Night Owls: Part Two-whit, Two-woo

No, FannyCornforth, there is nothing like as romantic in its origins but was in fact the name of my house at school! Coincidentally, there is a place near Torbay called Ashcombe and a road sign which says Ashcombe Cross.
When we pass it, my DH, olddudders, always comments, “It’s a shame someone has made Ashcombe cross!”

Ah, I see! My house was Wenlock.
One of my best friends lived in Torbay when she was growing up.
Her dad had the most fabulous house looking over the sea, and there were deer nearby aswell I think.
I think that it's the finest 'real life' house that I've been in.
Torbay is a really beautiful place isn't it.

Indeed it is, FannyCornforth and I feel very blessed to live here, especially during the past year. We have beautiful surroundings on the coast and inland and a fairly temperate climate.

Forgive my ignorance, is Torbay an island? I've been to Torquay in my youth but don't remember Torbay. Sounds like I've missed a treat. 1st May. Lovely. One of my favourite months indeed. Just lying here thinking of the promise it bestows. Yep, lovely.......

Not ignorant at all, Kim19; my late darling father used to say, “If you don’t ask, you won’t learn!”

No, it’s not an island but it is a separate unitary authority from Devon, the county within which it is situated. It comprises Torquay, Paignton and Brixham and is situated on the South coast of Devon, calling itself the English Riviera in promotional material to attract tourists.

www.englishriviera.co.uk/

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torbay

Torquay became popular in Victorian times for its balmy climate with the newly built railways opening up holiday opportunities for Londoners. Rich families had beautiful villas built, some of which now operate as hotels or have been converted into flats. . Nowadays, the fast road links to the Midlands via the M5/6 make it popular with folk from there, some of whom choose to retire here.

Hi Kim and Ashcombe
Pinch and a punch!
I've just learned that Agatha Christie lived in Torbay, and that she used it as the setting for many of her novels.

That’s true, FannyCornforth! In the past we’ve had Agatha Christie Festivals here in September, when the professional theatre (Princess) would stage one of her plays and so would our Little Theatre. People would come from all parts of the world to join in and a few even dressed as favourite characters such as Poirot!! I’ve had parts as a police sergeant in “A Murder is Announced” and “The Hollow”. A couple of times we performed spoof versions of her plays which were great fun.

Agatha Christie's summer home, “Greenway”, where she wrote many novels, is owned by The National Trust and may be accessed by road or by boat via the River Dart. Further research tells me that plans are in place for a festival this year.

www.iacf-uk.org

There is also a trail for enthusiasts to follow.

www.englishriviera.co.uk/be-inspired/suggested-itineraries/agatha-christie-literary-trail

Oh thank you Ashcombe!
How interesting; you really are a mine of information.
The spoofs do sound fun. Personally I'd love to dress up as Jane Marple!

Thank you both for enlightenment. Every little helps! I thoroughly enjoy learning 'stuff'. It's the retention that's proving a little more difficult these days!

That was a lot of very useful 'stuff' Ashcombe!
I quite fancy dressing up too FannyC, but as I look a lot like AC in her later years nowadays, I dont really have to try to hard

Sorry to butt in, especially as it is way past the witching hour.
My eyes dont work well at night, so I tend to catch up with this thread during the day.
I didn't get off until around 4.30 when you lot started your chat!
Then I slept in until 10.00 what a waste of a lovely day.
Nevermind.
Hope you all have a restful night (or a delightful chat) tonight.

Any more joy with the super moon?
Who's Mel? You've lost me there
Fanny C. I'm a bit older than you so it's only natural you should look to me for answers to your questions!
Some of or weather chicks lady presenters sometimes appear to misread their teleprompt; but fear not, this is the fair dinkum situation report.
That full moon was a "pink moon"!
The May 26 full moon will be a total lunar eclipse, so we're told , best viewed from Sydney!
A bit out of your league I'm afraid!

I'm surprised you're not familiar with crooner Mel Torme, (dec) known as the "Velvet Fog" because of his lovely smooth voice!
You must have heard him singing
"Blue Moon, You saw me standing alone...."
You're supposed to swoon now!
Good Health
OoRoo (As you say, "Cheerio; see you later" mainly used by the Over 70s these days!)

Hello Rufus I do know who Mel Torme is - I'm a huge fan of Cole Porter, so I know of him via that.
I thought that you may mean him - but I don't want to jump to conclusions!

In Torme's obituary The Grauniad referred to him as 'the Velvet Frog' ?

FannyCornforth my house at school was Wenlock too. Did we go to the same school in the Black Country by any chance?

Ooh, Suki! This is potentially very exciting! ?
It is in Quarry Bank - I think that there is only one one secondary there

If I'm going by your user name (70) you would have been in the year above me, or two years above me.

fannycornforth I’m misleading you, I’m actually 78. Not the same school I’m afraid, mine was in Tipton. I’ve heard of Quarry Bank but can’t remember where it is as, having been born and brought up in Wednesbury, we moved to South London 58 years ago .
At school all four houses were named after local hills, must have ben a local trend!

Hello Suki! Lovely to hear from you again. My lovely Nan, who sadly died last week, was born in Wednesbury. She was a Pullinger.
My mom taught at a couple of schools in Tipton; one was called Batman's Hill, I think.
Quarry Bank is where the Merry Hill Centre is, if you know about where that is - one of those sprawling shopping centres of the 1980s.
Hope that you are having a good Sunday, and thank you again

Hello FannyCornforth, haven’t been to Merry Hill Centre but heard about it from friends living near us. They stayed in a hotel there to do some family history research and were very excited to sit at a table in a restaurant that had just been vacated by Lenny Henry!
Until I went to school in Tipton I’d never been there, even though it was only a few miles away. Didn’t want to go there but no choice . Turned out all right though as that’s where I met my husband, 64 years ago.
Some years ago I joined a Facebook site called The History of
Wednesbury , for family history research. All close family members have died or moved away now, so no connections with the Black Country but many memories.

These are some lovely reminiscences the pair of you are having. Very interesting indeed. I'm just lying here cosily perusing various topics in GN. Very pleasant. Main plan for the morning is a bit of essential admin. If the forecast proves accurate ain't gonna be a very nice day. That'll teach us to have bank holidays! Of course my life is one long holiday without much bank in it. The joys indeed.......

one long holiday without much bank in it
Kim But plenty of interest, no doubt!.

just lying here cosily perusing various topics in GN
That also pays huge dividends, too!

My word! We're on fire today!
Keep Cool!
OoRoo .

Hi Rufus. You're cool. Guess you and I are somewhat alone in understanding interest. The banks have sure forgotten and, sadly, they're getting away with it. Keep enjoying whatever you're doing. Cheers!

Hello Kim and Rufus
Is it International Workers' Day today?
Happy May Bank Holiday anyway.
I believe it's going to be a very wet one pretty much throughout the UK.

Suki - I've mentioned this on here before; so apologies for boring anyone; but apropos Black Country comedians - Frank Skinner was my neighbour and A level English teacher.

Suki I can understand your reticence to move to Tipton!
It is quite a bizarre place I believe. My mom had loads of strange and funny stories from the kids that she taught. I remember that one child had a horse that lived in the house.

The last job that mom had was quite interesting. She worked at the first school unit that was specifically for girls who were pregnant or who had babies.

Good morning to anyone who is awake! Do please pop in and say hello ?

Good morning to anyone who is awake
And G"day to you Fanny C. I hear your plaintive call. "Are you lonely tonight!"
You'll be pleased to know it's a lovely Saturday here; lots of sunshine, warm and no rain yet!
Just off to to the Chish and Fips shop for some lunch with Freda'
Can I bring you anything? With chips of course!
Flake, Blue Grenadier, Crumbed Whiting, Calamari rings and a couple of pickled onions thrown for nowt! Helps to keep out the cold!
Although I suppose you're more likely to be into porridge this time of year!
I'll be as quick as Freda can!
OoR%oo
(On the house, of course!)