I Woz There!
I Woz There!
Just imagine if you were one of those who woke up this morning and thought “I could go to the Oval today” … and did!
Those were the words of Mark Nicholas. Cricket commentator for Cricket on Five. The highlights television programme for the Bobby’s of this world who stick to normal TV for the game. Summarising the day’s play for the greatest Monday. 10 September 2018.
Bobby was one of 3,600 who accepted the offer of a half price ticket. Bought online late on Sunday night to come to the Oval to see the fourth day of the last test match against India. Joining 18,000 for a day that would see the last innings of Alastair Cook, England’s star opening batsmen before he retired. Just so he could say “I woz there!” Could he make a century? (more…)
The Operation.
“Hello there! Top o’ the morning, even if it’s the feckin afternoon. Eamonn here. Bertie has asked me to write this story as it’s far too painful for him. The story of his Operation. Oy was tere and saw the whole thing. Its a tale of DISMEMBERMENT. Of DISEMBOWELMENT. Without anaesthetic. And not for the faint hearted. Words can’t describe what Bertie went through, so I have used music instead. Oy am told Bobby and Diddley loved melancholic music. Not sad, but mournfully contented. A time for mindful relaxation. Nice memories. Peaceful nostalgia.
The Operation.
Alice’s Bear Shop and Hospital for poorly bears and dolls.
We Missed You Bertie!
We Missed You Bertie!
Bobby: “I really missed you Bertie!”
Bertie: “I really missed you too, Bobby! Not just being in hospital for a few days, but all those weeks waiting for the op. Sitting day after day on Bobby 2, wishing I was joining in the adventures.”
23 August 2017. A year ago. Swifts Hill, Slad, where Diddley’s ashes lie.
Rolls-Royce.
Rolls-Royce.
Outside the main entrance.
“TOY! TOY?”
“Bleedin cheek. You wanna watchit, Jimma”(Glaswegian accent, à la Rab C Nesbitt, as follows): (more…)
Remember Diddley.
Remember Diddley.
19 August 1950 to 23 August 2015.
There’s a crack, a crack in everything. That’s how the light gets in. Leonard Cohen.
Ooh la la la.
Ooh la la la.
Ooh la la la, c’est magnifique.
Buzzing!
Bobby, Bobby, Bobby, !!! You must come! We’ve found a wasp nest. You must come. (Your scribe for this week is me, Trevor. An honour to give you this remarkable story.) (more…)
The RAF 100 Celebrations.
RAF 100.
The RAF March.
Well, I did tell him that if he didn’t slow down he would land up in deep water. I never considered it might be the River Thames. But listen, dear friends. He is making a lot of it. All those pictures with frozen peas on top of his head. I ask you. But at least they were Waitrose – if only their Essential range for poor people. And only there at all for Bobby’s big toe during his gout episode. (more…)
100th Blog – The Footbridge.
100th Blog … Pt II: The Footbridge.
Dear Friends of Bertie…
This is momentous occasion. One that must start with a brief introduction from Bobby. (I said brief, Bobby…!)
Dear Friends
I am writing this in a bus shelter in Westcott in Surrey. Very nice. Thatched.
My car is being serviced. And then it’s the school run to pick up Kyla. Got here an hour early.
Westcott bus shelter and dovecote.
Bus shelter and dovecote dedication plaque.
When we lost Diddley, as so many people find in bereavement, you embark on a journey that is out of control at first. Lots of things to do. Arrangements. Funeral. Friends. Family. Learn to cook. Use the washing machine. No ironing. Well, only Bertie’s bow tie! Practical things that keep you very busy indeed. But then one day, when the dust has settled, for many of us you are living in a home full of memories. On your own. You know that your life will change forever. All the friends, families, self help books in the world cannot decide for you where to go next. They can help but one day hopefully you will wake up to the next day of the rest of your life. A time to be treasured, for you are still here and the world could be your oyster. I knew I liked talking to anyone in range. Felt that I had a flair for writing. I had started reading Spitalfields Life and saw the GA’s advert for a course in Spitalfields on how to write a blog.
“That” advert.
Shall I shan’t I? Well I did as has been mentioned many times in the blog. For the course, we were asked to write a short illustrated story to be evaluated. I wrote about a footbridge I loved as a schoolboy. In the event it was not read out. But a bear called Bertie started writing his own blog with my assistance. And now, amazingly, we have written between us 100. So for 100 part 2 we are going back to that footbridge and my best friend Bertie will tell you all about it. Time to pick Kyla up.
– – – – – –
Nuffin.
Nuffin.
I’m worried about him. When he drives round a roundabout three times looking for his exit a mile from home late at night you might be concerned? Don’t be. He nearly got heat stroke at the Flying Legends Airshow. Many did! And it was midnight. He says he is worried about me. We haven’t asked Trevor. Not after he took my place at the Flypast…
Trevor and the Red Arrows above Buckingham Palace (A pillar of which is sticking out of his bonce!)
One Hundred!
One Hundred!
Bertie: “Stone the crows and strike a light mate. One Hundred? Are you sure?”
Bobby: “Yes Bertie. This is your… ONE HUNDRETH BLOG! A century of stories. A week late after last week’s headache.” (Trevor is getting a little full of himself. More later).
Bertie: “Crikey! I wonder what Diddley would make of it?”
Bobby: “Well I can tell you that she knew, like all of us, she would meet her maker one day. More than anything she hoped that she would not be forgotten.”
Bertie: “Fat chance of that mate!”
This 100th blog is spread over two weeks, centred on where it all started. Spitalfields. The National Garden Scheme’s Spitalfields Open Gardens (see 31 Fournier Street) has been featured by the Gentle Author. All the gardens are behind the houses and you have to walk through them to the gardens. Here’s his take on it:
His student Bobby has a rather different take, dominated by me. The Bear that he created as Mindfully Bertie. And has now given rise to one hundred blogs!
Townhouse Fournier Street
Townhouse above which the course was held that saw the creation of Mindfully Bertie.