moondancer

years ago (in France) with absolutely no light pollution, in the middle of nowhere, we saw 5 planets in a vertical alignment, most extraordinary sight. mercury nearest the horizon, faint but visible ( I had better eyesight then and we were elevated) We could see satellites, shooting/falling stars, milky way, the firmament of the heavens, awe and mystery We miss all this, here in a shallow dip fully lighted, as Sue says, pollutionfull the only place Ihave experienced anything similar is in the middle of Russia and in Northumberland, and once years ago in Iceland, away from Reykjavik for the day, stars and planets felt closer, humbling, eerie and wonderful

never ever thought I would be so pleased to see this - obviously falling today and probably the storm of the century later, when those of us who are curious, interested and transfixed, will want to see an eclipse later from Greenwich Park, despite the naysayers and those bored with such phenomena : bring telescopes if you will but these amazings will be visible to the naked eye. 21.00pm, free parking in Greenwich Park (after 6)

and Morrisons

Springer, why would you even post this? the relevance is below zero

well no one passed by, all stopped to help which is what we do when someone need it, no one was going to leave you stranded - I hope you are not too shocked all of you, and make your way to Devon as singalto said, if you can : hire car and resolve, children and dogs, we wish you a good journey and wonderful weather with your family, r&r.

An area gets the shops/services it deserves - maniacal laughter as I pack yet another box of books ...

Diorylite ? water with salt and sugar in, or sugary cordial, salt on food, stay off alcohol, fruit and water

Milan05 Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > James Barber you represent the concept of open > democracy and as many have said, changed people's > lives when they felt they had no way of navigating > the system. Your 12 years is immeasurably valued. hear hear ! gentlemanly, responsive, alert and well researched

SteveO for his incisive declarations perceptions and astute reasoning JahLush for his benign and good natured music and philosophy sharing and kindness Jeremy for his reviews and giving Jay Rayner a run for his money *Bob* for his off the wallness ???? for being usually provocative Edhistory, may he rip, Alan Medic, quiet of late : anyone else in that group who I have neglected to mention, through forgetfulness or heat, I understand why you departed, and will not be far behind a vacuum you left however - I would like to pay tribute to two stalwarts of the EDF who have impressed me constantly, grace under pressure, never rude or offensive, never takes the bait but holds up a mirror, expresses dismay at a perceived wrong decision and woman enough to declare this, I appreciate the indomitable spirit of either, despite the immediate devils advocacy ensuing - I think of Elton John's "I'm still standing after all this time" as yes, they are both still standing, an exercise in dignity, the reasoned/unreasoned response, always reasonable and never rude, entertaining provocative, red wine(Malbec) beer and locality, knowedgeable about their immediate environs and populace, no malice or even disagreeableness, both able to give good account of themselves, nobody's fools benign, essential to the underpinning of this often fractious forum the grown ups in fact lynchpins

tonight ! for one night only ! avoid light pollution : eclipse and Mars visible with the naked eye tonight, Greenwich Park, Telegraph Hill, Horniman, Sydenham Hill, free spectacle

Do you not realise? all you who have left disparaging/ad hominen comments, that you are receiving the service which the shopkeepers/landlords/bar staff/brunch suppliers deem that you deserve? And that you are buying into this? Have a good rest of the evening you all. This week to La Rochelle, Isle de Re and Biarritz, and back to our house in the Charente, no one can walk past without acknowledging a physical presence, so no, I do not 'have tomove there' I already am. I feel sorry for those of you who do not know or appreciate charm, acknowledgement, good service, and realise from your charmless responses that I am alone in this. Please, enjoy the rest of your day. This will not inhibit me from describing my experience with a local business this week, which I will engage upon my return.

Robert Poste's Child Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Moondancer has a point, though: as every > restaurateur knows, it's service and general > ambience that brings people back and turns them > into regulars. When everyone's bewailing the death > of the high street and well-known names are going > under, poor service is such an own goal. > > I spent a hilarious 20 minutes trying to get help > in a big M&S last week and all the staff were too > busy huddling in twos and threes bitching about a > colleague to notice me! thank you for raising the standard, RP child !

Sue Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Personally the last thing I want when I go into a > shop is to be greeted, when I just want to have a > mooch around in peace. > > Unless I know the person concerned, that's > different! different is what you do, Sue

LurkyMcLurker Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > I, for one, applaud you Moondancer. > > For too long we've had to put up with subpar > service from local shops and eateries. > > I remember a time when customer service meant > something! Nowadays the help don't even bow when I > enter the M&S. how astonishing that you would allow this as your first post .... > > It's all a travesty.

ollieloudon Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Could just be me but don't feel the need for > validation from someone earning ?8.40 an hour > whether you buy something or not. Enjoy the rest > of your day at 7pm , yes you have 5 hours left to > enjoy I don't understand your criticism. This is > by far the most pathetic post if heard on this > forum. Period. Get A job in the service industry > and see how you do. Embarrassment. hank you for your response : you are surmising that I have indeed not been in this position and unable to empathise - nevertheless I would not describe anyone's heartfelt post as pathetic - this as I am sure you will consider am, says more about you than it ever could about me and mine - so dismissive, rude, disparaging, unsympathetic, traducing, etc > PS Cohen22 I like you and your previous post feel > like we would get on xx