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I was expecting a package from Amazon today. A barbecue set containing a sharp knife. The message said I would have to prove that I was over 18 to receive it. When the driver arrived I asked him if he wanted to check my age. He looked me up and down and said ‘that won’t be necessary!’ I felt quite deflated.

When my husband worked down the pit I once got a phone call to tell he he had been hurt and would be going to hospital. Luckily one of his mates arrived at the door a few minutes later to tell me he was okay. A newby had started one of the trains off whilst he was doing something on the track and although he got out of the way he was stuck between the side of the pit and the train. He ended up with some cuts and bruises. He had one that was just above his ear to right near the corner of his eye, lucky it ended where it did he could have lost his eye. He had the usual blue scar there. Abou

Looks like the Jamaicans are getting in on the act too.

Morning Margie, you know, I never gave much thought to that song afore, but sitting here looking over the river at the multitude of swans and boats, that I'm in that place of the song... "I gotta gal, a real nice gal. Down in Wroxham way", "Heya gorra loight boy, heya gorra loight"?

Trust me, this is well worth a watch.

It was delivered the next day nonna with no nonsense about photographing licences. In terms of money back we're ahead of the game. The groceries didn't trun when they were supposed to so contacted them. Much apologising and a refund for the full amount they said, "but we don't want a refund, we want our groceries", no problem we'll send them again. and they did, along with the original order! Noooo we've had two deliveries and a refund, please take payment and collect the goods left by the back door. The goods were collected but after our best efforts and numerous calls they s

Hamlet act 1 scene 2...

It's sad when reality hits you Phil. Just polish your zimmer frame and carry on.

Been having a listen to some of his songs on Y.T. Col. Most enjoyable and amusing to hear. Makes quite a pleasant change.

If 'Bestwood Coal and Iron' hadn't sunk Bestwood Colliery around 1870.. I quite literally would not be here.. So now you know who to blame.... My Great Great Grandfather moved his family from Crich, via Chesterfield, to the new colliery. Old Samuel has been in St Marks Churchyard in Bestwood since 1898. His son John lived in the village too..with his family. My middle name John.. is after him. John's son Arthur lived in Bestwood village too. He was my Grandfather. My brother's middle name is Arthur. after him. My Dad also worked in Bestwood Colliery, before Linby.

Beekay, thanks for the Aspley video. Very interesting.

Margie and Beekay. While I was looking for 'Hev You Got A Loight Boy', I discovered that Smethhurst had written many more songs than I ever knew. I think he's now regarded as much more than a 'novelty' performer..and given credit for his astute social observations. Some see him as a precursor of the likes of Billy Connelly, Max Boyce, Bernard Wrigley et.al. I also didn't know that Smethurst came to a rather sad end. He suffered stage fright and turned to the booze to help him...which in the long term did the opposite. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allan_Smethurst

It’s usually at the ‘ham tea’ when the fights break out. Old squabbles rise to the surface and the distribution of the deceased’s assets can be a bone of contention. It’s virtually guaranteed at Irish wakes. I wonder if there was a punch up at the Duke’s reception?

For Beekay

An apology to DJ360, sorry Col, I've only just noticed your post on the last page regarding Allen Smethurst. If I'd seen that I wouldn't have posted the above. As stated, I never gave it a thought, but when that song came out I'd never heard of Wroxham, or East Anglia come to that!

Sorry Col, I'm afraid I couldn't understand a word of it. Like the melody though. Cheers.

How times have changed.... I remember the Singing Postman but never felt uncomfortable about those lyrics then. I know some people still smoke - just as I used to - and that’s their choice, but she was even smoking heavily when she had her babies! Just to say, I’m not writing as ‘Disgusted from Cambs’ - I know it’s only a ‘funny’ song and needs to be seen in context. Catchy little tune, though.

In other news .. Today I dug a trench for this year's bean crop. Put my last bag of home made compost in the bottom and backfilled it. Then started putting up a frame of coppiced Hazel poles as a support. I haven't actually planted any beans yet.. and I don't think there's any hurry. It's still a bit cowd.

Sure I've related this before. Some half remembered documentary on the telly years ago.. about 'working class folk in't 'north'. A chap who was a fixture at the local working man's club popped his clogs. He left instructions.. and modest funds, for his mates to organise his funeral. It went along the lines of 'Get 'Arry the joiner to buy two sheets of 8'x4' chipboard and knock up a box. Stick me in it and put me in the back of Bert the Butcher's van and take me to the Crem. Get me burned and then p!$$ the rest of the money up the back wall of the club... And why not?

Lord and Covid willing, we're here all week. Had a brilliant drive up. Love it when we pass through Elveden forest. Clear blue sky all the way.

After my various run ins with the gigantic Nottingham spiders (Big Bertha, Gigantic Gertie) I realised as I was sweeping my side room (where they had their tenants agreement) that I hadn’t seen any for a long time. I did become a bit more cautious as I was moving stuff after that. Then I saw movement as something ran up the wall. Yes it was a spider but a “normal” sized one, not hairy, no dripping fangs, wasn’t built like Mike Tyson and it was running away from me and not towards as the others seemed to do. It eventually stopped and pretended it wasn’t really there, as they do, so I finishe

Got a txt yesterday reminding me of my appointment next Friday for my second jab. Couple of hours later they sent me an email .... reminding me of my appointment for my second vaccination next Friday. Looks like I am having my second vaccination next friday.

Nowt to do wi owt, but we've finally made an escape. A view from our window. Weather fantastic... Margie, threw my rubber brick through your window but missed.

At my father's funeral, which I conducted as he had no religious convictions whatsoever, I was tempted to recite his version of It was Christmas Day in the Workhouse. He would have loved it but I was not allowed to. My mother forbade it! My father believed that no one should take life too seriously. If you did, you were in serious trouble. I think I succeeded in ensuring that no one left the crematorium without a grin on their face. He would approve!

For the Phil...istines amongst us. Holy Orders An early morning summons From The Master of All Fates Caught the Dalai Chulla napping - Tut! Chief Bouncer on the Gates! "Now, pay attention, Chulla! Pin back yer tab 'oles, please! What's up? Yer got a monk on?" (MOAF speaks fluent Radfordese!) "There's a new boy on his way here. On Earth, a VIP. But, as yer know, once through them gates, Yer all the same to me. Hindu, Buddhist or Muzzie, RC or HRH It's what you are, not who you were, Regardless of your faith.

As an aside.. In my capacity as a Careers Adviser I once went on a visit to a company in the Newton Le Willows/Earlestown area of St Helens. I recall it was in part of what used to be the 'Vulcan Foundry'..which way back, made many steam locomotives. There was an Italian owned company in there..which made very long ovens..which would take in dough at one end..and spit out cooked biscuits at the other.. But..and more interesting to me.. another section made 'dies' for all sorts of food products. So.. there were..as I recall.. metal moulds or dies for assorted well known sweets..

nonnaB, that's a very good point and to be honest I did not look at the packaging to see if it was wholemeal or not. I did notice that the biscuits seemed to be larger than "normal" and that as they were put in the biscuit tin seemed to break more easily. I'll certainly remember to have a close look next time, thanks Oz

Please accept another one...

For the benefit of AG and Ozstallgian and all other exiles, this is dedicated to you all...

I found 'Brassed off'' very moving........worked in Grimethorpe during ''Miners strike''.......had to change my accent..........

Col, shoot me down if you want, but, to make the slabs easier to carry, could you not break up the slabs into bitesize pieces and then lay crazy paving. Just an optional thought mate.