Just about 9.00 last night, the penny dropped. Valentine's Day today isn't it...
Thank the Lord Sainsburys is open late on a Saturday !
I thought it would just be me but it was remarkably busy in there, all blokes crowded round the last remaining cards and flowers.
Anyway, sorted !
I'm sure the rest of you remembered in good time and are not reading this thinking "oh crap!" ????
;-)
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> I'm sure the rest of you remembered in good time and are not reading this
>> thinking "oh crap!" ????
>>
>> ;-)
>>
Errr maybe *goes off to look for car keys*
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Valentine's day? Over-commercialised carp. Bah Humbug ;-0
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Of course it is Roger, you are quite right, what's more, my wife claims that she agrees too.
She is very very pleased with her roses though...
The line of least resistance etc...
;-)
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Mrs HM and I came to an agreement after our first Valentine's day together, that it wasn't worth the hassle. Neither of us like romantic fluff so it saves me the bother and expense of flowers, cards etc.
Had a nice lunch here last weekend instead, recommended if you're ever in the area;
www.cwmcerrigfarmshop.co.uk/
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>> Mrs HM and I came to an agreement after our first Valentine's day together, that
>> it wasn't worth the hassle.
Likewise for Mrs b and I.
Last edited by: Bromptonaut on Sun 14 Feb 16 at 14:15
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Better than the 'old favourite' Valentines/Chrimbo/Birthday/Anniversary gift bought at the local 24hr petrol station - Road atlas, gallon of Duckhams Q and a set of jumpleads.
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>>Better than the 'old favourite' Valentines/Chrimbo/Birthday/Anniversary gift bought at the local 24hr petrol station - Road atlas, gallon of Duckhams Q and a set of jumpleads.
I have a female friend and we were having lunch. On the way back she asked to pull in to a petrol station to get her girlfriend some flowers. I had to tell her that it is an act of desperation to get them from there so at I took her on a detour to Sainsbury's where there was at least a better and superior quality selection.
I knew but have been sooooo busy lately that I didn't have time to get to the shops until last night at 20:00. Still plenty of flowers left.
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Many years ago was working at a large retailer's distribution centre in Brentford. In the run up to Chrimbo, we'd been working our socks off sending all the stuff out day and night.
Made shedloads of money.
Gets to 24th, and we sent the last vans out at 6.30am, tidied up, got the vans back in at 12, and off to the boozer!
One particular gent, his pockets full, went AWOL, and we assumed he'd headed off to do last minute shopping.
Alas, he hadn't. He tied one on, and was bundled home in a taxi late that night.
Chrimbo morning, he wakes up with a hangover from hell, no pressies, no food in the house, and his girlfriend due round for lunch in a few hours time.
Frantically he calls me (THANKS PAL!) and persuades me to assist.
He raids my flat and walks out with a few CDs - cases hastily polished with some Mr Min, a bag of food from the cupboards and freezer, and manages to get away with it!
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I nipped outside just now (having learned here that it's Valentine day) and snipped a flowering bud off a flowering small tree to put in a small glass with water.
She gave me a lovely smile and seemed pleased. Praise embarrasses her but she likes knowing she's noticed. A modest angel. I don't deserve her.
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>> I don't deserve her. >>
You load 'em, I'll fire 'em !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Slight problem in Wales. There are two Saint's days within a month of each other. Saint Dwynwen (local to here) at the end of January....I sort of didn't quite remember that Mrs RP did..whoops and I got a Valentine's card for her...not seen her yet as I've been on the Dragon and she's been on nights !
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Just back from't forest. Glorious but mighty cold. Not many brass monkeys around and those that were looked worried.
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Same here...Back from Newborough....busy there today. All kinds who couldn't reverse on narrow lane down.
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We don't do valentines either....I did get her a nice bunch of flowers on Friday but that was 'cos we were having friends round for a meal last night and flowers always brighten the dump up !
Pal and I finished off a bottle of Lindemans Bin 45 red and the Prosecco the girls left....to stop it losing it's fizz.
Out the back today changing the caravan wheel and loading the jungle bus up with charity shop stuff for tomorrow...sick of tripping over it in the garage. Ruddy cold...had to keep coming in and clutching a hot drink. Footy later, City stick Spurs...then dinner by the fire with a beer or two.
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>>Chrimbo morning, he wakes up with a hangover from hell, no pressies, no food in the house, and his girlfriend due round for lunch in a few hours time
there was one perk of working for Safeway and being on refrigeration check duty on Christmas Day!
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>>
>> I'm sure the rest of you remembered in good time and are not reading this
>> thinking "oh crap!" ????
>>
>>
No.
I'm happily married now. Valentines are for courting couples who want to coyly express their love anonymously.
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>> Valentines are for courting couples who want to coyly express their love anonymously.
That wouldn't be my wife's understanding of the situation.
We have both our wedding anniversaries (judicial & church), her birthday, the anniversary of when we met, Easter, both children's birthdays, my Mother's birthday, my sister's birthday, and Valentine's in a 9 week space. Oh, and also my Birthday when it is my fault if she buys me something I don't immediately appreciate.
It is the most traumatic portion of my year and I breath a sigh of relief every time the period passes for another year.
Last edited by: No FM2R on Sun 14 Feb 16 at 15:50
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Ah, but you are a slave to commercial advertising pressure and consumer conditioning.
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No, I am a slave to my wife. She is a slave to commercial advertising pressure and consumer conditioning.
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But, Mark, are the Conjugals worth it?
Or in this case does FORGETTING the various occasions lead to the lack of rights?
Crude, I know, but I occasionally get a punch in the ribs and a 'YOU FORGOT....' message at 2am.
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This is far beyond conjugals Ian, this is into the realms of genital survival. Lorena Bobbitt showed the way.
Last edited by: No FM2R on Sun 14 Feb 16 at 16:08
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I forgot that Mrs FM2R makes a living off of gelding animals.
Sorry.
Still got Goldens, mate?
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No Ian, they died a couple of years ago.
They travelled the world with me, but when I took them to the UK they had to go through quarantine. That was just such a horrendous experience that I vowed never to do it again.
So since the dogs died I have been prevaricating while i arrive at at least some idea of when/if we will return to the UK.
Last edited by: No FM2R on Sun 14 Feb 16 at 16:16
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Understood.
I recall giving you advice on pool pumps v retriever hair!
When 'puppy' - as my toddler kids called her - ie Brandy passed a few years years back, my folks drew a line after 40+ years of Golden ownership.
Kids still want a dog - I'm just looking for the right one.
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>>We don't do Valentines either...
By 'eck, there's some romantics on here today...
Last edited by: Clk Sec on Sun 14 Feb 16 at 15:53
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We always do Valentines, which is also a few days after her birthday, so she gets two cards and presents in a week.
I sometimes do "unbirthdays" too if I think she's looking a bit blue or something. Bring her home a little treat or something to make her laugh. If she's really down then it might be full on cake and party hats.
We do "just because" meals or trips out sometimes. As our Monday to Fridays are 5:30 am starts and 6:30-7:30 pm finishes, and we are so knackered it's bed at nine, there's not much time in the week to talk so we make very sure was always do something nice at the weekend if at all possible, in amongst the hoovering and washing ere wasn't time to do in the week of course!
It's all about making space and time for what's important to you really, innit.
And that's reminded me. She bought me some soft centred chocolate ginger thins this morning that I've never seen before. Must go and try one right now.
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We don't normally bother, however, a couple of weeks ago it was my birthday and she had planned a surprise weekend in London with everything organised to perfection and no expense spared so I felt I should give some recognition.
Card from home bargains (was in there anyway for something else) chosen by youngest son and a three quid token bunch of roses.
As expected she had got nothing so they were gratefully received
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Booked a table for tonight, I hope she likes snooker.
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We have a Valentines meal deal tonight. Not just any valentines meal deal, this is a Marks and Spencer Valentines meal deal.
(actually its pretty good value for money)
Oh and we have a box of Bacci chocolates to munch through
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Like Zero, we are dining courtesy of M & S.....just heating up now as I write.
Coquilles St Jacques.....
Duck a l'orange...
Tarte Tatin....
I have just opened a nice bottle of Rioja to accompany the meal.
SWMBO selected a nice bouquet of roses and lilies at the same time as we bought the meal and all I had to do was wield the plastic...
Just been called to the table....
Cheers.
Last edited by: helicopter on Sun 14 Feb 16 at 19:04
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We had
Goats cheese and Tomato tartlets,
Trout stuffed with crab with scallops on top with a champagne sauce.
Rosemary potatoes (I had some asparagus in the fridge I added as a side)
Prosseco and raspberry things in a white chocolate shell
Most of the snapper cove Rose has gone.
The heart shaped chocolates are just waiting for the coffee to be served
20 Quid, can't be bad.
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We're having some of last night's leftover rice and tomato sauce in my case, chicken in Herself's.
The Camellia bud is doing well in its glass.
The middle daughter gave us lunch. There was an orange marmalade sponge pudding with proper home made custard.
She promised to make me my real favourite of treacle/golden syrup suet spotted dick 'soon' (that dread Nigerian word).
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Butcher bought pork chops, sprouts, (lovely, thanks to Chris's Quality Butchers) carrot /pea mix, potato & butternut squash mash, onion infused gravy and Aldi apple sauce. Cooked by me.
Pud. Aldi Cornish ice cream, Aldi strawberries (bit big and lacking in intense flavour, but OK for out of season) & Aldi double cream.
A bottle of Aldi Cava!
Last edited by: Roger. on Sun 14 Feb 16 at 20:07
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Good to see you moving upmarket from Lidl.
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>> Good to see you moving upmarket from Lidl.
>>
I suspect your post is somewhat tic, CGN, or is Aldi considered to be the better of the two?
Never been to either so far, but we're likely to be within striking distance of both on a regular basis, sometime soon.
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>> I suspect your post is somewhat tic, CGN, or is Aldi considered to be the
>> better of the two?
Best look for myself, I guess...
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I've shopped in both.
One is not "better" than the other. Aldi sell nearly all own brand, apart from occasional special purchases. Lidl sell a larger range of branded products, plus of course, their own label stuff.
There ARE some things for which I'd prefer Lidl - for example, jams and marmalades and toilet paper. Aldi have better ice-cream and cereals.
If we had the choice we would use both of them, but as our nearest/easiest to reach Lidl is in Sheffield and Aldi is but ten minutes away, the latter is where we do around 95% of our regular grocery shopping. Tip - Aldi's "specially selected" lilies at £7 are spectacular!
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>> is where we do around 95% of our regular grocery shopping. Tip - Aldi's "specially
>> selected" lilies at £7 are spectacular!
They taste awful
Last edited by: VxFan on Fri 19 Feb 16 at 01:17
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>> They taste awful
But the pollen stains clothing even better than that on Waitrose lillies.
Last edited by: VxFan on Fri 19 Feb 16 at 01:19
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Many lilies are deadly poisonous to cats.
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>>I suspect your post is somewhat tic, CGN, or is Aldi considered to be the better of the two?<<
>>I've shopped in both.
One is not "better" than the other. Aldi sell nearly all own brand, apart from occasional special purchases. Lidl sell a larger range of branded products, plus of course, their own label stuff.
There ARE some things for which I'd prefer Lidl - for example, jams and marmalades and toilet paper. Aldi have better ice-cream and cereals.<<
Thanks, Roger. That was most helpful.
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"I suspect your post is somewhat tic, CGN, or is Aldi considered to be the better of the two?"
It was indeed TIC. Roger has seemingly always displayed an unswerving allegiance to Lidl
I would say that the British being a class dominated society manage to categorise everything in perceived (please note that word) superiority and most things are automatically classified in a hierarchy. Now a lot of people will say that they don't and judge everything on its intrinsic merit and value for money but advertisers and retailers know his simply not to be true. Class or status counts as much and sometimes more than price or value for money.
This is is true of nearly everything, where you live, what car you drive, what sort of holiday you take, what newspaper you read.
Now as far as supermarkets are concerned I would say the hierarchy has been something like this. I suspect that if asked most of the population would come up with a similar list.
Netto
Lidl
Aldi
Coop
Asda
Morrisons
Tesco
Sainsburys
Waitrose
Now this hierarchy is not immutable and Lidl and Aldi are keen to push themselves up market and attract more of the wealthier middle classes and they are having considerable success.
Where do we shop, The Coop, Aldi, Waitrose, all at least once a week. In addition we use a local baker, the market, a specialist coffee and tea shop, and a local butcher as well as venturing into the the other stores from time to time.
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>> Now as far as supermarkets are concerned I would say the hierarchy has been something
>> like this. I suspect that if asked most of the population would come up with
>> a similar list.
>>
>> Netto
>> Lidl
>> Aldi
>> Coop
>> Asda
>> Morrisons
>> Tesco
>> Sainsburys
>> Waitrose
Interesting. I'd put them in this order
Netto (I've never seen one or been in one, can't comment)
Coop (Labour party, I wouldn't ever shop in one)
Asda
Morrisons, Tesco, Sainsburys
Lidl, Aldi
Waitrose
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>> Interesting. I'd put them in this order
>>
>> Netto (I've never seen one or been in one, can't comment)
>> Coop (Labour party, I wouldn't ever shop in one)
>> Asda
>> Morrisons, Tesco, Sainsburys
>> Lidl, Aldi
>> Waitrose
The strange thing is, the supermarkets vary in quality and choice by location. The Morrisons in Weybridge is vastly different in quality and choice to the one in Tollerton. (yes I have recent experience of both). Waitrose surprisingly varies a lot too.
So based on the supermarkets nearest to me they rank low to high
Aldi & Asda - so appallingly awful I can't separate them
Tesco
Sainsbury
Lidl
Morrisons
Waitrose.
Cant include Netto, dont have one here, or co-op as we only have locals.
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>> We're having some of last night's leftover rice and tomato sauce in my case, chicken in Herself's.
>> The Camellia bud is doing well in its glass.
None of these goodies cost me personally a penny, although I suppose the ingredients must have come from somewhere.
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>> Like Zero, we are dining courtesy of M & S
And us, although we did ours Saturday night. She chose the stuffed mushrooms, gammon shanks and tarte tatin (snap); all very nice. Still expected flowers on Sunday, but fortunately she's not keen on roses, and as that's all Waitrose were selling (£20 a bunch), I had an excuse to get 2 very colourful bouqets of other foliage from Lidl for £8. Result :)
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>> We have a Valentines meal deal tonight. Not just any valentines meal deal, this is
>> a Marks and Spencer Valentines meal deal.
Just back from Wetherspoons. Two steaks and a bottle of wine for twenty quid - and neither of us had to do the cooking.
I've had better steak, but mostly worst a restaurants. I didn't have to pay a premium because of the date.
Walked a couple of miles into town, but couldn't get a bus back, because they don't run after 7:00pm on Sunday. Taxi was a twenty minute wait, so we decided to walk home, with a pit-stop at a pub half-way - six quid for a pint and coffee!
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Bought her two dozen roses from Aldi - not bad for a tenner.
Just enough to mean that she cant complain that I ignore Valentines, and very little effort from me to tick that box since I was in Aldi anyway.
She was working backshift tonight so I made myself a Valentines dinner of pie and beans and a slice of plain bread and butter.
A good day all round!
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Looks like the local Tesco accidentally put an extra zero on the end of the order when they had the red roses delivered.
Loads and loads of them still piled high just inside the door at closing time Sunday afternoon. There's going to be a lot of yellow reduced labels on them come opening time today.
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My Canadian gf (of Spanish Swedish extraction) and I were on my yacht yesterday, sailing appox. 1 mile orf Fowey/Looe.
We made mad passionate love for almost five hours, in between enjoying some proper Cornish pasties washed down with two bottles of St Emilion (2007) followed by some rather-nice scones topped with clotted cream & strawberry jam
"
"
"
"
And then I woke up :(
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Proper, that were.
I take it every little detail was fantasy, including the scones. When you're doing your thing, is it jam, then cream?
I thought so. Not very sophisticated, down in Cornwall.
Last edited by: Focal Point on Tue 16 Feb 16 at 16:32
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>>I take it every little detail was fantasy
No. The gf does exist. She is Canadian, and of Swedish/Spanish extraction.
>>is it jam, then cream?
I honestly don't mind ... probably cream then jam in my case.
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Phew, that was close ! - sooty123
