I was slightly disappointed

(You might have to click on the images to see them clearer)
Last week i got a call from Marie the young lady in our facilities department to come and pick up a package that arrived at 'goods in'. I wasn't expecting anything but I do get stuff sent quite often so there wasn't any reason for concern.

I got the package and was just signing for it when I notice the label was from some pharmaceutical supplier. Then I looked at the rest and saw the ' Viagra, handle with care' sign. Obviously this was a mate up to no good, but which one?? Was it one of the Dave's not happy with my last post?? I said to Marie that she couldn't leave until I had opened the package as I didn't want her to get the wrong idea. Her reply was a polite 'I did wonder'. So I started to open the packet. It then dawned on me that although I was sure it was a joke, maybe I had really been sent some Viagra. In a way I even hoped there was as that'd be really funny. There was something in the box that was for sure. Have a look.


After all that it was just a packet of Polo's. It was a good effort though!!

I discovered the culprit, 'Andy the Chef' in the company restaurant, Thanks for that Andy, next time can you include the real thing if you've got any spare that is!! (kiddin of course)

small kiss, big hug...........(Nacho Libre)

Been a busy couple of weeks.

Worked all last week with 2 friends on painting the outside of my house. I had to play the role of Gaffer (I said Gaffer not Jaffa!) aswell as one of the workers. I am convinced we could have used half the paint if it hadn't been so dertermined to jump off the wall and stick to me instead of doing its job. I'm not kidding anything that wasn't covered over ended up a lovely shade of magnolia. (known as 'mag' to those of us in the trade!- dont you know) Hands, hair, clothes and even my butt creak! For heavens sake is nothing sacred? (no bother it gently blended in the darker hair, how convenient)

We were overly optimistic with how much paint we'd use. I made a guess of 50 litres, my expert decorator Dave (dont start that again) thought we'd only use 30. The actual amount was 80 litres!! How badly wrong were we? You'd expect the paint to be an inch thick in that situation wouldn't you, but it wasnt. So I think I have helped Wickes to reach their paint sales for this year all on my own.

Job looks good now. We celebrated with a trip to Nados and then on to see Nacho Libre at the cinema. A good way to celebrate.

Other Stuff

1) I'm starting to like sad music

2) Went to the funeral of my mothers friend 'May' yesterday. I feel numb.

3) When are we all going to finally learn to put life into perspective?

4) You can bring a horse to water but you can't make it drink. (it makes sense to me)

5) The proof of us all is how we deal with things when under pressure. Its easy for all of us when things are going right.

6) Got the kids on my own whilst wifey is visiting a friend in Hastings. It'll be great! I can feel a bike ride coming on.

I dedicate this to Dave....but which one?

I can't quite call it a haunting, but I have been followed by an eery and chilling 'entity' over the years. How can I explain it? Well it has nothing to do with evil spirits, but saying that it is definately weird with a capital W...or is that a D?

D for Dave (or David). Am I the only person to be going through this, am I the only person who's whole circle of friends are called Dave. Now for someone called Charles (aka Chas) that often becomes a reason for great amusement. "Hello i'm Charles this is my friend Dave". The reply "what Chas n Dave?" har har har. Chas n Dave - Why Lord Why? "Do you know Rabbit? Or Gertcher? how about Snooker Loopy?" All classic Chas N Dave songs. To an englishman the names Chas and Dave go together like 'fish and chips' or 'bangers and mash'. (click on the song links for videos of these great british hero's)

Let me give you an example of a typical few days of being me and dealing with the collective known as 'Dave'.

Friday I go to my companies HQ in Portsmouth to see my mate Dave (Roberts, IT Student) before he returns to University. I text my mate Dave (Dawson, Delmonti) about meeting up on Sunday. I later receive a reply from same Dave to cancel Sunday. Sunday comes and I meet up with Dave (Young, been mates for 13 years), Dave (Johns, nice guy and a carpet fitter) and Dave (older bloke but an nice guy, I think he has an internet bride) along with a few others who's names I forget. That evening I am expecting to hear from Dave (Joste, best mate!) about going to Sweden, but he doesn't ring. I did get a call with some sad news that effects another Dave. (Knight, father to 2 friends of mine) Monday comes and I meet up with Dave (Dawson, Delmonte) for coffee. Not surprisingly Dave (gay receptionist) turns up aswell for his coffee break whilst we are there. That evening I go out with Dave (Young), who by coincedence is working at Dave's (internet bride) house, but all the while I am wondering how Dave (Dawson, Delmonte) is feeling after his run-in at work. When I get home I hope that Dave (best mate) has called, but still nothing! Am I boring you yet? Come on keep up!!!! Today is Tuesday and I have seen Dave and Dave again in the morning when getting a coffee, but I also see Dave (Cox, IT guy who's also a musician) and say hi. Then I went out to lunch with Dave (delmonti), but left my mate Chris with his workmate Dave (rotund chappy, but nice enough) as they were busy. Whilst out I had a call from Dave (Young) about painting the outside of my house. When I returned with Dave (delmonti) from lunch, I picked up another coffee and spoke for a few minutes with Dave (gay receptionist) about why there are so many Dave's around, to which he giggled like a girl. (better not think I fancy him!! that would make it Chas on Dave and I really am not that way inclined and would rather stick a fork in my eye)

I think i've made my point clear enough don't you. Tonight I still hope to hear from Dave (best mate) about our trip to Sweden. You never know my brother Dave might phone up, or maybe my nephew Dave or his father Dave may call out of the blue. Lets be honest if i didn't have Dave or Dave's in my life I wouldn't know many people would I.

ENOUGH!!......or is it? Its Wednesday morning and last night I finally heard from Dave (best mate) and guess what? The trip to Sweden has been postponed. He's given in to that crazed insanity you get with new love. Apparently he's fiance doesn't want him to go away quite yet because she'll miss him. I can't wait to see him now just so I can slap him about for being such a soft dopey DAVE! :-) I think i'm going to finish this blog with this link of Papa Lazarou's 'hello Dave"

Back To Nature

These are some photos that I had intended sharing before now. They are from the late spring when the Bluebells come out. They are taken in Coldharbour and the Leigh Hill area in Surrey near where I was brought up in Dorking.



Simply a beautiful carpet of bluebells, I like the sunlight coming through the trees on this one.




When I was a kid my mum took us out bluebell picking, and the house was decorated with these flowers. There's a law about doing this i'm sure, but it is still a nice memory. I definately like bluebells.



I got the kids to pose for this one as it reminded me of the Seven Dwarfs from Snow White walking over the bridge singing Hi-Ho.

I was astonished how much there is on Caldharbour, Leigh Hill and the Dorking area on the web. If you're interested try some of these links too they are very good.

Black and white images of old Coldharbour Village

A Dorking link that speaks about local Celebs past and present.
I can add a few to this too. Kajagoogoo use to record their music in Dorking when they were famous. I saw them once outside the Pizza Express in West Street having a drink. Another is Alex Kingston who's sister Nichola was in my class at the Ashcombe school. There was also the time Andrew Ridgeley of Wham fame came into a local Indian restaurant with his mates, and my school mate Misbah served him. If you are still unsure who Andrew Ridgeley or Wham are, then you might need to be reminded that the other member of Wham was George Michael.

the last word

As you can imagine its been a tough time with my mum's death. One of the most shattering parts has been dealing with family. I'm the youngest of 8 children, but I seem to be one of the most sensible which doesnt say much for the rest. A lot of emotion has been thrown about and its meant employing some pacifying and negiotiation skills.

The funeral went well considering, I saw a lot of family cousins and aunts etc that I havent seen for many years. Pop got up and said some stern words at the reception after the funeral, he felt the need to release some anger. If it had been any other occassion I think it would have caused a fuss, but people just accepted it as my father grieving. My brother asked me to play the role as an usher and a meeter and greeter at the funeral. It could have been tough but I guess the focus probably helped me through it all.

I chose some beautiful flowers for my mum at the local florist. When they asked about design i said i dont want anything that looks like funeral flowers but rather some that i'd take to a loved one. They did a lovely design with the floweres I chose. I also wrote the card and have attached the image, have a read.
A memorial service had also been arranged for the Saturday just gone. It was strange but i'd been having feelings about saying something about mum at this event. I had a chat with a good friend on the Friday who said you have one chance mate do it. He said even if you mess it up it doesnt matter but its better to have done it than to have wished you had after the event. So after gaining permission from my father I prepared a 5 minute or so speech. I decided on talking about my mothers personality and to relate a couple of stories.

An outstanding quality of my mum was that she was brave. She wasnt scared of anyone or anything. Rather people were scared of her!! Not because she was mean, because she wasnt! It was that she'd take anyone on that picked on her or her family. In this way she proved to be my refuge and my hero as a child. Talking about these things to others on Saturday was a priviledge I will always cherish! It was the right thing to do to have a personal word from one of us and i'm so proud of myself that I did it.

So this will be my last blog talking directly about this, I want to thank so many of you for your kind words and support. I hope it comes across how much she was loved and how much she will be missed.

With All My Love........Charles

night night mum.............

Yesterday my mum died age 78.


I had a call in the morning from my brother telling me the news, and it made my heart drop to the ground. I guess it is obvious that I was in a mess, all I desperately wanted and all I needed was to hug my mum again, to nestle into her neck and feel the comfort and the security that can only come from a loving mothers embrace. We rushed to the hospital and I went into see her. I was use to seeing my mum without teeth so that didnt shock me. All I could do was throw my arms around her and hug her and to tell her one more time that I love her so so much. Even though she was cold by now I found my mum and said my goodbye. So night night mum have a good rest you really need it I know, i'll see you soon enough, love you! Your ever loving son xx

Just a few days before, now thats my mum. Her name is Sarah but everyone knows her as 'Sally'. She is the most beautiful woman in the world.

The only way is up !! right?

I have been so quite on the blog front. The only reason I can think of is that i'm so exhausted physically, emmotional and mentally.

I had been offered some hope about getting the car on the road again but I think they were just teasing me. It is just too expensive and not at all cost effective to fix it. I'm now on the hunt for anything with 4 wheels and that works!!

My mum who is nearly 80 had a very bad fall 2 weeks ago. She feel over on a dodgy step leading out into the garden and has broken her hip!! Anything happening to my mum effects me badly as we are so close and effectionate. Thinking of my mum lying in the garden in such pain whilst my useless father sat in his chair not bothering to check if she was alright just makes my blood boil. In fact I only talked to him very briefly this week for the first time since the fall. I was concerned I might say something to him which would just make the whole situation worse. Anyway back to the condition of my mum. Well they did an 'emergency' hip operation 4 days later in the hospital and replaced the shaft of the femur with a titanium replacement and titanium ball joint. She's in a lot of pain. I think its hard on her especially as she had a stroke last year, and has not got full movement on her 'good' leg and suffers from drop foot. Its been tough getting to the hospital as my parents live on the east side of London. A friend took me up the day after the accident which was very helpful. Then Dave saved my life and offered me use of his car for the week, so I was able to see her! He said something very true to me and that was 'mams are special'.

Thanks again to Dave the Delmonti man again for that, and my mum says to thank you too from her!!

I think i'll finish this blog now and save the upbeat stuff for another time. (its not all been bad) I'd like to dedicate this to my beautiful mum who never scrimps on showing me love. (i'm struggling now) Here's a photo of her from when she was in hospital last year. (ironic dont you think)