Are YOU the 1000th visitor???

Hi

If you are the 1000th visitor can you do us a favour and leave a comment?

Would appreciate it.

Blue skies was trying for the honour (?) and I guess, knowing him, he will regard it as a challenge!!!

Go on just click comment and say hi. You could even revisit if you made us a favourite. If you read the posts on this blog you will see that we are getting to renew old friendships - always happy to make new ones as well!!

We even welcome Tractor boys!!!!

One week on

A day out at Mount Edgecombe. The last one showing what a good time was had!

With Lin, Dan and Alisha for a day out

Paul, Al and Floydboy off to the minature pony centre

Al in HER study, or so she keeps telling her mum!

Billy The Kid (Cat!)

At home in the sunshine

And if you thought Val was left out....

Thought that with winter coming I would bang on a few of the photo's that Ches and Al have taken during the summer. I only downloaded them this weekend so they were fresh in my mind

Hells teeth. Is it really a week since I last put fingers to keys on this blog? They say time goes faster when you are busy but it just rockets by nowadays and I don't feel that rushed!

Val went to see the Arthur specialist last Friday. He said they were relieved to see her as they thought she had the big C when they saw the x rays. As I just e-mailed to little sister Clare in sunny NZ, I am glad they didn't see Val before the Chest Consultant!! Latest update on Val's health is that her Cholesterol is 5.2, I put it down to too good a lifestyle with me! They medics aren't worried about that. My theory is that they just don't think she can take any more flaming pills! The new treatment for Arthur is out the window as it appears she had TB, or some form of it, in the past.

The latest move is to try to stop the modules from popping out all over the place. Strangely enough that is the one thing above all others that Val really gets bothered about! Vanity eh!!!

As previously reported I am now officially a KOS. Along with the blood pressure pills and the Cholesterol pills I am now going through the process of getting used to the hearing aids. Bloody weird I can tell you. The brain has forgotten how to block out background sounds so I get the whole lot. I can keep them on for about 3 hours at home at the moment. Next stop is taking them to work. It will be a case of MP3 player out of the ears and HA's in!! Before the piss takers start (you know who you are!!) as the Beatles said "It won't be long, yeah", my turn will come.

Before I go, do you remember I told you that Alice was dead keen on a Nintendo DS lite and that she was doing chores to earn money to be able to by one? She got up to £26 when a cheque came through the post. Those nice people at the now defunct Portman BS were taken over, oops sorry - merged with, the Nationwide BS. Al, as a qualifying member, got a £200 cheque. Normally she would have invested this "for her education" but this time was allowed to purchase one DS lite and 4 games from Toys 'r' us for £139.99. One very happy little girl who also knows the value of saving!!

You lot look after yourselves - and I await comments!!!!!!!

Thanks for well wishes

Alice getting her Black belt with the little Pumas

Father Christmas circa 2003

Her first boyfriend

Common you Greens!

Green belt time with Great Auntie Clare

All above were 2002/2003 time dragged from my photo album

Ches and Em on the bank of some river in Germany in '83

Just thought I would go back in time for a bit and post some old pictures taken from our photo album. Some were just after we got a webcam so we had some fun with people seeing themselves on screen when it was a novel idea!!

Haven't posted for a few days. Sorry about that.

Things are going on much of a muchness. On Monday I had to attend a "conference" and one question was on everyone's mind - will I have a job next year. Glad to say the answer came back as a yes, I'm looking forward to retirement but not this early! However, if I was to be offered a package!!!!!

The Greens had a bit of a hiccup on Saturday, we seem to get camera shy when the TV boys are around. Still, made up for it last night with a good 2-0 away win at QPR.

Tomorrow Val, Ches, Lin (Val's mate) and a few other girls are in to the Pavilions to see and hear Colin Fry. If she gets any messages we will pass them on to you all if we can. Val dragged me along to see a medium once and my cynicism went straight out the window. I was very surprised at what I was told. Lots of charlatans out there but when you listen to the genuine article then all changes.

Will update on what happens, if anything happens that is as I think the hall might be a little full.

Alice got her cheque from the Portman / Nationwide "merger" (takeover!) today. She doesn't know yet so I think I have the pleasure of telling her tomorrow as she is around here in the evening looking after me! She has been doing work to earn money to buy herself a Nintendo lite DS so she will be a bit happy when she gets to open her letter!

We have a tradition that when it's just her and I we head off to the Chinese takeaway and get ourselves a meal. We normally put on a film but soccer is on tomorrow so we will have to see! Normally it's a St Trinians movie (or those naughty girl films as Al puts it). I think we may settle for Clint Eastwood and his Orangutan.

Just like to say thanks to you who e-mailed us after Val got the "Shadow on lung" follow up news. We were a bit relieved as you will understand!!

Phew!

Just couldn't resist it anymore. Any questions send to Blue Skies!!

Thought you may like to see Clare and Brendon's pad in NZ.

The Phew bit in the title is because Val had to see the chest clinic consultant today over a shadow that was found on her lung. We have had a bit of a worrying time with imagination working overtime as you can imagine!

It appears that the shadow is mainly made up of scaring left over from some childhood illness, possible TB or something similar, that Val has now forgotten all about.

The consultant reckons there is something to do with Val's Arthritis in there as well but nothing to worry about. She is back to see him an a month or so for a "make sure" check. Luckily she had an x-ray about five years ago so they were able to compare that x-ray with the CAT scan, even I could see the scars (black bits on the x-ray and bobbly circles on the CAT!).

Massive relief in the Mann household as you can guess!!

Blue skies aka brown fingers has been at it again so without further ado .... UP, UP and HOLD

" Suffolk Sojourn 19 of 134.Good question Zoe - Sunrise or Sunset? Obvious answer to those who know him - Paul's never been an early bird.The Tractor Boys are taking a lot of flak - I obviously hit a nerve. I await this weekends' results with eager/confident anticipation. Plastic, with limited mobility and still in last years strip - say no more.Still no word from HR, Derek or Barry?! (Or Leon of late - He'll be back - I know it) Obviously busier than us.Anyway - It's late. Got the ironing to finish before Bil gets up for work. She appreciated your Birthday greetings by the way - Thank you.Blue Skies - CT "

The good news for my old mate podga is that if he tunes into Sky sports this Saturday at about 5.15 (17.15 hrs) he can watch a proper team in action - no not Cardiff!! The mighty Greens are in TV land action. And yes, I know, I am on a limb here. Pride before a fall and all that. But confidence in the lads. Incidentally did you all like the subbuteo team photo?

Heard from HR via e-mail. Problems with PC and all that. MOD not paying for a decent system or something like that. I am sure he will post something now we are in his "my favourites" - NOT on his desktop you will note - Humph!!!

Podga had to do the ironing and I now have to go and get tea as Val can't move from the telly. "Ghost whisperer" is on you see. A must see show.

It's a sunset

Fans watching Tractor Boys still waiting for something exciting to happen.

Very quick tonight. Zoe has joined us from sunny Holland and left a comment re the sunset pictures posted earlier. Take it on Zoe "Love the sunset or is it sunrise piccy there. Greetings from Holland"

Up to see my old man tonight for a chat. I told him about the blog and the hundreds of visitors. I also promised that I would put this comment on so Clare could read it and mention that she read it next time she rings him. He is 83 and I think my explanation of a blog and the workings of the World Wide Web went a little over his head. He told me he was of the generation that remembered horse and cart and actually used cash money to buy things. I asked him what that was, it's what was used before plastic credit cards apparently!!!

Talking about living in the past. HR - if you are reading this then the link worked. Now right click your mouse and put a flaming shortcut onto your desktop! However if you aren't reading this then it didn't work - open house on insults about HR as he can't read them!!!!

The mighty Pilgrims

After our Tractor muck spreading friend had a dig (pun intended!!) at the mighty Pilgrims we swung into action.

Mike, from work, is pretty handy when it comes to painting little things. He is a Greens man. Alice and I are subbuteo players. Put the three together and hey presto. One Plymouth Argyle Subbuteo team in last seasons colours.

All we need now is a little bit of time and the lads can have a run out. We have about a dozen teams so lots of choice. Mike has three more of our teams to repaint, Man Utd, Chelsea and a made up team. But they will not be up to the standard of his labour of love - the mighty greens!

Unfortunately my camera is crap at close up, even with the close up setting! Got lots of light bounce back. The detail on the players is excellent, except for the hair style which has changed somewhat since these players were made in the 70's!!

Al and Ches are off to see the Moscow State Circus this weekend, so we might have to put off the big game until the following week. If you ever visit we can now offer subbuteo as well as the Wii!

Green fingers on about the size of his cucumber

Ipswich supporters waiting for a decent result.

Firstly let us all sing a belated "Happy Birthday" to that long suffering lady Mrs B. See Podga's post to make sense of the reason you are now singing Happy Birthday to your PC.

Strange how someone moves to any area where the most fascinating name they can come up with is "Tractor boys" and all of a sudden he is up to his hands in S**! - sorry - manure. You can just see it can't you. "What shall we call our team?" "eh, I don't know" Beep Beep "move out the way" says the tractor driver. 30 minutes later. "Eh I know - the s**! boys" "nah folks would laff" "Tractors ain't funny, how about Tractor supporters" "oww, thems big words. I'm OK with Tractor, I got one" "OK then Tractor Boys" "Oh great Tractor B.O.Y.Z" "That's it then".

Now over to old Green Fingers himself, of course considering the above should it be brown???

"Suffolk Sojourn 18 of 134.Now then Pop Pickers - Seems the flak is coming in from Enfield, Plymouth and pretty soon Oz as well. Gimme a break buddies. Sorry Derek, knew it was you all the time, distracted by Bobby (Babyface) Donaldson in the photo -good luck tracing him Leon.As for the gardening - hot news - at least 2 more cucumbers are striving to mature (rained tonite).Anyway, it's late but thought I'd retort sooner rather than later to stop the rot.Finally - check your pools coupon - Pilgrims - still struggling to even nil-nil draw, Gunners - ou et tu Henri? Lucky result. Tractor Boys - Fear not, a hiccup - and the Red Devils? .. early days, watch this space. And that completes the voting from the Luxembourg jury.Finally - Miss Belinda's 50th tomorrow, (23 minutes ago actually) so busy me.Where are you HR, Derek and Wobblegob? We're here!Blue Skies - CT "

A quiet Saturday

From our back bedroom window last week

We went to the House of Marbles Bank Holiday Monday. Much more fun than we thought it was going to be. The food in the Restaurant was truly outstanding.

Indoors was fun as well

And just to prove I was there

I wasn't going to post anything today, Leon posted a comment so I thought I would have a quick five minutes before heading down to watch a film or something. Providing Val lets me near the telly. She is in the kitchen ironing at the moment with all sorts of programmes about Di on the telly. If it keeps her happy then who am I to complain. Don't understand her interest in Di as she is a lifelong republican!

Watched Man U get lucky just now, don't know any other results, apart from the Pilgrims 0-0 home to Leicester. Al and I were thinking of going to that one but if she wants to get the Nintendo DS then £35 for 90 minutes footy is out for a while. (tickets and pie/drinks if you are interested).

Right, I am beggining to ramble now. So over to Leon before you all go to sleep. Up Up and Hold

"Hi P and V. Firstly many congrats on your 37th to go with Barry's 34th.......Re the footy photo. From left to right back row is Billy McQuiston, Richard ? Bill Ellison (Stats Sergeant), Bob Donaldson and Derek Bottomley. In the big photo I can't remember the civvies names apart from Mrs Clarke to my right in the Middle and Ena Brady next but one to Barry on the right. Next to Barry I think was a lady called Gerry Mandley. At the back is WO George Bean who was also at Innsworth when you were there I think? Poor old Mr Rotavator I keep telling him that I have not found Bob Donaldson yet but old green fingers is getting confused. I have only managed to track down Derek and Barry but hopefully will find Bob somewhere. On Wednesday of next week I am doing a commercial so may need to borrow your hearing aids as have not done much recording for a while. Tomorrow the mighty Arsenal are playing again and now I am going to ring my mate to see if he has any tickets. I will also send Derek the Blog title and you may get a comment from Aus, hope so. Take care and remember...... Up Up and Hold. Best Leon. "

Ah well shows how good my memory is!! Isn't it marvellous how we work with people for a couple of years then 30 odd years later can't remember them. Those brain cells must have given up the ghost somewhere along the line. The following bit is for green fingers.

L...E...O...N H...a....s n...o...t f...o...u...n...d B...o...b D. OK?

Reckon that'll do it Leon?

By for now.