Odd story

This is true, all I write is true and this happened I guess around 1971.
When I first went into business, I of course had no money and was told that to keep your head above water encourage youngsters during the winter. Incidentally, this was a cafe/snack bar. I turned it into a restaurant about 2 years later.
I was not the only business who catered for the youngsters, the local cinema did a similiar thing. I met the owner and she was nice. She used to have, in the winter months every 2 week days a different couple of films and on Sunday a different lot too. In other words youngsters had the oportunity to go to the cinema 4 nights a week to see different films. By the way, I had an advert with Pearl and Dean, so when that ad came on the youngsters used to be rowdy. As I told you I met the owner, I went to see her because I was informed that the projectionist did signs in his spare time. I asked her if I could see him. It was not really a cinema and to get to the projection room you climed up a ladder just as if you was going up in the loft of a house. Well he came to see me, several times actually. Once when he came he told me that he was going on holiday(always in the winter or spring never in the season)and a relief projectionist would take his place for a week. He said he would tell him to use my cafe.
As it happened he did come in and I used to go and sit with him and have a talk, he came from Lincoln. On the last day, he came in just to say cheerio and said that when he was here again he would come to see me.
I told you that I catered for the youngsters. I had a half day on a Wednesday. I closed at 4.00pm. The rest of the week it was 8.00am to 10.00pm.
The youngsters would come in early, some would then go to a youth club then be back to mine after 9.00pm. If they were going to the cinema, they would always ask me to stay open for them. I always refused as it was a long day as it was and the cinema did not finish until about 10.15pm.
The time came again for the relief man to be here, he was true to his word and his first port of call was to see me.
It was I think on a Tuesday the youngsters told me as usual they were going to the cinema and would I wait for them, as usual I said no. Well about 9.45pm the youngsters came rushing in laughing and giggling, something had happened. There is always one lad who is more talkative than the rest. He came up to me and told me what had happened. He said they were watching the film and it started to speed up. For a minute or two they thought it was supposed to happen but it went faster. One or two started to shout, the usherette came out to see what the noise was all about, saw the film was on fast forward, put the lights on soon after the safety curtains were closed. Then there came an announcement that the film show was over for the day and everybody should leave. He told me that eventually they decided to leave and when they got outside a police car was there. He said he did not know what had happened though.
I did not see the relief man the next day, but early on Thursday morning he came in and had his usual. then sat down. After a couple of minutes I went to sit with him and asked him what had happened and where had he been. He firstly told me that he had only just been released from custody and that he had to go and report to Lincoln Hospital. I asked him what had happened. He then explaind he wanted a pint of beer(closing time was 10.30pm)and he had seen the film before, he thought that if he just speeded it up a bit, he could just manage to finish in time to get a pint. He then told me that he almost certainly would lose his job, I agreed and that he would not see me again. I have never seen him since. I did not tell the youngsters though.
This happened really as a consequence to that. I decided to change the place from being a snack bar/cafe to a restaurant. This meant I had to get rid of the Juke Box. which I duly did. About 4 months later, I guess in June a large man came in had a good look round then remarked that I used to have a Juke Box. I told him that was true, he then asked me if I had any piped music, radio or T. V around. I told him I had not and I was not interested in playing music only serving meals. He then produced his I.D. He was a performing Rights Inspector. He told me that I had a permit but it was withdrawn, it was paid by the firm who installed the Juke Box. He then gave me the news that if I had even a T V with news only he would have demanded a payment. I thought what a devious man. He came from Lincoln and as far as I know never came again as he could see that the place was now a restaurant. Oh well more soon.

Guy Fawkes

Well last Friday, for those who may read this and are not British. You will probably not have heard of the custom of Guy Fawkes night. This is held on November 5th. each year to celebrate the capture of Guy Fawkes and his associates. I can only remember vaguely one, Thomas Catesby. They attempted to blow up the Houses of Parliament. No comments such as you wish they had succeeded. This was ages ago in I think 1604.
Well this is celebrated by having a bonfire and lots of fireworks. Last Friday night it rained all evening so I did not expect to see any fireworks so I was not surprised. However on Saturday the weather was much better but still no fireworks or bonfires about. I know I live in the country but this is the first time ever I have never seen or heard anything different to an ordinary evening. I have lived here for over 17 years. I wonder if the times are changing and bonfires in one's garden and letting off fireworks is becoming a thing of the past. I do realise that there are many organised bonfire parties around, mind you not here.
It will be interesting to see if next year things are the same.
I have just rung my friend up this evening asking for an update on the fitting of a replacement boiler which is more efficient. He has this done free for him as his Mother is 85 and not in great health. Well to my surprise, he told me that they had been there today and started with the work, he was not sure just how long it would take but he guessed that by late Wednesday, they should be done. Remember mine, I know I did not have every new item as my timer pump, Yplan and thermostat was all in good working order, but they only took from Wednesday lunch till Thursday early afternoon. Of course this was not paid by the government so I presume that they had to work sharply as it was an agreed price. A lot less than my friend was informed his would cost. Just about half as much. Still that is the government grant system for you. As for my system, it seems to be working O.K. I will not know just how efficient it is for some time.
That is enought for now. More soon.

Funny

These last few days I keep remembering an episode when I was at the restaurant, I smile every time I think of it, so have decided to share it with those who have nothing better to do than read my blog.
This fellow businessman used to visit me often, we were sort of friends and I knew him quite well. He had only been in business for a couple of years so I gave him tips if he asked me. What he had was a fast food takeaway.
One day he asked me if I would do him a favour, I of couse said I would if I could. He then told me that he had a young boy who was 15 working for him at week ends and wanted to know if I could save him a three course lunch on a Saturday afternoon, it would be after 3.30pm. I told him that it would be fine. I actually knew the lad who worked for him, he was a nice lad but sexually active, he would occasionally tell me of some of his conquests. This then gives you an idea of the lad. I liked him though I thought him a very nice smart young man.
Well, everything went fine and for several weeks he came in, we would then have an hour or so talking in general.
One Saturday afternoon the lad came in and asked if he could see his boss. I walked away as I did not wish to know what he wished to ask him. Within a few moments his boss just said,"Is that all? Don't come and bother me with trifles like that". I could see that the lad was a little embarrassed, but turned to leave, he got as far as the door when his boss asked him. "By the way, who won the singles final". The reply was instant "Strap on cocky"the lad replied then left. I couldn't stop laughing. As you can guess it was the Ladies Wimbledon Final. Anyone who does not know who the person is, I will gladly reply to any e-mail enquiry.
Update, managed to dispose of Lloyds Banking Group shares, for a small profit. I think I was rather fortunate as the Banking Group is being hit by government charges. More soon.

Farming matters

Over the last few days the field opposite me has been a hive of activity.
First thing Monday morning equipment came and started to lift the sugar beet. I was amazed just how quickly this was done. When I was young on the Railway we had what we called Pick-ups. This was where we dropped wagons or picked them up from designated areas. Some farms had a small siding where we would drop a couple of 13ton wagons. Often these were for such as sugar beet. It would take a week or more to fill those wagons. This field was completed in less than 2 days.
Today I noticed that work was going on at a pace, I went out to see what was happening. Just then one tractor stopped at the field end. The man got out of his tractor and came over to see me. I recognised him as he would often acknowledge me. It turned out to be the farmer himself. I remarked that he had been very busy and that the beet looked very good. He told me that it was so. I told him that I had every intention to take a photo and put it on my blog as it was such a long time that I have seen such organisation in a field. I told him that the first tractor was ploughing, the second was harrowing(Breaking the soil down to a fine tilth) and I presumed that the third which was the one he was driving was setting(drilling). Yes he admitted that was the truth. I asked him what he was setting and he replied wheat. He then told me that he thought that he would manage to get over 30 tons an acre of sugar beet. I remarked how efficient the operation was, but I thought that perhaps he was a week or so later than the optimum time. He agreed that he wished that he could have been a week sooner but it was the contractor who had this machine that lifted and trimmed the beet, then a tractor and trailer would get close and the contraption would fill the trailer in seconds.
We went on to discuss several things for the next 30 minutes, I thoroughly enjoyed the time as it was several years since being involved in any sort of the farm life.
By now it was raining a little and getting dark. I told him that the photo would have to wait, he then told me that he should be here tomorrow to finish off the field. By the way, I guess the field is about 8 acres. Perhaps a photo tomorrow. By the way I was cold when I went indoors, guess I am not used to it. More soon.

Updates

First I give you the latest about my friend who was supposed to have his new gas boiler fitted this week. Unfortunately for him he was out at the time someone phoned and his Mother who is frail took the message. It seems that they will not be at his home tomorrow as the boiler has not arrived. The message was taken yesterday, the order for installation was taken about 3 weeks ago. Mind you, the whole saga is organised by Warmfront. I use the word advisedly as they were hopeless with me. I contacted them several times and asked if I qualified for a free top up regarding loft insulation. Each time I was told in no uncertain terms, I was not eligible.
It was not until I looked at the local paper my sister sent me that I saw the advert, rung them up and was informed that I DID qualify, the insulation was duly done, I also told my best pal who used their services. I only hope that my other friend gets the boiler fitted soon as it talks of getting colder. His Mother is not too good.
Now to the latest about my securities. I thought I would gamble a little on Lloyds Banking Group, I purchased several thousand and hoped that they would appreciate a few pence so that I could make a small profit. Nothing happened during the last week or so. Today there was the third quarter statement from Lloyds stating that the last quarter had been good and that the full year should be acceptable, or words tyo that effect. I then listened to an expert who was being interviewed on a financial T.V station and he said that he thought Lloyds was a good investment, not for dividends but for the long time as they seem to have got things in place. Anyway I bought another lot. Oh dear, they gradually, well sometimes not so gradual. went lower, I now have several thousand shares that are substantially lower than when I bought them today. I must say though, I do have faith in them, it only means I must hold them for much longer. Aviva, National Grid and Vodofone are all performing well, fingers crossed. Vodofone interim figures are out next week and Aviva has just given a bullish 3rd Quarter results, so here's hoping. Will as always keep all informed. By the way I am in profit on securities that I have sold a total of £2000 and a few pence. I have one share though that is not performing well at all. Their interim is later this month, if it is not good I will cut my losses and sell them. More soon.

Autumn

Well the week end has come and gone, I was outside on Saturday filling my green waste bin, we here have 3. One is green waste, another is for cardboard paper, some plastics and tins. The third is for kitchen waste and plastics that are not recycleable. To be honest I very rarely put out my kitchen waste bin, I use a supermarket bag, this is sufficient. The bins are emptied every fortnight. Unfortunately the green waste bin will soon not be collected again until March or April next year.
As with all European Countries, here we put back our clocks 1 hour, I noticed that in the USA the clocks had not been put back, I was wondering if they had ceased the operation and was going to ask my American friend when I heard someone say on CBC I think it was, that here in Europe had put our colcks back early this year and they were putting their clocks back this coming week end. As everybody knows here it falls on the last Saturday in October and this year was as late as it could be.
The weather has been a little kinder this late Autumn, so much so that I will probably have a taste of runner beans, I still have plenty of Tomatoes and outside the beetroot are still growing so I should get another few feeds.
I think my neighbour has returned from her holiday in Australia, I went out in the garden this morning and I noticed washing out on her line, I guess I will get to know all when I see her next, it will not be before Friday though.
By the way, my American friend has a blog, he is an accomplished photographer and his blog I think is called And the days dwindle down. It is an enlightening read, well worth a visit.
Tomorrow I may ring my friend to see if he has heard from the gas men about the fitting of a replacement boiler. Will keep all informed.

Driveway done

Yesterday I finally finished my driveway, I am pleased the way it looks. While I was out the neighbour came to see me with her paving brush, yes she had bought one. She is pleased with the way it cleans the moss out of the blocks but once again said it was so labour intensive. Still that is my driveway completed and should last until the spring next year.
Today, I lifted the potatoes out of my polytunnel, I will be honest and say that I was a little disappointed, there was an awful lot of potatoes that were so small. I did not realise how unwell I was, it is obvious to me that I had not given them sufficient water. I do now feel somewhat better. My consultant has given me some extra medication and for now it is helping me.
Anyway back to the potatoes, the ground was bone dry, so it was obvious to me that I had failed in looking after the potatoes, they were first early potatoes, Arran Pilot. They do keep well in the ground as a rule and are excellent boiling potatoes, but I only managed to get a few lbs of potatoes. I was lucky as my friend bought me a sack of potatoes ther last time he came. He will not be calling next week as hopefully he is having a new energy saving boiler fitted. Different to me though, I had to pay but had it fitted within about 3 weeks he has been waiting since the late winter. I hope for his sake they do get and do the job, they should start on Wednesday November 3rd. Will keep you informed of the progress, or lack of it. Now I will tomorrow, go ansd water the polytunnel so that when I set my produce, the ground will be well prepared. I guess that is it for today, just to say although it was dry and mild, it was just like night all day. A typical late November day. Tomorrow should be brighter . Let's hope so.
P.S.When I went outside the front door yesterday morning I noticed some rose cuttings, I immediately set them, let us hope at least one grows. They are cuttings from a beautiful yellow rose with an old fashioned scent. Wonderful. My neighbour confirmed that they were cuttings from the yellow rose. Here's hoping. More soon.