Friday

Hi there to y'all, Well it is almost December and then Christmas will be upon us before we know it, are you all ready for the festive season, all the presents bought and the turkey ordered, of course in U.S of A you have turkey for your thanksgiving celebrations, I hope you all had a wonderful thanksgiving as we all did together last year. Well, yesterday June had her pot off and although she is very thankful to be shot of it she feels very vulnerable and her wrist is very stiff and the movement very restricted but I am sure it will quickly improve as she starts to play the piano again. We have just got back from our weekly visit to the local primary school where we help with assembly with the children and we find it very rewarding as it is wonderful to spend time with the children and they all seem so pleased to see us every Friday morning. We are going over to Radcliffe this pm to see Thomas and Amy and of course Simon & Wendy. Happt blogging, Grick.

Monday

Hi there to y'all, We've just seen the pix of Jess and wow they are absolutely fabulous. Sue, tou really know how to get the best out of your camera, it really does show that you enjoy what you do and J's hair looks great as well, love to y'all. Grick.

Monday

Hi there to y'all. Well, another week gone. We went to Thomas' birthday bash yesterday and had a super time with fireworks an all. June is mending quite well although she becomes very frustrated when there something she cannot do, which is quite often. The leaves have almost cleared the trees now giving the sign that winter is on the way. Hopw Nicks' ankle is getting better and hope everyone out there is keeping well. Happy blogging. Grick.

Tuesday

Hi there to y'all, Well, June attended the hospital yesterday and the bones appear to be well aligned and doing okay. She hasn't to attend again until 29th November to take the pot off. She still seems able to teach okay and I am back to work today after half term .
Sue, since we lost the other computer I haven't had your e-mail address so could you send it to me via my e-mail address and then I can send you a photo' of our puppy Toby, he is as big as Penny now and only 8 months and of course being a springer spaniel he is full of beans. Nicky, hope your ankle is feeling a little better. Happy blogging, Grick.

Friday

Hi there to y'all, Well it is ages since I blogged, I don't know where the time has gone, almost a month. Last weekend as some of you will know, we had a rather dramatic time, June and I joined the Layhe family in Clumber Park, a National Trust Property to f0llow the Pumpkin trail, about half an hour later June went over on her ankle, fell on her wrist and, to cut a long story short, she was rushed to hospital in an ambulance to find she had broken her arm (Ulna) and
sprained her ankle, she now has her arm in a pot after attending Hospital on Monday for x'rays etc. and repositioning the broken bone. Not to be outdone at 9-30pm Sunday (June had gone to bed) whilst watching TV I started with the most horrendous nosebleed. June rang 999 for an ambulance and I was rushed to Doncaster Royal Infirmary where they anaesthetised the inside of my snitch and cauterised the offending part and the Medic decided that in view of the seriousness of the bleed it would be best to keep me in hospital overnight, I eventually arrived back home about midday Monday. I have to say we don't want any more weekends like that. I am now okay but June it would appear will have her arm in pot for approx. 6/8 weeks, she has to attend hospital on Monday to check the alignment of the Ulna. Lets hope it is okay, I will report on the proceedings next week. Happy Blogging, Grick.

Saturday

Hi there to y'all, Improving a little bit, only a week this time. Well, we are selling tickets for our rock'n roll 60's night in aid of the church, this will be on Oct 13th. Tickets are going well, we have sold ove 50 so far and the limit is 80 so we are doing okay. June has gone to London today to The sound of Music at the London Palladium, hopefully with the winner of a TV contest for the part of Maria taking the lead. I particularly liked her as did June as she was what we thought was a typical Maria, anyway, June won't be back home until after 10pm this evening, they left at 6-45 this morning with the idea of spending some time in the West End etc before the show at 2-15. I have to say I miss her when she isn't around. I stayed home to look after Toby and Penny but I managed a round of 9 holes this morning so was only away from home 3hours and all they destroyed was a polythene bag so I suppose that was alright. All for now, Happy blogging, Grick.

Sunday

Hi there to y'all, Long time since I blogged, nearly 3 weeks, anyway here we are and already planning our next trip over for Gemmas graduation, but that is a long way away yet but it is something for us to look forward to. Last Friday we went over to look after Tom and Amy while Wendy was teaching her French classes, that was a pleasure and we managed to see Simon for a few minutes before we had to set off home because Toby and Penny had been left a long time and Toby although he is doing really well is only a 6month old puppy. I have now got my new computer up and running with the new flight simulator X programmed on it. It is really fast but as yet I haven't been able to spend very long on it to get accustomed to the new software in relation to the new Microsoft software, that pleasure is still to come. Well, happy blogging, Grick.

Thursday

Hi there to y'all, Some of you will have seen the new Grick look with the short hairstyle, for those of you who haven't you really haven't missed much although people say that it suits me well and makes me look younger, well I can't really say but now June has gotten used to it she
says she rather likes it so I guess it is going to stick around for a while, personally I like it a lot because it is so much easier to manage, oh wel enough about me. Toby is settling down well, we still get the occasional accident but to say that 10 days ago he had never been in a house before I think he is doing okay, he is very affectionate and just loves people, I believe that this is a trait for springer spaniels, he is quite laid back for a young dog which just suits us fine. Happy blogging, Grick.

Sunday

Hi there to y'all, This blogging seems to be coming something of a habit, this is 3 in 5 days. Well, Toby is getting on very well, even the cats are now beginning to accept him although he seems very curious about them still. He is very good in the house but this afternoon he slipped up and did a wet in the house, it was my fault said June because I didn't take him into the garden after he had his tea, oh well it's a good job I've got broad shoulders. Happy blogging. Grick.

Friday

Hi there to y'all, Well thanks Nick for the nice comments about the new image haircut 0n your last e-mail, I guess the signs are that maybe I should keep it this way. Sue, thanks for your comment, I will try and attach a photo' of Toby to a blog in the near future. Happy blogging everybody.

Wednesday

Hi ther to y'all, Here i am again, i've had some more trouble with, getting on to my blog, hopefully that is now fixed and we are in business again. Well, hope you all had a great time with si, he will of course now be in Philadelphia. We have our new puppy and he is encountering a very steep learning curve bless him but he is doing okay considering he has only known a large kennel and a run. He is partially trained re walking to heel on a leash and simple commands but he has never been in a house before, he seems to love humans and lots of fuss, lucy is being a little difficult but they have rubbed noses so we hope eventually they will get on. More news soon, happy blogging. Grick.

Friday

Hi there to y'all, Arrived home safely at 10-30 this morning local time. It was a good journey this time and June was okay, no tummy upsets. Beautiful weather here, 74 degrees F. Thankyou for your comments. Happy blogging, Grick.

Wednesday

Hi there to y'all, Well, now near to the end of the Minnesota holiday, we have had a fabulous time both at Excelsior and Lutsen, North Shore. Today we went to Galeria and a brouse around and a great lunch at Craves - highly recommended. Tonight we are going to Annes for a goodbye meal and get together we are always made soooo welcome and something scrummy to eat, looking forward to that and tomorrow back home, the 15days has flown by sooo quickly.. Happy blogging, Grick.

Monday

Hi there to y'all, Sunday we all went to Westwood Church where we met Sue, Anne and the children, far too bad weather for the airshow so we had a lazy day at home and watched some wonderful concert music on the TV on the free channel. Got up this morning and went to Eden Prairie Mall. June had a wonderful time. Going to Annes' this evening to see everybody especially Niners as we haven't seen her yet this visit. Happy blogging, Grick.

Saturday

Hi there to y'all, I,m back, after the last posting I could not get thru again on the comp. in the holiday centre. We had superb weather all week although it was occasionally a liitle cool especially in the evening. We saw the space shuttle and space centre docked together pass right over us, what an experience that was, to imagine those people up there working on the space centre travelling at a few thousand miles per hour and yet gliding silently over us as we watch. Well, we're home and it is welcoming us with torrential rain, not much chance of the air show tomorrow. Oh well, happy blogging, Grick.

Wednesday

Hi there to y'all, Enjoying Northshore very much doing not very much at all, yesterday went to Grand Marais following a few hours at the pool (very warm) the Girls are getting sunburned nicely, J and I are staying out of the sun as we are not used to that sort of heat. Looking forward to the airshow on Sunday. Looks like maybe June and Nicki are interested as well. By the way, the broadband did not work so we are back to the global e-mail address. Happy blogging. Grick.

Excelsior

Hi there to'yall, I'm back but only from Minnesota, but just to let you know we arrived here safely at 2-45 this afternoon.. Happy blogging, Grick

Sunday

Hi there to y'all, I thought I'd better do a blog as my last one seems to have got lost from last tuesday although it it is showing up on my screen okay. Hope everybody is keeping well and continuing to blog as usual, I know Sue is as I keep reading them. We are going to the local Methodist Chapel this morning instead of our own Church as an attempt to get more integration between the different groups, our vicar is taking the service so we are hoping to get quite a few there in our first joint venture, must get ready so will blog again soon, Grick.

Tuesday

Hi there to y'all, Have been on holiday in Norfolk then on our return had some computer problems which hopefully I have now fixed so will blog again soon . Grick.

Back again

Hi there to y'all, I'm back. Over a month since I last blogged. Well, you see, I bought June a laptop for her birthday which of course isn't until June but no matter. Well we have been concentrating on getting her going so I haven't been on the net much on this computer which has all that sort of stuff on it. Anyway, here I am. As you probably all know by now, we are coming stateside again in August and we are looking forward to that tremendously. Next Friday we travel down to Norfolk for our annual visit down there in the touring caravan, only 5 days to go then 8 days away from it all. Today we have been to a small village in Lincolnshire which has its own Minster which dates back to the 10th century, a very interesting trip organised by our deanery chairlady, there were over 60 of us which is a goodly number for a trip of that sort, the name of the place was Stow Minster, we had evensong there and then on to the village church hall for tea & cakes. Yesterday we both sang in the choir at the largest wedding in our church for some years, it was the daughter of the people at Gringley Hall, we have never seen the church look so beautiful, 4 flower arrangers spent two days decorating the church. Well, there we are, quite a long blog for me, I'll try to blog againe before we go away, happy blogging, Grick.

Thursday

Hi there to y'all, Well, a long time since I blogged because we have been on holiday for a week in the touring caravan up in North Yorkshire, we had a lovely time doing not too much at all, but of course while on holiday I cannot blog. The weather was fab. and we had Beryl and Dave with us on the same caravan site so although we did our own thing during the day we usually spent the evenings together playing cards or dominoes or just just chatting, usually with a glass of wine, very enjoyable. I had my birthday whilst we were up there and we all went out for a meal which turned out to be really scrummy at a country house hotel and restaurant near Rosedale which in turn is not too far from Pickering. Unfortunately, after we offloaded all the stuff on our return home I hitched up the caravan to take it back to the farm and on on the way for some unexplainable reason the van became unhitched on the way down High Street, thankfully I was only doing about 10 mph and although emergency deadlock brake stopped the van it did a bit of damage to the towing area, thankfully it is now fixed and I am taking it to the caravan people a week on Monday to have everything checked out before we go away to Norfolk at the end of May, better to play safe than be sorry. June had a bad session of IBS over the weekend but she just about okay againd now. Happy blogging, Grick.

Monday

Hi there to y'all, Glad you had a fantastic time in Mexico Sue I did see some of the early photo's on your blog. Nick, Mr Straws house was remarkable, it was just as if you stepped back in timeto the 1920's or thereabouts as in a time warp, some of the things I remember such as a washing dolly and a hand ringer etc. do you remember those things? I don't suppose you will you are too young. We have just had a lovely weekend with Debbie and Kelvin finishing up with a walk in Clumber Park with Penny who just LOOOVES it. Today June and I played 9 holes of Golf and we both did our personal best so that was just great. Happy blogging, Grick.

Monday

Hi there to Y'all, Well, yesterday was our 18th Wedding Anniversary and we had Simon, Wendy, Thomas and Amy over for the weekend and it was fab to have them with us, the children are getting so perceptive and responsive now we played table tennis and went computer flying, incedently, Simon has taken the T. tennis championship back to Radcliff with him at last. We finished off the weekend wwitha walk in Cl. Park, all of us plus Penny, of course she loved it. Happy blogging, Grick.

Tuesday

Hi there to Y'all, Wow , we've just had a look at the shots of J before and after the big chop, we both think she looks absolutely fanta-a-a-anta-a-astic, she must feel a lot lighter without the weight of all that hair, congrats J you look fab. We've also seen the shots af poor Scott with the nose job, we bet it is rather sore but lets hope the end result is satisfactory, not much going on this side of the pond apart from very cold weather, who can believe it's spring tomorrow. Maybe it will soon get better. Happy blogging, Grick.

Sunday

Hi there to y'all, Here I am, jusy 7days this time, well nothing much has happened really except June and I managed a round of 9 holes but the scores were abysmal. We have been forecasted some snow but so far we have only had a little sleet on the way back from visiting Simon, Wendy, Thomas and Amy, Wendys' mum and dad were there and also Alexia and her fiancee John, we had a beautiful lunch and fun and games afterwards. Sue, Love the shots of J with the long curly style, June thinks that it will look fab after the chop, We shall see. Happy blogging, Grick.

Sunday

Hi there to y'all, 9 days since I blogged while sue has been very busy in Mexico and MN at the Karate qualifiers, (is that the term) and the pictures are just great, well done sue. Well, June and I did manage to get a game of golf last week but with the break in playing the scores suffered quite a lot, the weather here has been very nice the last few days with the temps around 10 celsius and nice and sunny, we are hoping to get 9 holes in tomorrow but the forecast is rain, we shall see. Well, I have just had two nights out playing with the rock band, friday and saturday, both times got to bed at around 1am so I am little jaded as I can't remember the last time we did two nights on the trot but we had two great nights. Happy blogging, Grick.

Friday

Hi to y'all, Tonight we have been to Lincoln to hear the Lincoln Youth Orchestra, Emily, one of Junes pupils plays clarinet, the orchestra is about 50 strong and they are really good and great to listen to so we've had a great evening and got home about 10-30. Nicky we noted your comment on my last blog, we'll ring you this weekend sometime. Hope you had a great time in mexico Sue and Gary. Happy blogging, Grick.

Wednesday

Hi to y'all, Well, I'm getting worse, nine days since I blogged, there doesn't seem to be much to report, a very ordinary week just gone by, no golf but June did get out a couple of times with Marilyn and Margaret and June and myself got to Doncaster on Friday, June has resumed work this week and that seems to be it, no exciting things like doing black belts or visiting Mexico, meow, meow, maybe we shall be able to visit U.S of A again soon, that would be great, Easter seems to be approaching at great speed. Will blog again soon, Grick.

Monday

Hi there to'yall, Wow how the time flies by, nearly another week since I last blogged. Well, June and I have been quite busy over the weekend, we went to Simon and Wendys' on Friday and Simon ran us into Nottingham to see a play at the Theater Royal with Anthony Andrews (he played Sebastian in brideshead revisited) and Jenny Seagrove who plays a solicitor in televisions Judge John Deed, it was a play by Somerset Maughan called 'The letter'. and it was fabulous, we were luckyenough to book seats a week earlier in the dress circle, just like stepping back in time. Saturday night I played with the band, a good night, June went and also Sheelagh & Lawrence came as well and really enjoyed it, it was nice to socialise with them again after so long. Yesterday Alec and Linda came from York to have lunch with us and stayed until teatime, Alec used to be Junes financial adviser. Today we spent some time in the garden as spring is beinning to show its face in the plants then Margaret arrived and had lunch with us and helped us to eat the leftovers from yesterday. Will blog again soon, Grick

Tuesday

Hi there to y'all, Over a week since I blogged, I'm definitely slipping. Well, no golf since I last blogged, the weather hasn't been agreeable when we have been available... On saturday I went to Mansfield to fetch Debbie and Kelvin over for the weekend. The we went to Geof and Lizs' for an evening meal which was excellent and very sociable. On Sunday we had a different sort of service in the form of an All Age Communion combined with our Family Service and then
Kelvin and Deb treated us to Lunch at the Blacksmiths at Clayworth which was a real treat. We then went to Mansfield to take them back homeand then on to Simon & Wendys' for a little while, then back home for about 10 o'clock and so to bed. All for now, Grick.

Monday

Hi there to y'all, Well, we buried my friend today which was very sad but on the bright side, during the wake afterwards I got to meet quite a lot of my old work colleagues. After, Liz and Geof. came back to ours and stayed and had dinner with us, I did toad in the hole (scrummy) and June did a lovely plum crumble with our own plums out of the freezer, this with custard one again scrummy. Sue, the photo's of Gemma are fantastic on your blog, could you send a copy by e'mail so that we can print a copy, all for now, Grick.

Friday

Hi ther to y'all, Wow, it is a week since I last blogged, I don't know where the time has gone to. Last Sunday we were in Newark and we called to see some friends whom I haven't seen for 20 years, consequently June has never met them. They are Sheelagh and Lawrence and they didn't know me at first because of course, no 'tash and beard. Anyway it just seemed as if the years rolled away for me and June got along with them famously. We have always exchanged Christmas cards every year and June wondered who they were, she now knows. We played golf on Monday pm and had another game with Margaret and a long time friend of hers called Ken and we had a great time, not particularly good scores but great fun. Will try and blog more often. Grick.

Thursday a.m.

Hi to y'all, It's 5 days since I blogged last, well the winds have died down and the weather has got colder and yesterday morning we got up and we had a little snow, only about an inch but we got snow, by teatime it had gone but this this morning it is bitterly cold for us, probably around minus 3/4 centrigrade, my pond is almost frozen over but not quite so my fish are okay. Well that is quite a lot of words about nothing in particular, I'm getting better Sue. In case you didn't see my comment on your blog, I was very impressed with the shots of Ben on hie Ski board, you stopped him right there in mid air, great stuff, what sort of speed did you use to get the pics. Grick.

Saturday

Hi to y'all, Well susan seems to do so much with her time and yes we leeeerve the 'photos, I must get to attaching some 'photos sometime soon. We've booked our first trips in the caravan, the first one is to North Yorkshire at Easter and the 2nd to Norfolk at spring bank holiday, who knows, it should be a little bit better weather by then... We haven't played golf since Monday because the weather has been soooo bad with winds up to and over 100mph trucks have been blown off the motorways and trees blown down and around 12 people have been killed in accidents like walls blowing over etc. Roll on summer. All for now , Grick.

Tuesday

Hi there, Well we are really getting some wet and windy weather although we did manage 9 holes of golf on Monday morning. I went computer flying this afternoon with Graham at Everton and had a very enjoyable afternoon. Tonight we watched a programme called Judge John Deed and he has a lovely liitle black Chi Hua Hua, is that spelled correctly? Keep blogging, Grick.

Saturday

Hi again to y'all, Well we have had some terrible weather, not so cold but very wet and 70mph+ winds and high sided trucks have been blown over on the motorways. Tonight we had Malcolm my brother and his wife Kathy (who are over here from Winnipeg) and my sister Judith and Hubby David over at our house for an evening meal and a couple of bottles of wine and general socialising before Malcolm and Kathy return to Canada on Tuesday, it was a lovely evening. No golf since the beginning of the week but we hopeful for a 9 hole in the morning. Thanks for your comments. Keep blogging, Grick.

Wednesday

Hi everyone, Well, we had a quick 9 holes of golf on Monday morning with Margaret, June got her first par 3, she was soooo pleased, then today she went again with Margaret (WHILST I WAS WORKING) and had a disastrous round (MAYBE BECAUSE I WAS WORKING) ha ha. Anyway it sounds as if it didn't put her off as she wants to go again on Friday, probably to try and redeem the situation. Blog again soon. Grick.

Update

Hi there, Soooo glad you like the word (scrummy) really descriptive isn't it. Thanks for your comments Sue and Scott. Well, we made church this morning at 9-30am after ordinary breakfast, not in bed. After church we did Doncaster for a little shopping as we had some birthday presents to get, June also managed to get some super Jeans (surprise, surprise) for 70% off, we also had some eats while we were out at the new shopping centre in Doncaster, it is really quite a good development, we shall visit it quite regularly I'm sure, I,m also sure Nicki will like it, there is a branch of Monsoon there. Will blog again soon, Grick.

News

Hi, Well since my last blog we visited Simon,Wendy, Thomas and Amy yesterday, Wendy doesn't look well but says she is feeling a little better, she had a massage which she said made her feel more relaxed and easier, Simon also had a neck and shoulders while I had the couch set up. June and I attended the yearly Epiphany communion at the Rev. Leemings home, this is held for the healing group we attend each month throughout the year. Rev. Leeming lives in Clayworth. Today we had a lazy morning with breakfast in bed (really decadent) got up at around 10am then at 1pm we went to the Blacksmiths at Clayworth with Marilyn and Phil. for a beautiful lunch , we all had Cumberland sausage on a bed of mashed potatoeswith garden peas and lots scrummy onions in gravy. All for now, Grick.

4th Jan.

Hi to y'all, Well, nothing much seems to have happened since my last blog, I have worked for three days but not very hard as 5 of my clients had to ring in and cancel because of illness so it looks like I will be busy next week as they all booked in then. Will blog again soon, Grick.