What a lovely idea

 

"We enter a little coffeehouse with a friend of mine and give our order. While we’re approaching our table two people come in and they go to the counter: ‘Five coffees, please. Two of them for us and three suspended’ They pay for their order, take the two and leave. I ask my friend: “What are those ‘suspended’ coffees?” My friend: “Wait for it and you will see.” Some more people enter. Two girls ask for one coffee each, pay and go. The next order was for seven coffees and it was made by three lawyers - three for them and four ‘suspended’. While I still wonder what’s the deal with those ‘suspended’ coffees I enjoy the sunny weather and the beautiful view towards the square in front of the café. Suddenly a man dressed in shabby clothes who looks like a beggar comes in through the door and kindly asks ‘Do you have any suspended coffee?’ It’s simple - people pay in advance for a coffee meant for someone who can not afford a warm beverage. The tradition with the suspended coffees started in Naples, but it has spread all over the world and in some places you can order not only a suspended coffee, but also a sandwich or a whole meal. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have such cafés or even grocery stores in every town where the less fortunate will find hope and support? If you own a business why don’t you offer it to your clients… I am sure many of them will like it." very respectfully, Scott Sonnon

That's a fantastic idea squiggle!
I buy extra dog food at pets at home to donate to the dog shelter, I love the little container by the door

I wonder if anyone would buy a suspended hair cut?!

Where's yogi and moonie tonight?
And where's skylark?

Hi in here love the owls - gorgeous

Hi ros

I think it's just is tonight, hope everyone is busy partying and not feeling unwell

Glad you enjoy the owls

aww summmer - they are gorrrrrrrjuussssssssssssssssssssssss love them

 

Good morning everyone

 

Rain and windy conditions overnight, a lull at present with patchy blue sky, but there's more rain to come.

Squiggle, the Severn bore can get as far as the upper lode lock which is just south of Tewkesbury so it doesn't quite reach the town. Needless to say there are severe flood warnings on the Severn to the south of Gloucester and flood warnings from there northwards. It's places like Minsterworth, Elmore and Newnham which are at greatest risk.

 

Squiggle, the suspended coffee scheme is a good idea. It started in Italy and spread to other countries including here. Even Starbucks were involved for a few weeks ago last April.

 

Great owls, Summer

Good morning everyone. Weather is very windy and rainy.

Summer and Ros, sorry I wasn't around last night.

I love the little owls, very cute.

I notice Moonie was missing yesterday, and hope he is back soon.

Squiggle, I love the idea of 'suspended coffees and sandwiches'. For some reason, it reminded me of the film, Pay It Forward.

I hope this awful weather doesn't impact too badly on any Buddies.

 

 

Yogi, I am hoping that the improved flood defences at Gloucester will stop the worst of the flooding. Apart from the risk to people and property close to the river, the main threat is to the power substations at Castle Meads and Walham. Since the major floods in 2007, permanent flood defences were built at Castle Meads and were being built last year at Walham. Those were due to be completed last summer so as far as I know they are functional. If the substation at Walham was to be flooded, then some 600,000 people would be without electricity and would have to be evacuated, That should not happen, but in the very unlikely event it did I would not be able to come on here for quite some time. But you would get to here about it as that would be the major news story.

 

Good morning everyone, those are seriously cute owls Summer.

 

Going out to pick up some bread this morning there were loads and loads of flood warnings from the motorway to local roads in the nearest towns.  There is a severe weather warning in place for Sunday at the moment, so I will keep an eye on that one to see whether I will be able to get to church.

 

I just hope that no-one will be swept away in the floods or killed when a tree falls, there doesn't seem to be an end to it does there?

 

I hope moonie is OK.  I am glad you got your shopping done Yogi and hopefully can stay in now.  My grandson has to go to the dentist later I hope he will be OK in these strong winds on his motorbike, I will be glad when he's back safely.

Some people have ignored the warnings and have been surfing the Severn Bore this morning

Squiggle, take care when you venture out I hope your grandson has a safe journey.

 

Well, I hope it doesn't happen!

 

Squiggle, I hope your grandson is soon safely home and you can stop worrying about him.

The power is still on here and the flood water must have hit Gloucester by now if it was going to so it hasn't affected Walham substation. At present as far as I can tell, it seems to have been worst south of Gloucester as there has been some flooding at Minsterworth. The car park and the "dry" cellar at the Severn Bore Inn were flooded. The pub owner says that the water has receded but that the "dry" cellar is rather damp.

 

The government is likely to come under massive criticism as the Environment Agency has confirmed today that due to funding cuts, they will be cutting 1,500 jobs though how many will relate to the flood-related posts will go.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-25587555

 

Gloucester's doing another SportBeat festival this year but this time in June. They promise it will be even bigger than last year. I had hoped they wouldn't as having a pop festival 300 yards from my house isn't too pleasant.

 

We have had 2 storms right overhead today.  One this morning and one just now.  Small powercuts both times, the latest one lasted a couple of minutes and it's still rumbling around.

 

That's annoying about the festival again EL, I know last time you didn't hear too much and hope it will not be worse this time.

I was looking at the Wiki article on the Severn Bore and saw that the first person to surf the bore was Jack Churchill. He was an army officer for many years and this Wiki article on him is worth reading as it's not exaggerating to say that his military career in WW2 was unique.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Churchill

It's surprising that as far as I can see he was never portrayed in a film.

Squiggle, there's been squally showers here for much of the day but no power cuts. I hope your grandson has got home safely from his dental visit.

 

Hope your powercut is over, Squiggle.

Not great news about the festival, when it is happening so near to you, El.

 

All back safely home EL thanks, I hope we're done with the power cuts now I'm fed up re-setting the kitchen clocks on the appliances.

 Good to hear, they are all safely back home, Squiggle, and hope there are no more power cuts for you.

 

Fell asleep on the couch and woke up in a panic, thinking I'd missed CBB.

evening

Aw squiggle, sorry to see you've had a rotten day, I hope you have power tonight and there's not flooding near your home.
El, I hope you too are safe & dry

I've had a rubbish day, and I've caught another cold so I've come to bed early.
Some parts of the day were good though- I saw the puppies after work, they are very active now and oh so adorable

Lots of good wishes & hugs I'll come back tomorrow

Ooh- is CBB tonight?!

Yogi I'm glad I saw your post- I've put CBB on my iPad

 9pm.

 

Sorry you have another cold. Snuggle up in bed and take care of yourself.

Great that you got to see the puppies.

 I woke just in time.

I'm all tucked up yogi, with a wheatbag and fluffy socks on
It's probably my own fault- I've eaten junk food and not much else for days, and haven't taken my vitamins... Silly me!

Are you feeling unwell? Or just tired?

Wheatbag and fluffy socks are good.

You were very busy before Christmas, so I'm not surprised your resistance is low atm.

I wasn't very well last night and didn't get much sleep, so I was napping on the sofa.

Aw no, not you again too
Did you feel any better today?

I was a bit better today, thanks. Stupid Crohns, I hate it!

No Moonie today again.

Me too! I wish it would leave you alone!
Have the spasms stopped?

I noticed that too- is he in the storm area? I hope he's not without power...
I hope he's not unwell too

Only little twinges tonight, thank goodness.

He signed off quite suddenly in the Darnie thread on Wednesday night and hasn't been back. I also hope it is internet problems rather than him being ill.

Glad they're on the decline, I hope you have a better night tonight if I had a fairy godmother or a genie, I would wish them to cure you of crohns

I do hope moonie is alright, and comes back soon

Aww thanks, Summer. I hope Moonie is back soon, too.

Message from Moonie ....he says to let you know he is ok and will be back soon  

Thanks for letting us know, Baz.