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.

Billy Mac is top left. Is that Bob Donaldson bottom left? The guy top right, is that Jeff Young the Welsh rugby player who played for Upwood once (or twice?). My memory is going the same way as my hearing!!!

For God's sake he's surrounded by flaming women - how? I ask myself!!! Wobblegob (sorry Barry, can't beat them so etc etc) is front right, can't believe he's a Granddad now!!

Leon has put a couple of photo's up for submission to the "Where are they now" section. Leon
"Had a mail from Derek Bottomley and he enclosed a couple of photos so I thought they may be of interest to you for the blog.
Up Up and Hold,"

News from home now. Alice has decided that all she wants in the world, all she ever wanted in fact, is a Nintendo DS Lite. No problem we say, just work for it. She hasn't stopped doing "chores" around the house and her balance stands at £21. Today she defrosted our big freezer for us. "My hands are numb Granddad" so I let her stand down and come back later. She now intends to visit Plymouth market and see if she can flog our old videos and some of the cuddly toys she no longer wants! She is a member of the now defunct Portman Building Society so I am looking forward to seeing her face when her cheque drops through the letterbox! Until then keep scrubbing the floors gal!!!

To whoever asked me the question. Hearing aids are "Siemens". I actually watched "Mock the week" last night and understood what they were saying when they said it. Normally I catch a bit then have to wait for the subtitles to catch up before realising what they were all laughing at!!

It's now that time you have all been waiting for. The words of wisdom from Green Fingers himself. I should have a vote, should his blog colour be a manly jump out of planes from a great height blue, or should it be down to earth get back to allotment old man green?

Take it away old tractor boys loving Turnip head himself. Common you Greens!!!!

"Suffolk Sojourn 17 of 134. Greetings Paulie - and first of all - Many Congratulations to you both on your 37th. That means the quarter you had at Upwood was your first home - very cosy and full of good vibes it was too. Ref Leon's missive - shocked to hear about Billy - very poignant as Leon had just sent a photo of a 5-a-side team photo with both Billy and Bob D. featured. On a brighter note, now that Leon has done much spadework and found Bob and Wobblegob - maybe they'll contribute to your blog. Would be nice. Thank you for the support versus Leon ref my veg growing - this thing is getting bigger than both of us! Enough. Hearing Aids!?!**! You're joking me Paul - Blimey - I thought you were Clk Sec - not Eng Mech! Anyway - Keep your eye on the Tractor Boys, they were unlucky at your end the other week - and where are they in the Championship? (Pilgrims? Dream on). Finally - Ongoing Wishbone stuff -Laurie W. took over from Ted Turner in 74 - saw them at Oxford whilst at Abingdon. Info for Leon -Sorry - boring... what with the veg stuff too... help! Looking forward to HR's reply on the Gibson Flying Balalaika, Wobblegob and Bobbys contributions ... till then - Blue Skies. "

By the way I ended up a Pers Admin via P&A Clk via Clk Sec. Don't remember any more messing about with the trade name. Can't believe I've been out for 15 years come this November!! Put a few people in Court since then who would have preferred that I stayed in!!

Some good some sad.

Been a busy boy as usual recently. Yesterday I finally got my hearing aids, one for each ear. It is going to take a couple of months to get used to them and I start off at an hour a day. I remember when I used to call guys KOS - now I am one officially!!

Val and I made it to our 37th yesterday, and they said it wouldn't last! I think I must be so very easy to live with, an individual full of patience and goodwill. I'm on very safe ground here as Val has no idea how to turn the PC on and Ches and Al would be bored before they got to this bit!!

I am handing this post over to Leon as, as he says, some good and some sad news. Go for it Leon "Hi Paul and Val and family. Hope you all are well and that your Sunday lunch was good. Football played a part in my weekend as well because I managed to get tickets to the arsenal on Saturday for me my wife and my father in law who is visiting us from Sweden...... Fantastic day as we won of course but also the first time for us in the new Emirates Stadium. Wow 62100 people there and was brill. Now for some good but also sad news. Remember when I was on about Barry Wilkinson etc well low and behold he appeared on Friends Re-united web site (forces section), so I contacted him. I now have his own mail address so we can do exchanges without the Friends re united bit. Anyway he has just celebrated 34 years of marriage to Eileen has kids and grand kids. Took redundancy? and is now out of the mob and living in Gloucester. He remembers you from Upwood and Innsworth and has asked me to say hi and pass on his regards. The sad bit is that he told me Colin McQuiston died 3 years ago. He was an alcoholic, like his brother and father, and he had a fall hitting his head and died from the injuries. He was divorced from Wendy and had children but was working as a civvie at Innsworth after he came out of the mob. Very sad. On a lighter note I cannot believe that Mr Rotavator has gone all Alan Titchmarsh re his vegetable prowess, although maybe he practised his " Up Up and Hold " on his rhubarb and carrots... Personally I think he nips to Stowmarket Tescos buys the veg takes the labels off and declares them his own....... What do you think? Also I must check this Wishbone Ash thing as there appears to be a glut of Turners playing in the band. I did meet one guitarist who is/was playing with them. His name is Laurie Wisefield and I met him in the early eighties as went out with a sister of a girl I used to work with in the studios in London. Nice guy. He went on to support Tina Turner on tour but have heard nothing since. Must end now as Father in Law wants his din dins so best wishes and will scribe soon...... Leon "

I think Leon is on shaking ground throwing doubt on Upwoods very own Alan Titchmarsh, dodgy ground there mate. Podga is very proud of his ability to grow big things!! You'll probably have a carrot sent to you through the post, with mud attached, just so you can cook, taste and then swallow your words!

Sad about Billy Mac. I had no idea about the drinking thing. Nice to see that you have got in touch with Barry. Let's hope we see a comment from the man himself soon!

I must go as Val has just given me a mug celebrating the Coronation of George VI and Queen Elizabeth in May 1937. I am supposed to find if it is worth anything! She thinks the Internet is the answer to all! Will let you know if I have any success. Look after yourselves.

back to work over a week - need another break!

Alice and Alice

Just struck me as funny

I tried to post over the last couple of days but have been hindered by a technical hitch. For some reason best known to itself, the anti virus part of my PC defence system decided it would have a strop. Once a month or so I do a complete scan of my PC courtesy of Microsoft, It's a free service they provide if you want further info just leave a comment and I will send you the link. Well, this service checks out the things that my normal PC guard should check. I reckon my PC Guard got jealous went into a strop and decided not to play with me if I was going to play with the big boys - it took it's ball home and wouldn't let me play.

Anyway it's all now sorted and I am safely back on line. In a minute or two Podga's latest missive will appear and an interesting link from HR.

I have been back to work for over a week now and it feels like I was never away in the first place. Frighteningly it is only four years (less a couple of days) to my intended retirement from full time work. I really don't feel like nearly an OAP, maybe I'm one of the immature ones!!!

Sun is shining and Ches and Al will be over later for Al to prepare Sunday lunch for us all. Yes I know, I'm a slave driver but the football is on so I'm afraid if they want to eat then she will have to get into that kitchen!

Without further ado I will hand over to Podga whilst I have a think about what photo to put on top of this post. "Suffolk Sojourn 16 of 134. Greetings from East Anglia. Got back from 2 weeks of tranquility on the river this w/e and have finally caught up with emails/admin etc and trawled your adventures. What a hectic weeks' leave you enjoyed! Glad you could use/post the photos' from Upwood, ref the Polaroid of us with the zobbit kid - Leon took it. I note you are saving the Groucho/Harpo for later - you tease! What a star Al is - the surprise party for Ches looked brilliant, and full marks to her for sorting it out from start to finish. Be positive Ches - it'll happen. A coupla points - My veg growing prowess is renowned - maybe you've forgotten when I took you up to my allotment at Boscombe and we plucked Sunday lunch from the earth (except the beef and the lemon treacle sponge!) A good weekend surely? Ref the Turners' in Wishbone Ash - my mistake - not actually brothers, and no record of a Glen Turner by the way. Are you you thinking of Glenn Cornick (Tull, Wild Turkey)? Anyway - on my own tonight - Bil in London on a course for 2 days, and as I write, at the Troubadour on the Brompton Rd with a bunch of her old mates from FANY - Bunfight! FANY? Look at the website/let me explain - have you got half an hour? Glad all is well - I aim to be 1000th visitor - till then - love to all. Blue Skies - CT"

Just a quick response to Podga - rest of you can make a cuppa if you are bored with the reminiscing. The only bit I remember about the weekend in question is starting in a bar - I don't recall leaving it - and then interviewing some locals on a tape recorder that seemed to appear from nowhere. I believe we claimed to be from the local radio station. I don't remember getting home or your obviously wonderful hand reared veg. Did we do the "interview" on the way to your allotment? That would explain how I suddenly found myself in the countryside rather than in a bar!! Maybe this is one of the many incidents in my life which has persuaded my to give up the alcohol intake!!!!

According to my copy of "Rock Record" edited by Terry Hounsome and Tim Chambre (1979 version) Glen Turner is listed under Wishbone, although he never appeared on an album. As the aforementioned "Rock Record" was compiled and updated by fans I would guess that Glen had something to do with the band somewhere along the way - which is why I guessed at him being a brother. As a matter of interest I think "Rock Record" is now online. Try Terry Hounsome or rock record on google. I'm sure I did it some time ago and got a result. My claim to fame is the "Styx" part of the publication, back in the days before I converted vinyl to CD. As for B and FANY - not sure I should go down that road in a family blog!! Groucho and Harpo kept in reserve, unless, of course, anyone wants to have a look - just leave a comment.

Now over to my Red Army man. HR posted a link to the reenactment website. I had a look, didn't realise there were so much interest. Will have a deeper look later but for now over to HR " http://www.military-odyssey.fsnet.co.uk/lh/groups.html
Hi Paul, just a quick one to put into perspective the variety of living-history groups in UK ; not to mention Russia, USA , Sweden etc.
I will do a more general email for the blog later on ( I am out at shooting-club a meeting in Shepton Mallet tonight). I realised that I have not really greeted the remainder of the bods on the blog!"

For info of all if you want to make a comment just click the comment link below. Put yourself in as anonymous but put yourself in the comment so I know who it comes from. I will then simply put the comment into my next post so those that don't click on comment themselves get the full benefit of your worldly wisdom!

As I type this I have still not decide which photo to put up at the top, so this will be an example of time travel for you as you know what is going to happen before I do!! Look after yourselves.

The day after the night before

I am knackered. Last night went very well, first time I have met some of Cheryl's friends and I must say a very nice bunch of people they are. The evening went very well and very quickly. Really impressed with Alice's organisational skills, she and Jaz even laid on entertainment in the form of a dance routine!! Music was from Al's mobile phone - she really doesn't miss a trick, I am unsure if that is a good or bad thing for the future!!!

On Thursday I tried to post but there was a technical hitch and the system wouldn't play with me. Leon had posted a comment and I tried to post it to the blog but now (hopefully) second attempt and, in the now time honoured tradition I will hand over to the orange print man. Go Leon!! "Blimey. Just logged on to the P & V blogspot when up I pop with Mr Rotavator and my famous " Supa 5 " medal ..................I didn't realise that picture was still in existence. As for your pic with McQuiston and the boys wow that does seem a long time ago now. Have saved them in my pics and will send them to Derek Bottomley and await his reactions. Somewhere in my garage I have some pics taken at upwood of the old TSF office. Must have a look this weekend and get them bunged onto a cd and transferred to my pc. Sounds like you had a great leave Paul and now back to the daily grind. Will mail soon as I too have to shove off now and earn the queens shilling.Got to get hold of those guys somehow for a reunion I think. Best wishes..... Leon "