WHAT ATTRACTED YOUR ATTENTION TODAY?

[Stanley]

Yes Ian, I often use it.
Cathy, if you are reading this. News from Perth that Margaret has been whipped into hospital for tests. It wouldn't be a Graham wedding without some last minute drama!

[PanBiker]

You didn't intimate that in your reply to Cathy Stanley that's why I mentioned it. Anyway I hope Margaret is OK.

[Cathy]

Yes I hope Margaret is OK too.

[Stanley]

Cathy, she will miss the wedding but see it on a video link. She is going to be having a lot of tests today and has decided they are more important. I've spoken to her this morning....

[Stanley]

Holly is safely wed so we can all relax. It happened while I was doing my shopping.....

[Wendyf]

Congratulations to all!

[Cathy]

Look forward to the pics Stanley

[Stanley]

No pics, they have embargoed them. Their privilege I suppose. But I can disclose that as I write they are eating and drinking at the resort in the Swan Valley where the knot was tied. ((Stars of the show are Lily and Kahara I reckon. )

[Big Kev]

No pics, they have embargoed them. Their privilege I suppose.

Is the video still available? You could watch that.

[Stanley]

I've seen all the pics, the embargo is against publishing on the web Kev.
Susan says they all had a good time and finished up dancing until midnight! All our lot were staying at the resort where the wedding was held and so nobody had to drive. What a sensible arrangement. No word yet bwhere Margaret is but I'm sure I'll get news soon.

[Stanley]

Have a look at THIS BBC account of the damning report that London Fire Brigade is institutionally misogynist and racist. The criticisms have been accepted completely by the brigade. The evidence given to the enquiry is damning.
Once again this raises in my mind the corrosive influence of the macho culture we have seen in the past at Deepcut Barracks where, as in this case, enquiries were instituted following an alleged suicide. As I have said before, I saw nothing of this behaviour in my army days, perhaps I was simply lucky but I doubt it. We weren't driven by any macho culture and we had a very clear understanding of our limitations. Even more important, our senior NCOs were all veterans of the war and I think our ethos was very close to what was current in the army then. It seems to be embedded now in the police and the fire service as well as the army.

[Tizer]

In the late 1700s more schools were being set up in England because of the need for young boys to be better educated to be of use to engineering firms etc. I've just read the interesting fact that at the time Newcastle was second only to London in number of schools.

[Tripps]

I saw nothing of this behaviour in my army days,

How many women were in the Cheshires at the time?

[Stanley]

Women excepted of course David. I was referring to the absurd macho culture as you well know....
My gunlayer, Mick Burgess only signed up in the army because the judge promised him five years the next time he was sentenced when convicted of garage-breaking. He joined the Green Howards not realising they were a Light Infantry regiment and did everything at the double with rifles held at trail. So he deserted and joined the Cheshires for 22. Shortly after he arrive with us at Colchester the MPs caught up with him and took him away. Shortly after that he returned and was put on my gun crew. I think the fact that he was a very good heavyweight boxer might have had something to do with it. My point is that Mick would have fitted in well with a macho environment but it never happened. He was a lovely bloke and I had the pleasure of having him until I was demobbed.



Mick on the left at Sennerlager in 1955....

[Cathy]

Ian
Enjoy your day

[PanBiker]

Thanks Cathy.

[Big Kev]

Hope you've had a good one Ian

[Stanley]

Many happy returns Ian.... 21 again?

[plaques]

I always give my age with the number transposed. Stanley would be 78 but I'm only in my mid 30s. Raises a few smiles but falls flat if I give it in Roman numerals.

[PanBiker]

Thanks all, Ken if I did that it would be a total fail at 96!

Not 21, Stanley but I reckon about 25 in my head.

[MickBrett]

Belated Happy Birthday, Ian.

[PanBiker]

Thanks Mick.

[Stanley]

I reckoned I was 38 for years until the evidence against became overwhelming. Now I just see it as a number....

[Stanley]

You may remember that I had a problem with my new watch from Huppachs and took it back in to be repaired under the guarantee. I rang today to ask if there was any news and was surprised when I was told it was awaiting collection. Pity they hadn't let me know.... When I went for it I was asked for the ticket number which they hadn't given to me but came away with my watch. Glad to have it back but not overly impressed with the service..... Of course I am a cantankerous old bugger....

[PanBiker]

I reckoned I was 38 for years until the evidence against became overwhelming. Now I just see it as a number....

Ha! you set the bar too high to start with Stanley at 38. I too see it as a number, I judge myself by how I feel.

I hope your watch is OK Stanley. I am waiting for a replacement strap for my latest inheritance. I'm using Sally's former Fitbit Versa watch, I have upgraded to that from my previous one which was a Fitbit but with a mono display that had become very difficult to read. Sally upgraded to a later version of the Versa because she said this one wouldn't sync properly to the Fitbit app. I can't find fault with it myself but I don't like the purple wrist strap, I have a black one winging it's way to me from Ebay, can't be stung at £2.99 I can see this one properly as it has a bigger dial and a full colour display. I have the choice in the memory to store 5 different clock faces which I can choose whichever takes my fancy for readability and the info it gives in addition to the time.

I have a normal quartz watch that just tells the time but it needs a new battery and I haven't got round to getting one yet. Cant see why they cant shove rechargeable lithium's into "normal" watches.