This morning I went to the local supermarket to get a few odds and ends. It was raining and although the fields in general are standing in lots of water, we here have been very lucky. Let us hope that 2013 will be a little kinder to those who have been flooded.
I had a phone call the other day. He called me by my name and told me it was Mike. It certainly didn't ring a bell to me so I asked him who he was. He told me he lived next door to me. After going on for a few minutes I asked him how he had my telephone number as I was Ex. Directory. He seemed taken aback and then asked me if I lived in the next village. I told him he had unfortunately got the wrong number. He of course was full of apologies but I told him not to worry and have a nice Christmas.
On a quite different subject. I am not mad on football but the other night on Match of the Day on BBC the pundits highlighted an Everton player who physically abused a fellow player. He not only head butted him but hit him in the face, it was not clear if it was by the flat of his hand or a punch. The pundits suggested he was in serious trouble and could expect a 6 match ban. Incidentally the referee missed each offence. The player who offended immediately apologised for the wrong doings. I don't suppose he would have done so if the evidence was not caught on camera. The outcome was a 3 match ban.
This got me thinking, several months ago a Liverpool player was banned for 8 matches for using racist language to a Manchester United player although the language he used was not considered racist in his own Country.
My thought were, first the player who was offened should grow up, secondly the FA should get their punishment in perspective. We were always taught that. "Sticks and stones may break my bones but calling never hurts me". The FA seem to think that calling hurts more that physical abuse. I think the world has gone completely mad.
Finally may I wish all who bother to read this blog a Peaceful Christmas.
I will have a few days break from writing my blog. More not so soon.
Monday, 24 December 2012
Tuesday, 18 December 2012
Barbers
Yesterday I decided to go to the Barbers to get my haircut, as I walked to his shop I saw a window cleaner I knew. Well I knew his Father very well. We had a few words and as I walked on I noticed that there was a Charity Shop almost next to the Barbers.
In I went and there was a young Lass I guess in her late teens. She had a young child in a push chair. He was nice and clean and seemed to be well cared for. He would be nearing 1 year old.
This young lass was talking and I only caught some of the conversation. The Hairdresser told her that if she had toothache she shoud go and have it seen to as an emergency. She then told him she also had ear ache.
Then she started to mention what had happened on Sunday night. There had been a stabbing but couldn't say much about it also a shop window was broken. The hairdresser asked her who had been stabbed but she told him she had no idea but some shopkeepers were taking names. Then she just said "I puled last night". I thought all she was interested in was to get laid.
A few minutes later she left the shop whereupon the Hairdresser stated that she had told him she can't get a regular guy. He told us that he could give one reason and that was she never stopped talking at all and he only could do with her in small doses. I remarked that although she had ear ache and toothache it didn't seem to stop her jaws from working. Laughter was then heard.
Eventually I had my haircut and he shook my hand and wished me Seasonal Greetings. I then proceeded to look into the Charity Shop window. There was a grotty looking wrist watch displayed. I thought it looked a cheap rubbishy watch. Then I noticed the tag on it. £10.00 no battery hence the price. Heaven alone knows what price they would have asked if it was in full working order.
I always thought Charity Shops were supposed to be reasonably cheap places. I wouldn't have gave the watch a second glance had it been £5.00 and if it had been working properly Oh well! Perhaps it is me getting old. More soon.
In I went and there was a young Lass I guess in her late teens. She had a young child in a push chair. He was nice and clean and seemed to be well cared for. He would be nearing 1 year old.
This young lass was talking and I only caught some of the conversation. The Hairdresser told her that if she had toothache she shoud go and have it seen to as an emergency. She then told him she also had ear ache.
Then she started to mention what had happened on Sunday night. There had been a stabbing but couldn't say much about it also a shop window was broken. The hairdresser asked her who had been stabbed but she told him she had no idea but some shopkeepers were taking names. Then she just said "I puled last night". I thought all she was interested in was to get laid.
A few minutes later she left the shop whereupon the Hairdresser stated that she had told him she can't get a regular guy. He told us that he could give one reason and that was she never stopped talking at all and he only could do with her in small doses. I remarked that although she had ear ache and toothache it didn't seem to stop her jaws from working. Laughter was then heard.
Eventually I had my haircut and he shook my hand and wished me Seasonal Greetings. I then proceeded to look into the Charity Shop window. There was a grotty looking wrist watch displayed. I thought it looked a cheap rubbishy watch. Then I noticed the tag on it. £10.00 no battery hence the price. Heaven alone knows what price they would have asked if it was in full working order.
I always thought Charity Shops were supposed to be reasonably cheap places. I wouldn't have gave the watch a second glance had it been £5.00 and if it had been working properly Oh well! Perhaps it is me getting old. More soon.
Monday, 17 December 2012
Daydreaming
I don't know why my mind wandered off to the days of my youth, I think it was my best Pal talking about the youths of today not capable of doing a full days work.
I remember having to do my National Service. 2 years in the Army. I was fortunate, although I didn't realise it at the time, by being posted to Hong Kong. Out there we were spoilt to death but didn't appreciate it.
During the summer months, from April until the end of October we only worked in the mornings. Parade was 8.00am. and then work started unli noon. The afternoon was ours to do as we pleased. In the summer we wore what was called. O.Gs. Olive Green light weight clothing. Shorts were the order of the day
I must tell you that although I said Hong Kong, we were in the New Territories. Victoria was the capital of Hong Kong but Kowloon was the capital of the New Territories. These territories were several times larger than Hong Kong Island itself. I was based in a R.E camp some 17 miles from Kowloon. The roads followed mainly the Coast and where we were based was only about 50 yards for the sea. So generally in the summer afternoons we would go to the beach and lounge around.
Another bonus was that we had facilities also. These included a "boot boy". What he used to do was clean out boots daily and also change and make our beds, this for a princely sum of $1. These were Hong Kong dollars and there were 16 to each pound sterling. The boot boys stayed on camp but went home for the week end. Our billet had a young lad called Chung Sek Kong. He was a nice lad and had about 24 of us to look after. Also on the Camp on a daily basis was an old woman. Well she looked old to us but I guess she would be about 50. Her name was Sew Sew. Well that is what we called her, she would come into the camp daily and if anyone wished to have any darning done then you would give it to her and the next day it would be done and very little was charged. I guess we became rather lazy out there. So easy for us to do. I suppose the younger element have never had to work hard but I guess if they were made to, then they would do quite a decent job of it. More soon.
I remember having to do my National Service. 2 years in the Army. I was fortunate, although I didn't realise it at the time, by being posted to Hong Kong. Out there we were spoilt to death but didn't appreciate it.
During the summer months, from April until the end of October we only worked in the mornings. Parade was 8.00am. and then work started unli noon. The afternoon was ours to do as we pleased. In the summer we wore what was called. O.Gs. Olive Green light weight clothing. Shorts were the order of the day
I must tell you that although I said Hong Kong, we were in the New Territories. Victoria was the capital of Hong Kong but Kowloon was the capital of the New Territories. These territories were several times larger than Hong Kong Island itself. I was based in a R.E camp some 17 miles from Kowloon. The roads followed mainly the Coast and where we were based was only about 50 yards for the sea. So generally in the summer afternoons we would go to the beach and lounge around.
Another bonus was that we had facilities also. These included a "boot boy". What he used to do was clean out boots daily and also change and make our beds, this for a princely sum of $1. These were Hong Kong dollars and there were 16 to each pound sterling. The boot boys stayed on camp but went home for the week end. Our billet had a young lad called Chung Sek Kong. He was a nice lad and had about 24 of us to look after. Also on the Camp on a daily basis was an old woman. Well she looked old to us but I guess she would be about 50. Her name was Sew Sew. Well that is what we called her, she would come into the camp daily and if anyone wished to have any darning done then you would give it to her and the next day it would be done and very little was charged. I guess we became rather lazy out there. So easy for us to do. I suppose the younger element have never had to work hard but I guess if they were made to, then they would do quite a decent job of it. More soon.
Thursday, 13 December 2012
Strange
Yesterday morning I had a telephone call from my local Surgery. I immediately thought there was something wrong because I had my annual urine test but also my blood test.
To my surprise, it was the receptionist requesting me to contact LLoyds Chemist. They deliver my medication for me. Well I tried to ring them well over a dozen times, each time the line was engaged. So I decided to go to LLoyds myself, it is only about 3 miles away.
When I arrived, immediately before me was a woman she just beat me to it but she wanted something that they hadn't got so then it was me. I introduced myself. I told them my locl surgery had asked me to contact them but trying to get through was impossible. I was then informed that unfortunately the computer had failed. I just told the lass, incidentally had never seen before to give me my medication and I would be on my way.
Unfortunately this was not possible as prescriptions could not be made up.
I then asked her where the others were. She told me that she was new and the other girls had left. As for the Chemist, she was on a course and the delivery man no longer worked there. I told her I didn't want to know the details.
This afternoon I had my prescriptions delivered. The man told me he had come from Grimsby. He told me he was on zero hours contract. What that means I have no idea but he told me that the man that worked there left rather quickly. I felt sorry for him because he told me he knew nothing of the area at all. He had tried to phone me but all he got was an unobtainable note on his mobile. I told him he must enter the area code as well as the local number. He thanked me and told me that would help him a lot. As he was leaving he told me that he had originally been informed he would not be needed until early January next year so he had decided to do some decorating. No sooner had he started when a phone call told him he was needed in this area for the next 3 days. He had travelled this morning 30 miles so I guess something went wrong with the original driver. I guess I wil nere know. More soon.
To my surprise, it was the receptionist requesting me to contact LLoyds Chemist. They deliver my medication for me. Well I tried to ring them well over a dozen times, each time the line was engaged. So I decided to go to LLoyds myself, it is only about 3 miles away.
When I arrived, immediately before me was a woman she just beat me to it but she wanted something that they hadn't got so then it was me. I introduced myself. I told them my locl surgery had asked me to contact them but trying to get through was impossible. I was then informed that unfortunately the computer had failed. I just told the lass, incidentally had never seen before to give me my medication and I would be on my way.
Unfortunately this was not possible as prescriptions could not be made up.
I then asked her where the others were. She told me that she was new and the other girls had left. As for the Chemist, she was on a course and the delivery man no longer worked there. I told her I didn't want to know the details.
This afternoon I had my prescriptions delivered. The man told me he had come from Grimsby. He told me he was on zero hours contract. What that means I have no idea but he told me that the man that worked there left rather quickly. I felt sorry for him because he told me he knew nothing of the area at all. He had tried to phone me but all he got was an unobtainable note on his mobile. I told him he must enter the area code as well as the local number. He thanked me and told me that would help him a lot. As he was leaving he told me that he had originally been informed he would not be needed until early January next year so he had decided to do some decorating. No sooner had he started when a phone call told him he was needed in this area for the next 3 days. He had travelled this morning 30 miles so I guess something went wrong with the original driver. I guess I wil nere know. More soon.
Tuesday, 11 December 2012
Wonders of wonders
Yes! It has happened, the scaffolding has finally been removed. It was removed on Saturday morning.
Today I saw the Postman , the first time in a while and he was delivering to next door. He commented on the scaffolding gone eventually and the man next door told him that the scaffolders refused to remove it because they hadn't been paid for the job. All I know is that it was up there for almost a month. I told him I thought they were leaving it up so that Santa could get down his chimney easier. They do have some decorations outside and I think the youngest is in his 40s.
I told the Postman that during is leave of absense mail was very late. He then told me that he had 10 days hol;iday then another 10 days with a bad back. I shall make no comment only to say when I was in business I often had a bad back but still had to carry on.
I went to see my friend in Mablethorpe and took him some more DVDs of Railwayana. He gave me a Railway periodical to read but I did tell him that it would almost certainly be next year before I see him again.
I think I did mention it on how we got to meet. I was wearing my old Railway overalls and he asked me if I had been on the footplate, a terminology to know that you was on steam engines. I told him I was and told him that I had a serge jacket and overcoat which I would wear to show him. The other week I wore the serge jacket for the first time ever. Great when you think it must be nearing 50 years old and it fits well. Today as it was cold I decided to wear my Lambing Gown. This was commonly known as the Overcoat. It weighed a ton and when they got wet it was not easy to walk and a sod when wet to get dry. I did take it off for him to handle and he was suirprised just how heavy it was. I must admit that the overcoat now seems a little on the lage size.
I told him that I could now understand my late Mother. She had bought a sheepskin coat. They were generally 3/4 length but quite heavy. I guess she only wore it less than 10 times in a couple of years, eventually she told my Sisters that it was just too heavy for her to wear and they must take it to the loacl charity shop. What a bargain for somebody working there. I am sure that it would never go on display for sale. More soon.
Today I saw the Postman , the first time in a while and he was delivering to next door. He commented on the scaffolding gone eventually and the man next door told him that the scaffolders refused to remove it because they hadn't been paid for the job. All I know is that it was up there for almost a month. I told him I thought they were leaving it up so that Santa could get down his chimney easier. They do have some decorations outside and I think the youngest is in his 40s.
I told the Postman that during is leave of absense mail was very late. He then told me that he had 10 days hol;iday then another 10 days with a bad back. I shall make no comment only to say when I was in business I often had a bad back but still had to carry on.
I went to see my friend in Mablethorpe and took him some more DVDs of Railwayana. He gave me a Railway periodical to read but I did tell him that it would almost certainly be next year before I see him again.
I think I did mention it on how we got to meet. I was wearing my old Railway overalls and he asked me if I had been on the footplate, a terminology to know that you was on steam engines. I told him I was and told him that I had a serge jacket and overcoat which I would wear to show him. The other week I wore the serge jacket for the first time ever. Great when you think it must be nearing 50 years old and it fits well. Today as it was cold I decided to wear my Lambing Gown. This was commonly known as the Overcoat. It weighed a ton and when they got wet it was not easy to walk and a sod when wet to get dry. I did take it off for him to handle and he was suirprised just how heavy it was. I must admit that the overcoat now seems a little on the lage size.
I told him that I could now understand my late Mother. She had bought a sheepskin coat. They were generally 3/4 length but quite heavy. I guess she only wore it less than 10 times in a couple of years, eventually she told my Sisters that it was just too heavy for her to wear and they must take it to the loacl charity shop. What a bargain for somebody working there. I am sure that it would never go on display for sale. More soon.
Friday, 7 December 2012
Typical
It is typical that one's central heating goes on the blink when the weather is very cold.
So it was that yesterday morning I awoke to find a covering of snow and it did not get above freezing until late afternoon.
Thank goodness my mate came over to get the heating going properly, this was arranged well over a week ago.
He did all of the work, all I did was to be a sort of nuisance odd job man. He had to spend quite a while in the loft, it was, of course very cold up there. He just told me that it proved the loft insulation was working properly. It should as I have the recommended 10" of insulation. He had to bleed the system which took quite some time as air locks seem to get into the system. We stopped for dinner(lunch to the posh folk) but we finally got the whole lot working just before 1.30pm. He stayed for another 30 minutes to make sure that all was well and he left for home. Thank goodness that the roads did not get worse, if anything they improved a little.
I got up this morning and sure enough the heating is once again working properly, thanks to my mate.
He remarked on the scaffolding that is still on the house next door. It has been there for getting on for a month. As he said, scaffolding work is a bit thin on the ground. It wouldn't do for me as it makes their home much darker. More soon.
So it was that yesterday morning I awoke to find a covering of snow and it did not get above freezing until late afternoon.
Thank goodness my mate came over to get the heating going properly, this was arranged well over a week ago.
He did all of the work, all I did was to be a sort of nuisance odd job man. He had to spend quite a while in the loft, it was, of course very cold up there. He just told me that it proved the loft insulation was working properly. It should as I have the recommended 10" of insulation. He had to bleed the system which took quite some time as air locks seem to get into the system. We stopped for dinner(lunch to the posh folk) but we finally got the whole lot working just before 1.30pm. He stayed for another 30 minutes to make sure that all was well and he left for home. Thank goodness that the roads did not get worse, if anything they improved a little.
I got up this morning and sure enough the heating is once again working properly, thanks to my mate.
He remarked on the scaffolding that is still on the house next door. It has been there for getting on for a month. As he said, scaffolding work is a bit thin on the ground. It wouldn't do for me as it makes their home much darker. More soon.
Tuesday, 4 December 2012
Visibility
Yesterday I had to go to the local Surgery and this morning I went to get my State Pension then go to the next town to the Bank. On the way back home the visibility was very poor, wet roads and very low sun. It reminded me of a golfing colleague who used to go out to Australia for the winter months, November to February. After many years of having this routine his wife informed him that she no longer wished to go out to Australia for the winter as she was missing the Grandchildren growing up especially round Christmas time. He then told me that he had forgooten just how low the sun was in the winter. It certainly wasn't good for me today travelling with the low sun in my eyes.
Yesterday I saw the Nurse I generally see, it is not always possible as she has reached retirement age so only works part time. Anyway she got on about her dogs. She has Apricot Poodles, very expensive and less than 3 years ago decided to put her bith to a dog and have pups. 9 were produced 1 died, she kept one and sold the other 7. She told me she received £850 for each puppy. I immediately thought that was more than I get a year for State Pension. Almost £6000. She then told me that the bitch that she kept would be put with a dog but the stud fees were very expensive £500. She also told me that the dog owner insisted that tests would be performed so that her bitch was in fine form. She told me that if all goes well it will happen early next year.
I told her that it was different to my late window cleaner. He told me he was going to make money breeding Pekingese dogs. Needless to say they made nothing at all but it does seem that if you get the right breed, money can be made. She told me that she would tell me more the next time we met. More soon.
Yesterday I saw the Nurse I generally see, it is not always possible as she has reached retirement age so only works part time. Anyway she got on about her dogs. She has Apricot Poodles, very expensive and less than 3 years ago decided to put her bith to a dog and have pups. 9 were produced 1 died, she kept one and sold the other 7. She told me she received £850 for each puppy. I immediately thought that was more than I get a year for State Pension. Almost £6000. She then told me that the bitch that she kept would be put with a dog but the stud fees were very expensive £500. She also told me that the dog owner insisted that tests would be performed so that her bitch was in fine form. She told me that if all goes well it will happen early next year.
I told her that it was different to my late window cleaner. He told me he was going to make money breeding Pekingese dogs. Needless to say they made nothing at all but it does seem that if you get the right breed, money can be made. She told me that she would tell me more the next time we met. More soon.
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