Talisman

One of the best and most unusual that I recently tried was rose and geranium which is made on the Isles of Scilly (St Agnes) by Troy Town Farm using fresh organic milk and cream. Sadly it isn't available away from the islands. It was though absolutely delicious - a great way to enjoy an afternoon on the beach. with of course, a good book !

Too Much Magnificence - Deva Premal and Miten

That's all you can do Coffin Nail - get through each moment, knowing of course that since the only moment that we have is now, then that moment is in fact infinite ... I know what you mean about the box cutters though - the Director at the home where I work has been throwing his weight around recently (again), and I have been sorely tempted of late to tell him how I feel, but of course it does not solve anything. Like another of my spiritual favourites A Course in Miracles says (and again this is one of Tolle's influences, a lot of what he says could have been lifted straight from there albeit in a different language), there are those who are giving love and those who are calling for it, and it is our duty to give it to those who are in need. I do try to see it in those terms, but during the times that I can't, or rather, choose not to, I want to punch his lights out !!

The only thing you can do in these situations Coffin Nail and Kevv (and I know it's easier said than done, and no, I often don't take my own advice) is to start with yourself. If you chnage the way that you think and see things, then slowly you will see that those around you are changing too. It does work, but it is very difficult to do this all the time and stay perpetually in that space. I know that I can't, but when I do manage to do this, then it does make a big difference. I have mentioned on here though many times in other thtreads, that I am a big fan of Eckkart Tolle's work. I have read both books, but for me at least resonate far more with A New Earth. I just love the way that he writes and the way that he expresses the different principles embodied in that text, for me it just makes so much sense. To me, this one book and the Conversations with God trilogy, are the only books that I need for conscious living.

A Place in the Sun (wish I had one of these right now!) - Stevie Wonder

At least I now know who's getting my share Pontalba When I got to work this morning, I found a big sign on the brand new washing machines saying "please do not use" and a even bigger pile of overflowing bags of laundry. The machines had it seems been overheating. An engineer was duly called and found that while the pipes had been connected properly according to the back of the machine, the hot and cold outlets on the machines were labelled incorrectly by the manufacturer - i.e. the outlet that was labelled hot should have been labelled cold, and vice versa - we got it fixed in the end, so that 's what matters.

Angela Bofill - Rough Times - I know how she feels !

Being a Kindle convert, I don't have a TBR pile but rather a very lengthy wish list ! I view it as I do most other things - as simply a tool than I can use as and when it is needed. I certainly don't feel pressure to read the books that are on it.

Got back from work about 3pm, having stopped off on the way home for a cup of tea and cake at Headley. It was a bit of a strange day, as we had a team of 3 engineers installing new washing machines, which meant that we couldn't do any laundry, so I gave everything a much better clean instead ! After I got home I had a phone call from the local paper re the fiasco that has become the Olympics - apparently they have been inundated with compaints about LOCOG and the organisation of it all (what a surprise) and so wanted to speak to me re the cancellation of the Olympic Box Hill News. I didn't pull any punches and told them my own name for LOCOG - Local Organised Chaos Optimisation Group i! All being well it should be in this weeks edition, which is out on Thursday. Should be interesting.

Deepest Blue - Deepest Blue

I tried to send you a message Rosen, but for some reason it wouldn't work, maybe because you a new member and don't have enough posts yet, but I have found a DVD copy of When the Whales Came, so at last I will ne able to watch it again ! I thought you would want to know about this too, as you mentioned how you have been looking for a copy. http://www.play.com/.../-/Product.html

Total Eclipse of the Heart - Bonnie Tyler

A few years ago I would have said that yes, my state of mind did determine in at least some ways what I read, as there are certain spiritual books that I used to (and occasionally do still) pick up for inspiration when I am feeling low or need guidance on certain things, but with regard to fiction, I would say that I read primarily to learn and experience new things. That is why I am enjoying the Reading Around the World Challenge so much, as it has and continues to give me many opportunities to do just that. Escapism is fine and I am not against it, but for the most part I enjoy books that are shall we say, a bit more challenging and make me think and challenge my perceptions.

I am about two thirds through my 2nd book of the month - Inside Job by Charles Ferguson. I saw the film of the same name a few months ago and that was bad enough (its an expose of the banking industry in mostly America), but the film was nothing compared to the book !

I Believe You - Dorothy Moore

I can't believe it's July already, and I can't believe its less than 2 weeks since I got back from my own holiday - it seems like forever. I too have been working hard since I got back - one of the other housekeepers has gone home to Poland for a few weeks to see her sick mother, who is on dialysis, so that means there are just 2 of us running the show. What with days off and having to also work in the kitchen when the kitchen assistant has his days off, there have been two housekeepers on only one day this week. Just for once though, when the Director visited yesterday he didn't leave any nasty notes in the book. Days off today and tomorrow, with not much planned. I might go out somewhere tomorrow if the weather's nice, but if not I will just stay home at look at my holiday pictures to remind myself of what sunshine looks like !

Halfway through the year already and so far I have read 36 books, which for me is not bad, the 37th will hopefully be finished later on today. 6 books have been non fiction, with the remaining 30 fiction from a total of 24 different countries.

Samson was evacuated by Augustus Smith I believe in 1855, when there were just 2 families left, the Woodcocks and the Webbers. At one point though there were about 60 people living on the island. Heaven knows how they managed to survive, but they did somehow, mainly if the piles of shells outside the abandoned houses are anything to go by, on limpets and edible seaweed. There are some pictures of the island in the link that I posted that will give you some idea as to what the island is like, but it really is a remarkable place and very atmospheric. Due to its protected status as the nesting grounds of terns and black backed gulls it is a bit overgrown, but the Scilly Wildlife Trust have done their best to try and preserve the cottages and other ruins. With a bit of scrambling (and copious amounts of aloe vera gel for the resultant stings and scratches - long trousers are advised) you can manage to get to most of the ruins. There are also some very well preserved carns and entrance graves at both north and south ends and of course the beaches, East and West Par. When I first visited 16 years ago, you used to have to "walk the plank" when landing on the beach, but this time they brought us in by dinghy, so that we had to wade through the shallow water on to the beach. It's great fun and all part of the island experience and was definately along with a trip to the Bishop Rock lighthouse one of the highlights of both of my two visits !

Waiting in Vain - Bob Marley

I haven't read the book Rosen, but it is one of my favourite films. I wish it was available on DVD as my old video copy needs replacing I have watched it so many times ! I visited the island of Samson, where the film is set while I was there, and it was one of the highlights of my visit. I remember the first time I went to the islands 16 years ago, spending the whole day there completely alone (its now uninhabited), which was pure magic.

It's not the cheapest or easiest place to get to, but it is worth it.

It's all in the quality of the lens Chrissy - for me there is no point in paying for a 7 or 8 million megapixel camera that has a crap lens. The lens is far more important than any amount of pixels. You don't need more than 3 million megapixels anyway unless you are planning to do hefty enlargements, and unless you are a professional, you are unlikely to. Mine (Panasonic Lumix FZ18) has 6 million, but I keep it set to 3 million, as otherwise the pictures are way too large for publishing online, and this way I also can get twice the amount on my memory card. Pansonics use Leica lenses which are probably the best quality you are ever likely to get. As for the scenery - I have to say that yes, it is pretty spectacular. Each island is very different.

You may have had problems viewing them, since I inadvertently set it so that I only I could view them. You should be ok now though. Thanks to Chrissy for letting me know !

Here is a selection of what I think are some of the best pictures from my recent trip to the Isles of Scilly, for those who are interested. You can see how beautiful it is and how different each of the islands are. https://picasaweb.google.com/106490961589379529620/Scilly?authkey=Gv1sRgCMa_mue458a2kQE#

Radio Scilly