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Post by haffyfan on Aug 12, 2018 20:28:34 GMT 1
I think commerce in this country is falling apart!! Just recently I had a parcel from a well known catalogue firm, containing something I had never set eyes on before and certainly didn't want, accompanied by a bill for something else entirely!! Then I had a (rhymes with Fresco) on line order - not only did they not turn up, they didn't bother telling me that they were not coming, but flippin' well remembered to take my money and keep it for three days so I couldn't go food shopping to replace the order even!! It's finally dawned on me that you can't rely on anything or anyone nowadays!!
I'm intrigued by what was in that parcel now My Amazon order finally came - all on same day but two parcels - seems complaining clearly has an effect however it seems you can give feedback on the product, the courier and third party sellers but no where to give feedback of Amazons own terrible service - well fancy that! Meanwhile i've been side tracked yet again, i've read another BB family story which i can't recall name of now, The Bucking Chestnut and The Catch Colt. Now my order is here i should be reading Shelley Peterson but found myself reading this one instead, No idea what relevance the cover holds but so far it's okay. It's a dual main protagonist, told partially from each perspective and set in the world of Irish showjumping.
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Post by Claire on Aug 12, 2018 22:29:19 GMT 1
Ran out of steam half way though a Horse From the Moor. Similar in plot to Riding Course Summer but not as lively or pacy and the characters are a tad dull. I may go back to it as I have just got a job lot of pony books I haven't read yet - tempted to read one or two of them before going back to the Challenge.
Let us know how your crotchet projects go folks - maybe we should start up a 'craft corner' section on the forum!
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Post by trixiepony on Aug 13, 2018 11:00:03 GMT 1
I'm reading some other books in my pile, but should get back to the reading challenge books soon not shore if I will finish the Heavenly Horses book, maybe get more in to it further in. may be.
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Post by ginslinger on Aug 13, 2018 19:52:20 GMT 1
I may have to keep a low profile as currently working in customer service for a internet clothes company. Yes we get things wrong but it seems the people for whom we have most got it wrong are often very nice about it and then you get someone who complains that their order came in two bags, or who say I bought a five pound dress - why is the quality so poor?
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Post by rallycairn on Aug 14, 2018 2:15:19 GMT 1
I'm struggling on my rating for The Second Mount. It is well written, and David has a fleshed-out character. But that character is the navel-gazer to end all navel-gazers. Which in itself is really not so bad, and I also grant that most of his waffling about things, and going from hope to gloom, is kept internal -- he voices some of it, but most he keeps to himself, so I don't think he's a complete drip to other people or as a character. And I do think CPT was consciously making this trilogy very character based.
BUT one does not expect quite so much cycling from hope to near-despair in a pony book, and it was difficult to slog through. I put it down for a long while with just a few chapters left -- the exciting part, no less -- the one-day event. But for the type of book it seems to set out to be (again, assuming it is character-based, and meant to be a full portrayal of David's character and his growth to maturity), it's pretty good. And life with horses. as well as life in general, is certainly not always rosy, so it's good to see a book with a healthy dose of realism. No big tragedies, but nevertheless a lot of slogging and discouragement.
If I could give it a horseshoe rating, I'd probably give it 4. It's no 5 or Gold Cup, but at the same time I do think it's better than average. But how to convert that to the smiley system?
Since I did bog down in the slough of despond with it, I'll go with
NEUTRAL FACE for THE SECOND MOUNT by CPT.
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Post by kunuma is here on Aug 14, 2018 12:49:46 GMT 1
I may have to keep a low profile as currently working in customer service for a internet clothes company. Yes we get things wrong but it seems the people for whom we have most got it wrong are often very nice about it and then you get someone who complains that their order came in two bags, or who say I bought a five pound dress - why is the quality so poor? LOL I think it was the total surprise that got me most - I admit I still don't know quite what to do about it, as I suppose I'll have to pay to send it back, and as I don't have a receipt or even bill for what it actually is - I'm not sure how returning it is possible? Any ideas welcome! Haffy I'll pm you what it was it's not even likely that I know anyone who would consider wearing it for a moment so have no idea what to do with it!!!
I was much crosser about the "rhymes with Fresco" order - as can be imagined!!
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Post by Claire on Aug 15, 2018 16:48:12 GMT 1
I'm struggling on my rating for The Second Mount. It is well written, and David has a fleshed-out character. But that character is the navel-gazer to end all navel-gazers. Which in itself is really not so bad, and I also grant that most of his waffling about things, and going from hope to gloom, is kept internal -- he voices some of it, but most he keeps to himself, so I don't think he's a complete drip to other people or as a character. And I do think CPT was consciously making this trilogy very character based. BUT one does not expect quite so much cycling from hope to near-despair in a pony book, and it was difficult to slog through. I put it down for a long while with just a few chapters left -- the exciting part, no less -- the one-day event. But for the type of book it seems to set out to be (again, assuming it is character-based, and meant to be a full portrayal of David's character and his growth to maturity), it's pretty good. And life with horses. as well as life in general, is certainly not always rosy, so it's good to see a book with a healthy dose of realism. No big tragedies, but nevertheless a lot of slogging and discouragement. If I could give it a horseshoe rating, I'd probably give it 4. It's no 5 or Gold Cup, but at the same time I do think it's better than average. But how to convert that to the smiley system? Since I did bog down in the slough of despond with it, I'll go with NEUTRAL FACE for THE SECOND MOUNT by CPT. What about giving it a 'conflicted' rating, Rally? I find a lot of CPT's books are similar in that they have very self-obsessed characters who have extreme mood swings, though mainly fluctuating on the low side, possibly suffering from what is now diagnosed as A BPD (borderline personality disorder). Makes you wonder if Christine was a bit like that herself.
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Post by garej on Aug 15, 2018 17:49:11 GMT 1
Well I am slowly ploughing through The Mystery Trek. Managed 3 chapters last night.
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Post by tintin on Aug 16, 2018 0:13:12 GMT 1
Please could I have a smiley face for:-
Reminiscences of a Sporting Artist
Thank you
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Post by tintin on Aug 16, 2018 20:27:46 GMT 1
I love the David and Pat series for being well written, compelling and convincing. However, it is more than a little melancholy. I like David a lot and can empathise with him - fortunately my life was not as unfortunate as his, but the horsey lady I met as a boy was nothing whatsoever as caring as Pat! I was disappointed in the ending of the series, but have rarely been so happy as when he re-appears as a successful show jumper in the Mick and Janice series - I actually did go "yes" and punched the air (which is not my usual style at all), but oh how I wished him and Pat could have stayed with the Riding Stables and had a long series of books hopefully becoming an item and growing old together surrounded by horses
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Post by darkhorse on Aug 17, 2018 15:25:20 GMT 1
Can I have a big happy smiley for The Secret Horse by Marion Holland. I really enjoyed it and liked the main characters. Thanks to Susanb for recommending it and to Claire for loaning me a copy.
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Post by haffyfan on Aug 18, 2018 14:27:11 GMT 1
Can i have a smiley for Christmas at saddle creek - much shorter than the others but tied up loose ends and i assume is possibly the final visit to saddlecreek farm.
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Post by susanb on Aug 18, 2018 21:14:27 GMT 1
Yea!!!! I'm so happy you enjoyed it, darkhorse! Always a bit of a worry, recommending a childhood favorite, because the rosy glow of nostalgia can obscure a lot of faults tintin, I hadn't realized that David reappears in the Mick and Janice books, will have to get them on my fall-reading list, post summer challenge! And speaking of summer challenge, I'm back on track....can I get a smiley for Wanted: a Horse, Claire? Not the best I've ever read (and I think it might have suffered a little in translation), but good enough to pass a lazy, rainy day. Right, back to Agatha Christie on tv and my crochet project. It SHALL be done by Christmas!
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Post by kunuma1 on Aug 19, 2018 14:28:16 GMT 1
Trixiepony I've got number 2 The Trail Home 4 Changing Leads 9 Riding to Win
10 Ground Training 11 Cross Ties
13 High Stakes
14 Headstrong of the Pine Hollow series if you need any of those.
Well yes 13 and 14 sound like ones I would like to read if you are shore. They are packed up Trixiepony - just waiting for me to go to Post Office - you'll probably get them in time for Christmas lol
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Post by kunuma1 on Aug 19, 2018 14:35:30 GMT 1
When I looked at them I realised the Pine Hollow books had come from America originally (is MI Michegan?) then over to the UK and now off to Australia, they are certainly getting about!
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Post by garej on Aug 20, 2018 14:10:12 GMT 1
Can I have a SMILEY face for The Mystery Trek. Managed to finish it last night. Good ending and one that I will read again.
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Post by Claire on Aug 20, 2018 15:27:58 GMT 1
Glad you enjoyed The Mystery Trek in the end Garej. I've hit a stumbling block in the Challenge. There's a lot of serious stuff, some unpleasant/health things (none of which I'll bore you with), going on in my life at the moment and I haven't felt motivated to read any of the books left on my list, been gravitating to comfort reads instead. Also I can't find ANOTHER book on my list, the Mary Treadgold. I have a feeling that both it and Mystery Trek are packed away in a crate in my brother's business unit, as I stored quite a lot of things there for decorating and haven't got it back yet. Well done to everyone so far. I'll get the smileys updated in a day or two. Oh and I forgot to say Congrats Kunuma for being the first person to complete the challenge
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Post by ginslinger on Aug 20, 2018 15:47:01 GMT 1
I am so sorry RL is unpleasant Claire and you may not have the time and inclination but would be happy to lend my copy of We couldn’t leaveDinah. I love it but having just re read it I wouldn’t need it back in a hurry.
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Post by garej on Aug 20, 2018 17:32:56 GMT 1
Yeah I have some rl stuff going on atm and can't sleep hence why I finished The Mystery Trek.
Onto A Rosette For Royal.
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Post by rallycairn on Aug 21, 2018 3:47:02 GMT 1
Claire, I forgot about the conflicted smiley! YES, PLEASE, CONFLICTED SMILEY for THE SECOND MOUNT and THREE TO RIDE by CPT. Sorry you are having health issues, Claire. Go pet some kitties, especially that black one you like!
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Post by trixiepony on Aug 21, 2018 10:31:56 GMT 1
I have been doing some Crocheting so haven't read very much but I am down to my hard books.
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Post by garej on Aug 21, 2018 22:49:05 GMT 1
I have started A Rosette For Royal. Good so far.
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Post by trixiepony on Aug 22, 2018 11:15:27 GMT 1
Well the crocheting is going well, and I have been reading a bit so am just over the 1/2 way mark with Cathy Cassidy's Broken Heart Club, a wired read, Im not shore off were its going with this one, its about 5 kids 4 girl and 1 boy Hasmita, Eden, Andie, Ryan and Tasha, the name Heart club comes from the 1st letters off there names, and there has been a big brake up Andie and Eden have a crush on the same boy Ryan, Hasmite gets sent off to a posh privet school and the last one her family moves to France, so the Heart club is now a brocken Heart no more club. kind off weird with the way thay do the back storys, but I am enjoying it.
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Post by tintin on Aug 22, 2018 21:04:02 GMT 1
Please could I have a big smile for:-
Reminiscences of Horses and Hunting
Mrs Martineau should have wrote a pony book. There is material here for scores. Lots of knowledge (she hunted, drove and bred horses), even more experience, considerable charm, loads of toughness (some hair rising scrapes, she learnt to ride largely by the discovery method, the first time she rode she did n't realise one leg went under the pommels and was bucked off like a sky rocket)and a dry humour. She could also draw well and illustrated her own book. She also went around with her eyes and ears open and has given us a tantalising glimpse of the past. Last, but not least, she had a genuine love of horses.
She only wrote one horse book :-( being more known for her cookery books!
If I was a billionaire one of the first things I would do would be to set up PMBLTV and this would be one of the first books filmed.
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Post by trixiepony on Aug 23, 2018 7:53:07 GMT 1
I think I will have a conflicted smile for Brocken Heart Club by Cathy Cassidy, it was beautifuly written and it certenly kept me guessing I felt like the 2 main ones Eden and Ryan where all most like old friends by the end, but there was a lot off sad stuff as well, and I’m more in to happy cherry books just now, Wow one more to go, I will try for a cupple mor days but me thinks the last may be a don’t like or finish one.
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Post by Claire on Aug 23, 2018 21:29:06 GMT 1
I am so sorry RL is unpleasant Claire and you may not have the time and inclination but would be happy to lend my copy of We couldn’t leaveDinah. I love it but having just re read it I wouldn’t need it back in a hurry. That's really kind of you Ginslinger. I will take you up on that offer as I'd really love to read it again. I have read it a long time ago and can't remember much about it except that it's very good.
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Post by trixiepony on Aug 24, 2018 10:10:38 GMT 1
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Post by trixiepony on Aug 24, 2018 10:12:00 GMT 1
Mum wounded how I managed to put 3 up. Ops.
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Post by louise on Aug 24, 2018 21:44:49 GMT 1
Just returned from holiday in Corfu where I managed to finish another 2 challenge books - both contenders for my top read. A SMILEY face for PROVE YOURSELF A HERO, please. K M Peyton is probably my all time favourite pony author, so it was always going to be hit with me (think I read it before some 25 years back). Another SMILEY face for my modern book, GALLOPING ACROSS A CORNISH SUMMER. It was a very good read, especially as I got it as a freebie kindle book. Would definitely recommend it.
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Post by ginslinger on Aug 25, 2018 1:37:01 GMT 1
Claire, just pm me the address and I will get it posted as soon as I can. I remembered liking it but not details and I really enjoyed it this time. Stands up very well.
Louise, so relieved you liked my recommendation - though Peyton is a safe pair of hands
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