What a bloody day!

Today I had a days leave. Good you may think. Well let me tell you.

Couldn't have a lay on because the washing machine was going to be delivered between 08.00 and 18.00. Not a problem, lots to do around the house with Val doing the wallpaper stripping.

Val and Al came home and we had a nice breakfast. Val had her feet up time to let pills take effect. Hands a bit sore but wrist support on. Al and I into town, washing machine not yet arrived.

In town got a call from Val. Washing machine man here please speak to him. Moulded plug on machine and he is not allowed to take it off to get the wire through the hole. No problem says I, I will do it when I get home. Chap warns me about taking moulded plug off being used as an excuse by manufacturers to get out of work so he suggests getting a small extension and sorting it that way. Just take the plug off the extension and feed through the hole. Good idea. So I bought an extension and will sort when I get home.

Have a nice time with Al. Couldn't get parked up so ended up driving around for a while but that was a minor inconvenience - should have heeded the warning.

Got home to find that Val had got water in the light switch. Lucky she is still with us. I turned off at the mains. As I type, still not put the circuit on for the tenement lights. Rest seems OK.

So then I went to the kitchen to find the washing machine plugged in but in the middle of the floor. Did the electrical thing then tried to get the machine in the hole specially built for washing machines. I specially measured everything before buying the machine as I noticed that machines appear to have widened by .5 cm. What I didn't realise is that our hole tapers. It is 1mm wider at the top than it is at the bottom. I measured the top as that was the bit I could get at!!!!

I had .5cm spare, or so I thought!!! .5cm spare at the top but .5cm very much not spare at the bottom!!!! I looked at the problem from many angles but no way is our new washing machine going to fit in the hole. I suggested leaving it out and using the top for an extra worktop. Val doesn't appreciate this particular approach. I now have a chisel and am getting .5cm off the bottom tapering up. This promises to be a longish job - on top of all the bloody wallpaper coming off.

You think that's it for the day - nope. My back and foot started playing up whilst I was attacking the kitchen unit. So I took a leaf out of Val's book and stopped before pain really set in and I was out of action for a couple of weeks.

I thought to myself, watch a "Stargate SG1" that always cheers me up. Put on my next Stargate DVD and guess what. The DVD didn't want to play. At this point I was glad everyone had left the house as my sense of humour was wearing thin. Not to be beaten I went into the kitchen to watch Stargate.

The situation this evening is that I think I have fixed the DVD, just unplugged and plugged back in a couple of times to reset it. The washing machine is currently working in the middle of the kitchen floor. The lights in the tenement are not working. The hole is being gouged wider in the kitchen unit - not a pretty sight. Val is not doing any wallpaper stripping as she is knackered after doing an hours worth this afternoon - remember the water in the light switch!!!

And that is how I spent my day off, dread to think what tomorrow will bring!! But you've got to laugh haven't you.

As Val says, lots of people would think this was a good day. Puts me in my place!!

Bank Holiday

You may recall that some time ago I shared with all the episode of the leaky roof.

Well, the insurance paid for the nice builders to come and fix the damage, although I had to pay for the cause of the damage. I reckon I should pass the bill on to the Catholic Church as the original problem was the rain. Just think Billy Connolly and you will follow my logic.

Anyway, the nice builder came along and did his bit. Then the decorator was due to add the final touches. We had woodchip paper on the wall, painted over. My darling better half didn't like the woodchip and has been dying to get it off for some time now.

Those of you who know the size of our hall/passage will realise why I have been part of the paint over it movement. Just have a look at the photos above.

Anyway, builder and better half get talking. No way was the decorator going to be able to match the paint so we would have a fairly obvious bit that had been repaired. Rip the paper off suggested the builder. What a wonderful idea says Valerie. Pictures above now show the story.

Under the aforementioned woodchip was paper dating back to 1900. I reckon it's going to take a couple of months to get it all off. Just look at the state of our hall now. Poor Holly doesn't like change at the best of times. It's now happening to her bedroom.

Ah well. Val is happy at least!

On top of it all, yesterday the washing machine gave up the ghost. A new one comes from Comet on Tuesday.

And believe it or not my PC played silly buggers with me. Earlier this week the sound stopped. I have spent a couple of evenings troubleshooting and restoring. All to no avail. So yesterday and today I went PC update hunting (I was going to update some time so thought why not now?). Into PC World, Have you ever tried to get served in that place? Book an appointment and wait!!

When I got the Washing machine yesterday in Comet I had a look at their PCs. Saw one that did the business. So after wasting an hour or so in PC World I gave up and went to Comet. There was the PC, there was the sales chap and down we sat for me to purchase. Computer said one in stock. Nope! I suggested that I had the display one as it had only come in two days before. Nope! It was class A so couldn't be sold as some more were due in. When are they due in. Don't know! Can I order. Nope!

Why do shops display something when it isn't in stock? Do the, perhaps, hope we will buy the one next to it??

As it happens all was OK. Whilst in PC World I bought an external drive to back up my important stuff, photo's and things. If Clare can fry B's hard drive to the point of no recovery (different story) then I wasn't going to risk a few years worth of photo memories. Got home with my new external hard drive, and had to make room for it. Moved a few things around. Unplugged and plugged various bits of kit. Turned on PC only to fine the sound had returned.

Not sure how but something had happened and now I don't need to update. That's about £700 saved!!!

Weathers still crap though, just in case I tried to look on the bright side.

It's late and time for bed. Night night.

What am I letting myself in for?

Thought Cameron, Tyler's uncle, should get a mention after yesterday's post!

Those of you who read the comments on this blog they will be aware that Blue Skies aka Podga aka Uncle Christopher aka blog moderator : inappropriate comments deleted. posts comments that are subsequently published as "Podga's pieces".

I am going to set myself up here by promising to publish the photo's promised in the following comment. I can't remember doing anything too bad back then, but ............

"Now then - me again. (Missive 6 of 137 from deepest Suffolk).So - Utd. just lost, by the best piece of football in a stalemate game - so I'm sulking. My first visit to Old Trafford was in 1960 (I was 10) - a lifetime supporter.Anyway - as I haven't got the facilities to dump/download photo's to send to you thru' the ether, the archives have been trawled and I have dug up a couple of the young Paul Mann and fellow reprobates from the early 70's.They're in the post.In haste - Parents in Law in for lunch tomorrow. He's an ex-Marine, so more interrogation about RAF (dubious) practices over a glass of Port no doubt. Plus I've got to mow the lawn before it rains again. Onwards and Upwards - Blue Skies - CT.PS Just got a text from Bear - he's just Paramotered to 29,500' round the top of Everest - and got back! "

Tyler's first

Tracey and Tyler. Tracey off to her Deb night.

Mum and son having a bonding moment.

We have all done it haven't we. A couple of weeks ago Val said to me could I e-mail Australia and find out Tyler's birthday as, for some reason, it wasn't on the calender.

Being a bloke of course I said yep. No problems. Remind me when I am on the PC. After a few reminders I finally got around to doing it late last week.

I e-mailed Tony, Tyler's Grandad, asking him. This was about the same time that Tony moved house. I now assume his PC is in unplugged mode.

Now lets move on a couple of days. I get an e-mail from Anne, Tyler's gran, with photo's of Tyler's first birthday!!!

I am now in a craphouse that stretches right around the world - not many can say that huh!! Except maybe that Dick and Dorf of modern political life Blair and Bush.

OK. I am a numbskull. My apologies to Tracey and Tyler. Anne and Mum. Cameron. Tony and Anni-Jo. My wife. My daughter and granddaughter. Clare. Mary. Rocky, Mark, Mark and Esther. My old man. Holly. Suki and Billy. Uncle Tom and that lot. The man in the moon. etc etc etc. Yep I hold up my hands, my fault completely!!!!!!!!!

I'm not used to saying I'm wrong you see - happens so rarely!!

Post Eurovision bliss.

Picture above is Tony, my brother, and his first grandchild Tyler. Tony is about to move to Edenhope in Victoria. Edenhope - watch out!!!!!!

Well here we are post Eurovision song (?) contest. Another round of vote for the neighbour, especially the big one with all the guns!

This year Lin had already texted her submission, Gray and Sandra couldn't think of a better excuse than last year, Ches felt she had to back her mum, Al is up for any party anytime no matter what the occasion and I am just unable to say no!

We started watching and, unfortunately listening, to the damn contest. The sound appeared to be a bit off to me (even more than usual). There can't be that many bad singers in Europe can there?

At the point of realisation someone mentioned a game of cards. Val was heavily outvoted and we congregated around the dining room table for a game of mizzare. Well we call it mizzare but have no idea what it's really called. Good fun and a laugh was had by all. Which is more than can be said for unfortunates still watching the telly!!!

We watched the scoring, or neighbourliness as we more accurately should refer to it. We nearly got nil points again, only the paddies saved us. How come we never get kicked out of the next years event? One of the mysteries of TV world (and finances I would guess).

Well that's it for now. I have to dive downstairs to my good lady wife who is paper stripping in the hall. She loves it before anyone comments on my absence. I just have to stop her before she gets too carried away and spends the next couple of days regretting her lack of management of the old arthur!!

For those of you who don't open the comments have a read of the latest missives from Podga.

"Hey Paulie - Is it just you and I on this?Digging into the vaults? Phew - a wealth of jackanories - Graham diffusing an ugly incident at the NEC when we caught Heart. You and I on Dry Martini and Ginger Ale at Boscombe Down - ALL weekend - in the Social Club (plus vintage Norton Motorbike rider interviews on portable tape machine). The list is growing. You conning me into smuggling back Floyd, Ten Years After and Hawkwind albums (duty-free) from Germany. My sister offering us her reefer at Knebworth (Stones '76), we politely declined of course as serving members. And being totally blown away by Lynryd Skynyrd at the the same gig. Dave Litchfield (Dave the Rave - gay ahead of his time), Mick Russell (Leon) - still in touch with those two, Billy McQuiston, Barry Wilkinson (Wobblegob) and so on.Good to still be part of your life, as you have been of mine for 36 years.Blue skies and love to you all. Missive 4 of 137."

I remember all incidents well. At Boscombe we were a little worst for wear and armed with a portable tape recorder I recall interviewing a couple of local farm workers for the local radio!!!! Were they farmworkers or can I not get past the Martini!!!!!

After Knebworth we crashed out in sleeping bags. We were woken by a couple, also in a sleeping bag, doing what a couple should do in a sleeping bag on a cold English morning! The chap said something about having to do it as they may never see each other again. Fun days.

Billy Mac and Barry W were both at Innsworth in the same drafting cell as me. Seemed strange all with three stripes up after the fun times at Upwood!

"Yes it's me.Thought you had a weary night !! - try Riverdance at the Ipswich Regent - (an Xmas gift for Bil). Cloth Eared Idiots all hoppity-skippety over the stage. Bonus was bumping into colleague from Para days at interval, and then many beers after the show. Chewing the fat and listening to how it's never been the same after I left the Squadron. (Hands up who believes that. It was my round).Late - 0200.Blue Skies - CT "

Eurovision song contest

I am ashamed to say that I allow my wife to browbeat me into watch the Eurovision song contest each year. Unfortunately it has become a bit of a tradition.

Val usually starts chasing us all up at the first whisper of Terry Wogan and his respect for our european allies.

Lin has been texted. Ches and Al arrive as I type. Graham and Sandra have not yet come up with an excuse not to make it. Me - I am so downtrodden and under the thumb I just give up!

Ah well, time to go. I shall publish the result, if I can muster the energy, some time in the future.

Please think of us all and pray for our sanity.

Podga's Pieces vol 2

Well, Podga is certainly getting used to the keyboard. For those of you who don't know him he is ex RAF PTI. For those not in the know they are otherwise known as "Muscle mechanics", along with a few other names which I could not possibly print here as Alice reads this blog!!!!

I reckon his good wife, Bil, has finally sussed how to get him to use a computer. Now he has retired it must be OK and cool to use a keyboard - once the domain of those lowest of the low in RAF circles.... The Shinies. To civvies a shiny would be know as an Administrator. You see, sitting down all day would mean a certain part of the anatomy getting shiny. See where it comes from now?

Anyway, us Shinies (yep.. I was one) used to have a way of getting the Muscle mechanics into our office. We simply put up a mirror. Attracts PTI's like moths around a light bulb!!!

I reckon Bil has put a mirror somewhere near the computer at home. Come on Bil .. Have you??

Anyway, I will now pass the blog over to Uncle Christopher. He's a good old boy really can't do me any harm from Suffolk - until he starts digging further into the vaults! Hell, with my memory the way it is God knows what he will dig up next. Oh yes, there was the time ...........

Over to Podga.

"Sorry this isn't from Oz/NZ - but only deepest Suffolk. No doubt something will arrive thru' the ether from your antipodean relatives. Anyway - deepest commiserations to Billy on the injuries sustained in his first official foray on the other side of the fence - from Lea & Perrin xx (and Podga & Bil) Good coverage of Rocky and Marks' big day - photo's of Ches remind me of how I convinced 2 policeman after the Floyd gig at Wembley that Ches was actually Debbie Harry (after 4 pints of Stella - yeah right!)- she hasn't lost her looks. Val too (thought I'd better get that in - Hi Val!) Anyway - in haste - sorry. How are you going to chop this missive about Mr Editor?!!Blue Skies - CT"

Billy into Rehab

This is what happens when one gets into a fight


The stroppy one year old met his match

hee hee hee hee! Peace at last.

Billy, the "what flaming sex is he / she" cat that lives with Ches, Al and Suki, has recently been allowed out to stretch his legs.

The stroppy little bundle of energy has spent his short life with only Suki to play with. Suki is very old and doesn't want to play. Billy amuses himself by jumping on her and generally being a nuisance.

He appears to have tried the same with a strange cat now he is allowed out to play by himself. It appears the strange cat didn't see the funny side of it all. Neither did it take things laying down!

So far Billy has cost mummy Cheryl £120 odd in vets bills, jabs and operation on back leg. Stiches out later!! Mummy Cheryl failed to see the funny side of things.

Pets can be delightful, but there is a down side. However the up side has been watching Billy coping with the collar!

Do we think Billy has learnt his lesson? -- Nope!!

Australia and New Zealand feel free to comment.

Rocky and Mark

Ches, Al and Val before the event

Dave, Val. Mui and yours truly

Who is this? Oh yes - the groom

Val and Ches in the church

The happy couple after the deed has been done

Mary, mother of the bride directing things!!

Al giving Rocky a horseshoe - I never know why.

Ches and Val at reception. Val has downed a couple already!

Al and Ches just before the meal.

Mel the bridesmaid, my dad and Rocky. Post meal.

The cake. Pretty clever eh?

Me before the speech.

Al and Val, four pints into the day!!!!

Rocky, Al and Mark. All over and time to relax.

And a bit of confetti to round it all off!!

Last Tuesday was W day for my niece, Rocky, and her now husband, Mark.

The setting was Maker church and the weather angel was in fine form.

The night before my sister, mother of the bride, was a little worst for wear after trying to drown the nerves! I have been a little busy since then so this is the first chance I have had to put photos out for all to see.

Podga's Piece

Is it that long since my last post?

Well I am only here to apologise (again) for lack of time. Val is giving me rooty toot about tea. It is in the oven as I speak.

Man U are kicking off in less than 30 mins! So you will understand my rush.

Things to come in the future - Aussie Floyd (excellent). Billy into rehab (!!!!). Card school kicks off. Subbuteo and (of course) the wedding.

All very exciting heh!

But to keep you going for the moment we present the first of a series of occasional articles into our past as written by a neutral (hah!) observer.

Over to you Blue Skies!!!!! (He tried to get away by just putting it in as a comment - but the power of the editor!!!!)

"Yo! Finally got there - plus a photo on the 28 Mar blog! Fame at last. Hope the Aussie Floyd boys did good - Miss Belinda (Bil) and I caught them at the Shepherds Bush Empire in '97 - good then, so 10 years later? Prompts me to bid a belated thank you to Viv & Graham for hosting us in Rochester when we all caught the real thing at Wembley ('89?) Anyway - ref the wine and teeth issue - Paul and Val host another infamous party at RAF Upwood (Peterborough) where we were at the time - occasion? - some excuse - any!! Ian Milligan (Spike) and I decide such hospitality deserves equal response - we bought a case of Leibfraumilch (0.99p a bottle - no Chardonnay in those days - 1972!) - £11.88 - and I only earned 91.00 a month according to my records! Anyway - just prior to the party I am refereeing an Officers' Kids indoor 5 a side match (Soccer) One little brat decides to attempt a Denis Law overhead kick as I am blowing whistle (as the the ball was over head height). Ball strikes whistle in mouth - two front teeth plus whistle ricochet down throat. Whistle retrieved (via Lanyard around neck) but 2 good teeth shattered and lost to digestion - blood everywhere and intakes of breath into exposed nerve endings somewhat painful. One hour,2 Paracetamols (and emergency dental appt for the next day)later Spike and I dutifully attend the eagerly anticipated party. I took a box of straws (scrounged from NAFFI bar) - Spike carried the case of wine and I then drowned my sorrows and bruised vanity through straw and pursed lips. Within an hour I was talking scribble (nothing new) and comatose on the floor in Emmie's room - we both slept through it! PS - Missed Val's scoff but made the Dentist.Missive 2 of 137 from Suffolk. Blue Skies to you all."

And so that's it for tonight - unless Man U hammer 7 past AC!!