Al and her new friend Karis who has just moved a couple of doors down 
Settled in quick - shy girls aren't theyMany thanks for all your thoughts re Val and her best mate Arthur Righteous. News update is that she was a bit low last night as her back started to join in the fun. She doesn't have Arthur in the back it's just that she is putting pressure on various parts of the body compensating for the Arthur in the other bits!
Up to the hospital today for a bit of blood draining, she is a regular visitor (I heard they were going to get her her own desk and chair!). She had to see Maggie, her super nurse. Val asked about a cortisone (?) jab in the knee and explained why - no probs said Maggie. Needle inserted and - don't read this if you are eating - a whole clatter of yellow fluid withdrawn from said knee and replaced with cortisone. Although, I have been told, it is a bit eye watering, Val was chuffed to meatballs. Resting up now but, hopefully, should be getting back to, what we consider is normal, tomorrow.
Right time for our roving correspondents. Firstly comes Mr Brevity himself - HR.
"Hi All ; I hope that Val is feeling better now? It is cruel having all that pain inflicted on such a lovely person (and all those around her).
I have been watching some narrowboats moored next to the towpath of the Kennet and Avon canal which runs along the end of our garden. They were cutting up fallen-trees with a chainsaw and stocking up the boats. Must be really cosy. I don`t think you can beat the smell of things like birch when it burns.
Tried cooking Röstis yesterday. It was better than last time but still not good enough. I used "chefs rings" to pack the potato and onion into but discovered my fundamental error when I looked at some recipes on the internet, they all said "begin the day before you want to east it "!!I have been grating the potatoes raw when I should cook the potato first ! It is not a dire problem but the texture of the finished article will be completely different next time ! I made home-made hamburgers which ended up as meatballs (a bit like in a Turkish meze).
Next time I shall get the potatoes right and eat it all with a Greek salad ! Yum. Just in time for spring!"
I hope there is no one reading this who lives in a Birch house, might have a bit of a problem with your nasal fetish there me old mate!
Well. the "cook off" goes well with exotic dishes entering the fray. Talking about "cook off" it is now over to Ol' Brownfingers of East Anglia - Podga.
"Suffolk Sojourn 33/137.Now then - My first priority is to hope Val is OK, the pain is under control and sleepless nights are history. Such unwelcome distraction cannot be truly imagined, and my thoughts are with you. As there have been no blog entries since last week I do hope all is well.
Of much less consequence - sorry to see the Pilgrims were unlucky at Southampton - according to the write ups in the Times, Telegraph and Observer yesterday. (Yes, I take all week to ingest the Sunday papers). The short viewing on Match of the Day showed that it was all David James' fault! If you and Al had gone it would have been a frustrating journey home Paulie.
So - This time tomorrow night I will be at the Palace of the Tractor Boys to give a warm welcome to your brave lads - and then thrash them into submission and rise 5 points above them. I'll send you the Programme and local press cuttings, just to rub it in.
Meanwhile, Man Utd march on in the Cup - and have been drawn to host Leon's Gunners. Methinks another Man U. vs Chelsea Final in May. (By the way - where are you Leon? -Nothing heard of late)
In haste - but again - I do hope you're OK Val. Loadsa love from us both.Blue Skies! "
Geography never was Podgas strong point. Just be thankful there was always a navigator in those planes he used to jump out of. But, be fair, he was close. PORTSMOUTH is fairly close to Southampton.
Reminds me of the time I was in Pompey recruiting office and we had a load of stuff delivered to us that was addressed to Plymouth CIO. I rang MOD and asked them what they wanted us to do with it. The reply? "Oh sorry about that, could you drop it off next time you are over there?"
The two largest naval towns in the UK and MOD didn't know you don't just pop over from one to the other!!! How the hell do we win any wars?
As for tonight Podga me old cocksparrow - we shall see.
Ground control to Leon. Busy times I hope for you, get that bank balance building. Arsenal look to be leaving their second cup competion within a couple of weeks according to some.
On a different note. Sister Clare is currently touring the US of A drumming up work. You sock it to 'em gal. When you get a decent Internet connection you can have a read, just saying Hiya to both.
You all be careful on them streets.
2 comments:
Suffolk Sojourn 34/137
It's only me - from over the sea ... etc! So glad Val is getting better - thinking of you honey - and that the Cotizone (?) has done the trick.
Sorry about the geographical slip up on the footie - still, it gives you more ammunition (...steady HR) to continue the ongoing sarcasm Paulie.
Remembering when you were at Portsmouth CIO, came to see you one Sunday ( I must have still been at Boscombe D.) and after the triumph of a mega Sunday Lunch (thanks again Val) we trooped out to the beach and sat on the sea wall - with the leftover wine and plastic cups, watching the sunset. Mind you - there weren't many places that I didn't catch up with you on your travels. Germany the only one I think. Thru' the years - Padstow, Gloucester, Portsmouth, Chivenor and your present abode spring to mind for starters - Upwood was the catalyst of course. Always a warm welcome and fond memories.
So - Pilgrims scramble a 0-0 draw -thanks to the Tractor Boys 'keeper. It's still 2 points in it then. I didn't go in the end as Miss Belinda got home from work with a mega back problem and refused to venture out with me. So - led by your commendable example, I stayed in to pamper my better half. No programme in the post chap - sorry.
HR's location on the canal at Devizes prompts me to reminisce again. In the mid 90's, Miss B. and I were the support crew for 2 members of 21 SAS who regularly paddled the Devizes to Westminster race in an original 'Cockleshell Heroes' Canoe. The start was always on Good Friday, at an unearthly hour of the morning. Once the boys were on the water and heading towards at least 30 hours of effort, we leapt into a Landrover to thrash through the countryside to meet them at each Lock as they 'Portaged' - we fed and watered them as they carried their transport along the bank before getting back in. B. took great pride in driving the LR -often a left-hand drive for the duration. Finish was at Westminster Bridge -but there was a cut off time if they didn't reach Teddington Lock by a certain time - because of the Boat Race on the Saturday lunchtime further downstream. Our boys always got through of course. Easter Sunday we slept through - but partied on the Easter Monday.
(Enough remeniscing - Ed).
Blue Skies.
Stop Press - Norris flees to join Tractor Boys - but is he worth 2m?
I'm glad to hear Val is feeling better as well, poor thing. You'll have to go down the body shop and buy her a new body to live in. If only it were that simple huh?
Mum is also a Pilgrims fan, she's got a season ticket and I think her seat is in the Linhurst? stand, I keep saying one of these day's you'll bump into Paul.
Bit knackered today as was setting a run for the Hague Hash House Harriers yesterday so 7.2km walk to set it out then 5km (I was a short cutting bastard) the 2nd time round, you see the hare has to go around with the harriers just to make sure they don't get lost and to make sure they don't miss the trail which you thought you'd laid out clear enought but they some how manage not see even though it's right in front of there noses.
Greetings from sunny Netherlands
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