tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37400848.post6495071598233949895..comments2023-12-31T08:43:00.853+00:00Comments on Wife in the North: Indefinite futureswife in the northhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15227214647512546906noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37400848.post-59225379174832080652008-12-04T03:27:00.000+00:002008-12-04T03:27:00.000+00:00Haven't any of you North Americans ever read Rosam...Haven't any of you North Americans ever read Rosamunde Pilcher? That is where I first learned of the essential Aga. (If you live anywhere near Seattle there is a great used bookstore called Half Price Books where I got all mine when I lived there for three years).<BR/><BR/>Maybe my grannie had one when I lived in England, in Yorkshire... I don't know. I was too young to remember. <BR/><BR/>If I ever move back to England I want a rose strewn cottage with an Aga and a woman who comes in once a week to clean.<BR/><BR/>In my dreams...<BR/><BR/>Sandra in CanadaSandra Montgomeryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16951819537345588384noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37400848.post-79804222979194134472007-07-12T17:40:00.000+01:002007-07-12T17:40:00.000+01:00Don't be so cruel Rilly - you'll have us poor sout...Don't be so cruel Rilly - you'll have us poor southern Agaless folk rushing up the M5/6 just to adopt a poor wet Aga - carry it home and nurture it back to life.Penny Pincherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00993473608935875834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37400848.post-45659277482202535592007-07-11T16:54:00.000+01:002007-07-11T16:54:00.000+01:00the reason the insurance bill for the recent flood...the reason the insurance bill for the recent floods in Hull was so high was that everyone had an aga. You should have seen the TV news pictures, street after street of terraced houses and council estates with waterlogged agas dumped on the pavement or in skips. It's enough to make you cry, sob. This is why these people need so much help, they can't manage without them...rilly superhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05448694078653341955noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37400848.post-64565048783424173752007-07-11T15:46:00.000+01:002007-07-11T15:46:00.000+01:00Ah, AGA memories. Halton-Lea-Gate in upper South T...Ah, AGA memories. Halton-Lea-Gate in upper South Tynedale. When I lived there we needed the AGA every day of the year. Proper hot summer days didn't exist then. Advantages of AGA is continuous hot water, kettle always on, so impromptu brews anytime and lots of baking. Shame to waste the oven. Anyway, apart from the local in-village store, the nearest shops were in Haltwhistle or for proper shopping it was Hexham or Carlisle over 20 miles away.<BR/>The downside of having an AGA, it needs constant fuelling (unless its an oil burner) and you need to learn its little ways.<BR/>AGAs are like people, - each one different.<BR/>Now? I live in Lancaster. South of Shap. Its far too civilized!The Draughtsmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01393632664229091877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37400848.post-41403523304285739642007-07-11T15:41:00.000+01:002007-07-11T15:41:00.000+01:00This "Aga" thing is a very suprising new discovery...This "Aga" thing is a very suprising new discovery. I had never even dreamed or conceived of such a contraption. I had asssumed that life in the modern age was probably just about the same in all modern places. So, just what else is going on there, that we, in the rest of the world, don't know about? mmmmm?Danielhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09544494033981606866noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37400848.post-71637098188354608622007-07-11T15:06:00.000+01:002007-07-11T15:06:00.000+01:00the aga is essential for anyone even contemplating...the aga is essential for anyone even contemplating travel north of the M62. You'd think everyone knew that, sigh<BR/><BR/>by the way wifey, who is this Rufford chap that somebody thinks is me? Is he a friend of yours?rilly superhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05448694078653341955noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37400848.post-90172348654223377682007-07-11T14:39:00.000+01:002007-07-11T14:39:00.000+01:00Strickley -- Filling? Riddling? Emptying ashes? ...Strickley -- Filling? Riddling? Emptying ashes? I have worked long and hard at establishing myself as the highest maintenance item in this home. It sounds like an Aga would quickly usurp my honored position.<BR/><BR/>My GE? Turn it on, turn it off, wipe the mess off its slick glass top, and pour another glass of chardonnay --sunshinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07577409248867401730noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37400848.post-23345719338482170012007-07-11T13:39:00.000+01:002007-07-11T13:39:00.000+01:00Just wait till your children discover the Aga. I ...Just wait till your children discover the Aga. I used to throw sugar on my mothers's. Watching the sugar jump, spit and blacken on the hotplate was just too tempting when I was left alone in the kitchen. But your children sound much cleverer and more imaginative than I ever was so who knows what they'll come up with.Brambleheadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17582294335432377543noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37400848.post-77946907372028508232007-07-11T12:34:00.000+01:002007-07-11T12:34:00.000+01:00I could not live without our Aga. It cooks, heats ...I could not live without our Aga. It cooks, heats the water and warms the house when it's too warm to light a fire, but too cold to do without one.<BR/>It's been here longer than me (8th February 1950 - I have the 10 year guarantee) and no doubt will see me out.<BR/>All it needs is filling and riddling twice a day,ashes emptying twice a week and letting out for a thorough service twice a year. My husband takes care of all that (he can remember it being installed so he's more qualified than me). All I have to do is cook, or just lean on it.Strickleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00539986997346187447noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37400848.post-23542284105795957772007-07-11T08:57:00.000+01:002007-07-11T08:57:00.000+01:00I've never wanted to join the AGA set, but then ag...I've never wanted to join the AGA set, but then again I don't live in Northumberland. WITN, the rule with builders is they have a fear of closure. This isn't just British builders. It's a worldwide trait. Just as they're getting very close to finishing with your house, suddenly everything slooooowwws down. They have other jobs to do at other houses that take precedence over yours. They don't show up till 10 because they were at the builder's yard at 8 to get some part or materials for your house. They leave at 2 on Fridays because that's the day they go to the pub. And you don't mess with the day they go to the pub, removal men or no. Go with the kids (and let them scream loudly) and tell the builders you're not leaving till they give you a definite move-in date.wakeupandsmellthecoffeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04602735058278146250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37400848.post-68850623102309734602007-07-11T08:11:00.000+01:002007-07-11T08:11:00.000+01:00US readers, haven't you realised this blog is a qu...US readers, haven't you realised this blog is a quintessential 'Aga Saga'?Mutterings and Meanderingshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01384198819878227966noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37400848.post-44387583705939281432007-07-11T03:02:00.000+01:002007-07-11T03:02:00.000+01:00Sorry about the spelling - must cut my nails!Sorry about the spelling - must cut my nails!Expat mumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17798190669591053390noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37400848.post-69704690353577483112007-07-11T03:01:00.000+01:002007-07-11T03:01:00.000+01:00For everyone in north America - you can definitely...For everyone in north America - you can definitely get the Aga, even at home Depot. It's not cheap and if you live in a house with a basement, and the kithen isn't in the basement, you will probably have to have your floors reinforced. We have lots of people in Chicago grappling with the emormity of a kosher Aga, and they usually opt for the Aga - lite. They are very hot in the summer though.<BR/>Just spreading a little UK/US info here :-).Expat mumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17798190669591053390noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37400848.post-85611906546201928372007-07-10T23:22:00.000+01:002007-07-10T23:22:00.000+01:00When my Aga was fitted I left it alone.It's big en...When my Aga was fitted I left it alone.<BR/><BR/>It's big enough to look after itself and will soon realise that there's no point in sweating and whining if it's ignored. It will then behave.Johnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03392399067412827528noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37400848.post-42967704156979401342007-07-10T23:11:00.000+01:002007-07-10T23:11:00.000+01:00Hi Sunshine - we call those warm moments "hot flus...Hi Sunshine - we call those warm moments "hot flushes" but I guess just the same we spend a lot of time opening and closing windows, throwing off the duvet then clawing it back two seconds later and getting a bit sweaty, rather like WITN's Aga. The difference being that everyone still loves an Aga even with condensation dribbling down it's front, which is more than can be said about me. :(<BR/><BR/>Best wishes, Jane.Swearing Motherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07277450057243928790noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37400848.post-20730250128996130552007-07-10T21:36:00.000+01:002007-07-10T21:36:00.000+01:00Aims -- I had thought that if Wifey's AGA was a pr...Aims -- I had thought that if Wifey's AGA was a previously owned one, then - like a woman of a certain age - it might be suffering hot flashes. That would explain the sweating, but not the snoring. Everyone knows that sleeping (and thus, snoring) does not accompany the state of hot flashing! What do the English call "hot flashes"?sunshinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07577409248867401730noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37400848.post-28973755894806415152007-07-10T21:25:00.000+01:002007-07-10T21:25:00.000+01:00okay - I looked it up too....I just don't understa...okay - I looked it up too....I just don't understand why it 'sweats'....<BR/><BR/>Perhaps as - the thinker says - it's just getting up to it's full potential...<BR/><BR/>Apparently - we don't know how to cook properly in North America...aimshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12685252628734838159noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37400848.post-79657656460635352592007-07-10T21:11:00.000+01:002007-07-10T21:11:00.000+01:00Daniel and Aims - an Aga is THE essential for life...Daniel and Aims - an Aga is THE essential for life in Northumberland (especially in the summer when you need at least one warm room most of the time)@themillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17644636690850127781noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37400848.post-84599214133649150892007-07-10T20:43:00.000+01:002007-07-10T20:43:00.000+01:00What with everything going wrong with your move pl...What with everything going wrong with your move plus the whole saga the rebuilding project, connect that with yesterday,s Roman Catholic references and I am reminded of an entry in Teresa of Avila's diary when she suffered similar setbacks trying to get her new nunnery started. It reads, "Dear God, no wonder you have so few friends when you treat the faithful so!". She wrote that in the fifteenth century.<BR/>The Law of Murphy goes back even that far.<BR/>Hang on in there!The Draughtsmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01393632664229091877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37400848.post-36011447183998752102007-07-10T20:17:00.000+01:002007-07-10T20:17:00.000+01:00I found it on the internet, too. That's some stove...I found it on the internet, too. That's some stove, you got there. I bet you could even dock it with the International Space Station.Danielhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09544494033981606866noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37400848.post-28221770561544084512007-07-10T20:03:00.000+01:002007-07-10T20:03:00.000+01:00What a marvellous idea - Aga Khan -good one. I am ...What a marvellous idea - Aga Khan -good one. I am sooo envious - a pantry and an AGA. I agree - we all want the sordid details of size, shape, colour and fuel type that powers the beastie. I expect it is 'sweating' as it's not yet built up to its full working capacity. It is probably helping to dry out your 'new' house - all that dampness from plastering etc -not to mention all the weeks of rainfall. When the Aga is so hot as to sizzle any cloth that goes near it it will probably have stopped sweating. Big green SIGH.<BR/> I hope you've a couple of dogs and a cat to loll in front of this AGA when you finally get to move in.Penny Pincherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00993473608935875834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37400848.post-71072210411431510452007-07-10T19:45:00.000+01:002007-07-10T19:45:00.000+01:00Okay, folks in the American North -- I've just Goo...Okay, folks in the American North -- I've just Googled Aga. Holy Cow!! Yes, it should clean and do the ironing, as well as watch the kids for the weekend!<BR/><BR/>Wifey, could you share the model number/type so we can all actually see your new household member? They look sort of comparable to our very professional, high-end Vikings. I have a normal GE.<BR/><BR/>If I had an Aga or Viking, I would feel guilty about ever going out to a restaurant, or not having guests every single night!sunshinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07577409248867401730noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37400848.post-75285314633317111702007-07-10T19:20:00.000+01:002007-07-10T19:20:00.000+01:00So an Aga is a stove? But it can't be because a s...So an Aga is a stove? But it can't be because a stove wouldn't sweat or snore, unless of course sweat and snore also have different synonomous meanings, that we North Americans could not possibly imgagine? And why do you capitalize Aga? Maybe it is the name of the company that makes them, like we say Hoover for vacuum cleaner, or Fridgidare, for refriderator? <BR/><BR/>(Poor Wife. You're huddled in limbo with your little ones, waiting to move back home, and I'm worried about why is the mystery word, Aga, capitalized).Danielhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09544494033981606866noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37400848.post-87223681877320826802007-07-10T18:59:00.000+01:002007-07-10T18:59:00.000+01:00I see I'm not the only North American who doesn't ...I see I'm not the only North American who doesn't really know what an Aga is...<BR/><BR/>I'm thinking it is what you call your cooker...and what we would call a stove. <BR/><BR/>However - why does an Aga 'sweat' or 'snore'? <BR/><BR/>Our stoves -with the oven on the inside and the burners on the top may make a person sweat - but mine has never sweated - ever..and it certainly doesn't snore.<BR/><BR/>Lastly - is it not 'summer' in the north? Why would the builders need heat at this time of the year?aimshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12685252628734838159noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37400848.post-41245074244577344752007-07-10T17:01:00.000+01:002007-07-10T17:01:00.000+01:00Regarding the previous post, you are so very brave...Regarding the previous post, you are so very brave to bring up the subject of religion. In America, you can't mention religion unless you know the person you are talking to; otherwise, you could get a punch in the nose, or a smack on the forehead with a Bible.<BR/><BR/>Also, what is an aga? Is it a speial breed of cat? Might it have something to do with water? (aga seems sort of Latinish for water). I will never get used to that strange language you all speak in the Brithish Ilses.<BR/><BR/>But aside from the language barrier, we are not so very different in America. You represent the mother country. It is nice to have mother to blame all our problems on. <BR/><BR/>You should take a look at the book "Main Street" by Sinclar Lewis. It is about a woman in 1920's Minnesota, who got married and moved to a small town, and what a difficult time she had. For the most part, it was pretty serious story, as though this is a real problem for some people. <BR/><BR/>It is in a different time and place than you, but I bet the circumstances may seem familiar.Danielhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09544494033981606866noreply@blogger.com