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Hi, Rusty!
No, I hadn't met Lettice before!
Definitely a character!
I thought she was fun - and a whizz on her violin!
I was certainly not expecting what issued forth!
I wonder when "The Voice" will come back on TV?
I really like that!
Regarding the shopping...it is mainly extras for the children that I am planning to get.
All main presents are now bought.



Hello, Ros.
Yes, "palimpsest" is a very unusual word.
Is this one that you have come across when doing your researching of family histories?
I am thinking it is a word used/found in documentation?

I originally found Palimpsest when looking at a local church, where a twice used brass is located (in this case, the brass was turned over and engraved on the other side!) But you're right, it is usually about manuscripts when writing has been erased (often by scraping) and written over because vellum etc was so expensive.

Apparently Queen Elizabeth 1 originally ordered parish registers to be made, but she didn't say how long they had to be kept, so there aren't that many from the 16th century. I have come across a Cornish family where the first name "Ferdinando" was used unti fairly recently; I have a feeling the original must have been washed ashore from the Armada in 1588. But I can't prove it.

The same family has Philadelphia, Xenobia (female) and Admonition (male) as first names!

Hello, Elle!
Yes, Lettice was a character and a half, and great fun!
And very posh!
"Lettice" means "gladness", according to Chambers!
She is only the second Lettice that I have heard of.
Miss Lettice Ward landed an enormous salmon on the Tay, way back in the 1920's.
ITV say The Voice will be on early next year with a new panel.
The only name I recognise is Tom Jones.
Good luck at the shopping!

Hi, Rusty!
I remember reading an Agatha Chrisitie novel some years ago, where one of the characters was called Lettice.
Now, was it "Murder at the Vicarage"?
And yes, you have told me about Lettice Ward and her salmon catching.
So that is three instances now, where I have come across the name.
I did not know that it meant "gladness".
Unless there has been a recent change of plans, I think the new "Voice" panel will comprise Tom Jones, will.i.am, and Jennifer Hudson (as last year) with Olly Murs replacing Gavin Rossdale.
Will and Tom Jones are original panel members.
I like Will. He seems a nice man, and is somewhat of a philanthropist.
I saw an interview of him by Joanna Lumley last year.
Here is the YouTube link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOJUv1Kh47E
I hope it works.
I am tired - I think it is "battle fatigue" after my run-in with BG!
I am away to my bed!
Talk tomorrow.

Good morning, Rusty!
A mild but very damp day here.
I hope your weather is pleasanter?
Just back from walking the dog, and now about to go and do the last of the Christmas shopping!
Catch up with you later......

Good afternoon, Elle!
I hope you have emptied the shops in Croydon!
It is a lovely day here, and very mild, too!
I have just had a couple of Eccle cakes for my dinner.
(Shades of Sister Mary Stollard! Remember her?)
I am off out for a walk and no icy pavements which is a blessing!

Hi, Rusty!
I am finally back home again.......I am absolutely shattered!
( Shopping on top of a two hour dog walk is not to be recommended!)
But we had a very successful day.
All accomplished most satisfactorily!
It has been damp all day....most miserable.
It is as well we were in shopping arcades.
Croydon was not as busy as I had expected.
We drove there in the end.....deeming it easier to put the parcels in the car, rather than carry them home on the tram.
Yes, I well remember Sister Mary!
Eccles (of the cakes) is only about 10 miles from Bolton!

Good evening, Elle!
Well done on your successful trip to Croydon!
Cars are handy for carrying stuff in!
It is very mild here, still.
I was out walking earlier but am home for the day now.
A good puzzle today.
It was one of three used in the Grand Final of the Championship.
Took me a while but I got there!

Hi, Rusty!
Our weather forecast sounds to be very bleak for the next few days and, indeed, over Christmas..
Fog.......and more fog....!
Mild temperatures, though.
We shall stay close to home , if so, barring Christmas Day, when we are going over to our daughter's for Christmas lunch - cooked , so I believe, by our son-in law!
He is a very good cook!
Speaking of food......
We have just enjoyed a meal from the chip shop.
We decided we were too tired to cook dinner.
I haven't had a chance to look at today's crosswords......

Hello, Elle!
Tea from the chipper sounds the biz, especially if you have been out traipsing most of the day!
I am sure your Christmas lunch will be fine!
I do not think I have fog forecast, but it is going to be fairly mild up to Christmas Eve anyway.
The bookies have Dundee and Aberdeen favourites for a White Christmas, if there is going to be one.
We shall see!