Mac

It sounds gorgeous. That's something I miss, the sea. I'm quite lucky in as much as my family own a few properties, one of which is in Cornwall, right on the cliff of a fishing village called Porthleven. Simply heavenly. They've also got a couple in Spain and The Canaries. It's Beach Holidays R Us in my family, you know! *laughs*

You're welcome. One Door Away From Heaven is a particular favourite of mine that features dogs. Hope you're well. Toodles.

It is, indeed, very pretty where I live. It's right on the edge of The Peak District, which is a national park here in England. The Pennines, which, if you look at a map of England are what could be described as the backbone, start about 20 minutes drive from my house. I love walking and regularly take advantage of the countryside here. It's breathtaking at times. I'm very lucky. I've even walked from my house to Scotland via The Pennine Way. The solitude was the worst thing and the best thing I've ever experienced. Wonderful stuff. Hope this finds you well. Cheers.

Hello mate. Check out your last posting and my reply to it. Some good ones to have a go at. Cheers!

That sounds appalling. Are you with a union? A very similar thing happened to a friend of mine. She's a solicitor and was getting terribly harassed at work by her sleezebag of a boss. She's left the job (on 'gardening leave') and is filing some action against him. I hope the court rules that he's set fire to. Have you got work to go to? Keep smiling.

Hi Kate. I was sorry to read that you suffer from anxiety. And I'm 100% sure that you've been told this before, but you are not alone. I've suffered quite nastily with it in the recent past, too. I don't need to tell you my experiences, because you will have experienced the same thing and it'll all sound like empty platitudes to you, but if you're interested in some of the things I've done to combat it, let me know. Hope you feel better asap. Take care, chum.

Have a great weekend, Kate. I hope the weather with you is as lovely as the weather with me!

You're welcome. It'll not let you down. I'm feeling a bit better, thanks. I'm actually taking bloomin' antibiotics to shift this thing (something I'd normally try and avoid), but apparently, the drugs do work, Mr Ashcroft, so what do you say to that, huh?...hmmm, clearly I'm still delirious, however...

Morning! Hope you're okay and that your boyfriend's feeling better. Tell him to get online. And that I really loved The Algebraist by Iain M Banks. Loved it! Also, the very end of Look To Windward was truly excellent. He'll know what I mean. Ta ta.

Morning Michelle. Eeee - I was really poorly yesterday, and evidently my brain had shut part of itself down, hence my pestering you. I've just, very easily, found all the information I need. I beg your pardon for being reasonably annoying in my divvy - ness. Cheers!

Hello Kate! Hope this finds you well. There are some very nice people on this site. Welcome and enjoy. It took me a while to find my feet (fingers??) wandering around here, but I've found some blooming magic recommendations. Have a good...erm...day? Afternoon? Evening? Whatever lies ahead for you after you've read this message. Cheers!

Hi there. I've been the target of no less than 3 complaints made by one of my service users who just doesn't like me and have had to be investigated every single time (always completely unfounded and always given a full apology by both him and his *shudders* mother). I always find it very stressful, so can empathise with you entirely. Keep your chin up. I'm assuming something good happens in 27 days? Take care.

Hey there, Nicola. I hope you're having a good day. I'm off work with the dreaded 'Man Flu' currently (2nd day off, now). It does, however, mean I get to loz about my gaff reading, eating and generally taking it easy - not something I do a lot of - so, let's hear it for sickness! Yay!

Hello, my friend. Hope you're well!

Wotcha! Have I asked you if you've read any stuff by Michael Marshall Smith? He's one of these guys that writes under different names for different genres (he writes as Michael Marshall for his [excellent] crime novels).

If not, you simply have to read his debut novel Only Forward. It was published, I think, in 1994 and is one of the best, most surprising novels I've read. It made me laugh out loud once or twice as well! Let me know. I'll give you a list of his stuff.

Ah. Sorry, again. I'm not getting things right at the moment, am I? Sorry.

Ah. Sorry, again. I'm not getting this right at the moment, am I? Sorry.

Hello. Did you know that the author Dean Koontz thinks that all dogs are closer to God than we are? They feature quite heavily in a number of his books. And, rest assured, none of the dogs ever come to harm. I have bought some of these books for a teenage lad (the son of some friends) so they might be more than appropriate for you! Happy days. Cheers mate.

Hello again. Sorry to keep bothering you like an annoying schoolboy. When am I allowed to have a look at the debating thingy? I promise I'll behave myself. I tried to look at the rules, but it told me I wasn't allowed to. Anyway, I'm off to make some lunch. How's that for some interesting information?!? You must be so pleased I'm here...

Cheers Michelle. I'll get on it! Pip pip and toodles.

Hello mate. I've replied to your April Fool's post. Something about the signs on the way back to Shannon airport. I love your neck of the woods. I've spent some time kicking around there. I'd move to Ireland like a shot, beautiful country that it is. Hope you're well.

Morning Michelle. I hope you're well. I've been writing some tosh for a while and wouldn't mind the opinion of some of the members here - you know, to see if it's worth while me persevering with it or not. How do I go about it putting a little of it to certain people? Also, how the heck do I start a thread? I'm not amazingly technically minded, I'm becoming to realise. Have a good day (if you're reading this in the morning, if not, have a great afternoon and an even better evening!)

Oops...sorry about the 'x'. Reflex action. Must control my dancing fingers. Sorry.

Gah! I'm at home today, after finally succumbing to 'Man' Flu. I've been really quite under the weather for ten days now. The noise level working with the chaps yesterday was most unbearable, so I've called my boss, arranged for cover and bunkered down with drugs and books. How's the dissertation going? I hope this virus isn't communicable through the 'net...virus, geddit?!? ha ha ha x

Thought I'd say 'ayup'. So, ayup! Have you read The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova? It's terribly good. And, have you read The Last Witchfinder by James Morrow? That's terribly good, too! Hope you're alright, mate. Pip pip.