It is really helpful to know your views, as our ability to meet physically in groups inside may be restricted for some time to come.

The Key Question: ‘Would you be happy to meet other members using the internet?’

Of those who replied, just under 3/4 (34 people) said ‘yes’ to this.

Some members expressed reservations about using the internet for group

‘meetings’ and there’s absolutely no obligation for you to do so. The survey is written to assess your interest.

Please send your answers (or request the questions again) to:

[email protected]

I love this little poem which was sent in by Sandra Richards.

I may be too old to go out for a jog But at least I'm still able to walk the dog.

It beats doing quizzes or watching the box.

So get your lead Towser, let's go chase a fox. Out in the fields, just you and me where for a while we can both be free.

Please email your 8 record choices and your book and luxury item you would take to your desert island to Karen [email protected]

Poets Page Please send us your poems, either ones you have written yourself or let us know of a special favourite which we can publish

I related this rather embarrassing How Hard Can It Be? By Rhoda Malloy incident to Franca in an email and she said it would definitely make an amusing article for the newsletter. I thought it “Posidrive or flat-head, Which one do you need?” might sound better in rhyme. We had decided to change the guest “Better bring both bathroom door handles for ones with a then I’m sure I’ll succeed.” locking mechanism, and although our DIY Off come the handles - skills leave a lot to be desired, we No problem at all, thought - “How hard can it be?” We soon “Place them with screws found out ….. on the table in the hall.” “Pass me the new ones all shiny and bright With the centre that locks So we won’t get a fright!” “The holes aren’t the same, Quick get the drill, I’ll make the gap wider - it won’t take much skill!” “Insert the new one Now, does it fit?” “It seems a bit tight, I have to admit.” “Chisel that bit there, It’s not wide enough, We’ll sand it down later - it looks a bit rough.” “Is it in place And not moving about? Success it has locked! “Oh no!” We both shout! “We’re stuck in the loo Have you a poem you have written? Or and we cannot get out!” perhaps a favourite you would like to share? “Quick, unscrew the handle! Please email [email protected] with any Please don’t break the lock! poem you would like to see published I’m feeling claustrophobic and trembling with shock!” When future jobs beckon Our decision is clear - We’ll contact the 9 professionals and won’t interfere!

Tails of a Bearded Collie

By Anne Fenech

Sufi lived with two humans who were geocachers. Geocaching is the world’s largest high tech treasure hunt. It is a real-world, outdoor adventure that is happening all the time, all around the world. To play, participants use a GPS (Global Positioning System) device to navigate to hidden containers called geocaches. There are millions of geocaches in 190 countries waiting to be discovered, there are nearly 700 in the Highlands North of the Great Glen, so there are probably even some near you right now. There are currently over a dozen geocache types, with each cache type being a different variation of the sport.

A dog who works with geocachers to help find such a cache is known as a geopup or a cache hound. Sufi had spent her entire life as a Cache hound as can be seen here https://www.geocaching.com/track/details.aspx?id=5590037&page=246. This meant long hikes or annoyingly interrupted car rides when her humans kept getting out of the car for a few minutes, after driving for a while to find a cache, but she couldn’t get stuck into a decent walk.

The trips that she seemed to like best were when the car was parked and her humans set off armed with a picnic, to find a series of geocaches along a route, before returning exhausted to their car.

The process of finding a Geocache involves not only finding the exact coordinates and going to the very spot where the cache is hidden, but also reading the clues provided. This is necessary because the cache may be very well hidden. Some are made out of hollowed out fir cones or artificial bolts such as shown in this picture.

Or replica stones, so that the information provided will give you a clue as to what you are looking for. Others involve questions about the geology of an area so that you learn a lot when you are trying to find an earth cache for example. Another kind of clue is to answer questions about a local area by going from point to point noting historical facts or features of the landscape. The answer will provide a number which contributes to the GPS location of the cache.

Sufi had helped her humans to find cache under bridges. For example, one is under the Dornoch Bridge, and many to be found in or around geological features or unusual Cairns, buildings and other features. There are many along the Pictish trail which help geocachers to find out about and understand the history of Neolithic or Mesolithic

Scotland etc.

It was not uncommon for her humans to log “Found by Cache hound” on the website for a particular geocache. On one occasion Sufi’s family had been following a trail of several geocaches and had found part of the trail, but still had more to collect. They had stopped for their picnic, and we’re particularly stumped by the clues, the information, the environment and one particular geocache.

The clues had led them to a low (between hip and knee height) wall of red brick beside a canal. There was a path next to the wall. At the actual location coordinates there was a flight of 3 or 4 steps also made of red brick up to the higher level. The clue mentioned the steps so they knew that they were in the right place. The wall was rather old and unkempt. Some of the bricks were chipped, broken or cracked. There were weeds at the edges of the steps and where the wall met the path. The ground was literally scattered with autumn leaves, and sticks and stones. Having rummaged in the stones and leaves the humans had just about given up when Sufi decided to help them out. After all humans have an inferior sense of smell. Something which is often the final clue to the location of a geocache is disturbed plant life and footprints in the mud placed by previous geocachers who have been able to find the cache. But this visual clue was not helping on this occasion. Sufi began to sniff about. She wandered around the area on her extendible lead.

Then she returned to the steps ard started to scrabble at the wall to the right of the steps. There was a snail on this wall, which try as she might she could not move. Ah ha, thought the humans its one of those teeny tiny snail shell caches such as this:

However, the humans couldn’t move it either. So that proved to be a red herring until with bit of devious pouncing Sufi began to wiggle the brick that the snail was attached to. Suddenly her tail wagging, she began to woof in triumph. Her humans gradually caught up with her message and began to tease the wiggled and loosened brick out of the wall. Eventually with the brick in their hands they looked into the hole, but no geocache was to be seen. The brick was then explored prior to replacing it in the wall. On the side which had been inside the wall there was a carved out hole, in which was a plastic bottle, like camera film used to be sold in, in the days before digital cameras. Inside the film canister was the log sheet waiting to be signed.

Clever Sufi, what a good Cache hound! Here she is on some other geocaching trips.

From our Chairperson, Franca From

Newsletter Prattle Hello All

A huge thanks to all who responded to our AGM papers. We really do appreciate your interest and efforts to help us. Please do not be offended if your name is not the one used as proposer or seconder for some of the items. We just took the first responders.

Next week we will be sending out the voting papers which we also need you to respond to. PLEASE do vote because we really do need your responses to ensure our AGM is legal and quorate.

We will let you know results by email around the 20th which is the AGM deadline.

I know that many of you are visiting or having visitors so I hope you enjoy this opportunity to socialise as who knows what COVID is going to throw at us in the coming months.

All the best

Franca

This recipe is from Franca

Unbelievably Easy Sweet Pastry

Ingredients To make 225g/ 8oz cold butter/ Put the butter, flour and sugar into food mixer margarine diced and whizz until it becomes a ball. N.B. Do NOT add any water. If after a few 350g/12oz flour minutes it is still breadcrumbs add a little more butter. 100g/4oz golden caster Grease a pie dish or individual pie cases. Cut off a sugar piece of the pastry and press into the pie dish including up the sides. Fill with whatever filling Filling: fruit, mincemeat you are using – whatever you fancy Flatten out another piece of pastry and place on top or just break pieces off and spread on top. Oven: 200 / Gas 6/ Fan 180 Bake 20 mins for individual pies and 30 mins for

larger pies until golden brown.

I made this pie with blaeberries collected from the woods – delicious!

Just for fun

Edition 18’s ‘Guess the Object’ was, of course a rose vase!

Many thanks to Rhoda Malloy

Can you guess what this object is? Answer in the next edition of the newsletter. Thanks to Rhoda Malloy for this week’s interesting object

Just for fun

Continued Here are the solutions to the puzzles in Edition 18

Create three words, one from each circle, that all have a similar meaning.

Merriment Laughter Hilarity

She’s playing chess with Kate The missing number is 4

Have you got any puzzles to share with other members?

Please send them in and see if our members can solve them!

Even more fun!!

Anne Fenech thought that this was a creative way to use a funny shaped vegetable during a barbecue!

This great idea for exercising was sent in by Sandra Richards

FANCY A GAME OF CARDS. - EXERCISES WITH A DIFFERENCE.

All you need is a pack of cards. Shuffle them and place face down. Every time you get a heart card do an exercise to raise your heart rate. - star jumps or squat jumps for les able folk - stand up and step your leg out to each side tapping your toe lightly on the ground and at the same time raise your arms. If you turn over a club, march or jog on the spot. If it's a diamond punch your arms forward like a boxer does. A spade means a side reach up and over, left arm to the right and right arm to the left. The number on the card determines how long you spend on each exercise. set the timer on your phone. If it's a picture card do 30 seconds, in it's an Ace do 40 seconds. So for example - if it's the 8 of Diamonds punch forward for eight seconds. The element of surprise is fun and better doing with a friend.

Letters to the Editor

Just one letter this week – don’t forget to write in to let us know what you like about the newsletter, what you would like to see more of and hopefully not the bits you don’t like!!

Dear Karen, Please pass on our thanks to Morley for her ‘Roquefort Soufflés’ recipe in last week’s newsletter. We are both blue cheese lovers and just had to give it a try. We were amazed at how high they rose and how delicious they tasted. They were quite straightforward to prepare and we served them with asparagus and watercress. If you like blue cheese - this is a recipe for you! I am delighted to hear that Morley enjoyed the Hector stories. As for Alan and I purchasing a new puppy, we may take the plunge sometime in the future, but at present, Hector is our ‘one and only!’. Rhoda

Secret Garden Diaries Episode 8 by Franca Reid

Some more little projects this week:

A few weeks ago we had some fairly large trees taken down. They were leaning and blocking light getting to the poly tunnel so they had to go. The guy we get to do these heavy jobs, Karl, is Cucumber totally amazing and gets jobs done quickly, safely and very efficiently. By the end of the day all trees were down and cut for firewood.

However it left us with a lot of stumps which were taking up a fair amount of space. Along

with a good number of other stumps dotted

around the garden due to previous tree removals they were blocking us from using the ground and harbouring weeds.

Karl suggested he hired a stump grinder and got rid of as many stumps as he could in a day. I was

very sceptical as anything I'd seen like this before left the stump base in the ground and that would prevent us from planting on top of them however I was persuaded. We just couldn't believe the results! In the day twelve stumps disappeared, one of which was extremely large. The machine took the stumps down to eighteen inches below the ground. Karl then levelled the ground with his little

digger and so we were left with a blank canvas ready for some more projects!

Where the very large stump had been I planted grass seed so that eventually it is

just part of the grass in front of our house.

At the poly tunnel where most stumps were removed I made some new raised beds. We got some old scaffold planks, I measured and screwed them together, worked out exactly where they were to go and placed them ensuring they were fairly level. I then dug out some turf etc which had grown up where parts of them were and so the beds were ready to be filled. Meanwhile we had some work done in our house which involved plasterboard being removed. I was just wondering how we would get rid of this since the recycle centre is not taking building waste at the moment when the joiner said that I should break it up and put it in the new raised beds I'd made. I thought he was joking so I looked it up online and sure enough broken up plasterboard is good for the ground as it is basically lime which farmers put on their fields, and it is especially good for clay soil so I'd hit the jackpot! I had a “smashing” time with the plasterboard in the raised beds. I just need to wait now to get Karl to deliver me some cheap gravel and topsoil. Next year I'll have two new beds to plant in!

You may remember a few weeks ago I told you about my new flower bed project by our stream. It is coming along well now especially thanks to some of our members for their plant donations. A few years ago Karl replaced our garden gates for us. The old ones were well over 100 years old and falling apart. Anyway we wanted to recycle at least part of them as they were so much part of our garden. After I'd done the new flower bed we decided that my husband would use the top part of each of the gates to make a bridge across the stream below the bed. We are delighted with the result. Although the old gates just looked like old Victorian gates now that they are cut down we think the bridge looks quite oriental so I plan to dig out another bed below the bridge and plant some bamboo. I know bamboo can be very invasive. Do any of you have any tips for keeping it under control? Any suggestions for other easy to grow oriental type plants?

This week I harvested the first of my mint

I'd cut the mint.

Mint bed after I'd cut the mint. I leave enough of the growing Mint before I harvested it. stalk for it to grow again.

Mint drying for about 6 weeks.

Mint tied in bundles ready to be hung to dry.

Once the mint is dry I strip the leaves from the stem and whizz them in the food processor for about 30 seconds. Then I put it in jars and drink over the winter. The dried stems are great for kindlings.

Do let me know of any of the garden projects you have done during lockdown. It's always good to share.

This is my plant of the week. The buddleia has suddenly blossomed. Is it early this year? Please send pictures of your plants.

Happy gardening

Franca

. Please email me on fnreid@btinternet with how your plants are doing. It'd be great to share experiences .

Just a thought to end on

Coming in the Next Edition Don’t forget that the next edition will be in 2 weeks time!  Desert Island Discs – Could it be your selection?  Franca’s ‘Secret Garden’  More Tails of a Bearded Collie  As well as lots of interesting news and features Please remember when sending in items for inclusion in this newsletter, make sure you let me know if you are happy for your name to be added. Many thanks The Editor (Karen) [email protected]