Party photos as promised below

A party going on as I type!

My house has been taken over by the female gender!

Alice has arranged a party for her mum, Cheryl. Those of you who regularly visit this mine of information will know that Ches lost her job and is currently seeking gainful employment (Thanks to 118118 but that is another story!)

Alice decided that it would be nice to have a "good luck with the job hunting party" for her mum. She rang around and arranged everything herself. I had to help with the food tonight as it appears there was something really important on the Disney channel! But the bottom line is that Al sorted out everything.

Val and I held our breath this evening as you never know if a 9 year old has got the organisation right!! We needn't have worried. This is why I am now sitting in my study, the lone male in the house!! Truth is I am hiding!!

Photo's above tell the story!

Many moons ago

Podga and Mike (Leon)

John Penny. Bob Donaldson. Barry Wilkinson

Me. Colin (Billy) McQuiston. Chris (Podga)

Unknown Zobs kid

From August 1972, Seems a long time ago now!!

Podga sent me the photos above and I finally remembered how to use my scanner and what software will produce usable pictures. Took three attempts last night, including one that produced a mega size picture that slowed my PC down something rotten. Moral is always check your settings when moving to new project!

Al and I out to the Miniature Pony Centre out on Dartmoor for the day today. Second visit this hols. Nice place, restful for me and lots to do for Al. She loves watching the guy that does the clown bit in the afternoon, she has now seen him three times and wants to go back for more - he must be doing something right as the kids find him very funny. The animals are great as well as kids can get in and "hands on". Staff are patient considering how busy it is sometimes. Rain held off today and photo's will be posted at some future point in this very blog!

Forgot the Firefly bit

Just noticed that I forgot to mention the Firefly end bit.

Before I get to that thought I should be straight with you all and confirm that I have the cuppa Val made for me and yes, I did go to the shop. Got a packet of Cadbury chocolate fingers, afraid that once opened it is unlikely that the packet will end anywhere other than in the recycling box and very soon at that. They are like Pringles, once opened .......

Anyway. Firefly. For those of you not into Sci Fi "Firefly" was a TV series made with the same characters as the film "Serenity". I bought the box set of the entire series. The series was, for some inexplicable reason cancelled. Can I just say that I thought the series had the potential to be up there with Star Trek and Babylon 5. Why on earth was it cancelled? 15 episodes and stop.

I watched the last episode today. Up to the now expected high standard. Shame on those who cancelled.

Nearly at the end of the chocolate fingers as well. I suppose that makes the three. Chocolate fingers, Firefly and my leave!!

Soccer start and Firefly end

Ches and Val this Friday

Me and Al at the miniature pony centre early last week

Argyle won away at Hull 3-2, so an excellent start to this season. Wall to wall soccer on the telly and Val has kindly allowed me near the front room, however I think I will give the Torquay match a miss tonight - may be pushing it a bit too much!! Hopefully we will be having a good season this time around lets hope that come May when we read this it will be with a smile on the face.

My last few days of leave coming up and I have not really completed any of the major tasks I set myself, apart from the one at the top of the list - enjoy three wonderful weeks away from the grind. Well I did clear the shed out and dump a load of rubbish that I will probably be looking for in about a month or so!

I have the urge to pop down the shop and get a bar of choccy to have with a cuppa. Believe it or not it's not something I do often, but I am tempted.

Bought the first Hawkwind album on CD last week, I had forgotten how good it was. Not sure why I didn't get it when I was replacing my album collection with CDs after selling them all off. I think I got a greatest hits CD or something like that.

Val has just shouted up that a cuppa awaits me so I have to go. Via the shop???

Hope you are all having a great summer or whatever season you happen to be in in your part of the world. Great to see visitors from around the globe. Hi to you.

A day in the sun

It really does beat work - four years to go!!

A very strong Al and her very small friend Aaron out in the sun today.

HR as a Razvedchik - I don't know to answer your question. You'll have to ask him!

I have just come back from a very tiring day looking after Al and her mate Aaron aka "Floydboy". We normally spend a week going down to Dobwalls during the summer hols but a rather large pile of rubble has stopped us this year. During our drives Aaron was introduced to the delights of the Pink Floyd. He is now a Floyd freak - hence Floydboy. I always try to spread the word!

Anyway back to today. We were supposed to go for a cruise around the Sound and the Warships. Plans change. I went into town with the kids to change my birthday pressy Australian Dollars (from yesterday if anyone wants to note their diary :-) . A little bit of work intruded as some guy was freaking out over his giro in the Post Office. I'm on leave so didn't get involved, but it did make me appreciate my days off a little more! Got my cash. Mum, I am now the proud owner of a Wii game "Mario Party 8", ask Cameron or Tracey sure they can explain!

Sorry about the little domestic diversion there. Back to today. Had to pop back home and let Val and Ches know that the plans had changed so just had to pop into a bakery to get stickies for all. Back home for a cuppa and aforementioned sticky. Then over to Staddiscombe for a tough time looking after two 9 year olds. You can see the pressure I was under from the picture above!

Had a long chat with HR last night instead of watching "My name is Earl". The chat was just as entertaining. All these years and all that's changed is that he has a few more years under his belt and the accent "isn't as posh" according to Val. We spent all that time trying to stop the Red Army and now he is one!

Ah well. 'tis Friday night and methinks Torquay AFC are on the telly in a few minutes so I will wonder downstairs and probably be faced with two fluttering eyes with a request that I watch the match in the kitchen.

Still, football season is upon us again and I have Sky and that funny Spanish sounding set of sports channels - for clarification just look where the ferry from Plymouth sails from and you will see why I get confused. I suppose that means I am tied up until next May. Isn't life hard for us poor footy fans!

Look after yourselves - it's rough out there.

And I am supposed to be on leave - please tell Val!!

Don't need to say anything at all. The photo's speak for themselves, this is Val's idea of Paul having a period of leave when Al is out with Cheryl.

Apart from yesterday when we went out for a drive and ended up in Tesco's!!

Oh yes - there was a sale on!!!! I suppose I did get a rather nice pasty in Tavistock so I can't complain.

Paul and Al chill out day

All good days out in Cornwall have to have Cornish ice cream in there sooner or later. Today it was sooner.

Then find a beach to have lunch and a drink.

Chilled out or wot!!

Pensive mood time. Just after the Art Gallery visit.

Just find a rock to sit on she said. And take the cap off this time! I obey.

Very hot day but our slave to fashion had to wear a jacket.

Cute narrow streets. This is the way in and out to/from the main carpark!!

Thought I would just do a photo log today. Al and I had a chill out day. Val wanted to stay home so Al and I went for a drive. We started off going to Trago, then changed to Dartmoor. Ended up going over the Torpoint ferry into Cornwall as Rame Head became the preferred destination. Couldn't find a car park that covers Rame Head so stopped at Cawsands, had a very nice baguette each on the beach then strolled around to Kingsand. Popped into a newly opened art gallery - bit beyond my price range but very nice. Hope you enjoy the photo's.