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Our travels through life!

Just a place to drop in and have a chat about what is happening to you today, so if you are fed up of treading in " Cowpats ", from the field of life(!), wipe your feet here ( I will be out when you do mind) Anyway I will kick off ( my shoes) and say, Good morning anyone - a rather cool one here 5°c and with rain forecast for later, although I think its much worse up country.  How is it where you are ? In the news I have just heard that Jimmy Young has just died, aged 95 RIP. Shame I remember him on radio 1 and 2..., on a lighter note - News from Imperial College - A new theory about what happens when a body is immersed in warm water. The phone rings!! Yup I can vouch for that one ok folks. over to you !


Created By on 08/11/2016

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Tomtwodogs Original Poster
10th Nov 2016 14:55:04 (Last activity: 10th Nov 2016 19:41:11)
0
Thanks for voting!
Ok folks this page is getting way too long you will soon need breathing apparatus to get all the way down here so I will put this last post at the top of another page if that's ok ?
Response from jeanmark made on 10th Nov 2016 15:26:24
Yes jeanymay, having worked full time in the NHS from 1965 to 2012 there are many stories a nurse could tell. In the early years stories from trying to climb in the nurses home window as you had no late pass to having your uniform hem measured before going on duty to ensure your knees were not showing as this could have inflamed the passions of young male patients!

Those were the days as Mary Hopkin would say.........
Response from jeanymay made on 10th Nov 2016 15:26:26
Left your link playing away on youtube Tom. Are you a ukulele player by any chance ? I had a little go myself as there are a lot of groups/classes close to me.

Oh keep meaning to ask did you change your profile pic the other day ?
Response from jeanymay made on 10th Nov 2016 15:29:15
Jeanmark I knew it ! Keep sharing with us please.

Oh such a shame we are all scattered about the country. I bet we could share many an afternoon/evening pleasantly exchanging stories in the flesh so to speak.
Response from jeanmark made on 10th Nov 2016 15:59:54
I trained in a small hospital because I was able to start as a cadet nurse. Remembering 'coming of age' was 21, Matron was responsible for our welfare - moral or otherwise. We were allowed one late pass a week that enabled us to stay out until 11pm, otherwise we had to be in our beds by 10pm and night sister checked we were! If you were ever late on duty, even by one minute, the 'privilege' of a late pass was withdrawn until Matron considered we had 'reformed'. Climbing in a window was the only option but if caught it meant dismissal. My friend and I solved this problem by secretly getting duplicates made of the top floor fire escape door key and selling these to our friends for 1 shilling - problem solved until one was discovered.
Response from jeanymay made on 10th Nov 2016 16:11:48
Times have changed, but not sure if for the better. We all used to rebel against decipline, but I bet you can still remember the thrill of being out when you shouldn't be Jeanmark...those were the days indeed !

Littleminx it's time for the waterproof hun !
Response from Tomtwodogs Original Poster made on 10th Nov 2016 16:29:59
Aah here you all are, and nice someone else is relating their pasts

Jeanymay, yes i have two Uke,s and a Banjolele ( George Formby ) although i haven't much picked them up this summer since going to Mexico and Tenerife i guess. and yes i did change my profile pic that was a selfie from Tenerife earlier this year

Jeanmark and Littleminx i can relate to that no concession in the times you had to be back !one minute late and it was a cell for the night and extra duties ( Number 9 s ) in the R.N. but it sure taught us not to get caught out the next time eh !

Ok well i better start some tea, and make a couple of sandwiches for work tomorrow, will try and pop back a little later folks
Response from jeanymay made on 10th Nov 2016 16:50:13
safe journey tomorrow Tom (nice photo btw) if I don't catch you later
Response from jeanmark made on 10th Nov 2016 19:20:56
Yes jeanymay, I do remember and I was lucky, we had three RAF bases and one American near us so we were never short of a party.

Tomtwodogs, at least I didn't have a cell, well only once and that was a police cell.

LittleMinx, the giant zip came much later and were Matron and Wards Sisters always single ladies in your day? I had a good relationship with my Matron, so much so that I had my own chair outside of her office because I saw her on a regular basis, at least once a week!! I learnt the meaning of insubordination early on in my career.
Response from jeanmark made on 10th Nov 2016 19:41:11
I've had my moments...............
Tomtwodogs Original Poster
9th Nov 2016 08:49:48 (Last activity: 10th Nov 2016 16:53:11)
0
Thanks for voting!
Good morning from Heaven,,tut sorry Devon !! ,, a quite mild 10c here but a tad damp. I see it looks like Donald Trump looks like winning against Hillary Clinton, so it maybe time to dust off the old tin helmet , in fact I think I heard Mr Trump during the night, although it may have been a car backfiring ? ( grins demurely )
anyways remember folks since 99% of all accidents happen in the home, the Governments advice is for everyone to move,! ,..which reminds me . while walking through Barnstaple recently, I came across ( excuse that expression ) a sign underneath the window of the Citizens Advice Bureau which said... " Emigrate " ! lol. sound advice indeed ! ok time to shake a leg,.. get up and go home !,, aaw that reminds me of the 60s, with all those naughty parties, which frankly made me feel quite embarrassed,. as you never knew if you were thanking the right person on the way out..did you ? (winks)
Response from Jenninora made on 9th Nov 2016 09:02:27
Well Tom. There it is. We have seen changes all down the years and this one in America will cause rattling. The quiet are speaking.
Response from Tomtwodogs Original Poster made on 9th Nov 2016 09:08:19
I think we are all living in interesting if not dangerous times Jenninora, it seems like the Americans are fed up with their leaders like we have been in the U.K with Brexit, no one has any faith or trust in them anymore, I diont know where all this is going to lead, but one things for sure, pressure is steadily increasing the world over !
Response from jeanymay made on 9th Nov 2016 09:17:35
Good morning to you Tom ! Snow here and I hate it with a passion.

I'm sure your misspent (or perhaps well spent) youth would make quite a story, or perhaps a book ! , but perhaps too long and a tad risqué for this site lol
Response from Jenninora made on 9th Nov 2016 09:22:35
True Tom regarding American and world unrest.
Jeanymay, I wait on Tom's memoirs. I am short of a good read !!!
Response from jeanymay made on 9th Nov 2016 09:28:13
Ha ha Jenninora I also think Tom's book would be a good read. I've said for years that I should write a book about my colourful life (not sure if that is the best description) I think it would be a best seller !
Response from Tomtwodogs Original Poster made on 9th Nov 2016 09:39:46
Good morning Jeany,,w ell I do have a blog about my teenage years if you want me to put it on, I wrote it on Friends reunited when I was on there and managed to save it when the site finished, its about seven chapters worth mind.! and would need a bit of editing for on here !
Response from jeanymay made on 9th Nov 2016 09:41:59
Yes I bet it does require a bit of "Deleting" lol. I would love to read it Tom, as I'm sure you have had a very interesting and varied life...a bit like myself.
Response from Tomtwodogs Original Poster made on 9th Nov 2016 09:44:11
Ok I will have a look at it, after I have pegged my washing out. but don't forget ...yours at some stage, I would like to read that too !
Response from jeanymay made on 9th Nov 2016 09:54:33
ha ha I think not !
Response from Tomtwodogs Original Poster made on 9th Nov 2016 10:06:36
Ok, heres chapters one an two excuse the grammar !

Well, where do i start,? ..at the beginning would be the best place i guess,. so here goes,.
Chapter One,...
.I was born on April 19th, 1946, to a widowed Mother, my father had died 3 months before i was born, having suffered head injuries in the Coventry Blitz,. he was a fireman at the time, anyway we were obviously poor, i had one elder Brother and a Mother that had to work full time,.but i had a happy childhood, we were always playing out as long as we did our chores after coming home from school, like lighting the coal fire, or putting saucepans on to boil, etc, so that we could get tea ready for when our Mother came in from work,.I left school at 15, and my first job was on the Co-op Bakery ( there was a lot of dough in it )..,but soon became bored, and wanted to fulfil my yearning for travel, so i joined the Royal Navy, aged 16, which i loved, but soon was to find out that of the nine years i had signed up for, i would only be at sea, for aprrox 18 months, as i was assigned to Aircraft Carriers, as a naval airman, the rest of the time i would be on Naval Air Stations like  H.M.S. Seahawk, Cauldrose etc,..at that time, the Royal Navy were phasing out Aircraft Carriers and wanted to retrain Naval Airman for other jobs or trades within the service,. which meant going back to square one, or..you could take a form of redundancy,,..which i accepted, as i desperately wanted to get back to sea,..Well, thats how i first arrived in Torquay , but that will be the start of the next...chapter
By Tom Foster 19th Nov 2013
Chapter Two !

I came out of the Royal Navy and boarded the train home, i thought i would have been glad, but i had mixed emotions, i remember sitting in the carriage thinking, what have i thrown away,? i really did like the comradeship of being in the forces, and now i felt quite ..empty !,.anyways, I arrived home, and soon renewed my friendship with some of my mates, and spent the winter at home, but early in April of the following year i became restless again as did my friends, so we packed our jobs in and I remember standing on the platform of New St Station one Saturday morning, and asking, "when is the next train to the coast due to leave " ?.The ticket attendant asked ,.where do you want to go,? and we replied ..anywhere ! so he informed us that a train will be leaving for Weymouth in 15 mins, so we bought tickets and decided that was where we would spend the summer working the "season ".
We arrived in Weymouth in the evening, and of course had no where to stay, so we walked along the beach, and it was getting dark by now, and as I remember we walked up a pitch black country lane till we could see the outline of a farm in the fading light, and decided to see if there was a barn we could sneak into to have a sleep, .well we tiptoed through  the courtyard, went into the barn  and climbed a ladder, then crashed out amongst some hay,.and slept reasonably well till the next morning.  .We were awake quite early, so that we could get out of the place before anyone else was up, so we climbed down the ladder, opened the door and as silently as we could,.crept out,....boy what a shock we had,, we were in a rural..Police Stations Court Yard  lol
We managed to get away, without detection and did the round of the sea front pubs at lunch time, a fatal mistake, one of my friends was holding all our money, ( he was the only one with a wallet ) as i remember, and he bloody lost it ?. Well we didnt know what we would do from then on, so we spent another night sleeping rough on the beach this time, and one of us produced a newspaper, that had an advert for Butlins Minehead, who were recruiting,. well with the small change we had in our pockets we rang them, and they said they would take us on for the season, if we could get there by the next day, so we split into two,s and hitched our way over there, which took most of the day, some arriving a lot earlier than others..We were eventually re united and given two chalets, and three meals a day, and were given jobs working on the fairground, our lives changed forever after that lol,.but that is in..chapter three

 
Response from Tomtwodogs Original Poster made on 9th Nov 2016 10:19:23
Chapter 3

Chapter three !,.the learning years !

Butlins Minehead, what a place to be in th 60s, the music was great, it felt good to be alive and British, we were overthrowing the U.S.A. in the pop music stakes, we all felt liberated , and on the verge of something new,.it was .buzzing,..anyway, having arrived at Butlins, we were given a day to settle in, issued with a staff pass with photo, which enabled us to walk in and out of camp, and to get our 3 meals a day,..we then started work on the fairground, which was great fun, it meant we could have our evenings free,. two of us were given the job of operating the dodgems lol, myself and my best mate ,Keith, and were soon to be nicknamed,.."The Likely Lads " ,( i knew i shouldnt have said this ) , but this was to stick with us all the time we were there...
Minehead had just built a Cable Car, which ran over pylons from one end of the camp, to the other, and we transfered,( as did the other two lads,).. to operating this, it was quite easy to work, two of us at either end, one opening the cage of the chair lift, letting the people out, and pushing the car on its track round to the next guy, who would load the next people in, then pushing it out, ready to go onto the cable, and up.up, and away, .we used to wait till a couple of girls got on, lock em in, then say to each other,,You aint letting this car out are ya ? .of course the occupants would ask,," Wots wrong with it ?", and we would reply ,aaw it should be ok, as long as it doesn,t  rumble when it gets to the first pylon ! if it does just shout !..well, of course,.. they all rumbled going past the pylon, there were rollers fitted on it.. lol,...you just shudda heard the screams !
Night time at Butlins, was like a modern day equivelant, of Soddom lol, you could get absolutely anything from a camp,. which was often reflected in the queues outside the doctors surgery in the staff quarters, each morning at 9am.  We who were yet,. unaflicted . would walk past the line of people waiting,.and start taking the erm..mickey ,and giving off obscene jestures ,, it must have been sheer misery for any girls stood in the line ., most of them displaying the dreaded " Chalet Rash " on their necks from the night before,..another favourite pastime i remember, was to go in the indoor pool absolutely legless, and dive down, to the plate glass walls in the side of the pool, where people sitting in the Cafeteria, could watch you under water,. edited !,..then there were the staff parties, where .erm.guests would throw their staff passes into a hat, and someone else would pull it out,.and thats how some were paired off., my the parties,..to be,.continued !

By Tom Foster 19th Nov 2013
Response from Tomtwodogs Original Poster made on 9th Nov 2016 10:21:04
Oops chapter 3 is awaiting approval lol
Response from jeanymay made on 9th Nov 2016 10:42:14
Thank you Tom I look forward to the next edition.

Exciting times eh ! I remember my brother (about your age) taking off with friends doing much the same. He went all over with friends doing casual work where ever they were. Torquay was a favourite place for him
Response from Tomtwodogs Original Poster made on 9th Nov 2016 10:46:19
I get to Torquay in the next chapter Jeany, but chapter three is still awaiting approval !
Response from Tomtwodogs Original Poster made on 9th Nov 2016 11:53:26
Ok chapter three has finally cleared.

Chapter four ! Torquay.

It was just before Easter in 1966, that two of us arrived in Torquay, i had bought an A35 van, and we travelled down in that it was handy as it could be used to sleep in,.anyway, we parked on the sea front, and had a walk round the town,and into the harbour area,.as we were passing under the Harbour Masters office, there was a sign on the quay, saying,,"Two deckhands wanted, for life on board ship ",.so we enquired about it, and went for an interview,. the job was looking after,.., and living on,. the replica of the Golden Hind, which was moored way out in the outer harbour, near the sea entrance, and they wanted someone to take tourists out to it in a motor launch,. and the other person to answer questions on the history of Drakes adventures, and sell the odd souvenir on board,. anyway, my Royal Navy discharge papers, seemed to swing it,.. and we got the job,.which involved living on board, and maintaining the vessel. 
Duties onboard involved climbing up the rigging, in a squall, and walking along the spars, with our feet in the ratlines ( rope ), to furl up a sail, that had come lose, it was a bit hairy, when you looked down, and underneath was the sea on the port side, then when you looked down again it was the starboard side ! ( rocking motion ) lol.., but happy days eh !
both of us then had to take a boatman,s licence , in order to carry up to 35 passengers out to the ship, now the adventure, begins.
We soon settled in, it took two weeks of operating the launch, before we had to go out with the Harbour Master on our test,.we both passed, and were granted a licence,. in the intervening time, we had acclimatised ourselves with the vessel, ie, learning some of the history, and erecting our hammocks, .etc and were given the use of a rowing boat,.for our personal use, in order to come ashore in the evenings, my that boat had some adventures,!,. but that will be in the next episode, as there isn,t room in this one ! .for anyone who is interested, The Golden Hind still lies in Brixham Harbour to this day, but is along side the harbour wall now,...google it !
to be..continued..
By Tom Foster 19th Nov 2013
Edited 2013
 
Response from jeanymay made on 9th Nov 2016 13:39:08
Good that you got it all down in script for others to enjoy Tom, and I'm sure it is jogging a few memories.

Oh to be young and fearless !, but as the Oscar Wilde said "Youth is wasted on the young"

Some as they get older are still fearless of course, but I suppose it depends on the life you have had.

Thanks for sharing
Response from Tomtwodogs Original Poster made on 9th Nov 2016 14:52:14
Thanks for viewing Jeany, there are still a couple of chapters left to put on , do you know something if I had my time over again, I would do it all over again, x
Response from Silversurfers Editor made on 9th Nov 2016 15:39:54
Yes! We are Aries twins! 🙂 And three years later and I am just about to lose my big toe nail again because of that summit night! 🙂
Response from Tomtwodogs Original Poster made on 9th Nov 2016 15:45:59
Oh never mind, I have lost mine a couple of times too, its much better when they are off though,,,,, , good luck with it,....,Sis ! x
Response from Tomtwodogs Original Poster made on 9th Nov 2016 16:03:06
 Chapter five . Torquay..cont -

We soon settled in to the "Rhythm " of Torquay, it was buzzing,, and to my mind it is still one of , if not the best English sea resorts,. but first we had to help get the season started, which involved using the launch to tow lines of paddle boats, to various beaches, Ansteys Cove, Watcombe, and Maidencombe included, which involved trips along some fine coastal waterways,.. we soon made friends around the harbour area, and used to get brekky at George,s Cafe on the quayside, at night we used to drink in the Castle, or various harbour side pubs and clubs, the 400 ? or was it the 600,.? it was on the harbour anyway, and there was always Mods &Rockers using the place, which quite often ended in fights with a lot ending up in the water opposite,.. also the Walnut Grove Club and the Casa Marina Club springs to mind,. .later on, we were to use the Casino in Paignton, because of all the nurses that used it we had an infallible chat up line,.which was,.. do you want to come to a party on our yacht in Torquay Harbour, ? lol,..it seldom failed, when we told them which one it was !, a I remember we used to arrive with our guests, at the harbour and our boat was moored on the concrete slipway, and we used to load the girls into it, then push it down into the water, and jump in ourselves, ready to row out to the Hind,, unfortunately, owing to the volume of alcohol intake, we often failed to notice, that at low tide, the water was some 4 feet below the bottom of the slipway,, with the result that the loaded boat, would get to the end, pivot,for a second, before hitting the water vertically, emptying everyone into the drink ,..,.that ruined many an ambitious night . but not all !! .lol 
Chapter 6 Torquay .cont-

We soon settled into life on board the "Hind ",and it was mostly great fun, ( the record Sloop John B,.by the Beachboys, will forever remind me of her ) although we had to maintain her, by swabbing the decks, cleaning salt spray from the stern windows, etc, ...,about mid season, we were asked to help crew a trawler, going out at night, from Torquay harbour, sailing to the lights of Berry Head, ( Brixham ) then shooting the trawl, ( dropping the nets ) ,and sailing towards Teignmouth, across the bay, we would haul in the nets, and sort the fish into different boxes, always throwing the small ones back into the sea, as quickly as possible,, then sail inshore, back towards Torquay, and catch plaice,near the sewerage outlets at Hope Cove near Mead foot beach, the smell of the oily sea, always reminds me of .the taste of "Plaice ", and i never ate them for years afterwards , but it was a great job though, and we used to get paid on what the boat caught, a percentage scheme,.
Life was good that summer of 66, but all things come to an end, and we wished to stay on there,. so i got myself a job, as a carpet fitter with William & Cox, on the strand, and seeing as i had met a lovely girl,( a school teacher from Kingskerswell,).. i wanted to remain in Torquay, but my best mate Keith, who i had been with at Butlins, and on the Golden Hind, had to return home,,.i was devastated,. and was in two minds what to do,.,i chose to stay in Torquay, and was not to see him again for some 40 years..he now lives in Gt Yarmouth, and made a good living working on the North Sea oil rigs , and is married with two children,.,.i remained in Torquay, for the winter, into the new year, 1967,.the summer of love but that's in the next Chapter
   
Response from jeanymay made on 9th Nov 2016 17:45:58
One of the enjoyable things about people of our age is sharing life's stories. We all have so much to talk about even if a lot of it is in the past.

The site is I feel proving to be a great addition to my sometime boring life especially now the weather is turning colder. Gosh can you imagine what it would be like if we all lived close enough to meet at a local country pub and sit in front of a roaring fire with maybe a tipple or three exchanging stories. My imagination sometimes runs away with me ......
Response from jeanymay made on 9th Nov 2016 17:49:50
Sally thank you for sharing your link. You are such an inspiration ! Good luck with your toe.
Response from Silversurfers Editor made on 9th Nov 2016 18:13:28
Thank you jeanymay 🙂 Also long live the happy Silversurfers banter 🙂
Response from Tomtwodogs Original Poster made on 9th Nov 2016 19:37:05
I think you should pop in more often Sally, anyway good evening folks, all settled down for the evening here now,, what better than a good book, some background music,..lights dimmed and completely warm ! anyway I am reading a book about Robin Hood, the truth and the myth , its very interesting , not a lot of people know this, but the final part of his life was true as per the legend. When he was dying, he was bought to a house on the edge of Sherwood Forest and placed on a bed near a window. In his final moments he asked for someone to bring his trusty Bow, and said prop me up so that I can fire one last arrow, and where so ever it lands,.... lay me to rest there.
Summoning up his last remaining strength, he pointed the bow upwards and let go of his final arrow before collapsing back and dying,!
Next morning true to his wishes,.. they laid him to rest, in the... ceiling ! lol
aaw I am choking up here !

ok night all - will clock in tomorrow !
Response from Tomtwodogs Original Poster made on 10th Nov 2016 05:31:42
Good morning from the very best time of the day ( stupid oclock ) , 9c here with light rain. but hey Gods in his heaven and he still hasn't noticed me down here, so we live to fight another day. yesssss !.. anyway I would just like to say thank you to all those that posted yesterday, my head was spinning with all the replies, but it was truly lovely!. anyway its still dark here in the " early morning calm " before the hustle and bustle of life begins. Mr Fox will be soon finishing the night shift,and the waves will be gently lapping the shore, in preparation for the coming days pounding ..peace, .. perfect peace ! .. and on that note another cuppa .methinks!
Response from Tomtwodogs Original Poster made on 10th Nov 2016 07:28:41
Ok the last chapter 1967

Chapter 7,.1967.

The year started off well, i had my job as a carpet fitter,.but i split with my schoolteacher friend, as she wanted to settle down, and i didnt want to commit that early in life, but we remained friends,.and my job as a carpet fitter, led me to some quite .amorous adventures ....one day i had to fit a hall, stair, & landing carpet, in a house in Torquay, well, i started on the landing, and was then fitting the stair carpet,.and the lady of the house was moving about in the bedroom,well, i took no notice, till she called me from the top of the stairs,. i looked up, and she was stood there, dressed in a beautiful red basque, with stockings and suspenders, ( i hit my thumb with the hammer lol), she asked me to adjust something at the back,.which i duly obliged,..and also started to adjust something at the front ..,and those last final moments, when you just know, something ..IS going to happen...,stays with you for life..doesnt it ? well it did for me...her name was Mrs Marshall, as i remember, a divorcee, in her late 40s ,.but she was quite a woman, ( she reminded of the song..Mrs Robinson ) and tought me things, i,d only dreamt about, as a 21 year old,.,and we remained in a relationship, for most of that summer,..eventually though, i was made redundant at my job, as it was last in, first out conditions, i then got a job at the Grand Hotel, as a K.P..( Washer up ) ok it was starting at the bottom, but it was a reasonable job, and meant i had a wage coming in,..but i later transferred to the Templestowe Hotel as a waiter,..( more adventures lol ).and remained there over xmas , and the new year, , when i eventually got made redundant again, as it was, " out of season " and this time, I had no option, but to leave Torquay !
https://youtu.be/z4ZipKdI1sY?list=LL0qZGe0gP-faClNOWFSNoNQ
I guess this is how I felt at the time ... and even now !
Response from jeanymay made on 10th Nov 2016 08:15:00
Good morning Tom,

Thank you for sharing with us a glimpse into your past. I find your tales like yourself...to the point, down to earth and with a touch of humour. Just enough not to bore your audience Tom, and very enjoyable.

The youtube link brought back memories of my late father, who was always a sucker for a pretty face and a voice to match. In fact my father was the one who used to call me Jeanymay (hated it at the time but like it now) when in fact my first name is Jean and my middle name May...there a little about myself
Response from Tomtwodogs Original Poster made on 10th Nov 2016 08:53:42
Morning Jeanymay , thanks for "Wading " through my memories, strewth the page is that long we need to get a lift to get right down to the bottom now, but that's the end of those chapters for now, oh and thanks for that info about your name, we will get your memoirs on here yet lol
That u tube clip was from my favourites list , anyways its a bit brighter here now so I will pop into town soon as I need some food stuff.
I hope all that snow has gone where you are now, yuk ! I don't like the stuff either !
see you later...... Alligator !
Response from Tomtwodogs Original Poster made on 10th Nov 2016 09:09:27
Ok I am going to curb it a bit on here, as it looks like I got a couple of thumbs down signs, I suppose it was inevitable I would upset someone,. but I sure didn't mean to ! .... ok b.f.n.
Response from jeanymay made on 10th Nov 2016 09:58:52
OMG !! I don't believe it. For goodness sake take no notice Tom. You will find that there will be some who do not like those who show a bit of spirit and humour, and will either give the thumbs down, or make remarks to try to spoil the "fun". Ignore them and treat them with the contempt they deserve...you can't please everyone, but it's jolly nice to bring a bit of happiness to just a few.

Don't you dare let them change the way you are or your fun posts !!!! xx
Response from jeanymay made on 10th Nov 2016 11:47:48
So well put Littleminx. Love your humour as well as Toms and a few others, and what a fun time we have.
Response from Tomtwodogs Original Poster made on 10th Nov 2016 12:50:55
Oh many thanks for your kind words ladies. xx No I wont ever turn into an obedient grey person, like you said Littleminx there are too many of those around as it is, although I don't know about being the tallest tree in the forest,.. I guess I once lost everything I thought that I... could win !

Jeanymay, thanks once again .. you are the wind beneath my wings ! truly an inspiration to all of us on here x

Ok lets crack on, - am back from town now, got my food shopping done, then work rang and asked if I can go to Ross on Wye and Cardiff tomorrow, ? so i said sure, which means I will have to use the Severn Bridge Toll crossing again ( about £20 for a truck ) I used to use it regularly to deliver to Chepstow every Friday, which is just on the other side of the Bridge, and every time you pull up to pay, the kiosk attendant has to ask us if we are carrying anything Hazardous ( Elf & Safety ) so the last time I was crossing I answered,. "Yes ! 20 tons of Sheep,s lipstick for the forth coming festivities " lol well the lady was just sipping from a cup of coffee as I said that, and the next thing I knew it all came out of her mouth and down her nose and she had a fit of the giggles, lol I drove off pretty damn quick after that !

ok better get some food inside me , see you later folks.!
Response from jeanymay made on 10th Nov 2016 13:13:20
Yes let's move on. Fabulous story ha ha which reminds me of when my daughter came to my house just after I had paid a fortune to have my lounge papered. I made her a brew, and we were sat chatting when my 2 year old grandson suddenly shouted "eh Jean" just as my daughter took a mouthful of tea. She was in hysterics because he had called me Jean not nana...I didn't know if I should laugh or cry about the tea splattered wall paper !!
Response from Tomtwodogs Original Poster made on 10th Nov 2016 13:35:39
Aaw that's lovely a snapshot in your mind from somewhere in time ! sure it was worth it !

and talking of kids, I am playing tracks from my u tube playlist like you did the other day look at the kids on here aaw !https://youtu.be/bnI8QV3L7Rs?list=LL0qZGe0gP-faClNOWFSNoNQ sshh I,m the one on the railway track grins !
Response from jeanmark made on 10th Nov 2016 13:48:33
Its lovely to read the conversation/banter between Tomtwodogs, jeanymay and LittleMinx and I agree Tomtowdogs don't let a couple of negatives stop you as the rest of us are enjoying the stories. It's always interesting to hear other peoples lives, mine is not that varied, I started nursing as a cadet nurse at 16 and stopped when I was 63 end of story!
Response from Tomtwodogs Original Poster made on 10th Nov 2016 13:56:07
Thank you for those comments Jeanmark, and it doesn't matter what you have or have not done ! all that matters are the lives,... you have touched x
Response from Tomtwodogs Original Poster made on 10th Nov 2016 14:07:36
Ok folks this page is getting way too long you will soon need breathing apparatus to get all the way down here so I will put this last post at the top of another page if that's ok !
Response from jeanymay made on 10th Nov 2016 14:29:05
Jeanmark thank you for your lovely reply, and don't worry we will continue as long as it's enjoyable to some. Today however I am not at my best (won't bore you with my health issues), but I'm still loving the site and will do my best to add a little light heartedness here and there. I bet you have all sorts of things you could share from your days in nursing x
Response from jeanymay made on 10th Nov 2016 14:39:34
Tom I can't find the start of your new page so apologies.Thanks for your latest youtube share. Fabulous song and video
Response from Tomtwodogs Original Poster made on 10th Nov 2016 14:46:04
I have done it... its awaiting verification Jeany ! x
Response from daisy duke made on 10th Nov 2016 15:52:50
Tom , i enjoyed reading yr blog thanks for posting , i have also subscribed to yr You Tube channel.
Response from Tomtwodogs Original Poster made on 10th Nov 2016 16:16:46
Oh another lot of nice posts on here, maybe we will get the Queens award to industry,,well social web sites lol !

Daisy welcome on here and thanks for reading the blog lol do come on here and chat with us more,. and thanks for the u tube channel too !

Littleminx yes its driving me bonkers too, and I am half way there already ! I wonder if we could just get an open page on here with everyones posts under the others ?

ok thanks to the others that have posted , but i cant find them yet, i will go and have a search
Response from Tomtwodogs Original Poster made on 10th Nov 2016 16:36:23
Posts everywhere Littlemix instead of all on one page that's all x
Response from jeanymay made on 10th Nov 2016 16:53:11
Guys we really need to draw an end to this post. I will start a new, but please be patient as it will have to be approved !
Fflorielle
9th Nov 2016 20:55:17 (Last activity: 10th Nov 2016 05:43:08)
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Yes Jimmy Young a very well liked person, I remember him well RIP.Winter seems to have arrived this week heating on from 5.30am till 10 30 pm lovely and cosy and my dog is fast asleep on his bed by the radiator.
Response from Tomtwodogs Original Poster made on 10th Nov 2016 05:43:08
Welcome Fflorielle, yes its downhill all the way to mid winter now, I am always glad when December 21st arrives ...the shortest day, then we are heading out towards spring again !
[deleted]
8th Nov 2016 13:21:49 (Last activity: 9th Nov 2016 21:02:57)
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[deleted]
Response from Tomtwodogs Original Poster made on 8th Nov 2016 14:29:03
Mmm a bacon sandwich with H.P. sauce does it for me any day, talking of Hampshire, a beautiful County I am lucky enough to deliver to a small place called Upper Wield near New Alresford, or Four Marks, is that anywhere near you Littleminx ?
Response from Mels made on 8th Nov 2016 15:22:02
LittleMinx, you have just given a very large dose of nostalgia - I know the area really well, Wallops and all! Went to school in Salisbury and we would often go on field trips to Silbury Hill with our (rather tasty, or so I thought at the time) geography teacher.

The summer months also meant that my cousins and I could be found swimming in the River Avon and we even made a raft one year and would sail around until danger prone cousin Jane managed to sink the darned thing!
Response from Tomtwodogs Original Poster made on 8th Nov 2016 15:51:35
Well I said Hampshire was a lovely county, I know where you are now Littleminx below Andover another place I sometimes deliver too, and yes I found the history lesson very interesting, I have also seen some crop circles on the A31 near Alresford, and they fascinate me,. I even stopped the truck in a lay by and walked back for a closer look.

Mels that's sounds good too swimming in the Hampshire Avon, memories eh, it always seemed warmer back in those days didn't it

ok I better start some tea, a Homity pie .methinks ! just warmed up and maybe with some veg and a baked potato,, my cooking is that bad,. even my dustbin has an Ulcer lol
Response from Tomtwodogs Original Poster made on 8th Nov 2016 16:13:50
Oops a Homity pie is from a wartime recipe when meat was in short supply here is Pieminster check it out www.pieminister.co.uk/the-homity-pie-recipe

I buy mine from Launceston rare breeds farm, and just warm them up.

ok I am drooling already, b.f.n
Response from Mels made on 9th Nov 2016 16:34:36
Hey LittleMinx, goodness, I go away for a few hours and the forum has burst into life! I lived in a little village called Martin and managed to pass my Eleven Plus and go to the girls grammar in Salisbury so got to know this lovely City and the surrounding areas very well.

It's funny you mention the river pole vault, one summer we set up a swinging rope which most of us managed to swing from one side of the riverbank to the other quite successfully except, of course, for the aforementioned cousin Jane who fell in.

And I was born at Odstock hospital!
Response from Mels made on 9th Nov 2016 21:02:57
Cousin Jane, unfortunately, married a wrong 'un - haven't seen her for years, mainly because I headed north to London after my marriage ended and am now, as far as I'm concerned, a naturalised Londoner - absolutely love the big city and would never return to my country roots.

You are indeed correct, it is now Salisbury District Hospital - I actually didn't know that - bless you Google ...

I also remember the general hospital which, I seem to recall, was in Fisherton Street but long, long ago became luxury apartments.

As you say, we should perhaps have a memories post - sometimes it's nice to dwell on a gentler and more innocent (well, not cousin Jane, obvs.) age.
Jenninora
9th Nov 2016 18:17:43 (Last activity: 9th Nov 2016 20:39:31)
0
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Littleminx. You say Pisces. Tell me why. Then I will spill the beans.
Response from Jenninora made on 9th Nov 2016 19:01:19
Your not always wrong, I would say. Not easy to get everything accurate but you give it a go. I admire that. Yes I am careful with words. As for humour I am always looking for that. Keep that coming. Laughter is another good remedy for ill's. I am an Arian star sign. Birthday is 25 th March.
Response from Jenninora made on 9th Nov 2016 19:15:58
Not far out
Response from Mels made on 9th Nov 2016 20:39:31
Me? Oh I'm a nit picking, picky Virgo! And if there is a person on this earth who is true to their star sign - why, tis I! I am the woman who even has colour coordinated paper clips in her study - need I say more ....??!!!
[deleted]
9th Nov 2016 13:26:28 (Last activity: 9th Nov 2016 17:34:36)
0
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[deleted]
Response from jeanymay made on 9th Nov 2016 13:50:24
I love to people watch Littleminx, and try to guess what they do for a living and such.

Tom is a very likeable addition to the site, and such a character....don't get big headed Tom ha ha. How's that 2 women discussing your virtues !! bet you never thought the site would offer such an ego boost
Response from Jenninora made on 9th Nov 2016 13:58:01
I would not be so sure about Tom being an Aries star sign. Would be difficult as he is reminiscing about many years ago. A lot of us ( at that era ) went out and seeked and whirled to the times they were.
Response from Jenninora made on 9th Nov 2016 14:01:08
I await their star sign revelations Littleminx.Will they come clean and tell us??
Response from Jenninora made on 9th Nov 2016 14:07:59
Yes it would indeed. well, his stories run true to an Aries.
Response from jeanymay made on 9th Nov 2016 14:18:02
Sorry no I'm neither I'm afraid ...I'm Capricorn ! Hmm a Leo same as my ex husband, but I wont hold that against you ha ha ! He certainly did like to be king of the jungle though x
Response from Tomtwodogs Original Poster made on 9th Nov 2016 14:46:51
Hi gang I have just got back, my its been busy on here, and yes I am an Aries, well no one is purfick eh !... aaw and thank you for those lovely comments girls.and no I will try and keep my feet on the ground,... but my head will be a little higher now xx what a great bunch you all are !
Response from Tomtwodogs Original Poster made on 9th Nov 2016 15:15:07
I would say you got me spot on Littleminx I kinda feel undressed now ! lol
Response from Silversurfers Editor made on 9th Nov 2016 15:15:24
I like guessing people's star signs too! Can you work mine out from this link about my travels through life?

https://www.silversurfers.com/travel/adventure-holidays/climbing-kilimanjaro-at-50/
Response from Tomtwodogs Original Poster made on 9th Nov 2016 15:29:16
Oh wow I have just read your link, and I have every admiration for you,, that final summit trek at 11 pm must have pulled on all your reserves of energy, very well done to you ! those sleeping mats are very hard too arnt they , and coming down isn't so easy either is it,.faster yes,but the pain transfers to the backs of your legs and ankles. I guess you are an Aries too ?
Response from Jenninora made on 9th Nov 2016 16:52:04
Not always easy to judge a sign of the stars.
Response from jeanymay made on 9th Nov 2016 17:34:36
So much going on on here today I can't keep up with replying to them all so I will just say how marvellous the banter on here is, and love the humour to name a few (remember I haven't finished reading all the comments yet so don't sulk if I leave you out) Littleminx, Tom and Mel,,,what a fabulous day !
CaroleAH
8th Nov 2016 17:24:41 (Last activity: 8th Nov 2016 17:58:47)
0
Thanks for voting!
It's been perishing cold here in North Yorkshire today as well. It actually seemed even colder in church whilst I was polishing the brasses (monkeys spring to mind ......... but No! we don't have any, just a cross, candlesticks and plates) followed by some general cleaning which soon warmed me up - evidently good exercise with all the bending and stretching. The weather forecast appears to change every time I look at it varying between cloud, rain, sleet and snow. It will be what it will be no matter how often I look but I do need to find the warm lining for my coat. Cheers, folks!
Response from Tomtwodogs Original Poster made on 8th Nov 2016 17:58:47
Hi Carol, and thanks for your post, I suppose its a bit warmer here, but we have light rain now, keep warm up there ! oh well I better go and do the washing up now, unless there are ny volunteers,? mmm,..... thought not !
[deleted]
8th Nov 2016 11:16:43 (Last activity: 8th Nov 2016 15:10:12)
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[deleted]
Response from jeanymay made on 8th Nov 2016 11:21:32
Lionel you said it all.

I'm just about to make lentil and carrot soup with bacon bits. The heating's on, so nice and cosy. A bit of a crisp day here but nice and bright.

PS Not sure if you are still having problems with receiving my messages, as I didn't get a response to my last one re the same subject...can you let me know please
Response from Tomtwodogs Original Poster made on 8th Nov 2016 11:37:33
Thanks Lionel, I agree and yours sounds like a purfick winters day! I hope the dogs enjoyed sniffing about on the frosty grass this morning., its amazing how it seems to heighten their sense of smell eh !
Response from jeanmark made on 8th Nov 2016 13:33:39
Risen to 4.1C here. I'm justing heating the Spicy Butternut soup my step-daughter made for me. Appears to be a soup kind of day!
Response from Tomtwodogs Original Poster made on 8th Nov 2016 14:24:49
Good afternoon well its gone up to 10c here but feels cooler in the wind, and we definitely have some liquid sunshine forecast for later, oh well my daily chores have been mostly done so a good book and a cuppa are now called for. I was reading about Googie Withers recently, and what you can do about it,...if it does... lol ...... ok on that note........where,s that kettle ?
Response from jeanmark made on 8th Nov 2016 15:10:12
Up to 6.1C here and what are daily chores? A good book and a cuppa sounds good though.
jeanymay
8th Nov 2016 09:35:23 (Last activity: 8th Nov 2016 11:50:35)
2
Thanks for voting!
Good morning Tom !

Thank you for putting this post on it will stir up a bit of interest for us to have a natter today I'm sure. Some days are very slow on here, and it's great when someone takes the time just start things off...that's why I am apt to put nonsense on !

Absolutely freezing here, and the scare mongers are forecasting snow !

Saw that about Jimmy Young, but I don't think I personally want to live to that age, although a few of my neighbours are in their 90s, and still go out every day.

Ha ha you are so right about the blooming (polite version) phone. I was woken at 7.30 am yesterday by a bogus call "Good morning madam I am calling from your internet provider Talktalk, how are you today ? I gave her specific "Directions" and full "Instructions", which apparently she used as for the 1st time in months the phone has stopped ringing countless times a day.

Keep smiling !
Response from Tomtwodogs Original Poster made on 8th Nov 2016 09:56:20
Good morning sweet pea.. lol, aaw yes I heard about the white stuff coming down, if we get any it will be on Exmoor which is behind us, there were some Deer in the fields earlier which is a sign of bad weather as they come down from the moor to get away from it ,.. time will tell eh,.. so what are you up to today, ?
Response from Tomtwodogs Original Poster made on 8th Nov 2016 10:12:18
I have also been on the phone and sending e mails this morning, Thomas Cook has cancelled my flight to Tenerife in February, so I had to change my destination to Lanzarote, but I ended up with a better hotel for the same price mind, so that's a bonus..and am now having to change all the travel insurance and car parking details as the dates are slightly different . tut, ok will try again on the phone.! ....back in awhile crocodile x
Response from jeanymay made on 8th Nov 2016 11:31:16
I find that we all have to spend such a lot of time on admin Tom, which is very time consuming and quite tiring I find.

I can't remember my parents being bogged down by such things. They paid their bills at the local Council office, Gas & Electric showrooms, and just got on with life.

Sign of the times eh !

I've Environmental Health visiting ,about a noise issue from a local establishment, which basically has been converted from a quiet pub and turned into a money pit by a large company who are running the business more or less in the beer garden, which is equipped with heated huts, pagola's, huge umbrellas, garden heaters etc

I live close to the river Aire, and bought my house because of the lovely environment (although it is also close to town), but this has been ruined.

Must go get my soup on !
Response from Tomtwodogs Original Poster made on 8th Nov 2016 11:50:35
Oh good luck with your environmental visitor, I hope it goes well, and yes a nuisance I would not like either. I also agree much simpler times we have left behind, why if John Lennon or even Elvis came back today, they wouldn't know what a computer lap top, or a mobile phone was ? amongst other things !

Ok you and Lionel have just set my taste buds off with that soup, so I am also going to have something now !
Tomtwodogs Original Poster
8th Nov 2016 09:11:54
3
Thanks for voting!
Oh I ought to explain the reason I put this topic on, it seems there is nowhere else here to just chat on. People go on to posters topics and drift off the subject and have a good old natter,.. me included ! ,. and I just thought it would be nice to have somewhere to well , just chat ! anyway that's the reason...ok..i.ll shut up !

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