Curly's Capers

Friday 26th April I managed to get out and about this week. Although the temperatures have climbed;( apart from today 26 /4 ) It was clear that nature has not caught up with the calendar. The trees, shrubs, plants still had the look of winter. The video above was taken at ' New Fancy '  viewpoint in the Forest of Dean. New Fancy. You can see a lot of brown amongst the  evergreens. One interesting development I noticed near the car-park  into this view-point was a map on the tarmac showing where  100 mines or collieries used to be situated in the Forest. I was amazed at this high figure. On Wednesday (24/ 4 ) I did manage to catch a fetching carpet of wood anemone in Cranham Woods. It certainly brightened the woodland floor. Last Saturday ( 20/ 4 ), D. and I visited Hidcote Manor Gardens, a National Trust property, near Chipping Campden. Although, no longer  members, we were able to download a special entrance voucher, for participat

Saturday 20th April 2013. My two football teams, Cheltenham  Town, ( The Robins ) and Newcastle United, are showing contrasting form as the end of the season approaches. As I write  the Robins are playing Exeter away and after 27 minutes are leading 1- 0.                                          St. James's Park Exeter. ( actual pic. from Twitter) They have taken seven coach loads of supporters to the game. The club has paid for the transport- a great gesture. Cheltenham are guaranteed at least a place in the play-offs. They are currently in 4th place in the League Two table with 74pts. They have two games to complete the season, including the game now being played. They finish next week at home to Bradford City . The situation is quite tense as they are level on points with third place Rotherham ( who have a better goal difference ). The top three places are granted automatic promotion; so all to play for. Cheltenham have proved this season that they are m

"Time And Relative Distance In Space," or as we know it, the Tardis landed in London's Trafalgar Square, last week, in preparation for filming "Dr. Who ." Its coming,  reminds us, how much we are surrounded by machines. I refuse to use the cheque and bill paying-in instruments in the banks, preferring to speak to a member of the human race; although I will  admit to using in banks,  cash machines; never outside mind, always aware of skimmers. But in Libraries, I have caught the contagion. So, now by going on-line at home and requesting books and then waiting for Email confirmation of arrival, I can visit the library, pick up the book(s) from the shelf and  use the machine to borrow the item(s): all without any form of social intercourse with the staff.  Is that progress? Well I don't know, but it sure is quiet! MmmmmmMmmmmmMmmmM It seems rather strange to be talking about a ' new' Jimi Hend

Friday, 5th April 2013 On the eve of this year's Grand National, I thought I might set down my own recollections of the  race 'that never took place in'97.' My friend D. and I booked to go on a club outing to the Aintree three day festival. Thus  on Thursday 3rd April 1997, at about ten in the morning, we boarded the coach for Liverpool. Arriving at Aintree in good time before commencement of racing, we spent an enjoyable day first inspecting the course and then watching the races. We were then taken by the coach to our hotel in Southport, where we spent Thursday and Friday nights. On The Saturday April 5th  Grand National Day, our third day of racing, we watched the first two races and waited eagerly for the 150th Grand National to start. Then came the announcement. A suspect package had been found ( I thought sandwiches ) and due to intelligence received, we all had to leave the course immediately. At first I thought this was a' scouse' prank;