We headed off to Cosford, again. See the aeroplanes. It was that or the zoo, which is a bit of a drive, too far I said, but Bradley was certain. "Ooo, Ooo" He'd say, excitedly bobbing up and down. Didn't get many good photos of Bradley, as it was just me and the boy. Esme, went off with Amanda for the afternoon. Saw a few planes taking off, little glider or training planes. And the rest of the usual show of big planes, bombs and fast ones.

One highlight was watching Bradley zip around the tables in the cafe, pretending to be a plane, with his arms outstretched. He did maybe four laps, of six tables and I was wondering when he'd stop. Nobody seemed to notice him, nor my applause. Suddenly, he stopped, and took a deep bow, to his admirers - me. Arms tucked in and very theatrical. He's learnt it off his sister. Perfect. They grow up sooo quickly.

1040 Also posted to: Home page . At: 12:34:07 AM  . .
Permalink  Top  Search Google  Technorati
Other title(s) for this story: Cosford Air Museum

Of course, we start in the big park. We start in one of the gardens, feeding the fish, off to the adventure playground, into the kiddies, park, thence to the little fair. Thankfully, many were unmanned.

Some pix from indoors before we set out on our Sunday adventure. I do some Scrabble with Esme. At last, I find something she'll do with me as part of my educate the kids current gig.

The Telford Steam Railway Museum Esme gets a bit scared here. Who can blame her, they are huge when you get up close, and the stink of old machine oil must be over powering her their noses. We first take the model train railway, and pretend to be trains, going woo-woo, chuff-a-chuff, the whole bit, as we whizz around the tracks.

The view of the Severn's flood plain between Cressage and Buildwas. In the Autumn, I'll get some of the floods, it's an impressive contrast.

Deep sighs for me here. I'd love to be able to pop up here for a couple of hours. But the minimum ticket is four hours, and really, it ain't worth doing for less. I just can't seem to steal 5 hours to do it. Time!	Such a gin clear day, I could see trout swimming past, soon to be scared off by me pointing them out to Esme, who threw big stones at them. Hours of fun throwing big stones into deep water. Sometimes I join in too.

The pub we always call into. The landlady came out to see Bradley, last time we spoke, Bradley had been born a few days earlier. Now he is going on three. They had a wicked time, pulling faces, playing look at that, while I pinched Bradley's crisps. Esme taught him not to turn around, no matter how inducing I was to be. Then he learnt to trick me and steal my beer.

1024 Also posted to: Home page . At: 12:33:59 AM  . .
Permalink  Top  Search Google  Technorati
Other title(s) for this story: Another Sunday adventure

We took a trip down to Ironbridge. It's only a couple of miles from our house, and we go there fairly often. They've got good memories: ice creams, nice people in the shops, throwing stones off the bridge. Today, we found a brilliant place to throw stones into the water. Huge stones, and plenty of them too. So this time I took some more pix, of the place in general too. I'll add more to this news item over time. It'll be nice to see it in different seasons. Right now in late Spring, watching the insects on the water, I noticed a lot of mayflies and other duns. Boy, I wish I could make to time to do some fishing, bet those old trout in the Severn would be great sport, yummy. I'd have liked to have taken a boat trip, 45 minutes up and down the river, but Esme was definitely not keen, and Bradley sided with Esme, typically. They just wanted to keep throwing stones in. It would have kept them quiet for hours. I think we'll get to do it sometime. Esme Took the one of me, without Bradley's head. I try to get her to look at the whole frame. Oh well, at least she doesn't have her finger in the way anymore.

1022 Also posted to: Home page . At: 6:08:23 PM  . .
Permalink  Top  Search Google  Technorati
Other title(s) for this story: Ironbridge drizzly Sat pix

"So what becomes of you my love
When they have finally stripped you of
The handbags and the gladrags
That your poor old Grandad had to sweat to buy you"

I love this song. Always brings up the hairs on the back of my neck. I didn't realize that Rod Stewart did this first. The Stereophonics are from the same village in South Wales as me, about a mile or less up the road.

1009 Also posted to: Home page . At: 12:28:43 AM  . .
Permalink  Top  Search Google  Technorati
Other title(s) for this story: Stereophonics: handbags and gladrags

"A healthy immune system can enhance your resistance, but remember that sugar weakens your immune system so if someone in your house has a cold, stay away from sugar.

Dairy also increases mucous formation, so avoid dairy as much as possible. Herbs that promote sweating help the body rid the virus through the skin, so hot peppers, ginger, nutmeg, cinnamon and other warming herbs are helpful. Vitamin C, zinc lozenges, Echinacea and goldenseal are great, but I would certainly keep Kan Jang on hand."

I feel a bit better now the aspirins have kicked in. And I certainly had a sweat feast in bed last night. So did Bradley.

1008 Also posted to: Home page . At: 11:05:45 PM  . .
Permalink  Top  Search Google  Technorati
Other title(s) for this story: A Natural Remedy for the Common Cold

"Any form of hot drink will provide relief from the symptoms of sore throat and cough. The hot fluid has a demulcent and soothing action and tasty drinks containing slightly bitter flavours such as lemon and citric acid are particularly beneficial. Spicy foods and hot soups are also beneficial as they promote airway secretions which have a calmative action on an inflamed throat."

I've got a cold, so's Amanda, Bradley and Esme. And we're all in a bad mood too. Bugger. They can put men on the moon, but can't cure the common cold.

1007 Also posted to: Home page . At: 11:05:40 PM  . .
Permalink  Top  Search Google  Technorati
Other title(s) for this story: Common Cold Centre: Cardiff UK

"SAT 17th MAY 2003 (1pm - 4pm)

"BLUES ON THE FARM"

Barleylands, Billericay, Essex"

This isn't me. A nice clean simple site, with plenty of info. Strange big world. Do a search for Steve Hooker in Google and he's been dogging me for two years now. Though I should confess to a little jealousy to his rock and roll pedigree.

977 Also posted to: Home page . At: 12:52:01 AM  . .
Permalink  Top  Search Google  Technorati
Other title(s) for this story: Steve Hooker Wild Rockin' Trio