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Bob's Blog Page 66

Page 65 Page 67

You are reading Page 66 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!

Saturday 1st November 2025.

If you thought Page 65 was too much scrolling I can tell you it is 21,300 pixels long, it could have been 60,000 pixels so be 'appy.

Between now and Christmas we will find out if Old Bob's leg is pregnant, if his eyesight fails, if he packs up driving, if his amazing idea for tidal stream energy has got any legs (pregnant or not!), if he becomes artificially intelligent, if great gran makes a miraculous recovery or if he wins bigtime on the lottery. So, lots to look forward to. In the mean time we'll get great granddaughter little Rosa's reaction to great grandfather's jokes.

Sunday 2nd November 2025.

It can't be that funny surely. Can you imagine what it must be like to be 'born again'? Lets hope she learns to read a map and know where North, South, East and West are and not follow Google Maps religiously. Sorry Ivan!

Back at the ranch a Red Kite is circling lazily in the evening sun, I bet he or she doesn't follow Google Maps!

You will have deduced that OK Bob doesn't have much to blog about today but tomorrow will be a different story. In the mean time have a pleasant evening, relax, imagine you are in a hot air balloon, listen to Radio 3 Unwind and don't forget to breath.

Monday 3rd November 2025.

Not easy to describe OK Bob's state of mind at the moment. Following a TEAMS meeting with the students at The Advanced Engineering Centre at The University of Brighton to discuss his 'game changing idea', 'over the moon' would go someway towards describing it so lets celebrate. A long way to go but a great start to a 'game changing' future for the planet, no less.

Tuesday 4th November 2025.

How does Old and Very Knackered Bob feel today? Feeling much better than a ride in a hot air balloon! You made it happen.

Wednesday 5th November 2025.

Back in the day November 5th used to be bonfire night, fireworks, mulled wine, music, dancing, hot dogs and sparklers. I expect it still is somewhere. Dreaming again!

Somewhere up there, there is a Beaver Super Moon tonight. Moonset 7.01am. 🌕 Click or touch the moon and dream. Would you like to dance?

Thursday 6th November 2025.

Somebody was having a good time last night, found a few burnt out rockets amongst the leaves in my back garden, but no mulled wine! Super moon last night was really super. Switched to Windows 11 which seems seamless, at the moment. Mike's article on the history of Brown's and their shop in the latest Fedora Mag (Page 22), (also see Blog 64) and The Oxshott Village Sign on the front cover of the latest Parish Mag Also two Professor's now on the team to sort out OK Bob's revolutionary idea for clean energy. Wot's not to like? You made it happen.

Friday 7th November 2025.

Old Bob's Dad's birthday today, happy 115th birthday Dad.

Sold Great Gran's picture on Gumtree yesterday, sorry about that. She brought it back from Israel in 1962. Recommend Gumtree. Went to church today and then The Running Mare, no comment!

Saturday 8th November 2025.

If you ask Alexa to shuffle songs by Elvis Presley we could have a shuffle or a jive or a smooch! Well it is Saturday night isn't it?

Sunday 9th November 2025.

Remembrance Sunday in St Andrew's Church, Cobham was very moving. Thanks to all involved.

Mrs Caldicott's Cabbage War was very resonant. Old age has arrived.

Thanks for reading.

Tuesday 11th November 2025.

OK Bob's decision to pack up blogging didn't last long did it? Pressure from regular readers!

As we all know today is Remembrance Day and at 11 o'clock a short service at The Cobham Tilt Memorial Stone was attended by G G Father and Mother with their wheels. A cherry tree on The Tilt remembers all those from Cobham who never came back. Respects were paid to George Bush who they didn't know but they knew his Father, Mother and family so thanks to George. 'We will remember them'.

Wednesday 12th November 2025.

The news from Epsom Hospital about OK Bob's pregnant leg is that it is definitely pregnant but they won't be doing anything about it because he is too bloody old. Phew!

About 80 years ago Great Gran was given a doll called Snuggles. Snuggles was largely responsible for G Gran's love of babies and finding her vocation. Snuggles is now in a bit of a state so OK Bob has applied to the BBC's Repair Shop to restore it. Watch this space. G Grandad would normally mend it in his shed but his nails are rusty, his elastic band is perished, he can't see and he wobbles. It happens!

If you feeling a bit off, cheesed off with the news or simply feel like dreaming I make no apology for recommending Angel Radio (again) click HERE to dream.

Thursday 13th November 2025.

To enjoy Angel Radio you have to have a million memories and rhythm.

#We'll meet again
#Don't know where, don't know when
#But I know we'll meet again
#Some sunny day

Friday 14th November 2025.

You'll forgive OK Bob dreaming about Vera Lynn but she will be featuring in his chat to the children of Year 6 next week about his war experiences in Oxshott. He's got another invite from his old school. He's rehearsing! #We'll meet again #Dum dum dee #Dum dum day! It's being so cheerful etc etc. It's a Foxtrot. Very sad!

Saturday 15th November 2025.

I've put a double bed, base and mattress FREE on Gumtree, Freeads and Freecycle. It's only 50 years old but does the job, no lumps, bumps, dips or squeaks and it's beautifully clean and comfortable. Not only that I can deliver it and demo it if you like. Bargain?

Sunday (Greyday) 16th November 2025.

Really sorry, somebody took the mattress but not the base, wasn't supposed to happen but there you go. Worse things happen at sea. It's HERE if you can find a use for it.

For some warmth, sunshine and romance try this one. It's Andrea Bocelli in Portofino.

Monday (Sunny Day) 17th November 2025.

It's not often you can muscle in on somebody's proposal but Freddie and Paula got engaged on YouTube so we can all join in. Congratulations Freddie and Paula. Great Gran's connection with Freddie is that he is one of three? triplets that used to live up the road, she changed his nappy many times but he probably won't remember. The half hour video shows Paula's parents, who had come over from Poland, hiding in the kitchen unbeknown to Paula. OK Bob can't remember getting engaged! But these days he doesn't remember a lot!

Tuesday (Cold Day) 18th November 2025.

Did you know that during WW 11 rationed items included meat, butter, sugar, tea, jam, biscuits, cheese, eggs, lard, milk, canned fruit, dried fruit, petrol, tyres, bicycles and clothes? Remember it well. Just doing my homework!

The Imperial War Museum is a mine of information. Cabbage Greens 3d/lb. In our house it was bread and milk breakfast, dinner and tea and butter if you're lucky.

There's a great video of Vera chatting to the troops HERE. .... #But I know we'll meet again some sunny day.

Wednesday (Sleety, Windy Day) 19th November 2025.

The lot of a 24/7 carer is never 'quiet' but today was a relatively 'quiet' day doing homework, amongst other things.

Thursday (Q Cold) 20th November 2025.

Trying to get sense out of any large organisation these days is, to put it mildly, extremely frustrating. You are inevitably confronted with an AI 'person' who can't give you an answer to the simplest of questions. Take O2 for instance, following an age of waiting and pressing security buttons you are introduced to some Artificial Intelligence Idiot talking gobbledegook. When you are an AI (Ancient Individual) person yourself it can lead to the tearing out of hair - if any is available! Familiar?

Question -When upgrading my phone from 3G to 4G (because you've switched off 3G) do I have to upgrade the phone and the SIM card? Answers preferably on a postcard please. Pretty please?

PS Great Gran has n old person's phone, a Doro Phone Easy 612. Great Grandfather has AID (Advanced Intelligence Dementia).

Friday (Freezing) 21st |November 2025.

'Thank you for your patience, we are extremely busy with other customers.'

If you have Amazon Prime Video you might like 'A Place To Call Home'. It's a true story set in Oz in the early 50's.

Saturday (Greyday) 22nd November 2025.

OK Bob doesn't normally blog about the future because it might not happen but there's a fair chance that on Monday morning he will be chatting to the children about bombs in Oxshott during the war. If you want to sit at the back of the class you would be welcome. Provided you sing along with Vera.. .... #But I know we'll meet again some sunny day!

And this is an unexploded bomb dug up by the Canadians in Oxshott Woods.

This is young Bob with his Dad.

The bomb went through the deck chair and flattened the cottages at 4am on 1st April 1944. We all survived.

Written by Allan Simmons, aged 11 who lived opposite.

Monday (Pleasant day) 24th November 2025.

This old blogger would like to thank his regular reader(s) for the positive vibes during his chat to the Year 6 children about his 'war experiences' in Oxshott. It was well received, they were 'transfixed' for nearly an hour which is, apparently, very unusual. A pint or two at The Bear Oxshott with his taxi driver afterwards was also 'well received'! Thanks.

Tuesday (No weather today) 25th November 2025.

A month today it will be Christmas Day. Just a thought!

Following his success yesterday and the upcoming festivities OK Bob has decided to dust down his guitar. Dreaming again!

Wednesday (B Freezing) 26th November 2025.

Did you know that there are around 150 million goats in India which produce on average a 100 litre's of milk per goat per year. Goats in this country can produce up to 1,500 litre's per year. Exporting UK Livestock Genetics is big business and will be bigger. Encourage your great grandchildren to study Livestock Genetics. Farming Today is worth a listen.

A bit late but Old and Knackered Bob is just discovering his farming roots!

Thursday (Balmy night) 27th November 2025.

Definitely global warming last night, probably be cured by OK Bob's amazing invention which is currently being rapidly developed by the students at Brighton University, he thinks! It might be next May before we find out if it works. Meanwhile # I'm dreaming of a White Christmas .....

Friday (Hi Viz day) 28th November 2025.

# Lonely rivers flow
# To the sea, to the sea
# To the open arms of the sea, yeah

If you want to sing along with The Righteous Brothers in 1965 click HERE. A great year.

Saturday 29th November 2025.

Perhaps the biggest hit for The Righteous Brothers that year was THIS one.

For young Bob 1965 was the year when he hit the £1 an hour mark, breezed care free around in his soft top split screen Morris Minor, toured the dance halls and trad jazz clubs and generally was irresponsible. Sorry. That was 60 years ago would you believe. If you have any memories of young Bob in 1965 he'd love to hear from you. Preferably fond memories!

Sunday 30th November 2025.

Your favourite old blogger was quite pleased with himself yesterday. He wrote a very diplomatic letter to Waitrose Customer Services pointing out (not complaining) that he had been charged twice for a Hovis Loaf because the Yellow Reduced Price Sticker had not been stuck over the original barcode. The reply from Rory was:-

Thankfully this is something that happens exceptionally little, Human error can occasionally happen, and we do feedback to our partners just how important it is that the reduced sticker is placed fully over the original barcode so as not to allow a secondary charge within the transaction.

Please accept my sincere apologies about this happening, I am also sorry to hear about the health issues you are facing.

I have issued you a £7.50 Egift towards a few loaves of bread or an alternative item on us.

Needless to say Old Bob told him about his 'health issues' when walking to Waitrose so, don't forget to check your bill when buying a reduced item.

Rory rejected OK Bob's suggestion that it could be done 'automatically' by the scanner, So, it's down to the check out person or the sticker onner of labels person or you to spot the cock up. Time for a reduced Guinness!

Monday 1st December 2025.

I don't know bout you, dearest reader, but this old complainer thinks the above 'happens exceptionally little' because customers check their bills 'exceptionally little'.

Another glass of Guinness in The Runner today with OK Den went swimmingly!

And if you want to save even more money try Make Every Penny Count - Skint Dad.

Tip for the day. When you can't squeeze any more out of your tube of toothpaste (or any other cream), cut the tube in half with a pair of scissors. You will find another week's supply in there. Skint Great Grandad.

Tuesday 2nd December 2025.

Driving through Weybridge today negotiating endless streams of traffic an unsteady old person was waiting to cross the road. A kind person stopped, all traffic stopped while the old person crossed the road. A moment of calm descended. But only a moment. 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴 Lights out!

Wednesday 3rd December 2025.

And if you think that OK Bob has ideas of becoming an F1 driver you would be wrong. Quite the reverse. He is, in fact, considering giving up driving altogether. But only considering. Maybe one last trip to Brighton? Or Pagham? Or Littlehampton? Or Tokaanu NZ?

Thursday 4th December 2025.

If you have a week to spare and would like a day by day account of what Young Bob was doing in New Zealand in 1982 click HERE. Remember, no Google Maps! That hill in the background is called Maunganamu Hill, Maori for Mosquito. So you know where I was but I can't remember why!

What I do remember is lodging with Dotty in Waitara, she offered to lend me her motorbike!

You'll forgive OK Bob for dreaming about his past, great therapy for dreaming about the future. No comment!

Friday 5th December 2025.

Today, I would like to say Happy 90th Birthday to Brian. Brian and I have been swopping stories since the late 50's. Have a great day Brian. One, two. One, two, three, four #Who's sorry now The guy at the back in the corner playing the finger and thumb reminds me of somebody!

Saturday 6th December 2025.

Good morning Waitrose Customer Services,

I have no wish to make another complaint but I didn't find it difficult to find another reduced item which registered twice on your scanning device. The kindly check out lady deleted the old price but I begin to wonder how often this is happening and not being spotted, and not only in Waitrose.

Beware Yellow 'Reduced' Stickers. You might be charged 'double'.

Yours,

Bob.

Sunday 7th December 2025.

Talking about complaints, is it OK for this Old and Knackered Great Grandfather to complain about performing endless domestic chores? Some, he will admit, are self inflicted but nevertheless chores of one kind or another. Invalidated Great Grandmother, sadly, is unable and frustrated she is unable to help. A 'live in' career would seem to be the answer but OK Grandad would choose to 'live out' if somebody 'lived in'. Thanks. Complaint registered.

Monday 8th December 2025.

Sorry to complain, this OK blogger does know there are plenty out there in far worse situations so be 'appy. At least he's got two arms and two legs that still just about work. The rest is a bit 'iffy but there you go. At eighty six and eleven twelfths what can you expect?

Thursday 11th December 2025.

Back in 2023 an hour long video was taken of this wrinkly old blogger talking to the children of The royal Kent School, Oxshott about his war experiences. It's amateurish, lacks preparation,, lacks Direction, lacks slick camera work and it's the first time WOB has seen it. The 'star' of the show didn't realise he was so bloody wrinkly and old. So, It is only available to keen readers who have an hour to spare and nevertheless want to hear his death defying and fascinating storey.

He would like to point out that the 2025 performance was slick, polished, professional, well received, received a standing ovation but lacked a camera and crew, sorry. Live performances available for a mince pie and a Guinness!

Friday 12th December 2025.

The painting on the screen is a snowy scene of Ayling's Corner, Oxshott painted by my father, probably reflecting the winter of '47. Remember? I wonder if we will see snow at Ayling's Corner again. The painting is now hanging on my bedroom wall along with a few other snowy scenes. Thanks G.

Saturday 13th December 2025.

There ae very few moments in the life of a 24/7 carer which are precious. Today, between 11.15am and 11.45am, with one of his Angels on duty, a clandestine visit to The Bear in Oxshott was one of them. The Bear holds a million memories for this particular battered old carer and to find it empty with a roaring fire, some gentle muzak, a Latte, a scotch on the rocks and a cosy sofa was nearly Nirvana. Nearly!

Monday 15th December 2025.

This old blogger wouldn't want you to think that his journey through life is dominated by 'occasional' visits to a cosy bar although it might seem like that judging by the number of images of cosy bars in this blog. In years gone by he is not too proud of his 'misspent youth' in The Oxshott Men's Club but in those days thick snow, pea soupers and no wheels limited our horizons. Visits to 'cultural' places were few and far between. Excuses! However, his New Year resolution might change all that. Might!

Tuesday 16th December 2025.

Upsetting scenes follow. Regular readers of this riveting blog will know that the writer suffers from ARMD (Age Related Macular Degeneration) and every 10 weeks he has his right eye injected (ouch) to try to slow down the degeneration. Today, he had both eyes injected (ouch, ouch). It happens.

Wednesday 17th December 2025.

Regular readers of this riveting blog will know that the writer also suffers from pregnant legs, you might say he is expecting twins, however, in order to prevent birth, blockages or catastrophic burst he takes an aspirin a day to keep the doctor away. So far, so good.

He would like to wish his regular reader(s) a safe journey, a Happy Christmas and a Healthy New Year. A bit early but just in case he forgets his aspirin!

Thursday 18th December 2025.

Regular readers of this riveting blog will also know that Great Gran is still wheelchair bound but now she is managing to do the washing up with one hand. After 59 years Great Grandfather is considering buying her a dishwasher. Considering!

Friday 19th December 2025.

Regular readers of this riveting blog will know that at this time of year the writer wanders through a secret wood in Oxshott looking for holly near where his grandfather's ashes are scattered. Yesterday, in the pouring rain, he found 5 sprigs with berries on. He got extremely soggy but enjoyed climbing trees, chatting to the badgers, bunnies, birds squirrels and dreaming. He apologised for his (and his mates) behaviour 75 years ago with their catapults, air guns and snares. And for pinching the birdies eggs. He will be moving in shortly.

Saturday 20th December 2025.

Regular readers of this riveting blog will know that the writer has, for the past 10 years or so, been developing an 'innovative', 'game changing' (not his words) method of generating power from surface tidal streams. Currently, a team of final year MEng students, together with their lecturers and Associate Professors of Engineering at The University of Brighton are developing the proposal. Nothing has been heard on progress. Will it be big? Or will it be all smoke and mirrors? Watch this space.

PS. Regular readers of this riveting blog are now down to two and one of them is me!

Sunday 21st December 2025.

It doesn't seem that long ago when we were celebrating the summer solstice. Time flies when you are enjoying yourself!

Wednesday 24th December 2025.

I'd like to thank our 11 (nearly 12) year old Lottie (she used to be little Lottie but not now!) for the Christmas card, much better than grandfathers.

I'd like to wish all who visit this amazing blog a very happy Christmas and a pain free new year.

I also hope that your central heating and bank balance remain healthy.

Thursday 25th December 2025.

Zoom in on the candle, sweet dreams.

Friday 26th December 2025.

What does it tell you if you can't open a jar of picked onions?

This is is another piece of artwork by our Lottie. It's this time of year when grandfather gets creative. If he can see!

Saturday 27th December 2025.

Dear Reader,

I didn't win the lottery last night but the fact that I can write this and know that you are reding it is worth more.

Love and hugs,

Bob

Thanks G

Sunday 28th December 2025.

BREAKING NEWS

A murmuration of starlings arrived in my back garden this morning, Percy and Doris weren't too happy. Sorry about the shaky camera, you can blame Glenn Miller!

Monday 29th December 2025.

Such is the world of the writer - at the moment. How's your world? You can click HERE and let me know if you like, no pressure.

Tuesday 30th December 2025.

Just wondering what Percy, Doris and all the other 'little birdies' do when it's so bloody cold. Especially if they've got aches and pains and dodgy eyesight.

Wednesday 31st December 2025. (Last Post for the year and Page 66).

Dear Reader(s),

Happy New Year to all my readers, not sure who they are Gina but if you are in hospital or worse in a 'care home' I wish you well. If you wish to follow the fortunes of Percy and Doris and the decline of an old and fast decaying blogger you can turn to Page 67 Any ideas on 'finding the answer' to old age much appreciated.

Yours etc,