-
RichardB replied to the topic Sounds familiar? in the forum Blogs 4 years, 4 months ago
I did actually consider putting in something about rationing, but decided that I’d make my point more vividly by keeping it simple and sticking to one issue.
Rather more distressing than your neighbour, I had an e-mail argument a few months back with my oldest friend (I haven’t seen him for a couple of years, and perhaps it’s just as well), who…[Read more]
-
Athelstone replied to the topic Sounds familiar? in the forum Blogs 4 years, 4 months ago
Also “An IOPC spokesperson told PA Media: “We can confirm that on 17 December we received a referral from the Metropolitan police service [MPS] of a complaint about an alleged party at Downing Street in December 2020.
“Having fully assessed the referral we have decided it is invalid and we have returned it to the MPS to handle as it det…[Read more]
-
Athelstone replied to the topic Sounds familiar? in the forum Blogs 4 years, 4 months ago
Absolutely!
I do not like wearing a mask when I go shopping, but it is a tiny hardship compared with, say, passing on the virus if I unknowingly had it, to somebody else. I’m so tired of hearing people, my neighbour for instance, declaring that he will “never” wear one in a shop because he’ll “never catch it that way”. He’s a tree surgeon and…[Read more]
-
RichardB started the topic Sounds familiar? in the forum Blogs 4 years, 4 months ago
Let me introduce you to a news story that might have happened in an alternative November1940.
JAILED DOCKER IS HERO, SAYS MP
It was a national disgrace to jail a man for striking a blow for freedom, said Marcus Snellgrove, MP for Much Ordure and leader of the Bin the Blackout campaign, after Poplar dock worker Albert Throbbing was sentenced…[Read more]
-
Knicks replied to the topic Monthly competition December 2021 in the forum Monthly Competition 4 years, 4 months ago
Well Done
Jack opened his eyes to see the hooded glower of Constable Roquefort shining down upon him like the judgement of heaven. That glower caused him to squint, which drew his attention to the dull pain pulsing from his vinegar-wrapped crown.
“Where’m I?”
“Hospital.” Roquefort’s brusque, deep growl was like a wolf’s, of which Jack wa…[Read more]
-
Knicks replied to the topic Monthly competition December 2021 in the forum Monthly Competition 4 years, 4 months ago
Ath this proper Mother Goose / Enid Blyton 😊😊 Gonna do my best Sandra!
-
Sandra replied to the topic Monthly competition December 2021 in the forum Monthly Competition 4 years, 4 months ago
Thanks, Ath, though I’m not sure I’d welcome being 21 again, in many ways (all those nights with screaming babies!!)
-
Athelstone replied to the topic Monthly competition December 2021 in the forum Monthly Competition 4 years, 4 months ago
…Oh, and a very happy 21st to you!
-
Athelstone replied to the topic Monthly competition December 2021 in the forum Monthly Competition 4 years, 4 months ago
Up the hill
Popular Oldwell couple Jack and Jill Bouquet are recovering in hospital from what police described as a “vicious and unprovoked attack” on Saturday night. Regulars at the Old Well pub on Old Well Hill were alerted by calls for help around 11:00 in the evening. Landlord John Spratt described how he and his wife found Jill Bouquet col…[Read more]
-
Sandra replied to the topic Monthly competition December 2021 in the forum Monthly Competition 4 years, 4 months ago
Come on folks! Jack and Jill went up a hill … As a child you must’ve wondered what happened to send them tunbling down! It’s my birthday on Friday (a horribly big one) so please present me with a story for the December comp.
-
Janette posted an update 4 years, 4 months ago
Apologies for the over-long gaps between my visits to Den. So much is still going on for me, including regular follow-up hospital visits following my multiple, bi-lateral arm breaks, one arm sadly looking towards being permanently handicapped. It happens to be my dominant arm, so many problems have arisen, including housework, personal care, the…[Read more]
-
Oh dear, Janette, that sucks on so many levels. All I can do is send you a virtual hug, so consider it sent.
At least you’ve been getting follow-up care. MrsB fell and broke her left humerus while we were on holiday about fifteen months ago. There were a couple of visits to local hospitals while we were still there, but since coming home she’s…[Read more]-
Oh, Richard, that’s not good. If she’s still not right, they should be looking after her. I have to say I cannot fault my treatment, and they sent me for a bone density test, which showed up Osteopenia, which they are addressing. Is a consultation with your doctor worth a go?
Thanks for the hug – sending one right back.
-
-
-
Knicks replied to the topic Monthly comp – November 2021 in the forum Monthly Competition 4 years, 4 months ago
Congratulations Sandra! Wonderful as always. I’m looking forward to your next comp theme! (And the fact that I’ll be off work for the holidays which hopefully means I can do it some justice) 😊✨
-
Sandra posted an update 4 years, 4 months ago
December comp is up – you’ve a month to exercise your writing muscles and put one of 2022’s Resolutions into practice.
-
Sandra started the topic Monthly competition December 2021 in the forum Monthly Competition 4 years, 4 months ago
When Jack and Jill are found – Jack unconscious, Jill bruised, with a broken wrist, on the downward path from Old Well Hill, each are separately interviewed while in their hospital beds. Each gives an implausible and conflicting account of the events which led to their injuries.
As a local journalist you want a front page story but are mindful o…[Read more] -
Sandra replied to the topic Monthly comp – November 2021 in the forum Monthly Competition 4 years, 4 months ago
Thank you Ath, and thank you Knicks for a version I wish I’d thought of , so many excellent phrases. Now to try to craft an irresistible competition!!
-
Athelstone replied to the topic Monthly comp – November 2021 in the forum Monthly Competition 4 years, 4 months ago
Well, two entries this month. Both of them top notch.
Sandra’s story tells me so clearly about that moment when, inexplicably, there is no avoiding the surprise of what you expect to happen actually happening. It’s so familiar and so infuriating.
Knicks plunges us into the very innermost world of a relationship. Twisting and turning thoughts: I…[Read more]
-
Knicks replied to the topic Monthly comp – November 2021 in the forum Monthly Competition 4 years, 4 months ago
Real rough, block-of-text, stream-of-consciousness business, because it’s the end of the month, and how did we get here?!, and I been stupid-busy so zero time for much fanciness, or many words 😅😅
—
I Got Nothing
Understanding. To buttress. In-sight. The value in me seeking the value in you, and seeing it. Knowing it, like a true friend. What…[Read more]
-
Athelstone posted an update 4 years, 4 months ago
Last day for the monthly comp! Hope that’s not a prophetic ambiguity.
-
Athelstone replied to the topic The Future of the Den – Part 2 in the forum Blogs 4 years, 4 months ago
Incidentally, I turned off the option to log edits when you edit a post. Does anybody have strong feelings about this?
- Load More

Merry Christmas.
And to you too.
And you. Thank you for keeping this place going.
Happy Christmas Ath, and to all Denizens
Hope everybody had a great time. We had a quiet Christmas with the day itself at the inlaws and then inviting them back on boxing day. Then on Tuesday we had more family round for a super-spreader event. Truthfully, it wasn’t. Every single person did a lateral flow test before attending. Which was a bit weird, but seemed the right thing to do.