A Busy few days

It has been a while since my last blog and a lot has happened.

It all started about two weeks ago, when I started to feel tired and exhausted with a headache I couldn't shift. This resulted with me going to the Doc's and an appointment made to have blood taken. I couldn't have blood taken on the day I saw the Doctor, as I had to fast for 12 hours. (That nearly killed me!) Anyway, bloods were taken on the Monday and another appointment made to see the Doctor again on the 29th. (Should be interesting.)

Last Sunday, (17th), I went for a stroll and to get some fresh air. Near my house is a cycle track called 'Ebury Way'. This track goes from Rickmansworth to Watford and goes past Lakes, Croxley Common Moor, Lairage Land and Local Nature Reserves. From the 'Ebury Way' you can see a pillbox in a field that has stood there since the 1940's. As a kid it was always a great place to hang out and explore. In all the years that I had visited it since, I had never taken any photo's of it, so this time I did. On returning home, I decided to find out more about the pillbox.

Imagine my surprise when I discovered a site that dealt specifically with pillboxes, and was part of the 'Archaeological Data Service'. How accurate would that be?! Not very, actually.

The pillbox near my house, (Pillbox Type FW3/27: S0000558) had supposedly been removed, in 1995. Oops. Slight error in the data, I believe. So, I sent an email explaining their mistake and could they rectify it asap, please?! (Still, no reply!)

I have since decided it might be worth me visiting as many of the pillbox sites in my area, to get as many pictures as I can, and also to check them against the'Archaeological Data Service' database, to see if any other, still standing, pillboxes have been removed.

Monday night, (18th), started with a trip to the 'Horns' pub, to see a couple of bands.

'Seize the Chair' & 'Smugglers Run'. 'Seize the Chair' are a new band, and had only been together for a couple of months, but were tight and had a good stage presence. 'Smugglers Run' have been around for a while, and did not disappoint. Fantastic Music and the fans were kept happy. Will definitely be seeing them again and would urge anyone, who likes up-and-coming bands, to see them. 

For the rest of the week I was working at St. Albans City Hospital, covering for a colleague while they were on holiday. I hadn't worked at St. Albans City Hospital in nearly a year, and it was good to see so many old faces. (And some new ones.) Unbelievably, some people had even missed me! Anyway, it took a few days to sort out a few problems with stock shortages, replacement items and alternatives, but I managed it. I hope I will be going back there again soon, as it is a nice place to work, and it is one of the few places, that I know, where everyone is genuine and pleased to see you. From cleaners to nurses and porters to management and everyone in-between, everyone says, 'Hello.' 

I will blog again soon, and hopefully won't leave it as long.

Until then,

May it be well with you.

New Year, 2009

Well the New Year is here.

A busy day at work was followed by a quick trip to 'The Oddfellows' for a drink, before heading home. Alysha was packing some clothes as she was having a sleepover at her friend, Nicole's. She left at around 5:30 and I chilled out until Emma got in. After Emma had got changed we went to 'The Oddfellows' to see friends and have a quick drink. The pub wasn't too busy and Steph, her sister and mum were doing a Disco. We saw lots of friends, and wished them all a Happy New Year, before heading home. Got back just after 11:30 and watched the Fireworks in London on BBC1. Then I watched the last episode of 'Breaking Bad' before going to bed. Emma was up early as she is working all day today.

I got up at around 10 and decided to go for a walk down 'Ebury Way'. I didn't get far as it was freezing, so I turned off and went to the shop before going home to have a lovely cup of coffee and warm up. Alysha came back just after 1:00, with Nicole. The girls played on the PC and practised a dance routine. Nicole's mum arrived to pick up Nicole at 5:30 and now Alysha and me are just chillaxin'.

Happy New Year everyone and may it be well with you.

Back to Work

After the Christmas festivities, I wasn't much looking forward to going back to work, today. Pretty much as soon as I got there I wanted to be anywhere else. We were three people down, due to Annual Leave and covering other Hospital sites, so it was busy. Three hours just to get A+E back to as it should be, after the Holiday weekend, then it was off to the other departments. Stock to be put-away and then counted. 16:30 seemed a long time coming. I stopped for a coffee just after noon and met up with Swany. He has most of this week off, and isn't due back to work until Friday. I finish on Thursday so I will be celebrating the New Year.

Once I did manage to get home I decided to play around with my website. I hope you like the changes. I think it looks a lot neater and brighter.

Anyway, things to do, so I shall speak with you all later.

May it be well with you.

Boxing Day Weekend, 2009

Well... Boxing Day was Fantastic!

Just a few friends coming in and out throughout the day. Music playing and beer flowing, and enough food to feed an army.

Steve B had been with us since Christmas Day night and was staying Boxing Day night, too. Tracy and the kids arrived about 2, but had to go to their friends for dinner, later in the evening. (The kids didn't want to leave the party, naturally.)

Len turned up about 4 and stayed until very late. (Party didn't finish til nearly 3 am.)

Swany and Pete got there about 7ish, shortly followed by Ducey, Deano and Sarah.

That is when the party really started. Then a call from Tracy saying that the kids wanted to come back, and would it be okay for her friend Diane to come with her kids. The answer was, yes. (More the merrier, as far as I am concerned.)

Lots of people enjoying a great Boxing Day. Fantastic!

The usual chaos ensued when it was decided it would be a good idea to try and make some Chinese style lanterns using tea-lights and a space blanket. Talk about competitive. None of them flew, (Most ended up in flames) but it was fun.

To say my friends are tidy is an understatement. Just a few crumbs to clear up next morning. Cans and bottles were automatically put into their respective recycling boxes by everyone, so Sunday morning (12 noon when we all surfaced) there was very little to be done.

The day was spent just Chillaxin' on the sofa or the PC. Steve B headed off about 4ish and we just chilled watching rubbish on the TV, and an early night.

I hope everyone else's Christmas Holiday was as good as ours.

Christmas, 2009

Well what a great few days.

I finished work at 3 on Christmas Eve and was met by Emma and Alysha. We headed straight to The Oddfellows to see some friends, and a few beers. The place was crammed and we got to see lots of friends, and have a Christmas drink (or five) before heading home.

Christmas morning was the usual: Me awake at 6 and Alysha up by 7:30. Emma was up at 8 and then it was coffee and presents. To say I got exactly what I wanted was an understatement. Lots of Star Trek goodies, Chocolate, three bottles of Whiskey, tops, etc. Alysha got everything she had asked for, plus a lot more, and Emma was happy too.

At 10 we headed off to my nan's house to see my Mum, Nan, Grandad and uncle Martin.

Lots of sausage rolls were eatenm as per usual, and more presents given and received.

Even more Star Trek goodies and an Iron Maiden t-shirt. Fanatstic!

Then it was home for the dinner. This year we had decided on Steak, and I had the biggest Irish Beef Steak I had ever seen. It was cooked to perfection by Emma, who scared it with the pan. This was served with onions and mushrooms and Tiger Bread. The girls had Bucks Fizz with their dinner while I had Guinness.

After dinner Alysha played her new games on her DS and Emma and I chilled out.

Alysha decided to head off to my Mum's for tea at 5ish and Emma and I watched the usual rubbish on the TV. Then our friend Len turned up at 7:30 for a drink and stayed for a couple of hours, and then our friend Steve B arrived. Steve had been to see his family and was going to have trouble getting home, due to lack of Public transport, so we had said that he could stay in the spare room.

And that brings us to today (Boxing Day). We are all up, (Although Alysha hasn't really surfaced yet) and drinking coffee. We are expecting a few more friends around today, for the usual open house party. Food, beer and good friends.

Enjoy the rest of your Christmas everyone.

What a Month

It has been a long time since my last blog, and a lot has happened.

We had a Spanish exchange student from Zaragosa, called Maria, come and stay with us for a week. She arrived on Wednesday 4th and stayed until the following Thursday (12th). She was shy but came out of her shell just before she flew home. I learnt a few Spanish phrases, but Maria was adamant about practicing her English. The two girls got on great and went Dancing, Bowling and to the Fireworks together. They also went to London to Hyde Park and to The Natural History Museum. It was odd when she left, as the house seemed emptier without her there. However, watching films like 'Overboard' in Spanish is very strange and I am glad that we don't have to do that any more.

Then last week I had a few friends over a couple of nights. Dean and Sarah felt a lot worse for wear on Saturday morning. (For young people they have no stamina.)

And then yesterday, we got a new addition to our family: Gerry the Cat.

He was in need of a good home so we took him in. He is sandy/ginger coloured and is getting use to the house and our other cat, Tilly.

So now we have two cats, about thirty fish and a frog that comes to visit the garden.

Life is good.

Another blog soon.

Be Well.

Poem: Dad

Not being there

When I was young

Waiting for visits

That would never come

Going to School

Keeping to myself

Reaching Eighteen

Still not there

Making a life, a career

You must be somewhere

Then, I find you

Not by choice, but by a need

Trying to reconnect

But gone again

Years pass

I have a daughter now

A daughter, I love

 I want to tell you

I phone,

You fly,

You visit

Then out of my life again

Years pass

And I travel to you

Good times we had

Then life returns

Then you visit

I let you stay

Things are good

But it all goes astray

Not talking

Silence between us

No visits,

No contact

My daughter and I

Heard you’re somewhere

I let it pass us by

A call

A bolt from the blue

A hand reaching out

What should I do?

A visit

A fleeting glimpse

Trying to justify why

I should try

Seeing you there

Weak and alone

Wanting to hold you

Not wanting to get close

A Doctor’s words

A nurse’s hug

A mother’s look

A son’s….

Another visit

Is it too late?

Words are exchanged

Is it too late?

Two fathers together

It wasn't too late

Then you’re gone

How do I feel

Destroyed?

No.

Angry?

No.

Upset?

No.

In love?

Yes.

In Love.

We made our peace.

You are my Dad.