I don't like admitting this, but the other day I was watching some news and they were reporting that several apple shops in China had been closed down for selling fake apples. Like an idiot, I naturally thought of eating and cooking apples. I thought how can anyone be fooled by selling fruit that is fake? However the next day, it showed a store that was reportedly selling fake apples. It turned out to be a Apple I pod and I tunes etc. I did feel a fool.
My friend though made me feel a little better. He came round to tell me he was going back home but would be back in a few weeks time. He then said that he felt as if the world was passing him by. He told me that although he was a Grammar School boy he had no idea how this modern technology works. I told him that I was just the same.
He made me laugh though a little later. He told me his wife had asked him what the swallows were doing on the telephone wires. He told her they were getting ready to leave. I asked him leaving where? He said they were ready to migrate. I told him that almost certainly they were young birds just learning the ropes. He admitted that there was a nest that had young in. He then started to say a rhyme. He told me that he could only remember a little of it but he said " I July I fly in August I must". I told him that the ryhme referred to the cuckoo. He laughed and knew he had got his facts wrong. I told him the the swallows would not leave here until September. He of course concurred. So this made me feel just a little bit better. I guess my best pal and I are getting old gracefully. Mind you we are like children when we get together. I say it is our second childhood. May we have lots of those days. More soon.
Thursday, 28 July 2011
Wednesday, 27 July 2011
Conclusion.
I guess it was around 1990 that Ralph lost his wife. Obviously it altered his outlook to life. Mind you he had one more time of frivolity.
It was when Charlie Williams came to turn on the lights. It was the system that some celebrity turned on the lights around the end of July. Most celebrities turned on the lights and did not stay long. Charlie Williams went to the local hotel bar after he turned the lights on. Yes, Ralph was there. I was informed by several locals that it was the best night there had been in the bar for years. Both telling stories to each other. The general opinion was that it was an honourable draw. Ralph popped his head in a few days later and told me that it had been a great night.
Several months later he came in and told me that he had been to the Doctors. The Doctor had sent him for blood tests and the results had come back. The Doctor told him that he was not capable of living on his own. He told him he had anaemia and had to make arrangement to move with his Son. He told me his Son lived in Mareham Le Fen.
I heard nothing more from him and shortly after my lease ran out. It was then that I finished up having a Kiosk for 4 seasons.
I think it was 1995 when Ralph appeared at the Kiosk. It was nice ti see him. He told me that he had been to where I was and noticed that it was different and asked around and found out I was here so he made his way up to see me. He told me that he had come out on a Day centre outing. When he found out where it was he wanted to come.
He told me that he was staying with his Son, he had his own bedroom and they told him he could use the greenhouse to do as he wished. He told me he was growing a few chrysanths but then told me that although they were good to him, it was not like it being your own. I agreed with him. He also told me that he also knew nobody in the village. I could see he was not happy. I just told him that there was no joy in getting old. He readily agreed with me. We changed the subject and talked of old times. He was with me about 2 hours. He was sad when he had to leave, he told me he had enjoyed his time with me and told me he would certainly come again when the next day out was to here. Unfortunately that never happened. I guess this was about 16 years ago. He will at least be reunited with his wife. I have fond memories of Ralph. More soon.
It was when Charlie Williams came to turn on the lights. It was the system that some celebrity turned on the lights around the end of July. Most celebrities turned on the lights and did not stay long. Charlie Williams went to the local hotel bar after he turned the lights on. Yes, Ralph was there. I was informed by several locals that it was the best night there had been in the bar for years. Both telling stories to each other. The general opinion was that it was an honourable draw. Ralph popped his head in a few days later and told me that it had been a great night.
Several months later he came in and told me that he had been to the Doctors. The Doctor had sent him for blood tests and the results had come back. The Doctor told him that he was not capable of living on his own. He told him he had anaemia and had to make arrangement to move with his Son. He told me his Son lived in Mareham Le Fen.
I heard nothing more from him and shortly after my lease ran out. It was then that I finished up having a Kiosk for 4 seasons.
I think it was 1995 when Ralph appeared at the Kiosk. It was nice ti see him. He told me that he had been to where I was and noticed that it was different and asked around and found out I was here so he made his way up to see me. He told me that he had come out on a Day centre outing. When he found out where it was he wanted to come.
He told me that he was staying with his Son, he had his own bedroom and they told him he could use the greenhouse to do as he wished. He told me he was growing a few chrysanths but then told me that although they were good to him, it was not like it being your own. I agreed with him. He also told me that he also knew nobody in the village. I could see he was not happy. I just told him that there was no joy in getting old. He readily agreed with me. We changed the subject and talked of old times. He was with me about 2 hours. He was sad when he had to leave, he told me he had enjoyed his time with me and told me he would certainly come again when the next day out was to here. Unfortunately that never happened. I guess this was about 16 years ago. He will at least be reunited with his wife. I have fond memories of Ralph. More soon.
Tuesday, 26 July 2011
To continue
Well after Ralph worked on the repair of the sea defences, he found himself without work. He went to the Labour Exchange, that was what it was called. He went to sign on the dole. The Manager asked to see him and asked him what his job was. He told him he was a chip friar. The Manager then asked him what his original job was, When he told him he was a Miner then the Manager told him he had a job for him as a coalman.
He had the interview, got the job and told me that he had never had so many propositions in his life. He said the first time took him by surprise. He said this smart woman asked if he would like a cup of tea. She then asked him if some arrangement could be made about paying for the coal. He told me for a start he didn't realise what she meant. When the penny dropped he made some excuse and hurriedly left. He told me that he must have had at least 3 dozen offers in the first year. Once they found out he was unwilling, then it stopped. He told me that he would always tell them the same. He told them his wife was the best cook in the world and didn't want to lose her.
He would come and see me about twice a year. Put his head in the door, ask if I was busy and then tell me he was not stopping. It was always an hour or so of entertainment.
He told me that he once won the Waterloo Cup for Hare Coarsing. To be honest, I had not heard of the Waterloo Cup. Anyway he told me a little about it. He told me that 2 dogs were paired up as equally as they could be. He said that they were measured by height. He told me that he had a trick. He always put his dog to be measured and it was a sort of cage. He told me that he had a sharp pin so that when the dog went in. It didn't stand exactly 100% high. I also think he told me that they always used a false name. He did bring me a photo of the cup. It was a large cup and he looked proud. Whether it is true, I can only say that I believed him.
He then went on to tell me how he grew champion sweet peas. He told me that he won the cup for so many years that the organisers asked him not to enter sweet peas again.
What did he do? He then started to grow chrysanthemums. Yes he won cups for showing them.
Anyway as the years went by, his wife became a little unwell. So for that matter did Ralph.
He had cause to go to Hospital for an Xray. The Doctor called him in and asked him if he still smoked and if he did how many a day? He told him yeas and about 20. He used to smoke John Players. The best none filtered cigarette. Well the Doctor told him that if he didn't stop smoking, within 5 years he would be dead. I guess at that time he would be in his late 50s. He told me that he had just bought a new packet and had just smoked 1. He said left the Hospital, looked for the first man who was smoking, walked up to him and asked him if he would like the packet of cigarettes that he had just one out. The man said he would love to have them and that was the last time he ever bought cigarettes. He stopped smoking immediately. The remainder tomorrow.
He had the interview, got the job and told me that he had never had so many propositions in his life. He said the first time took him by surprise. He said this smart woman asked if he would like a cup of tea. She then asked him if some arrangement could be made about paying for the coal. He told me for a start he didn't realise what she meant. When the penny dropped he made some excuse and hurriedly left. He told me that he must have had at least 3 dozen offers in the first year. Once they found out he was unwilling, then it stopped. He told me that he would always tell them the same. He told them his wife was the best cook in the world and didn't want to lose her.
He would come and see me about twice a year. Put his head in the door, ask if I was busy and then tell me he was not stopping. It was always an hour or so of entertainment.
He told me that he once won the Waterloo Cup for Hare Coarsing. To be honest, I had not heard of the Waterloo Cup. Anyway he told me a little about it. He told me that 2 dogs were paired up as equally as they could be. He said that they were measured by height. He told me that he had a trick. He always put his dog to be measured and it was a sort of cage. He told me that he had a sharp pin so that when the dog went in. It didn't stand exactly 100% high. I also think he told me that they always used a false name. He did bring me a photo of the cup. It was a large cup and he looked proud. Whether it is true, I can only say that I believed him.
He then went on to tell me how he grew champion sweet peas. He told me that he won the cup for so many years that the organisers asked him not to enter sweet peas again.
What did he do? He then started to grow chrysanthemums. Yes he won cups for showing them.
Anyway as the years went by, his wife became a little unwell. So for that matter did Ralph.
He had cause to go to Hospital for an Xray. The Doctor called him in and asked him if he still smoked and if he did how many a day? He told him yeas and about 20. He used to smoke John Players. The best none filtered cigarette. Well the Doctor told him that if he didn't stop smoking, within 5 years he would be dead. I guess at that time he would be in his late 50s. He told me that he had just bought a new packet and had just smoked 1. He said left the Hospital, looked for the first man who was smoking, walked up to him and asked him if he would like the packet of cigarettes that he had just one out. The man said he would love to have them and that was the last time he ever bought cigarettes. He stopped smoking immediately. The remainder tomorrow.
Monday, 25 July 2011
Real Character
I don't think I have spoken of this but there was a guy called Ralph. He was a real character. I met him because he delivered solid fuel to my Parents and they told him to come over to mine for a cup of tea which he did.
From the first, you could see that he was an interesting man.
Anyway he did come in again to see me. He told me that he had come from Leicester. He was originally a miner but had been buried by a roof fall underground so had to give up the face work so he decided to come to the seaside.
He told me the first job he had was to work for a well known employer. He worked seasonal for him. The first time he met him, he told Ralph that the only job he could offer was to do the washing up. He then proceeded to tell me what it entailed. By the way, I guess this was around 1951. He told me that the man told him to get there early the following Sunday and he would show him what to do. Ralph then told me that he was given a sou'wester and some overalls. He was then shown the dishwasher. It was a huge machine. When it was turned on the water was everywhere. He told me that in the front was a spindle with a damp cloth covering and you had to get a cup and hold it so the the cloth washed the cup by spinning vigorously. there were 2 of those. On the side there were side splits, just enough to get a plate in, once again the inside was spinning. He had me in stitches giving graphic examples of how the machine worked. The cups when washed were put in a tray and pushed through a rinsing machine where the water was very hot so that when they came out at the other end, they were almost dry. The plates were treated similar. He told me that the place used to seat 200 people and the work was extremely hot, and of course wet.
When he eventually got home his wife asked him if he had been in the sea for a dip. He told me he was not amused.
He did this for a complete season and during the winter he was allowed to sign on the dole because he had not really recovered from his ordeal in the pit.
The next year the man who employed him last season contacted him. Ralph told him he did not want to do the washing up again.The man understood and told him he was not offering him a job like that but another job at the other end of town in a fish shop. He was offered the job of potato peeler. There were electric rumblers so all he had to do was to rumble them and take the eyes out. He thought that would be easy. Some hope.
He started off rumbling potatoes, taking the eyes out and as it was early in the season, life was O.K. However when the 6 weeks started, it was bedlam. He told me that often he would rumble and eye 60 bags of potatoes, he said that he would be asked if the queue had reduced. He told me that if he could see the end of the queue. If he could then there was at least a 25 yards of people waiting.
One day the chip frier didn't turn up so Ralph was asked if he would learn how to fry chips. He was all for that because although it was dreadfully hot, it was easier.
He hadn't been frying chips many days when the woman at the counter shouted to him. "There is an order for 160 bags of chips". He told me at first he thought she was pulling his leg but then he noticed 2 boy scouts with a clothes basket. He told me it was chaos. Trying to get chips for that many. As normal, one pan is for fish and 2 for chips. He had all 3 pans for the chips. I knew it would be true because I was told when I came to the seaside that at one time, there was a meeting of scouts on a piece of ground. Incidentally when I first arrived the Circus arrived for the 6 weeks. Now it is a housing estate. Mainly bungalows. A private estate as you would imagine.
After the season ended, he was told that the next season he would be promoted to fish frier. This never happened as during the winter of 1952/3 the sea came over and he was employed on the sea defences.
He told me a lot of what went on and about the lots of vehicles that were lost by falling into the sea. They were just left there and eventually covered with concrete.
The work was very hard and I think he used the term "Powder Monkey". He told me that one of the foremen told him he was to be the powder monkey. He told me that meant he was raised high and it was his job to make sued the pile driver was hitting the steel girders that were being driven into the ground.
He told me the local beachcomber was the official tea boy. Mind you, he told me he was no good at that job. Mind you, it led him to realise that he had recovered from his accident in the pit.
Tomorrow, I will tell you more about Ralph.
From the first, you could see that he was an interesting man.
Anyway he did come in again to see me. He told me that he had come from Leicester. He was originally a miner but had been buried by a roof fall underground so had to give up the face work so he decided to come to the seaside.
He told me the first job he had was to work for a well known employer. He worked seasonal for him. The first time he met him, he told Ralph that the only job he could offer was to do the washing up. He then proceeded to tell me what it entailed. By the way, I guess this was around 1951. He told me that the man told him to get there early the following Sunday and he would show him what to do. Ralph then told me that he was given a sou'wester and some overalls. He was then shown the dishwasher. It was a huge machine. When it was turned on the water was everywhere. He told me that in the front was a spindle with a damp cloth covering and you had to get a cup and hold it so the the cloth washed the cup by spinning vigorously. there were 2 of those. On the side there were side splits, just enough to get a plate in, once again the inside was spinning. He had me in stitches giving graphic examples of how the machine worked. The cups when washed were put in a tray and pushed through a rinsing machine where the water was very hot so that when they came out at the other end, they were almost dry. The plates were treated similar. He told me that the place used to seat 200 people and the work was extremely hot, and of course wet.
When he eventually got home his wife asked him if he had been in the sea for a dip. He told me he was not amused.
He did this for a complete season and during the winter he was allowed to sign on the dole because he had not really recovered from his ordeal in the pit.
The next year the man who employed him last season contacted him. Ralph told him he did not want to do the washing up again.The man understood and told him he was not offering him a job like that but another job at the other end of town in a fish shop. He was offered the job of potato peeler. There were electric rumblers so all he had to do was to rumble them and take the eyes out. He thought that would be easy. Some hope.
He started off rumbling potatoes, taking the eyes out and as it was early in the season, life was O.K. However when the 6 weeks started, it was bedlam. He told me that often he would rumble and eye 60 bags of potatoes, he said that he would be asked if the queue had reduced. He told me that if he could see the end of the queue. If he could then there was at least a 25 yards of people waiting.
One day the chip frier didn't turn up so Ralph was asked if he would learn how to fry chips. He was all for that because although it was dreadfully hot, it was easier.
He hadn't been frying chips many days when the woman at the counter shouted to him. "There is an order for 160 bags of chips". He told me at first he thought she was pulling his leg but then he noticed 2 boy scouts with a clothes basket. He told me it was chaos. Trying to get chips for that many. As normal, one pan is for fish and 2 for chips. He had all 3 pans for the chips. I knew it would be true because I was told when I came to the seaside that at one time, there was a meeting of scouts on a piece of ground. Incidentally when I first arrived the Circus arrived for the 6 weeks. Now it is a housing estate. Mainly bungalows. A private estate as you would imagine.
After the season ended, he was told that the next season he would be promoted to fish frier. This never happened as during the winter of 1952/3 the sea came over and he was employed on the sea defences.
He told me a lot of what went on and about the lots of vehicles that were lost by falling into the sea. They were just left there and eventually covered with concrete.
The work was very hard and I think he used the term "Powder Monkey". He told me that one of the foremen told him he was to be the powder monkey. He told me that meant he was raised high and it was his job to make sued the pile driver was hitting the steel girders that were being driven into the ground.
He told me the local beachcomber was the official tea boy. Mind you, he told me he was no good at that job. Mind you, it led him to realise that he had recovered from his accident in the pit.
Tomorrow, I will tell you more about Ralph.
Thursday, 21 July 2011
These are the latest photos from the Greenhouse.
The first shows a cucumber. This is the second one I have had. My Italian friend gave me the plant. It is the best plant I have ever had.
The second is of course the grapes. As one can see, they are beginning to turn black. They will not be ripe for a few weeks yet. The longer I leave them on, the sweeter they become. I have at least 2 dozen bunches, last year I had almost 3 doze. They are still small but I am determined to reduce the bunches of grapes I get. Next year, I will aim for 18 bunches at most, then hopefully the fruit will be larger. Mind you, my Italian's wife commented to me last year that his grapes were small.
Over the years I have made several mistakes. I think the biggest mistake was to buy expensive fruit trees from the Isle of Wight. Most expensive and not the best quality. To be honest, the very best value for money has been at Morrisons Supermarket.
Through trial and error I have found out that the best early new potatoes are Arran Pilot, the best first early peas are Little Marvel and best main crop are Hurst Greenshaft. Early Nantes are very good carrots and Green Windsor broad beans are excellent. Advantage F1 cabbage are good enough for me. As for tomatoes. Gardeners delight are excellent but now I have dentures, not too good. It is the reason I have started to grow plum tomatoes. As I like marrows, I grow courgettes. They will grow into large marrows. Black Beauty is the one I have grown this year. As to leeks, Mussselburgh are reliable. Mind you with the dry early season I did not have a great germination. With beetroot Boltardy are great.
Through trial and error I have found out that the best early new potatoes are Arran Pilot, the best first early peas are Little Marvel and best main crop are Hurst Greenshaft. Early Nantes are very good carrots and Green Windsor broad beans are excellent. Advantage F1 cabbage are good enough for me. As for tomatoes. Gardeners delight are excellent but now I have dentures, not too good. It is the reason I have started to grow plum tomatoes. As I like marrows, I grow courgettes. They will grow into large marrows. Black Beauty is the one I have grown this year. As to leeks, Mussselburgh are reliable. Mind you with the dry early season I did not have a great germination. With beetroot Boltardy are great.
I have just picked the last of the cherries. Summer Sun is the variety. trouble is that the wasps found them and loved them too. Now I have to wait for about 3 weeks for my plums. More soon.
Wednesday, 20 July 2011
Old?
I think I have mentioned it but my best pal is staying at a local caravan park very close to me so he visits me fairly regular.
The other day he came to see me. As all who bother to read my blog know what trouble I have with my teeth. They are very very poor fitting.
The doorbell rang and I went to let him in. As he came through I stared to make him a pot of tea and was talking to him. I know that my teeth at times are worse than other times. This was one of those bad times. He started to grin and told me he couldn't understand me. I told him that it was my sodding teeth. He started to laugh, he said he thought it was his hearing. To be honest, when we get together I really think we are going back to our second childhood.
Mind you, I told him that there was nothing wrong with us. The reason being.
When I was at Lydl I saw the old Manager of the Bookmakers next door to the Restaurant I ran.
We always got on well together but he left under a bit of a cloud.
When I started playing golf, I met him again on the course. I had several rounds of golf with him. Eventually I improved and he got worse so he left the club. I used to see him occasionally riding his bicycle. He was a fit guy and was around 5 years older than me.
Well a shout came at Lydy. Yes it was he, We shook hands and the first thing he told me was that he thought I had left. Meaning I had left this world. I asked about his wife, who I think has arthritis and could hardly walk. He said was was getting worse. He then told me that he had a bag on his side and also cancer and pointing to his chest. He then showed me 4 bottles of whisky. He told me that he mustn,t let his wife see it. I told him I hoped all went well and we both went on our way.
My best pal remarked that so many of his friends that he played cricket with had died. I told him we must change the subject. Luckily the doorbell rang and it was his wife so we did more listening than talking. More soon.
The other day he came to see me. As all who bother to read my blog know what trouble I have with my teeth. They are very very poor fitting.
The doorbell rang and I went to let him in. As he came through I stared to make him a pot of tea and was talking to him. I know that my teeth at times are worse than other times. This was one of those bad times. He started to grin and told me he couldn't understand me. I told him that it was my sodding teeth. He started to laugh, he said he thought it was his hearing. To be honest, when we get together I really think we are going back to our second childhood.
Mind you, I told him that there was nothing wrong with us. The reason being.
When I was at Lydl I saw the old Manager of the Bookmakers next door to the Restaurant I ran.
We always got on well together but he left under a bit of a cloud.
When I started playing golf, I met him again on the course. I had several rounds of golf with him. Eventually I improved and he got worse so he left the club. I used to see him occasionally riding his bicycle. He was a fit guy and was around 5 years older than me.
Well a shout came at Lydy. Yes it was he, We shook hands and the first thing he told me was that he thought I had left. Meaning I had left this world. I asked about his wife, who I think has arthritis and could hardly walk. He said was was getting worse. He then told me that he had a bag on his side and also cancer and pointing to his chest. He then showed me 4 bottles of whisky. He told me that he mustn,t let his wife see it. I told him I hoped all went well and we both went on our way.
My best pal remarked that so many of his friends that he played cricket with had died. I told him we must change the subject. Luckily the doorbell rang and it was his wife so we did more listening than talking. More soon.
Tuesday, 19 July 2011
Passed Muster
Well, I went to the clinic this morning and was treated like a gent. The Nurse was very nice. One thing she asked me was if I was English. She apologised for asking that. She told me that the Doctors and her had not bothered to fill in the questionnaire on the web but they were informed that the question must be asked.
I had several tests, mainly to do with circulation. I guess I was in the room for about 25 minutes, she finally said that all was O.K. and that there would be no reason to make a further appointment. However if I was not happy at any time. I could contact the centre at any time. We shook hands and I left.
I then called in at Lydl a supermarket. I have only ever been in there about 8 times, for the first time, I went to collect some bananas, some chicken thighs and ice cream. I then walked to the checkout. The checkout lad was waiting for me so I was in and out very quickly.
I got home and went to pick the cherries. I did not wish to do so but the wasps were eating them. I wanted to pick a few more gooseberries but it started to rain. Within a few seconds, the heavens opened up and terrific claps of thunder with lightening. It lasted for about 30 minutes. My drains could not take the volume of water so there was a certain amount of flooding. Nothing to worry about though. I had my dinner and after the rain stopped, picked some gooseberries. A little later we had another downpour, no thunder this time but consistent heavy rain. It lasted for about 40 minutes so now all the water butts are full and the garden is very wet.
It reminds me of my Mother. She used to say after a prolonged dry spell. "It has forgotten how to rain, the trouble is that when it does rain it will forget how to stop". How true it seems to be.
Mind you, my garden is looking well with the runner beans and marrows doing well. More soon.
I had several tests, mainly to do with circulation. I guess I was in the room for about 25 minutes, she finally said that all was O.K. and that there would be no reason to make a further appointment. However if I was not happy at any time. I could contact the centre at any time. We shook hands and I left.
I then called in at Lydl a supermarket. I have only ever been in there about 8 times, for the first time, I went to collect some bananas, some chicken thighs and ice cream. I then walked to the checkout. The checkout lad was waiting for me so I was in and out very quickly.
I got home and went to pick the cherries. I did not wish to do so but the wasps were eating them. I wanted to pick a few more gooseberries but it started to rain. Within a few seconds, the heavens opened up and terrific claps of thunder with lightening. It lasted for about 30 minutes. My drains could not take the volume of water so there was a certain amount of flooding. Nothing to worry about though. I had my dinner and after the rain stopped, picked some gooseberries. A little later we had another downpour, no thunder this time but consistent heavy rain. It lasted for about 40 minutes so now all the water butts are full and the garden is very wet.
It reminds me of my Mother. She used to say after a prolonged dry spell. "It has forgotten how to rain, the trouble is that when it does rain it will forget how to stop". How true it seems to be.
Mind you, my garden is looking well with the runner beans and marrows doing well. More soon.
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