jamie92208

Evening all. It is still wet here and more wood will be fetched shortly. Good news today, Beth is definitely getting better. How do I know this. Simples, I got a grade 1 rollocking for having the temerity to ask a nurse a question. Those of you on the back row stop sniggerring. I was not asking the nurse for anything improper, only when Beth was going to gave her pot removed. Apparently this will happen on Monday. Dinner has been eaten and Joan has packed for a departure tomorrow. I will drop her in La Rochelle then might just find time to explore the U boat pens and various railway installations before heading off to see Beth. Lunch on the station is a probability. I'm glad that Poppy has turned up. When Gavin was young I was changing the duvet and when shaking it thought that the weight distribution had altered. He had only got right inside the cover and been shaken up and down. He was none the worse for his travels. Regards to all. Jamie

Good moaning (just) from a damp Chsrente where a strange yellow object has been sighted in a gap in the clouds. Much has been done. Joan had to be at the Gendarmarie at 09.00. The charming Madame Garondaud was very nice and efficient, after that it was off to the bank to inform them of events. That took a bit longer, and much more paper, however we were back home by 10.15. Various other tasks have now been done. the major one is to amend my ferry booking and it now looks as if I may be in the UK on the 28th of this month. Beth is awaiting her test results and after lunch we are off to see her. Joan is going home tomorrow, she is incredibly well organised and doing very well. I've done things like turning the water and electricity off at their house so it's now winterised. I hope that Rick and Sharron an of course Debs are well. Regards to all. Jamie

Perhaps at some point in the future sanity will return and Bedford will became a major interchange between EMT, EWR and Thameslink. I'll not hold my breath. Jamie

Evening all. A good day out has been had. Much driving has been done a good meal was eaten with friends and my first mince pies of the seasom were consumed. I even managed to see some trains. Beth us still in awaiting results but us a bit more comfortable. Joan has finally got the death certificates and is now booked to travel home on Sunday. Regards to all. Jamie

No it's 27. That's the maximum width, in inches, of a baseboard crate that will fit through a single leaf door. Good moaning to all from a brightening but cool Charente. Rick I hope that Sharron's improvement continues and that your eyes stay OK Baz. As to HH's eyes I think that he shoukd stop looking at green things with copper caps, he even thinks they lok nice these days. Today I'm having a day off visiting and heading north for a model railway group meeting plus a tad of trainspotting at Poitiers. Alternative visitors have been arranged. Regards to all. Jamie

Further news from the Charente Profonde. Beth has had a minor procedure and most of the abcess has been drained. However she needs to wait 48 hours for the results of the various tests. She seems to be doing OK. Joan (the widow) is doing fine and hopefully will get the death certificate tomorrow so hopes to fly home on Sunday. We had a delegation of two Gendarmes and the mayor this morning to sort out some details. The senior one is a lady Sgt or Chef. She was most touched when I gave her a set of British Sgt's stripes that I had spare. She then gave me a hug and kissed me on both cheeks. It's a hard life over here. After I visited Beth this afternoon, Joan and I went into the local town for Fish and Chips. Kids have all been rung and updated. Regards to all. Jamie

Good evening from a dark Charente. All this mention of beer brings back many memories of Tetley's as the brewery was on our patch when I worked at Dewsbury Road. The best Tetley's was allegedly the stuff delivered by horse drawn dray when they had the shire horses. The Blooming Rose, Junction and I think the garden gate were all good, however Tetley's bitter gave me a headache but Mild was lovely. When attending sudden death's we could usually tell those that had been long term Tetley's Bitter drinkers from the state of the outside loo. It is alleged that one night in the mid 70's a drunk was arrested on Beeston Hill (He'd allegedly come out of the Malvern) and put in the back of the van. The officers then got diverted en route to another call that took an hour and a half to sort. By this time the drunk was showing signs of sobering up. The van driver's dad worked as a night security man at the brewery. A visit was duly made and some bottles were procured, two of them were allegedly, given to the drunk who thought that Christmases had come early. He was still well and truly drunk when he was finally booked in at the bridewell. I obviously cannot comment on the veracity of this story. Jamie

Good morning all. Beth us awaiting her op and I will be heading there this aft. Meanwhile the ironing awaits. I will do it in the sitting room with some de ent music playing on Vinyl at a high volume as there will be no one to object. Chrisf, i don't think that I've ever been compared to Hamlet before. I would have thought that I was whatever was rotten in the state of Denmark. Bill, walk away. A volunteer has the ultimate power unlike an employee. Unfortunately many people who manage volunteers don't realise that. That's why the OU has a separate module on managing in the voluntary sector. As to beer I did drink a few pints of Courage when I lived in London in 71. At least it was better than Watneys Red Barrell. Regards to all. Jamie

Good evening from a dark Charente. The fire is hot, after I cleaned the grate bars. Beth is safely in hospital and due to have an operation tomorrow. Hopefully it will sort the problem. An excellent talk with the surgeon this afternoon. Not only did Beth find him a bit dishy but he listened well and was very quick to admit that he didn't know much about Beth's overall condition, so ge was going to enlist the help of a colleague who did. Joan is doi g well and has just cooked tea. I did last nights. She has now got the PM result and hopefully will be able to get the death certificate on Friday. The tentative plan us for her to go back home on Sunday and her husband will get there on Monday. All being well Beth will be home mid week next week. It looks as if we may have to pistpone our trip to the UK. Regards to all Jamie

The WCML has always been pretty full in the peaks, certainly since electrification. I have some very good memories of spendi g a couple of evenings on Bletchley in about 72 and watching one 100 mph express after another, hammer north on the fast lines. From memory one every 3 minutes from about 5pm to 6.30pm. Jamie

As has been said before the PR has been appalling but I think that a lot of it us due to lazy journalism. The concept of freeing up capacity takes understanding and careful writing about so that the readers/viewers/listeners understand. That is beyond many of the current crop of broadcasting airheads. They thus retreat to the easy option of concentrating on the speed. Jamie

Bon apres midi to you all. Life is still busy here but Beth and Joan are getting on very well and being mutually supportive. We are all waiting for phone calls today. Joan for the Gendarmarie with the PM result and Beth for the surgeon with a decision about her treatment. I've been out shopping for food and also the builders merchant. The sun is shining. The mud is drying out and we have washing on the line. It is time for a bit of relaxation. Regards to all. Jamie

I'll see No place and raise you No Name in Colorado. Apparently two feuding families couldn't agree on a name so the powers that be called it No Name and put it on the map. I cycled through it 2 days after my Avatar photo was taken. It would be a good place for a meet as a railway line runs along the other side of the river with trains pulled by big yellow things.. Jamie

Morning all from a still rather dark part of The Charente, which us still 150 klicks from Ikea. The house us warm. I have rejuvanated the fire and await a) the nurse, b) the builder and c) a call summoning me to the Gendarmarie. Joan and Beth both seem to be still asleep. Regards to all. Jamie

Evening all. The house is quiet. I can hear Joan snoring gently upstairs, the fire is going well. It's been a very good day. I got away about 10am, had a very pleasant hour on the station at La Rochelle, where I quietly watched what trains there were, ate a nice croque monsieur and read a book. Then off to the airport to collect Joan and by 14.00 was at the hospital to pick up Beth who has been released. They decided that the abscess was too deep to drain surgically without major risk so she had been sent home with lots of antibiotics and should be back there to have the thing drained under local on Thursday. She and Joan are both in very good spirits. They were both very tired, Joan had got up at 05.00 to be driven from Staffs to Stanstead. She has already been to their house twice. She can't do much until the results of the autopsy are known on Tuesday. Tomorrow we have to wait in till I get a call to go into the Gendarmerie to give a statement. I may or may not get to the village remembrance day event. Over here the 11th is a public holiday and each commune holds it's own event. Just to prove that I actually did see some trains here's a TGV Atlantique at La Rochelle. This series is being withdrawn quite rapidly. Regards to all and thanks again for the virtual support. I have also had a lot of supportive comments on a post I did on the retired West Yorks Police site. Though one ex colleague has asked why I didn't fill in the Form 49 myself and save the Gendarmes the trouble. Jamie

We could always use the site of New Zealand sidings in Lancaster. Good morning all from a quite bright Charente. Once again thanks for all the thoughts and concern. The first parts of the cunning plan have worked well. I'm off train watching in about an hour and after picking Joan up should get to Beth at about 2pm. Fingers are crossed. I like the idea of a moisture meter, I may well invest in one. At the moment our logs are stacked on pallets and I have to remember the provenance of each pallet load. Here they say that timber must have been felled at least 2 and a half years before it's burned. What we burn is mostly oak. We tend to use a mix of offcuts from the barrel naking industry and logs bought from neighbours in the village. However we have ash, sycamore, fir, pine and plum from our garden. I try to not use too much of the pine and fir at the same time. It's very different from just turning on a gas boiler. Regards to all. Jamie

Fortunately I can do mine under cover. Hope you get it sorted. Jamie

Evening all. Thanks for all the good wishes. Yes I am looking after myself and have now had a wizard idea. First a glass of Scottish Medecine in memory of John. Then a good nights sleep and no early start for the nurse in the morning. Then off to La Rochelle and have some lunch on the station and do some train watching. Then scoot along to the airport to pick Joan up. Then off to the hospital and hopefully bring Beth home. On that front she is now on a proper ward and the ancess is responding to antibiotics. If the improvement continues then she will be discharged to go back Thursday to have it drained under local with the aid of an X ray. There is however one thing worrying us. Apparently the abcess is on a lympg nose that shouldn't exist according to the Dr's text books. I've told the kids that this is the final proof that their mum is an alien... see how supportive I am. Regards to all other ER's. Jamie

Good morning from a Charente where there is fist and mog. Yesterday was 'interesting' for several reasons. In the morning I went out to post the renewed application for Beth's blue badge. On my return I called in to see an expat friend who had not been well. Beth and I had spent time on Thursday trying to persuade him not to try and drive back to the UK today. When I got there I found that the house was unlocked with lighrs on and no sign of John. I ended up searching the house and eventually found him in the toilet face down and dead having done an Elvis. Not an image I will ever forget. Needless to say there was then a lot to be done. Beth rang his wife in England and I got the mayor and started the official business. The Gendarmarie arrived and it was as if I was back at work. The Gendarmes took notes from me, then the Dr came and finally 3 funeral direcrors and the male gendarme managed to get all 24 stone of John downstairs and i to the hearse. House licked up a d back home for lunch. Then wait for our Dr to arrive and see Beth. Coffee and malt loaf consumed. Dr arrived and said. Hospital now. 1 hr drive to Saintes seen in A & E, casualty Dr said, Hernia but not dangerous go home come back in 10 days. Then call came in that a surgeon was en route. It appeared that the GP had rung the surgeon directly. Surgeon arrived and overruled the casualty dr who was not a happy bunny. Beth then admitted for a scan. Followed by 5 hr wait on trolley with no pain relief. I got a bit assertive and started askung awkward questions. Said Casualty Dr shouted that I should take her home. I refused. Eventually at midnight she was taken for the scan. Result, an abcess that needed urgent surgery. After she had been sorted and finally got some pain relief I came home and got to bed at 02.00. Up at 07.30 as the nurse was coming and I'd no cancellation number. Anyway since then Beth has moved onto a ward and is having the op today. Many many phone calls but most importantly I've managed to talk to our daughter and wish her happy birthday. 2nd coffee now drunk. Then lunch and back to the hospital. John's widow flies in tomorrow and I'm going to puck her up and bring her back here via the hospital. She's going to stay with us for the time being. We do live in i teresting times. Regards to all. Jamie

Morning all. It appears that we will only have a small amou t of liquid su shibe today but it is defibitely cooler. The mossies seem to be declining in numbers. A pleasant evening was spent at the quiz last night. Now it's time to wait fir the nurse and the builder to arrive. Last tiles to go on today it's looking good. Some good friends who are over here for a week are coming for a neal tonight. In between times I may even manage a bit of time in the shed. Regards to all. Jamie

Is that because the local inhabitants don't us the stuff any more. Anyway you will be glad to know that I do have a heart and they think it's working fine. Apart from tbat not a lot else has happened so I will bid you all bon nuit. Jamie

Bonjour to all from a getting damper place. Nurse has been and builder is busy putting tiles on walls. Hopefully he will be finished in 2 or 3 working days and Beth will be able to use her new shower unaided. Not alot else going on except that I have to head for the Danglies of St John to see a cardiologist. Just routine as I am of a certain age. If he says that I actually have a heart many family members and even more of my old clients will be very surprised. Positive thoughts towards Debs and all others in need. Jamie

Morning all from a cloudy Charente but it's not raining, at the monent. A good friend came for tea last night and miracle of miracles I was allowed near the cooker. Beth had prepared the salmon but I was allowed to do the veg, make the parsley sauce (using French not English Persil) and then plate up and serve. A good evening was had and John and I both felt the need for some Scottish medecine to finish the evening off with. Beth had some of her cherry brandy. This morning Beth was in a bad way with much pain in her bad leg after the nurse had been she eventually got up and had breakfast. After that a shower. This is a combined operation that takes half an hour (no sniggering on the back row there). The help needed is mainly lifting and supporting to get over the two steps, plinth and threshold, and then later, back out again. After she's dressed and hair has been attended to, I return and clear up and get the shower sleeves dry. Anyway after the shower and morning meds she seems a lot better and is due to go to her weekly French class. Once she's been left there i'm off to a friend's for coffee. Regards to all. Jamie

Good afternoon to all. Thoughts and prayers very much with John today. Also thanks to the person, whoever it was, that suggested the thread downtime. A good way yo remember John and Sandy. The morning was busy as it was shoping day. So after showers, nurses visit and seeing that Paul the builder was supplied with coffee, we set off north to Chef Boutonne. Shopping was done at tbe Supermarket and the builders merchant (yet again), then coffee was had and I nipped across the road to sort out some insurance. A hard task as the fair Laetitia, of the long legs was in. I suppose someone has to do it. More logs have been chopped to size and the ash and plum trees felled a year ago are now all under cover. The kitchen is busy as a friend is coming for tea. Regards to all. Jamie

No problem Mike (IIRC). It's a flattish loaf of yellowish bread with quite an open texture that actually stays soft for at least 3 days. We buy a fresh sliced loaf from an artisan baker on a Sunday morning and it lasts us for Sunday and Monday when our baguette machine isn't stocked. As the slices are quite long and a bit narrow we toast them under the grill. About 30 seconds per side. I'll try and take a photo later. It tastes lovely and we only discovered it recently. Jamie