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.
Saturday 24th May 2025.
OK Bob is feeling very nostalgic at the moment. He is having a discussion with an old childhood friend John from Redwood, California. He emigrated there in the 60's. They have been reminiscing about their time when they were 14 in the ATC (Air Training Corps) together. Their shared fascination with flying continued at Fairoaks Airfield in the mid 60's. Bob learnt to fly in aeroplanes and John learnt to jump out of aeroplanes. He is still skydiving when he gets the chance!
Anyway, if you are reading this John take a look at this https://www.ltfc.org.uk/history especially the videos.
About 15 years ago, when OK Bob was only 70 he joined The London Transport Flying Club and tried to remember how to fly. He couldn't see the dashboard, couldn't hear Air Traffic Control and forgot the chocks! He's going to have another go next week! You think he's joking?
Not to be left out Nannie is also reminiscing about her early nursing days. You probably haven't got time to read THIS but Granddad has added a few pictures at the end.
Monday 26th May 2025.
I you'd have been working on an idea for around 70 years and The Director, Centre for Marine Sustainability at Southampton Solent University wished you 'continued success with this exciting initiative' how would you feel?
If you have been working on how to avoid a Care Home for 86 years and options were running out, how would you feel?
Would 'success' with question 1 solve question 2?
It's Bank Holiday Monday so enjoy.
Granddad enjoyed and survived a game of baseball and flying his kite with Lottie in the park. He also avoided being electrocuted when his mower blade sliced through the cable, but don't tell anybody. Lightening reactions!
Wednesday 28th May 2025.
Dear Reader,
Today, OK Bob has decided he is unable to carry on thinking, so, he has decided to carry on waiting.
With love and hugs,
Old and Knackered Bob.
Thursday 29th May 2025.
Today was a very special day for dear old disabled Nannie. She received a very touching letter from The Church of England Children's Society thanking her for her work and lifelong dedication to supporting children together with a card signed by all the team at the charities supporters head office in Banner Street EC1.
Saturday 31st May 2025.
As a reward for Nannie OK Bob took her for a wheelchair ride in the sunshine around Cobham High Street. They noticed that there were many empty shops, trendy coffee shops, restaurants and boutiques that were changing hands fast. Had they all made their fortunes and buggered off? Or couldn't they afford the rent? Either way keeping up with the changes on WalktoWork is not easy.
You would think that after 30 years of WalktoWork the owner of the website would give it up as a lost cause and put his feet up!
Sunday 1st June 2025.
Today's blog can be found at the end of THIS page of the blog. You might need your hankie!
Despite all the pressures of being a 24/7 carer and buggering up the boiler thermostat the writer of this blog is feeling surprisingly bouncy today. How can that be?
Tuesday 3rd June 2025.
Is it because he's organised a trip from Fairoaks to see if he can remember how to fly a plane? Is it because he's decided to re-visit The Sun Inn, Dunsfold Village and sit on a bench and do 'absolutely nothing'? Or is it because he's got an original of Wally Lott's Cottage? If you can work that one out there's a prize. You can see a picture of the bench on Page 16 (Friday 13th October 2016). Riveting reading.
Wednesday 4th June 2025.
Dear Reader,
Wishing you a wonderful day ahead!
Bob.
Thursday 5th June 2025.
This could be another long story.
Yesterday. Your FOB (your Favourite Old Blogger) applied for a job with a Danish Company who build the largest wind turbines in the world, they are also developing even larger floating offshore wind turbines. If you watch Simon Reeve's current series on iPlayer where he is touring around Scandinavia you will see them. The size of the engineered components are in the OMG category. Your FOB received the above automatic response from his email. It made him very emotional. The company don't know it yet but they will be switching from wind power to surface tidal stream power soon. Your FOB dreams a lot!
Friday 6th June 2025.
Your FOB made a mistake last Tuesday. It should have been Willy Lott's Cottage and not Wally Lott's Cottage. As you probably know it features on 'The Hay Wain' by John Constable. It might feature again soon on this blog. Might!
Sunday 8th June 2025.
I don't suppose you can work out what's going on here. Grandad has put the bird feeder on the floor, inside a cage and inside another cage and tied it to a tree. He's finally cracked the problem of Percy the pigeon and his mates raiding the tits and sparrows breakfast. Percy walks round and round the tree all day long trying to find a way in. Great entertainment!
Following a fruitless chat about surface tidal stream energy with Florent from France over a coffee in The Bear last week Grandad has received an invitation to The University of Brighton Advanced Engineering Centre. Could be interesting. You didn't think it was going anywhere did you? Neither did Grandad! Watch this space.
Tuesday 10th June 2025.
Cheesed off with scrolling? We're only at 15,000 pixels long, plenty more pixels to go!.
Yesterday I took a walk in the woods with the badgers, today I shall take another walk in the woods. Bit of a shame but poor old Nannie can't walk in the woods but there is still hope.
The competition for today is think of a catchy name for Surface Tidal Stream Energy, the prize is a ride in the back of my plane.
Question. Today the government announced a £14 billion spend of your money to develop the Sizewell C Nuclear Energy Plant. Henrik Stiesdal reckons he can supply 10 times what we need from wind power and I reckon I can supply 100 times what we need from tidal power. Are you OK with that?
Thursday 12th June 2025.
Today, it is Happy Birthday to Dan, he likes to fly!
Friday 13th June 2025. (Unlucky for some.)
But lucky if you've got Old and Knackered Bob as a 24/7 carer. He never thought e would end up doing this job but what would would he do otherwise? Get a job at Brighton University working at The Advanced Engineering Centre? Live in a luxury apartment on the top of a 15 story block on Brighton sea front? Jive every night at Butlins Ocean Hotel? Live on a yacht in Brighton Marina? Stagger around The Lanes getting ratted every night? Borrow a Spitfire from Shoreham Airport up the road and fly inverted at zero feet along Eastbourne Seafront? Sky Dive from Beachy Head? Or watch Percy walk round the bird feeder all day long?
Saturday 14th June 2025.
Talking about bucket lists, in the summer of '62 your favourite old blogger had an MG two-seater Sports Car and his mate Tich had a brand new BSA 250 motorbike and a pregnant wife. His wife was having a bit of trouble riding pillion. So, they swapped modes of transport for a couple of months and your FOB breezed around the country lanes on his Beezer 250 with no crash helmet, only cheese cutter. He's never ridden a motor cycle since. Just a thought!
Your FOB starts his new job at The Advanced Engineering Centre at The University of Brighton next Friday. Not a thought!
Sunday 15th June 2025.
If you are lucky enough to be a father, it's your day today. You would think that fathers who are nearer ninety than eighty would put their feet up and quit dreaming about the future wouldn't you? What was that? Quit blogging? Brian and Mary from Mississauga popped in for a read yesterday to see if the old blogger was still with us, so it can be useful. Hope you are OK Brian. Just to let you know that I'm talking to John your old neighbour in No.13. He's in California, we're organising a new plaque for Brown's Bench on Brown's Corner. Watch this space.
Monday 16th June 2025.
Patrick popped round today to perform his Cranio Sacral magic on Nannie. No sign of any results yet but there is always hope. OK Bob reckons he could do that. He's quite cheap!
Tuesday 17th June 2025.
Dear Reader,
Welcome back by the way to returning readers. This old blogger has been blogging for over 10 years and he's been fiddling around with www.walktowork.co.uk for more than 30 years, way before mobiles were invented. So, most of these pages are designed for greenscreens and not mobiles (or cell phones John) but the good news is that despite his lack of brain cells he is slowly but surely redesigning all the pages and although he says it himself is doing a great job.
He must also have done a great job on his Amazing Proposal for Extracting Energy from Surface Tidal Streams as his upcoming trip to The Advanced Engineering Centre at he University of Brighton to discuss testing the idea in their testing tanks will be quite interesting don't you think? He plans to blog about his experiences which will be riveting reading, if he survives. He couldn't have done it without you and Angel Radio!
With loadsa love and hugs,
Bob.
Wednesday 18th June 2025.
Yesterday Dr Nicola hit me with another few squirts of liquid nitrogen at -196 degrees C. Don't forget your Factor 50, it wasn't available in 1959 in the South of France. Only Ambre Solaire or chip fat. Picture of Grandfather in The South of France to follow, if you're lucky!
Thursday 19th June 2025.
Not a pretty sight but you should see it now!
Today's blog is coming from a rather special place near Rye. Nannie and Granddad are on holiday for a few days courtesy of their Chief Angel who is prepared to put up with a couple of old wrinklies and their pains, problems, pills and potions. To describe the situation would take a month but being surrounded by the sound of sheep shouting in the sunshine (if you can say it) will suffice.
The sunsets are to die for.
Friday 20th June 2025.
The journey for young and sprightly 86 year old Bob today took him from Rye Station up and down hills, stairs, elevators and lifts to The Advanced Engineering Centre at The University of Brighton to meet Dr Cliff, Dr Simon and Robotic Ron. Between them and next year's MEng Students they will 'change the world'. No question.
Rye Station.
Surface Tidal Stream Testing Tanks.
Robotic Ron and his dog.
Sunday 22nd June 2025.
The task for OK Bob now is to achieve 'Proof of Concept' or TRL 3, that means Technical Readiness Level 3 or analytical and experimental critical function and/or characteristic proof-of concept. Is that clear? Easy peasy. Loud claps of thunder and lightening are echoing around OK Bob's laptop as he writes. Is this a sign?
Monday 23rd June 2025.
Let's face it getting old is a pain in the ****, endless 'appointments' checking on all your organs, endless waiting for pills and potions, endless worrying about what might be the next thing that gives out but what's the alternative?
Sorry? Didn't quite catch that. Something about breath?
It's being so cheerful (and dreaming) that keeps us going. Right Mrs G? Gotta go now just changing the world again.
Tuesday 24th June 2025.
Young Bob's stimulating, conducted tour around The Advanced Engineering Centre at The University of Brighton last Friday included a visit to The Machine Shop and Metal Work Shop. It reminded him of his first day at work in September 1955, 70 ******* years ago. It also reminded him of the wood and metalwork classes at Kingston Junior Technical School. It also reminded him of the woodwork class at St Andrew's Secondary School Cobham 75 ******* years ago. You will have to guess what he's thinking!
Talking about waiting, we will now have to wait until September to find out if any of the new intake of MEng students will take up the challenge to prove Bob's Theory of Surface Tidal Stream Energy set by Dr's Cliff, Chris and Simon. One of the challenges last year was to 'Optimise the Design of a Commercially Viable Bamboo Bike' no contest!
PS He's thinking he will be moving to Brighton! An extremely knackered 24/7 carer needs to 'have a dream'.
Brighton Marina (to be).
Quite stylish for 1964 don't you think?
So was the photographer!
Wednesday 25th June 2025.
Or was it 1965? You'll forgive OIFW (Old and Increasingly Forgetful and Wobbly) Bob from dreaming, he's beginning to think that his endless quest to make a fortune from his crazy ideas and continual dreams of wanting to change the world are merely a symptom of some other disease. Any ideas?
Yesterday the jolly Dr Stephen sliced another rasher off of his back so let's hope it's cured. Sounds a touch unsavoury?
Love and hugs,
Bob.
Thursday 26th June 2025.
Old, Young, Knackered, Wobbly Bob, call him what you like, has been awarded £300 for being a dedicated 24/7 carer by The Surrey Independent Living Charity. He is required to spend it on 'a dream respite break'. Any ideas? He will require a receipt. Another night in Brighton? A couple of tickets to The Prom's? He has a year to spend it.
Maybe a week of 'quiet time' watching the geraniums grow with a £300 bottle of Chianti would be best!
Friday 27h June 2025.
Let's face it staying awake for anything when you are well into care home material is difficult but perseverance is the name of the game. Right?
Saturday 28th June 2025.
If you scroll back to Sunday 15th June you were asked to 'watch this space', the reason is this :-
Old Bob has once more successfully completed a mission to produce a new plaque for 'Brown's Memorial Bench' in Oxshott Woods. It will be fitted by Old Bob with his new screwdriver later next week at an appropriate ceremony attended by Mike, our local historian, Adele, the new owner of Brown's Cottage and John from California by video link.
John is part of the Brown family and organised the installation of the bench some years ago. All are welcome to attend. Date and time to be announced later. If you need transport you only have to ask. A conducted tour of Oxshott Woods, The Oxshott Village Sign, Bob's birth place, bomb shelters, The Brick Pit and The Brambles for 'Old Tyme's' sake will also be available. Not to be missed!
Sunday 29th June 2025.
It's 29° C today in my back garden, that's 84° F in old money. It'll be 30°C on 30th and 31°C on 31st. Too hot to blog. Stay cool.
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