Bob's Blog Page 3
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You are reading Page 3 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!
Saturday 1st October 2016
It's raining so not much else to do except to introduce you to a few dogs who have passed our way.
Judy. 1947 - 1960.
Keller 1978 - 1991.
Henry. Looked after for 9 years.
Urchin in his knitted bathing costume - now you must really feel sorry for him.
Bob and Marcia about to set out on a 50 year journey - at least.
Bob's 1959 Riley 1.5 waiting for the bride outside No. 27 Blundel Lane.
Monday10th October 2016
Don’t feel too sorry for him as he’s about to celebrate 50 years of marriage to the same person so there might be a few stories emerging over the coming week or so. All he is prepared to share with us at the moment is this picture of the happy couple on the steps of Epsom Registry Office back in October 1966. The honeymoon was a drive to a B and B in Littlehampton in his Riley 1.5, they stayed for the whole weekend, so there is a bit of making up to be done. Well he was on a £1 an hour up at CDI – watch this space.
Sunday 16th October 2016
Call him an old romantic if you like but he produced THIS for his bride to commemorate 50 years of marriage, he wouldn’t advise buying a copy as it’s too damn expensive but hopefully you can get a brief idea of Bob and Marcia’s story. The retaking of vows ceremony was special as was the taking of pictures and the ‘wedding breakfast’. There might be a report on the long awaited honeymoon at some point. Incidentally did you see the Hunters Super Moon last night – another amazing coincidence?
In the meantime there just might be some news on the Easyreader and Handy Sander projects (remember) in the coming weeks so lots to look forward to – all this just might be a dream.
Saturday 22nd October 2016
The Honeymoon!
‘Your call is very important to us, please hold for the next available agent’ twenty minutes later – ditto – 20 minutes later – ditto. This was Europcar help centre, Bob’s attempts at two other numbers for Europcar Newquay were permanently engaged and permanently unanswered.
The attempts to contact Europcar were made by Bob in the middle of a noisy and chaotic South Terminal at Gatwick as the 14.10 flight to Newquay had been cancelled. Bob was keen to inform Europcar of the delay.
Bob and Marcia had waited patiently to check in their heavy bags, fought their way through security including removing hiking boots and settled down in a noisy coffee shop for ‘information’ the ‘information’ for flight BE804 was a 10 minute delay ‘More info at 14.10’ – no problem they thought. 14.10 came and went and then ‘Please go to the Airline Desk’ came up – now what thought Bob as he finished his coffee. Sixty people all descended on the Airline Desk all with their own individual anxiety’s and concerns. ‘What’s going on?’ ‘ Terribly sorry the aircraft has had a fault and the flight has been cancelled’ ‘There is a flight at 20.10 but seats are limited so it’s a first come first served situation – this is the number to call’. Immediately all those in earshot dialled the number including Bob who surprisingly got through and secured 2 seats on the 20.10.
‘What was that?’ shouted somebody from the back, back came the reply that ‘the 14.10 flight has now been reinstated for 18.40 and all those booked on the 20.10 will be transferred back to the 18.40 but first we must get you all out of security and collect your hold bags which are being returned to baggage reclaim. And by the way all those of you who have purchased duty free goods have to return them’. Disbelief was the look from those carrying smart carrier bags.
A yellow lady appeared and said follow me but didn’t seem concerned that only Bob and Marcia followed, the other 58 disappeared. The yellow lady also disappeared in the baggage reclaim area leaving no information as to where the bags might re-appear, carousel number 5 suddenly burst into life and surprisingly disgorged the lost bags. At this point Bob had a strong desire to retrieve the car from the Long Stay car park and get the hell out of the Gatwick environs and drive to Newquay instead.
Marcia being a little less impatient persuaded him to recycle the bags back to the check in and wait for the 18.40, OK thought Bob but much against his instincts. Back at the check in surprisingly most fellow passengers reappeared in a large blob causing chaos around adjacent check-in desks ‘Please form a queue within the tapes’ came the cry but totally unheeded much to the annoyance of all those checking in to Bahrain.
A second battle through security, including ‘remove hiking boots’ didn’t exactly help the blood pressure but thoughts of the Treglos Hotel on Constantine Bay were now coming into the forefront of Bob and Marcia’s minds. Despite many irate, annoyed and resigned passengers round about Bob was somewhat impressed that Flybe had managed to produce another aircraft from somewhere to get us all to Newquay, nevertheless thoughts of large amounts of compensation entered Bob’s head despite the plastic cards worth £12.40 issued to all delayed passengers for ‘a meal!’ at any of the Gatwick eating establishments. On arriving at the final check in before boarding all systems seemed to be down as check in was only achieved by interminable button pressing as obviously the system wasn’t programmed for all those booked on three flights to the same place on the same day.
Take off finally occurred at 19.33, precisely 5 hours and 23 minutes late, good enough for substantial compensation thought Bob. Stone the crows a mere 37 minutes later the Embraer 195 landed at Newquay and surprise, surprise Europcar failed to deliver the car. Why? Because they closed the office at 18.30 of course and to hell with all those who experienced problems and couldn’t get in touch. ‘Your call is very important to us???
Bob collected the car the next day, didn’t make a fuss and tried to forget the previous day. That evening Bob and Marcia finally relaxed with a glass of bubbly in front of the roaring log fires at the Treglos Hotel contemplating what happened during the 50 year delay in their Honeymoon.
The flight delay incidentally meant that the pair missed their first dinner but in true Treglos fashion the kitchen came up with two boards of cold platter heaving with a variety of fish, meats and salad all delivered to their room by an efficient young man , Bob tipped generously with his last £1.37. However eating after 9.30 is never a good idea.
Dressed for breakfast the pair ambled down to the bright and spacious restaurant and were confronted with a dizzying array of cereals, fruit, croissants, jams, juices and all shades of milk. A full English plus any combination you can think of is also available. Conversations with fellow guests are usually on the banal side but Marcia did her best to respond to a ‘really’ elderly couple (probably younger than Bob or Marcia) who lost no time in telling their life story, which, among other things was looking after the historic Marconi wireless station on the Lizard, Bob being a touch interested mentioned that he had done his apprenticeship with the Plessey company on experimental under water communications. Bob and Marcia heard no more from their neighbours!
After breakfast Bob’s taxi arrived on time at 10.30am to take him and his Tom Tom back to the airport to collect the car. A young lady at the Europcar desk always on the defensive completed the formalities handed Bob the key to a Hyundai i20 which had an over sensitive clutch, oversensitive brakes but went like a rocket. Bob without Marcia on the road is something to be avoided.
A stunning day weather wise was spent ambling around the local area including the magnificent Constantine Bay. There are of course probably hundreds of magnificent beaches and vistas in Cornwall but Constantine Bay in gin clear conditions with an off shore wind whipping the tops off the towering breakers takes some beating.
Trembroath Cottages
Still pumping 70 years later!
Marcia chatting to an incredibly talented local artist Mark Gibbons on the beach at Constantine Bay, the sign says:-
ARTIST AT WORK CONVERSATIONS ARE FREE.
You can check out his work HERE. He told Bob he started work in an engineering drawing office but got bored after a few days!
Bob's thinking of taking up painting - again.
One of the main reasons for visiting Cornwall was to re-visit Marcia’s Great Aunts cottages in a hamlet called Trembroath near Stithians. Marcia along with her father, mother, Brian her brother and dog used to travel to Cornwall in an Austin Seven back in the 50’s – the journey often took 12 hours or more often with many stops to fix things that had broken and find things that had fallen off. Not to mention refuelling from the on-board cans of petrol.
The old aunts Mary and Lilly kept the cottages spotless despite no running water or electricity, water was collected from a hand pump from a well adjacent to the cottages – it’s still there.
Marcia's Great Aunt Lilly Sophia Lathbury (nee Bandey) born on the 27th June 1871 was quite a lady. She travelled widely in the Middle East particularly in Egypt as a nurse, stamps in her passport, which is in Bob and Marcia's family history file, show that she carried on working and traveling well into her 60's.
The 36 mile journey to Stithians doesn’t sound much but on Cornish roads great skill and concentration was required (which Bob has in abundance) to guide the Hyundai through all the gaps between the stone walls and tractors.
Before leaving Stithians Bob and Marcia paid a visit to Stithians Church where Bob left a generous donation because secretly he had arranged with the Reverend Dominic Jones to perform the retaking of vows ceremony without telling Marcia but had to cancel as he couldn't keep a secret and felt a touch embarrassed. Apologies to the Reverend Dominic if he happens to be reading this.
Reprogramming the Tom Tom for Trelissick House, the next way point on the itinerary, again was carried out with great dexterity. Trelissick House despite its magnificent position was a bit of a disappointment. Guided by the soothing voice of Tom Tom the pair returned to the hotel and once more enjoyed a sumptuous dinner together this time with a spot of Pinot Grigio. Sam, the black Labrador said goodnight to Bob and Marcia on the stairs on his way out for his evenings stroll. (It wasn’t too much Pinot Grigio!).
The final day’s jaunt was decided after a brief disagreement, which you are allowed after being together for 50 years, it was to be a visit to St Enodoc Church the other side of Padstow. St Enodoc Church if you don’t know it is a quirky church with a crooked spire and was for many years buried under the dunes but brought back to life by the vicar who was lowered down into the church initially through a hole in the roof. St Enodoc Church is also the burial place for John Betjeman. It also happens to be right in the middle of a golf course where if you are not careful you will get a high speed golf ball whizzing past your ear - FOUR or perhaps FORE and if you so much as whisper while the golfers are taking aim you will be admonished in no uncertain terms. Bob and Marcia chatted loudly as they both are getting a touch deaf.
Another drive back to the hotel relying reluctantly but absobloominlutely on Tom Tom the honeymooners wallowed in time and luxurious surroundings, so luxurious that Bob decided to nip out to the local pub and down a quick double Jamesons while giving the excuse that he had to top up with petrol. Complete decadence.
A final brilliant sunrise, breakfast and goodbyes to Sam the Black Labrador and fellow honeymooners Bob and Marcia sadly had to return the car and join the coffee queue back at Newquay Airport. Newquay Airport reminded Bob of his flying club at Fairoaks back in the 60’s but he wasn’t allowed to fly 60 passengers back to Gatwick even though he is perfectly capable!
Bliss was experienced when walking out of Gatwick without going through Passport Control. Try it some time.
St Enodoc Church
View from the Captains seat over The Needles but you can't see The Needles.
Thursday 27th October 2016
For those of you who are keen Bob’s Blog readers you will have noticed that he has slipped into the ‘third person’ that means that he no longer writes about himself but he now thinks he is somebody else writing for him. Now this has advantages and disadvantages, it means that on the one hand it gives him a much freer rein but on the other hand there is an ever present danger of fact slipping into fiction. Which will never do.
This next story is in fact fact but difficult to believe. During the recent re-taking of vows ceremony in the cosy side chapel in Cobham Church, which incidentally was very moving for all concerned, there was a lone figure sitting at the back of the church minding his own business and reading his book. He was a discreet volunteer church ‘watcher’.
Following the short service Marcia chatted to the friendly vicar, they both knew each other from many past encounters, Marcia for some unknown reason asked the vicar if a couple of ladies she knew in the past who had been in the choir and wanted to know if they were still choir members . The reason that she asked about these particular sisters was because she knew, from previous encounters, that their father was Marcia’s first boyfriend when she was 15 when they both lived miles away near Wembley. Why she chose this particular moment to enquire about her first boyfriend we will never know. The vicar replied animatedly ‘Oh yes’ he said ‘they are still choir members and their father at this moment happens to be sitting at the back of the church, he is one of our church ‘watchers’.
Incredulity was written over the faces of all. Bob’s children even took pictures of the boyfriend not only that Bob and the boyfriend even shook hands and thoughts of a lucky escape didn’t enter into any of the participants minds.
Bob has no intention of banging on about his old girlfriends but following his encounter with Mark Gibbons the Cornish Artist mentioned above Bob has decided to channel his energies and take up painting again. If you did click on the link to Mark’s website above you will find encouraging notes, tips and lessons for budding water colour artists. Bob has bought a few tubes of water colour paint and brushes and will be seeking inspiration - but that just might be fiction!
Friday 28th October 2016
His attempts so far at creating stunning artwork have been pretty pathetic, there are a few on page 5, if you remember. This one is an imagined scene from back in 2000 entitled ‘This is Where I Live’ but he can’t remember much about doing it or whether or not it was done in ink or pencil. It must have been an 05 Pentel pencil with a 2H lead as he would have had plenty of those at the time as his drawing board days were just coming to a close – bloody CAD and staring at screens all day was something he was trying to avoid. Anyhow he still feels that this is where he wants to live, he’s not sure where it is – could be anywhere,
One important thing about it you will notice is there are no cars, no roads and no aircraft so how he would get to Waitrose in the snow is a matter for speculation. He is no fan of the TV programme ‘Escape to the Country’ but watches it anyway! He would like to apologise for the crap depiction of animals as his ‘life’ skills have yet to be developed.
Sunday 30th October 2016
No need to wind your clocks back if you can remember that digital is summer and analogue is winter – simple. By the way Bob is still waiting for an answer to the question posed on September 6th, . What causes the second tide of the day? If he doesn’t hear anything then either nobody knows or nobody is reading this blog Sam. He will assume the latter.
Wednesday 2nd November 2016
Now old Bob is not one for desecrating the countryside but when he’s out on a hike in the sunshine with Marcia and Henry and he finds an old Biro in the field, which incidentally could easily be swallowed by any passing animal, he decides to do the right thing and pocket the Biro. But before consigning it to the bin he checks to see if it works – and it does. So, in true teenage fashion he decides to make his mark for posterity on the nearest arris rail (fence). Now your task for today, dear reader, is to find the graffiti and report back with the correct location, all he can tell you is that it’s not far from a bench with a view to die for. Your prize will be a Handy Sander which, if you so desire you may wish to sandpaper Bob’s graffiti into oblivion.
Thursday 3rd November 2016
If everything remains equal then by the time old Bob gets to the end of this page the snowdrops, bluebells and daffodils should be out and he will be another year older so something to look forward to – as well as Christmas.
GREAT NEWS The Easyreader Book Support is now available on Ebay.
All proceeds to the Queen Elizabeth Foundation for Disabled People click HERE to get one for Christmas.
Saturday 5th November 2016
Just for the record, according to his Goggle Analytics, Bob’s blog is very popular with the people of Epsom. Bob’s not sure why so any feedback from Epsom greatly appreciated GeeJay. A lot of his old school friends came from Epsom so it may be the class of ’52 at Kingston Junior Technical School – all in their late 70’s now – wondering what he’s up to.
Bob does have a picture of the class of ’52 and he remembers all of the names – bloody amazing, also the teachers who were Butch, Basher, Chopper, Flossie, Bas, Bill, Lucy, Taffy, Doc, Di and Gobbo. Doc was our form master – what a crew!
So if Coeshott, Foden, Gleghorn, O’Connor, Beaumont, Rolls, Evans, Gadd, Branson, Astridge, Goody, Yapp, Cooke, Belcher, Bead, Teague, Buller, Heatherington, Ford, Burke, Palmer, Virgo, Jones (that’s me), Martin and Davies are still with us and reading this then Hi from Bob.
Monday 7th November 2016
Prior to global distribution Bob has decided to offer handmade Handy Sander’s in time for Christmas. Those of you who are keen followers of Bob’s blog will remember the Handy Sander from Page 1 and will know that it is a unique DIY product, made of tough uPVC, designed as a sanding block and to dispense at least 1 metre of sandpaper off a standard 115mm wide roll.
Reviews have been ‘ super’.... ‘smashin’.... 'terrific’....’ I've struggled for years to find a sander that's easy to work with. This is 5 star’ and ‘ why didn't I think of that’.
So, to avoid any more grazed knuckles when sanding Bob is offering not one but TWO Handy Sander’s (one square and one round) for only £4.99 plus £3.50 postage. Sandpaper not supplied.
To order send Bob an email with your name and address and he will request payment by cheque or bank transfer - bob@walktowork.co.uk
The Handy Sander
ALL IN ONE SANDPAPER DISPENSER
AND SANDING BLOCK
Made and distributed in the UK under license.
– instructions for use.
1. Roll up your sandpaper tightly and insert into the Handy Sander with the outer edge protruding through the slot.
2. Pull out a short length of sandpaper and wrap it around your Handy Sander.
3. You now have a comfortable to use and effective sanding block.
4. To reel back in simply grab the inner end of the sandpaper and wind back in - job done!
Monday 14th November 2016
Very sorry, Bob’s sold out of Easyreaders and Handy Sander’s, heard from all his old class mates and girlfriends, won the lottery and put in an offer for his new pad currently ‘on the market’ in Oxshott for £23 million (A grade II listed hilltop mansion of ambassadorial proportions and international specification, with commanding views towards London) – but Henry doesn’t believe a word of it and he just may be right!
Bob never knew Oxshott was that big.
Monday 21st November 2016
Now, if you subscribe to the Newsletter from a website called ‘DIY Doctor’ you would see this headline on this month’s edition. Reg DIYer appears to be the chief DIYer and editor. Bob is wondering if that's his real name!
Getting ready for Christmas
Reg Diyer is busy this week. The family are arriving for Christmas and he is getting ready for a bit of decoration and right now is in the (painful) preparation stage....Painful that is, until he read an email from a DIY Doctor fan, Robert Jones, who told him about his new idea called the handy sander.
Robert's idea is about as simple as it gets but it's effectiveness is far reaching...Just how many jobs does this little idea help with?!
Grab a piece of downpipe, square section and/or round section and simply saw a slit in one side. Roll up your sandpaper, drop it in, pull a length out and wrap it round the outside.
Now we think that's genius; and so does Reg. We would love to know what you think because Robert is considering producing this for DIYers all over the world and let's face it, not everyone has a length of plastic down pipe kicking around in the shed! Is this a good idea, or could Robert improve the design? Click here if you think Robert should go for it!
Bob is highly delighted that at last this is cast iron proof that somebody is taking notice of his inventions but this has happened before and has led nowhere so let’s wait and see. Be positive Sam.
Saturday 26th November 2016
Bob’s of the opinion that this DIY thing is great if you’ve got the energy, a clear vision of where you are going, decent weather, the right tools and somebody to clear up the mess but otherwise another Latte in your favourite coffee shop dreaming about selling all your junk on Ebay for a vast profit wins hands down.
By the way Reg DIYer hasn’t been back with any news or feedback from his article on the Handy Sander – don’t hold your breath. In the meantime Bob had a very pleasant Latte with Lottie on his Lotto winnings yesterday morning in a rather swish coffee shop known as Garson’s Farm in Esher. If you don’t know Garson’s Farm it is a state of the art Emporium which has gone from a modest Pick Your Own veggie plot to a vast enterprise catering for the rich and famous to the not so rich and infamous supplying everything from Artichokes to Zylophones including a million Christmas Trees (already) and if you are really adventurous you will spot a couple of real live Reindeer in amongst the Christmas Trees, probably called Dasher and Prancer but that’s not what Lottie called them.
Also yesterday was something called The Cobham Extravaganza which starts about 4pm when the police close the roads all around annoying all those who are trying to get somewhere and haven’t read the notices, the place fills with throngs of people, marching bands and loud music? All (most) of the shops stay open late enticing customers in with ‘fine wine’ resulting in some people getting carried away leaving kids screaming and urinating in dark alleyways. Par for the course? Bob’s getting very old (and cynical) now.
Tuesday 29th November 2016
Hardly worth a mention but Bob and his old codgers completed another hike yesterday. This time it was an amble in the cold(ish) sunshine to the pub for a large lunch and a pint via the coffee shop. Not much attention was paid to the autumn colours, the view, the wildlife or the ‘points of interest’ pointed out by Bob on the way as catching up on health, wealth and happiness dominated the conversations. Once more the Skimmington Castle on Reigate Heath came up trumps with atmosphere, service and menu choices. Perhaps the highlight of the day, apart from Den poncing about in his golf shoes as he forgot his boots and gloves, was Bob’s attempts at ‘swinging the ring’ in the bar being cheered on by all the diners. He managed to hook the ring cleanly on the tenth attempt to loud applause. Mind you Bob had had a lot of practice 55 years ago in the Crown and Anchor down in Dell Quay so no surprises! Another energetic hike was agreed to take place at some time in the future so watch this space.
Wednesday 30th November 2016
Your first on-stage kiss especially when you are 16 years old must be quite a moment especially when you are the one being kissed. This happened to Bob's grandson Ivan last night in a play put on by The Harrodian Students. Miranda plonked one on him because he seemed to be the only one who cared about her plight. She was Miranda and he was Ferdy in a risqué take on Shakespeare's play The Tempest. The young lady who played the Social Services Interrogator (Tara Zaman) was bloody brilliant and Bob predicts she will go far.
Also to complete the diary for today The Handy Sander has been launched on Ebay so if you can’t do without one for Christmas click HERE.
If you receive a letter from your Bank telling you that their computers have been half inched and it is likely that your details are on the stolen computers then it can be a bit of a worry. This happened to Bob recently, not only that despite Bob’s optimism Handy Sanders and Easyreaders are not selling in anywhere near the numbers Bob expected and if the truth be known not one Handy Sander or Easyreader has been sold, now you would think that this devastating news would send Bob into the depths of depression and despair but far from it. Bob, despite these setbacks, remains quietly confident that all will be well. He’s not sure why he is quietly pleased. Maybe it’s because he is greatly relieved that he won’t have to spend hours in the shed making the bloody things, buying jiffy bags, packing them up, sticking stamps on, taking them down the post office, dealing with the paperwork and counting the money. Instead he can spend a lot more time doing his exercises, sweeping up leaves, watching Escape to the Country and dreaming about making a fortune? Phew!
One of the seven books that Bob will write before he gives up will be called ‘How I Raised Myself from Success to Failure in One Easy Lesson’ there are plenty of books out there teaching you how to do the reverse and Bob has read them all but from riches to rags there are none. So, Bob has decided to fill a gap in the market with his success to failure story which he is convinced will be a none seller. There is a guy called Chris Gardner in the news this morning who dragged himself out of a New York gutter and became a millionaire many times over he then wrote a book called ‘The Pursuit of HappYness’ and now his books, videos, films, lectures are sought after throughout the world. The problem is that there are millions of us who think that we can do the same thing if we could only find the right key to unlock our RMA (Right Mental Attitude) but Bob reckons that the key to happYness is merely the pursuit of happYness which hopefully is a never ending journey – right Sam?
Friday 9th December 2016
Writing in the third person , I've decided is much too liberating , hardly believable so it's back to the first person if that's OK by you. This success / failure thing I've also decided is all relative so I suggest that success can be measured not by how many Handy Sanders you sell or how many hits you get on your blog but by any minute achievement. Like making a decent cup of coffee for instance or banging a nail in the wall without bending it or simply breathing in and out, this I achieved all day yesterday and with any luck I will be able to do the same today and possibly even tomorrow. So what I'm saying is success can be achieved every day of the week no matter how old you are, ask Mick Jagger!
Monday 12th December 2016
It’s highly unlikely that anybody will take notice of old Bob’s blog but in the news recently are further concerns about the poor old atmosphere which continues to take a pounding with carbon emissions, methane and a million other nasties. Well also in the news at the moment is a report about some outfit generating power from cryogenic (very cold liquid air), now when I used to work for Air Products many moons ago nobody could tell me how much they paid for their raw material (air), think about it, it takes a million room fulls of air to make half an ounce of liquid air and they and other companies (like BOC) have been doing it for years – sucking air out the atmosphere faster than the poor old trees can make it and faster than diesel engines, cows and 747’s can pollute it. So there you have it, make these companies pay for our air and use the money for making wind-up phones and computers, and I don’t mean wind up phones with batteries, what I mean is if you stop winding it stops working, think about it.
Also quit using leaf blowers and chain saws and get the old bow saw out like I did yesterday to prune the old Bramley. Have a nice day.
This is my old Bramley which was planted by my father (Reg) some 30 years ago (before massacre) and this is me in 1955 aged 16 at Kingston Junior Technical School (third from the right seated). No connection except that I'm completely innocent of Bramley apple trees, the world wide web, Jumbo Jets, girlfriends, wives, mortgages, children, grandchildren and all that’s gone before on this blog.
Wednesday 14th December 2016
I was just about to take a picture of my massacred Bramley to show you and this guy parachuted in – amazing – he must have been looking for the fish and the frogs in our pond which I filled in 10 years ago, so does that mean he thought he had a long memory but he’s forgotten or has he got memories handed down from his ancestors? Either way he looks a touch disappointed so with one flap disappeared over the hedge. Behind is a mountain of prunings from the Bramley which is hardly worth blogging about but it proves that I’m not being idle. It’s a balmy 12 Centigrade here in Cobham at the moment, what’s it like out there in St Petersburg? I’m pretty sure this Google Analytics thing has got its wires crossed and it should read Cootamundra or Ottawa or maybe Putney or some place. Who knows? Who cares? Anybody? Sorry about the picture quality, not my usual standard.
Saturday 17th December 2016
I expect that you find this blog totally, deeply, completely and utterly boring but compared with a round robin Christmas message we receive from a cousin of mine every year, believe me, it is positively inspirational. Let me treat you to a few verses –
Still here! So who do we thank?
Well, us to be perfectly frank,
We are boring old farts
Who cosset our parts,
So! We’ve still got gas in our tank.
The years whizz by, we don’t know where
It seems we’re just stood standing there
Our bones are steadily getting old
I most definitely feel the cold
The answer? Take more care.
I’ll close again now for this year,
Hope your year’s passed without a tear
We just have to hope,
And still try to cope.
Meantime, Happy Christmas,
And! Let’s have a beer
There are plenty more verses so let me know if you would like to read the rest. And if Sylvia’s reading this I don’t mean it Sylvia, we love you madly. We look forward to it gladly. And it keeps us from being sadly. Next year we’re moving to Tadley. Thanks, we’re not feeling too badly.
Monday 19th December 2016
A very Happy Christmas
to all my readers, both of you, and may Father Christmas fill your stocking with dreams.
Lots of Love
Bob
Tuesday 20th December 2016
Oxshott Woods is a bit devoid of holly this year but nevertheless came up with this after a thrash through the undergrowth. Never fails. Including yellow berries this year - very unusual.
Wednesday 28th December 2016
I trust Father Christmas didn’t disappoint and that you are now making a list of your New Year Resolutions. Mine is not to worry any more about the fact that nobody reads this blog and not to worry any more about the fact that I am now even older than I used to be, but I won’t complain – honest. New Year plans for this blog are well under way – so watch this space – and a Happy New Year to my readers if there are any Sam.
STOP PRESS
58 years ago in 1959, Marcia (Nurse Beesley) worked for The Church of England Children’s Society as a Nursery Nurse. She cared for children mostly from difficult backgrounds and since that time she has wondered, especially at Christmas time, what became of 3 year old Jimmy Nash and 2 year old Jenny Hubbard seen here at St Mary’s Children’s Home in Sandy Lane Cheam. Marcia at the time wasn’t supposed to have ‘favourites’ but these two were particularly close to her and the bond was as strong as any mother could have for her children. I would like to use this blog to try to find these children as Marcia would love to know how life treated them. This may be a long shot but there is more to the story including photographs and memories which Jimmy and Jenny may like to have. Marcia is fairly sure that Jimmy was adopted by a family in Hindhead, Surrey and Jenny was adopted by a family in Oxshott, Surrey. These ‘children’ would now be in their 60’s and hopefully could close a loop for Marcia as even now she feels that they are part of her ‘Long Lost Family’.
Tuesday 3rd January 2017
New Years Resolutions from 1940
08.30 Saturday 7th January 1939 whoops sorry 2017
Not much to say today except I like seeing January 7th in print. Also I am a bit cheesed off with writing about myself (I expect you are to) so I thought I might write about somebody else so click HERE to find out who and be prepared for an emotional on-going story.
Sunday 8th January 2017
Driving through Bushey Park yesterday at the regulation 20mph we were joined by two bouncy young deer leaping along beside us about 5 or 6 yards away, suddenly they did a 90 degree turn and leapt over the car and cleared both lanes of traffic and the road with yards to spare. Now, I will forever have the vision of two colourful young deer suspended in mid-air in my rear view mirror. No pictures or video I’m afraid unless the driver of the car behind had a dash cam – was it you Sam?
Wednesday 11th January 2017
For those two or three of you out there who would like to know the ending to the story about our Marcia please click HERE but don’t forget your hanky.
Friday 13th January 2017 (Be careful)
Good job it wasn’t Friday 13th yesterday. Innocent old fart riding his bike alongside 4 ton truck, suddenly 4 ton truck decides to pull out forcing old fart into the bushes, loud mouth driver mumbles apology, old fart suggests loud mouth should look in his mirror occasionally, loud mouth sees red and chases old fart up the road in his 4 ton truck with grievous intent (tyres squealing), loud mouth decides not to crush old fart up against the wall but instead delivers a tirade of expletives which included ‘smart arse’. Thank you loud mouth and may you be lucky enough one day to become an old fart. Road rage?
Tuesday 17th January 2017
Steam wafting off the old Bramley in the weak early morning sun must mean that the snowdrops and bluebells can’t be far away so something to look forward to.
TTNY (This Time Next Year) if you don’t know the ITV programme hosted by Davina McCall is aimed at attempting to make dreams come true. Davina interviews the dreamer in front of an excitable audience walks across the stage and through the misty door (a year later but on the same programme) emerges the dreamer having achieved their dream or not. Usually it is to achieve a personal physical challenge. I am thinking of challenging myself to make www.walktowork.co.uk work and donate the profits to charity. What do you think Sam? The only problem is I can’t be sure what will emerge through that misty door TTNY!
Another trip around the M25 and over the Dart Crossing usually means, for me, a visit to a care home or another funeral; yesterday it was the latter saying goodbye to Barbara, RIP Barbara.
And get well soon all you out there with colds (including me), flu and a million other ailments. Don’t forget your EFT – it works – honest.
Thursday 19th January 2017
There is now a great deal of pressure in this part of the world to build houses, local authorities putting pressure on the green belt, government putting pressure on the local authorities, action groups putting pressure on the planners, developers putting pressure on everything and everybody. The plain truth is that infrastructure and services are at breaking point already and any increase in population/traffic will lock up any remaining flexibility in the system. ‘Quality of life’ will be damaged beyond repair. And that is also the story for a large part of the UK.
So, what’s the answer? Simple - you can’t buy a house unless you can WALKTOWORK. Next.
Click on the picture to reveal all.
Thursday 26th January 2017
You can't beat having a decent pair of shoes can you? And yes they are Grenson's. The finest shoes out there on the High Street (OK TIm?). Mine are on the end of my legs (which are not very decent) which are clad in my slim fit Uniqlo Jeans which featured on the first day of this blog. The whole ensemble, including, a Jack Daniels on the rocks are being treated to a cosy glow from the log burner on Boxing Day. But then they deserve it, this blogging business is b****y hard work.
Saturday 28th January 2017
And while I was warming my Grenson’s in front of the log burner (or lock burner as Lottie would say) I was musing about the time way back in the early 60’s when I used to play the guitar in various groups of like-minded ‘musicians’ and dreamers. Avid readers of this blog might remember that one of those groups was a quartet we called The Clancy Brothers (not the real Clancy Brothers). We used to play Irish folk songs in various pubs and clubs in and around Putney, anyway, our lead singer, who was a bit of a cool dude and went by the name of Tony Bowman who, would you believe, I’ve just discovered that he is now, at the age of 80, a champion hurdler and sprinter and holds a number of world records, talk about impressed. I’ve now decided to take up sprinting in my Grenson’s – could be a new sport Tim! What do you think? Check out Tony HERE.
Sunday 29th January 2017
I guess the highlight for me back in the swinging 60’s playing with the folk group was when the four of us (Tony. Dave, John and me - could have been the fab four!) were invited to a folk club in an atmospheric underground crypt beneath an hotel in the middle of Oxford frequented by undergraduates from all the Colleges roundabout. We were playing as second on the bill to a renowned American banjo player but for the life of me I can’t remember his name. Anyhow at the end of the evening we were invited in to one of the undergraduate’s rooms in Brasenose College for a sing song and a final rendition of Where Have All the Flowers Gone. And for the first, and only time, I got a whiff of what learning was all about, what it was like to be in a University surrounded by books, the overpowering incense of knowledge, what could have been, what could I have achieved? Could have, would have, should have, don’t go there. Any way the heady time wasn’t to last long as midnight came and went, the main gate and doors were locked and we had to exit feet first through the security bars on the window, drop down on to the street below followed by three guitars and a banjo. An ignominious end to my time in University! How the hell we got home Heaven only knows.
Thursday 2nd February 2017
Ever since I can remember we have had a piano in the house so you might think that I should be able to play, well I can string together a few chords and the odd one fingered melody which sounds a bit like Errol Garner at times, without the grunting. I also know that there is at least one of you out there who loves to hear me play, especially if we both have had a dram or two. Also I have been known to bang out a few numbers on a few pianos’ in various hotels while on a Saga Tour around Italy much to the delight of most fellow travellers but much to the embarrassment of others. So in order to prove I can play I am going to post a clip on YouTube so you can judge for yourself. But not yet. I’ve got to practice first. In the meantime I’ve got to get some fish as here in Cobham its fish on Thursdays (not Fridays) as Jimmy the Fish from Lowestoft arrives with his van load of cod, and Lottie loves cod. Sorry.
Sunday 5th February 2017
A Happy Anniversary to all those celebrating their wedding anniversary today.
Apart from that last night I saw a film via Netflix called Brooklyn which, is about a beautiful young Irish girl emigrating to the States in the 50’s. It re-awakened passions which I thought I’d forgotten about also passions which I thought I never had. Suffice to say that I’ve fallen in love with Saoirse (pronounced Sursha) Ronan who plays Eilis (pronounced Aelish) Lacey. Sorry Sam.
Apart from that it also re-awakened my old passion/desire to go to the United States however; bit of a shame, but the guy throwing his toys about in the Oval Office is a bit of a worry so maybe I’ll check to see if I’m an undesirable alien first.
Now I know it’s not very nice thinking about old wrinklies having passions and desires but one day, with any luck, you will be an old wrinkly and you will find that passions and desires increase exponentially with age, that means that every day you get 10 times more passionate and desirous than you were yesterday – and 100 times more incapable!
I’m not sure how passionate you are about Streetlife in your area but here in Cobham it certainly raises the blood pressure occasionally. Today a lady is seeking recommendations for a Nursery place for her unborn child and so far she has received no recommendations, so let’s hope the poor little mite doesn’t have to go to nursery before he/she can walk and preferably never. Too many poor little mites being rushed off to Nursery these cold dark mornings, no hats, gloves, scarves etc etc etc Yes I know you need the money but in my view no child should go to Nursery unless the child chooses to. Calm down you wrinkly old sod - I didn’t used to be so passionate - honest.
The good news today is that we have found Jenny (see above) amazingly after 58 years we have found Jenny and she’s lovely and if she’s reading this Marcia and I look forward to another chat or two. It’s quite a story – quite a story. But I promise I won’t blog about it.
Wednesday 8th February 2017
As predicted at the top of this page the snowdrops are out and the bluebells and daffodils are not far behind also as predicted I’m a year older so can’t complain. However, sadly, still not a snowflake to be seen so it looks like I’ll have to import another couple of buckets of snow from Ottawa – last year’s order did arrive but I wasn’t able to make any snowballs – only a cup of tea, so this year Mac and Judy over there in Ottawa you’d better pop a couple of ice cubes in with it.
Back in the mid 50’s Mac and I used to work at the Cottage Laboratories here in Cobham which, you may be interested to know Mac (I know you are reading this – love to Judy), is now a vast office complex and destined to be a vast school very shortly, next door is a vast complex known as The Cobham Curve and opposite is a another vast school known as the ACS (The American Community School) and there are plans to build a vast amount of houses in the vicinity just to add to the chaos. The poor old traffic lights at the junction of Fairmile Lane are going to have their work cut out dealing with the vast increase in traffic. You can see it all on your Google Maps and if you look closely you will see a section of the old Portsmouth Road, now called Lakewood Car Park, which is preserved for posterity and reminds me of our old bangers that might hit 55mph downhill provided the crankshaft didn’t break or the slack in the steering didn’t send the lot into the ditch and heaven help those in the way as the old cable brakes hadn’t a hope in hell of stopping the beast. Happy Days?
This section of the old Portsmouth Road used to be known as ‘Missile Mile’ as many windscreens were mysteriously shattered back in the 50’s; the culprit firing ice bullets was never found! Also this morning when walking Henry from that car park some inconsiderate s***bags had fly tipped their junk (again) blocking the doggie walkers trail but inconsiderate s***bags wasn’t the term used by fellow doggie walkers.
Before I stop reminiscing about Cottage Laboratories in the 50’s I’ll treat you to a picture of ‘The Centre Liners’ which were the Cottage Laboratories Band, obviously the guy on the left with the banjo has just played a bum note as the others including Alan Seager on the drums, Reg Hall on trumpet and Phil Appleyard with the ‘tache and violin have all stopped to have their picture taken.
Sunday 12th February 2017
Well it’s a bit cold, grey and even a few snowflakes here in Cobham at the moment so I decided to toast a slice of bread in front of the fire just like we used to do. It’s on the end of my brass toasting fork which I bought some years ago at Widecombe Fair, that’s where Bill Brewer, Jan Stewer, Peter Gurney, Peter Davy, Dan’l Whiddon, Harry Hawk, Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all climbed aboard Tom Pearce’s old grey mare which promptly took sick and died, well I should think so – poor little sod. Anyway the toast was great, the corner did get a bit burnt but it tasted and smelt just it like it used to do in front of the range in my old Grandparents sitting room up in 21 Harrison Terrace, Darlington. My old Grandad used to sit there in his waistcoat, watch chain dangling from his waistcoat pocket smoking his pipe and listening to Ray’s a Laugh on the radio. Probably dreaming about his murky past over in Belfast, apparently he was a bit of a philanderer and a gambler but thankfully yours truly is none of those things – yet.
21 Harrison Terrace is indelibly etched on my memory as I spent some time there in the 40’s and 50’s; it’s still there but hopefully without the outside toilet and the tin bath. Harrison Terrace was one of hundreds of terraces in Darlington, rows and rows of them just like Coronation Street except the accent was the soft distinctive Durham lilt sandwiched between the Geordie and the Yorkshire. I even went to school there, played in 'The Dene', rode the trolley buses, went to ‘the pictures’ and spent a few weeks in the isolation ward with Scarlet Fever so you might think I should have that jolly Durham accent, well I do but it has a bit of Oxshott thrown in for good measure.
Visiting my mother’s brother’s and sister’s was the best bit. There was Tom and Madge with their children Sylvia and Mike over in Skinningrove. They lived in a similar house but surrounded by coal pits, slag heaps and continuous overhead ‘cable cars’ carrying the slag up the hill. At the bottom of the hill were a hundred steam engines shunting wagons 24/7 so all in all a great place for growing up in!
Then there was Bill and Alice with their son Ian all the way over the border into Yorkshire. A jolly, chatty bus ride, which was great in the snow as the bus would slither all the way down Gilling Bank deftly ‘controlled’ by the driver, some hopes, usually arriving sideways in Gilling West. Gilling West straddled The Gilling Beck where the trout would lurk in the shallows in the Spring, but you had about as much chance of catching one as Buzzy Boogle (Uncle Bill’s little Border Terrier) catching a rabbit up on the moor. The highlight for me was a ride in Uncle Bill’s Ford Popular over to the Lakes stopping off for lunch at the best Hotel in Reeth where I had the choice of the whole menu ‘Let t’ lad have whatever he wants’ I chose Beans on Toast - burnt of course.
The log burner above is in Chiswick this open fire is in Cobham but don't worry its smokeless coal, smokeless sticks and smokeless bread.