Jon ConnortonJan 22, 2023
One of the nicest things about Hampshire/Surrey/Sussex border is the fact you’re so close to London, Guildford, and Portsmouth, but that you also have huge tracts of relative wilderness to run or hike through.
Show threadComusBassingtonJan 22, 2023
@jonconnorton I spent some fairly dismal holidays in Portsmouth (great aunt), but enjoyed my three years in Southampton, complete with weekend trips to London. As it transpired, except for an occasional work visit to Weymouth, life has not taken me back to such parts.
Herself conveys her magisterial regards to her distant counterpart.
Show threadJon ConnortonJan 22, 2023
@Comus Shiv is a Southampton girl. But the South Downs is lovely. Petworth, Petersfield, Midhurst all nice, as is Farnham and Haslemere. Well, as long as you like hills, fir trees, and moorland.
Show threadComusBassingtonJan 22, 2023
@jonconnorton I know. She was about 6 when I left. The year they won the cup.
There are many worse places to live. I miss Wales quite terribly though.
Show threadShiv5468Jan 22, 2023

@jonconnorton @Comus I quite liked soton. I went to uni there as well.

The sea, the new forest… I should potter down this summer for a weekend in the country.

Show threadJon ConnortonJan 22, 2023
@Comus @Shiv5468 I really should check out New Forest, but we have similar Inclosures around here. Also, I can never get beyond the Meon Valley, because it is also lovely.
Show threadShiv5468Jan 22, 2023

@Comus @jonconnorton it does get overrun with tourists but you can get the train to the middle of it and potter round. Also cream teas.

It’s the sea I miss. I need to go to the sea. Hear seagulls. And waves. And eat chips

Show threadJon ConnortonJan 22, 2023

@Comus @Shiv5468 No, moorland and forests for me. I miss Dartmoor a lot, but the South Downs is the nicest place I’ve ever lived.

I would be quite happy being somewhere remote in Scotland, but Janna likes living close to civilisation

Show threadComusBassingtonJan 23, 2023
@jonconnorton @Shiv5468 Were I a Scot I should take umbrage, but I'm not, so have at it.
Show threadJon ConnortonJan 23, 2023
@Comus @Shiv5468 I think even Scottish people would admit that Harris or Cape Wrath are a long way from anything.
Show threadComusBassingtonJan 23, 2023

@jonconnorton @Shiv5468 And all the better for it I don't doubt.

In a surprising turn of events I see that Shiv is apparently the person to ask for a cut and shut or a knock-off warch.

Show threadShiv5468Jan 23, 2023
@jonconnorton @Comus what?
Show threadComusBassingtonJan 23, 2023
@Shiv5468 @jonconnorton Had you ever actually interacted with the oik who called you a Tory spiv? (Expletives deleted )
Show threadShiv5468Jan 23, 2023
@Comus @jonconnorton not as far as I know but I had muted the tax conversation from earlier in the week.
Show threadJon ConnortonJan 23, 2023

@Comus @Shiv5468 He’s happy to have pictures of an organisation owned by an unpleasant Middle Eastern dictatorship as his banner, though.

He made me realise why I avoid the bird site and look at videos of cats on Instagram.

Show threadComusBassingtonJan 23, 2023
@jonconnorton @Shiv5468 I would have thought Bluebell was the jealous type.
Herself caught me giving treats to next dopr's tabby. She was not amused.
Show threadJon Connorton
@Shiv5468 @Comus She is becoming very jealous. Always has to sit on my lap when I’m working to check I’m not chatting to other cats.
Jan 23, 2023 at 1:49pmWeb
Show threadComusBassingtonJan 23, 2023
@jonconnorton @Shiv5468 Justifiably so from the sound of it.
Show threadShiv5468Jan 24, 2023
@Comus @jonconnorton you’re the one cheating Comus
Show threadComusBassingtonJan 24, 2023
@Shiv5468 @jonconnorton Not only do my neighbours not have a catflap, but the lady of the house says she does not like him* (Chutney the tabby). He is often cold and damp, although there are places to shelter from the rain, and always desperately eager for attention. I am sorry for the lad.
*He pissed in her laundry basket, so the feelimg might be mutual.
Show threadShiv5468Jan 24, 2023
@Comus @jonconnorton poor thing.
Show threadJon ConnortonJan 24, 2023

@Comus @Shiv5468 All cats pee somewhere odd at some point.

I feel bad when I hear about stuff like that. Cats are wonderful creatures who deserve as much love and affection as they want.

Show threadJon ConnortonJan 24, 2023
@Comus @Shiv5468 Also, how can you not like a cat called Chutney?