Victorian Farm; BBC TV

Gigervamp

MRSTITTLEMOUSE wrote: »

What was that stuff beginning with an A that she used to colour the lipsalve with.I did'nt quite catch the word.

Alkanet. It's often used as a natural colourant in soapmaking. You can get it from soapmaking suppliers, or try Neals Yard or Baldwins (sorry, haven't got the url's).

Menolly_2

You can also get alkanet from an ebay supplier - I get all my herbs and dried flowers from them - feel free to pm me (not connected with the supplier but very happy with their price and quality).

maltesers_2

I would strongly advise against planting alkanet in the garden just in case anyone is thinking about it - it spreads like wildfire and is almost impossible to get rid of. The dye comes from the roots.

turfy6

I watched the programme for the first time last night, brilliant! Just mad now Ive probably missed loads. That woman is amazing with her cooking skills and mending the odd fence! I too often wondered about the monthly things and how they got on years ago, now we know, not too keen on the bath though. DH said what about their hairy legs and underarms wouldn't they be stubbly if they didn't shave:rotfl: Like I said they probably never bothered if you dont shave you dont get stubbly!!! He pulled a funny face:rotfl: Anyway I will definitely tune in next week, make a change from all the other depressing stuff on at the mo.

mardatha

The main things I notice are that everything is very simple and sensible --and that everything is such hard work!

rosieben

mardatha wrote: »

The main things I notice are that everything is very simple and sensible --and that everything is such hard work!

It's really brought that home to me. I can open the wm door, throw a load in and press the button. How spoiled am I? and yet how much complaining have I done in the past about 'mountains of washing'

Never mind Shirley Conran, I think all housewives in the past were, and many in the present of course, are superwomen! :T

phizzimum

I;m glad they weren't too squeamish to deal with the issue of sanitary protection. It's something I've often wondered about - but most history books would never dream of dealing with the subject. I'm glad that social history is now being addressed. we learn so much more about the past (and therefore about ourselves) from the small everyday details of life than about which king won what battle.

my daughters are really enjoying Victorian Farm too - DD1 said she'd like to live like that - but only for a week! can't say I blame her, I'm never going to moan about laundry again!

Raksha

I'm loving this (although Sky + let me down due to a power cut ) will be watching tonight.

I actually lived in a house with a copper (but I never used it). And in the early 80's used to use MIL twin tub for the washing, so can't begin to imagine the work involved in a weeks wash using a dollie and a copper......

Doing my family tree has also brought it through to me how high infact mortality was in those days too, so these women were often pregnant for a lot of the time, even though the children didn't reach adult hood.

Primrose

I would strongly echo Maltesers advice not to plant alkanet in your garden. The roots are long and deep and if you pull it up and leave part of a root in it regenerates like wildfire. It somehow got into our garden a few years ago and however much I try to eradicate it, I'm fighting a losing battle.

KittyBoo_2

I think it's the repeat programme tonight about 7 o clock.