The Life and Times of this Old Git

Back in time, "Morwellham Quay" part 1.

2011-12-02T21:51:00.001Z

Today's blog is all about the Famous "Morwellham Quay" The Quay is a famous Port, Mine and Heritage centre The George and Charlotte Copper mine is the last "Open" Copper mine in Britain that is open and accessible to the public, this is reachable via a small gauge Railway which follows the banks of Devon's river Tamar, then disappears deep into the mine itself.
The Copper Ore was sent from the mine by a small gauge railway, it meandered through the valley, then up on a piece of elevated track, eventually ending at the Quay, where it was loaded on ships and sent all over Europe.
Below, Traditional costume, which is worn by all staff.
Please click on any picture to enlarge it.

This is the large Steel and Wooden water wheel which supplied both power for the mine, also the Oxygen too.

The Village, as it was then, was virtually self supporting, with Shop, Inn, Carpenter, Barrel Maker, Undertaker etc, it had to be that way as it lays in a deep valley several miles from the next Town. Below the "Blacksmith's" shed.

Miners had an extremely hard life working underground up for to 14 hours a day. Child labour was also extensively used, again with children working up to 12 hours a day, mainly deep in the mines where there small lithe bodies could squeeze through small holes etc.
If a miner's wife lost her husband, in order to keep the house going and feed her (sometimes large) family she would take in lodgers, usually workmen from the mines, she fed and washed there clothes too.
Below, the family room, notice the Guzzunder under the right hand bed.

Another one.

The tiny wood burning fireplace/Cooker was all they had to keep warm and cook on.

Below, Anyone recognise the "Duny", just a hole in a plank with a bucket underneath, someone had to empty this at least once a day, usually in a hole dug in the garden.

This is the Lounge in the mine managers house, a bit more luxurious isn't it?

The big house "Master bedroom". Just imagine how much wood and work involved in keeping a fire going in every room.

This would have been the Masters study, notice the Piano/Organ on the far wall.

This is the Assayer's office. This would have been the place that lumps of rock would be brought to examine them to see if it contained enough Copper to continue mining that area.

No joke of the day today.

Lets have a moan.

2011-11-05T20:20:00.010Z

Hi all, I've not been blogging just lately, there just doesn't seem enough hours in the day. Last week we put our Caravan away for the winter, it stays on site during Winter but the site closes from 1st Nov until March 1st, site fees have gone up, mainly due to the increase in VAT (bloody Government crooks) and the Electricity charge is extortionate at £3.50 per night, i didn't think landlords etc were supposed to make a profit out of services like Electric but nobody seems to have told them this !!!!.This will be our last year unless we win the lottery as ALL our savings have now gone.
I don't know about you but i hate the long dark Winter days and nights, particularly when its so wet and dreary, not much you can do in the Garden (especially as ours is small). Even trips out in the Car are not much fun when the Wipers are on and the Windows mist up as soon as you stop.
For the last few days Sue and i have been Spring cleaning, yea i know it ain't Spring but we have not done anything much around the house since the start of the Caravan season, 8 months ago!!! I said to my Daughter only yesterday that we always Hoover every February and November whether it needs doing or not !!!!!!! At least today has been fine (but cold) and i managed to get out and finish the Wooden rail from my back Garden up to our rear alley entrance, this job has only taken 2 years to complete.
We have to change our Car next year (doesn't time fly) so have been looking around for a replacement for our Citroen C4 grande Picasso VTR+, there is just so much room inside this car that i've not found anything (within our price range) to compare to it.The diesel fuel consumption at around the 50 mpg mark is good too, trouble is Citroen have made it beyond our reach at the moment with its pricing structure. Most nice Cars/MPV's/Estates that we like, need to have folding rear seats, although most that do, have them that fold against the back of the front row therefore losing lots of Luggage space, our Citroen rear seats (2 rows) both fold into the Floor giving us nearly 6 feet of flat floor.So search on i'm afraid.
Joke of the day.
Are YOU insured for Sex?

Make sure you get the Correct Insurance for the sex you are having.................
..

Please find a list of companies below catering for most tastes...

.Sex with your wife - Legal and General ....

Sex on the telephone - Direct Line ....

Sex with your Partner - Standard Life..

.Sex with someone Different - Go Compare ..

Sex with a Fat bird - More Than ...

Sex On the back seat of a car- Sheila's Wheels ....

Sex with a posh bird - Privilege ....

Sex with a transvestite - confused.co..

With a sex bomb............Lancaster

with a MILF..................Saga

S&;M sex............BeatThatQuote.com

sex with a fat bird.......................elephant.co.uk

sex with a sailor............................admiral

Sex with a dodgy condom...........SorryMate.com

Sex with a prostitute Moneysupermarket.com

Walking again.

2011-09-22T22:28:00.000Z

Hello again, Last Wednesday i went into Hospital to have a Steroid injection into my Hip. It was done because my Hip joint is Bone to Bone but due to the fact i am well over weight and have a Heart problem, they say it would be too dangerous to attempt an operation. The idea is to have this injection to try to make me more mobile to attempt to lose 2+ stones to make the Op possible. I had to report to the X ray department at mid morning where i undressed to the Waist and was put on a table under an x ray machine. A Dr then came dressed in special clothing (x ray proof presumably) and set up the machine with a large TV screen alongside him. He put a small local anesthetic in just below my Navel, then the Nurse brought a Needle about 6" or 7" long, i was petrified by now. He then started pushing this second Needle down inside toward my Groin, then put a second local anesthetic needle a bit deeper inside.He then said that the next bit could be painful......well ..he was right, it was bloody painful. While watching the TV screen he pushed the long Steroid neele further and further in, wiggling it to get right into the Hip joint, by now i was wriggling too with bloody pain, after what seemed like three weeks he was satisfied with the Needle position (i bloody wasn't) and put the Steroid Phial on and injected me, after a few seconds he said there "all done", none too soon for me i tell you.To follow i was told to sit still with a cuppa for half hour then i could go but not drive for 24 hours, his parting words were that this procedure worked in around 80% of Patients, it will be either brilliant or useless he said.
So after just 72 hours it was improved by probably 50% and after 7 days it had inproved 60-65%.
So now i can walk again with just a couple of painkillers 30/5oo co codamol. Yesterday we walked all along Paignton Sea front and back (half mile).
So todays blog is on our first late season walk on Dartmoor.We decided on Saddle Tor which is close to Haytor which we have climbed a few times before, also quite a short walk from the road and car parks. The Tor stands around 460 metres above sea level, ideal for a first uphill walk.
The first picture was taken as we got out from the car, looking up at the Tor.
Please do click on ant picture to enlarge it.

Pictures from the top.

Dartmoor Ponies were curious as we walked.

This picture is looking down from the top on the car park where we were parked

Joke of the day.

If you had purchased £1,000 of shares in Delta Airlines one year ago, you would have £49.00 today.

If you had purchased £1,000 of shares in AIG one year ago, you would have £33.00 today.

If you had purchased £1,000 of shares in Lehman Brothers one year ago, you would have £0.00 today.

But, if you had purchased £1,000 worth of beer one year ago, drank all the beer, then turned in the aluminium cans for recycling refund, you would have received a £214.00.

Based on the above, the best current investment plan is to drink heavily & recycle.A recent study found that the average Briton walks about 900 miles a year. Another study found that Britons drink, on average, 22 gallons of alcohol a year. That means that, on average, Britons get about 41 miles to the gallon!

Makes you proud to be British, doesn't it?

Paignton Bike Nights.

2011-09-21T23:18:00.001Z

Hi all, I'm afraid i rarely seem to have time for this blog lately.So here is one of the rare ones. Anyway tonight we went to the S Devon seaside resort of Paignton. Every week on a Wednesday the local council allow the sea front road (normally a car park) to be closed from 6 pm until 10 pm for a huge motor bike meet, some times as many (good weather) as a 1,000 bikes gather here.All this is arranged and marshalled by the very local biking charity of BMAD (Bikers Make a Difference). This charity was started by a husband and wife team back in 2002, now it is so large it has its own commitee Every bike that attends donates £! (£2 if 2 up).Last year they raised nearly £23000 for local charities, 100% is given to these at the end of each seasom. Site here
http://www.bmad.co.uk/charities.html
Here are a few of the pictures we took tonight, sorry but we post mostly classic bikes pictures, plus a few that are of special interest etc.
Do click on any picture to enlarge it.

Joke of the day.


NAG – NAG – NAG!!!
An attorney arrived home late after a very tough day trying to get a
stay of execution for his client.
His last minute plea to the governor for clemency had failed and he
was feeling worn out and depressed.
As soon as he walked through the do or at home, his wife started on
him: “What time of night to be getting home is this?
Where have you been?  Dinner is cold and I'm not reheating it” .. . .
. .  and on and on and on.
Too shattered to play his usual role in this familiar ritual, he
poured himself a shot of whiskey and headed off for a long hot soak in
the bathtub - - - pursued by his wife and her predictable sarcastic
remarks as he dragged himself up the stairs.
While he was in the bath, the phone rang.
The wife answered and was told that her husband's client, James
Wright, had been granted a stay of execution after all.
Wright would not be hanged tonight.
Finally realizing what a terrible day he must have had, and how
terribly inconsiderate she had been, she decided to go up stairs and
give him the good news.
As she opened the bathroom door, she was greeted by the sight of her
husband, bent over naked, drying his legs and feet.
“They're not hanging Wright tonight!” she said.
He whirled around and screamed, 'FOR THE LOVE OF GOD WOMAN, DON'T YOU
EVER STOP?!'

The very latest.

2011-09-13T23:21:00.003Z

Hi, To anyone who still looks at this blog.
I will start with the developments in our lives.
Me, i have been X rayed and told my Hip joint is Bone to Bone but no operation until i lose 2.5 stones at least !!.
We are saving hard for our very last years at the Caravan (2012) season ticket , Season is March to Oct and is now £1,500 + Electricity, now i'm afraid were just pensioners so no money left.
Sue is fully recovered from both Hip & Arm Operations now. but has now started to suffer with her Arheritic back again.
We have just had (last Friday) an accident on our motorcycles (very low speed) which resulted in Sue damaging her new Hip, also severe laceration to her left arm which she has been told will take 6 weeks to heal. Initial X Ray on Hip joint shows no major bone or joint break but possible hairline fracture, (now confirmed by 3 more X Rays) which has left her in agony and needing to use crutches (Temporarily hopefully).
Me i have cracked/broken 3 Ribs and made my Hip pain much worse plus minor abrasions and Bruises,i have never been in so much pain in all my life, i feel like a real wimp but no matter which way i turn i get pain, i have not been to bed at all since the accident, just cat napping sitting upright in a chair.Typical really as next week it is our weeks holiday in a Folding Camper at the "Great Dorset steam Fair"gotta play it by ear until then.
Now its a week later and just got back from Dorset, more bloody problems, the Mobility scooter we had been sharing to get around the Fair cried enough on the second day, so as you can imagine we really didn't do half that we wanted to.
We both just feel we must have been terrible people in a former life, i'm not normally a moaner but have to admit that 2010 and 2011 have just not been good to us, roll on 2012.

Joke of the day.

Paddy's in jail. Guard looks in his cell and sees him hanging by his
feet.

"What the hell you doing?" he asks.

"Hangin’ meself" Paddy replies.

"It should be around your neck" says the Guard.

"I tried dat" says Paddy "but I couldn't breathe"..

Honda N Devon rally

2011-06-23T21:32:00.000Z

Last week Sue and i organised our Honda CX-GL N Devon rally, this is the 3rd year that we have put on this event. It coincided with a Beer festival with live music at the next door pub "The Sawmills"which is where we take our meals and of course beverages (Beer etc).The weekend certainly didn't start on a good note with torrential rain on Friday (arrival day). We half expected quite a few to cry off or come in cars but most braved the awful conditions getting very wet indeed.Sue and i usually cook up Bacon, Sausage or Egg rolls on arrival, which with a cuppa went down well with all. The site we use "Watermouth Valley" is a really beautiful site with fantastic sea and coast views, also the site owners are really biker friendly and really pleasant people.It also has to be said that considering we had nearly 14 hours of rain the drainage of pitches was exellent, within 24 hours you would not have known it had rained.We are allowed to block off an area to both Camp and park our bikes safely, which is a bonus.I think most members really enjoyed the weekend especially as the weather improved the rest of the weekend.
Pictures. CLICK ON ANY PICTURE TO ENLARGE IT.
The first is a group picture of the members (less a couple).
Then our local rep and his wife, Brian & Sarah.

A few more members with there bikes, also the Tea tent and general site.

Joke of the day.

After his exam the doctor asked the elderly man: "You appear to be in good
health. Do you have any medical concerns you would like to ask me?"
"In fact, I do," said the old man. "After my wife and I make love I am
usually cold and chilly, and then, after
we make love the second time, I am
usually hot and sweaty."?
Later, after examining the elderly gentleman's wife, the doctor said:
"Everything appears to be fine. Do you have any medical concerns you
would like to discuss with me?"
She replied she had no questions or concerns.
The doctor then told her: "Your husband had an unusual concern. He claims
he is usually cold and chilly after having sex with you the first time, and then hot
and sweaty after the second time. Do you know why?"
"Oh that crazy old fart," she replied

Its because the first time is usually in January and the second time is
in August."

The last Sea going paddle steamer.

2011-06-15T00:08:00.000Z

"Long time no blog" So Hi again to those of you who still pop in occasionally. Today's blog is about the worlds very last passenger, sea going Paddle Steamer "The Waverley". Last week we popped into Ilfracombe ( North Devon) to pick up some bits of fishing tackle, while there we noticed this lovely vessel just about to dock.The "Waverley" was built in Scotland in 1946 and is now owned by the "Paddle Steamer preservation society". Her first owners were the "London and North Eastern Railway" she is 240 feet long and nearly 60 ft wide, with a draft of around 6ft- 6inches.During her launch Speed trial she reached 18.5 knots, although now she cruises around 13 or 14 knots. Her normal maximum passengers are around 900. Between 2000 and 2003 she underwent a massive refit at Yarmouth, mostly funded by the "Heritage Lottery fund", this year is a crucial year for the her and her sister ships (not steam) MV "Balmoral" and PS "Kingswear Castle".Costs are very high, particularly maintainance, a lot of Finance is needed to keep these boats afloat.
Below, Ilfracombe's town crier welcomes passengers to the town, during a whole week in June a lot of the towns shopkeepers and residents dress in period costume too.

A couple of pictures of her as she goes astern from Ilfracombe pier.

The last picture shows her as she starts the return journey to Clevedon, Bristol.

Joke of the day.

These are classified ads, which were actually placed in an Aberdeen . newspaper:

FREE YORKSHIRE TERRIER.                                                                        FREE PUPPIES.
8 years old.                                                                               1/2 Cocker Spaniel,
Hateful little bastard.                                                                  1/2 sneaky neighbour's dog.
Bites!

FREE PUPPIES..
Mother is a Kennel Club registered German Shepherd.
Father is a Super Dog, able to leap tall fences in a single bound.

COWS, CALVES: NEVER BRED.

Also 1 gay bull for sale.

JOINING NUDIST COLONY!
Must sell washer and dryer £100

WEDDING DRESS FOR SALE .Worn once by mistake.
Call Stephanie.

**** And the WINNER is... ****

FOR SALE BY OWNER.
Complete set of Encyclopedia Britannica, 45 volumes.
Excellent condition, £200 or best offer.
No longer needed, got married, wife knows everything.

Subject: Irish Railway

The following is an actual exchange of correspondence between a customer and the Irish Railway Company.

Gentlemen,

I have been riding your trains daily for the last two years, and the service on your line seems to be getting worse every day. I am tired of standing in the aisle all the time on a 14-mile trip. I think the transportation system is worse than that enjoyed by people 2,000 years ago.

Yours truly,

Patrick Finnegan

--------------------------------

Dear Mr. Finnegan,

We received your letter with reference to the shortcomings of our service and believe you are somewhat confused in your history. The only mode of transportation 2,000 years ago was by foot.

Sincerely,

Irish Railway Company

-----------------------------------

Gentlemen,

I am in receipt of your letter, and I think you are the ones who are confused in your history. If you will refer to the Bible and the Book of David, 9th Chapter, you will find that Balaam rode to town on his ass.

That.... gentlemen, is something I have not been able to do on your train in the last two years!

Yours truly,

Patrick Finnegan

EXTREMELY SORRY

2011-04-03T19:03:00.000Z

Hi all, Just a quick apology for the last post, as far as i know i did nothing wrong but blogger performed one more silly trick. The only thing i can think of, is that i have never upgraded to new blogger so maybe thats it, i'm afraid being old fashioned i hate change, i was always taught by my engineering mentors "If it aint broke, don't fix it".

2011 Caravan season.

2011-03-28T21:09:00.000Z

Its that time of year again, we are usually a few weeks earlier getting to the Caravan but due to Hospital visits etc, we are late this year.I had my Angiogram recently and they found that at some stage (not sure when) i have had a Heart attack ??. The result of which is due to the Scarring it left etc a good part of the left side of the Heart isn't working, there is also a slightly leaking valve on the same side. The specialist said that in his opinion it was probably best left alone and treated with Tablets etc, The Surgery options carry a fair degree of risks for (in his opinion) the maximum improvement gained would be around 5%.So now i'm on more Rat posion and more blasted tablets.The only upside to it is he said that he thought my Heart was strong enough to with stand Hip Surgery soon.
Any way back to our Holiday Caravan in N Devon. Do click on any picture to get better detail.
The old Caravan in the middle is ours, Pam our Daughter has the one on the right.

Our Van with path and Slab Patio.

A front view, notice the Gnomes all around and the wooden footpath.(below).

This view (below) shows the Awning and one of the Bird feeders.

View from the Left side.

This picture (below) shows the rear of the van, notice the Concrete slabs where we park our Motorcycles. Also a few of our Bird feeders and home made garden planters, these are waiting for the frosty nights to cease so we can plant them and position them at the front.

One more shot of the rear with another Bird feeder.(below).The large workshop that is behind us was only built last year, at first we hated it but now realise that it gives us quite a lot of exrta privacy.

A close up of one of our new feeders and the Bird nest box my Daughter made a few years ago (below), we now have a pair of Blue Tits using it.

Below, The Bird box i made three years ago, only this year has it been used, by a pair of Great Tits.

The Patio area with my car in the background.
No Joke of the day again as blogger wouldn't allow me to move the last picture for more text !!!!!!

Health update.

2011-02-26T00:40:00.000Z

Hi all, Just a quick health update. A few months ago i went to the Drs because it was nearly impossible to walk more than a few yards, As i have COPD (breathing difficulties) i assumed it was the cause of the problem. Wrong, during my annual Diabetic check i mentioned it to the nurse who called in the Dr.After COPD and Diabetic checks he said my Heart rate was very irregular, so sent me for a heart x ray and Heart scan. Today i was called in to see the Specialist about the results. Not good i'm afraid, part of the Heart is all over the place (Arterial fibrilation) so next week i'm in for an Angiogram, not looking forward to that at all. Just to add insult to injury my Hips been playing up for over a year now but they can't operate because of my conditions, so mobility only gets worse and worse leading to more weight gain, where will it all end....................

Bristol & West Classic bike show.

2011-02-20T22:13:00.000Z

Above, This is about the annual Classic bike show, me and a couple of our CX members here.
Below, This is one of our members Honda CX500.
I'm afraid i seem to have lost the programme so cannot name all these bikes.
Do Click on any picture to enlarge it.

This is just one of the four Autojumble halls here. Outside are another 3 rows of stalls.If you have a classic bike then this is the place for all sorts of parts.

A really nice Ariel Arrow here.

An old New Imperial.

Below, An early Honda 400cc 4 cylinder in lovely condition.

Below, A realy pristine Triumph engined bike with a Norton featherbed frame, hence "Triton".

A beautiful 1960s style Triumph, with Scramble styling.

This is an absolutely beautiful 1964 Honda 250, one of the first of the Japanese bike invasion.

A nice Ducati.

Below, The amazing 3 cylinder 1,000 cc Laverda Jota, made in the late 60s and early 70s. This bike was the fastest stock road going machine for several years, with speeds in access of 140 mph being reached.

This one (below) is not a common special its Nor BSA, which is basically again a Norton featherbed frame, this time with a BSA engine.

All in all a good show, although the organisation of car parks was non existant, no disabled parking within 600 metres of the entrance was just not good enough, especially as we arrived 40 mins before opening time to avoid this .IN FUTURE YEARS, DISABLED BE AWARE.

Joke of the day.
Paddy tells Mick that he's thinking of buying a dog, Mick asks "what sort yu gonna buy then"
Paddy says "A Labredor i tink". Mick says "be jezus, are ya mad?", have ya seen how many of thems owners gow blind"

Latest Bird blog

2011-02-13T23:00:00.000Z

Hi all, Here are a few more pictures, most of them were taken with Sue's new Fuji Finepix HS10 Camera. Sue is still getting to grips with it, it is a Digital Camera but not an SLR, athough it has a remarkable 30X zoom and takes up to a 10.3 Megapixel picture.
We visit Badgers Holt on Dartmoor for a lot of these pictures.
Please click on any picture to enlarge it.

This is a very familar garden bird, the "Blue Tit"

This little "Chaffinch" certainly has a mouthful.

There are several members in the Tit family, one or two are quite difficult to tell apart. This one (i think) is a "Coal Tit"

The biggest and one of the most attractive of our Tits, the "Great Tit"

One more picture of a Cock "Chaffinch".

Not quite so well known this is the "Nuthatch"

Yet one more "Chaffinch"

This little Bird used to be very common 40 years ago in the Midlands but getting quite uncommon these days.
The "Dunnock"

A real showy Cock "Chaffinch"

This lovely little fella i think is "Marsh Tit"

One more "Coal Tit"

A Pair of pretty "Greenfinches"

This one has only recently started visiting this table, today bringing 3 more with it, the "Long Tailed Tit"

A "Long Tailed Tit" with a "Chaffinch".

An all in at the dinner table.

This is the lovely "Greenfinch"

This a hen "Chaffinch"

These beautiful little Birds seem to be really on the increase recently the "Nuthatch"

A "Greenfinch" posing with a mouthfull.

Our favourite little garden Bird, the "Robin"

A feeding "Chaffinch"

One more fabulous "Robin".

Joke of the day.

TODAY IS THE OLDEST YOU'VE EVER BEEN, YET THE YOUNGEST YOU'LL EVER BE, SO ENJOY THIS DAY WHILE IT LASTS.

Observations on Growing Older ~
Your kids are becoming you...and you don't like them...but your grandchildren are perfect!
~Going out is good.. Coming home is better!
~When people say you look "Great"... They add "for your age!" ~When you needed the discount, you paid full price. Now you get discounts on everything... Movies, hotels, flights, but you're too tired to use them.
~You forget names .... But it's OK because other people forgot they even knew you!!!
~The 5 pounds you wanted to lose is now 15 and you have a better chance of losing your keys than the 15 pounds.
~You realize you're never going to be really good at anything .... Especially golf.
~Your spouse is counting on you to remember things you don't remember.
~The things you used to care to do, you no longer care to do, but you really do care that you don't care to do them anymore. ~Your husband sleeps better on a lounge chair with the TV blaring than he does in bed. It's called his "pre-sleep". ~Remember when your mother said, "Wear clean underwear in case you GET in an accident"? Now you bring clean underwear in case you HAVE an accident!
~You used to say, "I hope my kids GET married... Now, "I hope they STAY married!"
~You miss the days when everything worked with just an "ON" and "OFF" switch..
~When GOOGLE, ipod, email, modem .... Were unheard of, and a mouse was something that made you climb on a table.
~You tend to use more 4 letter words .... "what?"..."when?"... ???~Now that you can afford expensive jewelry, it's not safe to wear it anywhere.
~Your husband has a night out with the guys, But he's home by 9:00 P.M. Next week it will be 8:30 P..M.
~You read 100 pages into a book before you realize you've read it.
~Notice everything they sell in stores is "sleeveless"?!!! ~What used to be freckles are now liver spots.
~Everybody whispers.
~Now that your husband has retired .... You'd give anything if he'd find a job!
~You have 3 sizes of clothes in your closet ... 2 of which you will never wear.
~~~~But old is good in some things: Old songs, Old movies, And best of all, OLD FRIENDS!!
Love you, "OLD FRIEND!"
Send this on to other "Old Friends!" and Let them laugh in AGREEMENT!!!
It's Not What You Gather, But What You Scatter That Tells What Kind Of Life You Have Lived

Not like me !!!!!!

2011-02-11T22:52:00.000Z

Hi, This blog is going to be a Poem, not one of mine but one written over 60 years ago. As a teenager i was a keen birdwatcher and i'm afraid Egg collector. As soon as i was old enough i got a job (13 i think) as a Grocery delivery boy, working 5 evening after school 4.15 till 6.15, plus Saturday mornings. For this work i was paid the princely sum of 12/6d per week (equiv 65p).On getting my first weeks wage i went sraight into town and bought myself a bird book (15/-) , the first in a series of 3. When i got home home i opened it and this was on the very first page, i read it and reread it several times so i could remember most of it by heart, that was over 50 years ago and i still love it now.The author uses the name "The Little Stint"

Its called "The Flying Machine"

When Bleriot the channel flew
The people made a great to-do;
They came in thousands just to stare
At the great conqueror of the Air
Who crossed from France to England’s shore
A flight of twenty miles or more
“How great an aeroplane!” they said:
“And what a noise the engine made!”
“And how could Bleriot know that he
Would find his way across the sea,
Which none had ever flown before?
And so they wondered more and more,
Until at last their hats they raise
And cheer to their great hero’s praise.

Yet I, when called to make my flight,
Have slipped of in an Artic night
And lightly flown o’er land and sea,
The only engine carrying me
My heart, no bigger than a shilling,
Which for twelve thousand miles is willing.
Less than two ounces is my weight.
No petrol cans increase my freight;
No chart nor compass ‘neath my eyes
To mark the track through trackless skies
And still untiring to the verge
Of Australasian ocean’s surge
From North Siberia’s coast I fly,
Spanning the globe unerringly,
No cheering thousands when I land,
No startling posters in the Strand;
No wondering word, no praise is heard,
But then, I ONLY AM A BIRD

I do hope you enjoyed it too, by the way i havn't gone all soft or anything, to prove it

Joke of the Day.

A solicitor parks his brand new Porsche in front of the office to show it off to his colleagues. As he's getting out of the car, a truck comes speeding along too close to the kerb and takes off the door before zooming off.More than a little distraught, the solicitor grabs his mobile and calls the police.Five minutes later, the police arrive. Before the policeman has a chance to ask any questions, the man starts screaming hysterically: 'My Porsche, my beautiful silver Porsche is ruined. No matter how long it's at the panel beaters, it'll simply never be the same again!'After the man finally finishes his rant, the policeman shakes his head in disgust. 'I can't believe how materialistic you bloody solicitors are,' he says. 'You lot are so focused on your possessions that you don't notice anything else in your life' 'How can you say such a thing at a time like this?' sobs the Porsche owner.The policeman replies: 'Didn't you realise that your arm was torn off when the truck hit you?' The solicitor looks down in horror. 'BLOODY HELL!' he screams...

'Where's my Rolex????

Stover country park.

2011-01-24T22:24:00.000Z

This morning we decided that it was time we gave the Mobility scooter a good run out. It was a cloudy but dry and mild 8c, so location was the next question. We decided to stay local by going to Stover Country park.This park is only 6 miles away and close to the market town of Newton Abbot.The park consists of 114 acres (around 46 Hectares) of Lakes, Conifer woodland, Shrub lands, Grasslands and plenty of Marshlands. This then is an ideal wildlife area. This includes Birds of all sorts, Animals, Snakes, Reptiles,Butterflies, Mammals,Plants by the hundred and even the odd Roe deer.So we put the scooter into the car (ramps) along with sandwiches and a Flask and off we went.The park has a very reasonable pay and display car park (£1.50 all day)situated close to the Ranger and visitor centre. This centre also contains a Nature Interpretation Centre (???)(see www.devon.gov.uk/stover_country_park.htm)The centre contains Toilets, including Disabled, these are probably the slight "Blot on the landscape" as the Gents urinal could do with a good scrub up.Stalls, Sinks etc are all fine though.The parks numerous paths are 90% hard ground fully suitable for Disability Scooters and Wheelchairs,also the park is very flat with only very slight inclines.All around there are benches, seats and Picnic tables so ideal for older or for the not so fit amongst us to rest a while.All around the main lake are large wide wooden platforms for watching (or feeding) the many Water based Birds. All in all an ideal place for the amateur or professional nature lover to visit.
Sue takes nearly all the pictures on these blogs with her Fuji Finepix HS 10/11 Camera.
Please click on any picture to enlarge it.
Below, several Terns at roost.

Below, These two i believe (not an expert on sea birds) are Terns too.

Below, This is one we all know the friendly (to us) Robin.

This picture (below) is of a Great Tit, most of the Tit family are found here.

This Grey Squirrel was playing peep oh with us. (below)

Below, here is the cheeky chappie again, he came up to within 7-8 feet of us while we ate our food.
On the ground beneath one of the large Peanut feeders were 8 more of these, lured out by the mild weather i suppose.

This Moorhen picture originally started as the 3rd picture but how it ended here blessed if i know.

Joke of the day.
Dear claire,
I am very much in love with my wife, to be honest she is the reason I gave up drinking and gambling and its fair to say she saved me from a life of addiction and poverty.
We have been happily married for the last ten years, but lately Ive started noticing little things that make me think she might be having an affair.
Two or three nights a week she goes out with the girls, or so she tells me and comes home at all hours usually 5am or later.
She has started hiding her mobile phone from me and when she gets a txt she says its her sister and leaves the room to read it.
I am at my wits end to be honest.
A few days ago i decided to wait in the garage to see what time she came in.
So i hid behind my bike and waited, it was nearly 6am when she got out of a flashy sports car and proceeded to kiss the driver full on the lips, she then took her panties out of her purse and put them on before she entered the house, it was then I noticed it!
Oh my G** a small oil leak just behind the cylinder head!!!
I really dont what to do for the best claire, so thats why im writing to you, should i bring it to a bike shop and get them to sort it?, or try to find out the cause of the leak myself?
Signed, worried out of my head.

Wheelchair Blues.

2011-01-11T10:13:00.000Z

So what are things coming to? Yes an Electric mobility Scooter. A couple of months ago i had terrible breathing difficulties, a trip to the Doc's had me being sent to the Heart Lung dept for Electrocardiographs etc.They found i had part of my Heart not working properly and two leaky valves, now waiting to see specialist Cardiologist. Meanwhile my Hip (been playing up for a year) is really being a P I T A, of course no Surgeon will even look at operating until after my specialists visit. So when i was browsing the paper a couple of weeks ago i came across this quite reasonably priced mobility scooter (its 5 years old) i decided to buy it.At the price i paid i don't expect miracles but on the couple of short trips we've done so far its been OK. The problems will probably come when we try to go on long road trips.The model is a Ugo 8, from new its supposed to able to carry 23 stones for up to 18 miles at speeds of up to 8 MPH, it has indicators, lights and wing mirrors. i must admit i expect to have to replace the batteries quite soon (about £70)we will see.

Joke of the day.

Robot lie detector.

A bloke comes home from work with a robot, which can detect lies. When his 12 year old son comes home from school 2 hours late he calls him over. "Why are you so late?"The boy replies "I was in the library doing some homework." The robot rolled over and gave him a clip round the ear. "Ow" cried the lad. "What was that for?"The father said "It's my new lie-detecting robot. You'd better tell me the truth now.""OK Dad, I was at my mates house watching a DVD of Lee Evans." The robot gave him another clip round the ear."I said to tell me the truth", chimed the father. "Try again."

"OK, we were watching a porno film."

The father says "I can't believe it. You've shamed me. I would never have lied like that to my parents". The robot gave the father a clip round the ear.

The mother fell about laughing and said "Like father, like son" and the robot gave her a clip round the ear.

Our Bird blog.

2011-01-02T20:19:00.000Z

I have always had an interest in Birds, i have to admit that as a lad i colleced Bird eggs, although in my defence i only ever took one egg from any nest.I think i ended up with 47 different ones.
Confession over, we now have several bird tables at the caravan although my neighbors 3 damn Cats prevent us from having a table at home. All the pictures taken here were taken with a little Fuji point and shoot Camera with only a 4X zoom so quality isn't brilliant.
Please click pictures to enlarge them.
Above picture...A Blue Tit at feeder.
Below....A Coal Tit.

Below...A Hen Chaffinch and i think a Coal Tit.

Below....A Cock Chaffinch.

Below.... We had a pair of Greenfinches (picture + Tit) visit right through the spring of 2009 but no sign of them last year.

Below........The Nuthatch, we have around three pairs of these beautiful birds that visit our Table/feeders, they usually hang there for 5-6 minutes hogging the feeder until they are stuffed full.

Below.......the very beautiful little Robin, we had a pair nesting close by, when their young were first fledged they all visited us but after a few weeks the young ones were soon chased away by these very terratorial parent Birds.

Below...... A very badly hit species, the Thrush has really declined in the past few years and are almost rare.Bird watchers put a lot of there decline down to Gardeners use of slug pellets etc which with Snails are the biggest part of their diet.

Below.......A regular Winter visitor here in Devon are flocks of Redwings, these two's pictures were taken in a nearby neighbors garden. They are attracted to a wild part of his Grape vine which still retains fruit.

Below.......Here is a picture of the Redwing perched above the vine, Fruit just visible in the bottom left corner.

This will be an ongoing blog with eventually parts 1 - 2 etc to follow.

Joke of the day.
Todays is a very topical thing for the ladies at this time of year, (borrowed from Momma bears blog)
T'was the week after Christmas, and all through the house,
nothing would fit me, not even a blouse;
The cookies I'd nibbled, the eggnog I had to taste,
at the holiday parties had gone to my waist;

When I got on the scales there arose such a number!
When I walked to the store (less a walk than a lumber),
I'd remember the marvelous meals I'd prepared,
The gravies and sauces and turkey nicely rared;

The wine and the rum balls; the bread and the cheese,
and the way I'd never said, "No thank you, please."
As I dressed myself in my husband's old shirt,
and prepared once again to do battle with dirt,
I said to myself, as only I can,
"You can't spend a winter disguised as a man!"

So, away with the last of the sour cream dip.
Get rid of the fruit cake, every cracker and chip.
Every last bit of food that I like must be banished,
'til all the additional ounces have vanished.

I won't have a cookie... not even a lick.
I'll want only to chew on a long celery stick.
I won't have hot biscuits, or corn bread, or pie,
I'll munch on a carrot and quietly cry.

I'm hungry, I'm lonesome, and life is a bore,
But isn't that what January is for?
Unable to giggle, no longer a riot.
Happy New Year to all and to all a good diet!

What a wonderful Venue.

2010-12-16T21:54:00.001Z

Todays blog is about a place quite close to home, only about 6 miles away on Devon's Haldon hills.This is the Haldon Belvedere or St Lawrence Castle.This three turreted tiny Castle lies on a hill top about 250 metres above sea level with fabulous panoramic views.It was built in the 1780s by Sir Robert Palk an extremely wealthy business man who acquired his fortune in India.The Castle was originally built as the centre piece of his huge estate, on completion it was dedicated to Major General Stringer Lawrence the founder of the Indian Army. The castle is in a cleared area in a small wood with well kept lawns, Rhododendron and Azalea's bushes flower for long periods during spring and summer
The Castle is available to view or to hire for functions such as private dances,Weddings, large birthday parties etc. It also has a Civic marriage licence, so you can do it all in one building, the Wedding ceremony, the reception and the beautiful Balcony flat for the Honeymoon, also it has a licence to sell Alcohol at functions.
Here is the original road bridge (re pointed obviously), this now joins with the new Tarmac road.
Do click on any picture to enlarge it.

This is the original old pathway used by both Horses and carts to cross the bridge to the Castle.

The old path now joins the new, with a first glimpse of the Castle.

Below This here is the view as you pull into the car park, me and my car are parked in front of the castle.

Another view.

Each piece has its own door, which when open on summer days makes a lovely open room.

If you fancy a night or two here in this unique setting, in the rooftop flat then its possible. How many friends will have stayed alone in a Devon Castle ???? then look in the link below for details. This link (copy & paste) has every thing you need to know about the belevedere. Please do click on the Blue writing under the pictures in the link to give you a full 380 degree panoramic views.
http://www.haldonbelvedere.co.uk/Home_Page_.html

Joke of the day.
A man walks into a bar and notices an attractive but older woman sitting alone on a stool. The man approaches her slowly, sidling along the bar,eventually asking "may i buy you a drink?" The woman turns slowly to him saying "No thank you, Alcohol is bad for my legs"
"I'm sorry" the man says, "do they swell ?"
"No" the woman says "they spread".

What ever next

2010-12-03T23:02:00.001Z

Hi, Just don't know what the hell blogger is up to but my last post "Odds & Ends" just shows up as see more WTF. Anyway to view this C*ck up click on read more.Also only one blog per page on my comp.

ODDS & ENDS.

2010-12-03T20:48:00.000Z

Hi, Firstly an update of the family. Pamela our daughter has now moved down to Newton Abbot here in Devon, she managed to get a nice new build council house too.
Sue is doing very well, no problems with Arm or Hip. Only blot on the landscape is me now, after attending the Dr a few times with real breathing problems i had Cardiograms and Echo cardiograms and eventually was diagnosed Heart problems.One side of the Heart is not working properly and i have two leaky valves too, now on bloody Rat poison and waiting for Specialist recommendations.
Here are a few Video for today's blog. I must admit i really don't like the new blog poster that they have kindly given me, that i didn't want.I find it very very difficult to insert text between the pictures.
The first video was taken earlier today from the car park below Haytor rocks on Dartmoor, just a sprinkle of snow up here.
The second one is taken while sitting on top of the same set of rocks back last spring.
While were posting video's i thought i would slip this third one in, it was taken overlooking Polperro (Cornwall) Harbour.
This last video was taken on Dartmoor last summer, and is on a little back road with a lovely area for a picnic.

THE MAILMAN'S LAST DAY
It was the mailman's last day on the job after 35 years of carrying the mail through all kinds of weather to the same neighborhood. When he arrived at the first house on his route he was greeted by the whole family, who congratulated him and sent him on his way with a big gift certificate envelope.
At the second house they presented him with a box of fine imported cigars. The folks at the third house handed him a selection of terrific fishing lures. At each of the housesalong his route, he was met with congratulations, farewells, cards, and gifts of all types and values.
At the final house he was met at the door by a strikingly beautiful young blonde in a revealing negligee. She took him by the hand, gently led him through the door (which she closed behind him), and led him up the stairs to the bedroom -- where they had a most passionate liaison. Afterwards, they went downstairs where she fixed him a giant breakfast: Hash browns,
egg, potatoes, Bacon, sausage,Beans, and fresh-squeezed orange juice. When he was truly satisfied she poured him a cup of steaming coffee.
As she was pouring, he noticed a dollar bill sticking out from under the cup's bottom edge. '..All this was just too wonderful for words,' he said, .......but what's the dollar for?'
'Well,' she said, 'last night, I told my husband that today would be your last day ...and that we should do something special for you I asked him what to give you?'

He said, "....F*** him ........give him a dollar."
She then blushed and added, '.....But the breakfast was my idea!

Autumn on Haldon Moor.

2010-12-01T18:31:00.000Z

Just a couple of weeks ago we did a winter walk to the view point and Obelisk in Haldon Forest. Haldon Forest and Moors lie here in S Devon, They are a row of moreland hills midway between Exeter and the Seaside towns of Dawlish, Teignmouth,and N Abott they stand just over 250 metres above sea level and have fantastic Estuary and coastal views.The Moor itself had its own Airfield from around 1928, this comprised of a cleared area of grass scrub land with a runway of nearly 3/4 of a mile and was used as a civil airport, it also had a few hangers too.During the war the Air Ministry commandeered the field for Military use and it never really recovered again after the war.About three miles away across the Moor lies this walk, ending at the Obelisk.This Obelisk built in 1742 as a navigational aid to shipping was ideal as its elevated position shows.Todays walk starts at a large car park and Picnic area just 1/2 mile from the main A380 Rd.This walk is level and easy at less than 800 yards from the start area, most of it on Ashphalt or compressed ground (Wheelchair ideal).
Below start out.

Lots of side paths for the kids to explore too.

At various points in the walk there clearings with wooden seats to stop and rest if you wish.

Here is the Obelisk.

You can see below the leaves are starting to turn their lovely Autumn Colours.

About 1/2 way down the walk now.

Below, just getting the first of the lovely estuary views now.

This is the clearing in the Forest that allows you such lovely views, the fence is necessary as there are 20 ft drop offs in places.

The seating area, with myself and friends Anne and Jeff from Exmouth.

Below. Its a shame it wasn't to clear, although in the summer months the foliage grows obscuring some places.
The River Exe estuary.

Again the Exe.

A little farther round.

Please do click on any picture to enlarge it.
No Joke of the day today as blogger refused to move the last picture for the joke.

A winter walk to the Avon dam, Devon.

2010-10-27T22:21:00.000Z

This was a walk we did late last year, but i had forgotten about and just found these pictures.South Devon's Avon dam is on the edge of Dartmoor, just a few miles from the busy A38, quite near to South Brent. The dam lies deep in a valley at Shipley Bridge, the dam holds back millions of gallons of water and creates a large Reservoir, supplying water to most of this area.The walk starts at a car park and initially follows a Private (to vehicles) tarmac road for approx 1/2 a mile. This road was built and is used by South West Water Authority to maintain the dam and water treatment plant.From here on the road/path is usable by vehicles but not Tarmacked.The 1.7 mile footpath follows the Avon river along the whole route.
Do click on any picture to enlarge it.

Sue at the start of the walk.

This picture is just one of lots we have with fabulous small waterfalls, rapids etc,in spring it is covered in beautiful wild flowers.

Here is one of the many waterfalls / rapids that are dotted all along.

In summer this area of flats rocks gets really busy with famililies Pick nicking here and the kids playing in the water.

We decided to take this picture to show that the Litchen / Moss growing on this growing tree can provides a base on which thses Fearns can live and grow.

We couldn't resist taking this picture showing the strength of this tree and its roots against the remains of a sheperds hut.

At this point in the walk the valley opens out to show really great views along the river banks.

I did forget to mention that on the outward walk you are steadily climbing through out the walk.

Almost there now, getting a bit tired sowe stopped for a cuppa from the Flask we brought with us.

The steepest part now but the Dam is in sight here.

Here it is the Avon Dam, we didn't take pictures of the Reservoir itself because by now the wind was howling and causing huge waves, (see the waves coming down the Dam).

This last picture was taken from the opposite side of the valley from our walk.

So a realy nice walk on a lovely winters day.

Joke of the day.

There's nothing worse than a Doctor's Receptionist who insists you tell her what is wrong with you, in a room full of other patients. I know most of us have experienced this and I love the way this old guy handled it.

A 75-year-old man walked into a crowded waiting room and approached the

desk. The Receptionist said, 'Yes sir, what are you seeing the Doctor for today?'

"There's something wrong with my d*ck", he replied.

The receptionist became irritated and said, "You shouldn't come into a crowded waiting room and say things like that".

"Why not, you asked me what was wrong and I told you", he said.

The Receptionist replied: "Now you've caused some embarrassment in this room full of people".

You should have said there is something wrong with your ear or something and discussed the problem further with the Doctor in private.

The man replied,"You shouldn't ask people questions in a roomful of strangers if the answer could embarrass anyone".

The man walked out, waited several minutes, and then re-entered.

The Receptionist smiled smugly and asked, "Yes??"
"There's something wrong with my ear", he stated.
The Receptionist nodded approvingly and smiled, knowing he had taken her advice.

"And what is wrong with your ear, Sir?"
'I can't p*ss out of it,' he replied.
The waiting room erupted in laughter.

Mess with seniors and you're going to lose!

Buckland in the moor.

2010-10-21T18:43:00.000Z

Hi all,This latest blog is again about our favourite place, "Dartmoor", in particular Buckland in the Moor.This beautiful picture postcard village nestles in a valley on a slope over the river Dart on the edge of Dartmoor, roughly between Ashburton and Widecombe.Its little church (of St Peter's) lies on a hill top about 1/2 a mile from the village centre and can be traced back to the 12th century.The church is famous in its own right for its clock face which carries "My dear mother" instead of the usual numbers.Also for several world bell ringing records from back in the 1980s and 90s.These first two pictures ar'nt ours but you can click on any of the others to enlarge them.

All of the pictures that we took were taken in either Winter or Spring otherwise the cottages are hidden behind lots of foliage.

Here are a few pictures of this lovely little village/hamlet, where all these cottages are rooved with real Devon thatch.. All of these cottages have grade 2 levels of preservation on them, also most of the outbuildings/sheds too.Property prices here are among the most expensive in Devon.

Imagine living in one of these beautiful cottages then? although on the down side a few of them only get a small amount of Sunlight in Summer.

Buckland is now owned by John P Bastard esq and has been in the family since at least the 16th century.
Recently one of the above cotages came on the market.

Buckland is also unique for its carved stone tablets high above the village, on these 10 (11) commandments were carved, they were ordered by Mr William Whitely in 1928 who commissioned an Exmouth stone mason Mr W A Clement to make them.Mr Clement lived in a stone hut on site for the duration of the work, working up to 9.5 hours a day. Between 23rd July 1928 and completed them on 31August the same year, during this time Mr Clement carved 1,547 letters in all at a cost of £50.All this was done 380 metres above sea level where it gets extremely windy and cold at night even in August.In addition to these 10 commandments he carved an 11th one with a verse from the gospel of St John.During May 2009 a team of Stone Masons working with the Dartmoor National Parks authority started work recarving the stones which by then were well weathered and Litchen covered.

More here http://www.bbc.co.uk/devon/content/articles/2009/06/04/buckland_beacon_repair_feature.shtml

Joke of the day.

Service

I became confused when I heard the word “service” used with these agencies:

Revenue Office “Service”
Post Office “Service”
Telephone “Service”
Cable TV “Service”
Civil “Service”
City, Provincial & Public “Service”
Bank Customer “Service”

This is not what I thought “service” meant.
But today, I overheard two farmers talking, and one of them said he had hired a bull to “service” his cows.

BAM! It all came into focus. Now I understand what all those agencies are doing to us !!!!!!

If only i had.

2010-09-26T21:12:00.033Z

I have often wondered what cars i might buy (if they were all still available)if i won a few million pounds on the Lottery.
It was originally going to be a top 10 but that would be very difficult......
So here goes, Here's my motorpool,not necessarily in any particular order.

1. Austin Healey 3000 a lovely classic 1960s sports car, fitted with a 3 litre, straight 6 cylinder engine which gives a beautiful sound to go with its fantastic looks.
This car has been a firm favourite of mine ever since i was able to drive (although i might now struggle to get in it).This is definately my NUMBER ONE

2. Austin A90/A95/105.
A car i loved after driving one in the garage i worked at on leaving school.After passing my test in 1963, this was the first car i delivered for a customer. It has (had) so much power and equipment like heaters, radio, fully retractable windows, sunroof etc, it came in two tone with Walnut door panels and dashboard and deep Red leather upholstery, "Love at first drive",oooooh.
My Step father had the A90/5 (i'm not sure which)and he often took us all out in his showing off its speed, equipment, looks etc.

3. Aston Martin DB4.
The mechanic at the garage (mentioned above)serviced one of these twice a year for an actor that worked at the RST theatre company (i cant remember his name for sure but Hall rings a bell.This car was in British Racing Green and was just so beautiful, both inside and out, with Cream leather upholstery and Walnut dashboard and steering wheel.Our mechanic (Clive)always made sure i was free to go with him when it came to the time for the road test, i remember being awe struck at the acceleration and speed, grinning like a Cheshire cat the whole time.

4. Chryslers..as manufacturers, they make several models that really do it for me. They seem to enjoy making cars that are perhaps considered.... quirky.
I have searched the internet for pictures of someone making a Hot rod from a Chrysler PT Cruiser, it cried out to be made into one. The only reason that no one has i can see is perhaps the fact that the basic model is front wheel drive so doesn't lend itself to Huge wheels and Tyres on the back as Hot Rods do.
The 300c or even better the monster engined SRT8, (so like a poor mans Bentley)are also models i love. The huge "Bull" front, its sheer car and engine size,style is great too,this would be my modern "Luxury, going out car".
As for modern Sports models go, i quite fancy the Crossfire. It has great looks and reasonable modern sporty performance.

5. The Austin 1800/2200 range.(also Wolseley models)
A huge lovely car launched in the mid 60s, with a vast amount of room inside especially in the rear seat (ideal as a passion wagon).The chap who lived opposite me had one brand new and took me out to football matches several times, performance on the 1800 was brisk the 2200 extreme quick, great fun.

6. Nissan Skyline.
This car probably finds its way on to this list via my devilish side, i always fancied a car that externally looked fairly innocuous but was really a "Wolf in Sheeps clothing" especially getting away from other cars at any traffic controls.Early models didn't even carry the rear spoiler which does give it away a bit.Engines have varied so much from the early 70s when they were introduced that any quick engine was squeezed into a large family sized saloon car with the small engine space that goes with them.

7. Mercedes Benz 300SL (Gullwing)
This was brought out in the late 50s when i was a school boy, myself and most of the other boys in my class used to drool over pictures of this fabulously beautiful car and still do to this day, so it was a certain for this blog.

8.Alpine Renault A110
As previously mentioned i worked in a garage in Stratford on Avon as a young man, this garage took on the Agency for Renault back in the times of the R4's and Dauphines.As time went on Renault moved forward with models to R8's R10S R5's R16's etc, during that time they developed sporting, mostly rally cars, some with the help of other firms, one of which were Alpine. Together they developed this and other special rally cars, winning countless rallies with several different types of these (including World rally championships) cars. This model was the one that looked and sounded the bees knees to me then and now.

Before adding my Joke of the day, i would like to try to find out who has been visiting my humble blog lately?.Over the last two weeks people visiting has gone from an average 12 to 16 people most days to between 25 and 34 some days.So if you visit my blog please tell me who you are and what you were hoping for and did you find it? Its very simple to do, at the bottom of each blog is a pencil symbol, press on this and leave a comment in the box. I don't mind criticism or praise or even correcting my mistakes but add either who you are or where you found me!!!. Do not worry if it asks you for a Google account, if it does sign in as anonymous then leave your name or site at the bottom of the message. Thanks.

Joke of the day.
Two aliens landed on the Salisbury plain near a petrol station that was closed for the night. They approached one of the petrol pumps Greetings, Earthling. We come in peace. Take us to your leader."
The petrol pump, of course, didn't respond.Annoyed at the pump's haughty attitude, he drew his ray gun and said gruffly, "Greetings, Earthling. We come in peace. Take us to your leader or I will fire!"
The older alien warned his comrade saying, 'You probably don't want to do that! I really think that will make him mad.'
'Rubbish,' replied the cocky, young alien. He aimed his weapon and opened fire. There was a huge explosion. A massive fireball roared towards him and blew the younger alien off his feet and threw him in a burnt, smoking mess about 200 yards away.
'What a ferocious creature!' exclaimed the young, fried alien. 'He nearly killed me! How did you know he was so dangerous?'The older alien leaned over, placed a friendly feeler on his crispy friend and replied, 'If there's one thing I've learned during my intergalactic travels, you never mess with a guy who can loop his penis over his shoulder twice and then stick it in his ear.'

Great Dorset Steam Fair 2010.

2010-09-06T22:41:00.010Z

Today's blog is my third on the annual Great Dorset Steam Fair. Every year i extol the virtues of this magnificent event yet i still can't seem to be able to get people interested, i suppose the name "Steam Fair" could put people off, with them imagining Steam Rollers, Tractors, fairground vehicles even Trains. All this of course is the mainstay of the show and what it has ben built around for the last 42 years.The Steam side of it doesn't really float my boat either but i do like the atmosphere, smells and noises associated with it.Let me now tell what else is available at this Annual 5 day event.Firstly it is impossible to (even skimping)see all of this show in one day, the whole site including Show ground,car parks, caravan/camping covers over 600 acres and is larger than Blandford village.Last year over 27,000 people stayed on site during the week, Well over a quarter of a million people visited it too.Here are just a few of the things to see and do, One of the Largest and most modern fun fairs in the country, all day and night till midnight.7 full sized Marquees, all of which have bars in them and each one putting on its own style of music (free) from midday until 11.30 pm.There are Country, Folk, Rock,Marquees as well as 3 mixed music ones. The main Arena has a huge Bar attached and groups who played there this year included Planet Abba,The Wurzels,Ultimate Madness, The Bohemians, Too Rex etc. For you lovers of a bargain there are over 900 car boot style stalls in a huge area, divided into 10 rows.On the Classic side there are Vintage/Classic, Cycles, Cars, Caravans, Lorries, Tractors,Buses, Motorcycles all which parade daily in one of the three outdoor arenas, with each one getting its full history read out as it stops in front of the commentary box.A real spectacle at night was the Tractor pulling, with smoke and flames from Exhausets lighting up the night sky.Heavy Horses parade daily and show there skills with the plough or Farrows.Also a Dog show and Sheepdog show, rounding up amongst other things Ducks, Chickens, Sheep, and children !!!.
A seperate area is set out for Static Steam engines such as Pumps, Generators, Threshing machines, Huge Saws etc.There are three full sized shops housed in Marquees selling just about everything you need to stay here.The Craft tent houses all sorts of Skills in two full sized Marquees, including, Painting, Wood Carving, Metal Cutting, Knitting, Crochet,Wicker work, Dolls Houses, Lace making etc etc.
If your hungry there are over 80 stalls scattered all around the site, selling such varied items as Curry, Chinese food, Bangers Mash & Peas, Faggots & Chips,Burgers and Dogs of all shapes and sizes,Donut stalls, Pastie & Pie stalls even one selling Pancakes (Crepes)and lots lots more.Then of course there is the Food Hall where vendors give tasters prior to selling of, Cheeses by the dozen,Pasties, Pies of all varieties,Wines, Beers, Sausages, Burgers, Faggots, Sanwhiches, Bread of all types, shapes, and types, etc etc a real Culinary heaven.
There is just so much more going on that i could easily do the wrong thing putting you off by the length of this babbling.
What i will say is post next years dates in your Calendar and go, i promise you will not be dissapointed, Dates Wednesday 31st August until Sunday 4 th September 2011 inclusive.

Joke of the day.
A young boy went up to his father and asked him, 'Dad, what is the
difference between potentially and realistically?'
The father thought for a moment, then answered, 'Go ask your mother if
she would sleep with Brad Pitt for a million Pounds.
Then ask your sister if she would sleep with Brad Pitt for a Million
Pounds, and then ask your brother if he'd sleep with Brad Pitt for a
million Pounds. Come back and tell me what you learn from that.'
So the boy went to his mother and asked, 'Would you sleep with Brad Pitt
for a million Pounds?'
The mother replied, 'Of course I would! We could really use that money to
fix up the house and send you kids to a great University!'
The boy then went to his sister and asked, 'Would you sleep with Brad
Pitt for a million Pounds?'
The girl replied, 'Oh my Gawd! I LOVE Brad Pitt I would sleep with him in
a heartbeat, are you nuts?'
The boy then went to his brother and asked, 'Would you sleep with Brad
Pitt for a million Pounds?'
'Of course,' the brother replied. 'Do you know what a million Quid would
buy?'
The boy pondered the answers for a few days and then went back to his
dad.
His father asked him, 'Did you find out the difference between
'potentially' and 'realistically'?'
The boy replied, 'Yes, 'Potentially' , you and I are sitting on Three
million Pounds .
But 'realistically' , we're just living with two hookers and a queer.

SIDMOUTH (DEVON) REVISITED..

2010-08-24T19:26:00.044Z

WITHDRAWL OF LAST POST, Blogger has now decided to again let me post pictures although in a very different and harder way, so I'm afraid i will be here a little longer.Apparently its problem with Picasa.

Hi all, This post is all about the lovely seaside town of Sidmouth.I originally did a post on Sidmouth during the early spring before all the flowers started blooming,(March 09).Sidmouth has won lots of best town in bloom awards (for both Devon and the whole Westcountry)cups, plus loads of highly commended ones too.The town has just over 15,00 inhabitants (Resident) of these over 40% are over 65, a real retirement retreat as these figures show.Of course in the summer, this figure much more than doubles when all the B & B's and holiday camps, hotels etc fill up with people flocking to the Mild summer climate and lovely beaches.One of the things Sidmouth is famous for is it annual August Folk festival, every year thousands of people come to hear and see Folk musicians from all around the world play here.Most of this music is played in the open air, on street corners, outside (inside too) Pubs, also a special outdoor Arena with a stage set in the centre of a steep sided valley.Groups you may have heard of include "The Yetties", "The Wurzels", "The Temperance Seven" etc, also lots of ceilidh music & dancing.
So back now to the Wonderful flower gardens called "The Connaught Gardens" which are on high ground overlooking the Western end of the town and beach.
This is quite a long post I'm afraid as i've found it impossible to edit the dozens of pictures posted here.
Most of the pictures were taken by us, although a few were not,these may not enlarge as ours do when double clicked.
Please do click on most pictures to enlarge them.

Joke of the day.
PLEASE NOTE
No offence is intended to anyone in this joke.
The Irish Millionaire.

Mick, from Dublin ,appeared on 'Who Wants To Be A Millionaire'
and towards the end of the program had already won 500,000 pounds.

"You've done very well so far," said Chris Tarrant, the show's presenter,
"but for a million pounds you've only got one life-line left – phone a friend.
Everything is riding on this question.....will you go for it?"

"Sure," said Mick. "I'll have a go!"

"Which of the following birds does NOT build its own nest?

a) Sparrow

b) Thrush,

c) Magpie,

d) Cuckoo?"

"I haven't got a clue." said Mick, ''so I'll use last lifeline and phone my friend Paddy

back home in Dublin."

Mick called up his mate, and told him the circumstances and repeated the question to him.

"Frekin hell, Mick!" cried Paddy. "Dat's simple......It's a cuckoo."
"Are you sure?"

"I'm fookin' sure."

Mick hung up the phone and told Chris, "I'll go wit Cuckoo as my answer."

"Is that your final answer?" asked Chris.

"Dat it is, Sir."

There was a long - long pause, and then the presenter screamed, "Cuckoo is the correct answer!

Mick, you've won one million pounds!"

The next night, Mick invited Paddy to their local pub to buy him a drink.

"Tell me, Paddy? How in Heaven's name did you know it was da Cuckoo that doesn't

build its own nest?"

"Because he lives in a frekin' clock!!!"

A bit of Nostalgia (bikes)

2010-08-10T18:04:00.032Z

Over the weekend Sue and i went just a mile up the road from our van to an old fashioned Scramble meeting in Berrynarbor, Devon. Most of the bikes there were those of the early 60s 70s and 80s. Bikes like BSA Victors, Cotton,Matchlesses, Triumph Metisses, Czs, Jawa, Greeves,AJS etc etc. These Scrambles usually go under the name of "Classic" or "Pre 65" events, they bring back so many memories of early TV scrambling days (with Murray Walker) when Legends like Jeff Smith, John Banks, Dave Vickers, Aurthur Lampkin,Chris Horsfield, Badger Goss, Dave Thorpe,Dave Curtiss and loads more were riding. Just the fantastic sound as 25-30 Bikes (mostly 4 strokes) roaring off the line, the awesome, long lasting smell of "Castrol R"is just wonderful. Although this event has a british championship status it is fairly "Laid back"and because it is by modern standards comparitively cheap to compete in, it attracts a different class of rider. A lot are up and coming, maybe young sons of ex scramblers or garage owners sons, or in a lot of cases ex good scrambers who are perhaps getting a bit long in the toothe, this class allows lots more good years riding, in some cases well into their 60s.
Click on any picture to enlarge it.
This picture was taken at the highest point on the track overlooking the beautiful village of Combe MartinThis picture shows parts of this long (over a mile) exiting track, with natural hills and jumps, none of those "Yankee Whoop de doo's" !!!!

I have to admit a couple of the pictures on this blog were taken at the same meeting last year.

This is 2009 Classic scramble champion Scott Hayworth in action.He was riding here today, scoring a couple of victories.
I would love to be able to post the results of some of the races but i left the Programme with the results back at the Caravan. I can say there were some fantastic racing with one set of races, featuring one of the youngest competitors in the shape of 20 year old Tim Dalloway against the oldest in the shape of 70's-80's ex British champion Andy Roberton (63), in the end honours were even with a win apiece.

Joke of the day.
Then the fight started.

When our lawn mower broke and wouldn't run,
my wife kept hinting to me that I should get it fixed.

But, somehow I always had something else
to take care of first,
the shed, the boat, making beer . . .
Always something more important to me.

Finally she thought of a clever way to make her point.

When I arrived home one day,
I found her seated in the tall grass,
busily snipping away with a tiny pair of sewing scissors.

I watched silently for a short time and then went into the house.
I was gone only a minute, and when I came out again
I handed her a toothbrush.

I said,
" When you finish cutting the grass,
you might as well sweep the driveway. "

The doctors say I will walk again,
but I will always have a limp.

===============================================

Saturday morning I got up early,
quietly dressed, made my lunch, and
slipped quietly into the garage.

I hooked up the boat up to the van,
and proceeded to back out into a torrential downpour.

The wind was blowing 50 mph,
so I pulled back into the garage,
turned on the radio,
and discovered that the weather would be bad all day.

I went back into the house,
quietly undressed, and slipped back into bed.

I cuddled up to my wife's back,
now with a different anticipation, and whispered,
" The weather out there is terrible. "

My loving wife of 5 years replied,
" And,
can you believe my stupid husband
is out fishing in that ? "

And that's how the fight started . . .

===============================================

After retiring,
I went to the Social Security office to apply for Social Security.

The woman behind the counter asked me for my driver's License to verify my age.
I looked in my pockets and realized I had left my wallet at home.

I told the woman that I was very sorry,
but I would have to go home and come back later.

The woman said,
' Unbutton your shirt '.

So I opened my shirt revealing my curly silver hair.

She said,
' That silver hair on your chest is proof enough for me '
and she processed my Social Security application.

When I got home,
I excitedly told my wife about my experience
at the Social Security office . . .

She said,
' You should have dropped your pants.
You might have gotten disability, too .'
And then the fight started . . .

Here we go again.

2010-07-26T19:58:00.013Z

Hello to anyone out there who still watches this blog. Firstly nothing in our family ever changes, our bad luck still goes on and on. Just over two weeks ago our Son in law Wayne (Pams husband) suffered a major heart attack and died at just 41 years of age. They had been relief Pub landlords for the last few years so were in different pubs at the time. The Autotopsy revealed he had had a few small attacks prior to the fatal attack. He was a very big lad at 6 ft- 4 inches and over 20 stones (around 290-300 lbs). We later found out that apparently there is a family history of Heart disease. As soon as we heard we rushed up to Swindon (Wilts) and picked Pam up and took her to Waynes pub at Benson (nr London). Then later in the day we brought her and her two younger kids (Thomas17, and Zoe 14) back here to Devon. It was the funeral last week down here. Now Pam and family are homeless (living with us) as Wayne was the License holder so Pam cant manage without one. Pam and the children are still slowly coming to terms with this.
As far as Sue and myself goes, Sue is 95% better with both Arm and Hip now. Only trouble is my Hip is going to have to be replaced soon its becoming very difficult now.
Its been a difficult few weeks and Pam has been helping me in the Garden with my Fuchsias, so a few pictures on a happier note. These are just a few of my Fuchsia pictures for more try photobucket, bigbikerbob, my garden 2010.
Click on any picture to enlarge it.

No Joke of the day on this blog.

Paignton Bike Festival.

2010-05-01T08:57:00.027Z

Hi all, Its a long time (again) since i blogged so, an update on our progress.
Sue is doing really well with her Hip now, its 7 weeks since the Op and she is now without sticks, except on rough ground, or very long walks where she finds one a confidence booster. As far as the Arm is concerned we will know more in a fortnight when it is re X rayed, fingers crossed. My Diabetes, blood pressure, Cholesterol, COPD etc is all under control......... but.... MY HIP has now started playing up, so getting pain now. I am hoping to make it through the summer, for mainly bike riding, especially when you take into account the fact that the bikes have cost us over £650 to put them back on the road for the short Summer. This includes Tax, Insurance, MOT's, repairs, storage, etc, not cheap.
So to todays main blog, the Annual "Paignton Bike Festival". This takes place on the whole length of the promenade. It is only open to Motorcycles for the whole 3 days. As well as the sea front, also the adjacent green is used for trade and club stands. Organisers expect at least 750 bikes daily to be parked here (best last year well over 1,000).
This year the Live group that play annually in the Marque were "Goliath"a really good popular local (on the heavy side) group.
While there we met up with quite a good crowd of our S W region Honda CX-GL motorcycle club members. The weather on the day was a little inclement (nice words) to say the least which kept bike visitors down, hardly any real classics bikes.
Pictures. PLEASE CLICK ON ANY PICTURE TO ENLARGE IT.
The next two pictures were taken from the Pier which is midway along Paigntons long Seafront.
Looking Left.
Below, Looking right.
The picture below was taken from the far end of the Seafront, it shows the area that this show covers.
Below, Three of club members Honda CX500s.

Below, A group of our club members.

Joke of the day.

This is mythical, deep and. truly beautiful...

A man visiting an Indian reservation asked an important looking Indian what was his wife's name?

He replied, "She called Five Horses".

The man said, "That's an unusual name for your wife.

What does it mean?"

The Old Indian answered, "It old Indian Name. It mean . . .

. . . NAG, NAG, NAG, NAG, NAG,"

A WEEKENDER.

2010-04-01T20:19:00.015Z

Hi Everybody, its been a long time since i posted on here.
Firstly about Sue's progress, its a month now since her Hip replacement Surgery. Today we went and picked up some odds and ends from our local Garden centre, Sue decided to forego her Crutches for a pair of walking sticks, she managed quite well although she had a little pain by the time we had finished. She takes very little in the way of Painkillers now, so she had to take a couple of Paracetamol in the car afterwards.
She goes to the Hospital next week for the X Ray on the Arm fracture, which 4 weeks ago had still not properly healed, here's hoping it has healed now so that we can get a better, more enjoyable year this year.
As part of our preparation for a good summer season for us both (we hope) we decided to try to find a way of taking our Motorbikes to some of our Club rallies and meets which are scattered all over the country. The obvious choice is of course a Camper Van or Motorhome with a two bike trailer attached. Only one small problem!!!!! is that of Money ££££'s. To buy a half decent Camper costs at least £2,500 pounds but it doesn't stop there, £175 per annum Road Tax, £185 pa Insurance, Servicing costs, Fuel, tyres etc etc, all on our small pension and disability, not I'm afraid a feasible proposition. So back to the drawing board then. Our Car has a tow bar fitted for towing the folding Trailer tent, so that was a start. We spent ages looking through Tent brochures and magazines but nothing really fitted the bill. Main problems with Tents are that you generally have to sleep on the floor (or close) as well as the difficulty of erecting a large tent and worse still scratching about putting in lots of tent Pegs. So more head scratching, then a fortnight ago i folded down all the seats in the car to pick up an Office style Cabinet for a neighbor, to fit this in the back i had to crawl in the rear of the car and pull it forward, while doing so i realised that the back is competely flat (seats folded) and well over 6ft in length. That then was the start of a rethink about maybe sleeping in the back of the car. We went out and bought a very dense piece of Foam 4" thick to exactly fit the rear. The next problem was where to put my machine (Oxygen concentrator) and of course the Porta loo (Its our age you know). We were actually looking at a Toilet Tent when we came aross this, the "Movelite Square" drive away awning tent. Its got just two fibre glass poles right across the top to set it up and just 8 pegs to hold it down, ideal. The dimensins are 2.5 mtrs(nearly 8ft) high by 240 cm Square (7ft 6"), ideal.Its title is a Movelite Drive away Awning, as it is totally free standing and has a sheet that folds over the top of the car, being held in place by 4 draw strings, the attached photo's will explain better. The new price for these were a bit high at close to £200 so off to "e bay" and "Preloved"we went where we found this one, used twice complete with ground sheet and inner tent, the really nice Fella named Joe let it go to us for just £80 a real snip.
Jobs now, got to sort out blinds for the windows etc, then beg, borrow or steal a trailer for the bikes and were away.
Seen here attached to a "Range Rover".
This picture is looking in through the open rear door, with the groundsheet in.
This picture (below) shows the open doors, there are 4, all with flyscreens.
All shut up ready to drive the vehicle away.
Movelite Brochure here http://outdoorsrus.co.uk/Motorhome-Awnings/Outdoor-Revolution-Movelite-Drive-Away-Awning-with-Inner-Tent.html

We will keep any one still watching this post, up to scratch on developments as they happen.

Joke of the day.

1. Law of Mechanical Repair - After your hands become coated with grease, your nose will begin to itch and you'll have to pee.
2. Law of Gravity - Any tool, nut, bolt, screw, when dropped, will roll to the least accessible corner.
3. Law of Probability -The probability of being watched is directly proportional to the stupidity of your act
4. Law of Random Numbers - If you dial a wrong number, you never get a busy signal and someone always answers.
5. Law of the Alibi - If you tell the boss you were late for work because you had a flat tire, the very next morning you will have a flat tire.
6. Variation Law - If you change queues, or traffic lanes, the one you were in will always move faster than the one you are in now -works every time.
7. Law of the Bath - When the body is fully immersed in water, the telephone rings.
8. Law of Close Encounters -The probability of meeting someone you know increases dramatically when you are with someone you don't want to be seen with.
9. Law of the Result - When you try to prove to someone that a machine won't work, it will.
10. Law of Biomechanics - The severity of the itch is inversely proportional to the reach.
11.. Law of the Theater or stadium- At any event, the people whose seats are furthest from the aisle, always arrive last. They are the ones who will leave their seats several times to go for food, beer, or the toilet and who leave early before the end of the performance or the game is over. The folks in the aisle seats come early, never move once, have long gangly legs or big bellies, and stay to the bitter end of the performance. The aisle people also are very surly folk.
12. The Coffee Law - As soon as you sit down to a cup of hot coffee, someone will ask you to do something which will last until the coffee is cold.
13. Murphy's Law of Lockers - If there are only two people in a locker room, they will have adjacent lockers.
14. Law of Physical Surfaces - The chances of toast spread with jam landing face down on a floor, are directly correlated to the newness and cost of the carpet or rug.
15. Law of Logical Argument - Anything is possible if you don't know what you are talking about. Could have been written for this forum!
16. Brown's Law of Physical Appearance - If the clothes fit, they're ugly.
17. Oliver's Law of Public Speaking - A closed mouth gathers no feet.
18. Wilson's Law of Commercial Marketing Strategy - As soon as you find a product that you really like, they will stop making it.
19. Doctors' Law - If you don't feel well, make an appointment to go to the doctor, by the time you get there you'll feel better. But don't make an appointment, and you'll stay sick.

Classic bike show. 2010

2010-02-23T23:57:00.033Z

Again i must apologise to any of you out there who still watch this blog for the very rare posts i do. During the winter months we really are rather boring creatures, mooching about in the car, occasionally perhaps onto our favourite "Dartmoor" or just jumping in and driving where ever the car takes us, not exactly exciting is it?.
Our Son Roy has just heard that he has been awarded a specialist disabled flat in Exeter. We went to see it today (or one like it). His actual flat will not be completed until May, meanwhile he is still in the specialist Spinal unit in Salisbury (Wilts) Hospital.
Sue goes in for her Hip replacement on the 3rd of March (we hope), this will be her fourth appointment, she has had to cancel 3 with her broken Arm (starting to heal now) and just a fornight ago the Hosp cancelled because of a Stomach Virus in some wards. I have just been recalled for a fasting Diabetic blood test as the first one showed higher than should be Sugar levels. So Friday i go in to see the Diabetic Nurse for a telling off on diet etc, oops. All boring but now your up to date.
This post then is all about last weeks "Carol Nash Classic Motorcycle show". We attended on the Saturday of this great two day show. Pictures below.

This then is the main post, lots of bike pictures i'm afraid.
PLEASE DO CLICK ON ANY PICTURE TO ENLARGE IT FOR FINE DETAIL.

Joke of the day.

A Scottish couple decided to go to Spain to thaw out during a particularly icy winter.
They planned to stay at the same hotel where they spent their honeymoon 20 years earlier.

Because of hectic schedules, it was difficult to coordinate their travel schedules.
So, the husband left Glasgow and flew to Barcelona on Thursday, with his wife flying down the following day.

The husband checked into the hotel.
There was a computer in his room, so he
decided to send an email to his wife.

However, he accidentally left out one letter in her email address, and without realizing his error, sent the email.

Meanwhile, somewhere in Blackpool , a widow had just returned home
from her husband's funeral.
He was a minister who died following a heart attack.

The widow decided to check her email expecting
messages from relatives
& friends. After reading the first message, she screamed and fainted.

The widow's son rushed into the room, found his
mother on the floor,
and saw the computer screen which read:

To: My Loving Wife
Subject: I've Arrived
Date: October 16, 2009
I know you're surprised to hear from me.
They have computers here now and you are allowed to send emails to your loved ones.

I've just arrived and have been checked in. I see
that everything has been prepared for your arrival
tomorrow.

Looking forward to seeing you then!
Hope your journey is as uneventful as mine was

P.S.. F***ing hot down here!

MY MUSIC.

2010-01-22T19:20:00.039Z

I have just had to come back and edit this post because non of the links i posted are working (a blogger thing?) If you want to hear a song you dont recognise you can cut/copy and insert it in your search bar, Sorry.
I have just so varied a taste in Music. I like Rock, Ballads, Harmonies, Pop, Classical (a little), and Folk.
The only music i really HATE (gonna upset a few here), is ......................................OPERA, it makes me bad tempered.
So..... probably the music i listen to most are 60s and 70s but thats not to say i dont like any 80-90-2000s.
Songs include My favourite Rock track "Ike Tina Turner- "Nutbush City Limits"
Songs from, Tommy Roe, The Yardbirds, The Animals, Small Faces, Eddie Grant, Status Quo, ELO, Dr Hook, Ottis Redding, Gilbert O'Sullivan, Muse, The Proclaimers and loads of others.
Top of the groups are of course the one and only "Beatles". The way their music changed and developed over the years, the fact that today over 40 of there songs have been recorded by others is a testament to their song writing skills. There tally of 17 UK no 1 singles, also 27 in the USA+ unknown hits world wide. All these plus 60 top 100 entries and at least 20 Album hits. What you also have to take into account are the records by each individual member ie John Lennon, Paul McCartney etc, then also groups they were in Wings,Traveling Wilberry's, Band Aid etc etc. A record that no group OR individual has or can get any where near, ever.
The boys music is so varied which makes it impossible for me to pick my all time favourite. So what i will do is mention a few of my favourite tracks.
Easy listening favourites include
"I'm looking through you", http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0_PiVNLiuc&feature=related
"Girl". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=liR9bW5hm2c&feature=related
"Something" (cant find it on you tube).
"In my life" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PuXoDVPDpz0&feature=related
"This Boy" and f course loads more.
Faster or Rock tracks i like include
"She's a woman"
"Get Back"
I'm a loser"
"Got to get you into my life".
I have 30 Beatles Single records. 7 EPs, 16 LP records. 17 CDs. + Wings, Traveling Wilberry's, etc. I also have all there films, Magical Mystery tour was the worst.

This next favourite group of mine i have been to see live 3 times , once in 1970, at a Birmingham (UK) Club, Once in the Birmingham Hippodrome (1969) and once in 2007 as part of the "Solid Silver 60s show"at Barnstaple Theatre, N Devon. Each and every time they sounded as good live on stage as they did on record, this certainly wasn't the case with a lot of other performers we have seen.They had 9 UK top 20 hits including the NoI hit "Silence is golden" in 1967. Others include my own favourite "Here comes my baby"(1967), "Call me Nunber one" (1969) and "Me and my life"(1970). I have two single records (45 rpm) and two CD's. I have just taken a link from the last last you tube watch video i posted of the "Troggs" for it to come up "Not found" bug.er, bug.er, bug.er, i hope that is not the case with all the other links !!!!!!!!!!!.

Not quite such a well known medium heavy rock band were "The Troggs". They were originally from Andover (Wilts) UK. I first got into them with the hit "Wild thing" back in 1966. They had a total of 7 UK top 20 hits which included "With a girl like you" (1966) No1."Love is all around" 1967 and "Any way that you want me" 1966. A lot of music pundits cite the fact that they did not tour America until late 1968 as a reason they were not a massive hit in the States.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9DVJE_bhVU

This next Rock band was one i loved back in the 60's and still play regularly today. It is the "The Kinks". They came from Britain's capital city London and really came to fame in 1964 with "You really got me". The main and only members to stay right through their long run of successes were the Davies brothers, playing lead and rhythm guitars and main Vocals. During their careers "The Kinks" had 18 UK top 20 hits, including their 3 No Is. They were (1964) "You really got me" (1965) "Tired of waiting for you" and (1966) "Sunny afternoon".Finally disbanding through internal disagreements in the late 90s.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vnfU9VGo3w&feature=related
The "Everly Brothers" below. There is quite a story to my love of this fantastically harmonising set of brothers Don (Eldest) and Phil. In around 1969-70 i bought (From a school friend) a "Chrystal Radio" (for 10/0d) 50p. These tiny little sets were about the only thing a schoolboy could, A Afford and B, get small enough to put in a bedroom (without mother knowing).The reception to say was poor, was an understatement!!!. Poor or not that was all that was available.Music in the UK was starting to really arrive to the younger generation and most teenagers were comparatively poor, by to days standards, "Jukeboxes were just appearing in Cafes. I bought this Radio for one reason only to try to listen to the UK's "Musical express" top 20. This was broadcast every Sunday night on "Radio Luxemburg"at i think 10pm until midnight.Reception was awful with fading in and out every few seconds. At the time i managed to actually get the small wire Aerial in a position to be able to hear anything i listened right through the hit parade ending with the No 1 song which was...."Cathy's Clown" by the Everly Brothers. I borrowed the money the very next day and went out and bought the 45rpm record. This was the second record i ever bought, just a fortnight before i bought "Jimmy Jones, Good Timmin". For the next few weeks i drove my family mad by playing these two records over and over again. From then on i bought the next few Everly's singles as they came out.
So my top track has to be "Cathy's Clown" followed by "Lucille","Wake up little Susie","Walk right back","Ebony Eyes" etc .In 1984 Don & Phil got back together and recorded "On the Wings of a nightingale"which i really love.
This Paul Mcartny song (written for them) is from their 1983 reunion Concert, just think in this LIVE song http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRb8_4dQkBM they had hardly played together for over 20 years.

The lovely tones and harmony's of "Simon & Garfunkel" (below) are another of my easy listening favourite artists. They, as quite a few Duo's and groups were, influenced early in their careers by none other than the Everley's. The duo had quite an eventful career being at odds with each other most of the time and breaking up at least twice before their final parting in 1970 (i think), although i did say final parting they actually lined up together on stage at least 4 more times but no more recording studio work came about. A few of my favourite tracks include "Scarborough Fair", "Mrs Robinson", "Homeward Bound" and of course "Bridge over troubled Waters".I own 3 of there best CDs.
This you tube version of "Scarborough Fair" brings back happy memories of the film "The Graduate".
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nIoGOgqs_20
I must admit to liking a bit of Reggae occasionally.starting many years ago in 1960 with "Jimmy Jones" and the song "Good timmin". Although of course Reggae just wasn't big way back then. The biggest and my all time favourite Reggae artist is "Bob Marley" (below). This artist was yet another that's career ended very early, Bob fought Cancer (starting in the foot) for several years and eventually succumbed at the age of 36 in 1981. I bought a couple of his singles (in the days of 45rpm records) and now own 3 CDs of his. My favourite few tracks are probably "Jammin", "One love", Buffalo Soldier" and "No Woman no Cry".
Listen here.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TR5Qo4Pnc94&feature=related
Here we have late 1950s, early 1960s Crooner Michael Holliday (Below) a soft, mellow voiced singer who i rank as my top easy listening solo singer. Mike's career and life were very short, he committed suicide in 1963 aged just 39. Mike had a string of hits which included 2 UK no I's, "The Story of my life" and "Starry Eyed". He at one time had his own TV series which ran 2 seasons.
Besides his NoI's i also really like these tracks. "The fool on the Hill","Stairway of love"and "Hot Diggity". A record of Mikes that still gets regular airing on children's programmes is "The runaway train".I'm afraid that even though he was popular with every one including the Ladies Mike suffered badly with "Stage Fright" and lack of self confidence which is believed to have played a large part in his depression and eventual tragic suicide.
Listen here, LIVE. http://www.nme.com/video/id/64QCeOaNo1M/search/Michael%20Holliday

Joke of the day.

Shortly after a British Airways flight had reached its cruising altitude, the captain announced:
'Ladies and Gentlemen, this is your Captain.

Welcome to Flight 293, non-stop from London Heathrow to Toronto . The weather ahead is good, so we should have a smooth, uneventful flight. So sit back,relax and..... OH, MY GOD !'

Silence followed!

Some moments later the captain came back on the intercom.
'Ladies and gentlemen, I'm sorry if I scared you . While I was talking to you, a flight attendant accidentally spilled a cup of hot coffee in my lap. You should see the front of my pants!' An Irishman at the back shouted

'bye jezis you should see the back of mine"

Snowy Dartmoor.

2010-01-15T20:42:00.039Z

So todays blog is one that most of us in the UK have had more than enough of. This of course is this years snow, particularly the snow on Dartmoor. As i have a fair few readers (i hope still) from other countries like America, Canada and Australia, that its probably best to give them an idea of Devons Dartmoor. I often get my readers leaving comments like, its such a small country, yet you seem to have so much open space!!. Well Dartmoor is just one of these wide open spaces.The Moor itself is actually a raised Plateau of Granite. This covers an area of around 368 miles (1,400 Hectares) and in 1951 was designated Britains first "National Park". Around 1/2 (50%) is open Moorland, around 12% forest or Woodland. The Moor is probably known to a lot of People for either its very old Prison, which is situated in Princetown the highest town on the Moor at 1,300ft above sea level. Or the famous book "The Hound of the Baskervilles" written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle which is all about the high moor. Human activity has been recorded on Dartmoor for around 4,000 years. The Tors or mounds of Granite were probably formed around
280 million years ago by molten Granite, (i wont go deeply into this as it is easily Googled).
The highest mountain peak on Dartmoor is "High Willhayes"which is around 620 metres (2,050 ft) high and is the highest mountain (loose term) south of the "Peak District".
On Tuesday last week Sue and i decided to see just how bad (or good) the snow was up there. It is around 15 miles (as the Crow flies) from us. We got a weather forecast of little or no snow so although some roads were still impassable some it said where open.
Here we go then, as we start off the larger roads were quite good. (This is a very long blog)
Do click on any picture to enlage it.
One of the first glimpses of the higher moor.
Below, lovely views down through the Valley.
This picture (below) is of a car park where we often stop for a cuppa, not today though the entrance was sheer Ice!!!.
Starting to climb, with a couple of Tors ahead.(below)All of Dartmoor has a speed limit of 40 MPH.
As we get higher, drifts of around 12" to 15" are evertwhere.
Below, As you can see some of the smaller roads to more remote villages were virtually impassable.
This couple were supposed to be visiting relatives about 3 miles down this road but after examining the road they decided not to bother.
The roads from here on up had a fresh snow fall of about 1"an hour before we got here.
Below, on reaching this point we managed to get a little off the road to have a Sandwhich and a brew, We did seriously wonder whether to carry on from here as it snowed a little and the temperature was -1F.
Just to add insult to injury, after deciding to carry on the Fog started to come down.
Another Fog picture. The other thing that also worried us was lack of traffic, around a car every 5 to 10 mins (minus 3F now and usually a 4x4 type vehicle.
Two Tors in the distance, bathed in the Snow below.
I cant find the other picture i have of this bridge but it has Sue standing in the middle to show its narrowness, now impassable, with several residents cars abandoned on the verge behind us.
Below, Bellever Forest with Virgin snow.
This pond was a real head scratcher (below) as it was high on the Moor where night time Temperatures had dropped to minus 8F yet it was still not frozen???
It had just stopped snowing again here.
This is one of the most photographed places on the Moor. Probably because its on one of the few larger roads that cross the Moor. Its the "Clapper"Bridge at Postbridge. "Clapper" bridges are ones consisting of rows of large Granite rocks made into columns with large Granite slabs laid on top to make the bridge.
Not many will have seen it like this though.
Here again (below), from a different angle though.

We were going to try to get across to Widecombe from here but on seeing this road decided not too.
This picture (below) is my favourite, its of the "Powdermills" Pottery a few miles from postbridge.
Finally this picture (below) shows people by the hundreds flocking to "Haytor" where the access roads were good and clear. They brought, Sledges, Ski's, Boards, anything including Tin trays to enjoy the slopes.
Please enlarge this to see them.

JOKE OF THE DAY.
At my age you ask these questions.

Will I Live to see 80?
Here's something to think about.
I recently picked a new primary care doctor..
After two visits and exhaustive Lab tests, he said I was doing 'fairly well' for my age.
(I just turned 64.)
A little concerned about that comment, I couldn't resist asking him,
'Do you think I'll live to be 80?'
He asked, 'Do you smoke tobacco, or drink beer or wine?'
'Oh no not a lot,' I replied.. 'I'm not doing drugs, either!'
Then he asked, 'Do you eat rib-eye steaks and barbecued ribs?
'I said, 'Not much...
My former doctor said that all red meat is very unhealthy!'
'Do you spend a lot of time in the sun, like playing golf, sailing, hiking, or bicycling?'
'No, I don't,' I said.
He asked, 'Do you gamble, drive fast cars, or have a lot of sex?'
'No,' I said.

He looked at me and said,... 'Then, why do you even give a shit?'

Boxing Day at Exmouth, Devon

2010-01-05T19:29:00.028Z

Todays blog will again be boring for a few of you I'm afraid. Every year on Boxing day the Exeter Classic motor cycle club hold a meet at a cafe on Exmouth seafront. Also there is a local charity family run on the same day.We in the Honda CX-GL MCC also use this as a meet for our local SW members.
This picture below shows all our local club members.
Please do click on any picture to enlarge it and examine bike details.
Here below is the first of our members bikes, its a Honda Silver Wing 650cc and is one of the rarer 80s models.
Below an 80s Cx500 cc V Twin, belonging to another member.
This belongs to another local member, its an CX500C or Custom model.
This is the Bike of Pete who is the son of the bike owner in the last picture. He also owns a Hack CX which is his pride and joy.
This is an absolutely brilliantly prepared BSA twin, complete with lovely old style Panniers.
This beautiful Vincent HRD was here last year I'm sure.
This AJS twin with a sidecar arrived and the rider got off and came round opened up the chair, out got his missus with two Yorkshire Terriers in her arms. they had come around 10 miles from Pinhoe, Exeter.

A nice old BSA 650 Twin with a Watsonian sidecar fitted.
This is one of Sue's favorite bikes the Honda 750cc Nighthawk.
This is a Francis Barnett two stroke, another marque that uses the Villiers engine.
This is aBSA Barracuda i think, quite a tidy one too.
This was a lovely example of one of the only two strokes bikes i ever fancied. This is the Suzuki 750 three cylinder water cooled two stroke. I think they look and sound great.

This nice old Greeves was one of many British marques that used the Villiers two Stroke engines.
This BMW Rider along with a Triumph rider braved very cold conditions over a long distance to be here today.
The owner of this Triumph had come over 120 miles along with one other rider, rather them than me in Temperatures of around 2 - 3 f.

Joke of the day.

Spanish singer Julio Iglesias was on television with British
TV host Anne Diamond when he used the Spanish word "manana"
(manyana). Diamond asked him to explain what it meant. He
said that the term means, "Maybe the job will be done tomor-
row, maybe the next day, maybe the day after that. Perhaps
next week, next month, next year who cares?"

The host turned to Irishman Shay Brennan who was also on the
show and asked him if there was an equivalent term in Irish.
"No. In Ireland we don't have a word to describe that degree
of urgency."

OUR LATEST MODE OF TRANSPORT.

2009-12-18T18:56:00.015Z

This blog is about our latest mode of transport, a Car. It is a French Citroen C4 Grande Picasso VTR7+, it has a 1.6 Turbo Diesel engine producing 110 BHP. Its a big car (MPV) for a smallish engine surprisingly its not at all sluggish. The car model VTR7 stands for the interior and exterior spec, the 7 being for 7 seater, although the rear two seats are really child seats. It comes with Air conditioning and Cruise control as standard. The strangest feature of it is the LACK of a Handbrake!!!!, its fully Automatic.When you come to a stop hold the brake pedal down for 3 seconds and the Hand (parking) brake is automatically applied, coming off on pressing the Accelerator (Gas) pedal. For traffic hill starts, when you come to a stop the vehicle will not roll for 3 seconds to give you time to take your foot off the brake then onto the Accelerator pedal, odd to get used to.
Below Sue with the Car on the Car park, taken from Shaldon overlooking Teignmouth.
The same again.
It was just 2F in this car park today, thats very cold for a sunny Winters day here in South Devon.
Below, No i'm not really that tall !!!!. At the time Sue took this picture i had just stood up on the sill to see a fishing boat enter Teignmouth harbour.
Back to normal size now.
Its a very tall car, around 6ft 2" to the roof bars, Sue has to really stretch to get up into it, One of the features that we like is the huge boot, with all the seats folded down (into the floor) it becomes a Van, so it should be able to fit all the fishing and Camping gear in.
Below, finally a peep into the driving area,
The Brochure tells us that in mixed town and motorway journeys, Fuel consumption should be around 49 to 52 MPG which if thats the case we will be happy,I will let you know in a few thousand miles.
So before the Joke, I would like to wish anyone that reads this a very happy Christmas and a happy and prosperous 2010.

Joke of the day.

There have to be some Oirishmen who are not tarred with the same brush. This would appear to be one of the best

An Oirish Story.
An Irishman goes to the Doctor with botty problems....

'Dactor, it's me ahrse. I'd loik ya ta teyhk a look, if ya woot'.
So the doctor gets him to drop his pants and takes a look.
'Incredible'he says, 'there is a £20 note lodged up here.'
Tentatively he eases the twenty out of the man's bottom, and then a £10 pound note appears.

'This is amazing!'exclaims the Doctor. ''What do you want me to do?'
'Well fur gadness sake teyhk it out, man! 'shrieks the patient.
The doctor pulls out the tenner and another twenty appears, and another and another and another, etc.....
Finally the last note comes out and no more appear.
'Ah Dactor, tank ya koindly, dat's moch batter. Just out of interest, how moch was in dare den?'

The Doctor counts the pile of cash and says '£1,990 exactly.'
'Ah, dat'd be roit then,'' says the Irishman
<
<
>
<
<

'I knew I wasn't feeling two grand..'

Devon's Dartmoor in December.

2009-12-10T20:07:00.030Z

I think before i start this blog i should apologise to any of my ex followers of this blog. I have just not been either to others blogs, or done new ones of my own, i just dont seem to have either the time or sometimes the inclination.
Last week we were very bored so into the car and off across Dartmoor we went.
This picture was taken from the roadside approaching HoundTor.
Apologies for poor pictures but very poor light levels didn't help.
Do click on any picture to enlarge it.

This picture below shows the next pit stop with Sue making the Tea in the back of the Car.This picture was taken part way up a large rocky outcrop which we intend climbing soon.

This picture below show taken from the same position only at a different angle.

One of high Dartmoors many narrow road bridges.
At this point the River doesn't look too high.

This picture (Below) is following the river downstream, levels quite high here.

This is normally a quiet stretch of water.

This last picture shows Buckland church just peeping through.

Joke of the day.

A middle-aged woman seemed very sheepish as she visited her gynecologist.

'Come now,' coaxed the doctor,

'you've been seeing me for years. There's nothing you can't tell me.'

'This one's kind of strange...'

'Let me be the judge of that, The doctor replied.

'Well,' she said, 'yesterday I went to the bathroom in the morning and heard a plink-plink-plink in the toilet and when I looked down, the water was full of pennies.'

'I see.'

'That afternoon I went to the bathroom again and, plink-plink-plink, there were some 2p's in the bowl.'
'That night,' she went on, 'I went again, Plink-plink-plink, and there were 5p's and this morning there were 10p's

You've got to tell me what's wrong with me!' she implored.

'I'm scared out of my wits!'

The gynaecologist put a comforting hand on her shoulder.
'There, there now, it's nothing to be scared about.

(Ready for this?)

(I'm warning you.....)

(Still not too late....delete now!)

'You're simply going through the change!

West Country Winds.

2009-11-14T22:37:00.015Z

Todays post is about the Storm and high Winds that swept across South Devon last night and today. A few times every year the Rail line from London and the Midlands to Plymouth and Cornwall gets closed by these type of storms due to waves that reach 30 feet high and break up to 40 yards acrooss the lines and roads, also causing damage to them. The government have pumped millions in the last few years into trying to solve this problem with no real success.
This first picture is of The sea front here at Teignmouth, taken from our favourite sea front cafe.In this type of weather hundreds of people come to look at and run in and out of these waves. Here a wave has just broken over the sea wall on the left of the picture.
CLICK ON ANY PICTURE TO ENLARGE IT.
This picture below shows how close the rail line (with waves breaking across it) is to the sea, just a 7 feet wide walkway between the line and sea here.
The Rail line follows the coast for several miles here, from Starcross to Teignmouth about 6 miles. Its a fantastic coastal train journey. This piece of coast (pictured) is at Holcombe midway between Teignmouth and Dawlish, here it goes through a small tunnel, but note how close the line is to the sea, but today its sheltered from the storm here.
This picture is looking down on Dawlish, note the station in the middle, the line runs the whole length of the sea front, with waves breaking at either end.
The sea wall here at Dawlish (like Teignmouth) has no guard rail between it and the sea over most of its length. Look at the waves breaking over it all along.
Got a little higher here to show Dawlish town, with Starcross and across the Exe to Exmouth in the back ground.
I thought i would add this picture of the same Teignmouth sea front in nice, calm weather.
This picture was taken on Boxing day this year and is of the sea front Cafe where we took the first two pictures on this blog.

Joke of the Day.
(Sorry about the colour).

HAVE YOU EVER BEEN GUILTY OF LOOKING AT OTHERS YOUR OWN AGE AND THINKING, SURELY I CAN'T LOOK THAT OLD.WELL.. YOU'LL LOVE THIS ONE.

MY NAME IS ALICE SMITH AND I WAS SITTING IN THE
WAITING ROOM FOR MY FIRST APPOINTMENT WITH A NEW
DENTIST I NOTICED HIS DDS DIPLOMA, WHICH BORE HIS
FULL NAME.

SUDDENLY, I REMEMBERED A TALL, HANDSOME, DARK-HAIRED
BOY, WITH THE SAME NAME, HAD BEEN IN MY HIGH SCHOOL
CLASS SOME 30-ODD YEARS AGO.

COULD HE BE THE SAME GUY THAT I HAD A SECRET CRUSH ON,
WAY BACK THEN? UPON SEEING HIM, HOWEVER, I QUICKLY
DI SCARDED ANY SUCH THOUGHT.

THIS BALDING, GRAY-HAIRED MAN WITH THE DEEPLY LINED
FACE WAS WAY TOO OLD TO HAVE BEEN MY CLASSMATE. AFTER
HE EXAMINED MY TEETH, I ASKED HIM IF HE HAD ATTENDED
FAIRVIEW HIGH SCHOOL.

'YES. YES, I DID. I'M A BULLDOG,' HE GLEAMED WITH PRIDE.

'WHEN DID YOU GRADUATE?' I ASKED.

HE ANSWERED , 'IN 1973 . WHY DO YOU ASK?'

'YOU WERE IN MY CLASS!', I EXCLAIMED.

HE LOOKED AT ME CLOSELY.

THEN, THAT UGLY,
OLD,
BALD,
WRINKLED,
FAT ASS,
GRAY-HAIRED,
DECREPIT
SON-OF-A-BITCH ASKED,

'WHAT DID YOU TEACH ???

Birds of Prey.

2009-11-09T19:46:00.031Z

I think before i start this blog i should update you on the fact that Sue is now home, very sore but hopefully on the mend , thank you all for your kind words. In around 4 weeks she will be ready to be put back on the list for her "new Hip".
So to todays blog. This morning Sue was fed up sitting around so we went to look at the Christmas lights at "Fermoys" garden centre nr Iplepen, Devon, After a stroll around pushing Sue in a wheelchair, we decided to cross the road to go to the "Bird of Prey Sanctuary".
This is the Board that greets you on Entrance (entry is by donations)
PLEASE CLICK ON ANY PICTURE TO ENLARGE IT.
The information board at the entrance.
One of our own British "Owls" the "Tawny".
The information board on our own "Worlds fastest bird of prey" the "Peregrine Falcon".
Here (below) is the "Escapee", this "Pergrine Falcon" managed to free himself from his tethering perch, he then flew around the site several times landing on top of his cage.It took several minutes to find his regular handler who then coaxed him down.
Here he is Safe and sound with his handler, isn't he striking?.
This is a female (below) "Peregrine" (i think), she was dwarfed by her neighbor tethered just 10 feet away which was the hugh Eagle.

One of our own here, a good old fashioned "Barn Owl".
Below I just cant remember what this Really strikingly coloured Hawk was called.
Its such a pity that your unable to get any closer to these lovely little "Harriers or Hawks" but there are fences some 12-14 feet back from the cages.
The information board for "Mozart" the "Eagle Qwl"this one is in his first year and still being "Flight trained".
Below, This is him a really big impressive "Owl" very like a snowy Owl in size. They had a "Snowy Owl" here but it was impossible to photograph him because his cage was directly into the sun.
This next "Owl" was a very large bird with a huge round face and striking plumage.
This one too, he refused to play ball and face me though!!!.
This one was quite a amall pretty owl with very striking colours.
This picture (below) is the information board to what for me is the most impressive bird here a "Eagle". This bird is massive and stands maybe 18" to 20" tall. When one of the smaller Hawks escaped staff were worried he would on return get with in striking distance of where this massive bird was tethered, had he have done so he would have been killed immediately.
Here then is "Galahad".
Isn't he beautiful?.
This small American Hawk (below)was brought in by a friend of the owner who said he thought the bird ready to be "Flown wild"so had we hung around we might have seen her fly, sadly we left before she did.
Joke of the day.

Harold is 95 and lives in a Senior Citizen Home.

Every night after dinner, Harold goes to a secluded garden behind the Center to sit and ponder his accomplishments and long life.
One evening, Mildred, age 87, wanders into the garden. They begin to chat and before they know it, several hours have passed.
After a short lull in their conversation, Harold turns to Mildred and asks, 'Do you know what I miss most of all?'
She asks, 'What?''Sex!!' he replies
Mildred exclaims, 'Why you old fart. You couldn't get it up if I held a gun to your head!'
'I know,' Harold says, 'but it would be nice if a woman could just hold it for a while.'
Well, I can oblige,' says Mildred, who unzips his trousers, removes his manhood and proceeds to hold it. Afterward, they agree to meet secretly each night in the garden where they would sit and talk and Mildred would hold Harold's manhood.
Then one night Harold didn't show up at their usual meeting place. Alarmed, Mildred decided to find Harold and make sure he was O.K.
She walked around the Senior Citizen Home where she found him sitting by the pool with Ethel, another female resident, who was holding Harold's manhood! Furious, Mildred yelled, 'You two-timing son of a bitch! What does Ethel have that I don't have?'
Old Harold smiled happily and replied, 'Parkinson's.'

Sue an Update

2009-11-08T00:03:00.003Z

Hi all,
Some of you have asked how Sue is coming on, so Yesterday she had an appointment in Barnstaple (75miles away) Hosp to check how healing is going on, its been 13 weeks since she broke the arm, so hopes were high but very soon dashed. There had been absolutely no healing what so ever, nothing.The only answer then was to go down the road they probably should have gone down all those weeks ago, which is Surgery and pinning.While we were there they decided to do the Pre Op checks and try to get her an emergency entrance, which after 3.5 hours of checks, X Rays, Vein scans they eventually managed it. Only trouble was she had to go in there and then ready for the Op at 9.00am today. So at nearly 6.00 pm last night i had to jump into the car and travel the 153 mile round journey to fetch her medication and night clothes and toiletries. When i returned at 930pm i had a cuppa and left to come home again (another 75 miles). This morning at 10 am she underwent the Operation which according to the Surgeon went well, although she was in Recovery for 2.5 hours as they couldn't get her blood pressure Up !!!.Left her at 8.00 pm tonight she was still very woosy and in a lot of pain, we just hope they can rectify her B P otherwise they wont let her home quickly. Fingers Crossed.
10 pm Saturday.
I have just left Sue at the hospital, all being well she will be out of hospital by lunch time tomorrow, hopefully all will heal quickly she can then get her Hip mended and be fully well at last.
Joke of the day.

Priest and a Nun were crossing the Sahara desert on a camel. On the Third day out, the camel suddenly dropped dead without warning.
After dusting themselves off, the Priest and the Nun surveyed their situation. After a long period of silence, the Priest spoke. 'Well,Sister, this looks pretty grim.'
'I know, Father. In fact, I don't think it likely that we can survive more than a day or two.'
'I agree,' says the Father. 'Sister, since we are unlikely to make it out of here alive, would you do something for me?'
'Anything, Father.'
'I have never seen a woman's breasts and I was wondering if I might see yours'?
'Well, under the circumstances I don't see that it would do any harm.'
The Nun opened her habit and the Priest enjoyed the sight of her shapely breasts, commenting frequently on their beauty.
'Sister, would you mind if I touched them?' She consented and he fondled them for several minutes.
'Father, could I ask something of you?'
'Yes, Sister?'
'I have never seen a man's thingy. Could I see yours?'
'I suppose that would be OK,' the Priest replied lifting his robe.
'Oh Father, may I touch it?'
The priest consented and after a few minutes of fondling he was sporting a huge erection.
'Sister, you know that if I insert my thing in the right place, it can give life.'
'Is that true Father?'
'Yes, it is, Sister.'

'Oh Father, that's wonderful ...
So stick it in the camel and let's get the hell out of here!'

Great Dorset Steam Fair, part 3.

2009-10-19T21:30:00.018Z

Before i start this 3rd part of the GDSF i will update you on Sue's progress. Last week she attended the Fracture Clinic where they removed the plaster for X Rays to check how the fracture is healing. On removing the plaster the Head man (a woman) was not happy with the fact that it was still badly swollen, and bruised, plus there was a lot of very Red Scaley skin.After doing the X Ray they found that there had been very little Bone joining, so they should really put it back in plaster for another Month. After much deliberation she decided to Strap up (Tightly) the arm high across her Chest with a thick Bandage that was also around her neck holding it in place. She now has an appointment for the 4th November for further checks.
Here now are a few more pictures from this fabulous event.
Please do click on any picture to enlarge it.
These Steam engines were just having their Fires lit early one morning.
This was quite a small (below) one as the size of Sue alongside shows.
As i have already mentioned we attended the show the day before the show actually started and a lot of these pictures are from then.
As you can see by the crowds in the back ground this picture was taken on a "Show Day". This lovely little fully working and very capable Scaled down edition was driven around by a youngster of about 10. There were about 15 -16 of these in one section, they were all in absolutely gorgeous condition.

Just one of the dozens of these lovely engines.
This one is owned by Anderton & Rowland, this family still run a large modern fair all around the West Country.
Sue dwarfed by these giant engines.
This engine was being attended by all the family, husband, wife and son were all busy cleaning and preening.
Again a row of engines before they got "Fired" up.
This one was just so clean (even when running) you could have eaten your lunch off it.
These next three pictures are of a "Stanley" steam powered car. This car is Taxed and fully road worthy and used regularly.
I think this was my favourite Steam exhibit.
There were around a dozed fully working Steam cars here, all in beautiful condition.
So just one more boring post still to come on this fabulous fair until next year. Meanwhile i have added two short "You Tube" films to give you an idea of the nightime atmosphere here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0jVdoIT0Mo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5AfisDgSfI

Joke of the day.

Subject: BUSINESS REP

A BUSINESS REP A man, checks into an hotel on a business trip and was a bit lonely.
He thought, "I'll call one of those girls you see advertised in phone booths when you're calling for a cab."

He popped into a phone booth near the hotel and found an ad for a girl calling herself Erogonique, a lovely girl, bending over in the photo. He copied the phone number and returned to his hotel. When back in the room he figures, what the heck, give her a call.

"Hello," the woman says. God, she sounded sexy.

"Hi, I hear you give a great massage and I'd like you to come to my room and give me one. No, wait, I should be straight with you. I'm in town all alone and what I really want is s#x. I want it hard, I want it hot, and I want it now. Bring implements, toys,rubber, leather, whips, everything you've got in your bag of tricks. We'll go hot and heavy all night; tie me up, cover me in chocolate syrup and whipped cream, anything you want! Now, how does that sound?"

She says, "That sounds fantastic,
but you need to press 9 for an outside line."

Great Dorset Steam Fair, Haulage.

2009-09-30T13:23:00.026Z

This then is the second part of my blogs on the wonderful Great Dorset Steam Fair. Last year i probably bored you all extolling the virtues of this event, so i decided this year to post loads of pictures to let you see just what you get on a visit here.As you know by now we stayed on site for best part of a week, Including a night watching "The Wurzels" (again). Every night the fair comes alive with live music at 5 different venues, also the sounds and smells of both the Steam funfair which mingle with the smells of food from dozens of different vendors. Each venue is basically a huge Beer marquee with a stage at one end, these sell Wines, Beers and Spirits, all at a fair price considering the live entertainment.
Perhaps i should mention here the main downsites to this event, it is the Toilets, there are hundreds of "Porta Loo's"dotted all around the Fair and to be honest the firm that the fair, hire these "Loo's" from do there best to keep them emptied. As far as clean though this they are definately NOT. The firm has a tanker going around emptying these 17 hrs a day but they do not clean them while emptying them. As you can imagine with a daily figure of around 40,000 to 50,000 people using them its virtually impossible. Toward the end of the day these "emptiers" do put a hose into each Loo, spraying Disinfected water everywhere which then takes hours to dry. By evening finding one with paper is like finding "Rocking Horse Poo" only harder.We, when going out (particularly at night) carried a small Rucksack each, these contained a Torch as its pitch dark inside them at night. A small mist sprayer loaded with Disinfectant, to clean. A Kitchen roll to dry and wipe, and a Toilet roll. We had disscussions about these Toilets with several people but never came up with a viable option, (but we will be back next year).
So back to the fair, here we have a series of Pictures of just a few of the hundreds of Lorries, Vans, Buses etc.

To end this blog i will say that my next one will be all about the Fair at night.

Joke of the Day.

Love making tips for real oldies.

1 Wear your glasses. Make sure your partner is actually in the bed.

2. Set timer for 3 minutes, in case you doze off in the middle

3. Set the mood with lighting. (Turn them ALL OFF!)

4. Make sure you put 911 on your speed dial before you begin.

5. Write partner's name on your hand in case you can't remember.

6. Use extra polygrip so your teeth don't end up under the bed.

7. Have a good painkiller ready to ease the pain this will cause, in case you actually complete the act..

8. Make all the noise you want... The neighbors are deaf too.

9. If it works, call everyone you know with the good news!!

10. Don't even think about trying it twice..

(I wrote this in large type so you can read it)

Great Dorset Steam Fair 2009 (Size)

2009-09-14T21:30:00.025Z

So here we are again at the GDSF, this year we decided that because last year we didn't get to see it all that we would stay for a few days. So we took the Raclet Quickstop Folding Camper and stayed a few days. This year the fair ran from Wednesday 2nd Sept until Sunday 6th.We decided to arrive on the Tuesday to set up Camp before the fair actually started, also bacause of Sue's injury it would mean that i had to do everything, this poses quite a few problems for me because bending over makes my breathing difficult and between the Skirts and the Awning there are 50 pegs to put in. After setting up on Tuesday we strolled down to the Fair Area where most things were already working. Beer tents (4) all had live music and had been open since the the Sunday before. Most side shows were also working and all the live music being played around the site was free. It should probably be said here that without seeing this massive show its impossible to comprehend its size and diversity. I believe the whole site actually covers over 630 Acres, has five huge car parks 5 caravaning/camping fields (where around 10,00 people stay), there are over 100 food outlets that sell a range from Pizza's, Jacket Spuds, Fish n Chips, Hot dogs,Burgers, Chinese, Indian and Salads and Sandwhiches of all shapes and sizes.Visitors for the week total over a quarter of a MILLION !!!.
I tried to get some pictures that cover the vastness but feel i didn't really achieve it, never mind here we go, these were taken on Tuesday before it got too busy. These first few show the camp over a nearly 360 degrees.
PLEASE CLICK ON THESE PICTURES TO ENLARGE THEM AND HELP SEE THE DETAIL.
All the Units shown in the back ground are in 1 caravan park.
This is another Caravan Park.
Yes and another.
This is the field that the Travelers with their Steam Tractors and old Caravans were sited.

On the right of this Picture is the large Fire Station with 3 full sizes engines and a small multitracked vehicle. Also on site is a permanently manned Police Station, with up to 50 officers stationed in shifts for the week.

More blogs on this subject to follow.
Joke of the day.
Two little Boys.

Two young boys walked into a pharmacy one day, picked out a box of tampons and proceeded to the checkout counter.
The man at the counter asked the older boy, "Son, how old are you?"
"Eight," the boy replied.
The man continued, "do you know what these are used for?"
The boy replied, "not exactly, but they aren't for me. They're for him. He's my brother. He's four. We saw on TV that if you use these that you would be able to swim and ride a bike. Right now, he can't do either."