The Garden Fence - help and support in tough times

monnagran

Where we used to live there was a a commune of Buddist monks, (sorry I don't know the correct term) and they used to do meditation sessions that the public were invited to attend. Being up for anything the Rev and I trundled along to see what it was all about. The first session was really interesting so we thought we would do it again. The second time we went it started off well but i made the mistake of looking around me. The monks were lovely but some of the English people were decidedly out of their depth and extremely unlovely. The sight of these uptight, worthy, earnest middle aged, middle class folk desperately trying to look as if this was something they did all the time suddenly struck me as ridiculous and I got the giggles. We had to make a swift and ignominious retreat. I regretted this as I believe that TM is very beneficial.

Not one's to give up, we went to an exhibition some time later and bought a meditation CD by Margaret Rizza who writes very beautiful church music. We put it on in the car on the way home. It is the one and only time we did a car journey in complete silence. By the time we arrived home we were thoroughly chilled out and with no memory of how we got there.

Perhaps a CD is the way to go. Just don't play it in the car!

x

Softstuff

Caterina, they say about 3 months in the freezer for salmon, but I wouldn't worry myself, I'm a bit cavalier with frozen foods.

Odd question out of left field, perhaps for Greenbee, has anyone ever flown China Southern Airways? I've been looking at flights to England this year and most other airlines are $2200+, China Southern is abiut $1500. Reviews seem pretty atrocious, but there's a lot I can put up with for $700. Plus I'm adventurous and have a few months to learn a bit of mandarin for a 12 hour layover at Guangzhou.

Our aircon continues to thrill me. We had a plumber out to flush the drain in the driveway yesterday and made the discovery that the pipes go as far as the top of the lawn... actually just under the lawn. So now the driveway will drain, but we have a mud wrestling pit in the back. Another thing to fix. We booked an electrician for the new ceiling lights and had some door handles installed. Progress continues apace.

It'd be nice to be done by next Christmas, but I'm not holding my breath.

greenbee

No experience of China Southern Airways I'm afraid Softstuff. I don't travel much in that part of the world and last time I went to Hong Kong I used Quantas. Try one of the holiday/travel boards as there may be people who have some insight.

Good luck with finishing by Christmas Softstuff... I'm into my third year here and feel like I've only just started!

nuatha

Softstuff wrote: »

Odd question out of left field, perhaps for Greenbee, has anyone ever flown China Southern Airways? I've been looking at flights to England this year and most other airlines are $2200+, China Southern is abiut $1500. Reviews seem pretty atrocious, but there's a lot I can put up with for $700. Plus I'm adventurous and have a few months to learn a bit of mandarin for a 12 hour layover at Guangzhou.

A client of mine regularly flies to Manila, carrier of choice used to be KLM, which sometimes turned in China Southern (Partner Airline) described as basic but ok. Currently flies with Emirates as the route is far shorter (KLM/CS have added long layovers to most routes) and generally as cheap (excluding the CS route with the 27 hour layover).
Apparently CS long haul flights have a Dutch or French crew member who's English is at least adequate due to the partnership arrangement.
HTH

Softstuff

greenbee wrote: »

No experience of China Southern Airways I'm afraid Softstuff. I don't travel much in that part of the world and last time I went to Hong Kong I used Quantas. Try one of the holiday/travel boards as there may be people who have some insight.

Good luck with finishing by Christmas Softstuff... I'm into my third year here and feel like I've only just started!

Thanks Greenbee, the consensus seems not good review wise, but though I'm now a bit softer than I used to be, I remind myself I am still the person who travelled right across Turkey on a bus, before I even knew any Turkish. And I got lost in Singapore voluntarily. So for me, it'd be more of a new adventure than an ordeal I reckon. I think a lot of travel opinion is a matter of perspective.

And you work hard and are away a lot, but for me renovations are the equivalent of my full time job, so by that comparison I should be done already :rotfl:

Edited to add: thanks Nuatha, that is quite encouraging. Basic is appealing.

[Deleted User]

I have a meditation cd monna, I like it. I seem to be able to do some meditation in silence now but no chance of me sitting crossed legged, I sit back in my recliner. Monna you did make me laugh out loud, nice start to the day. You are an optimistic positive person, energy giving and with a smile on your face, no matter what

Money, thanks for info on TM, yes it does seem like money making spin

silvasava

Kittie - my yoga teacher sometimes does a meditation exercise. One of my favourites is called 'Contemplating the Candle' where you just concentrate on a lit candle, the light, the shape, the colour and breathe rhythmically. It's very calming & always makes me feel refreshed. It only needs to be done for 5/10 mins in a darkened room.
I once had a go with a friend at something called Tibetan Bowls (we went out of curiosity) The tutor had these brass bowls of varying sizes that were struck to produce different sounds. It was quite spooky 'cos the pitch of them resonated through your whole body - quite enjoyable in a strange way!

ivyleaf

Thanks Monna, I hadn't heard of Margaret Rizza but sounds right up my street

Caterina

Thank you Softstuff, I will take the salmon out of the freezer after Lent, I am sure it will be ok, as you said.

Following the craving for smoked mackerel, we ate it pan-fried last night. Cue much stink around the house and fish flavoured repeating for both of us! So we swore never again, but instead will use tinned mackerel in tomato sauce, much gentler on the digestion and the house!

Finally after burning aroma candles and keeping doors and windows open, then scrubbing dishes and pan in hot water and soap, before putting in the dishwasher, the lingering smell seems to have abated. Lethal stuff, innit? Shame as we like the flavour very much.

Perhaps next time I will just use the fillets cold and mash them up with sour cream, lemon juice and herbs and eat them on crackers as a pate.

lillibet_dripping

monnagran wrote: »

Where we used to live there was a a commune of Buddist monks, (sorry I don't know the correct term) and they used to do meditation sessions that the public were invited to attend. Being up for anything the Rev and I trundled along to see what it was all about. The first session was really interesting so we thought we would do it again. The second time we went it started off well but i made the mistake of looking around me. The monks were lovely but some of the English people were decidedly out of their depth and extremely unlovely. The sight of these uptight, worthy, earnest middle aged, middle class folk desperately trying to look as if this was something they did all the time suddenly struck me as ridiculous and I got the giggles. We had to make a swift and ignominious retreat. I regretted this as I believe that TM is very beneficial.

Not one's to give up, we went to an exhibition some time later and bought a meditation CD by Margaret Rizza who writes very beautiful church music. We put it on in the car on the way home. It is the one and only time we did a car journey in complete silence. By the time we arrived home we were thoroughly chilled out and with no memory of how we got there.

Perhaps a CD is the way to go. Just don't play it in the car!

x

Monna,
I so hope you don't think me nosy, but where is the Rev? I used to enjoy your tales of life in the vicarage. If I have missed an important, poignant announcement, I whole-heartedly apologise.