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LOL re the 'bit of lunch', Mitchell! We all need a bit of lunch, don't we? 🤣

And that poor tree. It's been such a shock that someone would *do* such a thing! 😕

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Congrats on post 100 and the crossover event meeting for the ages!

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I will be accompanied by my bodyguard, just as a precaution

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I'll see your bodyguard and raise you an entourage..... ♠️♥️♦️♣️

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Gulp. 😨

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🤣

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Oct 4, 2023Liked by Rebecca Holden

I like the way you think.

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Him, or me?! 🤔🤣

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Oct 6, 2023Liked by Rebecca Holden

you

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😁😁😁

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Oct 4, 2023Liked by Rebecca Holden

Please get it on film...

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🎥

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Thanks, Bryn! Actually, the 100 is a bit of a red herring - it's actually my 136th post! I haven't numbered every post I've published (the daily Jog log 🏃🏻 posts I published in August weren't ones that I counted).

I'm still jolly proud to see that number there, though! 🥳

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A tea-blending kit without tea? And teabags? To blend tea one needs a base of Assam upon which other teas are added, such as Kenyan. Loose tea by the way. I've been given two samples of that sort of blend, which I look forward to trying. I have now given you the full extent of my tea-related knowledge. I will comment on the rest in my reply. Snigger.

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'Snigger'! 🤣

And what is about your requirement for tea to be 'loose'? I prefer mine strait-laced, highly moralistic and - for pity's sake - IN A BAG!

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I am surrounded by heathens

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🤣 Says the man whose tea is of loose moral character......

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I wanted to laugh all the way through, but then I got to the sycamore tree and was so sad. When I read the news story a couple of days ago, I couldn't comprehend the mindless vanity of the individual who did the damage.

But now I read the National Trust has pulled out a young sycamore sapling that a fellow had kindly planted. A selfless and praiseworthy act by a young man that restores one's faith in the younger generation. And then the National Trust act like a bunch of crusties who can't see beyond their tunnel vision and pull it out!!! I ask you!!!!

I did get my humour back again tho' when I saw Terry's image of the news story about you - what a hoot!

Once again, Rebecca, you did it! Thank you.

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Thank you so much, Prue! It's incomprehensible, isn't it? And that was such a sweet thought for that chap to have planted that sapling - I'm sad too that the NT removed it. Having said that, there are undoubtedly meetings that have to be had, and consultations entered into, as to what happens at the site next. I hope the sapling is being looked after in the meantime, and that they plant it again.

LOL re Terry's news report - the only part of it that's true of course is the bit about my age being 27.... 😉

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Oct 4, 2023Liked by Rebecca Holden

I am shocked. I thought you were 25.

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Oct 6, 2023·edited Oct 6, 2023Author

🤣 He's clearly prone to exaggeration and seems to have put me down for two extra years without due reference. Cheeky, right?! 😉

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Oct 6, 2023Liked by Rebecca Holden

On the other hand, he could have just rounded up to thirty. SO there's that...

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🤣

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Loved your comments to Terry and the tea and his writing schedule.

But caught my breath when you mentioned the Tree. 😞 OK, I followed that by welling up, but was delighted when I saw a “heart” (❤️) in each of the pictures of the felled tree. On the stump and on the bottom of the tree as she laying on her side and the heart showed up in all different angles.

The perps may have destroyed a national treasure, but the tree’s heart shows the last comment by her love. It reminded me instantly of “The Giving Tree” by Shel Silverstein. The selfish act of vandalism vs the selflessness of the tree. 🤗

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Oct 4, 2023Liked by Rebecca Holden

I think the tree should be left as it now lies, enshrined as testimony to the danger of total ignorance. I cannot even fathom the rationale someone would have do that? It is beyond me.

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Actually, that's a nice idea, too. Commemorate the fallen with... the fallen. I rather like that, Sharron. 🌳

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Gail, I love love love that you've noticed that - it had completely passed me by! How absolutely wonderful. Thank you so much for giving me heart (literally) in this whole very sad affair. ♥️

Thank you so much for drawing my attention to "The Giving Tree". I've read the synopsis on Wikipedia and gosh, yes, 'selfless' is very much the word.

It's not a book (or author) I'd heard of - perhaps it (and he) had never made it across the pond. I'm having lots of conversations about the lost tree with friends and family who share my sadness - I shall draw their attention to what I've just read about the book. Thank you so very much. 😘

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That's a lot of panic, Terry. Maybe less of that next week. I mean, it's only your life and career.

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An excellent point very well made, Peter! Terry, please take note! 🙌

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I am currently walking a virtual Hadrian's Wall, and had just past the point where that beautiful tree was. I was excited by the thought that I would one day see it in person. When I read the news... well, bereft wouldn't be too strong a word. Especially because of the circumstances--so senseless and stupid.

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Oh, Donna, it's such a shame, isn't it? Senseless is absolutely the right word for it. Incomprehensible! ♥️🌳❓Thank you so much for reading and commenting. 😘

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Oct 4, 2023Liked by Rebecca Holden

I was so sorry to hear of the destruction of the Sycamore tree, such senseless willful destruction.

A comment on the tea-i am one of those people who drink tea both in a teapot and also with teabags. My favorite is Barry’s tea. Both the Irish and the English breakfast tea. I am out of both right now sadly, and am drinking tea from a teapot.

Thank you for your post as always!!

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Julie, thank you so much for reading and commenting.

I like that you split your allegiance between the pot and the bag-in-a-mug scenarios! That's a very balanced stance to take to tea drinking.

I haven't heard of Barry's tea - I might have to seek it out! Thank you for the recommendation!

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It is strong. Which I like!!

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Oct 4, 2023Liked by Rebecca Holden

"How should the two of them, for example, go about ordering tea in a café? If her date is anything like you I can only imagine the stand-off." My suggestion? Order gin. Or, you know, maybe coffee? Keep your tea-making anomaly a secret to be revealed only if you become best of friends. I cannot even comment on the tragic cutting down of the tree or the destruction at the Wall of China. It breaks my heart that our species can be so stupid and mean. Sometimes I o not want to live on this planet anymore.

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The planet needs you, Sharron. As do I. Thank you for this lovely comment. 😘

GIN!!!! Okay, I can work with that! Cheers! 🥂

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That tree! No! Who would do such a thing. It was like the Princess Diana of trees-- most photographed and now a gap where there once was an English rose.

Meanwhile, I love a good Brit discussion on the proper way to make tea. I have an electric kettle that does all the work. With the push of a button it heats to 175 degrees for my green tea bag. Oh forsooth the lady uses a tea bag!

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It's shocking, isn't it? I keep (over)using the word 'senseless' in relation to this instance of vandalism, but there's no other word for it (although I can think of plenty of others that are NOT appropriate for publication - y'know, four-letter ones!). I love your English rose analogy.

YES to the green tea bag! I'm all for convenience when it comes to the important things in life. 😊

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Another emotional read. Between the feigned outrage and the real despair I feel quite rattled. Thankfully a cuppa will help a little. (Our early spring has just turned back to blustery, freezing winter, so a cuppa will definitely be appreciated.)

By the way, I’m glad that bodyguard and entourage will be accompanying you both at the First Meeting. I look forward to twin articles from very different perspectives on this historic meeting. 😃👍🤗🤗

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Awww, thanks, Beth. And I'm sorry for rattling you - but of course we all know that tea is the answer!

I'll report back on the historic First Meeting - now that IS going to be a fun post or two.....! 🤣

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100!! Woohoo. Write on Rebecca and Terry

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LOL!!! Thanks, Julie! 🥳

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And the great tea war has now started between you two. Ha ha!

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To tell you the truth, Olga, it's been brewing 😉 for a while....! 🤣

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I, too, take my tea fully clothed! The only dignified way to do it.

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Absolutely right, Alicia! 🤣 Thank you so much for reading! We have to preserve the dignity of tea as it SHOULD be drunk, right? 🤣

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2 favorite things of this letter: 1 - "Which is it, Terry? Loose, or decent?" and 2 - the tea kit excluding the tea = "missing loose or decent tea" in fine print on the tea kit box. 😍

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He's being very coy about answering that question, isn't he, Mary? It's a worry.....!

LOL re the fine print! 🤣

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🤣

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I don't know how people can destroy the tree that has meant so much to the people in the area. I hope there is real punishment and not a slap on the wrist.

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Absolutely bonkers behaviour, Matt. The fallen tree was removed from the site yesterday, and I gather it's going to be stored somewhere while consultations go on about what to do with it. 🌳

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