Bob's Blog Page 63
You are reading Page 63 of Bob's Blog/diary/dream/story/journey/novelistic memoir.
He is 86 years old and counting.
He is also very much aware that this blog is of no significance whatsoever -
at the time of writing!
TIDAL STREAM ENERGY
Thursday 1st May 2025.
Back in '68 OIK (Old and Increasingly Knackered) Bob emigrated to the USA. Shortly after arriving in Seattle he was introduced to Mike's wife Naomi. The story can be found HERE. Yesterday, Naomi popped in to say 'hello'. She was driven all the way from Church Stretton in Shropshire by her lovely niece Maria. Lunch was a salmon salad followed by lemon drizzle cake beautifully and kindly supplied and served by Julia. Reminiscing under the apple blossom in the sunshine was greatly enjoyed by Nannie and Granddad. In order to celebrate the occasion Granddad ran up the Stars and Stripes on a pole in the front garden forgetting that Rob (his new neighbour next door) was Canadian. Sorry Rob.
Julia and Naomi dancing in Seattle 1969.
Actually it was outside Apt. 8, 17422 52nd Ave W,
Lynwood Wn. 98036.
It's still HERE.
Friday 2nd May 2025.
It seems that Granddads Stars and Stripes caused more than a little unease in the street. He's decided to seek oblivion (sorry respite) in The Hilton! Much cheaper than Cossins!
Following a night in The Hilton Maria and Naomi popped back for a quick visit before wending their way back to Church Stretton. This time Emma was on duty. Back in 1970 Naomi popped in say Happy Christmas to Emma.
55 years later.
Beware the toe crusher!
Sorry C & B, Rob and Simon.
#Those were the days my friend
#We thought they'd never end
Shame about the slippers!
Saturday 3rd May 2025.
Today it's a #Happy Birthday Dear Emma. #Happy Birthday to you. How many? No prizes!
Sunday 4th May 2025.
Still trying to work out how to add a 'Dynamic Page' to this website. Any ideas? The longest page on this website is Page 1 which is 14,000 pixels long (don't ask me how long that is). I've just discovered that a page can be a maximum length of 60,000 pixels, that means I could stuff it all on 10 pages but that would mean you would be scrolling 'til Christmas. Kiss My Pixel.com! Thinks! It's been 10 years to the day since I started this blog, who'd have thought?
Monday 5th May 2025.
Today it's VE Day. Celebrations for the 80th Anniversary of Victory in Europe. Streets will be closed and flags will be flying. 80 years ago I was 6 and a bit and I was celebrating with Judy.
Taken in
Tuesday 6th May 2025.
In this part of the globe the weather put a dampener on celebrations and street parties, was it global cooling?
If you look back on Page 1 (9th and 20th July 2015) of this blog you will see Young 75 year old Bob growing a variety of produce in his neighbours back garden. Because of unfortunate circumstances he is no longer able to produce, so his veggie patch has returned to the wild. Looks cosy to me Cliff 'n Briff!
Wednesday 7th May 2025.
Don't get much time to watch tele' but Alfred Wainwright's current series is inspiring don't you think? His 13 year plan to write (with pen and ink) seven books about The Lake District and finish a week ahead of schedule defies understanding. So does understanding 'Dynamic Pages' don't you think?
Years ago, Rosemary the Dowser told me I would write seven books before I die. Not started the first one yet!
Thursday 8th May 2025.
Another hospital visit for Nannie yesterday in the Duster was achieved without too much difficulty, although being without the use of an arm and a leg remains a difficulty for poor old Nannie. Mr Evangelos Tsialogiannis was not too hopeful of improvement. A spider about 1.5mm long with 8 legs has just crawled across Grandad's screen, can this be a sign?
Friday 9th May 2025.
Too knackered to blog today, have a nice day.
Saturday 10th May 2025.
Another sad day. Another of our best buddies Lyn died last Wednesday after a long battle with dementia. We met Chic and Lyn in Seattle in 1968. RIP Lyn and deepest condolences to Rachael, Matthew, Rebecca and all the family.
Bob, Lyn, Marcia and Chic
at Polesden Lacey in happier times.
Sunday 11th May 2025.
Old, ancient, wrinkly and knackered Bob is for some reason feeling like a spring chicken. Proof is on Page 1 of this blog, it is now 23,000 pixels long so might be able to get the whole ******* blog on one page!
He also did a few jobs in amongst caring duties. Is it a case of the light burns bright just before it goes out?
Monday 12th May 2025.
A sunny Sunday afternoon embraced by the myriad of spring greens looking for tadpoles on the boardwalk was enjoyed by Nannie. It's behind Ripley Church if you wish to visit. There's another lake nearby called Papercourt Lake with a Gin Distillery on the West Bank which could also be enjoyed - if you are allowed!
Tuesday 13th May 2025.
Back in 1957 Nannie at the age of 16 trained as a Nursery Nurse with The Church of England Children's Society as a live in trainee nurse at St Marys Cheam. Granddad has found an interesting story about St Mary's which you can find HERE.
Beth Linley also worked there at the same time as Nannie and her story can also be found on the link.
Nannie with Jimmy and Jenny at St Mary's Cheam
Yesterday Grandad went for a ride on the Toe Crusher (see above), he discovered that its off road capabilities are rubbish. Talk about an unsprung bucking broncho! OK for Waitrose though - preferably with a large trailer!
Wednesday 14th May 2025.
Did you know that a page on this blog can be as long as 60,000 pixels on your mobile but only 30,000 pixels on your laptop? Well Page 1 is now at a maximum of 60,000 pixels on your mobile. Happy scrolling!
Thursday 15th May 2025.
The bird bath in my back garden is getting well used. Think I might join them. Must be great to be able to fly with wet trousers! The last time I flew with wet trousers was doing a loop the loop in a Tiger Moth out of Fairoaks, it was raining.
Friday 16th May 2025.
Today. it's a #Happy Birthday Dear Julia #Happy Birthday to you. Have a lovely day.
Instead of a World Cruise Great Nannie and Great Granddad (to be) have decided to go and live with the chickens for a month. If you have been paying attention to this blog you will be able to work out what that means.
So, blogging from inside the chicken coop will be an unmissable experience. The last one's a doozy!
Sunday 18th May 2025.
Today it's a #Happy Birthday to Tim #Happy Birthday to you. Hope you like your card Tim - impressed? Have a great day.
As long as I can remember Jackdaws have lived in the chimney of this old 1930's house. There hasn't been a fire in there for at least 60 years so what the hell is going on up there heaven only knows. Anyway they are noisy and are bully's st the birdfeeder. But their flying abilities have to be admired.
On final approach they are always dead into wind, even in gusty conditions their unerring accuracy in achieving a pin point landing with no runway is nothing short of miraculous, I suppose you could say a bit like THIS.
Monday 19th May 2025.
#We're not going on a summer holiday
#No more chickens for a week or two
#No fun and laughter on our summer holiday
#Only worries for me and you
#For a week or two
#We're staying where the rain falls lightly
#We're staying where the mood is blue
#We've seen it in the movies
#Now let's pour on more glue
With apologies to Sir Cliff and The Shadows.
Tuesday 20th May 2025.
If you have trouble understanding this blog you are not alone. Perseverance will be rewarded. Eventually!
Thursday 22nd May 2025.
No visitors reading this blog today, which is a shame because Granddad has some great news. But he can't remember what it was. Oh! yes, he's finished his 499 piece puzzle, let him know if you find the missing piece. It's Trafalgar Square in case you didn't know. If you zoom in you will see some idiot climbing up Nelson's Column.
Friday 23rd May 2025.
If you look back on this blog for entries on May 23rd you will find today is Happy 119th Birthday to Mum. Granddad's Mum Mabel Conway from Darlington that is.
More great news coming next week. Watch this space.
This is Granddad with his Mum in 1940.
Little Heath Farm Cottages, Oxshott.
The cottages were flattened by a bomb in 1944. Miraculously we all survived.