We’ve been sitting on this news for a little while, and I’m sure that Chris (http://chrismerriman.com) must have already gone public on it – but better late than never. Special congratulations to Ros & Nick who are due to have a baby next March. Brilliant news, and we hope all goes well for them. Ros – the baby has your nose !!!!

Lots of love John

Last weekend was spent with Jean & Pete – and Carol of course – at Pembrey Country Park Caravan Site. A first class a caravan site, and excellent walking and beaches on hand. Not so sure how it would be on wet days though? Fortuitously, there was a miniature steam rally in progress on the Saturday (we missed the veteran car rally on Sunday as I had to get back for Coastwatch duty). However, some interesting photographic opportunities – and some “nerdy types” to capture images of. I think that the pictures will speak for themselves…

1926 Morris Meteor

Back Seat Driver

Back From the Pub

Call the RAC

Running Repairs

Patient Wives

Family Outing

Taking the Wife Out

A Labour of Love

Little Big Truck

Thought that I’d add a few old photographs of myself – and cruelly my sister! – just to prove that I wasn’t always a bald old git!

Now, what is it about California Girls? Figuera da Foz 1970 – World Council of Churches Work Camp. Wow, that was fun!

Taken in 1971 in Kilburn. The top corner was cut out by my first wife, who found the graffiti about the Pope offensive.

Also taken about the same time while working as a photographer/lab technician in Kilburn

The hair was considerably shorter by 1982….

My sister will kill me for putting this one in – but I love it! She is only a year younger than me. This was a school photo

I’ll add more later

I think that i might just start collecting examples of this nonsense for a book….

A friend was telling me yesterday of two examples of stupidity he had recently encountered in dealings with the NHS. His wife had to undergo surgery. He noticed above her bed a sign giving her name, and the name of her surgeon. Under this in smaller print was a sign saying “This is confidential information, and is not to be read by anyone not having a professional involvement with this patient”.

Later that week he had to take his daughter to the “Out of Hours” GP clinic in the same local hospital. She was suffering with flu like symptoms and a very high temperature. Outside the clinic was a sign saying “If you have flu like symptoms DO NOT enter the building. Please ring the bell for attention”. So he dutifully rang the bell, only to be greeted by a nurse brusquely asking why he had rung the bell. He informed her that he was only doing as the sign requested. She stepped out from the doorway, looked at the sign and said, “Oh, so it does! Come in”

Hmmm !

Anyone got any other examples of how our wonderful Health Service works?

This is an experiment to try and get a panorama on the blog of our house. Hmm? How do I get it to view as a larger image, as the site seems to crunch it right down. Any advice anyone?

Ah ! That’s a bit better ! Chris, I may be a late starter – but i’m getting the hang of this logical thinking at last!

Yesterday evening was spent at The Grand Theatre Swansea enjoying a performance by the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain. I would be interested to know how their dry sense of humour travelled while on their European tour recently. Certainly they are understated and accomplished musicians of the highest order, with a practiced wit. Their performances need to be seen live as they are as visual as they are musical. Their large repertoire meant that Jean & Carol were disappointed not to hear some of their more famous offerings. But certainly a night to be remembered.

From a photographic point of view – totally impossible lighting conditions from the “grand stalls” where we were seated. The Nikon P6000 struggled to get a result. [I really must read the instruction book on this!]

The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain