This page was last modified on 10 November 2009 12:00
Observations on Life - Page 6
Poor Old Gordon......10/11/09
I am the last GB supporter but the crappy Sun reveals, yet again, that the press/media rule and govern the World. His gesture to all such poor relatives is entirely praiseworthy, and customary, but such letters, however well intentioned, need to be very carefully done - it is not an insult at all, just another poor decision by our Prime Minister. A dictated, signed, typewritten letter with a written 'Dear xxx' was the route particularly if he seriously cannot see enough to write and spell.
Career Advice at 7 - Pah! 
When I was 7, I was probably thinking of my next cap pistol, one that looked like the one Roy Rogers had! (I played Cowboys and Indians until I was 26). What is this guff of thinking that 7 year olds need to know, or be told, what they want to do when they grow up.? It is ridiculous.
Let our children grow up as children and normally and let us stop these interfering, alleged experts, from imposing their daft ideas of what is right.
Padstow 22nd to 26th October
Sorry for the diatribe but for interest and information:-
Trip to Cornwall, Padstow, 22nd to 26th October ‘09
I have only included this as it is indicative of the effects, either physical or mental, of such trips with IPF. Before the trip, for some 3 to 4 weeks I had been on an ‘up’. In other words, I felt ok. In the days before the trip I started to get heavy catarrh and feeling less than ok. Was that mental or physical? I do not know.
The reason for the trip was twofold. Firstly Vicky, Ant and Elizabeth wanted a long weekend down there with a friend, and our ‘second daughter’, Lisa. They wanted us to be there too. We went on Thursday and they flew into Newquay on the Saturday and we picked them up.
The second reason is that we have been unable to get back to Portloe, our home for 9 years, because of this damned illness so the ‘two birds’ thing kicked in. What we did not expect was two of our closest friends in Portloe arranging a drinks party at 4 pm last Friday so that all our village friends could come and see us. Talk about embarrassing, it sounded like the Royal Summons!
The trip down was fine and the Metropole Hotel were so kind. A parking space reserved outside the front door and they almost carried me in let alone the bags! A lower ground room with lovely views across the bay to Roc and all the staff were so nice. I did feel very tired and certainly under par though.
Friday saw a lunch with close friends at The Kings Head at Ruan Lanihorne, close to Portloe, before the Royal Court! Again ok but, and was it apprehension , I broke out in a huge sweat and it took time to clear. Most uncomfortable and I could see poor Sheila on her nerves edge. I hate this thing for her as much as me.
The ‘do’ in Portloe was lovely and I could not believe how
many turned up in the foulest of afternoon weather. Mizzle and wind. From the toughest fishermen to the tradesmen to the ‘ordinary’ folk - some 30 odd people in all. Wonderful and I did feel good during these 2 to 3 hours. So many thanks to Pam and Clare for organising such a lovely thing for us. The funniest thing of all was reaching out to greet an old lady friend and as she entered my back brace pinged off and I caught my trousers mid thigh!! Everybody roared of laughter but it was a bit embarrassing! Sheila nearly left!!
Back to Padstow, very tired but happy.
Saturday was fine and we had a walk but I am so, so, breathless currently that I find it very difficult but we did it. Out to the airport and picked up the ‘kids’ who came in on a Dash plane in very high winds. Elizabeth said she was coming by car next time although flying is actually cheaper, which surprised me. Back to Padstow and we dropped them off at their B&B.
They popped down to hotel for a drink and we met them later at Margot's for dinner. A truly excellent tiny restaurant, a bit expensive but well worth it. Again, I kept getting hot and I wonder if I had something really; but you know what feel about the virus syndromes. We managed to walk there which was good, down hill, but we had a taxi back as I’d never had made it back up the hill.
Sunday saw Sheila and I a bit bored. Odd, you think, but we had seen most of Cornwall and did not feel like driving around aimlessly before a planned lunch, particularly as I just did not feel good. What a whinge this is but I can only tell it as it is.
Now, this is not a throwaway line, or name dropping, but I pulled myself up by the chinstraps as lunch was at old ‘Ricky Boys’. Hopelessly expensive but we used to go there for lunch, not dinner where they rush you, about 2 to 3 times a year when were in Portloe. 
As I said, hopelessly expensive, but a wonderful experience and the food is always really excellent. One of those restaurants where you come out and think, ‘cripes that was expensive but I really, really, enjoyed it’! I have been in many expensive restaurants through work where I did feel utterly rooked! Anyway, I did feel hot but it soon settled and we had wonderful lunch except that Elizabeth took a fancy to my Falmouth Shrimps starter and I only got half!
Back to the hotel and they all went crabbing in the harbour and I had a nap. Gave Sheila a bit of a break from the ‘miserable old sod’ - not really - but you know what I mean. Quiet night and we just had soup and went to bed early having decided that, with the forecast for Monday bad, we would go back a day early. And we did and pleased to get back to the lightness and airiness of this bungalow and, as Sheila said, it is difficult to move out of one’s comfort zone with this condition. We shall see.
Today, we are to pick the boys up later, Wells, Naps and Nelson, and can’t wait to see them. Feel a bit better now at home but still have this awful catarrh which makes one feel sick at times. Watching it and see Dr Tate on 18th November.
Sorry for the diatribe but I thought it may entertain and inform.
Vale all.
Elizabeth and Wellington continue to amaze me......17/10/09
From Vicky's Facebook:-
Reason for this is Vicky's posting on her Facebook for last Sunday which we had not seen. Given the innocence of it, and Elizabeth's age, it is charming really. Probabaly learnt at School or from that 'old' TV which has to be a good thing for understanding for the future:-
Quote
Vicky Graham is amazed at how much a 5 yr old understands.... Lizziebeth announced earlier to me that "Moozlins say prayers on a mat on their knees and have a different God called Alan". Brilliant! I corrected the odd little mistake but am in awe of her...........x Close Quote
Thought it worth seeing.
As for Wellington:-
A great friend in Cornwall sent us some of her Wedding Cake. Sheila opened it and we then had to do something else. Came back and it had been unwrapped and half eaten by Wellington who has always liked cakes. He is a really odd cat but we worship him, and the others! Huge character.
Thoughts on Recycling...or Recycling to Come.......12/10/09
We are all for recycling, Sheila is meticulous, but I can see the following picture becoming true soon! We are awaiting blue topped bins and instructions on where to put food slops. Before long, I can also see us being asked to load our own refuse on to 6 different trucks while the dustmen take photos in case we have to be sued.
What a game. Very soon we will not be able to get into the kitchen.
(by the way, we do have a white kitchen with oak wood but not like this one!)
We Should Salute them........09/10/09
No comment needed:-
Competition for Blair.......10/09
I hear that old Tone is charging £420 to attend his lecture at the Conference. This includes £180 for a photograph with him, which can be deducted from the £420 if you choose not too.
This is an uncommercial site but I will do photos with you for £50 a throw and I am much more interesting than Mr Blair. For example, I show a photo below taken by my 'Children' and Granddaughter last Christmas. How could you refuse, and I will throw in a lecture too - 35 minutes of utmost hilarity at Daughter's wedding! I also show the handsome side of me for the ego........
oooOOOooo
Winny would turn in his grave.................22/09/09
My second name is Winston. Why? Because I was born in 1941 and that irascible, but wonderful, man saved this country as a real politician who you may have loved or hated but who demanded respect from all, whatever their Party - and got it. Rich, yes, but dedicated!
Today, I witnessed 'Mandy' and that very odd chap Ben Bradshaw doing a PR thing with Leona Lewis. Frankly, I felt sick. Apart from looking typically and tragically odd, thin and gaunt, they looked so ill at ease and hugely unimpressive.
The point of this post is to say that Churchill, Clement Atlee, Eden, McMillan, and Hugh Gaitskill would have been sick on the spot.
We've seriously lost it if these are the type of people to run our wonderful Country. I'll get nagged again for being 'angry' and 'old' but I cringe daily now apart from the few very few good politicians that we still have.
As a rider, I see that, today, there are rumours that Mandelson would even change sides to become PM if necessary. In that event, I will finally go Communist!
ODI's - 1-6 ODI's - eh!?..............21/09/09
Not going to dwell on it but please refer to my Ashes summing up down the page. A shocking series by England this and I still believe they would have lost the Ashes if Brett Lee had been fit.
Fire!..........14/09/09
Absolute stress here, something I try to avoid. Switched on my all singing, all dancing PC this morning and sat like a wally as acrid smoke swirled around me from the tower under the desk. Waking up, I madly switched off. Tried it once again and immediately switched off.
We have had sausages for years, and ham for that matter, with very little bad effects. It was butter and cheese and eggs and so on and so on not long ago before all changed and they then recommended them. So watch in two years time when you are instructed to eat sausages and ham at every meal..............
It is baloney!
Final Test.....comment 17/08/09
Will it be "the thin red line" or "the rabbit in the headlights"? I am in trepidation of the Oval on Thursday. I hope Freddie plays but he is a wreck really and has not scored any sort of consistent runs for ages now. I just do not see in the England team that spark of defiance that one sees with the Aussies. William Hill have 4/1 on an England win and 11/8 on an Australia win. Bookies rarely get it wrong.
Nonetheless, I shall be there playing every ball! Good luck boys.
By the way, loved Jessica Ennis's and Phillips Idowu's efforts - superb. Time we had a few athletes back!
NHS comments 14/08/09
This was to a pal on the Pulmonary Fibrosis Group site who was amazed at the comments about the NHS and the USA yesterday and today.
Totally agree with you. I could almost say I am your old 'rank Tory' but I think they are all basically the same these days. This chap Hannan is a renegade who can very often be entirely to the point but I totally disagree with him on this subject. For me, and us, the NHS has been superb, only the ward let it down. The USA position is governed by Insurance Companies protecting their interests so life comes back to the old God, money, yet again.
At least Cameron did get it right with his comments and, oddly, 'Two Jags Prescott' too. If you read my medical and home page, I think it shows how I feel about the NHS and I have private insurance I have not used! I am posting this on my site - Life Obs 6.
Battle Proms - Borde Hill - 08/08/09
Very tired but happy today. Party of 20 of us, family and friends, went to the Battle Proms at Borde Hill yesterday afternoon and evening. Wonderful music and singing and no maelstrom this year - hooray. You do have to walk a fair way to get to our tent but they all looked after me and the red wine flowed copiously.
Highlights for me, 1812 overture with all the real cannons booming, the singing at the end, inevitable, but most of all the Grace Spitfire which could not perform last year. Stirring stuff and very emotional for everyone who loves this terrific Country. So for the boys but piloted by a lady, Carolyn Grace!! :-
Full congratulations to the Event Team. It is superbly done and hugely entertaining from the Ochestra and Music to the Singers and to the various Spectacles and Fireworks put on. Well done.
Consultation morning tomorrow at Chichester...............
By the way, the cricket is an outright disgrace!!
Cricket Memories on a disastrous morning for England at Headingley ........07/08/09
72-6 at lunch as I write England - ugghhhhh!
I just wanted to recall how lucky, and totally privileged, was I to be invited to Headingley for a test in the 70's or 80's. I went to many more, of course. Age has dimmed my recollection of the actual date, and for my hosts, British Fuels - Arthur Hatfield and Phil Sharpe, the ex England opener, to invite me to lunch with the England Selectors in the Pavillion, including Sir Alec Bedser, was nothing short of utopia for me. His twin brother Eric was on the table too and Alan Smith of Warwick who became Chairman of the TCCB in due course. 
I wore my Surrey tie which 'endeared' me to Alec and Eric and my brother had been so nearly a Surrey player but just did not quite make it. I think I was a little overawed but Phil Sharpe, who I played against in a couple of Company matches later, and sledged me, as an opener, mercilessly from slip, made it a wonderful experience for me. I love my cricket and can never forget that. I never dreamed of such an experience.
(Nor the time Sheila and I came down in the lift of the Dragonora Hotel, Leeds, one morning with Sir Ian Botham, David Gower and Derek Randall. They were in Leeds for a Test Match but not the one above I think. All were 'yobbos' at the time but heroes, nonetheless to me!).
Harry Patch 06/08/09 - his funeral
Dangerous ground again but this man knew what true horror was all about. His descriptions of the hell that was 1914-1918, fought so that we could live freely and without dictatorship, as was the 2nd World War, all lead me to suggest that we recreate the trench hell in some way. We create artillery stonks and snipers and the "over the top" orders and instead of useless ASBO's or suspended sentences we send the b----y idiots who take over our streets on Friday and Saturday to experience what real men had to experience! They did not need 7 pints of lager or cannabis or drugs - they had no damned choice and put this small minority of total idiots to complete shame. If anyone has seen the BBC crime programme centered on Oxford over the last 3 weeks then they would despair.
Bring back Atilla the Hun policies before it is too late!
Yes, I know I am daft but there is an element of truth here which needs to be considered.....please. It is your World now, not mine........
Pray excuse the mild expletives
The "Half Moon" at Kirdford, W Sussex...........04/08/09
Bored with this chronic Summer, we ventured out for a short drive and found one of those pure gems just West of Wisborough Green. I will write more on this one as I am constantly disappointed by pubs and restaurants but this is a huge find....
Watch this space...................................
Battle Proms 2009 - a preamble
Praying for better weather next Saturday 8th August - see bottom of Life Obs 3 for last year's debacle..........