Auntie Helga goes walkabout...
|
Posted:Sep 2, 2006 9:54 am
Last Updated:Sep 6, 2006 1:29 pm
14426 Views
|
Okay, so I didn't quite find Mr Darcy *sigh*, despite looking everywhere!! 
It did rain a bit while I was up in Derbyshire (what a lousy August - so much for global worming, eh?)  so I wasn't out walking as much as I could have been, but I did defleece a couple of sheep  and come back with loads of wool, which I need to frantically manufacture into scarves and handbags, before the BIG DAY in two weeks time!! 
Several weeks ago, when I was last staying up at my mother's, I was fortunate enough to receive a visit from two of the loveliest people I've met from this place, namely Millie & George, and on leaving, I was invited to visit when I was next in the area.
Yesterday found me leaving the green dales of Derbyshire, and heading south, to the home of the Foxes, former stomping ground of Mr Match Of The Day "Walkers Crisps" himself.
After getting slightly lost (no, no, sweetheart, you are not useless at directions, just a touch light on the details  ), I stopped off to collect the delectable Miss Millie, who had been working hard all day, and we headed off to the Bear Cave. Mr Bear was at the door to meet us accompanied by the cutest, BIGGEST Ted E Bear I have ever seen!!  Ted is a gorgeous specimen (Mr Bear is not bad looking himself  ), and it was love at first bite - er, I mean sight!
After a nice welcoming tea and a tour of a very large garden (complete with garden pond, which I believe is the summer home of a racingcrazy67 grumpy gnome I know ), Mildred set about cooking up a storm, and I was treated to a delicious soup starter, followed by a steak fit for a king, complete with yummy gravy, potatoes and salad. Dessert was a scrumlicious affair, and I was a little piggy and had an extra portion!! 
Accompanying the meal were several bottles of sparkling wine, including something I have never seen before - sparkling Shiraz! Extremely tasty, and worth sourcing for more bottles, as I didn't drink too much - I have a fear of being done for drink driving, even the next day, as I knew a man who was done, even though he had been out the night before, and thought he was quite sober the next morning!
Millie, Bear and Ted were marvellous hosts, and we chatted about anything and everything, and they shared some beautiful photos of places they had been to, and things they have done (Mills... you have a wonderful eye for a good pic, and I'd love to get one of those flowers, to hang on my wall!) It is always nice to see people in their home environment, as you get to learn a little bit more about them!
As I was so well behaved, I've been invited back ), and I'm looking forward to gazing into Ted's gorgeous brown eyes again!! 
I'm now back in sunny Bristol (well, it's sunny in my heart - the rain is chucking it down here), and I've already managed to complete a scarf... well, what do you expect?? I've got an exhibition to prepare for!! 
Scarf, anyone?
|
|
|
1
comment
|
|
Gotta love mobile technology!!
|
Posted:Aug 31, 2006 3:08 am
Last Updated:Nov 7, 2011 9:48 am
14546 Views
|
Okay, so I've not managed to find Mr Darcy yet, but I have managed to get my laptop working in the dales of Derbyshire. Admittedly, I have to be perched on the roof of my mother's pub, with my arm dangling out the window to get decent reception on my mobile, but hey, it's all for a good cause!
I've been exploring shops, looking for unusual wools, to add to my growing collection, and here's just hoping someone will buy the stuff!
It has been cold, wet and miserable here the past few days - perfect weather for wool-shopping, so I'm not complaining. And the has been getting his walks, so he's not complaining either!
Right, time to head off... see you all later! 
|
|
|
3
Comments
|
|
Helga Goes In Search Of Mr Darcy...
|
Posted:Aug 29, 2006 1:34 am
Last Updated:Aug 31, 2006 2:32 pm
14411 Views
|
I'm off for a few days, to visit my mother (and put in some hours behind the bar), and see if I can find Jane Austen's Mr Darcy. He's from Derbyshire, you know...
I had the opportunity of watching the film version of Pride & Prejudice over the bank holiday weekend, and I have to admit that it just didn't do it for me.
Keira Knightley is a beautiful young woman, there is no doubt about that, and perhaps she did make a good impression as Elizabeth Bennet, but it was Matthew Macfadyen's Mr Darcy that just didn't work for me. Don't get me wrong - he was great in Spooks, he's been great in other made-for-TV movies, but there is just no beating Colin Firth when it comes down to it.
*Helga goes into a trance and drools a little, for a moment*
And then there was Brenda Blethyn playing the sometimes hysterical Mrs Bennet - again, it just didn't do it for me, as I felt she was no patch on Alison Steadman, who played the part in the BBC adaption. Tom Hollander made a sterling effort as Mr Collins in the movie version, but let's face it, he just couldn't top David Bamber when it came to smarminess!!!
And can somebody please tell me why it was necessary for American audiences to have an alternate ending to the movie??? One of the joys of having the DVD is that you get to see a little bit more than just the movie, and it would appear that American viewers were shown a different ending to the story, which involved Mr Darcy kissing his new bride not once, not twice but at least four times, all the while saying "Mrs Darcy, Mrs Darcy, Mrs Darcy..."!!! Since when did physical contact, such as kissing, feature in Ms Austen's books???
I shall just have to take the book up with me, when I go off in search of Mr Darcy...
PS. See you when I get back!!!
|
|
|
0
Comments
|
|
Helga's Got It In The Bag...
|
Posted:Aug 28, 2006 12:55 pm
Last Updated:Aug 29, 2006 1:40 am
14607 Views
|
In less than 3 weeks time, I shall have just finished taking part in my first ever exhibition. I had never considered my little hobby/business enterprise to be "art" , but apparently it comes under the heading of "Textiles", and the exhibition is actually an Arts & Crafts exhibition.
The exhibition is being held over several weeks in the locality of my mother's home (which also just happens to be the village pub) , and on 16th & 17th September, Yours Truly will be borrowing a room from said pub for my exhibition - let's just hope the visitors don't think they can have a pint while they are there!! (Well, at least not before opening hours!!) 
I've also been busy adding to my range, and can now proudly boast a knitted handbag to the Helga Hansen Originals collection... not everyone's cup of tea, I'm sure, but it is bound to appeal to someone.
 I've been having pre-exhibition nerves/doubts lately over whether my new range of scarves will appeal, but after recently spending a day in London, it didn't take long to appreciate the diverse ranges of fashion and the interpretations some people have of current trends either!!
Fingers crossed, otherwise I am going to have the biggest personal range of winter scarves imaginable!!
 |
|
|
4
Comments
|
|
This could affect ALL of us...
|
Posted:Aug 28, 2006 4:36 am
Last Updated:Sep 5, 2006 8:35 am
14540 Views
|
If you've been here long enough, you'll know about the scandal of TheCliticals, and the fact that they didn't really exist. They are the creation of another blogger, economickrisis, who was having a little fun.
The trouble is, that fun has now come back to haunt him. Okay, so some of us may have personal opinions on why he shouldn't have done it, some of us are outraged at the whole affair, and some of us just smiled and added it to the long list of dramas that has hit Blogville.
You need to read [post 486006] though, because there are issues there which may affect each and every blogger here...
When we blog, and the blog is not something we have written, but one where we have cut & pasted, have we stopped to ask permission from the original owner of the article? Not always easy when it's a joke that was emailed to us, so I guess that falls outside of the boundaries, but rather newspaper articles, or blogs other people have written (who remembers the [blog Samantha192] scandal??).
When we add pictures to our blogs, have we stopped to ask permission from the original owner of those images? I know some of you use your own images, photos you have taken yourself, pictures you have drawn yourself. But many of us don't use our own images.
Personally I would never have wished economickrisis the legal mountain he is facing now, and I shall wait to read the outcome, because, believe it or not, it could affect ALL of us!!!
|
|
|
2
Comments
|
|
Photographic memories...
|
Posted:Aug 25, 2006 4:57 am
Last Updated:Apr 4, 2007 1:53 am
14350 Views
|
When I first joined A F F, my first profile photo was of my breasts, in a red bra, taken on the night of a Christmas do with my work colleagues, back in December 2004 (I'd obviously come home tipsy and been in the mood for fun!!!). 
The photos sort of escalated from there - my breasts in various frilly, frothy bits of lingerie. I became known as the "gal with the pretty bras"  ([blog funintheday2006], if you have a problem with me using "your" logo, you're going to just have to come and find me and make me pay!  )
Then late last year I finally went ahead and got my nipple piercing , and a photo of that made it into my profile (it was my 5th photo, only available for viewing by premium members - no riff-raff standard members for me!!)
Anyway, here is the reason for this blog...
Remember Ms B&E, my uninvited guest who instigated a little asset relocation programme on my behalf? Well, as you may recall, one of the assets she kindly relocated was my laptop (I felt like someone had ripped an attachment from my arm at the time!!), and along with it, a whole raft of digital photos. 
Photos taken by Mr Hansen, when we were being naughty, and getting up to mischief in the bedroom. Photos of little trips we had made. My lingerie collection, modelled by yours truly ; photos for the website which promotes my little sideline knitting business.... the list is endless. 
I used to have a whole bunch of photos in my albums, but after a minor argument with Mr Hansen, I went and removed them all, along with some of my profile pics... and how I wish I hadn't, now!
I know they are only photos, and I know that I have the memories of those times in my mind, it's just that sometimes it is nice to have something to aid those memories, I'm sure you'll agree?
PS. If you happen to have some of my photos stored somewhere, perhaps you would be kind enough to send a copy back?
|
|
|
2
Comments
|
|
An A Level in what???
|
Posted:Aug 23, 2006 8:38 am
Last Updated:Apr 4, 2007 1:55 am
14279 Views
|
Working in higher education, I'm only too aware of just how busy universities are around about now, what with clearing, now that the A Level results have been released in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Congratulations to all those students who passed their A Levels, and commiserations to those who either failed, or failed to get the grades they needed.
There has been much talk in the press (there always is at this time of year) about just how easy A Levels are becoming. This is in part due to the fact that so many students are getting better grades in their A Levels. Master Hansen's school had a 97% pass rate for their A Level students, and the numbers have increased in students who sat for Physics and Maths.
This is where I start getting a little worked up....
Can someone tell a foreign bird, who did an International Baccalaureate in Natural Sciences (my subjects included Maths, Science, Biology and Accountancy) what the hell an A Level in General Studies is all about?!?!?
I've done a little investigating, and it seems to me to be a glorified A Level in general knowledge... the sort of thing that will help in a pub quiz! Is it any small wonder then, that A Level results are getting better, if half the student population is doing an A Level in General Studies???
Master Hansen has been told that there is no way he is being allowed to do General Studies... not unless he has 6 other sensible A Level subjects first. And no, I'm not a pushy parent... I am just aware of my 's capabilities!!
 |
|
|
3
Comments
|
|
Singing in the Rain...
|
Posted:Aug 23, 2006 8:13 am
Last Updated:Aug 25, 2006 1:42 am
13951 Views
|
Okay... which sorry bastard has been doing the Rain Dance then???
First day of my hols, and I'm listening to the rain thundering on the roof of my conservatory... aaaarrrrgggghhhhhh!!!!
It had better not be raining next week while I visit my mother's... I'm not fond of the smell of wet dog!
|
|
|
1
comment
|
|
Holiday Mood...
|
Posted:Aug 23, 2006 1:06 am
Last Updated:Jan 4, 2007 7:40 am
13966 Views
|
WANTED!!
Two palm trees!
Will supply own hammock!!
Willing man-servant to supply cocktails on demand also desired!
Another willing man-servant to rub my body down with sunscreen very much desired!
Oh hell, just a bloody holiday would be nice!
|
|
|
1
comment
|
|
|
|
Keeping It Real...
|
Posted:Aug 21, 2006 1:06 pm
Last Updated:Aug 23, 2006 8:07 am
13859 Views
|
With all the recent talk of fake profiles, fake bloggers and the like, it is always heart-warming when a person gets to meet the real people on here.
In the past month, I've been fortunate to meet four bloggers and chatters (and people I can call my friends), and what wonderful people they all are.
Mildred and George are a delightful couple, especially Silly Milly, who despite all the little problems life seems to be throwing her at present, is a lovely, bubbly, "grab-life-by-the-balls" woman, and I really enjoyed spending time with her and her man, George. They came up to visit me one Saturday, while I was helping my mum during Carnival Week in the village where she lives.
Grumpy Gnome and Lil' Pixie were the second couple, who I met last week Friday, in London. I travelled up for the day, and met them in my favourite dessert cafe, Häagen-Dasz, although we were very restrained, and there was not one ice-cream in sight!! It was coffees all round, but oh, the temptation!!
I can't say we were as restrained during our late lunch though, when we stuffed ourselves with a fabulous Chinese meal at the Royal Dragonin Chinatown. We rounded off the afternoon with a little shopping (I am now such a Lush fan, I'm wishing there was a store near me!!), followed by a drink at O'Neills, where Pixie met up with another real member!
So, while comments abound about fake profiles and fake bloggers, I shall look back on the past month, and smile as I remember my wonderful friends out there, who have been keeping it real!
 |
|
|
2
Comments
|
|
Update on my Intruder Alert...
|
Posted:Aug 16, 2006 11:11 am
Last Updated:Aug 21, 2006 12:21 am
14052 Views
|
You may recall that I had mentioned previously that the police were going to pay a little visit to my recent uninvited guest (see Fancy a little BE for all the gory details)?
Well, they did, albeit a few days after they had originally planned. I know this because I received a call yesterday that lifted my spirits just a little!
It seems Ms. B&E had been foolish enough (well, at least it shows she has taste!!) to hang onto a few of my possessions, and these were found when the police performed said visit. The items recovered included my two handbags (one Louis Vuitton and the other DKNY), my Maui Jim sunglasses, and a few other little bits and pieces.
To say that I am thrilled to bits would be an understatement, although I'd be even more thrilled if my beloved laptop, address book and mobile phone were recovered, but hey, I'll quite happily settle for what I've got back now.
My insurance company will be reimbursing me for some of my stuff - cash not included as I was foolish enough, on a really hot night, to leave a upper (and rather tiny) window open, which is how Ms. B&E gained access (well, technically, she got the upper half of her body through the window and pulled the key out of the door lock alongside the window). Upon asking, I was told that Ms. B&E is rather slender and petite, not unusual for someone on drugs, and she also has Hepatitis C (I have been advised not to use any of the make-up that was recovered, although I have to retain it until after her court appearance).
So, looks like the saga of my unwanted visit is coming to an end. I have to say that I have been highly impressed by the friendliness and hard work of my local constabulary - I know from my brother, who is a copper in the West Midlands, that the police are doing the best they can, under rather trying circumstances. I can attest to this, and I was rather bemused at the constant stream of paperwork my case has generated!! Still, another sort-of-happy customer, eh?
 |
|
|
3
Comments
|
|
Come Fly With Me...
|
Posted:Aug 10, 2006 2:19 pm
Last Updated:Aug 16, 2006 10:57 am
14007 Views
|
Each summer (the second weekend in August, to be precise) the city I now call home hosts the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta, the largest event of its kind in Europe, at Ashton Court Mansion, on the southern side of Bristol.
Hot air balloon pilots from all over the world gather here, and it is quite an amazing sight to see 200 hot air balloons all inflated and ready to launch. I can see some of you shaking your head in bemusement... "so what" you're thinking, "they're hot air balloons, big deal!" Well, normally I would consider agreeing with you, but I've always loved the sight of a hot air balloon drifing gently across the sky. What makes this fiesta so special is exactly that... the "special-shaped" balloons.
I've seen Thomas The Tank Engine, Skydiving Action Man, a Scottish bagpiper, a fire hydrant , a Coca Cola bottle, a boy in a supermarket shopping trolley, a giant green Monster... the list of special shapes is endless, and has to been seen to be believed. British favourites like Bertie Bassett are there, along with the very recognisable day-glo orange RAC roadside emergency van. One balloon that will have you thinking perhaps you've been sipping at the cider for too long is the Upside Down balloon. It can usually be seen in tandem with its mate, the Rightside Up balloon.
The festivities kick off on the Thursday with a free pop concert, sponsored by one of the city's commercial radio stations, and the evening ends with the fabulous Night Glow. Here about 30 balloons are tethered, and their burners are fired in time to music. This is well choreographed, and the finale comes with fireworks, which have the crowd suitably oo-ing and aah-ing.
On Friday, Saturday and Sunday morning (6am) and in the evening (6pm) there is a mass ascent, where all the balloons lift off (suitable weather conditions are a priority). There is another Night Glow on Saturday evening, and there is a carnival atmosphere in the ground. Over 100,000 people visit each day, and I would recommend this festival to everyone! So, if you live in the UK, and you've got nothing planned this weekend, why not come down and enjoy this wonderful event yourselves. And for our foreign readers... if you're planning a visit to this beautiful country, try to remember the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta!!
See you there!!
Originally posted on 8 August 2005 - just proves how timeless something like this is!
|
|
|
3
Comments
|
|
To link to this blog (helga_hansen) use [blog helga_hansen] in your messages.
|
|
|
| Sun |
Mon |
Tue |
Wed |
Thu |
Fri |
Sat |
| |
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
4
|
5
|
6
|
7
|
8
|
9
|
10
|
11
|
12
|
13
|
14
|
15
|
16
|
17
|
18
|
19
|
20
|
21
|
22
|
231
|
24
|
25
|
26
|
27
|
28
|
29
|
30
|
|
|
|
|
