The Diary of a Country Bumpkin

A quick image of my new Bently Arnage R which replaced the previous one which was sadly written off earlier this year.

Three weeks ago we went to Brooklands for the Relived weekend and took the old 1947 Bentley Mk VI and as usual didn’t got around to taking a photo of the car until we got home, just to prove it had ventured out of the garage.

We did however take advantage of getting our photos taken by Sian T photography in the rather lovely Barbara Cartland waiting room prior to having a drink in the Members bar.

I wore a jacket which I recently bought in a vintage clothes shop in Edinburgh when I went to pick up my recent Bentley Arnage, rather amazingly the jacket belonged to a member of 617 The Dambusters Squadron and came with history and whilst the owner Alexander Sinclair was not on the Dams raid he did take part in the raids to destroy the Turpitz, it seemed highly appropriate to wear it to the wartime base of Barnes Wallis.

To cap it all, Angella was dragged into the best dressed competition, something she is reluctant to do but the young man organising things was most insistent, resulting in a win as the best dressed overall. A nice drive home in the Bentley and a quick ‘ruby’ to finish off the day, what more could you ask?

Some years ago, I was somewhat surprised to find that during the First World War there was an extremely good postal service between the troops and those at home which caused me to write this radio play which gives a fascinating insight into the everyday lives of the troops, from the sheer horror to the most requested item to be sent which was socks. An odd request one might think, but dry socks could save a man’s life for trench foot which left untreated can lead to gangrene and sepsis and could be fatal.

The play was called Dulce Et Decorum Est Pro Patria Mori and was produced by the Wireless Theatre Company and I recently (20 minutes ago!) came across a ten-minute trailer for the play which I may have uploaded with any luck.

However, it seems I have been a right clever Charlie and managed to upload the full version!

I did mention in my previous post that this one about the Melton Mowbray forties weekend would contain somewhat fewer photographs than my last post but nonetheless for that the quality will still be maintained.

Angella and Steve relaxing in the shade.

With friends, Shirley and some of her girls.

Mary the wonderful vintage vocalist who performs under the name of Lady Kingsnorth, very amusing and well worth seeing if you get the chance.

Angella with Chelsea Pensioner Roy Palmer. I have posted before that this 86 year old man is doing a wing walk at Sywell Aerodrome on 4th July to raise money for the Chelsea Hospital, as I said previously he should have his head examined to which he agreed. You are not too late to donate to this very worthwhile cause by following this link http://www.justgiving.com/page/roy-palmer-3

As usual we are always too busy enjoying the event to remember to take photos but this was a little taster of a very friendly event and one we shall be back to next year.

We went to Kelham Hall in April and due to circumstances beyond my control I am finally uploading some photos which were taken when we were there by the rather splendid Anna Marriage from Marriage Photography.

I have to say Angella came out particularly well, however as my agent used to say to me, ‘you have a very good character face’ which sounds good but actually means quirky and although not handsome it did earn me a fairly decent living for some many years, so I can’t complain.

Here are a selection of some of them.

Angella looking pensive

In this one I seem to be heavily back lit as if anointed by some heavenly glow, one has to wonder was I being called for some higher purpose?

I think this may be my version of looking lovingly into Angella’s eyes, either that or I’m laughing at one of my own jokes, which is entirely possible.

I’m not sure why Angella is clinging to my jacket in this photo, it’s not like I’m going anywhere.

This is a rather good one of our friends Jan and Steve and that pretty much sums up our visit to Kelham Hall, good fun meeting friends, shopping and a quick dance with Alan and Julie.

Same note to self as usual; must try to remember to take some photos of our own when we go out!

Some of you may have read my previous post about our rescue cockapoo Barnie who within the first week of his arrival had bitten every one of us, however we are not the sort of people who give up that easily and today we may have passed another milestone. I certainly hope so!

He was five years old when he arrived and we noticed straight away that he preferred women to men and he was quite nervous and was a resource guarder which meant he would guard the chair in the kitchen and would reluctantly share it with the women but woe betide any man foolish enough to sit with him.

However, today he came in as I was at my desk and I gave him a little fuss when he placed his front paws on my legs and the attempted to get on the chair with me, somewhat surprised I reached down and helped him up and there he sat as happy as Larry.

I quickly called Angella in to take a photo, just in case this was a fluke, but I’m hopeful it is another step in the right direction. Well done Barnie.

I was on Facebook earlier and someone had posted a map of the UK shipping forecast areas, my favourites of which are North Utsire and South Utsire which caused me to think, there are two things on the wireless that are quintessentially British and somehow strangely comforting that all is well with the world no matter how bad things may seem, one is the shipping forecast and the other is Desert Island discs, neither of which should ever change their theme tunes.