Tomorrow is release date

I am fairly sure that release isn't the correct term, but what the heck. Language is to convey a meaning, if you know what I mean then it has done it's job!!

Val, Al and I had a wonder around Tesco and Morrisons yesterday, then a spot of lunch before she went back to the ward. I can assure all of you she hasn't forgotten how to spend my money. £60 plus on makeup and smellies "to make me feel good". I will just never understand the fair sex.

Al is currently downstairs sticking trading stickers into her Premier League album, a chip off the old block eh. I remember the days when I used to do such things myself, only seems like last week!! Actually it could have been (only joking)

I will hand over to others now as, as usual, I am pushed for time. It is gone 19.00 hrs and I have still got to get the Vorwerk around as Val won't really be chuffed to have to crawl through the dust. A slight smattering in reality but by the time she tells her mates it will be three inches of the flaming stuff.

Bob, come on down.
"Hiya and thank goodness big V is on the up again! If she has her sense of humour back it must be a really good sign.
I read the blog with interest last night and am slowly getting the feel of it (though the footy stuff goes over my head). It was nice to read of Blue Skies lovely recipes (and thanks for that). I think you are in a league beyond me. I did get some Parma ham once but was really dissappointed that it seemed so thin and dry; was I doing something wrong with it?
I appreciated the mention of the canal too; it is just below eye-line and as you say : they leave at early o`clock. So I sometimes see a set of paddle tips go by and thats it. If I go down to the bank they are head-down and concentrating so I just keep quiet (yes Paul!). I have some canoes (kayaks ?) and went on the canal a few years ago. I launched from the end of the garden and set off into what turned out to be a swans territory! Input spike on learning curve and just add terror ! The nasty bas--rd let me go by, dropped back .... then there was a trotting sound as the son of a ...swan got airborne and tried to hit me in the back of the neck.
That went on for about an hour. I am not confident in a canoe and at the edge it is shallow with mud beneath you; so there was the prospect of inverting and being in mud then fighting off a cross between a white hercules and Rudolph bloody Nureyev when I surfaced. I finally crawled out of range (300meters either side of the nest) using the stinging nettles on the bank to pull me along!
On recovery I went to the computer to confirm that it was illegal to "slot" Swans ! He has moved on (or been assasinated), but I have not been in the water since ! I will go back but I need to check when they do there nesting !
It must have been a really interesting trip for you in support of the guys from 22 ? I went to Hereford to sort out a problem with some kit a few years ago and threw some chewing gum out of the car window; when I went back to the hotel that night ... there it was on my pillow !
PS It was the Green Dragon... don`t go there because they don`t put loo rolls in the bathroom ! A bit of a blighter if you don`t spot it on the way in! Nice soft pillowcases though !!
PPS : went shooting for the first time with the rifles last weekend and found a cardboard rhino on the target board. I thought "at least they are not dangerous" : somebody commented that it depended on what type of cardboard they are made of ! All the best."

HR, even I know that swans are not to be messed with at all. If you take a pot at them I have been told the they sue you. Something about being mates with the Queen. Confused me to hell.

I hope you aren't given up in the culinery wars! You realise the whole world is watching. Come on man, don't give up over a jar of Chutney!!!

Right then, lets bring on the king of Chutney world, Leon didn't get any???? Chris.
"Suffolk Sojourn 36/137....
Hope Val's escape today (Tunnel/Glider/In garbage truck etc) went well, and you treated her to a decent scoff!!!
Glad to hear all continues to improve - our love and best wishes from East to West please.
So .... On the footie front, Tractor Boys secure another 3 points, whilst the real skirmish (Gooners vs Utd) concluded as I always suspected. I texted Leon pre kick-off and offered a small wager that if Arsenal went thru' B.& I would tootle across to Enfield and create a 3 course meal plus wine for he & C. His misled and confident reply stated ' Start Saving ...' I reckon Supa 5 would have put on a better show than his Emirates loafers. Understanderbly - Nothing heard since the final whistle!!!!
Hope Ches had a goodly birthday.
When did you arrive at Upwood then?
Re the Oval Gig - memorable, but Jack Bruce? I'm digging into the archives for the programme - Melody Maker Poll Winners Concert in '72. Genesis I remember, Gabriel with his Squirrel mask - and Focus too. There were 6 of us I reckon - including Dave the Rave. That weekend Leon and I did Wishbone Ash 3 times! Fri nite at Cambridge Corn Exchange, Sat at the Oval, and Sun nite at Walthamstow Tech. And I took the Iranian students for Circuit Training at 0830 on the Monday - Bloody 'ell!
Anyway - gotta go - Ironing to sort. By the way - Bill Wymans' Rhythm Kings were mind blowing last week - or did I tell you already! Blue Skies - Podga
Nothing heard from your accountant PB - is this a good sign? "

Bloody memory. I got to Upwood early '71. Val says we knew you when she was carrying Emmy, he was born Nov 71.

Re the concert at the Oval. I recall ELP but not Genesis. Focus and Wishbone yep. Jack Bruce came on with one of the bands (Wishbone?) for a couple of tracks. It was the Melody Maker one I think it was 72 as I headed off to HR direction in late 72. I might do a bit of research into the Melody Maker poll concerts as I was convinced that the first time I saw Genesis was in Germany the second time around. Can't remember what concert hall, may have been Dussledorf, but I am sure it wasn't. Emmy and I did Iron Maiden and Motorhead there (also Cozy Powell but not sure if he was in one of the above at the time or with his own band) and Ches and I did Eurythmics. As a matter of interest Val did Barry Manilow. Ches, Emmy and I passed on that delight!!!!

I watche the Utd / Arsenal game. Somebody spike Arsenal's tea or what?? Mighty Greens had a rest day this Saturday.

Ches says thanks for the card and Val has tried to ring but you are always jabbering on the phone. Get an answering machine - you know I have!

PB (The Binns) has recently taken to having a drinky poo with Mad Dave, one of my work colleagues. This would explain his absence from everything. Pete you ready to comment yet?

Al stayed over with Auntie Rocky, hubby Mark and Baby Mark and Esther last week a good time was had by all and Ches got a decent nights kip. Ches is pulling a 24 hour shift as we speak so Al is with me tonight. It's a pupil free day at her school tomorrow so I am off for the day to look after her and pickup Val, hopefully I will get a lie in!!

And lastly. I rang the Samaritans last week and told them I felt a bit suicidle, they put me through to their Pakistani call centre. The chap I spoke to was very nice but got really excited and kept asking if I could drive a truck. Strange.