Secret Seven Fan Club

[Katharine]

How did you thaw the outside pipe, Katharine? My kitchen floor flooded a few days ago because the outside pipe into which the washing-machine drains was frozen (and still is). I thought of trying to thaw the pipe but I wasn't sure how successful I'd be, especially as it goes underground after a short distance, so for the last four days I've been putting the end of the flexible draining hose into a bucket while the washing-machine is on (the hose won't reach the sink). It's a nuisance as it means I have to keep an eye on the washing-machine, because the bucket has to be emptied quite regularly or it overflows!

I just filled an empty squash bottle with hot water from the tap and went outside and tipped it over the pipe. I did that about 4 or 5 times and it defrosted enough to drain away. I didn't bother to completely thaw it out as I thought it would probably freeze again. However I'm keeping an eye on the pipe inside to make sure it doesn't start filling up again. I'm not quite sure why that particular pipe is there, when they next come to check the boiler I'll mention it, as I didn't think it was supposed to have much water coming out of it.

Sorry to hear about your washing machine problem, not sure what the solution would be for you if it goes underground. Fingers crossed it will sort itself out when the weather warms up. Sounds like a real nuisance for you.

[Anita Bensoussane]

Thanks, Katharine.

[pete9012S]

Going to take a little time to pick book three - there are a few contenders popping up into my mind already though!

I have decided that The Rockingdown Mystery will be choice number three.



This book was deliciously creepy when I very first read it as a young child. It seemed different to the sunny Famous Five's and the Find Outer's friendly Peterswood village with its cosy dairy and similar types of stories in the other series.

The book touched on a war, loss,the passage of time, mould and decay and abandonment.
I just don't know how Barney had the courage to stay in a house like that all by himself in the dark with only Miranda for company.



A creepy book - but it's one I really enjoyed and that fondness has stayed with me.

I was interested to know if my three choices were consistent over time and managed to stumble across this from back in 2010:



http://www.enidblytonsociety.co.uk/foru ... own#p84762" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

So it would seem these really are three books that mean an awful lot to me out of the hundreds of Blyton stories I have read over the years!

Now to try and chose my three least favourites Sue....

[Anita Bensoussane]

The creepy, mournful atmosphere of The Rockingdown Mystery is indeed alluring, Pete. I recall sitting reading that book by the gas fire one wintry afternoon when I was about ten. The gloom of the day seemed to chime with the delicious gloom of the story.

I haven't always been consistent when it comes to choosing favourite titles, though I'm sure The Valley of Adventure and Six Cousins Again have always featured:

http://www.enidblytonsociety.co.uk/foru ... gain+#p942" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Sometimes I go for variety (e.g. I only let myself pick one Adventure book and one "family" book), while at other times I'm happy to have more than one book from the same series - or of the same kind.

[John Pickup]

My favourite three Blyton books are:
The Valley Of Adventure. Still the best adventure story for children ever written.
The Rubadub Mystery. The fourth book in the series and the culmination of Barney's quest to find his father. It ends with the most tender, emotional scenes that Enid ever wrote. And in Mr Marvel, she created a monster, an evil, despicable man.
The Ring O'Bells Mystery. Almost like a fairy tale in places, but still has an air of menace about it and the bells of course.
I shall have to consider my least favourite Blytons.

[pete9012S]

Some excellent choices there John. Will be interested to see your least liked choices.

[pete9012S]

A riddle and puzzle for you and the other club members to attempt Sue:

[Anita Bensoussane]

That was fun! I like the way the riddle ends with "you may hang my first on my last!" A satisfying rounding-off!

[Eddie Muir]

Very satisfying, Anita. My nine year old grandson was also able to work out all the answers.

[Moonraker]

Well, as a 67 yesr-old grandfather, I haven't a clue. Mind you, it might have something to do with the 7.5% beer I'm enjoying at the moment!

I recall sitting reading that book by the gas fire one wintry afternoon when I was about ten. The gloom of the day seemed to chime with the delicious gloom of the story.

That is so atmospheric! I wonder why we haven't seen a follow-on story in the Weekly Serial section.

[Eddie Muir]

Well, as a 67 year-old grandfather, I haven't a clue. Mind you, it might have something to do with the 7.5% beer I'm enjoying at the moment!

[Anita Bensoussane]

I'm sure Enid Blyton would be delighted to know that her riddles are still being enjoyed by children in 2018, Eddie - though I don't know what she'd think about adults doing them!

[Katharine]

I really enjoyed that, although I think the third line is a bit confusing.

[John Pickup]

I'm hopeless with riddles. Always have been.

[pete9012S]

LOOK AWAY NOW IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THE ANSWERS TO THE LAST RIDDLE JUST YET: