Bob's Blog Page 65
You are reading Page 65 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
Monday 1st September 2025.
Dear Team,
I need to remind myself how it works.
Firstly, my proposal is not a 'propeller' or a rotating subsea turbine, these are already out there.
it uses the inertia of the vessel and the 'water mass' impinging on the vessel to generate power.
It is a 'drag' concept as opposed to a 'lift' concept. The subsea rotating blade 'lift 'concept is currently the favoured and receives millions in funding, but in my view, it is inefficient, especially if you also consider the cost of deployment, the depth required and scalability.
All power generation equipment on my proposal is on board the vessel (or the platforms) below decks and therefore protected from the elements and easy for access and maintenance,
Power 'take off' is from the static anchor lines moving across the deck while the vessel is in a controlled drift. The vessel would be drifting and 'driving' at a speed about half the speed of the tidal stream for approximately two hours during maximum tidal ebb or flow and cover a distance of approximately 4 km.
If you need more 'power' you simply deploy more drag such as a parachute sea anchor.
Think of it as a 100.000-ton cruise ship instead of a cable car sliding down a mountain at 1 mile an hour for 2 hours 4 times a day. The ship is prevented from going any faster by the friction in your generators. It's not the Earth's gravity that is the power source, it is gravity from the Moon and the Sun.
Also, with this proposal fish, seals, whales, sharks, dolphins, dugongs, orcas, crabs, eels, jelly fish and birds won't get chopped up by rotating blades
Best,
Bob.
Tuesday 2nd September 2025.
Still reading Roald Dahl's 'Going Solo'. He went solo in 1940 in Nairobi after 7 hours and 40 minutes flying. I went solo in 1965 at Fairoaks after 7 hours and 10 minutes flying. But I didn't fly at 60 feet above the giraffes!
Wednesday 3rd September 2025.
But I did fly at 2000ft over The Hogs Back quite often! Click HERE for the amazing story.
A respite pint of London Pride in The Running Mare today was enjoyed by Great Grandfather with his son and grandson. A rare event. The Running Mare holds many memories for Great Grandfather but he'd rather not dwell on them!
Thursday 4th September 2025.
Back in the day there were a number of successful films made known as 'The Carry On' series. Believe it or not there were 31 made and more in the pipeline that weren't made, but not one called 'Carry on Caring'. Great Grandfather has decided to make one. Any ideas for a title? How about 'Carry on Deteriorating'?
Friday 5th September 2025.
Happy Birthday Tim, Have a great day.
Had a long chat with Joanna from a local Residential Home in Oxshott yesterday, actually they call it Esher Manor, might be a holiday on the horizon! Katie the chiropodist popped in yesterday, she is also from Oxshott, she recommends Sam to organise live in care, might be interesting! Katie's number plate is K80 TOE, impressed? Had an even longer chat with Sam who might arrange live in care so Great Grandfather can get up The Oxshott Club on a Friday night! 'Carry on Dreaming'?
Of course, none of the above will improve Great Gran's situation but we can always 'Carry on Hoping'.
Saturday 6th September 2025.
I was hoping to have some news about my project but perhaps it's all Smoke and Mirrors after all. 'Carry on Regardless'?
Sunday 7th September 2025.
If you were watching The BBC Proms at The Royal Albert Hall last night (which I know you were!) you would have heard The National Youth Orchestra playing The Planet Suite by Gustav Holst. It is a piece of music that has been with me, seemingly, for ever but I know not why. I bought the record sometime in the mid 60's and I still have it. Could it have been the piece of music that was played when you took me to The Royal Albert Hall? I've always wondered who paid for the tickets. Was it you? If it was, a belated thanks.
It is only now that I can fully appreciate the piece, especially when played by the youth orchestra. And especially Saturn, 'The Bringer of Old Age'.
It's full moon tonight. The Bringer of New Horizons?
Monday 8th September 2025.
A conducted tour around Esher Manor Residential Home for Deteriorating Gentle Folk during Sunday Sherry Time for Great Grandfather, Mother and Chief Angel is difficult to describe. Space, perhaps is the word. Space all around. Space for the sweeping staircase, the grand piano, the vast array's of plastic flowers, high ceiling's the lounges, the restaurant, the corridors, the lifts, the rooms and particularly space in the wet rooms. But is it a New Horizon? Watch this Space!
Tuesday 9th September 2025.
Following another visit to the EMRHDGH (see above) Great Granny has agreed to take a holiday there. Great Grumps is quite pleased and envious. Honest! What's not to like?
Wednesday 10th September 2025.
Reading Roald Dahl's account of his first encounter with The Luftwaffe in the cloudless skies over Greece in 1941, to this old blogger, is nothing short of hero worship.
With just a few hours flying experience in his Hawker Hurricane and zero combat training he took on 6 Junkers 88 bombers at Angels 8 (8,000ft), escaped hails of bullets from the tail gunners, managed to home in on one of them, got the starboard engine in his sights, squeezed the firing button and sent it spiralling earthwards. He was relieved to see 3 parachutes tumble out. He landed and found a neat bullet hole through his wooden propellor.
Follow that Great Granddad.
Thursday 11th September 2025.
Looking back through this blog (which nobody does except me!) you will discover that Old Bob gets carried away with various authors. First it's Charlotte Bronte (Jane Eyre) then then Iris Murdoch (The Sea The Sea) and now it's Roald Dahl (Going Solo). He will be popping down the library today to the LARGE PRINT department to see if he can find another one. See you there?
The odd thing is. Is that Great Gran when she was 9 went to boarding school in Great Missenden, where Roald lived and where he is buried, she rubbed shoulders with him often. Just thought it was worth a mention.
Good, bad or exciting news soon.
Good news came sooner than expected. Won a free lucky dip on Lotto for Saturday. £15 million jackpot!. 11, 14, 18, 43, 52, 56. Want a share?
It's Roald Dahl's birthday as well on Saturday. Now there's a coincidence Gina!
Friday 12th September 2025.
They say that no news is good news but in my book anything to do with doctor or hospital appointments, no news is good news but no news that isn't is not so good. I don't understand it either! Sleep well.
Saturday 13th September 2025.
If you can't sleep try Sleep Tracks on Radio 3 Unwind, you will be treated to the sound of continuous rain on your tent interspersed with dreamy music, dreamy choirs and eerie sounds of the forest at night. Dreamy. Click HERE if you like.
More importantly if it's your birthday today Bob would like to wish you a happy day. Thanks for the dreams.
Only 88!
Roald would have been 109 today. Still in awe of his experiences and his spirit. The stuff of dreams.
Sunday 14th September 2025.
This is not a dream. But will it lead to 'New Horizons'?
'Your own concept therefore represents a very different and novel approach to the challenges faced in extracting energy from tidal streams..... I wish you success in taking the concept forward to reality'.
Highlands and Islands Enterprise.
Monday 15th September 2025.
Contemplating the next weeks/months/years with Great Grandmother in The Esher Manor Care Home for Deteriorating Gentle Folk and Great Grandfather deteriorating on the streets might make interesting reading! Gunters Mead over the road beckons but what do you think? Great Grandfather could pop over the road for breakfast, coffee, sherry, lunch, tea, dinner and supper. Wot's not to like?
Tuesday 16th September 2025.
The only problem there is getting across the road, it's a 24/7 race track. So. unless Great Grandfather builds a bridge, digs a tunnel, paints a zebra crossing, hires a white stick a guide dog and a Lollipop Man he won't get his breakfast. Any other ideas?
Percy, Doris, Butch and all their feathered friends will be sad to see him leave so perhaps he'll stay where he is and join them for breakfast!
Whatever happens. 'It will all be good' his Angels tell him.
Wednesday 17th September 2025.
It's a grey day today, but to cheer you up, about 12 years ago Old Bob put together a YouTube video of Great Gran wandering around Winkworth Arboretum on another grey day, when she had two legs that worked. It's a touch amateurish but click HERE to enjoy.
You will note that the music is a dreamy waltz, would you like to dance?
Thursday 18th September 2025.
While we're on Old Bob's YouTube videos perhaps you would like to look at another one. This is a short one taken aboard yacht Ventum off the south coast of Menorca in 2008 on the way to Alcudia, Majorca. Sadly, the lovely Bill from Geordieland lounging on the deck lost his battle with cancer a few years ago. My reference to George is the autopilot and not a member of the crew! Click HERE for the video or HERE for the story.
Later. The problem of blogging about things that night happen sometimes don't happen. The Esher Manor Care Home for Deteriorating Gentle Folk don't 'care' as much as we were led to believe. So beware.
Friday 19th September 2025.
So, rather than try to make things happen Old and Weary Bob has decided to sit back and wait for things to happen. Could be a long wait.
Saturday 20th September 2025.
Dear Reader,
BLOB (Bloody Lucky Old Bob) does understand that his blob, sorry blog, is at times difficult to understand but thanks for persevering.
Something did happen yesterday but he's keeping it secret. OK, don't tell anybody, he just missed out on £46,564,196.
Warm regards,
Bob
Sunday 21st September 2025. (Autumn Equinox)
£46 million could have funded my 'game changing' idea for generating energy from surface tidal streams. Are we to assume it is now 'dead in the water'?
And just to be clear, Great Grandmother won't be going into any care home anytime soon. Great Grandfather has found a new source of energy.
Monday 22nd September 2025.
He's not sure where his energy is coming from, maybe one of his Angels. Thanks. He's using it to get great gran's vintage Dawes Bike up and running so beware!
Tuesday 23rd September 2025.
You will appreciate that great grandfather has to have something to look forward to in amongst his 24/7 caring duties. So, careering around Oxshott Woods on his bike like he used to do when he was 10 in 1949 is just the ticket. The wall of death around the sandpit would be the ultimate! There is a couple of pictures of the sandpit on Page 18 of this blog. Lucky!
Friday 26th September 2025.
If you would like a conducted tour around Oxshott Woods please click HERE. The offer might include pick up and drop off, might! It might include a visit to The Oxshott Village Sign as well!
Rusty Old Bob has decided that refurbishing Great Gran's rusty old bike is futile. He has found one for £46.46 on Ebay in Reigate. He quite likes going to Reigate. It's even got lights!
He's now found a much better one in Epsom, sorry Reigate, perhaps another time. You will note that he's only interested in a ladies bike for obvious reasons. There's even room for you on the back!
And before you get the wrong idea, Shopper bikes are Unisex.
The prospect of that is much better than the prospect of being banged up in a care home with a bunch of old wrinklies which is the alternative. Or is it? It could be knitting!
Saturday 27th September 2025.
On the edge of Oxshott Woods is Oxshott Station. In the early 50's young Bob commuted to Kingston Junior Tech' School from Oxshott via Surbiton. It was during the days of bowlers, brief cases, duffle coats, slam doors, LADIES ONLY and NON SMOKING. This British Pathe film taken at Oxshott in the '50's is fascinating. But why Hepham? Note the third track to the coal yard and the Brickfield. I can spot a Riley 1.5, Standard 8, Hillman Minx, Humber Super Snipe, Ford Consul, Rover 90, Vauxhall Wyvern and VW Beetle! Click HERE to be bored or fascinated.
Smooth! KJTS 1952 - 1955.
Don't tell anyone but Great Grandfather has now refurbished Great Grandmother's bike, complete with new brakes and lights. Old school John from Horsley Cycles performs miracles. Adventure beckons!
Sunday 28th September 2025.
A bit drizzly today so no adventures, sorry.
Monday 29th September 2025.
If you consider that a visit to Guildford Hospital eye stabbing department is an adventure then an adventure it was. #Climb every mountain #Ford every stream ...
Tuesday 30th September 2025.
Sorry to say no adventures today worth blogging about either but an adventure tomorrow might be interesting. It's another visit to Epsom but where and what for? The Woodcote Wing at 9.30am might give you a clue.
Wednesday 1st October 2025.
My regular reader might remember that I have a pregnant leg or two. The lovely Mr Peach at Epsom confirmed the pregnancy and recommends an aspirin a day to prevent birth, blockage or bursting. Another MRI scan TBA. In the mean time 'Carry on Cycling'! Lucky?
Thursday 2nd October 2025.
Bit of a shame but Great Grandmother's electric wheelchair has to go. It's a Titan LTE about 2 years old, excellent, unmarked, little used condition. £695. Cost £1,300 new. Any offers? It comes apart for easy stowage. Left or right handed controls. Spins on a sixpence.
Friday 3rd October 2025.
In between caring duties on another drizzly day I thought I might draw another birthday card with my new Pentel watercolour pencils. Impressed?
Saturday 4th October 2025.
Dear Reader,
Sent dozens of emails about my 'simple', 'innovative', 'inventive', 'fascinating', 'interesting', 'potentially game changing', 'novel', 'elegant', 'exciting' (not my words) proposal to global outfits who profess to be interested in tidal stream energy and saving the planet. Not a dicky bird in reply.
#Moon river ....., are you sure you sure you don't want to dance?
Hugs,
Bob. ❤️
Sunday 5th October 2025.
This is an old post which has to be deleted or re-posted. Decided to re-post.
Back around 2009 when I was only 70, I could see and had a steady hand I bought a stick it yourself matchstick model of a 1920’s London Bus for our 'one and only' Grandson Ivan, he found it impossible to make with matchsticks and so did I. So, I found some 3mm thick fibreboard in the shed (everything in my shed), bought a coping saw and very carefully cut out the parts according to the plan. I then entered it in to the Craft Section of the local Village Show – I won First Prize. On the back of the red ‘First Prize’ sticker the judge had written ‘I am advised that you are under 11 years old’. The bus had rolled along the table into the children’s section – honest!
Ivan's in New York at the moment. Hi Ivan from Grandfather (Dumps!) He's now Uncle Ivan!
Monday 6th October 2025.
Spent Sunday afternoon looking through old diaries, address books and scribble pads. Came across this written aboard a Boeing 747 Jumbo at 35,000ft above mid Atlantic on the way to LA in July 1990 with Dan for a Fly drive around California.
Take what life has to offer and treat it with great care.
It's only now I know what 'great care' means.
Tuesday 7th October 2025.
The reason I was looking in old diaries and address books is that I was looking for the 4 digit code for my old bike padlock which I bought for my Hercules Kestrel bike in 1954. The padlock is locked on to the shopper bike pictured above. I couldn't find the code but being a professional lock picker, amongst other things, I managed to crack it! Talk about satisfaction! No flies on this old codger!
Also in the old diaries are names and addresses from the dim and distance past, including yours when you worked at The Air Ministry in Adastral House, Kingsway. HOLborn 3434 ext.7127, correct! Are you still there? Could be early onset delusion - again!
Wednesday 8th October 2025.
Not sure how to tell you the news today. Would you believe that a team of MEng students at The Advanced Engineering Centre at The University of Brighton have taken up the challenge to develop Great Grandfathers 'Game Changing Tidal Energy Concept'?
Told you it was inevitable. A way to go yet but maybe a glass or two is called for?
Thursday 9th October 2025.
Unable to match yesterday's blog so let's have a look at the sunset over the chimney pots. But why 'pots'? They're 'tubes'.
Friday 10th October 2025.
To the students at The University of Brighton evolving OK (Old and Knackered) Bob's 'game changing' proposal for surface tidal stream energy.
Dear Students,
Firstly, many thanks for taking up this challenge.
Amongst the many who have expressed enthusiasm for this proposal you will also find a few sceptics.
To the sceptics I would say:-
Can you put a price on ease of access and maintenance?
Can you put a price on the ease of scalability?
Can you put a price on reliability when comparing with solar or wind power?
Can you put a price on the lives of birds or marine life killed or maimed by rotating blades?
And remember:-
If you were an alien approaching the earth
You would notice the Moon pumping water
If the natives can't see the power of the sea
Then they surely should 'bloomin' well oughta
With best wishes,
Bob.
On a lighter note perhaps you would care to look at Phoebe's latest creation in watercolour.
Saturday 11th October 2025.
#Saturday night #Just got paid #Two 'o' clock baby #And it's time to rave
Not quite the right words or the time but it is Great Grandfather's 'Art'. At the moment!
Sunday 12th October 2025.
Actually, rather than being a raver Great Grandfather has decided he is lucky to have a job as an unpaid 24/7 carer for Great Grandmother. He has always wanted to be 'in service', efficient, deferential, understanding, dependable, knowledgeable, dignified. A bit like Carson or Stevens really. Honest!
Monday 13th October 2025.
Decided to give up caffeine today but you can always invite me round for a cup of thyme. The health benefits are too many to list here but one of them is that it aids dreaming.
Tuesday 14th October 2025.
I'm tempted to say you can get them in capsule form, they're called 'Thyme Capsules'. But I won't. Very dreamy today but only to be expected.
Looking at all the effort involved in being a butler OK Bob's decided he doesn't have the energy to be a butler but he'd quite like a butler himself, any offers?
Wednesday 15th October 2025.
Great Grandfather and Great Grandmother consider themselves lucky to be celebrating 59 years of marriage today. Although 'celebrating' is perhaps not quite the word. Thyme flies!
Epsom Registry Office 1966
Seems like yesterday
Thursday 16th October 2025.
Discovered a few Easyreader's in the shed yesterday. They are another of Old Bob's unique, amazing products that you won't find anywhere. Full story on Page 1 of this blog, Friday 26th June 2015 . Let me know if you'd like one for Christmas.
Great for watching films on your phone or iPad as well!
Friday 17th October 2025.
You will be pleased to hear that Old, Young, OK Bob is now engaging with Matthew, Meg, Isabel, Ned and Rahim, students at The University of Brighton, to develop his 'game changing' idea. Watch this space.
Is this really happening? Must be a dream surely.
Saturday 18th October 2025.
Hi Midnight Reader,
I wish I had something of interest to blog about today but I don't, except to say
Thanks for reading,
WOB (Worn Out Bob)
Sunday 19th October 2025.
Loads to blog about today. Great Grandfather's aches and pains are increasing exponentially (that means there's no stopping them) which means his ability as a 24/7 carer is in danger of becoming a 0/7 carer (bliss!). Which means Great Grandmother won't get any breakfast, lunch or tea. Except, of course, when Angels are on duty which is often but not often enough. The odd thing is that Great Grandfather wouldn't want it any other way. So what's the answer? Answers on a postcard please. Care homes are not the answer.
Whenever you choose to listen to BBC Sounds, or WhatsApp messages (don't do What's App) you get the option to play it at twice the speed of sound. No wonder our brains are aching. Are there any birds or beasts that communicate at twice the speed of sound? Can you imagine? Woof, woof, woof!
A policeman knocked on the door yesterday, he said there's nothing to worry about so I didn't. Have a nice day (or night).