The Darling Buds of May… “Murdered by Surrey County Council”
The Darling Buds of May… “Murdered by Surrey County Council”. David Gilmour… (once of Pink Floyd): Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day? Thou art more lovely and more temperate: Rough winds to shake the darling buds of May, And summer’s lease hath all too short a date: Sometime too hot the eye of…
The Isabella Plantation – A Journey Through Time
The Isabella Plantation. A Journey through Time. Sid and Dorothy (Bobby’s parents) loved The Isabella Plantation. It’s an abiding memory of a long time ago. Especially the day they took him there on the 213 bus. Bobby has been there many times in recent years, but never again by 213 bus.
The Handkerchief Tree.
The Handkerchief Tree. Bertie: “Gor blimey, Bobby. You do find out some interesting things!” Bobby: “Thank you, Bertie. I am just naturally inquisitive.” Bertie: “Well just think. This is all about a tree. A seemingly boring tree. A tree you have walked past, cycled past and driven past loads of times without so much as…
A Day out with Thomas.
A Day Out With Thomas. Play this: Dear Christopher, Here is your friend Thomas, the Tank Engine. He wanted to come out of his station-yard and see the world. These stories tell you how he did it. I hope you will like them because you helped me to make them. Your Loving Daddy
April in Paris – Pt 2.
April in Paris. Doris Day: She was 97 on 3 April. Bertie: “A Museum! We have come all the way to Paris to go to a bleedin’ Museum!” Bobby: “Careful, Bertie. You said that once before and you loved the London Transport Museum.”
April in Paris – Pt 1
April in Paris. Bertie: “What’s the matter with you, Bobby me old mate?” Bobby: “Gout!” Bertie: “They took my bleedin ‘ead off last year. Anyway, wot about our ‘oliday round Europe?” Bobby: “Well, it’s just two weeks away and I can hardly walk.” Bertie: “Do you know what mate? I don’t think you really want…
Armandii. The Queen of Spring.
Armandii. The Queen of Spring. This is the story of a plant, a priest and a love affair. Back in 1986, Bobby saw his first Clematis Armandii. The first time, that is, he knew its name. Draped over a disused shed at Highdown Gardens near Worthing in Sussex, it wasn’t even in the main garden,…
Tick Tock.
TICK TOCK… tick tock… tick tock… tick tock, tick tock, tick tock, tick tock. Dear Friends of Bertie… now and again, when the opportunity arises, we like to look at more serious, even difficult, subjects. Alcoholism and the part Al-Anon Family Groups play in helping those affected by the drinking of others is one important…
More Balls Than Most.
More Balls Than Most. Dear Friends – The other week, we reminded you of our positive approach to mental illness. This week we can lighten the mood on the same subject. There is no doubt that relaxation, in what ever form it can take, is beneficial. But not always easy to obtain for the person…
We Won the Cup!
We Won the Cup! It wasn’t the FA Cup. It was better than that! It wasn’t the final of the Europa league. It was better than that! It wasn’t even the final of the Champions League. It was even better than that! Why? Because long after those big cup finals are consigned to history and…