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The man, the legend, an inspiration to all! Captain Tom promoted to Colonel, Happy 100th Birthday Colonel Tom Moore x

Thankyou Jonab, Lizzie, Brew, Sue and Gem for your posts. It's comforting to know you are concerned. It is very difficult , but we did have a video call with her that reassured us that she was ok, a bit bewildered as we were all crowding into the phone screen but she did wave. We send her messages as well but feel sure she doesnt remember what's in them. Thankyou once again.

I've taken mine for a run of 6-7 miles on a few occasions since everything came to a stop. Mainly a straight line on dual carriage way, to give the battery a kick, get the engine up to working temperature, and lubricate the moving bits. In the last 6 weeks I've driven less than 50 miles; the least amount of driving I've done in over 40 years.

Reckon old Smokey could play Fred West if a film was made ....... uncanny

Beekay, Don’t forget to put signs everywhere to make it a bit more authentic. Roy’s Garden Roy’s Kitchen Roy’s Living Room and so on....

We shoulda been at Wroxham, Norfolk this week. So we decided that we would have our coffee outside, overlooking the grounds. 'Er indoors thought it would be a good idea to place a bowl of water on the path in front of us and pretend it was our River Bure, and we'd wait for a trip boat. Margie, you coulda joined us. Pretend journey home tomorrow. Think of the fuel I've saved.

Let's hope they follow through with their promises and you have some sort of contact with your mum Nonna. Best wishes for some piece of mind for you all.x

That sounds reassuring, Nonna - I do hope they'll stick to their promise

Shortly after I posted we had a message saying that daily news will be updated. Each day we can phone and there will be someone constantly answering. We can enquire about mum and they will note who calls . Then in the afternoon we can phone again and they will give us any details we need when they have seen her ( and them). Video calls can be made but we have to make an appointment which makes sense. So a little more organized. Let's hope that this is what they are going to do and not just a promise. Thanks Carni

So sorry to read of your mums situation Nonna. I can understand how worried you are and I hope you get some positive news soon. It sounds as if the management of the home need a good shake up, surely they must understand the anxiety you must all be feeling having no contact and information. I hope you hear as soon as possible.

Nonna Its hard enough coping with the situation your mum is in without the added stress of not being given information on how she is. The hardest part must be not being able to give her a cuddle to reassure her that you are there, keeping pushing and demanding information there is no excuse for keeping silent. My two are driving me crazy but they are with me, when I go into their room in the mornings they now say don't ask us how we are ...we are talking. Bless them i think.

MD, as you may have read, we were planning a visit for 27 March this year but due to the virus we had to abandon it. We hope to be rearranging later this year and you are most welcome to join the group. Are you referring to what was Alan Parr's classroom? I sat my 11plus in there and, last year, I was able to walk in there and identify exactly where I sat! I wasn't in Parr's class, I was with Trevor Williams and we were hoping he might come with us on the visit. Alan Parr passed on some years ago. We all had a fantastic time. Very emotional too but hugely enjoyable.

Now I am off work due to this horrible virus I have time to go through things that I am too busy to normally do. I am one of the school photos and due to not being able to get to a barbers, I now have the same hairstyle! Jill, I would dearly love to do a visit to Berridge if there is one in the offing. The room I recall most fondly was the one on the top floor, door in the right corner. My desk was facing the windows and I would look at the trees and houses on Berridge Road. I would dearly love to see that view again.

My thoughts are with you nonna what is happening in the care homes is a scandal they have been left to there own devises by the powers that be and they are totally out of their depth. The owners/ managers needed help and guidance from the beginning and they didn't get it. I hope you hear from them soon nonna and get the regular updates.

Col re Hi-fi. You're light years ahead of me in the hi-fi department. I look at it this way. if it gives some improvement and satisfaction enjoy it. We can't take it with us anyway.

Thinking of your mam and my situation puts things in perspective nonna. I stomp around the house bored out of my skull but at least I have the internet, TV and can phone anyone I like. To be stuck inside and not able to speak the language I'm sure would drive me insane in very short order. Hope she stays strong...

Today I'm going to check the tyres on the cars and then take each for a little spin to clean up the brake discs and boost the batteries. I ordered a new battery charger last night because the last one died some years ago. This lock down is thrilling. In other news.. on Facebook.. my son in law posted this brilliant quote from my ten year old Grandson... "It's not up to us whether we can go out.. It's up to Boris Johnson.. And he's not that smart.."

Such a nostalgic, sad song... but strangely, I love it.

Still such a worry for you Nonna, having your mum in the nursing home and getting very little information. She’s obviously made of strong stuff so hopefully she’ll get through this and you’ll soon be allowed to visit. Thinking of you all.

Very worrying for you, Brenda . I really hope things work out OK for you and your mother. I often think of her being cooped up like that and not being able to understand the language or what is going on - I am reminded of my very early days being here when my knowledge of the language was 'forgotten "O" level standard' although I did know mainly what was going on. I still have very odd feelings about this current situation. Even though the virus is rampant in a lot of France, there are no reported cases in the area where I live, none in Cannes and only fifteen in Nice, six in Anti

You know talent when you see it Brew! (Except in Hairdressing.. obviously)

It never ceases to surprise me the way we come up with obscure reasons to persuade ourselves buying something is a good idea... As a leading exponent of really weird excuses for stuff I've bought, Col I salute you...

Meanwhile.. My day is just winding down from doing very little to doing bugger all. I've been a bit below par with an ear problem.. but I'll survive. In the background I'm listening to a Smokey Robinson Hyde Park Concert from... I think 2014 on BBC4. Even with someone of his stature it's easy to forget how many great songs he has written.. not just for himself and the Miracles. but for practically every Motown artist in the book. Mrs Col said she thought his voice wasn't quite as good... He's been recording since the late 1950s and is now 80 years old... I think

Or 'end up dead after touching a cable.' I'm shocked Jim.. but not as much as you....

Thanks to lockdown we have a new friend.. the Hermes delivery driver!!!! Take care stay safe

Shocking behaviour.

Well done Brew! Keep up the good work. You have to maintain the good name of all Male kingdom. Us muppets should stick together.

Today I is mostly hanging my head in shame. The cooker failed and using my skills, knowledge and experience decided it needed a new element. The damn thing has three but only one is visible. Of course reading the manual is against a proper chaps religion and I assumed there was only one as that was all I could see. By now you will have realised I ordered the wrong element. Hey ho, after reading said manual found the faulty element behind a panel. To make sure decided to take it out, test to prove I had found the fault, and order a new one. Top Tip: DO NOT EVER TOUCH THE

Beekay it would have been 1960-1964. I have completed my biblically allotted three score and ten. We intend to keep safe thanks, just hunkered down and only going out when necessary. The authorities here are doing a great job of controlling Covid 19 and here in South Australia we have had another day of no new cases despite intensive testing. You keep safe too along with all on here.