How's your day?

[Gem 1,419]

Tomorrow  i am flying to Northern Ireland with my daughter in law to spend a few days with her family. They live in a small town about 20mins from Belfast, hopefully this lovely weather will last. On my last visit we stayed in Belfast and went to the Titanic  and Crumlin Road Goal both very interesting this time i hope to see more galleries and exhibitions.

[DJ360 6,310]

Another day of clear blue sky and 25 degrees +.  I might.. if I can be bothered.. cut the grass...  But then again I might not.

 

Not quite a 1976 clone just yet I think, but certainly looking like equalling 1984. I spent that summer between 'uni' courses, working on a water pipeline/reservoir project near Chorley.  Shorts and boots for weeks on end right up to late August I think.  I suppose these days they'd make me wear a 'hi vis' vest. I'd hate that.

 

[catfan 14,781]

And a hard hat, also gloves & goggles also no rings on fingers either, the world has gone mad !

[catfan 14,781]

First Aid kits where never in provided in any wagon I ever drove ! or a fire extinguisher.

[NewBasfordlad 3,599]

Thai cave rescue underway 6 children confirmed safe at this time.

[NewBasfordlad 3,599]

90 divers of various nationalities involved at this time, trip time is 6 hours in and 5 hours out, it will take sometime to complete but going well at this time.

[NewBasfordlad 3,599]

Senior Thai official has back tracked only 4 out at this time.

[DJ360 6,310]

I wish them well, but as an ex caver I have no illusions as to the hazards of bringing inexperienced kids through flooded passages. An ex caving collegue of mine joined the Cave Diving Group.  We thought that we were a bit mad and they were complete lunatics. Fred Winstanly from Wigan who took me on my first caving trip and through my first 'sump'  ( More of 'duck' really)  went from Cave Diving to North Sea Diving then became 'Technical Officer' of the British Cave Diving Group... which I think he may still be.  The most fearless caver I knew.  Many  well known British Cave divers of the 70s are now dead.

 

Short of Russian Roulette, Cave Diving is possibly the most hazardous actvity imaginable. If you lose your way, which can happen despite having  guidelines in place.. you are stuffed.  Any equipment malfunction has an equally grim outlook as it takes immense composure and no little training to deal with.   Also, in many places air bottles have to be pushed through ahead of or dragged behind the diver due to limited space. For me, it really is the stuff of nightmares. You simply cannot just surface. Repeated use of small 'airbells' by successive divers will also reduce the O2 and increase CO2 in them, which was a major cause of 3 'free diving' deaths in a Yorkshire cave ( Langstroth Pot IIRC)  in the 70s. The fact that a 'pro' Navy Diver has died 'just ferrying supplies', highlights the extreme risk.

Let's  just hope they can all be brought out safely.

[benjamin1945 15,371]

Possibly my last day of work today,,,started 58 years ago,, made me think of my first day at work,, Van-lad Midland station,,lots of happened to me and the world in the in the intervening years,, must stop Waxing lyrical'' so the wife tells me,, but i can't its your lots'' fault..............lol

[Jill Sparrow 9,519]

What's all this, our Ben? Last day at work? Surely they're not dispensing with your services? Their loss! 

[benjamin1945 15,371]

Was also touched by the many good wishes,,from my friends of all nationalities ,including the local dancing girls ,will miss em all,,........one in particular who put her arms round me from behind and said.......i think i love you''.......if i was 5 years younger.......whey hey'' there really are some nice people about......

[benjamin1945 15,371]

No Jill, they not dispensing with me.........its the other way round.....but thanks for your comment..............

[MargieH 7,373]

I remember my first day at work.  I was very nervous as I'd never been paid before and I remember thinking it was a big responsibility and hoped I'd be good enough!   This was as a cadet nurse at Harlow Wood.   It was such a great job that later on I could hardly believe I was being  PAID  to do it! 

My last day at work was a bit of a damp squib, but that's how I wanted it - I always said I didn't want any big goodbyes from the school staff with speeches, flowers and a card.  I'd been having some days off visiting Paul in hospital after his heart bypass, and I decided that I wanted to spend more time with him anyway, so I just stopped work!  I was 65, so it was OK.  

[catfan 14,781]

I don.t miss work at all & certainly wouldn.t work past 65

 Enough blood sweat & tears. They gerrin no more.

[loppylugs 8,329]

Wishing you all the best Ben.  I bet they'll miss you so much you'll get a call In a week or two.  

 

I don't think I ever officially retired.  I left full time ministry after my first wife died.  Then owned a mobile phone store down here for several years.  Finally sold it when we'd had enough.

 

Its really hard to get a full time position in a church here if you are past fifty.  They are all looking for young guys with a young family.  They tend to forget that us older guys have usually raised a family so have a bit of experience.

 

I don't have an official position in our church today, but usually preach for the Pastor when he is away, so tend to be treated like an assistant pastor.  That's ok with me.  No official pressure but I get to try to keep myself mentally alert that way.

[nonnaB 4,752]

my day s been good ( things that pee you off) sorry I got the wrong topic.

This is where we've been today

Note the sky it was  taken the other night, or rather late afternoon.

 

[benjamin1945 15,371]

Thanks Loppy.........got my up coming medical condition to sort out.......then i'll see how i feel.......love the work that i do,,but less and less firms want someone to just banter all day........and if my up coming op takes my voice away which is possible i'm buggered,,.................there's a chap called Cyril who when i go in wethers Bulwell of a morning, i always say  ''morning Cyril'' he replies with finger on a button  ''Morning Ben''........if the worst happens i'll be pressing my button,,,''Morning Cyril''.......that'll make him laugh,,

[nonnaB 4,752]

click image upload

[nonnaB 4,752]

Ben hope you feel good about your decision to quit. sorry to hear about your op though. you'll be fine.

[nonnaB 4,752]

getting ready for evening swim

 

water a bit murky . the filter was just switched on .It is clearer now

[Jill Sparrow 9,519]

Don't worry Ben. You will be fine. You might find the op leaves you with an even more attractive voice! . I am also intending to cut my working hours. Can't do full time any more, just get too tired now with the thyroid problem. Good news is, more ME time! I'll be along to Wethers in Bulwell one of these days!

[benjamin1945 15,371]

Thanks nonna...........i do and i don't........the company i work for have a few sites,,they inherited me when they took over,,and whilst they have been very nice,,they do'nt think they need the job i do,, obviously i think they wrong,,i sort all the security problems out and do't make a fuss consider it 'par for the job' but more than that i greet visitors and try to make their visit as enjoyable as possible,,todays world i'm afraid ''get in pay ya money get out''

                       I'm very ''Old school''   morning sir/madam welcome,if i can help in any way just shout up'' personal escort to the event ? no problem,,small charge ofcourse (banter) travelled far ? Wigan,,oh know it well Mesnes Park ?........most places they come from i know a bit about,and love the look on their faces.......here i go 'waxing again'     lol

                     Anyway i don't feel valued,, so won't be returning..would have loved a face to face to tell em my thoughts and listen to theirs.............but so far not happening//////////////////

[benjamin1945 15,371]

Love to see you again Jill.......the pleasure will be all mine............lol

[catfan 14,781]

32 minutes ago, nonnaB said:

getting ready for evening swim

 

water a bit murky . the filter was just switched on .It is clearer now

Did I see a shark in there a minute ago ?

[catfan 14,781]