I think of Phoenix all the time because of this answer to my post. I had never had Montbretia and there were a lot in my new garden. I wanted to know if I would harm them by moving them. Her reply was: harm them!!!! You couldn’t kill the bloody things if you boiled them for hours Still brings a smile to my face when I look at them. Lovely, very funny woman.
I can't get into the Christmas spirit without reading Cursing The Gammon - although I have to admit that I've cheated this year and bought a ready cooked one. I'm sure the curse will be required while dealing with the rest of the meal.
I still miss her wonderful stories. I remember one that had her drying her knickers with the hot air hand dryer in a train loo!