Scooter Event Heaton Park 2007

19 August 2007

Well we had planned the scooter event for some months we had a venue, we had the riders, and we felt that we would make some money as well's publicise our organisation.

I had acquired my own scooter back, charged the battery and was ready for the day, unfortunately on the day it had already started raining as I set out, when I arrived at the Park, the other participants were already there, apart from the two who sadly could not make it on the day, despite this we set off with waterproof capes on along the course.

The course that we took was over areas that I had not previously seen in the park, as usual Brian was there to supervise, provide food and drink, and to chat to in the course of the adventure, as well as to take interesting photos of the event and the surrounding countryside.

At times the weather seemed to improve slightly, and the rain stopped, but then would swiftly continue again, despite that we all seem to be in quite a positive mood as we continued our journey round the park.

Although I was sat down for the duration of the course my legs still ached as did my bottom, so for the next few days yet again I was totally exhausted and even worse I had no sponsors so had raised no money, but least had taken some photos and supported the rest of the participants, my feeling after the event is that we should return yet again next year hopefully with more people in better weather.

Sadly Daves' Deterioration

28 August 2007

Sadly over the last few months, my friend Dave's health has deteriorated, and I have seen a bright intelligent man get worse and worse, that much so, but now just lies in bed unable to speak, eat, or drink and my feeling is that soon he will no longer be with us.

I have to say, but I found it very difficult, to cope with this change, in particular I felt hopeless, because there was nothing I could do to help him along this path, at the same time I have seen my friend Anne spend eight hours a day with him, reassuring him, as well as comforting him, through this period, as he has got worse.

Unfortunately, in the not too distant future, we will be sorting out his affairs, as well as those of his friend, who also died recently, which is a reminder to me that I need to do some forward planning to avoid the same problems if anything happens to me.

Trip To Isle of Man

29 July 2007

Well hello again readers, sorry about the delay, but here we go, the trip to the Isle of Man bye Jeff and Geoff.

We had been planning this trip for some time, on the day it was a bright sunny day, the trip up to Heysham was no problem and it was interesting to watch the way HGV trailers were loaded on the ship by little portable tractors, also how many vehicles were actually loaded onto the ship.

On the trip over we were both tired so we spent most of it fast asleep in the lounge, not realising how much we would need that rest over the next few days, eventually we arrived at Douglas and drove over to see Rod and Lyn at their home, from where they took us to view the place we were going to stay for the next few days.

They then took us for a meal out, on the way back to our accommodation, Geoff explained that many years ago, he had wanted to put a property in the area and believe it or not it was the site that the property we stayed in was on, very strange.The house was very pleasant with everything we needed, including separate bathrooms for each of us.

The following morning we returned to Newby to have a look at the task, which originally was to remove the asbestos soffits, and replace with UPVC, Rod explained that there was woodworm in some of the timbers and also the felt needed replacing as well as the lats, we now realised that the task was going to be much bigger than we first thought, it was a beautiful morning, so undeterred we sorted out what we needed from the builders merchants and set off.

I was already thinking what a lovely place the area was, and that this would be a nice easy pleasant task as we drove for materials, at the builders yard, it started to go wrong, because most of the materials were not in stock and now it was agreed we would re roof the whole of the garage, which is obviously going to take a lot longer.

Having looked at how much I have already written I have decided to cut short on a lot of the detail about what followed, I have to say that the meals that Lynn provided were great, despite her health problems, the setting we were in was beautiful the company was good, other than that though, it was a downhill path all the way.

Nobody told me, about the rain, nor about the wind, both of which we have problems with for the duration of the task, and how much it would affect our ability to carry out the task, nor did they tell me about the attitude of the local builders merchants, who were into mañana every time we went to them, nor did anybody tell me about Rod's need to keep tidying up all the time, in particular just after I had left stuff that we needed out for the next part of the task.

Sadly we never got to see the island nor go for a boat trip, nor did we manage to have any relaxing time apart from at mealtimes, although we have been promised this for the next trip.

The one thing that did happen in the course of the exercise, was that my arms ached, my legs ached, and had bruises in places I do not wish to repeat the whereabouts of.

Generally we achieved the task, with minor cosmetic stuff to be done by Rod after we had left, having said that on the Monday we worked until 4 p.m. then drove down to Douglas, again slept on the boat to arrive totally exhausted home at 1:30 a.m. the following morning, it took me nearly 2 weeks to recover from this, which is interesting because normally my ME would have kicked in and that would have been me for a month or two.

Well Geoff and I hope that some time we will get back there and truly see this beautiful island at our leisure, maybe next year.

Sorry About The Delay

28 August 2007

Well hello readers, sorry about the delay in putting the next post on, but a series of things have delayed this, so thanks very much for your patience and interest.

These have included a trip to the Isle of Man, details of which to follow, another bout of Man Flu, a deterioration in the health of my friend Dave, an accidental overdose of medication, Gay Pride in Manchester and a poorly computer.

Steam Trains & The Isle of Man

What does the title mean you think, well the obvious, last week it was time for another expedition, unfortunatly Andy the third musketeer could not come out to play, so it was down to Brian & I to go out & find these exciting photos of steam trains.

So off to the station we went prepared for all these opportunities to use our cameras, but there they were, the anoraks & geeks they had got there first, I felt quite intimidated with my small compact camera, when they had sophisticated SLR ones, which they were using.

The next shock was no steam engine, just some old diesel to pull the train, but undeterred we boarded the train, reminicing about previous adventures we had had in the past when on train journeys.

We talked about the carriages, the different types we had sat in in our youth, the windows with their leather straps, which sadly ours did not have, then off we set to our destination.

Some 30 minutes later we finally reached the end of the line & off we went to seek out more adventures, in the village of Rawtenstall, we had a full hour to explore before we had to reurn for the train back.

Guess what the place had closed up, nowhere was open apart from the local Tesco & Asda, I dont know where the people came from to keep them in business, we walked up the main street, then back down, that was it apart from the ducks on the river.

Back to the staion to find we had just missed the train so, in to Tesco for supplies & a drink, before returning to the station & guess what, our train had a steam engine, so into photo mode we went, at last we had rejoined the anoraks & geeks.

Onto the train still no straps on the windows, but Brian happily explained how much he used to enjoy smell of the smoke, I felt it was a little smelly & dirty. We noticed that all the staff had brew cans which took me back to the 1960s, we discussed whether these were new reproductions or old ones unearthed from the past, I went on to say I could not understand why they bothered when there were thermos flasks & mircowave cookers, but if it made them happy so what.

We travelled back to Bury then took more photos in case the others did not work, then spotted a fdriend of ours who was a volunteer, we asked him about the leather straps only to be told that they had no stock with them, also that these had never been in the north of England. Quickly we as old Toggs informed him that he was qite wrong that we as youngsters vividly remembered these on the carriages from our youth in the late 50s & 60s so there, so much for technical knowledge.

That sadly was the end of the trip, I will report back on any other adventures as and when they occur, have you noticed that familiar stalker on my photos again, where does he come from.

Just to say after this weekend that I will be in the Isle of Man for a week with my DIY friend visting other, they will be doing tasks on the house there whilst I will take on role of foreman for the week, plus I have been promised that they will show me the sights which I have been waiting to see since my brief trip of 2 hours back in th 1980s, so will tell you of these adventures on my return

Divorce Absolute

Good evening readers, today I recieved the decree absolute, thats the end of my marriage, stating the obvious I am now divorced.




Friends had said I would have all sorts of different emotions but I felt nothing, not sure what that says about me or the marriage, or maybe its yet to hit me.


In the same post this morning I got another letter from the solicitor about the former home, sadly it looks like it is going to run & run, so I am going to have to stay in my flat for the forseeable future,







The short term good news is that the school holidays started today so there will be peace and quiet for the next six weeks, sorry for those that dont know I live opposite a local primary school, and between all the MPVs & 4 wheel drives it gets hectic & noisy outside from 7.30am to 6.30pm monday to friday, thank goodness for weekends, sorry then the pub lot park outside.



Anyway less of this moaning, I am now getting daily e mail from my Grand children courtesy of Bebo, also I have aquired new friends from that site and am learning rapidly about using the chat facility with Skype & Yahoo, the biggest problem is all this typing.

I am not using my brilliant new voice recognition because at present I am still full of my throat infection & am worried in case it thinks my present voice is the norm.

Sadly this week I went to a funeral there were only 2 of us there, what a sad time it was, having said that the undertaker said it was better than the ones where there are stand up fights between warring factions of families.

My friend is still very ill in hospital and we are unsure about what is going to happen to him, we were saying today about how people percieve others & would people think how kind he is & how many people he has helped over the years.

If all goes well Brian Andy & I are going taking photos at the local steam staions of the locomotives, if we get any good ones I will post a few on the blog.

Soon it will be time for the scooter event, lets hope the weather improves, also I seem to now be aquiring acts for the concert, the lovely AMO is going to sing for us and if her voice is as nice as her personality we have a winner, plus she has given me a contact for some dancers, who hopefully will work for free. Another kind person has sort of offerred to do a piano recital for the event & will see if he can find some more acts, so now all I need to do is set the date, which I will hopefully sort out soon


This Photo is of one of the beautiful churches now been demolished for a new super shopping complex, what a shame






Well going back to try some more chat on the net now, please keep reading

What Do they Mean Man Flu

14 July 2007

You may be wondering what on earth I mean by the title, well its like this, I came down with a terrible virus, which gave me a truly terrible chesty cough, then my throat started off & it was painful to speak, so rang GP to be told by practice nurse waste of time seeing GP take lots of water & painkillers & eventually it would abate. She did not know I already drink lots of water then spend a fair bit of the day getting rid of it at the toilet.

Spoke to kind caring people about my illness including work, even they sympathised then I got this comment well its only "Man Flu" do these women not realise us men are delicate creatures who struggle to cope with illness because normally we just plod on & put up with what life throws us.

Well on a more serious note my friend Dave has been poorly now for some time & was readmitted to hospital very ill, strangly enough his friend who he looks after was in same hospital, well Dave could not answer questions which posed a problem when his fried suddenly died, we found the friends will, but there were strange complications because Dave was the executer of the will, but eventually we sorted eveything out for the funeral, sadly we felt it best not to tell Dave any of this, even if he could understand.

We tried to find the code for his safe & the keys, its suprising what we did find but still no keys so next week will get locksmith to open safe, see whats inside, hope its worth the bother.

Due to sorting all this stuff out just when I wanted to print out letters my printer went silly, despite all efforts it seems to of had it so today went & bought new photo printer, it is very clever, one day will understand what all the bits do.

Sadly because been ill no chance to obtain MP3 player so will be another new toy next week, I forgot to say my DVD recorder started playing up the other day as well so that has gone to hospital for repair, already missing it & freeview, plus video has problem but supplier has no replacements to offer me at present, it appears nobody is buying videos any more, so I have to hang on until they get more stock in.

I dont know what has happened but someone from Sweden has been looking at my blog, sadly they have not posted a comment on it, also since the party more of you appear to be having a look at it, thank you it encourages me to continue, was going to put new post re Black Puddings but photos not good so will have to go back & get some more, if you readers would supply more it would make my task easier & better for others to look at.

If there are any ME people out there or clever people, please tell me why I keep misspelling words when I know how to, have been trying to use voice recognition which was better than my spelling but at present is to painful due to throat infection.

Life Now I Am 60

Well folks slowly I am coming to terms with my new status, last week went to get my bus pass, sadly even got that wrong, remembered everything but proof of where I live, so another trip this week.

Tried to help friend out with shifting furniture, was okay till back set off, was fit for nothing for 2 days, so had to abandon all activity.

On the positive side, have been invited out twice this week, went to see Kath & Harry who I have known for for ever the other day, when we caught up with the last 40 years in an afternoon.

On sunday going to see Pauline & Billy for dinner, to show photos & have a chat about the party, Michelle who I have not seen for over 20 years will also be there, not sure if I will recognise her, again a sign of getting old.

Went for a meal out with Zorro today, tried to remember musical based on Shanglia took nearly 2 hours to remember it was Lost Horizon, neither of us could remember the hit song from Chorus Line that wasent "what I did for love" still cannot now, could go & look at LP( thats a big round vinyl thing for you young ones) but will get distracted & start other tasks.

Finally I have gone mad & ordered a brand new MP3 player so will see what exciting things I can do with it, when it arrives, so long as I do not loose it, or mislay it.

My computer will soon be upgraded with more memory so will then work quicker, shame the same does not work for me.

By the way all you readers what has happenned to the photos for my fast food blog, it seems to of gone very quiet.

Regarding the ME group, slowly getting to know the people there, have found some really nice people on the message board, the thing I have been most impressed at is how some people find the strenth to put up with the all that life seems to keep throwing at them, whilst still supporting others.

My loyalalties are being split at present my grand daughter signed me up to BEBO & the family keep sending me e mail which is lovely but for the fact often it is in text speak that I do not understand, also it means I have to go into this daily to read & reply, plus what an alien world they all live in, another sign of old age I suppose

What Happens Next

Hello readers, I am really pleased that some more people have finally had a look at my blog & I hope that they will continue coming back, so will have to work hard to keep this up.

Please provide suggestions that will encourage this to happen, if you have not seen the photos of the party please go to http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffreyb3/

Well on another site somebody said well what will he be doing for his 61st, well the answer is long before that the next event is a sponsored scooter event in August, followed by another concert to raise money for Shopmobility some time later in the year or early next year.

Before that I am off to look at the Isle of Man at long last for a weeks holiday, I am hoping the weather is going to be good & that I will get some good photos to show you all.

As far as I can make out we managed to raise £320 to help pay for education of children in Zambia, thanks to you all.

Apart from the big event, work did a special suprise event for me first thing Monday morning, then we went out for a meal out last night.

The Partys Over

At long last the secrets out I came as Merlin from the musical Camelot, who also featured in Shrek 2 & 3, I have to say nobody guessed it, you can now see whether the costume really was worth the effort, I think it shows me in another light.

Good morning all you readers, my 60th party finally took place last night, most of the friends I was expecting came, but sadly there were a number of people who could not come.

These included Laura who was so excited that she started with contractions, and was told to rest, Kath and Harry where health was a problem, as it was for Andy and Sue, you were all sadly missed.

It was great to see all the people that came, some I have known for over 40 years whereas others I have only known for a few short months, I feel that most of the people enjoyed the event, and it was great to see how much effort some had gone to in regard to their costume, although after all I had said I was disappointed that Tony did not come as the policeman from Allo Allo.

I have to say a special thank you to my son and his family, Brian and Tony, the staff at Smithills, and Wally, Amo and Tanya for providing the music and encouraging the entertainment of those that were brave enough to go on the dancefloor.

When I originally thought of this party I decided I was only going to invite nice people who are special to me, from the way the party went and the kindness of all the people I feel I achieved the objective, so thank you all again.

For those who read this but do not know, I had asked that people donate money to provide education for children in Zambia rather than give me presents, I do not know the final total, but with the cheques I have at present, it should pay for education of three children for at least a year.

I will try to give you all an update on how the money is spent when I am informed as well as how much was actually raised.

I have already transferred the video to my DVD recorder so if anybody wants a copy I will happily send one, I am trying to sort out the photographs and any of you who've taken photos at the event who are happy to send me theirs, I will happily put a selection on Flickr for the rest to see.

I am absolutely shattered but my son and family, will be arriving shortly so I will now sign off.