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Bob's Blog Page 67

Page 66 Page 68

You are reading Page 67 of Bob's Blog/diary/dream/story/journey/novelistic memoir.

He is 87 years old and counting.

He is also very much aware that this blog is of no significance whatsoever -

at the time of writing!

Thursday 1st January 2026.

Happy New Year to all who enter here. Sharp eyed readers of this riveting blog will know that the writer has increased the size of the text because his eyesight is rubbish, along with many other things.

Back in the early 60's Young Bob and his folk group were invited to perform at a Folk Club in Oxford. It was in the crypt (basement) of a hotel called The Turl Street Mitre. After the session a few students of Brasenose College next door invited the group to play in their rooms, which they did. The main gate to the college was closed at midnight so they all climbed out the window, with their guitars, on to the street below. They then drove home in Young Bob's Morris Minor Convertible. Memories. Yesterday, Dan, Helen and Lottie visited The Turl Street Mitre.

Friday 2nd January 2026.

They say you can't change the past but with AI, can you change the future? Now there's a thought. Did another puzzle while I was thinking about it, very therapeutic!

Sunday 4th January 2026.

Plenty of sunshine and back ache today. TENS machine working overtime. Recommended. Great Gran not too happy with her 24/7 carer. If you'd like to 'live in' and look after two old wobblies please apply with CV. Plenty of Christmas goodies to hoover up. Shouldn't have danced around to Charley Pride!

Monday 5th January 2026.

Nobody spotted my mistake in the date yesterday but then again nobody reads it. Today, I decided that I'm not very good at domesticity, sorry.

Tuesday 6th January 2026.

You've probably forgotten about great grandmothers electric wheel chair but great grandfather will soon be fitting it with new batteries and redesigning the front wing ready for the new season. Probably a new pair of goggles as well! Watch this space.

Wednesday 7th January 2025.

This old blogger feels very fortunate to have reached the ripe old age of 87, would you believe? Faculties are somewhat limited but the effect of long term input of pills, potions, Jameson's (thanks Cliff n' Briff) and Guinness might be the reason for longevity.

To celebrate he will be aiming his electric wheelchair at The Plough at Downside which his regular reader might remember back in '64. Back then a pint of Ale meant a trip down to the cellar for Landlord Bill or the lovely Angela. All are welcome.

Thursday 8th January 2025.

Happy birthday Elvis.

Great grandfather is not too proud of taking grandson on a pub crawl but grandson was uncomplaining so that was alright then? Except in great gran's eyes of course, but it won't happen again, promise!

I wasn't planning to post this picture as it as gives a wrong impression

of old age, decay and decrepidity.

Called on a lifetime of experience with nuts, screws, washers and bolts to fit new batteries to great gran's electric wheelchair. Very satisfying. So, you know where to come if you need new batteries for your electric buggies. But you better be quick, eyesight failing fast!

Friday 9th January 2026.

Spent loadsa' money on new lenses for glasses today, all the better to see you with!

Pleased to hear that you are back home G, I can still hear little birdies!

Saturday 10th January 2026.

A belated birthday treat from someone who also was interested to hear what the little birdies had to say was enjoyed at The Barley Mow and The Cricketers, Thanks to Tim. Needless to say the conversation centered around old Morris Minors!

Outside 27, Blundell Lane c1965. Cool?

Monday 12th January 2026.

Dear Fellow Octogenarian's,

Rather than dwell on his current aches and pains that inevitably come with getting extremely old, plus the demands of a 24/7 carer you will forgive this old blogger for reminiscing about his Morris Minor.

He can remember taking the above picture clearly, he forgot to latch the bonnet and has regretted it ever since. If he could go back in time he would latch the bonnet otherwise there is a danger of the bonnet flipping up and blocking your view, obviously. This happened in a snowstorm on a mountain road in the winter of '68 in The Cascades USA on his Ford Galaxie. Of course, the old Galaxie had a b great 'hood' and not a delicate 'bonnet', luckily Julia, our two year old, was asleep in her car seat and was unaware of the drama.

Anyway, if you have any memories (pleasant or otherwise!) of the old Morris Minor please feel free to share them with old Bob, it would cheer him up no end.

Many apologies if your memories are 'otherwise'!

Sincerely,

Bob.

Wednesday 14th January 2026.

Now this is the story of Titty the Electric Wheelchair, she's named after Titty of Swallows and Amazons. She, like her siblings, John, Roger and Susan, is very adventurous. She is piloted by a well experienced pilot who flies blind and upside down regularly. Today, she travelled to distant mysterious regions called Cleves Close. Tomorrow? Who knows?

Saturday 17th January 2026.

Existing beyond three score years and ten is difficult enough but existing beyond four score years and seven is bloody nigh impossible. So, in order to continue existing, for whatever reason, Sam the live in carer organiser visited yesterday to explain how this can be done at vast expense divided by two compared with a care home, perish the thought.

Sam also explained that the live in carer would be there to look after great gran but not great grandfather so a point to bear in mind before making the decision. Can great grandfather look after himself? That is the question. He hasn't looked after himself since the summer of '65 so what chance? Maybe two live in carers? Now there's a thought!

On a lighter note, this is Great Granddaughter Rosa celebrating her fifth month birthday. Cute?

Monday 19th January 2026.

Another day of real achievement but no recollection of what was achieved. Which maybe of no significance in the grand scheme of things but in TWOOB (the world of Old Bob) is huge. In other words I didn't need to resort to AI to mend the Dyson. Titty is waiting patiently with fully charged batteries beside me hoping for an adventure soon. Captain Whiteknuckles waiting for a decent weather window. Talk about excitement!

Tuesday 20th January 2026.

Following an unsprung, bucking broncho ride to Waitrose aboard Titty Captain Whiteknuckles decided she was unsuitable for rough terrain so it's back to Gumtree for Titty, sorry Titty.

Decisions have to be made.

Sunday 25th January 2026.

Apologies for delay in transmission. Sadly, great gran suffered another stroke last Wednesday which put her back into Epsom Hospital after a night in A and E. Weakened but with her 'fighting spirit', according to the doctor, she'll be back doing the washing up soon. Not really! There will be a live in carer waiting to see to her every need. Great grandfather is 'spent'.

Monday 26th January 2026.

There have been objections to the name Titty which Great Grandfather now agrees is inappropriate So, from now on his steed will be known as Trigger. Now we all know who Trigger is don't we? That is if you went to The Surbiton Odeon or The Majestic in Reigate in the 50's.

Following another exhilarating gallop around the recreation ground Great Grandfather has fallen in love with Trigger. She deposited him alongside her mates ready for his daily workout. No worries!

Tuesday 27th January 2026.

Trigger, is of course, a stallion and not a mare, sorry Trigger. Great Grandfather's knowledge of horses is zero unlike Great Grandmothers. She learnt to ride when she was a young teenager at Uncle Tom and Auntie Daph's pad up in Rugby, not her real Uncle and Aunt but she was always considered one of the family.

During her time off from looking after 4 young children in Israel when she was 21 in 1962 she would visit the local stables and ride like the wind in the surf along the beach. The owner of the stables, an Arab horse breeder, even gave her a foal called Andrecus which unfortunately she was unable to pack in her trunk and bring home. But her memories of those far off days are still strong.

Thursday 29th January 2026.

That's the problem of getting old. Too many memories.

Meanwhile, Great Gran's Angels are feverishly working away in the background trying to get her home. Might be tomorrow.

Meanwhile Great Grandfather is working feverishly away at changing the world. Again!

Friday 30th January 2026.

Despite the weather and inevitable frustrating delays extracting Great Gran from Hospital all was achieved by a team of Angels without mishap. She can now catch up on East Enders at her leisure. Great Grandfather doesn't mind a bit!

Tomorrow, guess what? A live in carer will be arriving. Phew!

Saturday 31st January 2026.

Blessing arrived and settled in seamlessly. She immediately had all great grandmothers Angels saying 'why didn't I think of that'. Great grandfather is finally able to get on with his puzzles, change the world and dream without interruption. A 'blessing' indeed.

Sunday 1st February 2026.

Titty/Trigger is back on Gumtree, nearly threw great grandfather over the handlebars but don't tell anyone.

Tuesday 3rd February 2026.

The learning curve with a live in carer for all involved is exponential, which means bloody steep. In the middle of it all is poor old Great Gran, now confined even more, but copes admirably, mostly.

In the background is Great Grandfather trying to balance the books with a pregnant leg. An amazing feat!

Wednesday 4th February 2026.

Thanks for popping in, much appreciated. Hope to have something sensible to say tomorrow.

Inundated with OT's today (Occupational Therapists) very tiring.

Thursday 5th February 2026.

Happy Anniversary to Tim and Julia.

Had a great time spending loadsa money today. At this rate I'll be in the workhouse by Easter. Come to think of it great great grandfather William was in the workhouse at Peaslake. Sounds great. In amongst the badgers and bluebells at last!

Saturday 7th February 2026.

Of course that's dear old Henry, our borrowed chocolate Lab, in amongst the bluebells. Can't believe I took him out most mornings for 9 years. Must have been quite energetic! He features on many pages of this blog if you're happy to scroll.

Energy now is fast disappearing but Sandra our new live in carer seems perfectly capable of shouldering the burdens.

Meanwhile great grandfather (that's me) is focussing in on a Rolls Royce mobility scooter. Watch this space.

Monday 9th February 2026.

Tuesday 10th February 2026.

Raking up some soggy leaves today (I can still rake up soggy leaves, just!) A robin perched by my right ear and tweeted as if to say thank you, not only that another robin popped in and out of the undergrowth and also tweeted. Angels? Spirits? Just thought I'd mention it.

Thursday 12th February 2026.

One of the first questions I would ask before buying a Rolls Royce Mobility Scooter is, does it freewheel downhills? If so it would be great coming down the zig zags at Box Hill!

Friday 13th (lucky for some! 2026.

Discovered today why we are living longer. Rules, regulations, exorbitant charges for dying are increasing exponentially. That means going through the roof. Much cheaper to Carry on Living!

Saturday 14th February 2026.

Loada love, Anonymous.

Sunday 15th February 2026.

With a live in carer great grandfather is finally getting used to the idea of going into retirement. Is it peace and tranquillity after all? Expensive but worth it. 'Carry on Spending'? Could be a Rolls Royce mobility scooter as well!

Monday 16th February 2026.

Today, Rosa travelled all the way from Deal to see great grandmother and great grandfather. A special moment. Thanks to Hannah and Mike.

Wednesday 18th February 2026.

Ordered a test drive on a Veleco Turris today, that's a Rolls Royce mobility scooter. It's got a range of 30 miles on one charge so beware!

Thursday 19th February 2026.

I wouldn't recommend being assessed by the Surrey County Council for care funding when you become fundless. Talk about the Spanish Inquisition. The Spanish Inquisition would be a doddle.

Friday 20th February 2026.

If you look at back on Page 3 of this blog for the beginning of January 2017 you will see a list of New Year's Resolutions from 1940. There are 26 of them. No 26 is 'Everything is in a state of change - learn to change too'.

Sunday 22nd February 2026.

I'm not sure if I can 'learn to change too'. Because when you are an AI (Ancient Individual) change is forced upon you. So, is it 'keep calm and carry on? Accept the inevitable? Or dream about boundless energy!

Tuesday 24th February 2026.

No doubt you have heard of this old bloggers miraculous escape, together with his parents and the family next door, when a bomb landed in the front garden of the cottages where they lived in Oxshott in April 1944.

Well, you can now read all about it on Exploring Surrey's Past website HERE. You'll have to scroll down to the end of the page but you're good at that now!

Wednesday 25th February 2026.

Contemplating another couple of eye stabbings tomorrow is not the greatest prospect but Hey! Ho! Worse things happen at sea. I think!

Thursday 26th February 2026.

Actually, injections in the eyeball are not to be feared if done by an experienced knitter, in and round and poke and off!

Meanwhile, while I'm waiting for my Rolls Royce mobility scooter I would like to play a piano (or keyboard). Ever since I can remember we had a piano in the house, until recently. So. if you have one I could pop round and practice on yours. #I can't give anything but love, baby. It's the only one I know!

Saturday 28th February 2026.

OK so you don't like my playing, understandable.

Time for a picture of get well soon daffodils, Percy and Doris, enjoy. Might be Page 68 tomorrow.