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Spanish Inquisition
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Methinks time for trains and steam driven tractors!!!!!!
Steve
Dec. 5, 2009
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Here, here Steve,
All this talk about Birds ... you`ll have me falling off my perch here soon ...
Mind you, like all things on the edge ... good while it
lasted !! ................ Carole, be a dear .. put the
Horlicks on ..
Dec. 5, 2009
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Well Bill! talking of falling off perches.
There was this long distance lorry driver who was concerned that his wife was getting lonely during his frequent trips away.
So. He thinks a pet might be a bit of company. So he goes to the pet shop and asks for suggestions from the dealer.
In the end they agree that a parrot would be good but the dealer says he's fresh out of parrots.
Then. The lorry driver notices a big cage in a back room which seems to have a parrot in it.
So. He points this out to the dealer who says yes it's a parrot and
a very good talker indeed but they can't sell him 'cos he's disabled.
the driver says he can't see anything wrong. he's sitting very nicely on his perch and chatting away beautifully.
Well. says the dealer he hides his problem very well. Actually he's got no legs.
So how does he hold on says the driver.
Well. Says the cdealer I told you he's clever. Being a gentleman parrot he's learned a clever trick. Have a look underneath.
Good Lord!!!!! says driver. Nevertheless I will take him and he delivers him to his wife who's reasonably pleased.
Anyway. A week later he comes home from a delivery and asks the parrot how things have been in his absence.
The parrot says very good, he likes it here. The only thing was that the wife brought the milk man in here.
What happened next asks driver.
They took off their clothes and lay down on the sofa.
Then what happened shouts driver
Don't know........I fell off me perch!!!!
Dec. 5, 2009
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Hi guys.
First of all, you've just about destroyed my credibility as a
miserable old fart! After reading the latest collection of postings I've
had a permanent smile. You really must stop it! (Not really).
Know what you all mean about co-ed schools and can understand fully
your private education decision, Mike, but it does somehow work
the other way around.
We were never in the financial position to even consider any
alternative to State co-ed for our four offspring, and I feel
the school was not a particularly good one. They all came out of it
with practically no qualifications. After they left however, they all
seemed to discover they had a brain. Eldest son followed father and is
now a decent press technician, much respected by customers (He
works for Maplan Machinery UK. The parent company is Austrian)
Daughter works with animals at the Blue Cross but is in her final
year of a part time uni course for her degree in animal psychology. The
two youngest, twins, both boys but not identical are both plant
mechanics for different companys, one of them attended Hartpury College
after leaving school and has a national diploma in farm mechanisation,
he is now seriously considering returning to uni, his object being to
qualify to degree level in ag engineering (Yes there is such a thing).
From this I think we can conclude that the co-ed education did not
do them much harm, but not a lot of good either. As for socialising with
the opposite gender, I really don't think it made a lot of difference.
Pubescent teenage boys are going to be randy little beggars what ever
their environment. The only difference is that in our day it was the
Convent or the Art School that we were sniffing around. I can still
understand the dilemma if you had to sit next to some particularly
attractive member of the opposite sex. Does something to the
concentration!
Can sympathise with the vets bill scenario as well, we have four
moggies. I agree with Bill that they become like children and the
expense does not really enter into the equation. In some ways they are
preferable to children as they don't answer back. On t'other hand the
kids dont jump on your back when you are walking up the garden path in
the dark!
Rambling on again!
Bi for now.
Sticky.
Dec. 6, 2009
(Edited Dec. 6, 2009)
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Morning All, I'm tempted to keep mum, but unable to help myself, "the sun's out", there that's done it raining by 10 o'clock.
Been following the debate about co-ed schools, would having girls
in the class have affected me? I don't know, I was away with the fairies
most of the time anyway, either that or asleep, but I did take a
passing interest in the top shelf of the newsagents where I did my paper
round, so couldn't have been totally unaware or disinterested. As I
remember John it was the City of Bath Girls and Convent inmates who
attracted my attention, although once I left school it was the girls who
had gone to West Twerton or the Diocesan who I gravitated towards, they
were more likely to "you know", not that it did me any good.
It's difficult to quantify just what effect school has on the
individual anyway, we all develope at different rates. I passed my
11-plus and was accepted into the Tec without an interview, once there I
regressed, didn't appear to learn a thing and ultimately couldn't wait
to leave, needless to say with very little academic qualification. It's
now in later life that I realise that I did recieve a very good
education, I may not have achieved much there, but the basics were
imprinted. Does this mean that it's the quality of the school rather
than the splitting of the sexes that's important, there were after all
very few single sex schools in Bath, and more importantly we grew up in
very different times, even from those of our children. Anyway I've fed
the cat and am off out before it rains.
Stu
Dec. 6, 2009
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Morning
I always think that it is best not to pull Christmas crackers until the big day!!!
It is a another beautiful day here with wall to wall sunshine, a
little chilly at the moment but it will soon warm up to around 22C.
I shall be doing an after dinner speech in Feb 2010 and if anybody
has any funny or topical jokes they will be most welcome. It has been a
bit quiet from Rich, I guess he is trying to sort out the problems down
the Rec' and how they are going to fill a 20000 seater stadium!!! From
1980 to approx 1995 I watched virtually every home and away game and it
is very sad to see and read what is happening to a great club. I have
many happy memories following Bath and those cup-finals. I expect it
will all come good in the end.
Must go now and enjoy the sunshine.
Cheers
Steve
Dec. 6, 2009
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Morning (just) from Timsbury,
We too have "wall to wall" sun, since about 9.00 a.m. One thing we
do not have with it is the temperature !. The little low lying yellow
blob, (that passes for sun at this Latitude), is doing it`s best though.
My dearly beloved has gone off to partake in her share of "retail
therapy" in Bristol. A commodity which women seem to require in
abundance at this time of year. Still, the V.A.T. increase will have a
motivating effect to reduce the accounts` balances. ( a proper use of
the plural possesion apostrohy, for those writers out there Ha Ha !).
As an aside, (joking or otherwise). This talk of the "other
gender" has sparked interest, (for the first time), in my other half to
take a look over my shoulder occasionally. Can we please get back to
either Parrots (paraplegic or other wise), or Christmas crackers
please?... best regards ... P.S. sun is still "a shinin`" ..... how is
it for you?
Dec. 6, 2009
(Edited Dec. 6, 2009)
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Parrotty has asked me to point out to Willum that the parrot was not paraplegic....just negatively predjudiced in the leg department.
AND Stu don't worry about me. (I've never wanted to be a burden or trouble to anyone". Anyway there's a whole profession called
" Animal Husbandry" isn't there!
The SUN cameth out here after heavy rain but now the night draws in with all it's attendant horrors.
Mrs W did look over my shoulder at all this but made no comment which was much more frightening!
Yes, what is it with the female need to spend money on all the
pointless things at christmas. She has been on to me for 2 bloody days
about travel luggage for no 1 son so he can carry his laptop
survival system. I've already said "yes" to everything she has shown me
on the internet ( often without even looking) but still she wants me to see more examples and give my opinion. I don't even know if the ungrateful fruit of my loins wants a luggage.
Bugger Xmas and all of it!
Dec. 6, 2009
(Edited Dec. 6, 2009)
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Christmas? I'm with Scrooge on that one. Having
been dragged to Bristol last saturday, I had to endure Exeter yesterday
along with a rapidly diminishing wallet, it's no good saying that I
should have sent her off on her own, she'd only get lost and the thought
of her spending whilst I'm sat at home chewing the remains of my
fingernails is just too much to bear. And as for pulling a Christmas
Cracker I've no chance, my Mrs would have my cojones (can't spell that,
nuts will have to do), if I tried.
Actually Chris I'm beginning to think that the best course of
action is to plead insanity, years of moaning about christmas has only
got me the reputation of being a miserable git, perfect psychological
profile for my job really.
Stu
Dec. 6, 2009
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Stu,
Take heart. Miserable old git, Scrooge and
Mistletoe Dodger are only three of the printable soubriquet that have
been attached to me over the Christmas Season by colleagues at school -
the ones from my nearest and dearest, verge on the "not very nice".
Last
w/e I was building an upper respiratory tract infection
(diagnosed on Monday as pneumonia). Instead of a comfy seat in front of
the box watching some pretty dismal rugby and sipping a neat Arberlour I
was dagged kicking and screaming to the new Southgate Shopping
Centre. What......????!!!!!??
We dodged gawping hoards of
our Celtic bretherin in the Abbey Yard, that damned roundabout
outside the Romans Baths, told by the oik in Waterstones Costa
that they were closing for coffee because they couldn't staff the
business and all the while my BP and temperature soared. We bought
nothing (apart from a book or two in that civilised oasis of Mr. B's)
and left having payed Bath City Council a fortunue for covering its
Charlotte Street Car Park tarmac for 2.5 hours.
What is it
about this time of year that make so many of our fellow human beings
detach themself from the realities and practicalities of human existence
and thus perpetuate this annual and bank busting ritual?
Ba and humbug,
Mike
Dec. 6, 2009
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Going back to talk of the opposite gender (and why
not?) do any of you older guys remember that newsagents shop almost
opposite the Modeller's Den where they displayed copies of Harrison
Marks Kamera magazine depicting females sans clothes? Vital parts of
their anatomy was painted out in those days leaving some boys with the
impression that human reproduction was physically impossible. Was that
where we learned the general theory of what the other
gender really looked like, prior to practical training? As I
recall, first year boys would have their noses pressed against the
Modeller's Den window while later years stood at the window of the
newsagents opposite, doing essential studies.
Dec. 7, 2009
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David,
You clearly enjoyed the benefits of a WH education.
Us
1960 types were whisked away by bus from such dens of iniquity directly
to the S&H's canteen stop. However you are absolutely right....my
anat and phys became horribly confused as a result of viewing/leering at
the contents of my cousin's s/h coppies of Spic, Span and Health &
Efficiency. What we "had" and girls, seeming did not have; made me
almost embrace the notion that the immaculate conception was a literal
probability. What impact that shift in personal Christian
doctrine would have had on my future life, goodness only knows.
Funny to think that a few airbrushed bits in pin-up mags may have led to
an increase in those appying for Catholic seminaries.
Hey ho,
Mike
Dec. 7, 2009
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It is my wyffes 41st wedding anniversary today.
She is celebrating by taking me christmas shopping.
Goody gumdrops
Wish me well if you can be bothered
Wylltte
Dec. 7, 2009
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Chris,
If it's your wife's anniversary - logic
dictates that it's yours as well - or does that not follow?
Anyway- congratulations.
You got whisked off your little trotters
early - was it med school that did it? I delayed matters until I
was 29 (any longer and I think my in-laws would have had something
serious to say)
Mike
Dec. 7, 2009
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Chris, your surname rings a bell but we were
clearly in different years at Bath Tech. Were you related to a scout in
the 52nd Bath Monksdale scout troop? I met a guy called Wiltshire there.
I think he was Michael Wiltshire, but my memory isn't what it used to
be and it was fifty years ago. Or did you have a brother or cousin at
Newbridge Junior School? I vaguely recall the name Wiltshire
from there. Or am I thinking of Harry Wiltshire, the railway
signalman at Midford station? Didn't know him but I've read about him in
railway books.
Dec. 7, 2009
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O.M.G. David,
Monksdale road, got run down outside the old Scout Hut (by the
electricity sub station, opposite the Sandpits park) when I was 8 years
old. Was playing on the Old Oak Tree next to the hut, saw a friend
in the park, ran straight across the road. Frightened the life out of
the Morris 7 cwt van driver. I was non-plussed about it all, just
bounced off the bonnet and straightened up my shorts, wen t on my way
(after a suitably long ticking off) .. ha ha
.
I used to live in Third Avenue, down the road from the Scout
Hut. If you went under the S & D railway bridge, turned
right in front of the (Clarks?) Shoe pattern and prototype factory, then
took the first left past the Moorfields Inn (Georges group public
house). I Joined scouts, "woggles & dib dib dib" were too much
for me. left the very same day. Back over the road and train
spotting for me ... very close call !!.
Please note, we are now very close to being back on Trains again ...
Dec. 7, 2009
(Edited Dec. 7, 2009)
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3.30pm Just back from the shopping. almost lost it in Debenhams but was very grown up for once and kept (mostly) Stumm.
Earned some brownie points.
Pleasant anniversary meal with Mrs W despite office parties going on around.
David, No not related to any Wiltshire's in Bath. Very local
to Keynsham since late 18thC , although some evidence that "we
originated from Bath Wiltshires".
Dec. 7, 2009
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Hi Bil
Before we get to trains again. What about the Reveille (?) and Tit-Bits? Both a sex education aid to a young teenager.
Cheers
Steve
Sun still shining, very warm.
Dec. 7, 2009
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Hello Steve,
Why do you think I went back to Train spotting near the sandpits
park? .. I was very much into "hands on" with girls there .. and two
hobbies in one place .. lovely days. It`s a wonder there aren`t more
"little Williams`s" about than there are. Ha Ha. Schhhhhh .... you
never know who`s listening on here.
Glad the sun is shining still, guess you made a good choice
Steve. I`m stuck here until Carole`s Mum dies, she won`t move away from
her. (Doris is 84 years young, still digs her
large garden, and still out-paces her 38 year old Grandson when out
walking.)
Rest of the family, (Grandaughters included) are learning Spanish.
In-laws are always going over there in the motorhome now (fluent
Spanish). Just me and the other half still on the Quayside at Dover
!! (very much non Spanish, in the lingo) We`ll see what
happens, keep a look out for "travellers" and their "Sheds on
Wheels". Play safe, lock the doors and pull down the shades! ..
See ya ...
Dec. 7, 2009
(Edited Dec. 7, 2009)
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Hi Chris with reference to your mention of the
Wiltshires in Bath, my great grandmother was a Wiltshire from Widcombe
on my Mums side so if we dug hard enough we could probably find a link.
Spent
Saturday putting up a new ariel for the TV on the gable end of the
house as the old one is getting on now and there was too much of a cable
run to get a good digital signal and did I know it on Sunday.
I
had a job to walk with all the aches and pains in the back of my legs, I
must be getting out of shape or to old to be clambering up ladders with
drills and such but its still nice to do these jobs for yourself,
anyone got any DIY disasters to tell or is it a case of get someone in
and bugger the cost?
Dec. 7, 2009
(Edited Dec. 7, 2009)
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