Ashcombe

Love Story (Where Do I Begin?) - Andy Williams

Olddudders sent me the link to this and I was delighted to share it with the cast and crew of our forthcoming production. Unfortunately, our programmes are already printed or we could have included an advertisement for your product. If any aficionados of the series fancy a few days in Torquay, then details of our imminent production, which runs for two weeks, may be found here:- www.toadslittletheatre.co.uk We are staging The Deadly Attachment, Mum's Army, Lady Godiva and the Helston Floral Dance. The photo shows some of the main players, some of whom bear a resemblance to the original cast! Good luck with your sales!

Back in the early 70’s, I spent a year living in the States, having married my ex there. Before flying home, we had to ensure that we had paperwork to prove that we had paid city, state and federal taxes or we would not have been allowed to leave the country.

My cardiologist arranges an annual ECG and echocardiogram since I was first treated by him three years ago. Due to my mitral valve leaking increasingly, I had open heart surgery to repair it on Hallowe’en last year. In January, I attended my dental practice for a hygienist appointment to be told that no work could be carried out by her until a year after my operation due to the potential risk of infection affecting the valve. Routine dental work is considered safe so I was given emergency treatment in December by a young man with whom I’d appeared on stage last summer in ‘Allo, ‘Allo. But that’s another story……!

Yet again, we’ve missed out on a ballet booked months ago! I’ve given the tickets for Birmingham Royal Ballet’s Swan Lake to a theatre contact who will go with his brother. It's reward enough to know someone goes who will enjoy it, rather than the tickets be wasted. The flowers came from DH to compensate for his non arrival! We are fortunate to have cultivated (pardon the pun!) the services of an excellent local florist who regularly delivers flowers to me. Yesterday, she enquired after my health as she knew I’d had surgery last year. Like many folk, she’s rather intrigued by our unconventional marital arrangement!

……… or not.

Good morning from a wild, wet and windy Torbay! A few days ago, olddudders hinted that you chaps would appreciate hearing a few lines from me! I guess it would allay any doubts as to my existence and enable me to give you some insight into being the “cared for” rather than the carer! We’ve had what amounts to a lie-in for us, with sleeping until after 6.00 a.m. when we’ve routinely been having TIB any time from 4.00a.m. Certainly that was my best night since being in hospital! Poor olddudders has to make all the hot drinks until I’m allowed to lift the weight of a kettle, once my chest has fully healed. (Finding the travel kettle would be a good idea!) A later bedtime has made a difference. Olddudders was a Front of House steward last night for our latest theatrical production: Ladies’ Day, which was well received, apparently. I was glad he could enjoy a break from his caring duties whilst I had a catch up call with a lovely friend from my Staffordshire days, with whom I appeared on stage many times back in the day. I’ve enjoyed reading through the recent pages and recognising many names here from my days of contributing regularly. All the best! Sherry

We have a model of one such, hanging from a beam at Ian's house…!

In Torquay we’ve had to postpone a six week summer season run of ‘Allo, ‘Allo for the second year running. We were due to open in early August but there are too many in the cast to meet indoors to rehearse now that restrictions haven’t been lifted. Both Ian and I had minor roles in it but are hoping normal conditions will enable us to participate next summer.

Also known as B-days....... (bidets) ..... many of us have them but nobody knows what to do with them!!

In contrast, this is a story to restore faith in the younger generation:- https://www.essexlive.news/news/essex-news/towie-star-bobby-norris-becomes-4950554 Having appeared in “The Only Way is Essex”, Bobby Norris is an excellent rôle model for the young in his willingness to train to administer injections, having had experience in doing so for a relative with cancer. He himself suffered from Covid at Christmas and vowed he'd try to help with the vaccination programme as a result.

I can imagine the problem; luckily, I wear contact lenses so I don’t have that problem.

I have basic NHS hearing aids and have no problem in keeping my mask on without disturbing the aids. But I do have quite large ears.....!!

Baby Love - The Supremes

Here’s a link to an informative document about the administration of the vaccination. Although it is 47 pages long, it’s well organised with subheadings, making it easy to select sections of particular interest.

Some very valid points are being made and I do not wish to appear flippant within a serious thread but I thought I’d share this for a little light relief:- For the second time this week, our MP has published an update which includes the following:- “....... I mentioned in my update special on Wednesday of it appearing people have gyrated towards areas with lower restrictions, despite advice not to, with the resulting impact now being seen.....” I'll let you know if I see any “gyrating” visitors in Torbay. I suppose it’s one way of keeping warm! As Ian (Olddudders) remarked: “The peasants are revolving....!”

Why? Others might say he’s a rôle model for those from humble origins to achieve against the odds. He has matured over the years into a very likeable young man besides being a talented driver.

Peace and joy to all this festive season.

The one and only time that Olddudders and I have been to the pictures was to see “Le Mans 66” and he loved it, as did I. We have been to the theatre or the ballet more often in the last six years.

That sounds like an ideal way to dip your toe in the water (pardon the pun!) Some of you may remember that Olddudders wasn’t keen but two cruises to interesting destinations in N. Europe, including the Norwegian fjords, converted him. We should have undertaken a third one last April but obviously it was cancelled. For a first cruise, I would recommend Fred Olsen, a small company with small ships. Our favourite vessel is MV Balmoral. On a well organised cruise, queuing is not an issue.

Some of you may be interested to know that several cruise ships (and the ocean liner QM2!!) have been anchored in Torbay since the Spring! There just aren’t enough mooring spaces available in ports. They are regarded with great affection by the locals, not least because they have donated surplus food to our local homeless charities. Some landlubbers are planning to gather boxes of treats for the crews for Christmas. Today, there were six in sight as I walked over Babbacombe Downs! Earlier this year, some enterprising boat owners, who normally run ferries within the bay, organised trips for people to view the ships at close quarters. My son, grandson and I joined one such trip last month.

Just dropping in to share this:-

Oh, I am - every sheet I use!

Just for the record: it’s a 16 roll pack! (and Ian teases me about my number blindness....!)