Mocked Up Rally car

This is a trial version only and the graphics are all pretend at the moment.


Does anybody want fishing tackle?
Check out our ebay shop if you do, and there's a
micro-scooter too not for road use unfortunately.

Good story Dad.. so that's how your remember stuff!

Now 'ere's a funny fing

One of Grandma's favourite tunes is the tune in the entr'act of act 3 of the opera Carmen. It is a haunting melody and starts by being played on the flute.
Now I have a funny way of trying to remember things e.g. I can never think of Sibelius's name so I think of Margaret's Auntie Sybil, who died a few years back. I have difficulty with steroids so I think of stair-rods. The first three notes of Ding Dong Dell remind me of L'arlesienne. Etc. etc. (Not note for note but it reminds me)
Well when I heard the Carmen melody on the radio this morning I thought of a tune which started with the similar first four notes and came up with an old patriotic Irish song called the Minstrel Boy (The Minstrel Boy to the war has gone, in the ranks of death you'll find him. His father's sword he has girded on and his wild harp slung behind him) which I have known since I was in the Navy when our old Chief Petty Officer (as Irish as the pigs of Killarney) used to sing it. - My first name being Patrick he expected me to know it!
I asked Mr Google to help me with the tune and he came up with the theme song from Black Hawk Down. Now I have never seen the film, but Google gave me a short video of the film, about two American soldier's helicopter shot down by the rebels in Somalia and of their bravery in defying the rebels, until both were shot and killed. The tune is the one I was trying to match with the Carmen. Funny innit? Yours Oompah (Grandpa)

Valetta

Dear G&C
I remember playing football in the rain, on a red shale pitch in some barracks on Christmas Day 1945. We were all painted RED up to our knees!
Glad you had a lovely time. I keep intending to take G. to Malta. Perhaps one day.........Luv G&G

Mmmm Malta

Thanks for your lovely wishes G&G. It was lovely to see you both at Stephen's birthday lunch at Le Petit Blanc. Moules marinere was a definite hit for Grandma!

Here's some nice pics of our trip, I've put much more on my facebook page for those that are interested!

This is taken from Gozo (the island off Malta) looking back towards Malta and the smaller island of Comino. The even smaller island in the mid ground is Cominotto and its inlet is called the Blue Lagoon. It is supposed to be the site that Homer refers to in the Iliad, but I know that Corfu also claims to be real Blue Lagoon (but the Corfiot lagoon is where they made the film with Brooke Shields!).

Gem walking down silent streets of Mdina, the walled city looking for the infamous Fontanella tea rooms.

Clive chilling in Valletta, waiting for his pastizzi.

The view across Mellieha Bay from our hotel balcony.

FROM THE 'Hummers'

Dear Ruth, I hope you enjoyed Katchaturian's Waltz from the Masquerade Suite.
We spent yesterday trying to find Borodin's "In the Steppes of Central Asia", which is a fave of mine.
YouTUBE have a wealth of tunes to download and Borodin's was one them - lovely.
I'll send you one when I remember how to do it...LOL Hugh

Russia: A Journey with Jonathan Dimbleby

Jonathan Dimbleby heads off to Russia in the direction of Khazakhstan!





Check out the scenery!

Thunderbirds are Mental

Humma thisa

Welsh Apples

Forgot to put this up.. a screenshot from the Welsh Six nations rugby campaign ..

Solar TV

Can't get a picture yet but it's hot in here!!!

Sponsorship!!!!!

Exciting news from LesMongauloises folks.

We have teamed up with online retailers ASDA Marks & Spencer to generate up to 5% commission from sales to go towards fuel and supplies for our trip.

To Steve. Gemma and Clive

Just to let you know how much we enjoyed being with you, Will, Steve and Elaine at the Petite Blanc, today.
We didn't get much opportunity to say farewell, nor did we think to wish you both happy swiming/sunbathing etc.on your holiday to Malta. I thnk it is smashing of Steve to drive you to Gatwick- I just hope you all get up in time!! luv from g&g

For the third time

Yes, lunching at the Wyevale garden Centre (Bicester Valley) is becoming a lovely habit. Yesterday we met Mum's friends Birdie and Dave, who have returned to Chinnor after spending a three-week Saga holiday in South Africa.
Mum is so fond of Birdie, which is happily returned, that there was much to talk about. Dave was driving his little three wheeled invalid tricycle, which he is able to stow in the boot of his large Vauxhall car, so moving about was no trouble to him. I had my walking stick and Mum and Birdie leant on each other! We four looked a right couple!!
Dave's much used word of 'anyway', seems to have transferred to Birdie so anyway we heard all about their lovely holiday in SA, where they went to Jo'burg, Pretoria, Durban, Port Elizabeth before absailing (in the cable car) up to the roof of the Table Mountain in Cape Town. Many Safaris in the Kruger National park and in the Drakensburg Mountains were the highlights of their journey, seeing Elephants, Giraffes and numerous brands of antelope. They also went to Robben Island where Mandela was imprisoned for all those years.
Their stories reminded us of our super holidays with Pete and Jan, in Botswana

The Welsh Contingent

Lovely to see Cathy looking so well and sunburned, with Kate and Thomas. She is a marvel, with her lovely children, who fully enjoyed their day. (this is cheating really as Cathy seems to have started a blog, which I finished for her) DAD

Silver Wings

Silver Wings
Originally uploaded by ezappy.

A big Thank You to Janet and Peter for organising and hosting the event and for the catering after, to the Welsh Crack of Dawn Cross-Country Expedition, the Forty Green Trampoliners and to the Chiltern Hills Vintage Tractor Run for the escort to see the bluebells, but most of all to yourselves! LOL

THANKS TO EVERYONE

What a lovely day we had, Mum was so tired after all her efforts, but happy. Thanks to Pete, Jan and family for acting as hosts. Theirs was the ideal garden for a sunny family get-together. Thanks to Cathy for setting out so early from Wales and giving Mum her support. We get so accustomed to thanking Steve for all he does for us, but thanks any way for being such fun. Our grandchildren played their part beautifully and enjoyed the reunion with each other, from trampolining to shuttlecock games.
The Indian meal was I think, enjoyed by all, especially Clive and we all enjoyed our litre of Bangla.
Pity that the bluebells were not as bright as we have seen them, but the ancient tractor procession slowed us down a bit which shows that an ancient English tradition, while being enjoyed by the participants is not the answer to F.1 driving. We got home in record time, as we did not have to share the M40 with hosts of lorries, but our KS church spire was a welcome sight. Thanks to Julian for the photographic posie of 79 flowers on the blog and to you all for making Mum's birthday so special. Love to you all from Dad

Seventy Nine Flowers for Mum