June so far

To Oldham to visit my sister and brother in law for a trip to see Ken Dodd aged 88 at the Colosseum , Oldham. The show lasted from 8 o'clock and ended at midnight! He occasionally lost his place but for a man of his years it was an impressive performance and whilst I'd heard most of the jokes beforehand  he was very funny and well worth the 25 quid. " I went to the Doctor's and he asked me if when I passed water did it burn. I said -I don't know I've never tried to set light to it"  Quality!.

Tickling sticks ready

As well as Tom and
Moira we were in company with Martin and Valerie, Tom's daughter. Martin kindly drove so it was a real treat. They also joined us for dinner the following evening (roast lamb. yum yum) and a very pleasant evening it was with Tom in fine form having embarked on a project with a local writer to write his autobiography and recalling times he needed to include-and some best omitted!

My journey up to Oldham included a stop overnight at Bakewell  at  the excellent "One Castle Street"  http://www.onecastlestreet.co.uk/

and a tour of the Bakewell social and cultural centres of excellence; eating in one and a quiz in the last.

I came back from Lancs in one hit but by the pretty route as I had all day. I stopped at the Farm shop at the bottom of Wilton Locks for eggs and some pork hock which was very cheap and very very nice, I also stopped at Stoke Bruerne where someone needs to do a bit of trimming on the Museum sign.

To Woburn for a wander round the grounds blessed by a dry and sunny day-a rarity at the moment-and enhanced by a Pam- made picnic. The gardens are beautiful and presented  Pam with numerous tai chi opportunities. Our first encounter on the way in was with this lovely fawn who looked a little lost

The grounds really are worth a visit at the moment plus there is a small exhibition about "Pere David's Deer" a Chinese breed that were virtually extinct until discovered  (along with many other species) by Pere Armand David, naturalist and missionary. Woburn has played a major part in ensuring the breed survived and grew.

http://blog.nature.org/science/2013/09/23/pere-davids-deer/

The species is sometimes known by its informal name sibuxiang (Chinese: 四不像; pinyin: sì bú xiàng; Japanese: shifuzō), literally meaning "four not alike", which could mean "the four unlikes" or "like none of the four"; it is variously said that the four are cow, deer, donkey, horse (or) camel, and that the expression means in detail:

• "the hooves of a cow but not a cow, the neck of a camel but not a camel, antlers of a deer but not a deer, the tail of a donkey but not a donkey."
• "the nose of a cow but not a cow, the antlers of a deer but not a deer, the body of a donkey but not a donkey, tail of a horse but not a horse"
• "the tail of a donkey, the head of a horse, the hoofs of a cow, the antlers of a deer"
• "the neck of a camel, the hoofs of a cow, the tail of a donkey, the antlers of a deer"
• "the antlers of a deer, the head of a horse and the body of a cow"
• 
  

There. I'm glad to have cleared that up.

There is also a very fine set of sculptures representing various gymnastic poses presenting Pam with a chance to demonstrate her Tai Chi..............................................................and me with a handy hook for my walking stick. hee hee

On the way back we stopped at the Chequers pub in Eaton Bray and were fortunate to catch the jazz by the excellently names Rockin Chairs in the garden.
Good pub. Good music. A grand day out.

Talking of pub gardens this is the latest idea at the Cowroast Inn. I think the idea has merit as camping facilities are hard to find in the Chilterns and could boost trade at the pub.Unless it's the other kind of camping of course.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Talking of gardens I'm very pleased with my efforts on the moorings this year.

The flags are in recognition of HMQ's birthday and the start of the Euros football tournament. They are nothing to do with the referendum.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I know many people can't stand football but I really enjoy the big tournaments especially the self-flagellation that goes with supporting England and they are as frustrating as ever. However we are through to the last 16 and play Iceland next Monday.
The press and many supporters are already castigating Roy Hodgson because of finishing second in the group but I figure RH knows what he's doing and deserves a bit more support and respect for what he's done so far. Plus of course he did manage Fulham very successfully and can do no wrong. Coincidentally Coleman he Welsh Manager also managed and played for Fulham so my humble little club is well represented.
AND REMEMBER when we won the World Cup 50 years ago there was a Fulham man in the side, the great George Cohen-no Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham plus a smattering of West Ham.
Enough about football.

The Euros have rather overshadowed magnificent performance by both the Rugby and Cricket teams with the chance this weekend to whitewash the Aussies in the former. In Australia! Unheard of. Fabulous effort chaps.

Midsummers Day and we have a new Lido at Cowroast

Today is the Referendum. The weather is foul as it has been all week but the polling stations seem busy. Whatever the result at least this exercise has got the buggers out to vote. Being a Remainer I am hoping the young voters will swing it but I'm not over confident. 
Given that if we do vote exit it would take 5 to 10 years to extricate ourselves from the E U so it won't affect me but I fear for the future generations as I am sure a vote to come out will move politics further to the right. Then you will have cause to complain about your lack of rights.

I think Golly at the Lock Bungalow is for remaining

Talking of exiting do you know what they give you for breakfast at the Dignitas clinic?

Bloomin Cheerios.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 


The Griffin entertains

I went for a float last week-me on Independence, Roy on Panther and Mac and Carrie on the Griffin. Just up to Bulbourne in the sun for dinner on board followed by a quiz in the Grand Junction.We came                                                                                                        third which would be good except there were only 4 teams.  

The Griffin entertains

                                                                                  Watch out Roy. You're being chased by a Mobility scooter mugger

The journey back on the following day was very wet-torrential in fact. That was the least of my worries however in that after lunch at Bulbourne I discovered I had an uninvited guest. I caught sight of the bugger scampering behind the kitchen cabinets and try as I might couldn't get at it. A sleepless night that night I can tell you. I wasn't sure with my failing eyesight if it was a shrew or a young rat. Or indeed whether it was on its own. 

The following night (after unsuccessful attempts all day to catch it) I set traps and slept at Pam's.

The following morning I'd got him and after taking this picture released it into the wild.It's not a great photo but it is a shrew and no more have been seen. (fingers crossed)

 ------------------------------------------------------------------

I'm deficient.
Well, you all knew that but after various blood tests I am apparently wanting in the vitamin B12 department which we should be able to put right by upping my intake of red meat liver and oily fish plus a supplement. Trouble is my gout specialist says I should minimise my intake of red meat, liver and oily fish. One of the symptoms of B12 deficiency is being confused and indecisive, So on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays I shall follow the B12 diet and on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays I shall look after my gout. On Sundays I'll treat them both. Hmmmm. Or shall i make that Sundays, Tuesday and Thursdays .....I'm confused.

Anyway tonight I'm having Liver and bacon with broad beans. My next broad beans will be from my smallholding. (that's another side effect as well)

By the time you've deleted this you'll probably know whether we're in or out (of the EU not the Euros )
So for now it's
adios, arriverderci, auf Wiedersen, au revoir, ate logo, antio, do widenzia, la reverdere, vaar well

Cheers .