Charles Fox was waiting outside Nero’s cafe opposite the Guildhall. I knew it was him, he hadn’t changed much since I last saw him in 2002.
He left Herman Miller to join the MoD at Abbey Wood.
We had a lot to talk about, well, HE had a lot to talk about. It was difficult to get a word in edgewise.
With all his Navy exploits, it’s a wonder that Britain had any ships left. I’m sure he probably managed to find a scrap dealer who could take a frigate or two.
It was said that any unwanted equipment or materials would mysteriously find its way to a local scrapyard.
Every now and then he interrupted himself with riotous laughter, sometimes difficult for me to hear what he was talking about.
But his actions didn’t get anyone killed, to his knowledge, but I did wonder what the technical competence of his bosses were. I know what Charles was like, I certainly wouldn’t go into a dangerous area with him.
There was a thick mist in the valley as I looked out of the bedroom window. Today I had set my target, and I could wait to get started.
The cladding I had to attach had to pass through the gap in the fence that I had to “modify”. There were a total of thirty strips that had to be fixed. However some of the fixings had to be on the other side of the fence.
Therefore the procedure was as follows;
Make two fixings on the first strip.
Pick up the electric screw driver and a screw, walk to the end of the shed, walk down the steps, down the slope, up a ladder, walk around the front of the shed, then down the side of the shed, on the neighbours side, and make the fixing. Then back again to add another strip.
I had to do this THIRTY TIMES, my poor knees were not happy.
But I did it, and most of the middle section, before I had to stop and get ready to visit my friend Rob.
He was due to travel to India on Tuesday so this was the only chance for us to meet up.
Rob was alway in my life during our time at Bath Art school, I blame him for leading me astray in every sense, every drama was his fault.
We lost contact for many years, but our orbits returned, and I guess we’re back to our old ways.
We laughed at our childhood exploits, once he remembered them, he prepared an interesting meal of Japanese mushrooms and tomatoes.
He assured me that they were safe and didn’t grow on trees. As I was a bit hungry, I took a risk.
Needless to say I didn’t die in agony, or at least yet, but I’m sure my digestion will deal with any strange sensation, and I will be close to a toilet.
It was a day out with the family, a trip to Stourhead, somewhere I hadn’t been for ages.
It was a wonderful moment when my Grandson, George came running towards me with his arms open, a big smile on his face. It warmed my heart, his joy was my joy, but our meanings were totally different.
I have four grandchildren, each one is different, but I’m sure within themselves they will have a spark that will illuminate and bind them together.
Amilie is the eldest, she has beauty in her heart and soul. She is a beacon to which many have been drawn for support and kindness. There are no airs and graces, just warmth and happiness, she is a jewel.
Marlo has emerged from a shell of shyness into a picture of ambition and youth.
He used to cower behind a lock of hair hiding his face, which I recognised, because I used to do the same thing. He was meticulous, building models precisely to the instructions supplied.
I’m sure he still has doubts, but that is what will drive him on, I have testament to that.
Ethan, is complex, he has a vocabulary that shocks me, not in a bad way, he just replies to a question with an answer that you don’t expect. He absorbs subjects like a sponge, what he doesn’t know about the Titanic is not worth knowing. When I was reading him a bedtime story from Harry Potter, and stumbling over some of the character’s names, he calmly corrected my pronunciation.
And then there is George, a happy cheeky boy with a smile that melts your heart. His character is still developing, he is still capturing every detail of what’s going on around him. Every time I see him, he has a different costume on. One day it might be a super hero, the next, a cowboy.
I believe, one day he might be become an actor, or a transvestite.
It makes me content that, although the world is in constant turmoil, we have those who might help make it a better place.
Josh and Craig arrived at about eight thirty to start the boiler installation, I was looking forward to feeling some warmth at the end of the day.
I had an appointment in Bath with my old friends from the Art school.
We meet at the Holburne museum, I arrived early and needed the toilet. There are renovation work going on, the toilet were moved to a temporary location outside. I was lucky to find an empty cubicle, I went inside and locked the door. After finishing my business, I went to unlock the door, the knob turned round and did not unlock the door.
A slight panic ensued, I kept turning the lock and trying the handle, still nothing.
By now my mind was wondering, would I eventually be found? Would my friends think I wasn’t coming , and leave? It was not the way I wanted, so I kept trying the lock, and suddenly something happened, I was able to escape and be free.
One by one my friends arrived. It amuses me to think that back in those days, I felt intimidated by the girls in the class, but now I have no such problem, and we all get on like a house on fire.
I had a long conversation with Tom, who was head boy of the class, he was telling me things that he has told me last October, and I didn’t have the nerve to interrupt him, fortunately another friend arrived and distracted him.
It was another treasured moment, however I had to leave early to check on my boiler installation.
It had been a challenge for them, but eventually they were victorious, I now had heat and hot water, life was good again.
At last I was going to do some proper work, clad the last long wall of the shed.
I was over at Wickes early, loading my trolley with the materials I needed. I returned a box of screws that I didn’t realise I already had, so I exchanged those for shorter ones.
I resisted the temptation to buy a bacon roll, even though the aroma was drifting across the car park.
My self control is admirable.
I started cutting the feather boards and drilling holes for the fixing screws. I had a jig that spaced each board evenly, but because the first board was down in a gutter, after fixing the second strip I could remove the jig, so I had to remove both strips before I could, a Duh! Moment if ever there was one.
Once in the open I managed to complete one third of the wall.
Next on the list was to make a cut on my neighbour’s fence.
When it was erected several years ago. It was attached to the corner of my shed, but as I wanted to get the cladding along that elevation, I needed space to pass the strip behind the fence. I needed to cut a couple of inches off the full height. Most of the saws I had were a bit rusty, so it took a while to make the cut.
As I was close to losing the will to live, I made it through.
Now I have to do the next third.
Just as I was packing up for the day Craig and Josh the boiler installers turned up to deliver the boiler, looks like we could have some action tomorrow.
I met up with my old school friend, Steve for coffee and a chat that lasted two and a half hours, and two cups. We covered all issues, trying to put the world right.
I had travelled to Bath on the bus, taking advantage of the free bus pass, before it might disappear.
It’s sad to see the Jolly’s store closed. I have known that all through my growing up years, often not being able to afford what was sold there, but it became a aspirational goal to purchase things there.
Sadness is what I feel as I walk the streets, the shops that I instinctively knew where to find things are not there, there is only so much coffee and cakes anyone can consume
The replacement lamp for the fridge turned up, now I can see what’s in the fridge
I had to get my arse into gear and get started on what I was here for, re-cladding the shed.
This involved driving to Wickes.
I collected a bundle of battens and a tub of screws. I had worked out most of the layout on my CAD software back in the US. I set out the pieces in a way to optimise the lengths of the featherboard, I still have a mountain of off cuts in the shed that I still hope to use up.
Whilst I was in Trowbridge I went to an electrical store to buy a bulb for the fridge. It was a difficult job just getting the cover off. The instructions were not helpful, and the YouTube video made it look so easy. It was just the case of sticking a screwdriver between the main casing and the lens cover. Somehow you were expected to jam a screwdriver where there was not gap at all, I was scared that I was going to crack the plastic. They could have, at the very least, have put a notch for the tool to fit.
I attempted to remove the cover many time before I thought “shit or bust” and twisted the blade and off it popped.
I showed the salesperson the lamp, “mmm, we don’t have anything like that, have you looked on line” The answer was yes, of course I did.
So no luck there.
When I got home I scoured the internet for the same style of lamp. I even went on the SMEG website but nothing. Somehow I found it on Google, purchased through Amazon. It wasn’t cheap, £21, but it was free next day delivery.
With that, I settled in for the evening, after my planned meeting with a friend evaporated.
After a bit of sleep in Ryan and Louise’s spare room, with Bobby the dog, I awoke to my first English morning.
I wanted to get to the cottage early as I was expecting the installation man for the new boiler to arrive. That all changed when I received a message to say that he was sick and unable to carry out the work, I was pissed.
I had arranged the time, because I know I was back in the country and did not have any other appointments. I call the office to try and reschedule for tomorrow, I was told to receive a call to keep me updated.
I decided to use my time out on the garden cutting back new shoots from all the area I had desimated on a previous trip. Although I had added stump destroyer, it was still thriving.
Also the state of the next door neighbour had gotten worse. She had made some attempts to clear the brambles, as evident by three Hippo bags partially full of cuttings.
That was convenient, so I added my stuff to those. It was a lovely sunny, warmish day, so I was happy with the progress I had made.
I later had a call from the heating company saying that the guy was still sick and not available for Tuesday, I was not happy at that news.
As there was no heat or hot water it the cottage, it was great to go back to Ryan and Louise’s warm home.
The meal she prepared certainly warmed me up on the inside.
After what seemed forever, the plane touchdown just after Midday. I did manage three hours sleep, soothed by the music of Simon and Garfunkel.
It was a good flight, watched a couple of films and had a warm meal of Chicken and mashed potatoes and something else, not sure because it was a bit dark. This was served about midnight, who actually wants dinner at that time?
I waited forever for my case to appear on the carousel, I almost gave up hope and looked for the lost luggage area, but finally it arrived.
My coach was due to leave at 1.30pm so I even had time for a bacon roll and a coffee. The bacon was nice and soft, unlike the American way of crisp and brittle.
I then made my way to the bay where the coach was standing. I found my ticket on my phone and showed it to the driver. It was then that I realised that the coach was going straight to Bristol and not passing through Bath, I would have to take another bus back there.
Arriving at the bus station at Bristol, a rundown place that I would not usually seen dead in, but here I was, and desperate for a pee.
I found the convenience, but it cost 30p to get through the gate. Fortunately I had some change, but trying to get my case and bag through was a bit of a faff.
Eventually the X39 bus arrived. I explained to the driver that I had already paid the fare, but he just wasn’t interested, and nodded me through.
This was the worst part of the journey, the bus smelt of people, I did check to see if it was me, but I was good.
Nicola met me at the gate, it’s alway great to see a smiling face, or maybe I just look bedraggled and it makes anyone smile.
Colin was taking his job as a Uber driver seriously, he place my luggage in the boot with precision.
Then it was back to Bradford on Avon to dump my bags off.
I wasn’t planning to stay there that night as there no heating because the boiler was being replaced after twenty seven years of use.
And now for the best part, on my last trip I was trying to locate a shop that sold custard slices with no luck.
Nicola had bought some and presented them to me. I had forgotten about that, so I was able to gouge myself on one, and even let Colin have one. Normally I would growl if anyone came near my food, but with a mouthful of cake, I was unable to utter any noise at all.
Then it was down to Ryan and Louise for a fabulous roast, with chicken that was much better than the one on the flight by a million miles.
It was the end of a tiring day, and with the thought of the boiler work tomorrow, I needed some rest.
Kelli managed to sell the two side tables she posted yesterday, without me!
There was a lot going on today, there was the assembly of the two side tables and machining a centre guide rail for a dresser we were due to collect.
But first, we had a sale, the unit that I pulled out from the dumpster bag was sold this morning.
The lady loved it but was not ready to take it yet, so we offered to store it for her provided she paid for it.
We also finished two matching side tables that I had converted from a desk, they turned out good, so Kelli posted those.
Now, of course I was also due to fly out of Grand Rapids on my journey back to the Uk. We went via Hudsonville to collect this free dresser.
It was heavy, and it was bloody cold with fine powdery snow falling. Then we found our way back on to the highway to continue on to the airport.
For once it was quiet at the security, but a bit of a log jamb at the screening. Either the viewer was really slow, or he wasn’t very good. I think he was the former, because he was spinning the images around on the screen.
Eventually my stuff came down the track, and I hurriedly redressed myself.
Kelli had left, she didn’t see that I was waiting patiently in the queue to retrieve my stuff.
As I walked to my gate, that has to be at the furthest point of the building.
I treated myself to a coffee and a cranberry scone, which was delightful.
I noticed an advertisement for a “Compression body suit” this article of curious function was meant to fit the body like a large sock.
It was supposed to be perfect for air travel, but I spotted a flaw almost straight away.
It would be impossible to use the toilet without doing a strip tease in front of the other customers.
I joined the queue waiting to board. I was in group 5, so the rich people went first, followed by the less rich and then the nearly poor.
I had chosen the “Main cabin extra” giving a bit more legroom. I was fortunate to have an empty seat next to me, oh joy, no one next to me to irritate me.
The flight was a fast two hours, but on this plane there was no entertainment screen, but a device to hold a smart phone or pad. What a bloody cheek, you pay for an expensive seat, AND, you have to bring your entertainment, this is a downward slope.
