Beau Peep Notice Board

Beau Peep Notice Board => Outpourings => Topic started by: Diane CBPFC on April 08, 2007, 05:00:09 PM

Title: Happy Easter!
Post by: Diane CBPFC on April 08, 2007, 05:00:09 PM
(http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/images/easter_basket_300x193.jpg)

Happy Easter - what are your Easter traditions?

Mine for the last ten years or so includes making strawberry tarts. Yum.

Title: Re: Happy Easter!
Post by: Roger Kettle on April 08, 2007, 06:24:44 PM
As a kid, I used to look forward to the traditional egg-hunt. These days, I lie on the couch and let them find me.
Title: Re: Happy Easter!
Post by: Malc on April 09, 2007, 12:06:32 AM
A friend of ours used to tease his kids by setting a trap for the Easter Bunny and placing fake fur and blood around it in the morning.

I used to make a rabbit's footprint using a cut potato, dip it in food dye and stamp it throughout the house (we are 85 per cent floor tiles) so the kids could trail the Easter Bunny and find their Easter eggs.
Naturally I wouldn't lead the little egg hunters anywhere near my bedroom where I would be snoring like buggery. By the time I awoke, they were full of chocolate and didn't need feeding until the next day.

Traditions generally: Easter we eat out a lot, and Christmas breakfast is croissants, coffee and buck's fizz. Er....that's about it.
Title: Re: Happy Easter!
Post by: Tarquin Thunderthighs lll on April 09, 2007, 01:47:32 AM
I started a brand new tradition yesterday (Easter Sunday) in the biggest egg ever, thanks to the best birthday present of all time from my beautiful better half.

This was me less than six hours ago. If you've not done this yet, do it. It's a truly awesome experience...






(http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0RAD4Dh0VNuNKok*GLwid23Hhr1STF5MTrG8fTrB1XlX60Oz!wyPxZ4REozyEG8cD6*GwFcQE96y4IlLjymQAoJj2mMIrlwSeqXO*W*BPiiI/balloon.jpg?dc=4675617773218488578)
Title: Re: Happy Easter!
Post by: Malc on April 09, 2007, 02:51:52 AM
Such are the odd processes of my mind I started thinking "where ballooning is concerned, why hasn't a better alternative to the wicker basket been invented"? It's a bit Jules Verne.
And who makes them? Is there a little factory in an industrial estate in Hyde whose core business is wicker baskets for hot air balloons?
If there's a ballooning accident, do the wicker men turn up and cordon the area off? Do they take the basket away for tests?
Title: Re: Happy Easter!
Post by: Colin on April 09, 2007, 04:39:31 AM
I'm at work just now and cant see whatever the picture was that Tarq posted.
As I'm writing this I just thought, there is no one else on at this time, so why dont I just wait until I get home and look at it then.

But I had already typed all this, so I thought I had better carry on.  :-\
Title: Re: Happy Easter!
Post by: Diamond Lil on April 09, 2007, 07:04:16 AM
Happy Easter everyone

Great pictures, Tarquin...but not for me since standing on a chair to read the electricity meter is my limit.

We had our Easter treats yesterday because I'm working today....something tells me we're the only doctor's surgery in Scotland open today but I'm not complaining  :-\
Title: Re: Happy Easter!
Post by: Tarquin Thunderthighs lll on April 09, 2007, 10:56:13 AM
Lil, I'm not great with heights (though short of phobic), but I honestly felt far more safe up there than in the car on the way home afterwards (and that's not a reflection on my better half's driving skills). The balloon people suggest you "give yourself up to the wind" (stop tittering at the back) and that's exactly what I did. I can't imagine a more exhilaratingly peaceful experience. Absolutely magical, I promise you.

Colin - are you home yet?

Malc, I wondered the same thing as they were unloading the basket from the trailer last night. I found out the answer at the end of the flight - anything more rigid than flexible wicker weave would have split wide open on the impact of the landing. Yes, the landing wasn't the peaceful part, but still exhilarating and great fun (and most of the other passengers were even older than me).

Do it, People - you won't regret it.

Happy Easter Monday!
Title: Re: Happy Easter!
Post by: Colin on April 09, 2007, 11:02:20 AM
Lil, I'm not great with heights (though short of phobic), but I honestly felt far more safe up there than in the car on the way home afterwards (and that's not a reflection on my better half's driving skills). The balloon people suggest you "give yourself up to the wind" (stop tittering at the back) and that's exactly what I did. I can't imagine a more exhilaratingly peaceful experience. Absolutely magical, I promise you.

Colin - are you home yet?

Malc, I wondered the same thing as they were unloading the basket from the trailer last night. I found out the answer at the end of the flight - anything more rigid than flexible wicker weave would have split wide open on the impact of the landing. Yes, the landing wasn't the peaceful part, but still exhilarating and great fun (and most of the other passengers were even older than me).

Do it, People - you won't regret it.

Happy Easter Monday!

Yep, home now, great pictures.
Title: Re: Happy Easter!
Post by: Tarquin Thunderthighs lll on April 09, 2007, 11:12:48 AM
By the way, I'd just like to point out that, contrary to one opinion already expressed, in that first picture I am actually operating the cold air fan used for the initial envelope (that's what we balloon people call them) inflation, and not, as has been suggested, holding on to my Zimmer frame.
Title: Re: Happy Easter!
Post by: Malc on April 09, 2007, 01:06:12 PM
In the pic where you're taking the photo, the guy to the right looks like he's into bondage.

I can imagine someone below the edge of the basket whipping his bare bum.






Oh hell. Did I type that out loud?
Title: Re: Happy Easter!
Post by: Tarquin Thunderthighs lll on April 09, 2007, 01:47:29 PM
I'm afraid you did, he was the pilot (as we ballooning people call them), and it both my hands are on the camera.
Title: Re: Happy Easter!
Post by: Roger Kettle on April 09, 2007, 03:32:09 PM
Fantastic photos, Tarky---you obviously had a wonderful time. Happy Birthday, by the way!
Title: Re: Happy Easter!
Post by: Diane CBPFC on April 09, 2007, 06:09:24 PM
TTIII - I just want to say that you looked smashing in your co-ordinated ballooning outfit.

You will have to post some of the photos you took looking down from the balloon too.

Title: Re: Happy Easter!
Post by: Malc on April 09, 2007, 06:27:33 PM
Yes, I was struck by the outfit. That gear's not unusual here in Oz, but I'll bet you'd get a few glances in Chipping Sodbury high street.

How does that Indiana Jones tune go again...? "Indiana wants me, Lord I can't go back there"...no, that's not it...Bugger. Dum diddly dummmm. diddly dum dummm...no, that's Superman.

Title: Re: Happy Easter!
Post by: Roger Kettle on April 09, 2007, 06:32:13 PM
Dum-di-dum-dum...dum-di-dah!
Title: Re: Happy Easter!
Post by: The Peepmaster on April 09, 2007, 06:48:36 PM
Dum-di-dum-dum...dum-di-dah!

No, it wasn't Chitty-Chitty Bang-Bang, Roger.
Title: Re: Happy Easter!
Post by: Tarquin Thunderthighs lll on April 09, 2007, 09:13:00 PM

You will have to post some of the photos you took looking down from the balloon too.



Happy to, Diane.

The hat was a much-regretted gift from my good woman last year - she was desperately disappointed it didn't blow off during the flight. I don't care - I like it!

Thanks, Roger - my birthday was actually back in February, but the balloon voucher lasts for a year. Easter Sunday just seemed like a nice idea.

Here y'go, especially for all you ex-pats....

(http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0RQCTD7YVpwv6RevNVrXfNU!9LN5bUZyCdRoDaIWzymV3lS9HUyHkOkkg*N14hPxlfTdy2!3Z2LjsBFn3IC!qdiaoBufEucygY5z0u7SglNM/wroxeter.jpg?dc=4675617884348424219)

(http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0QwB7DsYUZcxfY2jOj*zitV*veRm5qJouzS5Jc*rjDz7jyBl!VzaLX52Yq7fibWz0tybEbJx2gKMH1e69xNF1Rx9NL04!RBKoRjpfgl9F9YA/wrekin.jpg?dc=4675617884402009503)

(http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0QwDbD8kUAc3UIY2FC7hGKJPs1IsU9O4hgnLeqra3!7y2GcOKMquKHTCdKyqvN2IXQQd1d9h7Nrb1eIw6!HPwLxul7zwWJNAeDJoelfW8oVE/severn.jpg?dc=4675617884447622056)

(http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0SgB9DwcVMOttTPwMidA6srHGG*ETySQRZkEgIdr3AmgNgcWAWqyvBUd5XLzwKt!JhT4J5QHocKodCgm3Q!DXWlivo8y!Q0Nd8yXyWGsXicyx6KOiT8E6cQ/DSCF0010%2072.jpg?dc=4675617884552562423)
Title: Re: Happy Easter!
Post by: The Peepmaster on April 09, 2007, 09:19:28 PM
Tarks is risen!

That looks a bit like The Wrekin, Tarka.
Title: Re: Happy Easter!
Post by: Tom on April 09, 2007, 10:33:40 PM
Amazing pictures!

Thanks for sharing them!
Title: Re: Happy Easter!
Post by: Diane CBPFC on April 10, 2007, 01:16:26 AM
TTIII - beautiful photos - Britain is a magical land.

Title: Re: Happy Easter!
Post by: Tarquin Thunderthighs lll on April 10, 2007, 09:12:21 AM
Glad you liked the pictures, folks - I assure you the real thing was a squillion times better. Do give it a try.

Well spotted, Peepsie - the Wrekin it is. As a Scot, I confess I laughed like a drain when i was first introduced to the 'Midlands Mountain' from the ground, but even it looks magnificent from the skies. Says it all!
Title: Re: Happy Easter!
Post by: The Peepmaster on April 10, 2007, 11:17:44 AM
Well spotted, Peepsie - the Wrekin it is.

It's Telford's answer to Ayres Rock.
Title: Re: Happy Easter!
Post by: Tarquin Thunderthighs lll on April 11, 2007, 12:07:55 AM
I call it the Shropshire Plook.
Title: Re: Happy Easter!
Post by: The Peepmaster on April 11, 2007, 10:54:22 AM
I'm going to call it Eric Munroe.
Title: Re: Happy Easter!
Post by: Tarquin Thunderthighs lll on April 11, 2007, 12:05:58 PM
Why?
Title: Re: Happy Easter!
Post by: The Peepmaster on April 11, 2007, 12:38:54 PM
Why?

It's one of the highest Munroes in the Wellington area of Shropshire, and Eric sounds like a mountain-climber kind of name.
Title: Re: Happy Easter!
Post by: Tarquin Thunderthighs lll on April 11, 2007, 01:05:24 PM
Why?

It's one of the highest Munroes in the Wellington area of Shropshire, and Eric sounds like a mountain-climber kind of name.

Where do I begin?

"One of the highest" - it's the ONLY bit of high ground in Shropshire until you get to Wales.

"Munroes" - that'll be Munros.

"Munroes" - Mountains only qualify as Munros if they are over 3,000 feet tall. At 1,335 feet, The Wrekin isn't even half way there.

"Munroes" - Munros are mountains - The Wrekin is barely a hill.

"Munroes" - Munros are all in Scotland. The Wrekin isn't.

"Eric" - Eric is an accountant's name.

"Eric" - Eric is my middle name   :(
Title: Re: Happy Easter!
Post by: The Peepmaster on April 11, 2007, 01:32:41 PM
Okay "Monros" - I'm only half-Scottish. I haven't climbed all of them yet, by the way. The Wrekin used to be much, much, taller but it was worn away in the ice-age when it was pushed down into the Midlands by a glacier from an area close to Peebles. (There's a big dip in the ground there now). The glacier subsequently melted.
Title: Re: Happy Easter!
Post by: Tarquin Thunderthighs lll on April 11, 2007, 01:43:26 PM
Must've been a quiet night in the Rothesay Arms when you heard that one, Peepsie.  ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Happy Easter!
Post by: Roger Kettle on April 11, 2007, 06:27:02 PM
I think I can give you the definitive answer to this landscape problem:
Anything below 1,500ft is called a lumpy bit.
Anyhing above 1,500ft is  called a pointy bit.
Anything above 10,000ft is called a big, pointy bit.
Title: Re: Happy Easter!
Post by: Diane CBPFC on April 12, 2007, 12:55:01 AM
Just an aside: One of my favourite movies is "The Englishman that Went Up a Hill But Came Down a Mountain"