Gary L

sorry, Tim, but Humpty D is right. Human language changes all the time and words mean today what people now want them to mean. The key is honest agreement about what, in this case, ‘commitment’ means. As I said, I’m with you on commitment meaning monogamy but then what exactly is that? Having dinner with straight and gay friends around the Clinton and Monica L case I was the only person who said that he was committing adultery ( apart from the inappropriate relationship with a junior). A married couple was fervent in saying that having oral sex was not adultery. As they used to say in Manchester when I was a boy, “there’s nowt so queer as folk…”

I am nervous to disagree with the renowned commentator @PrivateTim but perhaps his universe isn’t one that everyone wants to live in. Ironically, I think that I do live in his universe (27 yrs with my husband) but I accept that others don’t, and it ain’t for me to judge so long as someone isn’t being dishonest within the terms of the relationship. So, I may not “approve” of Will’s version of commitment but I respect his honesty. There, my rant over! 🤣

Like father, like son. whatever their faults, both Brad and Will are capable of committing to someone. This chp reminds me of Wade and Matt walking in a forest as their relationship was disintegrating. cant say I’m over impressed with Travis. He is becoming more and more like Z**h….

Enjoy the break!

I so agree. But just a thought: years ago I did a minor in child psychology with an amazing young Jesuit psychology prof. He was asked about what would make the perfect parent. His reply has stuck with me since the 80’s: parents who are ‘perfect’ are a disaster for children. They need ‘good enough’ parents, to know they are loved but also to learn adults can have a bad day, make mistakes etc., that parents can say sorry etc. warm regards, @kbois, and a big virtual hug, gary

As an addict of @Mark Arbour’s Bridgemont series, I’m looking forward to visiting sites on the coast near where Granger sailed…. sadly, places to rent with amazing views are amazingly expensive, but looking forward to going to Finisterre - the end of the world as it was thought….

Good to see dogs allowed in the gardens. So often it’s a no no. We head to NE Spain to edge of Bay of Biscay and Atlantic. Being a good daddy, I’ve found a cottage with 1,200 square meters of orchards for Greta and Lilibeth to play ín. They are high-maintenance dachshunds, to say the least. 🤗

Great fun but these selfish, ungenerous tops are starting to p**s me off.

Delightful and educational. I’d never heard of Wrest Park and the restoration work on the gardens looks magnificent. Thank you, Robert

Thank you Spyke! I love meatloaf but it wasn’t a common dish when I grew up in uk. I think shepherds/cottage pie with their potato topping were much more well known.

V hard to imagine @PrivateTim like this! Always imagined a hotter version of The Lincoln Attorney with a Carrera 4S….

Can’t open link but would love the mini. Meatloaf recipe. Tim has the page prepared!!!!

Not sure if I like the verb “caved”, @PrivateTim. My old club, The Athenaeum (founded in 1824) suffered turmoils before we finally voted to have women members in 2001. The reason was actually v simple. A member listed all of the then current senior legal, academic and ecclesiastical posts that would have automatically welcomed male holders, but were no longer represented in the Club as they were now held by women. Excellence demands equality. BTW, the Carlton Club, home of the Tories, couldn’t have Mrs Thatcher as a full member, despite her winning three elections…..

At -8°C last March in central Spain I told the owner of the rental I just wanted to go home. One of his hunter dachshunds had cut the power to the boiler so no warmth and then the water got cut off. All this for $3500 for a fortnight of “Hell frozen over”!

Another excellent installment. Thank you Mark. Medusa was good fun!

I’d catch pneumonia!

I’m wearing two pairs of socks at home. One normal cotton pair and thick Nordic socks on the top plus slippers. It’s 21° c inside but the floor tiles are icy cold.

Today’s lunch: 1 large potato thinly sliced 1 large onion thinly sliced pack of scallops - fresh if you are feeling flush, frozen if poor like me! fish/seafood stock - I normally make my own but I bought a bric which was perfect 1 spread the potatoes and onion in a shallow oven pan 2 add stock to just cover the potatoes and put in a hot oven 180°C 3 turn potatoes when almost soft and drain off any excess stock (save it!) 4 for extra crispy potatoes switch oven to grill as you heat up a griddle pan 5 quickly fry the scallops which have been seasoned and anointed with oil DO NOT overcook 6 if posh put potato and onion on serving platter topped with scallops. If normal serve from oven. this is my basic recipe but you can addd garlic, marinade, chilies etc etc total cost today with frozen scallop 15$ for two

Love the colours!,

Totally agree! This story is like a delicious stew gently simmering and gradually coming to the boil. An excellent read.

Worth a prize, Lee!

It’s midnight here in Spain so my recipe must wait! Thank you, dear, Tim x

Hey, you guys are making me hungry 🤤 Tim, perhaps we need a drop in recipe section. Am happy to share my supper menu: fishy slim spring rolls, tagliatelle with prawns, sizzling beef. Oh, the recipes, contact “China Town” restaurant 😂

Exquisite. Thank you.

Went to click on next chp after a binge reading session and….. no new chp. And a mega cliffhanger as my punishment. As ever with our esteemed author, things get better and better