Bob's Blog Page 64
You are reading Page 64 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
Tuesday 1st July 2025
Having survived the war, survived 10 years of school and 70 years of work this old blogger thought retirement would be something to look forward to. Perhaps it will be!
Despite all his complaining, lack of sleep, aching limbs and the searing heat OKB is quite bouncy today.
It's #Summertime #And the livin' is easy ~ Sort of.
Wednesday 2nd July 2025.
OK Bob would like to thank his regular reader(s) for persevering. It can't be easy reading about Oxshott all the time but you will appreciate that this blogger's braincell is full of little else. For instance, yesterday he found himself flying over Oxshott looking in the back gardens of the rich and famous. How can that be? You may well ask. You can experience the magic for yourself if you click HERE. The background guitar is magic as well. Sorry about the ad's.
In amongst the trees in the distance is 'The Bench' at Brown's Corner which OKB visited yesterday. Yes, he knows he shouldn't be driving but he knows every pixel of the way, intimately. 'The Bench' will be receiving it's new memorial plaque very soon. Watch this space.
'This space' might also include the progress of OK Bob's Tidal Energy Invention. Might!
Not forgetting the progress of poor old Nannie trapped in a wheelchair with nothing but East Enders and Virgin River to look forward to. And her 24/7 carer of course!
Thursday 3rd July 2025.
OK Bob is quite proud of his twin grand daughters Maddie and Phoebe, they are both 19 (well they would be wouldn't they?) and studying Art at Brooklands Technical College, this is a couple of Maddie's 'scattergun' paintings. There is a familiar look about them, don't you think G? Especially the birds.
Friday 4th July 2025.
A trip and a lunch at Wisley Gardens was enjoyed by Nannie yesterday. Another trip to Waitrose wasn't enjoyed by Granddad. But the Thai Green Curry, a glass of McKendrick's the peace and tranquillity was. Or is it were?
Saturday 5th July 2025.
Dear Reader,
Life as an unpaid 86 year old full time carer for the afflicted is not easy. And, of course, life for the afflicted who need a full time carer is not easy. But which is worse?
OK Bob (that means Old and Knackered Bob in case you've forgotten) thought he had answers to everything but the answer to the above question is elusive and he's come to the conclusion that it's a waste of time and unhealthy trying to find the answer.
So, is it 'Keep Calm and Carry On'? Keeping calm is not easy and most of the time carrying on is impossible so it isn't the answer.
Is it 'Do your best in the circumstances'? Doing your best is often not good enough.
Is it 'Count your chickens'? A great idea but what does that mean when you don't have chickens?
Is it shirk or farm out responsibility? What would you do and where would you go? And too bloody expensive.
Is it unload responsibility on to already overloaded Angels? No.
Is it 'Succumb to Cossins'? (Cossins are a local care home that do have chickens.) Thinks, is that the reason they have chickens? Bloody expensive but sounds reasonable? Only if you are there. But OKB wouldn't wish that on any of his readers.
Is it 'Wait and see what happens' ? Could be the answer but he's always been restless and waiting is not in his DNA.
Loadsa love and hugs, (might be the answer?)
But who from?
Bob.
Reg and Mabel?
They've done enough.
Sunday 6th July 2025.
Reg and Mabel, in case you didn't know, are OK Bob's parents. They never complained and they didn't have central heating, washing machines, dishwashers, a telephone, a car, fridge, freezer, Waitrose or colour tele' but t they did have chickens.
So, there you have it, count your chickens.
Monday 7th July 2025.
OK Bob's Tidal Stream Energy project is now unstoppable (a bit like the tides if you think about it!) but will he be alive to see it? Depends on his chickens!
Tuesday 8th July.
Today, OK Bob had an email from The Advanced Research and Innovations Agency (ARIA for short) encouraging him to apply for £100,000 grant to develop his idea for TSE. Another reason to watch (or listen) to this space?
Wednesday 9th July 2025.
If you were stood outside The Grenson Shoe Factory in Northampton today you would have seen The Red Arrows saluting 30 years of collaboration. The Red Arrows Pilots wear Grenson shoes, and so does Old Bob. How can that be? His Chief Angel is married to the Chief Executive. Congratulations Tim.
Thursday 10th July 2025.
Phew! It's hotter than a snake's airse in a waggon rut in Old Bob's back garden at the moment. That's 88°F in old money. Tip of the day. Don't forget to close your curtains, blinds, windows and doors before 9am. No charge. Cool!
Friday 11th July 2025.
You may remember that Very OK Bob was awarded £300 to spend on a respite break. He was thinking that a couple of nights in The Burford Bridge Hotel would be great, a stagger up Box Hill, a glass of wine at Denbies, hitch a ride on a Harley, a stumble across the Stepping Stones, what do you think GJ? Don't answer that. VOK Bob might get the wrong idea!
Saturday 12th July 2025.
Did you know that the Stepping Stones were put there in 1841, removed in 1939 in case the Germans invaded and replaced in 1946?
Sunday 13th July 2025.
You would think that this old blogger would have something more interesting to blog about wouldn't you? Well he does. He had another eye injection for ARMD yesterday. He also gets a lot of earache.
Monday 14th July 2025.
Nothing of interest to blog about today except for The Burford Bridge Hotel mentioned earlier read The Denbies Vineyard Hotel. Definitely worth a visit.
Tuesday 15th July 2025.
OIK (Old and Incredibly Knackered) Bob's visit to The Denbies Vineyard Hotel yesterday reminded him of the up market 'Spa's' in Ibiza with their gazebo's and plush furnishings but with far reaching views over the vineyard. What's not to like? He's decided to spend a couple of nights 'respite' there later, he'll let you know when. You could join him for a Babycham if you like, he might even pick you up if you are available and don't live too far away!
He also fitted the new plaque to 'Brown's Memorial Bench' in Oxshott yesterday, very tranquil.
View of the gazebo's and plush furniture at Denbies Vineyard Hotel
View from the gazebo's and plush furniture at Denbies Vineyard Hotel
Wednesday 16th July 2025.
Dear Robert,
Thank you for your email, and for sharing your proposal.
As I’m sure you can understand we cannot comment on your proposal, but we thank you for sharing.
I am also afraid that we cannot offer any funding for your project.
Apologies if this comes as a disappointment, and we wish you all the best.
Kind regards,
Helena
Engagement and Enquiries
Bank of England
Threadneedle Street, London EC2R 8AH
Worth a try!
Thursday 17th July 2025.
SOB (Spent Old Bob) is now looking for a live in carer as he is no longer able to cope. The successful applicant will have the run of the house but not the garage.
SOB and Young Mike
on Brown's Bench with the new memorial plaque.
A masterpiece!
Friday 18th July 2025.
Next Friday 25th July at 5.30pm there will be an unveiling of the new plaque ceremony at The Brown's Memorial Bench at Brown's Corner, Little Heath Lane, Oxshott. All are welcome. There will be a video call to John in Redwood, California who is a relation of the Brown's and who kindly had the bench installed.
John and Bob were neighbours back in the late 40's and 50's and were in The Air Training Corps together. A bottle of R. Whites Cream Soda will be cracked open to celebrate the occasion.
Original label form the 1950's.
You could get tuppence a bottle from Vi' if you returned it.
3 bottles = 5 Woodbines!
And don't forget to
in your back garden this weekend.
Saturday 19th July 2025.
What does it tell you when you can't open a bottle of milk? Let alone a bottle of Cream Soda!
Sunday 20th July 2025.
Your favourite old blogger is off for a couple of days on his respite break tomorrow. The destination is a secret but it's not far from The Stepping Stones and might include a glass of wine. Opened by the waitress! Cin Cin!
Monday 21st JUly 2025.
This post is coming from room No 17 at The Denbies Vineyard Hotel. Very tranquil. Good value. A touch opulent. Location excellent. Waiter service excellent. Earache nil. And before you get the wrong idea Granddad had an earache but now he doesn't. But he's not sure if that is a good thing or a bad thing!
Tuesday 22nd July 2025.
Full English Breakfast definitely recommended. Art Gallery and Sculpture Park mesmerising.
60 years ago Young Bob took a picture of a young lady on The Stepping Stones with his Brownie 127, you can see it by scrolling back to 11th July. Today he took another picture from the same place.
Another distant memory on display at The Bikers Café nearby.
Wednesday 23rd July 2025.
And if you are worried about Nannie back at the ranch, don't, she is being adequately entertained and looked after during her deserved 'respite' from Granddad by our team of Angels in turn.
And if you are worried about Granddad behaving himself, don't, he had a Fever Tree Ginger Beer with his beer battered cod, chips a la matchstick and peas diarrhoea last night (well that's what they looked like) in the sumptuous restaurant at Denbies Hotel. The relaxing background music was lovely but it would have been better if it was Acker Bilk!
He has a confession to make, he had a date with a Belted Galloway. #Cheyenne #Cheyenne # Where will you be campin' tonight? At the Hurtwood Inn, Peaslake where his Great, Great Grandfather William Jones spent time in the Workhouse and was listed in the 'Pislake' census of 1861 as 'A Scavenger'.
Can it get more exciting? Definitely.
Lucky Bob, Unlucky Belted Galloway!
Thursday 24th July 2025.
Peaslake, a tiny hamlet in the middle of Surrey you would think has plenty of old world charm but in the eyes' of Old Grandad it has plenty of old world tat. Decay and make do and mend is everywhere. Including The Hurtwood Inn. It proudly sports 'BUILT IN 1920' but the windows, paintwork, fixtures and fittings, wiring and plumbing seem original. Although, it has to be said the bedrooms are clean and comfortable.
All this is reflected in the price, not cheap but cheaper than the rest. Grandad was allocated the room in the loft with steps and head banging hazards everywhere. The kitchen area looks decidedly dodgy. The staff are young and friendly and try to make up for the rest. Grandad was able to negotiate a change of room that didn't need ropes and crampons to access.
The Village Sign oak post is decaying fast and is about to collapse so beware.
Perhaps Old Granddads view of the place reflects his earache which has returned with avengeance. Sorry Peaslake, it's back to Denbies next time, if he gets the chance.
Friday 25th July 2025.
Back at The Ranch, earache increased to almost unbearable intensity despite presenting Nannie with a fluffy toy from Denbies. Applied for another £100 million funding for STSE Project. Interesting response from Richard Branson's Virgin Unite.
Dear Robert,
Thanks for sharing your project with us ............ (secret) ..............
wishing you all the best going forward.
Kind regards,
Virgin Unite Team
Don't forget the Brown's Bench Plaque unveiling ceremony tonight at 5.30 UK time. BOB (Busy Old Bob) is hoping to make it despite his earache.
Saturday 26th July 2025.
The Bench Party was a success thanks to Adele, Shaun and Mike, not forgetting John on a video link from California. The story will continue. Meanwhile Old Bob is nursing his earache as well as Nannie. He's thinking of moving into Denbies Vineyard Hotel permanently. Cheaper than Cossins!
Sunday 27th July 2025.
Apologies if this blog is getting a touch introspective. It happens when you very old, are a 24/7 carer, have constant earache and no sleep. He's seeing the ENT specialist tomorrow. If you have nothing better to do today you can read THIS but you don't have to buy it, technology will allow you to flick over the pages if you so wish.
A much better option would be to click HERE and watch and listen to a one handed pianist at The Proms.
Or HERE and watch The First Night. Thanks.
Monday 28th July 2025.
Mr Valentine the ENT specialist lanced an abscess in OB's ear and sent him off with a bucket of pills, painkillers, antibiotics and drops. Count your chickens and see you next week. Next.
Tuesday 29th July 2025.
One of the side effects of OB's antibiotic pills is a 50/50 chance of death, which he thinks is great, he thought he was going to die.
The day before yesterday Angel Dan wheeled Nannie around Polesden Lacey, her spirits were lifted. Meanwhile Granddad stayed at home lifting his spirits.
OB (Old Bob) is considering commissioning a local artist to paint a picture of Brown's Shop Oxshott in the snow in 1947. At the moment the scene only exists in OB's head. It will include Ration Books, prams and bikes and Jack's Ford Popular delivery van. It will require the artist to spend an evening with OB discussing the project over a glass of wine at Denbies. If you know of anyone let him know. Or if you are one what would you charge? Artists who experienced the snows of 1947 preferred.
This will do for starters, the grocery shop was attached to the left of the cottage.
Sweets, cigarettes, ice cream, Tizer and cream soda shop on the right.
YB (Young Bob) read in the news today that President Trump is cheesed off with wind farms contaminating his golf courses in Scotland. Guess what? Dear Donald, Please click HERE. Kind regards, USA Alien Resident Bob 1968/9.
Wednesday 30th July 2025.
Dear Bob,
Thank you for sharing your thoughts with President Donald J. Trump.
The White House.
If you are a dreamer, might as well dream big don't you think?
Thursday 31st July 2025.
You might conclude that this old blogger's mind has become unbalanced, unhinged, discombobulated or maybe even demented due to the amount of pills, potions and painkillers he is taking to quell his earache squared.
You might be right but interestingly the most relaxing, satisfying and instantaneous relief comes from writing to you in the early hours.
And knowing that you are reading it is positively Nirvana.
Friday 1st August 2025.
Bob had every intention of taking a holiday from blogging but he has been encouraged by you to soldier on, also things are getting really interesting in the life? of shagged out old Bob.
For instance, this team photo of the' Brown's Bench Refurbishment Team' is great don't you think. Adele, Shaun, Mike and Old Bob standing at the back decided The Bench needed a spruce up and a new plaque and together with John from Redwood, California who is a relation of the Brown's and had The Bench installed a few years ago celebrated the result last Friday during a video call to John in the USA. Hence the flag. A nice touch?
The picture was taken by an old gentleman passer by with a dog with an American accent believe it or not. The pooch had recently arrived from the USA which was an amazing coincidence. As a result of this initiative there are many re-connections with old friends happening in the background.
Brown's Bench, as you know, is at Brown's Corner, Oxshott but Brown's Grocery shop is long gone and no pictures exist. Until now. Amazingly Bob, looking through his box of old photo's, came up with this from around 1960. Who took it and why it was taken is a mystery but the façade of the shop on the left and the half buried bomb shelter behind the posts in the background can be seen. Another input for the artist with experience of painting dreamy scenes of corner shops?
Saturday 2nd August 2025.
Update on application for £100 million funding for Tidal Stream Energy development.
Dear Bob,
We have been overwhelmed with the volume of high quality applications, yours isn't one of them.
Best,
As if Old Bob cares. He's got much more interesting projects to think about!
Sunday 3rd August 2025.
Update on Great Grandma (to be). Still waking up with lifeless limbs on the left side and near lifeless 24/7 carer. But amongst the lifeless there are lively Angels, butterflies, badgers and dreams. Dreams of roller blading along the prom' at Eastbourne? What's the problem!
Monday 4th August 2025.
Update on Great Grandad (to be). At 11.32 last night he experienced an Angel giving him a big hug. Was it a dream?
His earache seems to be responding to the antibiotic pills, drops and painkillers, he's seeing the ENT specialist tomorrow. He's been trying to find out what it takes to be a good 24/7 carer. Any ideas? Nothing on Google!
Just discovered a long lost picture (in some sort of crayon) by Great Granddad Reg (Bob's father). It's Cobham Mill around 1970. Rather fascinating don't you think G. Great perspective. Amazing detail in the branches. Colours mesmerising.
This is another one by Granddad Reg that's been hiding in the loft. What can you say?
Tuesday 5th August 2025.
Thanks for scrolling, there might be a lot more to come!
'Looks like we've turned the corner' was the comment from Mr Valentine the ENT specialist at Guildford but keep taking the basil, pills, drops and potions, see you in a couple of weeks.
Just for the record VO Bob drove himself all the way to Guildford and back again without incident. That must tell you something? What was that? Other drivers had quick reactions? He heard that!
Wednesday 6th August 2025.
Just for the record Mr Valentine didn't say 'keep taking the basil', it is advice from one of our Angels. It is a natural anti-biotic. Chew a couple of leaves twice a day and your biotics will be brown bread. That's cockney rhyming slang for dead!
Update on Surface Tidal Stream Energy Project. Funding for development inevitable but not sure where it's coming from or when.
Update on Bob's journey to the stars. Inevitable but not sure when!
Friday 8th August 2025.
Sorry, FOB (forgetful old Bob) forgot to blog yesterday. He and DON (disabled old Nannie) had a respite break to Godalming visiting old friends from yesteryear. Thanks to PAD our (patient Angel driver) for negotiating endless streams of traffic. And to Google Maps for telling us the way. And to IT (Incredible Technology) for a video link to Thailand. Whatever next? The mind boggles. Could be 'beam me up Scotty'! That means you have a desire to escape a situation. Another trip to Denbies!
Saturday 9th August 2025.
Time for a picture. You've seen this one before but OVKB (that's me) took it a few years ago. It is my 'screen saver' and it achieved notoriety with BBC Weather Watchers. It is in a place called Simm's Copse in the bluebell wood on White Down on the North Downs near Abinger. It is taken from somewhere near clever.tips.fortunate. That's a 3-metre square box on What3words.com. It is where the Badgers live and you might find me there, sooner or later. Probably sooner. I'd like to check the location but too many tasks at the moment. Correction, endless tasks at the moment.
Sunday 10th August 2025.
In this part of the world they have something called a GP Hub where you can get an appointment to see a GP on a Saturday. I took my aching leg along to the lovely Dr Dale and she said it's not a Bakers Cyst it looks like a Builders Plumb, so, another X-Ray and Ultra Sound Scan in the pipeline. I'm now half way through an antibiotic course for my earache so lots to look forward to!
Reminds me of Rob Goff on the drawing board next to me at BAC Hurn in 1964, in his rich Cornish drawl his greeting every morning would be 'thank Christ we've got death to look forward to'. Hope you're OK Rob.
Monday 11th August 2025.
Between you and me.
Hello Elon,
FAO Tesla Energy Development Group
This is a story about an 86 year old retired engineer living in Surrey, UK who has come up with a 'simple' but 'game changing' idea for generating energy from surface tidal streams.
The terms 'simple' and 'game changing' have been used in feedback from Innovate UK. Reliability, when deployed, will be assured unlike wind and solar PV.
He has been developing the idea for many years with input from the academic community, industry and sustainability groups around the globe.
Currently The Advanced Engineering Centre at The University of Brighton, UK will be offering this proposal to final year MEng students in September.
Also Solent / Southampton University (and others) are keen to model and trial the idea given funding.
The 86 year old doesn't expect anything from this venture as he doesn't expect to be around much longer. In any case, as the designer of The Oxshott Village Sign, he considers that this is reward enough! Also as 24/7 carer for his disabled wife is also reward enough!
Full details including feedback on www.walktowork.co.uk/moon and www.walktowork.co.uk/ovs
Could be interesting?
With kind regards,
Bob.
Retired Engineer, UK.
(Ex Boeing, Seattle employee. Design Engineer 747 Wing Group)
Tuesday 12th August 2025.
Don't suppose I'll hear anything from Elon. Bill (Gates) said he only supports farming families in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia but give his Breakthrough Energy website a try. It doesn't work Bill, check it out.
Sent the above story to the BBC as well but mot even an acknowledgement.
Meanwhile a leg X-Ray yesterday and an Ultra Sound scan on Thursday might reveal something. Might be pregnant! At least you can't fault the NHS in this part of the woods.
Discovered it's OK to cry today click HERE to find out when.
Could be 32 degrees C in my back garden today, stay cool.
Wednesday 13th August 2025.
STOP PRESS
Rosa Jean arrived this morning, many congratulations to Hannah and Mike, Grand Parents and Great Grandparents, that's us! A very special day.
Thursday 14th August 2025.
Scrolling back up this page you will find examples of Maddie and Phoebe's Artwork. They have been studying Art at Brooklands Tech. Today they can announce that they have achieved a Merit and a Distinction with the UAL. Words are difficult for Great Grandfather to find so he has deided to let off a few more fireworks!
Friday 15th August 2025.
Waiting for another appointment at Leatherhead Hospital is very different. It's old school, it's easy free parking, it's quaint, it's calm, it's comforting and efficient. John with his ultra sound device did a great job and pronounced my leg pregnant but what with is not clear. This might become clear with the MRI scan next Monday at Croydon University Hospital.
Meanwhile Gabrielle from Amsterdam is going to call me next week to discuss funding for you know what, might be more fireworks!
Saturday 16th August 2025.
You probably don't want to hear this but I'll tell you anyway (therapy!). Got a cancellation appointment at Croydon University Hospital yesterday afternoon for the MRI scan on my pregnant leg. Fortunately Angel Dan was on hand to take me, could have driven myself of course but they don't trust me anymore.
An hour battle through the traffic to a place heaving with humanity (unlike Leatherhead). Metal bits stached. Trousers down. Stuck a couple of cod liver oil capsules on the points of interest on the back of my leg. On to the table Ear plugs in. Ear defenders on. Slide into tube. Ear defenders ripped off because the cable is trapped in something, could have been dodgy. Given a bulb to press in case of emergency. Slide you into the tube. Bulb pipe trapped in something, ripped out of my hand, could have been dodgy. Can't be bothered to complain. 20 long minutes sliding in and out listening to loud noises. Dreaming of Denbies and Gabrielle from Amsterdam!. All done, results will be sent to your doctor. Collect your bits, another hours battle through the traffic. Arrive home, discover cod liver oil capsules still stuck to my leg. An hour trying to contact the department. 'Sorry, cod liver oil capsules should have been binned'.
Moral, don't accept a Friday afternoon MRI scan appointment.
Sunday 17th August 2025.
Hope you had a pleasant weekend in the sunshine listening to the birds. GG Father and GG Mother did. A respite brunch and respite snooze in the sunshine at Stones Throw listening to the birds and the Cherokee's approaching and leaving Fairoaks has given GG Father another revolutionary idea but to find out what it is you'll have to pop back later. Thanks.
Monday 18th August 2025.
Tuesday 19th August 2025.
News today is that the antibiotics that 'completely healed' the earache caused the pregnant leg, so let's hope it's a phantom pregnancy. No fireworks but perhaps a damp squib?
Wednesday 20th August 2025.
Gabrielle from Amsterdam called, could be more fireworks!
GP called today, could be waxworks!
Thursday 21st August 2025.
Sadly, it's RIP to Ted today. Ted was a much loved family pet who left us yesterday. Old Bob tried to draw him but his drawing skills weren't the greatest. You will find him HERE amongst some other questionable works of art.
Back in the day this time of the year used to be 'holiday time'. Anticipation, excitement, new experiences, new faces, new places, balmy evenings, dancing through the night, remember? Probably still is for some but when old age sets in things change. Yesterday, the lovely La La stopped by to check on Great Gran's situation. La La is The Community Matron who can organise everything you need to keep you out of hospital. Except, anticipation, excitement, new experiences, new faces, new places, balmy evenings and dancing through the night, and she's heard all the quips about The Telly Tubbies so don't bother!
Meanwhile Great Granddad waits with anticipation to hear from Gabrielle from Amsterdam about, excitement, new experiences, new faces, new places, balmy evenings and dancing through the night. What's the problem?
No more anticipation for Maddie and Phoebe today, they achieved a pass in maths which is more than Old GGF achieved back in 1955. Many congratulations to M and P.
Friday 22nd August 2025.
Fish and chips with some old friends today followed by raspberry meringue roulade defrosted to perfection!
Interesting discussions developing with Gabrielle from Amsterdam. Might lead somewhere, then again it might not. Looking forward to next week for all sorts of reasons.
I was thinking about conducting a survey about what you think of Old Bob's Blog but decided there aren't enough stars in the universe! Sweet dreams.
Saturday 23rd August 2025.
Lots going on today somewhere but not in my back garden. Sorry. Queens Park Rangers got beaten 7 - 1 today (sorry Brian) but not been there since 1961. The year that reads the same upside down as the right way up. So, there you go
Sunday 24th August 2025.
Back in 1961 I won a spot waltz prize on the dance floor at Surbiton Assembly Rooms. The question was 'when is the next year to read the same upside down as the right way up'. Quick as a flash I said 6009. Memories. My partner couldn't dance for toffees! Unlike some at The Castle Ballroom!
Recently I have been introduced to DAS Modelling Clay, a very therapeutic medium for creation - in the right hands. My first efforts are stone age implements. What do you think? Any offers? I might exhibit them at Denbies!
Monday 25th August 2025.
Bank Holiday Monday used to be all the fun of the fair and beer tents at Downsde Village Day and Hampton Court Fair. Today, the achievement of this exceptionally knackered old blogger was to buy a book and a glass of lemonade at the exceptionally enterprising pop up stalls set up in the street by the children. He also managed to find time to dust down all his plaques dotted around the locality. The Village Sign plaques, The Brown's Memorial Bench plaque and his Great Grandparents plaques in the cemetery. He can't remember what else he achieved but it's probably just as well!
Great Gran is really happy with her Amazon Prime Video. 'A Place to Call Home' is worth a watch and so is this view of the River Wey near Ripley. Dreamy. Thanks Gina.
Tuesday 26th August 2025.
It has come to my notice that some readers are still waiting for my 'revolutionary idea' promised a couple of weeks ago (apart from my other 'revolutionary idea' that is). It relates to old persons needing care, surprise, surprise! Simply this, negotiate day care at a 24/7 care home. In other words, present yourself (or your charge) to Cossins at breakfast time and return to your beds, wherever they may be, after supper. Supper is the last meal of the day in case you've forgotten. Totally impractical I've decided.
Discovered The Green Climate Fund recently, it's loadsa money for potty ideas - watch this space!
Wednesday 27th August 2025.
The word 'potty' is used a lot in a book I bought from the children in the street recently. It is 'Going Solo' by Roald Dahl. Worth a read. Roald travels to the Middle East in 1938 aboard a tramp steamer with a load of 'potty' colonialists and Empire builders. They run around naked on the deck every morning and eat their oranges with a knife and fork. Roald looks after a couple of thousand square miles of Africa for The Shell company. One of his customer's wives gets carried off by a lion, but the lion treats her very gently, puts her down and hightails it to the jungle when shot at. Sounds a bit like Oxshott Woods?
Gabrielle from Amsterdam sent me warm regards and offered to hold my hand, for a fee! Thanks Gabrielle, how much?
Thursday 28th August 2025.
Seems that everybody else has been on holiday, is on holiday or going on holiday. Enjoy.
Friday 29th August 2025.
Waking up to pouring rain in my back garden is a touch unusual, good job I'm not on holiday!
You will be pleased to hear that despite (or perhaps because of) eating a can of cold baked beans last night (one advantage of having total control of the kitchen) Great Grandfather has renewed renewable 'energy' for our 'energy' project. He says 'our' because his regular readers are now part of the team, great to have you aboard. You know who you are. Don't worry you can always unsubscribe by not visiting.
He hasn't heard a dickie bird from any of his recent attempts at getting funding but Gabrielle from Amsterdam and Great Grandad are 'on the case'.
Also, you are probably getting cheesed off with scrolling as well so a new page will be coming in September (he's discovered how to manipulate the system. Lots to look forward to in September. Might be somebody's birthday!
Saturday 30th August 2025.
57 years ago in September 1968 I popped off on a whim to the USA. 43 years ago in September 1982 I popped off on a whim to New Zealand. Just thinking about popping off again. It's that time of the year!
Sunday 31st August 2025.
You won't believe this but this page is less than half as long as it could be., in other words I could go on blogging for another couple of months on this page but it would mean you scrolling for a couple of months. So you are spared.
Just another issue to bear in mind is that this ancient old blogger's eye sight is not the greatest so let him know if there are any spilling mistakes. Just another thing that is deteriorating fast.
You may remember that I am reading 'Going Solo' by Roald Dahl. His adventures in Africa at the outbreak of war in 1939 are quite amazing and he reminds me of me 'popping off' to distant lands searching for adventure. His style of writing is also very familiar. Perhaps I should have been an author!
See you in September? Miss you already.
Bob's Blog Page 64
You are reading Page 64 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