Thursday, 30 August 2007

In Memory


Its been 10 years since the loss of Diana the Princess of Wales. You may not have liked her, you may have admired her or you may not have been bothered one way or the other.


Its still a mystery as to her death, 10 years on and still not a comprehensive report, they still say it was an accident, but have failed to publish a full and final report??


The fact is she made a difference maybe not to you or me but the thousands that met her will always remember her for her kindness and understanding of the ill and infirmed.


I did admire her and was as shocked as every one else on that night of the 30th and was taken to write the following.



Ode
to
Diana Princess of Wales


Met by a few and adored by many
You will always remain in everyone’s memory

Your radiant smile that beamed like the sun
warm in nature and so full of fun.

Irrespective of culture, Nationality or creed
Your love you gave to all those in need.

In the early hours of 31st August 1997
the world was deprived of your many talents
as you were taken to heaven.

Your short life, both happy and sad
and those you touched, always glad.

The world now full of sorrow
we the people will miss you tomorrow.

Crowned the “Peoples English Rose”
our very own Queen of Hearts.
It was such a shame that this honour
was only bestowed after you had to depart.

Millions watched as you passed them by
a heavy heart and a tear in their eye,
they waited and watched along the way
to see your last journey on this mournful day
and all with one wish to say their last goodbye.






Vaughn Trench 1997

Monday, 27 August 2007

My STAR

It was Gill’s Birthday on the 21st so a big weekend was planned starting on Friday 17th when we visited Bournemouth in the morning for the annual Red Arrows display over the pier, if you want to get close to a Red Arrows air display, position yourselves at the end of the pier and watch the display above you. Great! More photos on the web, see link to the left..

Then back to Southampton to our friends S&P to take Lindford (their dog) for a walk in the New Forest, before returning to Bournemouth for a meal at Hot Rocks and watch the firework display, best spot is on the Hot Rocks balcony, food drink and fireworks, what a way to end the day.

Saturday, well it rained all day, so after another walk in the New Forest we visited Buelea for a little shopping. In the evening we went to Shirley a suburb of Southampton for a Chinees meal at Kachina, great food, we opted for the buffet, as many starters including crispy duck as you can eat and to round off a main course.

Sunday after a lie in another walk in the forest, well you have to get rid of all those calories somehow, before a visit to a local hotel for Sunday lunch (the end to a perfect weekend) before driving home.

I’ve been getting concerned about the size of my carbon footprint so I decided this week to do something about it, I visited the local shoe shop and had my feet measured and I’m pleased to report they are still size nine, haven’t changed for years so I can stop worrying.

Mind you the Climate protestors at Heathrow showed us the way to cut down on carbon emissions by turning up at their camp in 4 x 4’s and white vans, in clothes made in India & China with tents I should imagine were also manufactured abroad!!!!!

Monday, 13 August 2007

Low Down but Flying High

Well it’s finally over, my birthday that is.

On the 28th July, I along with Paul visited Milton Keynes, where we visited AirKix and learnt to fly like birds, its surprising how long 60 second (1 minute) lasts when your put into an air tube and allowed to float on a draft of air at terminal velocity. Sounds easy, I suppose it is when you know what your doing.

I can only describe it as trying to float very still in the sea on your stomach while trying to keep your head above water, great fun while your trying and trying is the operative word, but still great fun and you don’t get water in your mouth.

If you fancy a parachute jump or skydiving give this a go, no jumping out of planes, no worries about parachutes not opening, just visit http://www.airkix.co.uk/ absolutely no strings attached.

Well all the water has receded up here and everyone is drinking tape water, just as well as 10% of the water bowsers have gone walk about, if you see any for sale on eBay Severn Trent would be interested. Just as we thought summer had arrived we are about to get another deluge, a months rain overnight, so fill up your water bottles and sand bags.


The shed is progressing, now with a felt roof, door and two sides clad, wont know what to do next year when I’m all finished.


Finally to all those that sponsored me on the L2B bike ride, the finally tally was £390.10 excluding the gift aid. THANK YOU.