No, not at all. It is an impenetrable society, it would be like living in a bubble while life goes on unheeding around you. Perhaps if I spoke Mandarin well - but I haven't enough life left to devote to learning it!
Obviously you are happy living where you do, or you wouldn't be there. What is special about it?
Nothing except it is where I was born and bred and where all my deepest roots are.
Do you value roots in nutritious soil?
Yes, but only as a backdrop, a point of reference. My ancestors lie in churchyards not 10 miles from here but I use them like John Donne's compass, as a 'fixed foot' from which to roam. Horticulturally, I suppose they are absolutely necessary.
Culture, agriculture, horticulture, apiculture - whch sort is yours?
Apiculture assuming the "little apex" is what is meant but horticulture if it has anything to do with keeping bees that excludes the taste of the honey and recipes which take advantage of its irresistability.
What does Totnes specialise in when it's raining?
magic, spells, cosy cafés, lots of pubs, restaurants and leaking roofs
And your place?
Sleeping,eating,drinking,warm rooms,usual offices and goofing off.
Did you see that news item about levying taxes on the quality of the views from one's windows?
(I saw it and I heard it but I still can't believe I did.)
Yes I did; but it does enhance the price of a house, doesn't it? However that doesn't seem a good reason for taxing the inhabitants more, since they might have bought the house for 12/6 in 1944.
Do you own a house - or houses?
Yes.Both.
I labelled it the "aesthetic tax".What amazed me about it was it's utter ridiculousness from the collection point of view.
Do you think it is a devious plan to expand the Art's Council?
It could be; more likely a transparent plan to get yet more money for local councils to waste on street sculpture, recycling things that cost more to recycle than burn, and other amenities.
Do your house/houses have views?
All houses have views don't they.My views are ghastly.At least that's what I will say when I apply for my rebates.People go past sometimes and you can't get more ghastly than that can you?And there's bloody cows making a mess all over the place and sodding sheep bleating and big trees shedding leaves everywhere going all soggy and slippery and dangerous and birds screeching and dogs barking and wasps and biting midges and it's pitch dark at night and the pub's full of mopers staring silently in the fire.It's ghastly.I don't think we should pay any taxes at all to compensate us for the miserable conditions we live under.We have ghosts as well.One's a skeleton and she rattles when she runs about when that necrophiliac is chasing her which is on odd numbered days when there's an R in the month.
Have you got any ghosts in Totnes?
They invented them in Totnes, 'Old Chap.'
Aren't you aware of that?
No.I wasn't aware of that.
Were you not aware of my not being aware that they invented ghosts in Totnes?
I was totally unaware of you not being aware that I was unaware, that you were unaware that ghost's were invented in Totnes.
Isn't that a great sin?
Oy! Just look where this thread has gone with you two! I have a question!: A friend told me that in Britain it is rude to put one's knife down while eating. 'S'at so?
I wouldn't go so far as that old boy.
You are in danger of spending eternity in torment for sinning. 200.000 years in purgatory is about right for not being aware that I was not aware that you were unaware that I was not aware that ghosts were invented in Totnes.
Do you never read the magistrate's guidelines?
JUMP POST.
Devie's on.
No Dev.Your information is incorrect.Nothing is considered "rude" here unless it contravenes the health and safety regulations and there is no evidence that the health and safety authorities have any evidence that putting one's knife down whilst eating endangers human life in any way,shape or form whatsoever.
So far anyway.
Just wanted it straight from the horse's mouth, Thanks! and your question would be (dare I ask ...?)
Having said that, it isn't rude, to do what the Americans do and put down the knife, transfer the fork to the right hand, and then shovel food in from there, but it is regarded as funny, quaint and unnecessary!!!
Are table manners important?
Nope. I don't like over-polite manners. Just eat the way you often do
who often pay for a date, men or women ?
I don't do dates.I found that one has to talk interminably to a member of the opposite sex before getting down to the serious business which then has to be rushed.What's the point of that?
Has dating not gone out of fashion yet?
