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The man in the wilderness asked of me
"How many strawberries grow in the sea?"
I answered him as I thought good,
"As many red herrings as grow in the wood."
From: The Less Familiar Nursery Rhymes.(1931,1927) Ed. H.Wolfe
What a scunner! 
A phone thief was tracked down by the lure of a prize of free alcohol. The police called him on the phone to tell him that he had won free beer and asked where he lived so his prize could be delivered. The guy gave the caller his name and address. "He must have been drunk", a police spokesperson said. 
Can anyone advise please?
Hubby wants to save his trillions of Outlook Express emails to a folder on a hard disk. I have tried following the 'help'instructions but I think I am misunderstanding an instruction or two. I have compacted the 'in-box' (I haven't dared look at the 'sent' box yet) and made a back up folder called 'back up of inbox'. When I go into its properties I am given the 'C' drive whereabouts, when I eventually found the file, it is saved as a .dat file which I know isn't right. I'm about to delete the back up folder I made as it's no use in that form.
How can emails be saved in bulk (I have made an executive decision I am not doing them individually) so they can be transferred to either a CD or other drive?
There is absolutely no way that a leak enquiry should be instituted. While it is not entirely unprecedented for senior police officers to controversially speak out in recent times, today's discussion was designed to create mayhem in political circles and focus minds (hopefully) on the serious aspects to undermining security operations.
My concerns about a leak enquiry into the matter are as follows;
There should not be any opportunity for immunity from investigation by virtue of parliamentary privilege or position, in a matter as serious as this one. However, it is by no means clear who might have initiated the alleged leaks, then again, neither has any source been indicated.
If there has been a serious breach of confidentiality a breach of security from any source, which could have put lives at risk, as suggested, this is definitely a criminal matter and one that should be investigated by the authority making the accusation, the police. If it is not doing so, you have to ask the question, why not?
Yesterday I went shopping for me, for clothes; I ended up buying bedclothes!
Today, I decided to take the bull by the horns and attack a job I've been putting off doing. I was right to. A good half is now done, the other half I cannot get to easily as a filing cabinet blocks direct access. There is limited access, a size 6 might manage It. Is this a good excuse for putting completion of the job on hold? 
The world has been blessed with Microsoft Vista. Or has it?
New computers are being pre-loaded with Vista. This is absolutely fine if you are a brand new computer user, so yes - cheers! I'm sure newbies will do just fine with all the gizmos and patches, all their testing out will generate from planet Microsoft's latest incarnation.
Amazingly, there is a strong movement against the automatic preloading of Vista. Amazing, becausing it's almost unheard of for PC people not to want the latest and greatest, a.s.a.p. This wonderful all-singing, all dancing manifestation has compatibility problems with pre-owned hardware and software. Do we know how much software (games for example) there is available that would be compatible with this 'wonder works'?
As a result of large numbers of pleas for a choice (Microsoft call it a very small number)it has already been announced that one large seller will offer the purchaser the option of Windows XP, home, professional etc. on some of its models, but not across the complete range. Other companies may follow suit.
The problem is, Windows XP in all its versions will only be licensed for use till 2008, what then?
If you want your current hardware to work with a Vista type operating system then an AppleMac operating system might suit you instead. You can also operate Microsoft software for Apple, on AppleMac and your hardware, if not ancient, shouldn't be a problem to connect up and use. You'd have to invest in different games though.
However, if you don't want to act in extremis, it would be best to wait till all the problems associated with Microsoft's latest fiasco - oops, pardon me, creation - are ironed out. That could take a really long time.
We can all make spelling errors said a spokesperson for the printing company, after the Post Office mulched up millions of special stamps it had ordered from the printer, stamps on which the name of the Isle of Wight was misspelt. 
Yes dear, we can all make spelling errors but not usually on such a monumental scale as that. 
Even the residents of the Isle of Wight (and shopkeepers who are brilliant with their grocers' aprostrophes), know how to spell the name of their island and a multitude of stranger place names besides.
For visitors to these shores, and for the official printers of the stamps of the realm, the island lies off the south coast of England and is easily reached from Portsmouth, Hampshire, U.K.
Now we know don't we! Freedom of Information is really not meant for us ordinary folk. We have lots to hide and need to know nothing about anything else or anyone else.
The care and concern about protecting the confidentiality of communications and work that MP's do for constituents was most touching. Exempting parliamentarians from the Freedom of Information Act was obviously the way forward; it would, in one fell swoop, seal up any leaky areas that might put constituent confidentiality at risk. Tut, tut, such an omission!
Fancy not knowing that the Data Protection Act covered constituent to MP confidentiality. Anyone who did not know there was already a system in place for 'client confidentiality' was at best ill-advised, but more likely to be being devious.
If transparency and honesty in dealings is a real problem, if receipting all expenses is too time-consuming - everyone else in business and people working in public services have to do it - then it is time to reconsider ones position. Remember, what is good for the goose is good for the gander.
Tonight was dropped scone night; no, I did not drop scones anywhere, least of all from a great height.
We were short of girdles - do not boggle; they are the flat round black large diameter plates that either have a half hoop over handle fixed to either side, or a side handle like those on a frying pan. These utensils sit on the heating source and your creations are reproduced upon their surfaces.
Between eight of us in the class, not including chef and helper, there were three girdles, insufficient scoops with which to obtain ingredients, and if one dear lady hadn't brought her own girdle, a rather bowed one, I would never have got my scones cooked.
The knowledgeable tell me that girdles bow because cold water is allowed to run over them while they are still very hot. Traditionally, girdles were 'swept' with a bird feather, probably that of a pigeon. It is recommended that a surface like that of a wok is allowed to build up on girdles.
We tasted oatcakes and potato scones, demonstrated and cooked by chef, yummy, before packing up our own Scottish home made bakery in a variety of lined and unlined tins and bags, to proudly take home and share with whoever is nearest and wishes to stay dearest.
Overheard in a restaurant.
(Him No.1) Hrrm - there's a good fish supper
(Her) Fish Supper?
(Him No.1) Aye, it'll be a haddie (haddock) in batter wi' chips and choice o' peas.
(Her) Oh, peas, choice, between what and what?
(Him No.2) Johnnie went out dressed for shooting, got a good gun.
(Her to Him No.2) Have you decided on anything from the menu dear? How many did Johnnie Bag, did you hear?
(Him No.2) Hmm, there's smoked salmon maybe I'll have that.
(Him No.1) Och, there wouldnae be much aboot jus noo, Johnnie probably got some good walking an' exercise. I'll take a fish supper.
(Her to Him No.2) They've got smoked haddock here dear, with an egg on top.
(Him No.2 to Her) Smoked haddock with an egg on top. Would I like that dear?
(Her to him No.2) Yes you would.
(Him No.2 to her) Yes, I would like it wouldn't I.
In the background there were sounds of distant aircraft, a rustle or two and a sense of a breeze. Next sheep were baa-aing, calling urgently and this is where realisation dawned.
When I occasionally listen to the Archers, that long running soap which has formed a large chunk of my radio listening over the years, I am usually in the kitchen where I am multi-tasking and there are culinary activites on the go, I listen to the speech but do not hear the background scene setting. It is regularly drowned out by cooking noises and/or someone wanting a brief chat.
Tonight I played catch-up, (listen again via the computer) and heard the latest episode through my earphones. What a difference! I now know what sound refinements I have been missing. 
However, I also know, because I live next to a sheep farm and have learned to recognise the different types and tones of sheep calls, that the calls of the sheep in tonight's episode, were probably recorded at a point when the lambs had not long been separated from the ewes. The sheep calls were too urgent and overly persistent; they were not just the usual communication sounds from a grazing flock. It is the wrong time of year for lambs and ewes to be separated.
The flushing toilet sounded good, though I am not sure what needs repairing. I didn't fully hear the relevant bit of conversation that took place in an earlier episode this week; it can't be a problem with the ballcock, can it 
For the first time in his Scottish rambling career, Steve Gough, known as the naked rambler, has received a not guilty verdict for alleged acts of public indecency, that is, being naked in the car park of a Scottish Prison. 
It's not exactly summer anywhere in Scotland yet. Steve could therefore, still end up suffering from the affects of exposure. The man must be really hardy. He deserves a medal for sheer stubbornness, but where would you pin one
We travelled hundreds of miles in a short period of time this weekend. It all seemed fast, compressed and oh so very tiring. The roads throughout most of Scotland are not straightforward to drive. They demand good concentration.
The dual carriageways you find in England, are designated motorways here in the central belt (Edinburgh & Glasgow). Someone living near Glasgow, who assumed that motorway existed from Perth to Inverness, a distance of about 110 miles, was shocked to hear that most of the route was two-way traffic, with occasional bits dual carriageway. There is a recent addition of two crawler lanes south of Inverness. This is the main route through to the Highland capital and the communities who live in the northern highlands.
Trunk roads to major cities like Aberdeen confine you to 2-way traffic; farm vehicles, tractors and the like, use these same roads. There are three crawler lanes along the route, as an apology to the needs of this arterial road which goes to one of the main business cities in Scotland.
If you want to get to an airport, allow loads of time in case you get stuck behind some wonderful farm equipment or well laden lorries that have overhanging weighty goods which scare the hell out of the driver behind. It's usually okay because you can see the security strapping, but...
I searched around the internet bargain hotel sites for a couple of hours today, hunting for a reasonably priced hotel in London U.K that wasn't going to be a dump. You would agree, I am sure, that the juxtaposition of London with the term, reasonably priced anything, let alone hotels, is likely to be nigh on impossible to find. London has a reputation for being the most expensive city to stay and shop in.
Travelling in London is also very expensive and the slightly lower rates of hotels out of the centre, do not necessarily off-set travelling cost. Also, you have to consider whether your length of stay merits spending large chunks of time travelling.
Eventually, I found three establishments that were worth considering and they were central. The prices, I concluded, including breakfast, reflected special weekend rates and the prices quoted looked good to me.
However, you can't deal with special requirements through the internet hotel agency sites, therefore, I trawled for contact information and dealt with the enquiry direct.
Why not negotiate my own stay, I thought. Nothing ventured nothing gained. So I did. Imagine my thrill at not only obtaining a better rate, but more for the money. 
My reservation gives me half board, (if I want the extra meal), and includes a 'welcome' cocktail on my arrival at the hotel. 
D
This was part of the week that was.
Monday.
Reversed the car out. It hiccupped a bit, it usually does after a week of no movement. Sticky brakes, I thought. The car gently eased back at an angle on the hill; it bumped, humped and thumped then there was the most almight BANG! It felt like the floor pan had collapsed along with the chassis.
The car couldn't stay where it was, it was at an angle across the road just on a blind bend. I thought "what the hell" and attempted to drive it back the way it had come. It limped onto the slope of the drive and would go no further forward. I got out to survey the scene. My new front offside tyre was as flat as a pancake and the car was listing.
Left sick hubby to call our trusty garage. Managed to get to my hospital appointment 10 minutes late. On my return was calculating age of the car versus economics of possible repair costs.
Mechanic arrived for second visit (had already been to assess needs) and shortly after a moped and rider turned up,the rider identified himself as the FRV (fast response vehicle, ha, ha). With both garage men working to get the car level, it soon became apparent that my suspension spring was the main culprit and it had sheared in two places. My new tyre was in shreds. The good news was, it was not going to cost an absolute fortune to repair the car.
Kiddo home with friend for a few days. She caught dad's virul bug. Friend is a vegetarian; that's no problem as apart from meat and fish that stinks 
she ate everything else.
Wednesday.
Signed up for a traditional Scottish baking class. Made oven scones. I thought the dough was too wet, 'chef' said not. Proof was in the finished product. The scones looked like soft domed biscuits that were not too well baked. "Not enough sugar" said chef. "Dodgy scales" said I. Chef agreed, he's a daytime student and thinks all the sets of scales need replacing. I'll take my own next time. One 13 year old mistook salt for sugar; I tried her scone (a teensy bit) to cheer her up, but by heavens! I was drinking water all night. Chef explained the difference between the two granules to me (salt and sugar) I suggested he should explain to the 13 year old. I don't think he did.
Next class, after Easter, we will be creating girdle scones. I have made those successfully but not for a few years. Let's see how we all fare with those.
Thursday.
Kiddo had to leave feeling decidely unwell but at least had a healthy friend with her for the journey. I think I now have a touch of the bug, mostly an irritating cough and sniffles.
Friday.
Invited to a farewell party at a local hotel, dress code, 'smart casual'. Saw lots of people I don't often meet, couldn't talk or shout; lots of head inclines, smiles and so on. Sign language would have worked. The DJ had his volume up with unneccessary decibels, they were beyond the safety barrier. We should have all been issued with ear defenders as part of dress code.
Saturday.
Made oven scones to a different recipe using my own weighing scales and my own oven. They rose well, had a nice texture and colour and tasted just fine. Might add a fraction more milk next time, I think I was too cautious after the baking night at college on Wednesday.
Sunday.
Got a phone call from a friend; she'd been in hospital for 24 hours following a haemorrhage. I was surprised she wanted to contact me rather than anyone else she knew, we haven't known each terribly long and only meet up occasionally. It's obviously a case of quality not quantity.
Kiddo off to St Petersburg this morning for a week to give her communication skills a boost. Two texts arrived to say she's there, staying with a welcoming couple and spoken lots of Russian language already.
