Bob's Blog Page 2
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You are reading Page 2 of
Bob's Blog/diary/dream/story/journey/novelistic memoir.
He is 76 years old and counting.
He is also very much aware that this blog is of no significance whatsoever -
at the time of writing!
For you - dear reader - for reading thus far.
Sunflower Selfie.
Sunday 30th August 2015
Hope you enjoyed your Sunflower, they do seem to have caused quite a stir in the street, so much so I’ve had a request to grow more next year so something to think about. Now that Jane has gone from my life I will be looking for another ‘project’.
Henry the chocolate Labrador is on holiday in Ireland at the moment, he’s the one you may remember we look after a couple of times a week. He might be featuring in this blog before long so watch this space. That is if he doesn’t turn green!
Monday 31st August 2015
Discovered something called Walking Football, sounds like a good idea but not sure what the penalty is if you break into a trot, probably Walktowork for a week!
The rules make interesting reading -
Replacement of a Defective Ball -
2.5 If the ball bursts or becomes defective during the course of a game: the game is stopped.
I would have thought that it would be better with a floppy ball – no need to walk so fast.
Not much else to do today except dream about Jane (Eyre, just in case you had forgotten) and wait for the rain to stop – it’s Bank Holiday Monday. What's new?
Wednesday 2nd September 2015
'Tom's Online Dog and Cat Show' has raised over £1500 so far and counting. Tom is a remarkable lad; you can read all about him on Facebook. If you remember Spitfire Jock (see blog Tuesday May 5th on Page 1) well Jock was Tom’s Grandfather and bequeathed me the Spitfire kit. Tom’s Mum also designed the logo for Walktowork check it all out from - https://www.justgiving.com/tomlovespets/
A very creative family. Henry wanted to enter but he's still on holiday.
Thursday 3rd September 2015
47 years ago today I arrived in Seattle in the good old US of A with $5 in my pocket, which I used as a down payment on a 1962 Ford Galaxie. No, I know it’s not that interesting but it meant that I didn’t have to Walktowork – of course! Not a bad picture eh! Chic?
Friday 4th September 2015
33 years ago today I arrived in New Zealand still searching for the end of the rainbow…………..couldn’t find it in amongst the 70 million sheep. Nice mutton!
Saturday 5th September 2015
Ever since I can remember we have had a piano in the house but my playing has never got further than White Christmas and a few bluesy numbers which, I admit are painful to listen to. However tomorrow I should have a musical story to tell which will be amazing. Incidentally our little Lottie now at 18 months has already a delicate touch on the keyboard.
Oh yes! I have fallen in love again, sorry, this time with Lauren who is interviewing my son-in-law HERE.
Monday 7th September 2015
Imagine being born, weighing only one and a half pounds, being severely handicapped, blind and yet from the age of two being able to memorise any piece of music and reproduce it on the keyboard. Well this is Derek Paravicini, now 36 years old, who, despite all these afflictions entertained us in a sunny garden in Chiswick yesterday. Derek, along with his young vibrant friends on drums, base guitar and vocalists transfixed all within earshot.
His story is too long and amazing to relate here but you can find all about him on your screen starting HERE. All the proceeds from his playing go to The Amber Trust, a charity for blind children. Being a bit of a dreamer on the keyboard I was blown away. Plenty of information and performances on You Tube.
Wednesday 9th September 2015
Still in awe of Derek’s keyboard skills now sitting at the piano waiting for inspiration, I’ve been waiting since 1952! Yesterday took the old CRV 40 miles down the A3, with Marcia, Jane and Emily (sorry Lauren) Emily is Charlotte’s sister and wrote Wuthering Heights so there might be more scandal. We all ended up at Uppark which is a National Trust property with stunning views out across the Sussex countryside. A quiet hour under the sun hat in the dappled shade of a Copper Beech was preceded by a cup of coffee and followed by a cup of tea. Retirement is sometimes sweet. The sound of silence only shattered once by the sound of a real Spitfire just taken off from Goodwood doing aerobatics overhead. The sky was blue and the carpet of wildflowers intoxicating. Yesterday I also happened upon the blog of a vicar’s wife in Dorset who likened her neat pile of towels in her airing cupboard to a vision in ‘fifty shades of grey’ she even published a picture – some blogs are really, really boring aren’t they?.
Thursday 10th September 2015
Well, Sam, sunflowers finished, rhubarb finished, corn on the cob finished, I could show you a picture of a bucket of beans but not very inspiring. If you really want inspiration on your screen (which I admit is difficult to find) go HERE. If you are still at a loss for something to do you could always visit Cobham this Saturday and marvel at the Heritage Fair and put your money on a yellow plastic duck which will be racing down the river (Poohsticks fashion) in their hundreds nay thousands – first prize £250 plus a mention on Bob’s Blog!
Friday 11th September 2015
Now I don’t want you to get the idea that this retirement business is easy, you have to work at it, so, if everything’s working and that includes the trains and you have a ‘Two Together Rail Card’ you have to use it. Which, in plain language means that we did a Michael Portillo to Eastbourne via Cla’am. Translated (for you guys out there in Plymouth Mich.) that means we travelled to Eastbourne by train via Clapham Junction.
Nothing more to say really except following the obligatory fish and chips, a ride in an open-topped bus to Beachy Head, an hour in the sunshine on the picnic blanket with Jane, Charlotte and Emily (sorry Lauren), watch some nutter leap off Beachy Head, I hasten to add he had a para-glider strapped to his back, a hike back all the way down to the Wish Tower for a cup of tea via many stops to read of the hundreds of poor souls whose names are inscribed on wooden benches all along the prom’ who ‘Loved this place’ and a stimulating ride back to Cobham with thousands of commuters wishing I was one of them – a commuter I mean - not a name on a wooden bench – yet!
Tuesday 15th September 2015
On Sunday 15th September 1940, exactly 75 years ago, the Battle for Britain in the skies over Southern England, although we didn’t know it at the time, had reached a turning point. Today is 'Battle of Britain Day’ and to mark the occasion, 30 Spitfires and Hurricanes assembled at Goodwood Airfield and flew in formation in the skies over Sussex and Hampshire – awe inspiring.
For those of you who have stuck with this blog no doubt you will be aware by now that the writer has a bit of a soft spot for the Spitfire.
He would now like to take this opportunity to add his thanks and admiration to R J Mitchell and his Spitfire design team and to all those who were in anyway involved in the incredible effort during WW2 to keep us all safe in our beds - despite the writer being bombed in his bed at 4am on Saturday 1st April 1944. Full story HERE.
Thank you.
Bob.
P.S.
Saturday 10th October 2015
For those of you who may have read my account of ‘The Bomb’ (see ‘The Lucky Jones’ on Page 11), I have recently found an article in the same magazine written in 2001 by a neighbour who lived in the cottages opposite, he would have been about 10 at the time. For me aged 5 at the time, although I still have vivid memories and inaccurate newspaper cuttings, I have often asked myself ‘did this really happen?’ as it was never spoken about in the family. This article by Allan Simmons proves that it did happen and for me makes sobering reading.
One night I awoke suddenly to the noise of a German aircraft. They could be identified by sound and that had penetrated my sleep. The noise came nearer and nearer and then a whistle came from the night sky - the bombs were on their way. I gripped the sides of the mattress and my jaw shut tight; I knew I was in the hands of the Almighty.
My bed slid across the stained floor boards and little pieces of linoleum and plaster fell from the ceiling. I heard the clay tiles on the roof clatter back down on the bathrooms. It felt like being in a cement mixer. Then all went still and I heard a rumble which I realized was masonry falling. I thought the walls would come in on me.
When the noise stopped I called out to my mother in the next room, and told her not to open the bedroom door because I thought the front of our terraced house had gone.
I opened my bedroom door and crawled out on the floor; everything was as it should be. On looking out of the hall window I could see that the rumble had been the two farm cottages opposite with seven people inside, which were completely flat.
In the morning it turned out they had all escaped, the bomb going under the cottages, the blast going through floors and ceilings and roof, catapulting the occupants still in their beds out into the night sky - a miracle!
Tuesday 17th November 2015
Somebody sent me an email today which I accidentally deleted, sorry, if it was youi please send it again - don't get many emails!
Wednesday 18th November 2015
Not been idle, just published a book on BobBooks.co.uk, if you click HERE you can read all about Oxshott and Me 1939 - 1966.
Sorry about the price, not much I can do about that but it's worth it! You can see the great pictures and nearly read the text if you squint a bit. Between you and me looking at all those young ladies that had the good grace to go out with me and trying to come to terms with the fact that they all are now in their mid seventies takes a bit of getting your head around.
I'm not sure what I'd do if I bumped into one of them in the street, don't suppose that they would know either - I wonder. My daughter tells me that you should erase the following from your vocabulary - could have, would have, should have and if only - wise words indeed.
I've got another scheme to discuss soon on how to make loads-a-money. It's something I've always wanted to do but never seen it through - maybe tomorrow.
Friday 20th November 2015
Blimey hits for this site shot up to 10 yesterday, either you like reading my book or maybe you are interested in my idea for making loads-a-money. Well first I must explain that it involves knocking on doors, which, I have done but not consistently enough so if you are not comfortable with knocking on doors then probably not for you, unless of course you develop your RMA and combat your ISI - simple?
Back in the early 70's I did a course on Salesmanship and Advertising which was fascinating. It was a correspondence course run by a The National School of Salesmanship in Manchester which concentrated on developing your Right Mental Attitude and combating your Inadequate Self Image. Now there are a million people out there who will tell you how to achieve this so I won’t go there but all I will say is that you won’t know unless you try. So, that’s sorted your RMA and your ISI next is which product to help people attain?
Saturday 21st November 2015
During that course in the early 70’s I found myself knocking on doors and asking if they had 'ever wished to own a set of Encyclopaedia Britannica?' Notice the cunningly worded question! I had completed the week long sales course getting thoroughly brain washed and believe it or not in my first month I was Salesman of the Month having sold 3 sets. I could write another book about the reaction you get at the door and trying to convince the ‘prospect’ to invest a half a crown a week (12 ½ p) but I won’t go there now. I did the same with fire extinguishers, various services, kitchens and Home Improvements.
But fear not this is not about selling anything merely passing on a ‘referral’. My scheme is that you don’t actually work for any one company but have at your fingertips various providers of products/services in order to arrange a number of quotes for your ‘customer’. Simples?
Take Home Improvements for instance, if you look at most national providers you will find they pay handsomely for a referral. You will have to wait a long time for the cheque but believe me it will arrive on your door mat eventually. Of course there’s nothing you can do (or probably want to do) to help things along as it will be completely out of your hands, all you do is knock on another door in the sure knowledge that there are plenty of people out there that at some point will want what you have to offer.
I can hear you muttering all sorts of ‘what if’s’ etc but despite this ‘dogs breakfast’ of a digital world the personal contact is still the best. QED If you do nothing else, read ‘How I Raised Myself From Failure to Success in Selling’ by Frank Bettger.
Now I have been there and got the tee shirt on this one but not for years so watch this space.
Tuesday 24th November 2015
Of course I’m a bit ancient to start trotting up and down knocking on doors again (excuses) but since doing that sales course way back it’s something I can’t let go and something that I know will ‘produce the goods’. There are areas of course that have signs up saying ‘ no hawkers etc’ and ‘we don’t buy anything at the door’ – I’ve got one on my front door but what good does it do? They still come regularly and if I’m in a good mood (which is not often) I will buy or respond positively, I will usually tell the door knocker that he/she needs to work on their presentation skills and develop their RMA!
Talking of your RMA, how about this for a boost. You will find that many of the companies that rely on cold calling, like Home Improvements companies offer cash for a referral and the same amount of cash to the customer if he/she makes a purchase. So, you have a readymade attitude booster, you arrive at the door (or with your clipboard in the street) with cash in your pocket – but only for customers that buy – clever?
Of course life is one big sell from the day we are born but we don’t realise it, you have to sell the idea that you’re hungry to your mother by screaming – right? Come to think of it it's probably the only way to get your breakfast in this house!
Time for a picture.
In case you are wondering it's West Wittering Beach on a balmy summers day when the tide is out - a favourite - despite the crowds.
Wednesday 25th November 2015
Talking of pictures you might like to check out my efforts with the brushes, back in '94 I had a sudden urge to paint - critical acclaim gratefully received. This one is of fields near Fairoaks when I used to fly with my easel and paints bit cramped but I managed.
I flew a bit higher for this one but ran out of oxygen.
Thursday 26th November 2015
Still with my head in the clouds I went a bit higher for this one, I know the blue bits are a bit rubbish but lovely clouds don't you think? Bit unusual to get this much cloud over Ibiza! Don't you just want to fly your Spitfire in amongst them? Dreaming again.
Friday 27th November 2015
Today is Black Friday so I had a couple of glasses of Guinness with two Black Labradors to celebrate - I shouldn't have!
Saturday 28th November 2015
Yesterday's story was true by the way and talking about Black Labradors we had one for 14 years, she was called Kellar and endeared herself to all the family. We had a local artist paint her from a few photographs and this was the result.
Not sure why the artist painted a chicken on her back.
Sunday 29th November 2015
I asked Henry if he would like to be included in my blog - he ignored me.
What's new?
Monday 30th November 2015
He's about as much use as a Chocolate Labrador, sorry, teapot!
Tuesday 1st December 2015
No offence Henry 'We love you madly' as Duke Ellington used to say, or he did at the Kilburn State Empire on 25th October 1958 when Pete and I went there to see him and his all-stars on my Lambretta LD 150 Scooter!
Blah! blah! blah!
Took my sketch book on the tube for this one.
Monday 7th December 2015
Approaching Roehampton down the hill from the A3 there is a 30mph speed trap to catch the unwary which we all know about (don’t we?) well yesterday I slowed to 30mph, or it could have been 31mph, and the speed flash triggered and caught somebody, I shall be very annoyed if it was me. Also dropping off my passengers in Hammersmith for the bus station there is nowhere to stop except on a double yellow line which I did and if I get a ticket for stopping for 35.5 seconds I shall also be very annoyed.
‘Expect nothing and you won’t be disappointed’ - an old maxim that I hope is not true. I can't work it out either.
Tuesday 8th December 2015
Way back in the 60’s and 70’s you may recall (if you have been reading this blog) that I used to fly a Piper Cherokee out of Fairoaks Airfield, well in the Spring of 1978 I took a friend for a ride over Cobham with a camera and this is the result. It will only interest those of you who know Cobham so apologies to my followers elsewhere but among the ‘interesting’ bits you will spot in the top right hand corner Ashby’s Garage (in the round workshop, now Waitrose), the surgery next door, Cobham Ironmongery on the corner of Freelands Road, Tesco’s opposite, the Old Village Hall and the Old Bakery behind. This picture may feature in a forthcoming article in the Cobham Heritage Magazine. Fascinating, I also have a close up of my back garden with Marcia waving an item from her washing line but only on request!
Friday 11th December 2015
Dear Reader, as Charlotte Bronte would say, (I think there are at least 3 of you out there) it is time once again to send the Season’s Greetings; I hope you found something of interest in this blog. Way back I quoted from somebody who said that ‘It is exercise alone that supports the spirits and keeps the mind in vigour’ well, I’d like to change it slightly to ‘It is music alone that supports the spirits and keeps the mind in vigour’ so if you can’t exercise I wish you music. Love and hugs, Bob.
PS. If you want more love and hugs try Toby and Belinda in Ibiza click HERE for something slightly different.
Monday 28th December 2015
I hope Father Christmas brought you what you wanted, I was hoping for some snow - still hoping. Couldn't find any on Amazon! Plenty of Imitation, Magic, Instant and Artificial stuff but no real snow. I don't want to go up the mountains to find it I want it in my back garden.
Any ideas? This would be good - reproduced courtesy of the artist - I hope - you can but hope.
Image of Snow Scene temporarily removed.
Might be copyright!
Thursday 31st December 2015
A Happy New Year to you, yes you, I hope that you find what you are looking for during 2016.
If you have enjoyed my ramblings then I have good news for you, back in this blog I mentioned that I went on a working trip to New Zealand in 1982 and if there was anyone out there who would like to hear about it then let me know, well nobody did! but I have decided to tell you anyway. I have found my old detailed diary of my trip but it may take a while to turn it into a best seller.
Something to look forward to?
Sunday 3rd January 2016
Well I haven't finished the NZ story yet but I thought I would treat you to the 'exciting' adventure as I go along. I do have a few pictures to spice it up a bit but not brilliant quality - but that was 1982 old fashioned film and a cheap camera - sorry.
The NZ story can be found HERE.
Friday 22nd January 2016
My NZ story went viral again yesterday with 47 hits. Some NZ Haka did 13 million! You can but hope.
Thursday 28th January 2016
Today I woke up with my favourite person, had a full English, my lottery ticket won the jackpot, rode my Harley Davidson in the sunshine down the A24 - without a crash helmet, flew a Spitfire up the Mall, had lunch with Tim Peake, spent a great afternoon in Yosemite Park, bought a lovely country cottage, enjoyed a cup of tea with another favourite person, offered a job in New Zealand, enjoyed a pint in the Plough and read somewhere that all our worries are over.
P.S. None of the above is true except that I did wake up (I think), I won't be taking the job in New Zealand and I hope your worries are over.
Friday 29th January 2016
It sounds like a bucket list but not much chance of realising any of it now – you can but hope (again).
It’s somebody’s special day today but he didn’t quite make it – I hope he managed to tick off his bucket list. Goodbye Joe.
Saturday 30th January 2016
This weekend here in the UK it is the annual RSPB ‘Big Garden Birdwatch’. You are requested to log the number of birds seen in your garden over one hour and submit your results.
In our house it always leads to an argument about which is the correct method. Do you count the number of birds you see in your garden? Or do you count the number of birds you see in your garden?
All I would say is that I haven’t seen my favourite bird for a long time.
Sunday 31st January 2016
I do have a picture of my favourite bird but to save any embarrassment (or jealousy!) this is a picture of my second favourite bird. It is a common or garden crow which, to me, is the most elegant, graceful and has the most amazing aerobatic and flight capabilities. If anyone has a radio control crow – I want one. Please.
Tuesday 2nd February 2016
Now I know this is of no International or National importance but about 8 years ago I designed and built a Wendy House for our twin granddaughters, they now have outgrown it so I have recently refurbished it and moved it into our 2 year old little Lottie’s back garden. It is called Dingley Dell has a brass elephant door knocker (handed down from grandmothers Wendy House) has two floors with a stairway and it will soon have an extension with toilet, central heating, new kitchen and log burner. Full planning and building regulations approved. Impressed?
Friday 5th February 2016
Friday the Fifth of February at Four ’o’ clock in the aFternoon and aFterwards at Great Fosters in 1993 was For us a Fabulous and Fantasmogorical day.
A happy anniversary to Tim and Julia and a speedy recovery to Tim (he slipped on the ice in New York and broke his leg). Must have been outside number Fifty Five on Forty Fourth St, probably at Four Fifteen in the aFternoon. F……!
It was * Freezing on Friday February 5th.
Monday 8th February 2016
Fame at last! I’ve been asked to write another article for the spring edition of our local Magazine, it’ll be another story about the history of Oxshott, as being an official member of the Old Farts of Oxshott Club it seems that there are those out there who might like to hear more about old Oxshott – I have a copy deadline to meet so I had better get on with it.
Talking of old farts I can’t believe they can make a TV series about a bunch of old farts trying to survive a few weeks in India i.e. ‘The Real Marigold Hotel’, whatever next? It’s a pity Jan Leeming had to stoop so low as, like many others; she is one of my favourite people. I think she cut a particularly sad figure in amongst so much debauchery and filth, I think I’ll drop her a line to cheer her up.
Talking about TV programmes (if you must) I think ‘The Brain with David Eagleman’ is amazing. I’ve always been in wonder at the complexity of our brains. Who are we? What is memory? What is consciousness? What is personality? What is emotion? He often uses the analogy of a large city at night filmed with time lapse (he didn’t include all those aircraft on Flightradar24 flashing across the sky) and if you can grasp that then our brain is a million times more structured and capable – get it?
I might return to this but right now I’ve got a deadline to meet and an extension to build. Talk later. Love and hugs, Bob.
Thursday 11th February 2016
I am not a slow driver, so I am told, so why is it that 90% of drivers insist on driving up your exhaust pipe? I reckon that part of the problem is that brakes, steering and road holding capabilities of cars these days are too good. If we learnt to drive with dodgy brakes, dodgy steering and bald tyres we might think twice about getting too close. So keep your distance you mindless, inconsiderate ********…….. not you Sam – you can get as close as you like.
There comes a time when you can’t do what you usually take for granted and yesterday for me was that time. After taking Henry for a walk I re-fitted some heavy patio doors having trashed them the day before, I then shifted a railway sleeper single handed (except with the help of 3 cricket stumps) that was before 10am. I then drove 20 miles along narrow country lanes with some cretin up my exhaust pipe. I then managed to expertly put together some fence panels that had been trashed by the wind so you wouldn’t know the difference and I think there was something else but I have forgotten what it was, usually I would remember.
Friday 12th February 2016
It seems that not a lot of people are reading this unlike Jan Leeming’s blog which is far more interesting and readable than this one so if you want to check it out click HERE. In the meantime I’ll just keep busy with minding my own business.
Tuesday 16th February 2016
Yesterday after taking Henry out I drove to Tunbridge Wells via the M25 and A21 with absolutely nobody up my exhaust pipe so obviously there are lots of lovely people out there reading this blog, all the way there and all the way back no tailgaters – couldn’t believe it. Not much traffic. Good visibility. Lucky Bob? Or was I driving too fast?
The reason I went to Tunbridge Wells was to pick up Joe’s ashes, I think (I know) he enjoyed the ride.
Thursday 18th February 2016
Probably nobody much interested in what I did yesterday (me neither as Lottie would say) so I won’t bother but today is another day. Have a nice day.
Why can’t we have a referendum about whether or not we want a referendum? I thought we had decided who makes the decisions at the last general election. Next it’ll be a referendum on whether or not we want a third runway at Heathrow or the HS2 or Trident or a curried pigeon for dinner.
Yes? or No?
Friday 19th February 2016
The eyes have it. Yes I know it should be the ayes but phonetically it should be I’s or perhaps the ize but what does it matter so long as its pigeon curry? I think ‘The Brain with David Eagleman’ BBC4 is getting even more unbelievable, just think of it inside your head is the most complex 3lb of something yet to be fathomed, hopefully never. Think about it.
Sunday 21st February 2016
Think about what would happen if you knew what I was thinking and I knew what you were thinking, doesn’t bare thinking about, or what would happen if we could predict even a second into the future or live a second in the past but we can’t can we? So, it’s only the present that is everything – right? Think about it. By the way it can be bare thinking about or bear thinking about – either is good as Lottie would say.
Monday 22nd February 2016
If you didn’t see the programme then it’s getting a bit complicated, you see Dr Eagleman explained that the brain, in order to function completely, needs other brains to communicate with otherwise parts of the brain don’t develop properly, in other words it needs ‘human contact’, plenty of evidence for that in the Romanian Orphanages.
So the closer we are the better – love and hugs, Bob.
Wednesday 24th February 2016
Just for the record I have worked harder than ever for the last couple of days, evidence is just beginning to show.
The plan is to transform this pointless, draughty, rotten conservatory into a 6m square luxury living space - for Lottie. Watch this space.
Friday 26th February 2016
Don’t you get incensed when you pick up the phone and it’s one of those recorded messages? Yesterday I had one that sounded like my daughter and I tried to engage in conversation but she wouldn’t shut up…………..not sure what to say next except that both my daughters are lovely.
The ‘Brain’ with David Eagleman has reached new visions of incredulity, last night he suggested that your brain is capable of existing outside of the body and will in the future be able to control all manner of functions via electro-mechanical devices but he never mentioned pro-creation. I think I’ll write him a letter. He also indicated that you should be able to buy plug in ‘chips’ for instant knowledge. I needed one of those back in 1961 when I failed my H.N.C.
Talking of 1961 one Saturday night I found myself dancing with a young lady at Surbiton Assembly Rooms, it was a ‘spot’ waltz where the music stops and you are asked a question and if you have the answer you get a prize. On this occasion the question was ‘When is the next year to read the same upside down as the right way up? Like 1961? I won the prize but I bet you don’t know the answer. I might let you know tomorrow.
Sunday 28th February 2016
Yesterday was a day of achievement, firstly Dan (my son) and I demolished the conservatory – very satisfying, you should try it sometime. We both suffer with bad backs but only when we stop doing things so next task is to knock down that brick built porch section, looking forward to that.
Also completed my article for the Oxshott Mag’ which will be published in the spring but I might let you have a preview if you are good.
The answer to yesterday’s question was 6009 – can’t remember what the prize was but I do remember my dancing partner had big feet.
Monday 29th February 2016
A bit 'utchy' today. It’s a word that, to me, means freezing but nobody else seems to know what it means even Google knows nothing so where did it come from?
Don’t forget girls today you are allowed to ask your favourite person a question.
For a sneak preview of my latest article for FEDORA Magazine click HERE.
Wednesday 2nd March 2016
Got a bit bored yesterday so started reading my own blog and if that’s not a sign of something serious I don’t know what is. No doubt there will be a pill for it. The extension for Lottie is ongoing but we are now in a position to hand it over to the builder. Let’s hope it goes smoothly. I’ll keep you posted.
I note that we have a couple of people returned from space after almost a year in the International Space Station; can you imagine what it must have been like? All those sun rises every day – wonder if they had as many breakfasts?
I’ve had lots of requests from people who want to hear about my first job way back in 1955 when I left school at the age of 16. That’s a lie but I might do just that. What do you think Sam? bob@walktowork.co.uk
Thursday 3rd March 2016
Sam tells me that ‘there is nothing in this world that she would like so much as a beef-steak pudding’ so I’ll take that as a yes. In the meantime demolition complete thanks to Lottie’s other grandfather who comes from Dudley and likes knocking things down and building things up, but that may come later.
PS The 'beef steak pudding' quote comes from Martin Chuzzlewit if you didn't know.
Friday 4th March 2016
I’d quite like to write about my first job but that’s all in the past and probably of interest to no one so sorry Sam I’ve decided to write about the future instead, that is if there is one for us old farts.
It seems that for one particular old fart, a certain Mr Murdoch, even at 84 a future would seem to be assured, hopefully. What he doesn’t realise is that young Jerry Hall had her designs on me a few years back but I slipped through her net – don’t believe me? Well my daughters had a toy shop in Richmond just along the street from Jerry and she used to drop in from time to time buying armloads of toys for the kids, on more than one occasion I, being an unpaid porter, found myself helping her with her purchases.
Jerry and I had a few quiet words underneath her car boot lid and she went on her way……could have…….should have……I hope that Mr Murdoch realises how close he came to being second best. Phew!
To be sure (I have an Irish great grandmother and an Irish grandfather) the future for all of us, without getting too philosophical, is a great mystery, even 6 seconds from now – think about it and by the time you have thought about it you will be living in the future. QED. Maybe I will write about the past because once upon a time the past was the future – think about it. So, does that mean that the past, present and future are all one and the same thing? Sounds feasible don’t you think? Maybe we could call it the now because the future will, if you are lucky, at some point become the now and the past is only the past if you measure it in time but maybe there is a fifth dimension which cancels out time and the past also becomes the now and then where would we be? Probably late for work again.
Saturday 5th March 2016
There was a time when it was the now about 15 earth years ago when I found myself with two young ladies wandering around Carmel, California, now we all know who lives in Carmel don’t we? Well this tall guy came wandering up to me and said ‘Hi Bob, would you mind if I take a picture?’ or it might have been the other way around, anyhow I said thanks Clint but I’ve already got one and he wandered away looking dejected and disappointed. I’ve been kicking myself ever since. Now that was definitely a case of the past, the now and the future all rolled into one as if I could kick myself I would still be kicking myself. Just think of it, I could have introduced Clint to Jerry, now that would definitely have been a match. Sorry Jerry.
How about this for an explanation of the problem.
The six-tense language Kalaw Lagaw Ya of Australia has the remote past, the recent past, the today past, the present, the today/near future and the remote future. Or, Tenses that refer specifically to "today" are called hodiernal tenses; these can be either past or future.
So there we have it?
Sunday 6th March 2016
The past is much more interesting – Sam will be pleased.
Coming to terms with having to work, to me, was not easy; my plan to join the RAF on leaving school came to a grinding halt at the weekend interview at RAF Halton when I was offered Aircraft Structures and not Aircraft Engines as an apprentice. Barrack room life also didn’t exactly look pleasant so the RAF and I agreed to part before we even got started. So where now?
My grandfather was a foreman sweeper up at a local engineering firm called Cottage Laboratories Ltd on the Fairmile at Cobham, he put in a word for me with the boss who offered me a 5 year engineering apprenticeship starting at £2.18.4 a week (two pounds eighteen shillings and four pence or £2.92p). For that I was expected to work 40 hours a week, including Saturday mornings. I already had a taste for engineering from 3 years at Kingston Junior Technical School from where I emerged with one GCE in Geometrical and Mechanical Drawing – not a good omen. I hasten to add that I could have, should have left with many more G.C.E.’s but didn’t.
With hindsight I should have shopped around a bit more rather than blindly accepting the first job offered but my input from any other source, parents, family, school, career guidance was non-existent. So Cottage Laboratories it was. They were a part of the Plessey Group and were engaged in experimental under water communications which was on the ‘secret’ list. The facility had a workshop (or model shop), a drawing office and various electrical/mechanical/chemical lab’s where I was assigned to at various intervals.
My mode of transport to and from work was a Hercules Kestrel racing bike which had already taken me to far off places, like Eastbourne for instance, there and back in a day with nothing more that plimsolls, a cape and a sandwich.
So, at 8am on my first Monday morning in October 1955 I was assigned to the ‘Model Shop’ to learn all about cutting, sawing, grinding, turning, shaping, bending, drilling, filing and measuring metal. I was issued with a grey ‘lab’ coat, introduced to Bert, Stan, George, Bernie and Frank the Foreman who asked me to file a lump of metal – accurately. I completed the task at about 3.30pm and got ready to go home but suddenly it dawned on me that I had to stay until finishing time which was 4.30, I never, ever got used to the idea of staying at work if nobody asked you to do anything – a situation which was going to bug me for the next 50 years. Asking for something to do, for me, didn’t come easily. Was I different from others?
Monday 7th March 2016
I don’t think so; it’s just that I was hardly ever interested in my work, even though I was bloody good at it (my opinion). Being good at something doesn’t mean that you are interested in what you are asked to do. Others around me seemed to have a genuine interest but maybe they were better at acting than I. Maybe I was mismanaged, most so called managers that I worked for seemed to be there because they’d been there the longest, could shout the loudest, knew how to be obnoxious or just plain bloody minded certainly not because they had any management skills. I never aspired to being in any manager role preferring to flit from one job to the next in search of something interesting – which I did for the next 50 years.
So, having emerged from my apprenticeship in 1961 with a range of skills in machining, metalwork, wiring, soldering, designing, drawing, dreaming and playing the banjo in the company band I sold my skills to the highest bidder which was a sweaty drawing office called Cotton and White in Walton-on-Thames. I went from £6 a week to £13 a week over night.
My mode of transport had advanced to a 1952 soft top Morris Minor via a Lambretta LD 150 scooter, a 1929 Morris Minor and a 1933 MG J1 Salonette all of which contributed to my failure (just) to gain an HNC from College as I found that fiddling with engines was far more interesting than any work or college. Familiar? Also I had (just) missed being conscripted into the forces as conscription ended in 1960. Phew!
Tuesday 8th March 2016
Up until now I had been protected from the pressures of the ‘commercial world’ but suddenly at Cotton and White all drawings had to be done yesterday, lines, circles and printing had to be neat, tidy and readable and ‘Brian the manager?’ always had a pile of work in his in tray, so no excuses. My printing at this point I admit was amateurish and hardly readable so following ‘a word in my office’ I had the choice of smartening up my act or leaving. I was already pig-headed enough to want to impress this little **** so I chose to impress. I set about changing my attitude and style which was just enough to impress Brian but prevented me discovering a new life free from the clouds of pencil dust. Like a life above the clouds as an airline pilot. Or anything that didn’t involve a drawing board or a pencil – but I was still good at it (still my opinion).
So good that Brian sent me out to various client companies on contract to draw up all sorts of details for of all manner of bits and pieces for furnaces, plant, radar installations, printed circuit boards and even aeroplanes. Now here I might just have discovered an interest!
It’s now 1963, I’m on £24 a week and the old soft top Morris Minor is still going – just.
How about this for a profound ode to the Drawing Office
Arranging lines from A to B
Sometimes curving most times not
Corners of perfection like drifting logs of ash upon the grate
Or maybe letters, endless letters
But not to read
Only nonsense for those to criticise and never, ever see the care.
Wednesday 9th March 2016
The next couple of years I found myself seeking out drawing office jobs involved with aircraft like the BAC One-Eleven, the VC10, the MRCA (Multi Role Combat Aircraft which was cancelled by Harold Wilson), the Gadfly (a two seat Gyrocopter that never got off the ground) and Concorde.
The Concorde drawing office at Weybridge was huge, rows and rows of drawing boards all presided over by George the manager who came to work on an old ladies bike, never looked pleased and could shout the loudest so obviously the right man for the job.
At the beginning of 1966 an outfit called CDI (Comprehensive Designers International) came to town, they were an American company who had won a contract to design the wing for the Lockheed C5A Galaxy transport aircraft. They set up shop in a tower block in Southall called Phoenix House and began to recruit all those who could sharpen a pencil and preferably knew their port from their starboard and the difference between their butt lines, water lines and station lines, although not necessarily.
Most importantly they were paying the magic £1 per hour which attracted my CV. My mode of transport had now moved on to a 1959 Riley 1.5.
I almost enjoyed my time at CDI, the attitude to work was different, it was the Yankee ‘can do’ form of management which was sometimes childish, like the ‘Zero Defect’ badge awarded to those who were never late or never made cock-ups but at the same time refreshing. The aircraft itself was the largest at the time, I was assigned to the aileron which was huge, the wingspan was 222 feet (70 metres) and the wing flex at the tip was 26 feet (8 metres) just a couple of statistics to whet your appetite but if you wish to know more click HERE.
My time at CDI prepared me, and many others, for a move to the USA which I took up in September 1968 to work for Boeing in Seattle on the 747 wing at $5 an hour. The job was a Design Engineer on the permanent staff which meant a ‘green card’ visa and all expenses paid for me, my wife and 18 month old daughter. Forgot to mention I got married at 9am on Saturday 15th October 1966! The honeymoon was a night in Littlehampton and back to work on Monday – well I was on a £1 an hour!
Thursday 10th March 2016
Working for Boeing in the design office at Everett just north of Seattle on the 747 wing leading edge, in particular the VC (variable camber) flaps was, for me, challenging, satisfying, rewarding and enjoyable. I was frequently required to check out design problems on the assembly flight line so found myself inspecting the whole aircraft before ‘rollout’.
Management seemed to know what they were doing problems were shared, we were all ‘on the same side of the table’ and not ‘across the table’ unlike previous D.O.’s in the UK where confrontation and being on the defensive was the norm.
Circumstances dictated that we only managed to stay a year which was just as well as a few months after I left Boeing laid off 70,000 people as projects were cancelled and orders were down. Many of my colleagues were caught out having put down roots which caused all sorts of hardship so we were lucky. There’s a long story here about our time in Seattle but maybe some other time!
Incidentally there was a young 14 year old lad living not far away who was destined to change a few things for Seattle, his name was Bill Gates.
Mode of transport around Seattle. A 1962 Ford Galaxie, ANV 150 she survived trips to Vancouver, Mount Rainier, The Cascades, The Olympics and an insurance write off (not my fault) but she didn't give up.
Friday 11th March 2016
On our return to the UK at the end of 1969 I found myself scanning the Evening News for vacancies and noted that the Petrochemical and Offshore Oil Industry was paying top dollar for designers and draughtsmen. Not knowing much about pipes at the time I sent my CV along to Stone and Webster in Red Lion Square. At the interview I was shown something that looked like a pipe so I said ‘that’s a pipe’ and Dennis the boss said ‘when can you start?’ and so started many, many, many years in piping design offices dotted about London and the Home Counties.
Most of the work I have to say I found utterly boring but the boredom did lead to all my crazy inventions, details of which you will find earlier in this blog also I have to admit that the bank balance was mostly healthy.
In my later stages of employment I tried hard to avoid getting sucked in to CAD (Computer Aided Design) but eventually succumbed to ‘The Screen’ in the mid 90’s and ended up as the inevitable zombie – familiar?
PS Am I Arthur or Martha? And is it Wednesday or November?
Saturday 12th March 2016
Yesterday I sent a reminder email to all (most) of my contacts to let them know I was still alive and blogging/breathing. Thanks to all who replied – glad you seemed to enjoy. Just a few of the responses –
Definitely my lucky day! Much fun reading your Blog Bob, but too much laughter is not good for my open radical prostatectomy!
Thanks Paul – get well soon – looking forward to a ride on your Orkney.
Fame and fortune beckon. Thanks Tim – getting a bit late for that.
Brilliant Bob, very enjoyable. Thanks Maureen.
Would you believe, I found much of your diary quite interesting and rather funny. Thanks Brian – only ‘quite’ and only ‘rather’!
Eat your heart out, Jan Leeming! Brilliant, Bob. Thanks Lucy (Lucy designed my logo).
Bob, I was just reading through a few of your posts on your blog. They are great. Thanks Becca.
I am in awe! Thanks Viv. Not sure where it comes from.
Seems your still punchin’ stuff out. Thanks Mike
Amazing Blogg!!! Loved it and good catch up. Thanks Debby.
Fascinating Bob I had no. Idea you were so clever. Thanks Naomi..
Call me an old romantic if you like but last Saturday was the 50th anniversary of Marcia and I meeting for the first time, it took place at her flat in Ladbroke Grove. I pasted this in a card for her -
1966 - 2016
To my dearest Marcia,
On the occasion of
The 50th anniversary of our first encounter
Which is Saturday 12th March 2016
(i.e. right now, at this moment)
I would like to say a simple thank you for everything.
It is fortunate that, for me, and for many others
That ours was not a ‘Brief Encounter’.
Lucky Bob
PS Would you like a lift to Surbiton?
Had it not been for the fact that she needed to get to Surbiton on that Saturday morning to deliver a brick truck (still got it) for her niece’s first birthday things might have been different because on the way to Surbiton she fell in love with my Riley 1.5!
Wednesday 16th March 2016
When I started writing about my first job I didn’t expect to get through my whole career in a few paragraphs but it seems that that’s all it took. There were of course a few diversions along the way like my last job which was teaching DIY skills to the female inmates of a high security prison near Ripley. All they were interested in was learning about the drainage system – I can’t think why.
Or my second to last job which was a Lab Assistant at Parkside School teaching young lads a few tricks of the trade in the workshop. One task I was given was to get them involved in Water Rockets which I relished; all you need is a Coke Bottle, a cork and a car tyre valve. What you do is fill the bottle a third full with water, pump air into the bottle via the valve and eventually the cork pops out releasing the water and fires the whole contraption skywards – perfectly harmless.
To find out more click HERE for the annual Water Rocket Challenge which is at held at The National Physical Laboratory in Teddington on Wednesday June 15th. See you there?
Friday 18th March 2016
I don’t suppose for a minute you will read this blog from page 1 but if you do, apologies for repeating myself. Just read through it again and the old memory has failed in a few places. Sorry. It must mean that everything’s been said. Except of course if I write about the future, the only problem is that I learnt last night that in five thousand million years from now our sun will become a red giant and then a white dwarf and then a black hole and then a super nova and then a neutron star so unless we strap on a few water rockets to our planet and get the hell out of here we’re likely to end up toast.
Which reminds me, I haven’t had any breakfast yet!
If you do manage to get along to the Water Rocket Challenge you will find enthusiastic teams of school kids, students and anoraks all pushing the limits of the technology. This one (courtesy of the NPL) is only one of hundreds of attempts at reaching for the skies – half of them explode on the launching ramp and soak everybody within 50 yards. Great fun.
Sunday 20th March 2016
Well today is supposed to be the first day of Spring but here in Cobham it’s grey, cold, damp and miserable the annoying thing is that a couple of thousand feet above me I know the sun is shining and with any luck later today a ray of that sunshine will be coming through my front door ‘Gandad, why haven’t you finished my extension?’ ‘Yes Lottie, we are waiting for the bricks’ ‘Can’t you use my Lego bricks?’, now that is a good idea – wonder where she gets all these good ideas from?
Also today back in 1868 my diary tells me that Jesse James robbed a bank and got away with $14,000 in gold. Don’t forget to check your lottery ticket and have a lovely day.
Tuesday 22nd March 2016
In recent years the sight of a ‘high vis’ volunteer’ armed with a speed gun checking your speed in sensitive areas has become more noticeable, particularly in and around Cobham. Known as a Community Speedwatch Campaign, the operative has no powers to arrest but merely informs the police which may result in the culprit ‘receiving education’.
In my mind this can lead to yet more unnecessary confrontation and a ‘them and us’ attitude which, let’s face it, we are all sometimes ‘them’ and sometimes ‘us’, also speed limit signs are all over the place, confusing and changeable.
Technology these days is mind blowing so what’s the problem with speed limits being transmitted to your smart phone, radio, music system, GPS, speed control system (we called it a governor in the old days) and preventing any speeding? In other words control is taken away from you unless you behave. Bit of a wrench I know but you’ve already done exactly that if you are sitting in a bus or train or boat or airliner, so what’s the problem? Cruise Control has been with us for years so all it needs is a slight tweak.
'Speedbird Uniform Charlie reduce speed to one sixty knots, over’, ‘Roger, Uniform Charlie’.
Thursday 24th March 2016
Talking of ‘Uniform Charlie’, why not apply the same technology to all aircraft during the landing and take-off phase? At the moment all speed, height and direction instructions are voice transmissions via the VHF radio which can lead to miss-understanding and confusion due to the variable sound quality, the various accents of all the users also many on the same frequency trying to talk at the same time.
The present Air Traffic Control system especially here in the UK is incredibly, incredibly safe and reliable but wouldn’t it be even better to take out that voice component? I’m sure it must be possible and even been thought about but so far not implemented. So why not? Could de-stress a few controllers as well.
Back in ’79 when I was first required to use the radio in my Spitfire (sorry Piper Warrior) at Fairoaks Airfield, before the days of headsets with integrated microphones, when the aircraft had a speaker in the roof and a microphone hanging on a hook on the instrument panel, I used to drop the microphone regularly when trying to put it back on the hook after making a call.
‘Uniform Charlie, Uniform Charlie, do you read over’........................ ‘Now where’s the stupid *** going?’
Last night I saw a programme about gravity and antigravity, a whole hour devoted to old farts pursuing their dreams of defeating gravity. About 40 years ago Chic and I had the same dreams and we came up with a device which we were convinced would do the trick, even filed a patent. It wasn't until I made one in the shed and discovered that some guy called Newton had been there, done that and got the tee-shirt that we realised that our invention was pants.
Saturday 26th March 2016
A Happy Easter Egg to all who happen to be reading this, which is not many according to my Google Analytics. Don’t forget to put your clocks back, sorry forward – thought I was in New Zealand for a moment. We are now enjoying the Spring Equinox which, if you didn’t know, is the time when all parts of our planet experience equal day and night, in other words that means that the top half is now heading nearer the sun and the bottom half is heading away from the sun. The problem is that if we build any more wind farms the resultant force, according to Newton will mean that the planet might slow down (or speed up), wonder if they have thought of that?
‘Uniform Charlie, reduce speed to 67,000 mph (58,221 knots) over.’ ......................................................'Uniform Charlie, do you read? over'.
Now while I am in an instructive mode imagine this globe sitting on your table, it is 1 metre diameter – quite big - probably wouldn’t get it through the door, anyway at this scale the thickness of the usable atmosphere is less than one millimetre, imagine, that’s less than the thickness of a 1p coin, not only that the amount of Oxygen in that veneer of atmosphere is only 21%. Something to think about next time you put your foot on the gas?
And your question for today is. At this scale, how far away is the sun?
Sunday 27th March 2016
The answer according to my calculations is 11.77 km or 7.29 miles which means from where I’m sitting the Rising Sun is in Surbiton – but it’s closed, it got consumed by fire in 2006 so there you are!
Couple of programmes on TV last night about my favourite person (sorry Sam) Charlotte (Lottie) Bronte including a new version of Jane Eyre, a bit disjointed I thought. I wonder if Jane would like a ride on this, I happened to spot it when I was wandering around Arundel last Friday; it is on my bucket list. Not Jane the Harley!
Monday 28th March 2016
I’ve decided to take the Harley experience off my Bucket List because I’d probably fall off so instead I’ve decided to buy a Virtual Reality head set so I can experience everything on my bucket list, including a cup of virtual coffee with Charlotte.
We’ve got storm Katie battering Cobham at the moment, it’s virtually impossible to walk up to Waitrose to get a pot of virtual marmalade?
Tuesday 29th March 2016
Spitfire Jock flew in today for repairs and a spot of TLC as he had suffered a mysterious accident which left him with only one wing. If you are not familiar with Spitfire Jock from previous blogs, he was a balsa wood kit bequeathed to me by Jock which I made up for Jock’s grandson Tom in memory of Jock. While I was at it I decided to make a chimney for Lottie’s Wendy House for when the Log Burner arrives. Well you would wouldn’t you?
Also today its Pete’s birthday, he lives near Caloundra in Queensland, Oz. So Happy Birthday to Pete. He probably won’t be reading this but you never know. Pete and I spent a misspent youth together in Oxshott Men’s Club around the snooker table when I had hair – not a pretty sight! c.1957.
It's me on the left, in case you were wondering.
Thursday 31st March 2016
About this time of year I start to think about what I might plant in my veggie patch, well it’s not my veggie patch, it’s a neighbour’s back garden who doesn’t mind me whiling away a few hours on his patch. You may remember the sun flowers, runner beans and corn on the cob from last year. Well this year I thought that the old back is not going to be too happy with another year of digging, mowing, sowing, hoeing, raking, weeding and cursing the bugs but then again there’s nothing quite like digging up your own potatoes is there Sam? So it looks like it will be another year of ‘potato city’.
Clawing out a trench for your potatoes is hard work so what do you do? Obvious, .................................................................. and bingo you have a beautifully clean hole the correct depth in which to plant your potato.
Mmmmmmmm! Perhaps there are a few million people out there who might like one of ‘Bob’s Planters’? So, return to the shed, fish out a discarded ............................... and bingo – yet another fantastically useful product that nobody has thought about ready for the market place. Next, dream of fame and fortune. Next, type in ‘bulb planter’ on Google and click on images. * unifom, charlie *. Might be a picture tomorrow, if you are lucky.
Saturday 2nd April 2016
I’m really sorry I can’t show you a picture (yet) as I have had to place my new invention on the TOP SECRET list and also delete part of yesterday’s blog because a Global Manufacturer has requested first refusal on global manufacturing rights. So, unless you copied and pasted yesterday’s blog you will be in the dark for a while. As I said my veggie patch is across the street and during the research and development phase I was spotted by a few neighbours with it under my arm and they were aghast in wonderment at its beauty and simplicity.
PS The above is not an April Fool joke.
While we wait for an answer I was talking to my favourite person last night Charlotte (Bronte) and she said she was having difficulty sleeping as her mind was full of Mr Rochester, couldn’t get him out of her thoughts. I said to her ‘try to imagine dear Charlotte that you are going to have to get up in ten minutes’ of course she hasn’t, but immediately ‘your mind should be relaxed’. And ‘if Mr Rochester is still in your thoughts’ ‘whisper to yourself – got to get up – got to get up – got to get up – just like the sound of the train pulling in to Haworth Station’ ‘slower and slower got ……..to ……..get …….up ……got ………..to ………..get ………..up ………..got …………..to …………..get …..…..…and by the time you get to up you should be asleep’. The only problem is that if the station porter at one end of the platform is shouting ‘Haworth’ ‘Haworth’ and the porter at the other end of the platform is shouting ‘Same up this end’ it could be disturbing.
PS The above is an April Fool story but give it a try.
Sunday 3rd April 2016
It’s very sad when an old friend has been diagnosed with a terminal illness not only that but you are told that she will die at midnight on the 27th October 2016 when the MOT runs out. The problem is that our old CRV, she has been with us for nearly 12 years, has developed high pollution levels and it seems there is no cure. She only just scraped through her last MOT and been running around with an indicator lamp on ‘orange’ ever since.
Having said that yesterday she put in another faultless performance and transported us through the leafy lanes of Sussex to our favourite place ‘West Wittering Beach’. Tranquillity snoozing on the camping chair only spoilt by some fool demonstrating his aerobatic skills in his noisy bi-plane overhead – ‘Uniform Charlie, please go away’.
I bought her to haul around 'Kellar', our Orkney fishing boat seen below on Hayling Island in 2007, you can only see her back end from here but she looks good from the front end as well! Have a nice day and don’t forget to stretch those hamstrings.
I am told by a certain person that this blog is getting ridiculous and embarrassing and in the cold light of day I must admit that I tend to agree with that person so, unless I here (sorry, hear, I'm having my hearing checked next Wedneday, I'll get my spelling checked as well) unless I hear from someone who would like me to continue I think I’ll give it a rest. Sam will be pleased.
Love and hugs anyway.
Wednesday 6th April 2016
Well it seems that according to my Google Analytics there are 56 of you out there who spend an average of 6 minutes and 52 seconds reading this riveting story, so, despite that certain person who thinks that I should be doing more useful things, like fixing the fence etc, I am going to risk punishment and continue to blog. In any case I can’t leave you in the dark about all that’s going on at the moment, like Lottie’s extension, my new invention and Emma’s project to name but three.
Lottie’s extension took another leap forward yesterday, the skip arrived, Lottie helped us load it with all the rubble while at the same time directing operations from her new swing. Her new swing is quite a story, last weekend I decided that her old wooden swing was on the point of collapse so I put a wanted ad’ in Streetlife and before you could say Jack Robinson a lovely lady replied saying she had a lovely sturdy swing that wasn’t used any more so I dismantled it and planted it in Lottie’s back garden – as you can see she is delighted. Result?
Thursday 7th April 2016
In order to comply with Log Burner Flue Building Regulations I have now fitted the chimney to Lottie’s Wendy house so now she can keep warm, plenty of logs available from the trashed conservatory and old wooden swing. Also yesterday, just for posterity, I passed my MOT including hearing check, vision check, knee check and spell check.
I can now reveal to the world via this blog that my new invention is available to all at £9.99 plus carriage or if you have a spare piece of square rainwater pipe and a broom handle you can make your own. ‘Bob’s Planter’ will transform your potato/bulb planting experience, easy to use (just tread on it) wiggle it withdraw the ‘core sample’ and knock or shake out the core. The only square planter on the market. Accurate depth of hole, exceptionately robust (made from tough uPVC), more room for manipulation of potato/bulb, light and stylish. How can any gardener be without one?
You can even use it for clam digging on West Wittering beach at low tide!
I need a new pair of wellies!
Sunday 10th April 2016
Due to the problems of posting a broom handle I have decided that for £9.99 you will get one predrilled Bob’s Planter complete with screws for fitting to your own broom handle plus full fitting and operating instructions plus one Handy Sander (minus sandpaper) as previously described on Page 1 of this blog, postage and packing included. What a bargain?
If you can't do without one email me on bob@walktowork.co.uk and we will work out payment and delivery.
Don’t forget that Bob’s Planter is unique in the market place, it does a job that no other planter will do. If you look at all the ‘images’ of ‘Bulb Planters’ you will find that they all (or nearly all) are conical, expensive, round and all sorts of crazy contraptions that don’t do the business – how do I know that? – well today I talked to a gardener of some repute who confirmed that she has tried them all, found them all unsatisfactory and she is looking forward to passing judgement on Bob’s Planter. I’ll keep you informed.
Don’t forget also that Bob’s Planter will punch square holes or diamond shaped holes in your garden depending on the angle of dangle. It is made from tough uPVC, 65 mm (2.5”) square, 150 mm (6”) long, predrilled with holes for attaching to your broomstick. You had better hurry as its potato planting time. Yes I know that all the books tell you to dig a trench for potato planting but that’s too much like hard work don’t you think Sam?
Moving on Dave the builder arrived on site yesterday to discuss Lottie’s extension; she’s very excited and hopes that Grandad’s plans and calculations are going to be OK. I told her not to worry.
Tuesday 12th April 2016
Well Bob’s Planters are flying out the door by the thousand so finally I’ve created something that somebody else wants (I last used that phrase when my eldest daughter got married) so you better hurry as I might get bored making them – Bob’s Planters not daughters of course.
We bloggers occasionally go through what is known as writer’s block which seems to have happened in Jan Leeming’s case, maybe I should drop her a line. Writer's block is a condition, primarily associated with writing, in which an author loses the ability to produce new work or experiences a creative slowdown. Fortunately that hasn’t happened to me yet but I know at least one of you out there is hoping it will. Well for the moment you can only hope Sam, actually I know that you hang on every word! I have promised to mend the fence later so that will keep me occupied for a while but it’s not actually on my bucket list.
By the way I will admit that I started today’s blog with a lie, Bob’s Planters are not actually flying out the door they are being thrown over the fence by a certain person, it’s a good job there is a hole in the fence!
Well for you guys out there in Michigan today here in Cobham it’s hotter than a snakes ass’ in a wagon rut and later today I will be publishing my tax returns but that’s a lie as well.
I can understand that from now on you probably won’t believe any of this; it could all be lies, without a picture that is. Take that picture above for instance, if I told you that a neighbour had strapped her boyfriend to a sacrificial anode and hoped that he would be struck by lightning you wouldn’t believe me would you? Well there you are!
Friday 15th April 2016
Apologies to Jan (Leeming), she hasn’t got writer’s block she’s obviously been on another jolly to the Southern States – very cultural. As for me I haven’t, but I did put the bin out for collection yesterday also popped over to check on the builder, he uncovered a vast lump of concrete and broke his tool on it which did hold things up a bit but the building inspector wasn’t too worried. Also yesterday I got a call from a young lady who happened to be walking to work in the Big Apple – how fantastic is that? Having said that according to my Google Analytics there’s zero people reading this which makes you wonder why us bloggers bother, I’ll tell you why, a long time from now when I’m old and senile (maybe tomorrow) I will want to know what I did with my life and when I get through reading all this I’ll conclude that I was bloody lucky – bloody lucky.
Not to worry Sam I’ve only used 169mb out of 500mb available so there might be more!
Sunday 17th April 2016
Well I don’t know what the weather is like where you are but here in Cobham it’s extremely utchy again, too cold for blogging almost, so there’s only one thing to do and that is to reduce the heat loss through these 9 inch solid brick walls. The heat loss at the moment is 2 watts per square metre per degree centigrade and the required figure according to the latest Building Reg’s is 0.18 watts per square metre per degree centigrade, I know that because the Building Inspector has asked me to provide calculations for Lottie’s new extension. It’s been a long time since I calculated anything so I’ll have to get the old slide rule out which believe it or not I still have.
Seriously though the amount of insulation you are required to have in a new building nowadays is getting ridiculous. To meet the regulations for this house I would have to clad the whole house in sheep’s wool – very cosy! Maybe there would be lots of other people who would like their houses to be clad in sheep’s wool, the only problem with that is that the price of sheep’s wool would go through the roof and then where would we be? Back where we started with all the heat escaping through the roof – obvious.
Yes, I have become paranoid about heat loss. What I can’t understand is that if Global Warming is really on the cards, why are the Building Regulations inspectors worried about heat loss?
Monday 18th April 2016
Did you see it on TV last night? No, not Indian Summers.
Jumbo – The plane that changed the world.
I was there, that’s me just to the left of Jack Swertfager behind the APU exhaust pipe at the rollout ceremony on Monday September 30th 1968. And if you did watch it you will have heard that a trailing edge flap came unstuck on the first flight, I hasten to add that I was working on the leading edge VC flaps so it wasn’t my fault.
Even more exciting I have now started on the story of our trip to Boeing in Seattle in 1968 so lots to look forward to Sam. Have a nice day.
Image of 747 roll out ceremony temporarily removed.
Might be copyright!
You can see it HERE if you really want to
Wednesday 20th April 2016
Lots of decisions to be made in the coming days/months. Let’s hope we all wake up feeling inspired. Whether or not we make the right decision we’ll never know what it would have been like if we made the wrong decision. I’m fairly confident that you will make the right decision. And if you don’t make the right decision the wrong decision might turn out to be the right decision after all. The trick is not to make your decision until daylight otherwise Charlotte you won’t get much sleep, my only decision to be made today is whether or not to publish today’s blog. And if I get it wrong I’ll never know what would have happened if I didn’t. So that must mean that there is never a wrong or a right decision, the only issue therefore is whether or not to make a decision in the first place. I think that those of us who are fortunate enough to have the choice of whether or not to make a decision can thank our lucky stars that somebody somewhere has made a decision. I think they call it democracy.
Friday 22nd April 2016
Right now I am involved in a battle with everyone involved with Lottie’s extension. Lottie insists on having her kitchen in a place that involves awkward and expensive drainage, the building inspector thinks I don’t know what I’m talking about, the builder thinks the same and none of them can see the sensible solution – except me - but they refuse to take any notice of my drawing so what do I do?................. I know I’m off to Ibiza. Thanks for listening.
Calm down, lets have a look at a few bluebells now at their best on Whitedown.
Sunday 24th April 2016
By the way Henry took the picture of the bluebells from his eye level, he didn’t notice that there was a discarded fag packet hiding in amongst them – sorry about that. No treats for him.
I’m getting on well with our story of life in Seattle in 1969 so not long to wait now Sam. Apparently my article about ‘The Entrepreneurs of Oxshott in the 40’s and 50’s’ recently published in Fedora Magazine has caused quite a stir. I am told by a fellow member of The Old Farts of Oxshott Club (TOFOOC) that it has caught the atmosphere of what it was like back then, it’s great when a smidgeon of recognition comes to an author. Now I know what Beatrix Potter felt like when she came up with Peter Rabbit, Jemima Puddleduck, Mrs Tittlemouse and friends. Beatrix went on to buy up half of the Lake District so maybe that Escape to the Country may be a possibility after all. Some hopes. Just for the record it’s raining, cold and miserable today here in Cobham so I won’t be able to get on and mend the fence, bit of a shame, but at least it will keep the London Marathon runners cool, probably too cool.
Monday 25th April 2016
After watching the London Marathon yesterday, which was very watchable, I got into the inspired mood. I can’t run for more than 11.5 seconds so I tried to do too much, took Henry out (twice), mended the fence, tried not to upset the builder at Lottie’s extension, mended somebody else’s fence, look after Lottie, mended the fence, booked a holiday and mended the fence. The problem is that if you try to do too much nothing gets done properly so take a breath s l o w d o w n…….. and act your age?
Tuesday 26th April 2016 (Early morning)
We've never been on a cruise before but yesterday I found one which went to all the right places at the right time, cost thousands and the theme was Ancient Civilisation's so I got excited and had a word with Tina from Saga and the first thing she said was ‘there's only 2 cabins left’ so I panicked and held a cabin for 24 hours but today following careful consideration and a check in the wardrobe when she calls for the deposit I will tell her to cancel it because the dress code doesn't suit us and if we need to know more about Ancient Civilizations we only have to look in our street!
This ‘feeling old’ theme will stop now as tomorrow you will be treated to a story about what it’s like to be young, vibrant and full of optimism – just like you.
Tuesday 26th April 2016 (Late evening)
OK you are in for a treat, bear in mind that nobody is reading this blog so it’s only for me to read when I get old – nowhere near yet! Those involved may find it interesting. I didn’t keep a diary so it’s just a case of looking at a few old photos and trying to remember what happened. There are many more pictures on the old fashioned slides so I might get the projector out and add a few pic’s at a later date so click HERE and prepare to be transported back to 1968.
Thursday 28th April 2016
Well Sam I was planning on giving blogging a rest but yesterday was such an extraordinary day I just had to tell you about it. In recent years an old neighbour of mine who was Irish and a retired Doctor (most of us called him Paddy) and had a million stories to tell most of which are not repeatable here. Anyhow sadly Paddy died a couple of years ago but not before he introduced me to his favourite car mechanic who used to look after his old BMW a Mr Cooper of Peter Cooper Car Repairs over in Byfleet.
I have, on a number of occasions, taken my old CRV to Mr Cooper for a spot of TLC and been more than satisfied. Well yesterday I popped over again to Byfleet for a second opinion on the patient. On the way there I drove through Brooklands Retail Park which as you may know is surrounded by what is left of the old Brooklands Race Track – a very evocative piece of concrete which in my mind should be packaged up in small pieces and sold as souvenirs and called an APO but that’s another story (see Blog Page 1).
Fortunately I happened to catch Mr Cooper during his lunch break who kindly offered to plug in his diagnostic kit into my old CRV and miraculously discovered that she is not dying after all, merely quite ill but not terminally ill.
I accompanied Mr Cooper on a test drive around the old Brooklands Track, past the Brooklands Museum where you can see Concorde and many other old aircraft for nothing if you know where to go. Also on the way we chatted about old Oxshott and discovered that he is married to the daughter of one of my old Oxshott school mates. How incredible is that? So if you happen to have an old Ford KA that needs some tender loving care you now know where to take it, how’s that for a roundabout story?
Mr Cooper, who also lives round the corner from me in Cobham, showed great interest in all my stories about old Oxshott plus an even greater interest in www.walktowork.co.uk so who knows what the outcome will be?
Saturday 30th April 2016
Finally finished the fence also I can give you an update on Lottie’s extension. After a few inevitable ‘issues’ it’s looking great, drains sorted, concrete oversite done and the first few blocks/bricks been laid. Lottie’s a bit worried about what’s going to happen when the builder disconnects the old cooker and kitchen but I told her Granddad has it all under control – maybe!
Tuesday 3rd May 2016
A Happy Birthday to all of you who were born on May 3rd and a Happy Birthday to all of you who weren’t born on May 3rd ! Yesterday was Oxshott Village Day and there was a good turnout for all the stalls and entertainment and the weather was kind but it wasn’t a patch on Oxshott Fete in the 50’s. Back in the 50’s for a fiver I could get 4 gallons of petrol, groceries for a month, see a couple of films, buy a new pair of shoes and have enough left over for six pints of Mild and Bitter. Yesterday that fiver bought me one pint of insipid beer in a plastic glass – outrageous. Ever since I can remember I have tried to avoid joining a Bowls Club but guess what happened yesterday after I had that pint of beer? OK it was two but don’t tell anyone.
It seems that some of you are having trouble finding things on this blog - me included, so I will attempt to create a contents list with links to all the exciting bits starting with Bob's Blog in the USA click HERE.
Wednesday 4th May 2016
Just realised it’s Bob’s Blog’s first birthday today. Exactly a year ago today I had a crazy notion that somebody might be interested in hearing a story or two but let’s face it somebody else’s blog is about as interesting as a referendum. However having said that I am grateful to those of you who seem to have enjoyed the odd blog. Talking about a referendum, or any election for that matter, as far as I can see it doesn’t matter how you vote so long as you vote, only then will you experience optimism or pessimism and wouldn’t you rather be optimistic? Of course you would so, vote in or vote out, vote Khan or vote Goldsmith, vote Trump or vote Clinton, vote independence or dependence but be optimistic. Simple.
I’m fairly optimistic that nobody will read this.
Thursday 5th May 2016
You see this optimism thing is something that politicians don’t do a lot of. So, today being local Election Day here in the UK I am going to vote optimistically and be optimistic regardless – it’s the only way.
Take Lottie here for instance, she is very optimistic she can make a good cup of tea and get the washing up done despite the fact that her new kitchen hasn’t arrived yet.
Saturday 7th May 2016
Leaps and bounds I think is the term, that’s if you are asking how Lottie’s extension is going. The weather is perfect for building so not a lot to complain about. Of course on any project of this sort the guy who did the drawings comes in for the most stick but after 60 years of drawing lines and circles I’m used to that. Of course mistakes have been made in the past but they have been conveniently stored away in a part of the brain which is inaccessible. Which is most of it these days! Anyhow these latest pictures will give you some indication of progress amongst the construction kit, lintel up for the bifold doors, roof timbers delivered, skylight delivery this week and today the old kitchen is history – Lottie is a bit confused.
PS The alien with the orange trousers on next doors roof is not an alien it’s blossom – I think.
Tuesday 10th May 2016
Don't you get annoyed when somebody tells you that they are going to do something and then they don't do it? Well yesterday that somebody was me. I told someone that I would go along to a Bowls Club and learn how to play bowls, the fact that it was bucketing down with rain was no excuse. Between you and me I simply can't get used to the idea of me bowling balls. I tried very hard to get interested, watched loads of videos, studied the finer points of ball delivery and even tried to understand the rules but I'm very sorry I've decided to take up jiving to Rock and Roll music instead. That’s if I can find a partner, what do you think Sam? I know what Sam is going to say so if there's anyone else out there who can see themselves enjoying jiving with old Bob then let me know. How about you Jan (Leeming) I can just see you and me rocking in the aisles or maybe a spot of Flamenco?.
That’s the problem when you get past it you think you can do still do it but it’s all ‘in your dreams’........... Isn’t it?
Thursday 12th May 2016
In the news recently is a claim that yoga will help you to retain your memory and also stem the onset of other nasties. I’ve never forgotten my yoga classes back in the 60’s when I paid half a crown for an evening’s session and joined a class of ladies in fishnets and the teacher sat on a trestle table in the dark surrounded by joss sticks. It was a type of yoga that required a great deal of ‘relaxing’ including the ‘dead pose’ which is when you lie on your back and dream of sunsets on warm beaches surrounded by mountains. The only problem was that at the point when most of the class had drifted off into ‘nirvana’ the scouts in the hut next door came thundering out shouting ‘who’s pinched my lovely bike’.
Any how this pose is called ‘padahastasana’ and is what I would advise you to do at every opportunity. Of course you won’t be able to get anywhere near it to start with but after a few months you will be amazed at your achievement. You will also be able to remember what’s 'is name. P.S. It's not me.
And if you are doing the ‘wheel’ pose surrounded by ladies in fishnets it’s better to keep your eyes closed!
Saturday 14th May 2016
The best way to get into the ‘padahastasana’ position is to sit down on any chair and lean forward until your head is between your knees, gradually lean forward further transferring your weight onto your feet and then gradually straighten your legs keeping your head between your knees, your hamstrings will begin to ache but hold it and relax, straighten further and relax, straighten further and relax. After a few weeks/months/years you will be like the bloke in the above picture. And sorry about the sexist remark in the ‘wheel pose’ of course it can equally apply if you are surrounded by blokes in fishnets.
Monday 16th May 2016
If you were born on May 16th 1967 by any chance then a very Happy Birthday to you and if your parents are still difficult to understand then all I would say we all have/had the same problem. For instance, yesterday your father had a sudden urge to build a model of the Wright Flyer so he went rushing over to Addlestone Models (which are open on Sundays) and came back with this. Exquisite don’t you think? It does take a certain dexterity to put it together but perseverance and a few expletives will get you through. The original Flyer built by Wilber and Orville must have been a nightmare to create. The motor drives two contra rotating pusher propellers (which cancel out any nasty effects of torque or gyro precession as if you didn’t know) and this model does exactly the same except the motor is an elastic band. Amazing. This particular model is destined to join my cockerel weather vane on top of his pole to impress the neighbours. They are not easily impressed. In the meantime Lottie’s extension has now got a roof but it’s not water proof yet.
Wednesday 25th May 2016
Apologies to my regular reader for the lack of blogging. I had to go to Ibiza again and enjoy myself which I did on occasions but it wasn’t a lot of fun finding my way out of Gatwick South Long Term Car Park in the dark. If you happen to be lucky enough to go to Ibiza and are not a raver then I would recommend a Hotel in the hills that was previously owned by Terry Thomas (a 1950’s actor/comic/wacky character in case you didn’t know) it was his hideaway and now I believe run by his son. Click HERE for more details. Also if you want a rental car you would find it hard to beat AutosMari. I am not on any commission but happy to recommend when I think something is worth recommending.
Friday 27th May 2016
Before you tell me that Bob’s new Wright Flyer wind vane is facing the wrong way, let me remind you that what looks like the tail is not the tail but the front, the tail is the vertical fins at the back and when the wind is strong enough the propellers will rotate in different directions! And if you simply must have one then contact old Bob and he will make one for you. The neighbours are impressed but they prefer not to comment.
Sunday 29th May 2016
I needed something to look forward to today so i planted 84 runner beans, it doesn’t take much to make life interesting! I’ll keep you posted on progress. Also apologies to the neighbours who have been hoping to witness the propellers spinning in the wind on my new Wright Flyer wind vane – I’ll see to it - something else to make life interesting! Also trying to come to terms with Being Mortal but more about that later.
Monday 30th May 2016
Lottie, bless her cotton socks, quite rightly is bewildered about what is going on around her. No kitchen, no doors, garden full of builder’s rubble and surrounded by people who apparently lack direction, vision and cohesion. In the final phases of any building project it seems that chaos reigns but a quiet determination and shared problem solving by all involved is all it needs to see it through. Or says Grandfather who's been here before and admits that even he has been known to cock things up, like yesterday when he bent the wrong pipe and will try to bury the memory along with a few other cock ups along the way, although yesterday it could be argued that it wasn't entirely his fault.
Being Mortal is sometimes demanding but it seems there is no other way. Sorry Lottie I promise to get it right in the end or my name's not Bob. At least we can look forward to buckets of Runner Beans in a couple of months. By the way the propellers on the new Wright Flyer are now spinning in the slightest of puffs. At least something goes to plan!
Wednesday 1st June 2016
Pinch. punch, first of the month..............................
Let’s face it here in the UK we are being asked to make an impossible decision between two unknowns; I saw an inane broadcast yesterday from the Exit camp which would turn any sane person to vote IN. And then I heard that if we vote IN the NHS would have a lot more money to spend on keeping us alive. And then I read a book called Being Mortal telling me that I am going to die anyway so what’s the point?
And then I heard that if we vote OUT then a cheese manufacturer in Somerset wouldn’t know what to do with all his cheese as his market would dry up. And then I heard that if we stay IN then we won’t be able to make a fortune from selling Hovercraft to the Brazilians. And then I heard that if we vote OUT the Financial Institutions will collapse. And then I heard that if stay IN we will be overrun by immigrants but then I heard that it’s the immigrants who will eat lots of cheese.
Thursday 2nd June 2016
Seriously though I caught a snatch of a discussion between some old farts from Eastbourne, of which there are many, and some young students from Brighton University. Most of the old farts wanted OUT of the EU and most of the students wanted to stay IN the EU which I think is a general demographic split across the country. However a comment from one of the young students was ‘I don’t wish to appear rude but you lot will be history in a couple of years and we will have to live with the consequences so what do you say to that?’
I didn’t catch the response, if there was one, but for me that was enough for me to change my mind and vote IN however there is a good possibility that if we all vote OUT then those students may well thank us 20 years down the road – but we will never know – so, let’s be positive about whatever the outcome and make it work either way, so don’t worry and let’s have another coffee.
Saturday 4th June 2016
Yesterday Lottie got a bit bored with all the chat about referendums and extensions not to mention the dust and rubbish contaminating the place so she took Granddad down the swings and let him play on the slide to cheer him up as he needed at a bit of cheering up. She then steered him away from the pub and took him into the church to say hello to Jesus but the organist was practising his loud bits so not very peaceful. However Granddad cheered up a bit on the way back as he found a broken pheasants egg obviously been discarded by a marauding Jackdaw which he studied in great detail and gave it to Lottie to add to her collection of feathers and flower petals. He then collected armfuls of bean poles from Lottie’s garden as she had too many thereby completing yet another day of achievement for Granddad.
Do you like the bi-folds? Lottie does. Is it coming together? Or is it coming together?
Bit of a grey day but the sun should be out tomorrow.
Wednesday 8th June 2016
A ridge of high pressure has settled over the UK in recent days which means that winds are light to non-existent in all areas which means that a hush has settled over the land. You can hear birds sing and dogs bark. Wind vanes, wind socks and wind farms are at a standstill. Yachties are a bit cheesed off and so are farmers who have invested in wind farms but to us old Granddads who have nothing to do it is a time of reflection and watching beans grow.
There appears to be a lot of wind over Europe at the moment so I am wondering if we might import a few bags of wind and put them to good use, what do you say Sam? It reminds me of that old Irish farmer who dug a hole in the ground but then decided he didn’t want it and put in on Ebay and high bidder Paddy came along with his truck, loaded the hole on the back but it fell off as Paddy was going too fast round a corner in a narrow country lane so he reversed to pick it up and never been seen since. Now that’s tragic.
Friday 10th June 2016
Just for the record I have replaced an image above with Lottie proudly showing off her scooter, much more interesting than the new bi-folds. Now begins all the hard work sorting out the shortcomings of the builder, plumber, electrician, roofer and screeder. I don’t mean it lads I am truly impressed. Now also begins the criticisms of the architect from all those who would have done it differently, could have, would have, should have – sorry too late.
In the meantime Grandads potatoes, beans and rhubarb are looking great and his sweet peas are intoxicating. But his back is knackered.
Saturday 11th June 2016
Referendum on the United Kingdom’s membership of the European Union.
Vote only once by putting a cross in the box next to your choice.
Should the United Kingdom remain a member of the European Union or leave the European Union?
Remain a member of the European Union X
Leave the European Union X
I’m not normally a ‘fence sitter’ but after listening to all the claims and counter claims from all the experts and politicians I’ll go with the Her Majesty the Queen on this one.
Thursday 23rd June 2016
I’d just like to thank all those ladies who came rushing to the aid of an old fart sprawling in the street after falling off his bike. At one point as the pavement was heading rapidly towards his chin he thought his days were over but apart from a few grazes and a bruised ego he declined help and limped to the polling station to plant his cross. What a hero! What a plonker! ..............Yes it was me.
Friday 24th June 2016
Wherever you planted your cross you are probably a bit worried this morning but don’t start blaming anybody, it doesn’t lead anywhere. We are all in this ‘togezzer’ as Lottie would say and I’ve promised her that I’ll sort it so quit worrying and let’s have another coffee. You can get a sneak preview of my idea for the future by clicking HERE. ‘Uniform Charlie – clear for take-off’.
Saturday 25th June 2016
I expect you are probably thinking that that video of Orville about to take off for his first flight in the Wright Flyer is pants but to me it represents hope, hope that all the nuts and bolts are done up tight, hope that nothing is going to fall off, hope that all the predictions and calculations are right, hope in his ability to control the beast, hope that a flock of birds don’t get in the way and hope that one day it might be useful. So its hope with a large portion of confidence will get us there in the end. What do you think Sam?
Sunday 26th June 2016
The wind has changed and for what it’s worth, had I been an IN voter, an OUT voter or I was so busy or knackered I didn’t make it to the polls in time I am so confident about the future now (for Lottie and all of us on the planet), chaotic as it is, I have ordered a new front door and booked a couple of holidays.
Tuesday 28th June 2016
If I was an alien recently arrived from a planet populated by headless chickens then I would feel very much at home.
Saturday 2nd July 2016
Bit of a shame they didn’t take all the ballot boxes to Brussels and empty them all out in the European Parliament Chamber and count them there then we wouldn’t have known that Scotland, London, Elmbridge, David Cameron, my neighbour and many others voted IN but most voted OUT. As it is we are seen (and feel) like a DUK (Dis-United Kingdom) but what is done is done and a year from now everything will be lovely just like my freshly dug new potatoes, Lottie loves them. It was all down to planting them with Bob’s Planter so as soon as I have set up a Trade Deal with anyone who wants to buy them………What’s a Trade Deal Sam? Is that when you want to buy some potatoes at Waitrose but you can’t have them unless you have a free coffee?
Meanwhile Lottie’s new kitchen is fast becoming a reality, heroic efforts are being made by all concerned to achieve and yesterday due to Granddads (both of them), hot and cold water arrived at the new sink but more importantly when the plug was ceremoniously pulled it drained away down the new drainpipe and as soon as we get a new door on the new toilet all will be lovely – just like my potatoes. There might be a picture to follow – of my new potatoes not the new toilet without a door! My sweet peas (Lathyrus odoratus) are still intoxicating. Sorry.
Sunday 3rd July 2016
Well it’s supposed to be a time for looking forward to summer holidays and sunshine but here in the UK it’s not so hot and the future for the short term it has to be said is worrying. Looking at it from outside the UK (including Europe) you are probably all thinking that either we are a shining beacon of hope for all or that all the bungs have come out of the hull and we’ve run out of bungs. I heard a heated exchange on the radio yesterday blaming us old farts for the whole debacle which is fine (if you could prove it) but where does it get you? Nowhere. It’s too late for the blame game so let’s look at the problems from the same side of the table and not across the table (think I’ve said that before somewhere) and design the way forward ‘togezzer’ as Lottie would say.
Talking of designing I have come up with a new invention that will solve all our problems so watch this space. (Think I’ve said that before somewhere!}.
In the meantime my chicken thinks he’s a Spitfire and joined the Royal Air Force. The headwinds are a touch stronger but no problem, he has had 7 propellers fitted to his arse for maximum thrust.
