The Pub
by Susan W on March 24th, 2009, 5:29pm
We thought the cafe might be a little too daytime and people would also like somewhere to discuss things afterhours and over a drink so here's you have it ... The Pub.
No suitably appropriate name for our place of socialising yet but feel free to let us know if you have a brainwave!
I haven't come here in
I haven't come here in weeks! I gave up posting book reviews months ago and I'm not even sure this will show up. Oh well...
cached
I think for some reason when people hit preview on the blog posts, they are cached. I have been experimenting and the date stamp is now up to 19 March. I am not sure what we do next...I have tried to alert Nick Bates about this problem.
I feel so bad for the woman who wrote a lovely blog about how much she loved Lynne Grahame. She probably now doesn't come back as it has bnever posted...
 Michelle S who should be doing revisions...
Mills & Boon Historical author
website: www.michellestyles.co.uk
Donna--thanks forthe
Donna--thanks forthe heads-up!
 You're right--lots of little technical bugs keep rearing their heads. I also wonder if we need a community manager here, the way Jayne helps out with eHarlequin. Some of the threads need archiving, and there are so many ways for the community to grow and flourish. Would love to see that happen!
Michelle Willingham
www.michellewillingham.com
Innocent in the Harem - Historical Undone - July 2010
Pleasured by the Viking - Historical Undone - August 2010
The Accidental Princess - Mills and Boon Historical - November 2010
ARGH!
I knew I couldn't post book reviews, but I just tried a regular blog entry and I got the same thing. It is incredibly aggravating because this *IS* a nice community and having bugs that go on for months that prevent usage means people aren't going to bother.
 Anyway I'm going to post the info here as this is more of a social thread. :-) Here goes:
Today is Pink Heart Picks book club day and this month I read and reviewed MORE THAN WORDS 6, the latest antho in the More Than Words endeavour by Harlequin. You can check out the review here. What a fantastic program and project. While I normally read and review category books for the Pink Heart Picks, I made an exception for this one. I'm glad I did.
Next month we're reading The Surgeon's Miracle (Medicals) by Caroline Anderson. For North American readers, you can order it from amazon or here at eharlequin or download it as an e-book - I'm planning on putting it on my Sony. :-)
Donna
Hired: The Italian's Bride in MEDITERRANEAN MEN & MARRIAGE, July 2010 UK
PROUD RANCHER, PRECIOUS BUNDLE, Romance UK October 2010
A Bride for Rocking H Ranch in CHRISTMAS WISHES & MISTLETOE KISSES, Nov 2010 UK
www.donnaalward.com
Tis a problem
I know it is a problem and hopefully it will get sorted as it is a nice little community.
The book review problem is strange.
Aggreviating.
 So what do people think of the hung parliament?
Michelle S
Mills & Boon Historical author
website: www.michellestyles.co.uk
I've pretty much stopped
I've pretty much stopped coming here as reported problems don't get straightened out and I can no longer post book reviews. Somedays it lets me sign in and other days it does not. I do believe in the twilight zone, I do, I do, I do...
Spoken too soon LOL
Guess I jinxed it!
... but just as I opened the page - from my RSS feeds - I got the error message at the top of the page.
Strangely, it has now disappeared again. Most bizarre.
Steph
http://stephpatterson.wordpress.com/
http://historicalsreviewed.wordpress.com/
Odd one out?
I seem to be the odd one out. Not once have I had problems logging in. Maybe it's because I don't go through the website but through my RSS feeds? Hmmm, to be a techie. Or maybe not!
As my workload in my day job has recently increased, I've even got less time to write. So I
was quite happy to spend Sunday afternoon and Monday afternoon (had to
work in the morning, but taken 1/2 day off yayy!) writing and
researching. I've been revisiting an older wip where I'd reached a dead end two years ago and now all these possibilities have presented themselves. Ahh, the story flows again. Have done some editing and cropping of the existing chapters and now added two new ones already. Quite chuffed!
Ahhh, still dreaming of giving up the day job but it ain't gonna happen anytime soon ... lol
Steph
http://stephpatterson.wordpress.com/
http://historicalsreviewed.wordpress.com/
When this page first loaded,
When this page first loaded, I saw all sorts of errors. Eesh!
Michelle Willingham
www.michellewillingham.com
Innocent in the Harem - Historical Undone - July 2010
Pleasured by the Viking - Historical Undone - August 2010
The Accidental Princess - Mills and Boon Historical - November 2010
something wrong with subcare?
I am getting incorrect string values on subcare.
The forums get stranger. SOmetimes I feel like I have entered the twilight zone...
Michelle S
Mills & Boon Historical author
website: www.michellestyles.co.uk
Bank holiday
Yes, Nancy, I think everyone has been having a hard time getting in! Some sort of bug.
Although most of the weekend has been either cold or damp, I think the actual bank holiday is going to be beautiful. Brilliant sunshine here.
Now what does one do with Matt Smith? Is he bartending material or just Dr Who? And what about James Cazviel from the Prisoner?
Michelle S interested in this year's crop of bartenders.
Mills & Boon Historical author
website: www.michellestyles.co.uk
Has anyone else been having
Has anyone else been having a hard time getting in here? Guess now that I'm here I should order a round for everyone. What will you have?
Election
Right is everyone bored w ith the election or are they hanging on every word?
In some ways it is is fascinating but in others, every little nuance is picked to death.
Michelle S
Mills & Boon Historical author
website: www.michellestyles.co.uk
Some airlines refuse to pay
Some airlines refuse to pay for accommodation, or alternative ways to get across to somewhere closer to home. It's a bit of a lottery.
Yes, I heard of school closures and exchange students being stranded. Very bad timing with the exams here about to start in a couple of weeks. How will schools ensure that those stranded pupils aren't disadvantaged? They're surely stressed enough.
Not sure when that volcano's likely to calm again - last time it was active for 18 years. Hmm, fingers crossed.Â
Steph
http://stephpatterson.wordpress.com/
http://historicalsreviewed.wordpress.com/
Iceland etc
My sister sent me this link to a Norwegian newspaper which shows how bad things are in Iceland. Basically midnight at mid day. http://www.aftenposten.no/nyheter/uriks/article3611999.ece
Iti s good that they are looking at using SPain as a hub to bring people back to Britain. And that the Navy is going to get involved.
The worst thing would be for restrictions to be lifted because of commercial pressure and an aircraft to go down.
Michelle S
Mills & Boon Historical author
website: www.michellestyles.co.uk
The Pub and airlines cancelled due to ash from Volcano
It is hard to believe that suddenly all of that technology comes to a halt. The volcano is definitely showing who is boss around it and it is a hazard. I know some planes have had trouble flying when they flew into migratory birds, so tons of ash could be more serious. I know many people are stranded though including some German foreign exchange students trying to get home.
Hope this clears up soon.
Billie Patterson
St. Elmo's Fire
Most people know St. Elmo's Fire as the movie, but it is really the phenomenon behind that BA aircraft. http://www.answers.com/topic/st-elmo-s-fire
I believe when an aircraft is believed to have flown through ash, there is a specific procedure/testing that has to be done before it can be cleared for flight again.
We watch a lot of MayDay in our house. The crew of that BA flight was extraordinary. It wasn't until they descended that they could get power back to the engines. Then they resumed altitude and out they went again. Finally they got them going just before approach and landed blind as their windshield was, as Michelle said, sandblasted.
I really hope things clear soon. The backlog of passengers is going to be bananas. And it's a grim reminder how as technologically advanced we are, Mother Nature still remains all powerful.
Donna
Hired: The Italian's Bride in MEDITERRANEAN MEN & MARRIAGE, July 2010 UK
PROUD RANCHER, PRECIOUS BUNDLE, Romance UK October 2010
A Bride for Rocking H Ranch in CHRISTMAS WISHES & MISTLETOE KISSES, Nov 2010 UK
www.donnaalward.com
compensation etc
They are offering compensation and rescheduling. The airlines are having to pick up tabs for accomodation and food within reason.
There are starting to be some tales of how people got back -- including buying bikes so they can get on ferries as cyclists as all foot traffic was full. John Cleese paid for a taxi to Brussels -- £3,000! You could have bought a car and driven there for that price.
And because it was Easter hols, some people are stuck. I know people stuck in Barbardos and North Africa...a school group is stuck in China...This could go on for months. Apparently a really heavy rainstorm would help wash the ash from the sky. One can hope.
Michelle S
Mills & Boon Historical author
website: www.michellestyles.co.uk
That is scary. What are
That is scary. What are they doing about all the missed flights?
Michelle Willingham
www.michellewillingham.com
Innocent in the Harem - Historical Undone - July 2010
Pleasured by the Viking - Historical Undone - August 2010
The Accidental Princess - Mills and Boon Historical - November 2010
Still a no fly zone
Michelle W -- They can't redirect. There is a terrible story about a BA flight back in the 90s which ran into the volcanic ash, all 4 engines quit and the windscreen was sandblasted. The pilot went on the intercom and said that the passengers may have noticed there was a problem. They did everything by the book and got the engines restarted.
Fingers crossed that the cloud clears but the volcano is still spewing out ash...so maybe the winds will change.
The Prisoner is on tonight but what I am really looking forward to is the next episode of Dr Who. I am also enjoying the latest series of Ashs to Ashes.
Michelle S
Mills & Boon Historical author
website: www.michellestyles.co.uk
What kind of e-reader did
What kind of e-reader did you get, Donna?
Michelle--yikes. I hope they get it sorted. Wouldn't you think they could redirect air traffic and put it in with other flight traffic in a different air space?
Michelle Willingham
www.michellewillingham.com
Innocent in the Harem - Historical Undone - July 2010
Pleasured by the Viking - Historical Undone - August 2010
The Accidental Princess - Mills and Boon Historical - November 2010
Hooray!
I am no longer locked out!
 I am forsaking tv tonight for my new e-reader and a glorious Barb Hannay backlist. :-)
Donna
Hired: The Italian's Bride in MEDITERRANEAN MEN & MARRIAGE, July 2010 UK
PROUD RANCHER, PRECIOUS BUNDLE, Romance UK October 2010
A Bride for Rocking H Ranch in CHRISTMAS WISHES & MISTLETOE KISSES, Nov 2010 UK
www.donnaalward.com
No flying
I have just heard that the entire UK airspace is going to be closed for awhile due to the Icelandic volcanic ash.
Here is hoping that no one is caught up in the traffic mess that is sure to follow.
And is anyone watching the Prime Minister debates? Given the news coverage, I am already sick of them!
Michelle S
Mills & Boon Historical author
website: www.michellestyles.co.uk
Ahses to Ashes and all that
The pub has been siletn for far too long!
The latest and last series of Ashes toAshes is brilliant. Is anyone else watching?
And what about Matt Smith as the new Dr Who? I thought he was a pleasant surprise. I really like the new assistant Amy POnd. I do think thus far the scripts have been good.
And the new version of the PRisoner is starting on the 17th. You have to ask why did they do it? SOmethings are very much of their time.
I am also pleased that HMB have finally fixed the problem about locking people out.
Michelle S
Mills & Boon Historical author
website: www.michellestyles.co.uk
Steph--so far we fly into
Steph--so far we fly into Edinburgh in the morning, spend the night at a B&B, maybe take another half day or so in E-burg or if we don't need it, we will go to Stirling. I'm not sure if I want to book a B&B in Stirling or just take two days in E-burg. We're heading up to Glencoe, Inverness, and Skye after that. It's hard to know how many days to allot since I've never been there. But we'll be there 5 days. I want to see the drop-dead gorgeous scenery, visit some museums that would have medieval and Viking exhibits, as well as some on the Highland Clearances. Â
 Did I miss something I should definitely try to work in?
Michelle Willingham
www.michellewillingham.com
Innocent in the Harem - Historical Undone - July 2010
Pleasured by the Viking - Historical Undone - August 2010
The Accidental Princess - Mills and Boon Historical - November 2010
Michelle - Scotland
Hi Michelle,
Sorry about the delay - just back from a lovely long weekend in Germany & Austria. Talk about snow!!! ;-)
Yes, as Ann said, Stirling is good to drive in and park. There's lots of slots on the side of the roads where you can park for a few hours - but not free. Watch out for parking ticket machines!
As for Edinburgh, I'd leave the car. The car parks in the centre are excessively expensive, and there's not really much roadside parking on offer - and if, it's at a charge and restricted to two hours. The centre is also half blocked off because of tram works, and for any drivers (residents or visitors) the system is highly confusing.Â
Buses are best (but prepare for a bumpy ride - potholes!). They take you near to the middle of the Royal Mil, halfway up the hill to the castle, and to various other areas.
If you plan to stay at a B&B in Edinburgh, leave the car there if you can. Once you're in the centre by bus, you can easily walk to the various sights. But if you're just planning on a day's visit, I know a cheaper car park, or can recommend Park & Ride places.
Any queries, just let me know! It's so exciting when plans begin to take shape.Â
What's your planned route so far?
Steph
Steph
http://stephpatterson.wordpress.com/
http://historicalsreviewed.wordpress.com/
How can I find a CP or CP Group?
Hi All,
I know there is a CP request area on eH, but is there anywhere else I can look for a CP, mainly because although the Nocturnal books are coming along, I had an unusual idea for a modern book, all Heidi R's latest two books fault, had never read a modern before then decided to read and something I'd been thinking of for a "just write it" book fitted almost perfectly into the modern style when I looked it up. I need to find someone to bounce the story - chapters off so I can see if it is making sense.
I've asked for a CP already but I'm off over there to ask for a second one but just wondered if there was anywhere over here to ask as well.
Thanks Sarah Â
I'll take that to go with a side order of chocolate!
Thanks, Ann. Did anyone
Thanks, Ann.
Did anyone here go to the RNA luncheon this afternoon? Would love to see pictures, if so!
Michelle Willingham
www.michellewillingham.com
Innocent in the Harem - Historical Undone - July 2010
Pleasured by the Viking - Historical Undone - August 2010
The Accidental Princess - Mills and Boon Historical - November 2010
Stirling
We went to Stirling about oh my goodness eight years ago now. We took the car. Driving was easy enough, and so was parking if I recall, but we were on a B & B trip so the car was with us. Although we did take a bus up to the Wallace monument. Our B&B hosts were so helpful, I think they suggested that and it worked out very well.
We didn't make it to Edinburgh that time do so wish I was going there too. Enjoy!
Ann Lethbridge
http://www.annlethbridge.com
Wicked Rake, Defiant Mistress February 2010
Harlequin Historical
Thanks, Sarah! Basically
Thanks, Sarah! Basically I'm trying to decide if I should change my car rental days and just take the train for the first 2 days. This helps!
Michelle Willingham
www.michellewillingham.com
Innocent in the Harem - Historical Undone - July 2010
Pleasured by the Viking - Historical Undone - August 2010
The Accidental Princess - Mills and Boon Historical - November 2010
Hey Michelle
Hiya Michelle, I must admit I walked round all the places in Scotland when I visited. There is quite a good train system so for the larger cities and towns you should be fine on that.
I used a car to visit the castles and lochs as most have parking close by.
Hope this helps and I hope you have a great time!!
Sarah
I'll take that to go with a side order of chocolate!
Edinburgh and Stirling
Question for you all--when traveling to Edinburgh is it better to take the train in and just walk around the city? Or is it car-friendly? What about Stirling?
We're definitely renting a car for when we go driving up north into the Highlands, but I know some cities are not good in regard to parking and so forth. Just thought I'd ask!Â
 I'm getting excited about my trip to the UK. All the flights are booked and I'm now figuring out hotels...
Michelle Willingham
www.michellewillingham.com
Innocent in the Harem - Historical Undone - July 2010
Pleasured by the Viking - Historical Undone - August 2010
The Accidental Princess - Mills and Boon Historical - November 2010
Lottery
Sounds like a great Idea, hope you let us know if it happens!
Ann Lethbridge
http://www.annlethbridge.com
Wicked Rake, Defiant Mistress February 2010
Harlequin Historical
The Pub, not the puds!
Hi Ann, hope the snow and deadlines do what they should - pass without incident! I thought I'd killed the thread with the 'pud' talk!Â
Gearing myself up to complete the next Readers Panel questionnaire - a happy couple of hours dipping back into books before they get boxed up and off to my local Breast Care Unit at work. Â
i also follow RomHQ on Twitter and made suggestion that they could auction off a trip to their extensive library for Children in Need - thinking about this a bit more - lottery tickets-type competition might be better? That would give more people chance to win? Wonder if it will come to pass
Time flying
Caro, I missed your comment, had a couple of deadlines looming and was shocked at how much time had gone by. I promise to try syrup the very next time we have Yorkshires. At the moment we are blanketed in snow and syrup covered Yorkshires sound like the right kind of comfort food to me.
Ann Lethbridge
http://www.annlethbridge.com
Wicked Rake, Defiant Mistress February 2010
Harlequin Historical
Hi Ann,
You can't beat yorkshires with syrup! I'd recommned small ones and have at least 2 and spoon the syrup into the middle - the syrup helps to stick the pudding bits down when you fold them up to eat! I think yorkshire pudding eating is both science and art.
Yorkshire with Syrup
We don't often see Golden Syrup here. I have a special British shop I go where I can get all kinds of goodies like that from home. British chocolate (oh no, not again!), sherbert fountains, polos, soups and food not usually in regular stores, etc. And of course I indulge on my annual trip, but I never did hear of putting syrup on yorkshires. We always have them with gravy. I make individual ones. Everyone loves them, of course!
I'll have to try them with something sweet like syrup or jam next time.
Ann Lethbridge
http://www.annlethbridge.com
Wicked Rake, Defiant Mistress February 2010
Harlequin Historical
Perfect Pancakes
I still think the pancakes my Mum made for me when I was a child (and if I can persuade her now I'm older) were and still are the best - very thin and crispy with orange juice and sugar on, quickly  from the pan to the plate and into me! The only other thing that comes close for comfort and joy is Yorkshire Pudding with treacle (Lyon's Golden Syrup - from strength comes forth sweetness), a sunday treat when I was a child and even now I could drool at the thought. I always thought my great uncle was strange 'cos he had his yorkshire before the main meal with gravy - the proper yourkshire way.
Lemon & sugar
Lemon and sugar on pancakes is yummy. Have decided to have another pancake day today. Probably cheese & ham on one and homemade jam with another. Love sweet pancakes. A bit like crepes, only larger...
Steph
http://stephpatterson.wordpress.com/
http://historicalsreviewed.wordpress.com/
Ann--I've never had lemon
Ann--I've never had lemon and sugar on pancakes! And I can't toss them. I tried to flip an omelet once and it ended up on the stove burner. Doh!
I'm giving up chocolate for Lent, too. Except yesterday I forgot and had hot cocoa. Oops. None today, though.
Last year when I did it, I lost 4 lbs. I had no idea that my "snacking" was primarily with chocolate. Of course, once Easter hit, I enjoyed my Cadbury's Creme Eggs, and those pounds crept back on again over the months.Â
Maybe after it's over, I'll have a chocolate day where I can only eat it that particular day?
Michelle--you are brave giving up all meat. I could never do that...not enough vegetarian recipes in my repertoire.
Michelle Willingham
www.michellewillingham.com
Innocent in the Harem - Historical Undone - July 2010
Pleasured by the Viking - Historical Undone - August 2010
The Accidental Princess - Mills and Boon Historical - November 2010
Ann--I've never had lemon
Ann--I've never had lemon and sugar on pancakes! And I can't toss them. I tried to flip an omelet once and it ended up on the stove burner. Doh!
I'm giving up chocolate for Lent, too. Except yesterday I forgot and had hot cocoa. Oops. None today, though.
Last year when I did it, I lost 4 lbs. I had no idea that my "snacking" was primarily with chocolate. Of course, once Easter hit, I enjoyed my Cadbury's Creme Eggs, and those pounds crept back on again over the months.Â
Maybe after it's over, I'll have a chocolate day where I can only eat it that particular day?
Michelle--you are brave giving up all meat. I could never do that...not enough vegetarian recipes in my repertoire.
Michelle Willingham
www.michellewillingham.com
Innocent in the Harem - Historical Undone - July 2010
Pleasured by the Viking - Historical Undone - August 2010
The Accidental Princess - Mills and Boon Historical - November 2010
Chocs
Good luck, Ann!
 I've been bad again - had a Kitkat today!
Steph
http://stephpatterson.wordpress.com/
http://historicalsreviewed.wordpress.com/
Chocoholic
And I ate chocolate icecream for dessert last night. I forgot. :(
I'll try to do better today.
Ann Lethbridge
http://www.annlethbridge.com
Wicked Rake, Defiant Mistress February 2010
Harlequin Historical
Flipping pancakes...
Well, I can't toss pancakes either, so we just ended up flipping them over, filled with ham & cheese. Yumm!
Ah, Lent. My DH is giving up chocolate as every year. As for me, I tried. I really tried. Really! But my work's so busy just now (non-writing work, that is) that I was desperate for a choccie fix by 3pm. And to my shame, I had to give in...
Steph
http://stephpatterson.wordpress.com/
http://historicalsreviewed.wordpress.com/
No tossing
We had stew as my husband and I are giving up meat for Lent.
Chocolate my husband pointed out is easy to give up or rather I always say that one!!
I can toss a pancake though.
Michelle S
Mills & Boon Historical author
website: www.michellestyles.co.uk
Pancake Day
So own up! who actually tossed their pancakes. My mum used to be brilliant at it. Me not so much. My pan is too heavy. That's my excuse.
My girls love pancake day, and are always blown away by the fact we put lemon and sugar on them instead maple syrup that goes on everything else here in Canada.
Next question. What are you giving up for Lent? :) For me it's chocolate, because I had more than I needed on Sunday. Whether I will last more than a week is another story. Perhaps telling you guys will help.
Ann
Ann Lethbridge
http://www.annlethbridge.com
Wicked Rake, Defiant Mistress February 2010
Harlequin Historical
Ann--my hubby hid
Ann--my hubby hid Valentine's cards all over the house for me (the kind that the children exchange). So sweet.
Michelle Willingham
www.michellewillingham.com
Innocent in the Harem - Historical Undone - July 2010
Pleasured by the Viking - Historical Undone - August 2010
The Accidental Princess - Mills and Boon Historical - November 2010
Valentines
Happy Valentines Day xxxxxxxx
I shall be spending the day reading, shopping and watching 24, Jack Bauer does it for me ;-)
Well we know who is going to have a happy Valentine's......
Don't we Michelle?
Then I'm going to pick Matthew Mcfadyen.
I doubt we will go out. A nice glass of wine by the fire after a delicious dinner cooked by you know who (not me) will suit just fine.Â
Happy Valentines to all.
Ann
Ann Lethbridge
http://www.annlethbridge.com
Wicked Rake, Defiant Mistress February 2010
Harlequin Historical
Hey, that's what happens
Hey, that's what happens when everybody goes off to have a good time and leaves me behind with the men. Somebody's got to take care of them.Â
Michelle Willingham
www.michellewillingham.com
Innocent in the Harem - Historical Undone - July 2010
Pleasured by the Viking - Historical Undone - August 2010
The Accidental Princess - Mills and Boon Historical - November 2010