Author: siskinbob

Formerly employed by MOD and IBM, now retired

Fill in the blank–what happens next?


Three people walk into a bar. They all sustain superficial injuries but decide to sue the person who left the bar where people could hurt themselves.

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At Last !!!


“18 months” they said. Then “Open by Easter, 2013” they said. That’s how long they said it would take to reinstate the shops and takeaway following the fire that destroyed our local shopping centre.

Here we are, at the end of June, and the pharmacy has opened. Hooray.

I feel for the staff at Rowlands who have put in a stalwart performance since the fire. The following statement by the News doesn’t really recognise the conditions that they have endured.

Since then, staff have been dispensing medicine from a cramped portable building in the car park of Stake Lodge Surgery.

The “cramped portable building” was really little more than a converted shipping container and working there must have been like being in an oven in the summer and being in a freezer in the winter. And yet, throughout it all, they still managed to put on a cheery face and I for one would like to thank them all for the service that they provided in those less than kindly conditions. I hope they like their new accommodation.

Joy as Waterlooville fire-hit pharmacy rises from the ashes – Local Health – Portsmouth News.

Man arrested after robbing a store with a clear plastic bag on his head. Yes, drugs and alcohol were involved


Sigh —– Only in England. The mind truly boggles.

West Kirby


Last Sunday, part of the bank holiday weekend, was a glorious day. Unusual for a bank holiday, the sun was shining and the sky was blue. We chose to drop down to West Kirby for a stroll along the prom. The popularity of this area, evidenced by the crowds of people enjoying the fresh air and the sun and the views, brought back childhood memories.

Many times, as kids we would be taken down to the sea-shore at Worthing or Hastings with nothing more that a ball and a picnic which usually featured eggy butties. We did nothing much other than messing about on the beach, rock pools and on the wooden groynes. The crown on such a day was usually an ice cream, a “99” with maybe some sprinkles and on some occasions we would have fish and chips, in newspaper.

SundaySailor
Sailing on Marin Lake – West Kirby

Well I’m a bit older now but the simplicity of walking along the prom at West Kirby,
inhaling the fresh sea air, watching the boats on Marine Lake,

SundaySailor3
A Mirror Dinghy sailing Marine Lake – West Kirby

watching  the “scousers” walking on water, they are really walking the Marine Lake wall and

Marine Lake - West Kirby
Marine Lake – West Kirby

enjoying the views across the Dee estuary to Wales. Money cannot buy these pleasures and none is required.

Well, actually, you do need some money if you are to have an ice cream. And we did top of the experience and partake of a very nice ice cream, not a “99” but tasty even though it lacked the flake.

Glorious.