Latest comments

Lancashire ;- The Pendle Witches

I just have a strong belief in justice and fairness. I don't think it is ever too late to undo an injustice.

Veronica, on 06/14/2018

North of England dialect vocab list

Yes Old Celtic would make sense for the number system. Strawberry jam tarts is a slang expression for people who don't want to admit to headlice. . "Oh you ve got strawberry jam tarts in your hair ! "

Veronica, on 06/14/2018

Irish myths and legends ( 1 ) - The Giant's Causeway

There are several Scottish legends and the Northern Irish coast is so close to the Scottish coast in parts, only a few miles. The Giant's Causeway is very well maintained and the stone is very strong because it is the result of volcanic ...

Veronica, on 06/14/2018

Irish Myths and Legends ( 2 ) - The Children of Lir

Yes . I smile to myself when people say that they are " Celts " . The Gaels and the Britons adopted incoming Celtic culture as opposed to being Celts themselves. The word comes from Keltoi which means barbarian.

Veronica, on 06/14/2018

Sizergh Castle, Cumbria - Northern England

There are still Deincourts/ Stricklands living on the property! They gave it to the National Trust but are allowed to still live there. Best of both worlds. Sizergh is from Old Norse … this is very North of England of course . It means dairy ...

Veronica, on 06/14/2018

Belfast; HMS Caroline

The toilets were in a long line opposite the wash basins . The captain had his own of course. Yes the hammocks swung wildly but there wouldn't have been much sleep during the battle of Jutland I suppose. It was a dreadful battle. The pot ...

Veronica, on 06/14/2018

The wildlife of an allotment site

The only really dangerous animals of which we must be wary are wild boar, which were kept behind steel fences in farms until some lunatic animal rights activists freed them. Others escaped after a serious storm. So far no human has been harmed ...

frankbeswick, on 06/14/2018

Alsace Christmas Eve Loaf

Veronica, Thank you for the delicious Christmas Eve recipe. Is the berawecka a family recipe because of ancestors from Alsace? What would you serve to drink?

DerdriuMarriner, on 06/13/2018

The wildlife of an allotment site

I had no idea hedgehogs were nocturnal. Since this page is about wildlife, I'm wondering if there is anything you are wary of when you take walks / hikes? In New Hampshire bear and moose (although I never saw a moose, just the tracks) and even ...

dustytoes, on 06/13/2018

Alzheimer's Twiddle Mitts

Veronica, What beautifully relaxing colors and designs! Do the recipients use one mitt per arm or is it possible to put one hand inside each end to keep warm? What kind of tea do you drink during your knitting hour?

DerdriuMarriner, on 06/13/2018

Lancashire ;- The Pendle Witches

Veronica, Thank you for your concern so many centuries after the tragedy. Are there any descendants in the direct or collateral lines? What would happen with successful overturning of the cruel sentences?

DerdriuMarriner, on 06/13/2018

North of England dialect vocab list

Veronica, Thank you for the examples of dialects to confound tourists! How can strawberry jam have anything to do with head lice? The sheep-counting numbers sound in some instances somewhat Asiatic, quite like old Celtic, Iranian and Tokharian.

DerdriuMarriner, on 06/13/2018

Irish myths and legends ( 1 ) - The Giant's Causeway

Veronica, Thank you for such a fascinating story hour! Does the Scottish Causeway harbor equivalent tales to make Angus/Benandona/Cu Challain look less dupe-able? Is there any environmental impact from the wear-and-tear of tourist traffic on the ...

DerdriuMarriner, on 06/13/2018

Irish Myths and Legends ( 2 ) - The Children of Lir

Veronica is quite right on the origin of the British Celts. The Britons told Julius Caesar that the tribes of the coast had come in as incomers, but those of the interior had been in Britain since the beginning, and they believed that the ...

frankbeswick, on 06/13/2018

Sizergh Castle, Cumbria - Northern England

Veronica, Thank you for sharing Sizergh with us! Are there still Deincourt descendants or did the line go extinct with the title? Is there a known meaning to the name Sizergh?

DerdriuMarriner, on 06/13/2018