A Tribute to Rosemary
Rosemary
Rosemary.
Bobby’s mobile phone rarely rings away from Laurel Cottage. His endless communication with the rest of the world being by all those other means at our disposal now. So when it rings it is usually important. Just twice in fact in nearly three months. Both, by coincidence, while sitting in the sunshine at the Royal Horticultural Society’s (RHS) Wisley Gardens. (more…)
Parham: When the Americans came to Suffolk
Parham
Parham Airfield Museum.
Bertie: “You OK, Bobby? You look a bit Uncle Dick!”
Bobby: “Cream crackered Bertie. The buses and Sutton United yesterday were brilliant, but I’m knackered.” (more…)
The Treasures of Sutton Hoo
Sutton Hoo
Bobby stood on top of the burial mound of one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of all time. The marvellous tour guide was ending her tour of the Royal Burial Mounds to the gathering by asking “Does anyone know where the treasures of Sutton Hoo were kept during the war?”
Naturally, he responded: “I do. I’ve been there. Aldwych Underground station. Disused tunnels. In fact, if you look at the London Transport Museum website, you will find they have just restarted tours – including one of Aldwych disused underground station. 160 steps down and the lift hasn’t worked for years.”
How Aldwych saved Sutton Hoo:
The Man Who Talks Too Much
Bobby talks too much. Everybody says so. He gets on their nerves. And his own. Wears them out. Bores them silly. Causes them to drive by. Cross the road. Hide. Anything to avoid him. Not because they don’t like him. Probably. But simply they haven’t got the time or patience for his incessant chatter. (more…)
The 93 Bus
RT1. The most iconic and oldest bus at the event. Built 1939.
Bertie: “Bobby? What’s a heritage bus running day?”
Bobby: “It’s when a group organises a bus service on a particular route using old fashioned buses. They run to a timetable and mingle with the modern buses. You could be waiting at a bus stop and a 70 year old bus turn up and you just jump on. Free – there will be a bus conductor in old fashioned uniform ding-a-linging to stop and start the bus. Help you on. Just as they did when I was young.” (more…)
That Bleedin Dog
Sid and Jack early 60s.
Bobby loved his old Dad Sid, and was heartbroken when he died on Christmas Day 1969. As we described in ‘Alf Garnett‘, he was an unforgettable character whose expressions live on in Bobby’s memory to this very day. And, we are told, he has recreated some of those memories in me. A teddy bear with a Sarf London accent. (more…)
Cats
“I’ve bought you a book, Bobby” said Diddley one day in 2013.
“A Street Cat Named Bob”. I only bought it because I like the name!”
Hidden London: The Kingsway Tram Tunnel
Kingsway Tram Tunnel
The Kingsway Tram Tunnel today.
“I have done something nobody else here today has!” (more…)
Morning Glory
“There’s thirty one this morning, Bobby. That’s a record.”
So said Diddley, who absolutely adored the flowers of Morning Glory. Not just for their transient beauty, but also their unusual lifestyle. Flowering profusely, if time and conditions were right, but dying by mid-afternoon. The new buds for the next day readying themselves for their glorious moment in the sun just a few hours later. (more…)