Hey Arnold

Many years ago I did a job for a retired jeweller in Derby and the conversation got around to watches. I asked him, in his opinion, what was the best watch in the world. After a moments thought he looked at me and said "99p digital watch from Allenton Market, when the battery's gone chuck it away and buy another" I was a bit taken aback a this and said that I expected him to say Rolex or some such. He replied that I'd asked what the best watch was, not the finest and the 99p watch told the time just as well!!

Sir Bobby was one of my childhood heroes, one who my father held in great esteem and he would often say to me 'You have to be able to kick a ball with both feet like Charlton' It was this that first gave me an appreciation of his skill as a footballer but later I came to admire him for the way he conducted himself both on and off the pitch. A true giant of the game and one that modern players would do well to model themselves on. R.I.P Sir Bobby

@Beekay Perish the thought.....that would mean I had to talk to her all the time

@Jill Sparrow I'm in direct contact with her on the opposite settee if you want to go through me

As far as I'm aware it's still the original road surface and hasn't needed any significant resurfacing or repairs due to wear and tear

@Beekay It was long before the Hatton/Hilton bypass was built that we used The Saltbox with anything like regularity, in fact I can remember the A50 from Sudbury through to Blythe being built, and the protest signs put up by residents of Doveridge, when it opened, about the road noise due to the experimental concrete road surface. To the best of my memory leaving Nottingham we used to go Mickleover, Littleover, Etwall, Hilton, Hatton, Sudbury, Doveridge, Uttoxeter, Lower Tean, Upper Tean, Blythe Bridge, Trentham Gardens, M6

@DJ360 The ancestral home was on Gower Street Sutton which unfortunately was demolished to make way for new housing. My dad's sister Mary still lives in Sutton and his brother Pat lived in Thatto Heath

@philmayfield Peter Smith's went into voluntary liquidation in 2011 and is now a charity shop

@Beekay The Salt Box is actually at Hatton, on the cross roads opposite what used to be The Kestrel pub which is now an Indian restaurant. We used to stop in on the way up to St. Helens, my dad's hometown, and in those days would always go in the driver's side to eat rather than the public side as it was a bit cheaper and the portions a bit bigger. It is still quite popular, despite the fact it's slightly off route now for drivers as the A50 bypasses Hatton, and does still offer showers for drivers to freshen up. One of the last transport cafés left in the country.

One that @RadFordee particularly hates is marshmellow for marshmallow, and holler instead of hollow

I grew up watching Parky, and even at a younger age was gripped by his interviews. Even if the guest was someone I'd never heard of he made them interesting, asking questions that drew their stories out of them in what seemed an effortless way, almost as if it was just a chat between friends in your living room. One of the few 'stars' that genuinely deserves the accolades and tributes being paid to him. R.I.P

A viable alternative already exists in the form of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles 'though there are two issues at the moment though. The complete lack of infrastructure with regards to refuelling and the production of hydrogen is not currently eco friendly. Toyota have, and continue to, poured significant sums into the development of the technology. The range of these vehicles is comparable to petrol and diesel cars as is filling up.

@The Pianoman I don't know whether you already wear cycling specific gloves, but a good quality padded mitt/glove will also help. Endura or Altura both make decent products at reasonable prices. I personally use Giro Strade supergel mitts in summer, regularly ride 50-60 miles and find them very comfortable

Paul Jones for me, much 'bluesier' voice

Just seen on the news that Trevor Francis, Britain's first £1 million footballer, has died aged 69. Apparently he suffered a fatal heart attack whilst in Spain. Probably best known for Cloughie telling him to take his hands out of his pockets, when presenting him with an award, and scoring with a flying header versus Malmo to win the 1979 European Cup for Forest R.I.P

Just seen in the news that Tony Bennett has died aged 96. Not only a legendary singer but also a veteran of WW2 R.I.P

My father always used to say "never discuss politics or religion in a pub, it only leads to fighting"

The Headstocks was a Home Ales pub until sold off. Kimberley's did buy quite a few of Home Brewery's pubs but I'm not sure if it was one of them and I couldn't say who's it is now

1978 was Home Brewery's centenary year and every employee received a pewter tankard to mark the event. This was my dad's who worked as a managed house stocktaker at the time, previously having worked in the transport office. The Robin Hood symbol is incredibly evocative to me bringing back memories as if they were yesterday

Snake bite was bitter and cider or you could ask for lager snake bike. Many pubs refused to serve it because it was cloudy in the glass and made the beer look off. Another mix was a pint of Mickey Mouse which was bitter and lager

Unfortunately there is a significant portion of the UK population that is obsessed with the lives of so called celebrities and anyone other than themselves.

In the Army the toilet paper in 24 hour ration packs was christened skid & grip, one side smooth the other rough. Ordinary toilet paper was comfy bum......always carried a supply

I can remember my mum having a string bag with some newspaper in it for the veg shopping. Potatoes and any other loose veg, such as peas (in their pods of course!) kidney beans, carrots, would get wrapped in the paper and larger veg, cauliflower etc, would just go in the bag. Obviously the bag was reusable and the paper, when worn could be used for making the fire up