Up early. Alarm, quarter to seven
Big day today: Wilmslow at eight o’clock
Took Josie to Altrincham early on
The sun shone as we played in Stamford Park
And I ordered books from a music shop
So she can play piano in summer
We then went to Hale, to another park
And then Macclesfield, to yet another!
We stayed in South Park for maybe three hours
And yet again we both gorged on chicken
Back to my flat for tea, eye on the clock
Tonight’s show was ‘Walking With Dinosaurs’
At M.E.N. Arena - a good one
And now, relaxing after that hard work!
Fri 31 July 2009
Showing posts with label family. Show all posts
Showing posts with label family. Show all posts
Friday, 22 April 2011
1055 - Sun in summertime
Rare sunny summer’s day. With Josephine
I’m pleased to say we made the most of it
The Aquatic Centre (la grande piscine)
And ‘Mega Mela’ in Platt Fields, the great
Asian fair in the park. Managed to kit
Josie out in a pink Asian costume
Making the local women smile a bit
As we walked by, both eating our ice cream
One mother even took her picture; seems
There’s nothing as nice as digging their scene
For making people of all kinds unite
It’s so easy: so little in between
The different groups. Saw the Asian rap scene
And had some great fairground rides. We loved it!
Sat 25 July 2009
I’m pleased to say we made the most of it
The Aquatic Centre (la grande piscine)
And ‘Mega Mela’ in Platt Fields, the great
Asian fair in the park. Managed to kit
Josie out in a pink Asian costume
Making the local women smile a bit
As we walked by, both eating our ice cream
One mother even took her picture; seems
There’s nothing as nice as digging their scene
For making people of all kinds unite
It’s so easy: so little in between
The different groups. Saw the Asian rap scene
And had some great fairground rides. We loved it!
Sat 25 July 2009
1049 - Manchester monsoon
Today I hoped we’d see the Festival
Of Caribbean Culture in Moss Side
But that plan was scuppered as the rain fell
We ate lunch and kept an eye on outside
Torrential downpours, they became our guide
So we went to the pictures (in 3-D!!)
Wearing ‘sunglasses’ in the dark, inside
I’ve not done that since I was height of knee
To a grasshopper. After ‘Ice Age 3’ -
Though too late - the weather then turned out well
Someone said, “Don’t wear those glasses outside!”
Drove down to Wilmslow to drop off Josie
Right now, after those sweets, I still feel full
Might do more music next, if not too tired
Sun 19 July 2009
Of Caribbean Culture in Moss Side
But that plan was scuppered as the rain fell
We ate lunch and kept an eye on outside
Torrential downpours, they became our guide
So we went to the pictures (in 3-D!!)
Wearing ‘sunglasses’ in the dark, inside
I’ve not done that since I was height of knee
To a grasshopper. After ‘Ice Age 3’ -
Though too late - the weather then turned out well
Someone said, “Don’t wear those glasses outside!”
Drove down to Wilmslow to drop off Josie
Right now, after those sweets, I still feel full
Might do more music next, if not too tired
Sun 19 July 2009
1034 - 23rd anniversary
Just realised: today’s the twenty-third
Anniversary of my first wedding
And to make this realisation weird
Today I went round hers; we sat talking
About our two kids, then spent time looking
At our diets, and how healthy they are
On the Tesco website, and exploring
What could be done on her i-Phone; wonder
Of modern gadgetry. To Kylyra
I re-sent backing tracks, minus the words
Which I’ll deliver when I’m there, gigging.
Briefly saw Josie, then home, where I saw
More Monty Python sketches; the absurd
Aspects of Britishness got a kicking
Sat 4 July 2009
Anniversary of my first wedding
And to make this realisation weird
Today I went round hers; we sat talking
About our two kids, then spent time looking
At our diets, and how healthy they are
On the Tesco website, and exploring
What could be done on her i-Phone; wonder
Of modern gadgetry. To Kylyra
I re-sent backing tracks, minus the words
Which I’ll deliver when I’m there, gigging.
Briefly saw Josie, then home, where I saw
More Monty Python sketches; the absurd
Aspects of Britishness got a kicking
Sat 4 July 2009
1033 - Emerging briefly, then retreating
The rain and heat fell down alternately
But, thank God, in the evening there was sun
For the school barbecue. Josie and me
Walked over to it, and we had great fun
Josie’s face painted, then met the parents
A beer, a catch-up, balloon, pony toy
Games with Kirsty, and going for a run
Staying there till the moon was bright with joy
Back home now, it’s just me, a lonely boy
But in a funny way, that quite suits me
It’s quite nice to chill out, to be just one
No-one annoys me, no-one to annoy
The weekend’s here again: now, how shall we
Spend precious ‘us’ time, now that it’s begun?
Fri 3 July 2009
But, thank God, in the evening there was sun
For the school barbecue. Josie and me
Walked over to it, and we had great fun
Josie’s face painted, then met the parents
A beer, a catch-up, balloon, pony toy
Games with Kirsty, and going for a run
Staying there till the moon was bright with joy
Back home now, it’s just me, a lonely boy
But in a funny way, that quite suits me
It’s quite nice to chill out, to be just one
No-one annoys me, no-one to annoy
The weekend’s here again: now, how shall we
Spend precious ‘us’ time, now that it’s begun?
Fri 3 July 2009
1027 - The bells, the bells
A lovely day centred in Didsbury
No films worth watching, so we hung around
Fletcher Moss Park, but as we parked, then we
Heard loud bell-ringing, like a wedding sound
The church door open as our ears were drowned
We found a spiral staircase and climbed up
To see the bell-ringers standing around
A hot high-ceilinged room, all reaching up
They smiled and then they invited us up
To sit and watch, and they even let me
Have a go on the rope. Then we popped round
To see Pearl, back from Paris, get dolled up
In new dress and haircut for a party…
And then the heavy rain came pouring down
Sat 27 June 2009
No films worth watching, so we hung around
Fletcher Moss Park, but as we parked, then we
Heard loud bell-ringing, like a wedding sound
The church door open as our ears were drowned
We found a spiral staircase and climbed up
To see the bell-ringers standing around
A hot high-ceilinged room, all reaching up
They smiled and then they invited us up
To sit and watch, and they even let me
Have a go on the rope. Then we popped round
To see Pearl, back from Paris, get dolled up
In new dress and haircut for a party…
And then the heavy rain came pouring down
Sat 27 June 2009
1021 - Father Away Day!
It’s Father’s Day! Absent fathers unite!
Though we’re farther away than in the past
We still see families in a good light
Our hearts grown fonder now those bonds are cast
Into Acheron’s waters flowing fast
Into the gates of hell… Oh, er, sorry
Today’s a bit gloomy and overcast
Three cheers for families! One, two and three!
The thing is, you see, it’s not you, it’s me
(And all the other fathers who took flight)
Our wives began to hate us as time passed
We’re dirty and dressed far too casually
I no longer climb her stepladder’s height
To do ‘jobs,’ but with kids still have a blast!
Sun 21 June 2009
Though we’re farther away than in the past
We still see families in a good light
Our hearts grown fonder now those bonds are cast
Into Acheron’s waters flowing fast
Into the gates of hell… Oh, er, sorry
Today’s a bit gloomy and overcast
Three cheers for families! One, two and three!
The thing is, you see, it’s not you, it’s me
(And all the other fathers who took flight)
Our wives began to hate us as time passed
We’re dirty and dressed far too casually
I no longer climb her stepladder’s height
To do ‘jobs,’ but with kids still have a blast!
Sun 21 June 2009
1013 - Long day's journey into Salford
Sitting here in the Manchester Museum
While Josie colours in all her pictures
For two weeks now, we’ve come here for a swim
But the big pool was closed down for repairs
Wasting no time, we flew straight out of there
And came here for a curious look round
We saw glass cases full of stuffed creatures
Bats, foxes, rabbits, birds that made no sound…
Then later, walking to United’s ground
Along the Ship Canal side; evening sun
Shone on us and the Lowry while we paused
For refreshment; then past the Quays we wound
Our way back to my flat. The total sum
Of this was we had our best time for years!
Sat 13 June 2009
While Josie colours in all her pictures
For two weeks now, we’ve come here for a swim
But the big pool was closed down for repairs
Wasting no time, we flew straight out of there
And came here for a curious look round
We saw glass cases full of stuffed creatures
Bats, foxes, rabbits, birds that made no sound…
Then later, walking to United’s ground
Along the Ship Canal side; evening sun
Shone on us and the Lowry while we paused
For refreshment; then past the Quays we wound
Our way back to my flat. The total sum
Of this was we had our best time for years!
Sat 13 June 2009
999 - Sunshine beats football
Today we had to go down to the sea
And paddle in its waters in the sun
But finding a good beach is not easy
We went to West Kirby, a nearby one
The sea’s too far out, even if you run
Josie and me walked over endless sand
Past countless spirals invisibly spun
On carpets of shells, each one abandoned
To two seemingly far distant islands
One is called Little Eye, and one Hilbre
On the first one, we sat and ate chicken
We walked on, pointing out crab skeletons
Soon after, we visited my Mummy
Who reminded me the Cup Final’s on
Sat 30 May 2009
And paddle in its waters in the sun
But finding a good beach is not easy
We went to West Kirby, a nearby one
The sea’s too far out, even if you run
Josie and me walked over endless sand
Past countless spirals invisibly spun
On carpets of shells, each one abandoned
To two seemingly far distant islands
One is called Little Eye, and one Hilbre
On the first one, we sat and ate chicken
We walked on, pointing out crab skeletons
Soon after, we visited my Mummy
Who reminded me the Cup Final’s on
Sat 30 May 2009
992 - On the edge
The sun broke through as me and Josie sat
Outside The Wizard at Alderley Edge
Each with an orange squash and crisp packet
We laughed as usual as our snacks were munched
And after we had had our little lunch
Walked up Wizard’s Walk, yet still were not done
Slid down to Hare Hill, woody muddy sludge
Past streams and slopes and dreams and hopes we’d gone
And climbed and climbed as the signs urged us on
Inevitably, her legs tired, so that
Was that. Past cows and buttercups all bunched
Together in fields of rabbit warrens
This wonderland, quite near where was begat
Lewis Carroll, certainly has the edge
Sat 23 May 2009
Outside The Wizard at Alderley Edge
Each with an orange squash and crisp packet
We laughed as usual as our snacks were munched
And after we had had our little lunch
Walked up Wizard’s Walk, yet still were not done
Slid down to Hare Hill, woody muddy sludge
Past streams and slopes and dreams and hopes we’d gone
And climbed and climbed as the signs urged us on
Inevitably, her legs tired, so that
Was that. Past cows and buttercups all bunched
Together in fields of rabbit warrens
This wonderland, quite near where was begat
Lewis Carroll, certainly has the edge
Sat 23 May 2009
990 - Quantum sleep
A good night’s sleep, and I feel right as rain
Well, maybe not quite, more like morning dew
At least there’s dampness in the air, my veins
Are slowly flowing once again, thank you
Thank who? The great god of sleep, that is who
Hypnos, by name, from the Greek pantheon
Has helped my health and by stealth let me do
Normal things like going to work again
And though I’m short on energy, I’ve done
Just that. Soon, I’ll drive down to Josephine
Tonight at school, I’ll get her in the queue
For all-important piano tuition
Something I wish I’d had. It’s such a shame
Cos playing with both hands is hard to do
Thur 21 May 2009
Well, maybe not quite, more like morning dew
At least there’s dampness in the air, my veins
Are slowly flowing once again, thank you
Thank who? The great god of sleep, that is who
Hypnos, by name, from the Greek pantheon
Has helped my health and by stealth let me do
Normal things like going to work again
And though I’m short on energy, I’ve done
Just that. Soon, I’ll drive down to Josephine
Tonight at school, I’ll get her in the queue
For all-important piano tuition
Something I wish I’d had. It’s such a shame
Cos playing with both hands is hard to do
Thur 21 May 2009
Sunday, 10 April 2011
971 - Today, Derbyshire, tomorrow, Paris!
It’s late, I need to pack, watching football
Why am I so late getting organised? Well it’s coz
I spent a lovely day out with my girl
But early tomorrow I’ll catch the bus
To John Lennon Airport, off to Paris
To see my daughter, who now works real hard
At a café near Notre Dame. Hope this
Doesn’t tire her too much, not too much poured
Out into other people’s cups. We’ll board
Le Metro to some great spots, join the whirl
Of French life, drink some coffee, take some tours
Have as good a time as we can afford
In the capital of what was once Gaul
Pictures to follow on Facebook, of course!
Sat 2 May 2009
Why am I so late getting organised? Well it’s coz
I spent a lovely day out with my girl
But early tomorrow I’ll catch the bus
To John Lennon Airport, off to Paris
To see my daughter, who now works real hard
At a café near Notre Dame. Hope this
Doesn’t tire her too much, not too much poured
Out into other people’s cups. We’ll board
Le Metro to some great spots, join the whirl
Of French life, drink some coffee, take some tours
Have as good a time as we can afford
In the capital of what was once Gaul
Pictures to follow on Facebook, of course!
Sat 2 May 2009
967 - Best-laid plans
This week, next week, busy busy busy
This week, hard work combined with performance
Next week, visiting Paris, where I’ll see
My daughter, Pearl, again. I’ve seen her once
There last November, but this is a chance
To see both her and Paris in the spring
Today I chaired a meeting, seat of pants
Type job, as usual, the talkers talking
And me trying to do the controlling
That’s out of the way now, next one is the
Big two-day meeting in York; first, a chance
To improvise some singing and playing
Tomorrow night in Bolton, at Andy
And Gary’s poetry night…So much for plans
Tue 28 Apr 2008
This week, hard work combined with performance
Next week, visiting Paris, where I’ll see
My daughter, Pearl, again. I’ve seen her once
There last November, but this is a chance
To see both her and Paris in the spring
Today I chaired a meeting, seat of pants
Type job, as usual, the talkers talking
And me trying to do the controlling
That’s out of the way now, next one is the
Big two-day meeting in York; first, a chance
To improvise some singing and playing
Tomorrow night in Bolton, at Andy
And Gary’s poetry night…So much for plans
Tue 28 Apr 2008
964 - Munch of the day
Awoke with my brown-skinned girl by my side
Breakfast, and then with great skill she helped me
Sort out phone pictures, and then with some pride
Showed me her own pix of her family
And travels over the last year or three
Got cloudy, so I chose to go swimming
With Josie (too cold to go to the sea)
Roads packed with United fans, all driving
To the game against Spurs (seems they’re winning
The title once again, Ferguson’s side…!)
A fun time in Stockport pool with Josie
Followed by a late afternoon’s eating
And joking around. Back home, guitar played
Quick call to my girl, football on TV…
Sat 25 Apr 2009
Breakfast, and then with great skill she helped me
Sort out phone pictures, and then with some pride
Showed me her own pix of her family
And travels over the last year or three
Got cloudy, so I chose to go swimming
With Josie (too cold to go to the sea)
Roads packed with United fans, all driving
To the game against Spurs (seems they’re winning
The title once again, Ferguson’s side…!)
A fun time in Stockport pool with Josie
Followed by a late afternoon’s eating
And joking around. Back home, guitar played
Quick call to my girl, football on TV…
Sat 25 Apr 2009
957 - Down and up
Another Saturday in London town
Last week I went with you on Megabus
Well today it’s with Louis I’m back down
Taking him back to continue studies
At Westminster Uni, Harrow Campus
But first, it’s off to see another game
The Rams are visiting Crystal Palace
So come on Derby, it’d be a shame
If our season spluttered out like a flame
On a birthday cake candle when it’s blown
After I’ve dropped him off with little fuss
It’s up the motorway once more; those same
Old sights and red rear lights that have all grown
Familiar over years… Then once more, us
Sat 18 Apr 2009
Last week I went with you on Megabus
Well today it’s with Louis I’m back down
Taking him back to continue studies
At Westminster Uni, Harrow Campus
But first, it’s off to see another game
The Rams are visiting Crystal Palace
So come on Derby, it’d be a shame
If our season spluttered out like a flame
On a birthday cake candle when it’s blown
After I’ve dropped him off with little fuss
It’s up the motorway once more; those same
Old sights and red rear lights that have all grown
Familiar over years… Then once more, us
Sat 18 Apr 2009
948 - Happy days
Been hard at work and play these last few days
Up early today to see my Josie
We went to Uppermill and found some ways
To amuse: stepping stones, a small café
But no cruise on the barge today. Then we
Drove back through the hills, past stone cottages
The Pennines and Manchester, from Mossley,
Both look good, a new sight for Josie’s eyes
We then watched a new family film: it was
A tearjerker about a dog who dies
Worn out from years of being so naughty
We ate these mice sweets full of E numbers
Josie’s front tooth’s out - tooth fairy be praised
A sleep now, then my love I’m off to see
Thur 9 Apr 2009
Up early today to see my Josie
We went to Uppermill and found some ways
To amuse: stepping stones, a small café
But no cruise on the barge today. Then we
Drove back through the hills, past stone cottages
The Pennines and Manchester, from Mossley,
Both look good, a new sight for Josie’s eyes
We then watched a new family film: it was
A tearjerker about a dog who dies
Worn out from years of being so naughty
We ate these mice sweets full of E numbers
Josie’s front tooth’s out - tooth fairy be praised
A sleep now, then my love I’m off to see
Thur 9 Apr 2009
943 - Oh my Darlington!
Not much sleep for the drive to Darlington
To see the Quakers play Morecambe - deep joy!
The usual cold north east wind, despite sun
The ticket girl on the phone to her boy
This time I decided I would employ
My Salford Uni student card, saving
Some money. Once inside, no hoi polloi
At all on this new stadium’s seating
Just sitting in the shade, and shivering
The game itself was goalless and humdrum
No surprise there, but Louis was annoyed
By the fans pushing, shouting and shoving
The atmosphere friendly, banging of drums
And calls for Hartlepool to be destroyed!
Sat 4 Apr 2009
To see the Quakers play Morecambe - deep joy!
The usual cold north east wind, despite sun
The ticket girl on the phone to her boy
This time I decided I would employ
My Salford Uni student card, saving
Some money. Once inside, no hoi polloi
At all on this new stadium’s seating
Just sitting in the shade, and shivering
The game itself was goalless and humdrum
No surprise there, but Louis was annoyed
By the fans pushing, shouting and shoving
The atmosphere friendly, banging of drums
And calls for Hartlepool to be destroyed!
Sat 4 Apr 2009
Saturday, 9 April 2011
936 - No rest for the wicked
The day began round her house, then taxi
Home for a few hours’ rest, then collect parcel
Of Kubrick DVDs, then, shocked to see
How much brick dust there was, cleared up that hell
Under the rug in the spare bedroom: well,
Louis is sleeping there tonight. Breakfast,
Then off to see Josie, who did real well
On her scooter, and made sure not to waste
My two-for-one voucher, a cheap repast
At Gourmet Burger Kitchen, her and me
No time for catching up on sleep; pressed bell
On Louis’ door in Burnage, and real fast
We got the evening’s food from Sainsburys
Watched The Shining, talked scripts and how they sell
Sat 28 Mar 2009
Home for a few hours’ rest, then collect parcel
Of Kubrick DVDs, then, shocked to see
How much brick dust there was, cleared up that hell
Under the rug in the spare bedroom: well,
Louis is sleeping there tonight. Breakfast,
Then off to see Josie, who did real well
On her scooter, and made sure not to waste
My two-for-one voucher, a cheap repast
At Gourmet Burger Kitchen, her and me
No time for catching up on sleep; pressed bell
On Louis’ door in Burnage, and real fast
We got the evening’s food from Sainsburys
Watched The Shining, talked scripts and how they sell
Sat 28 Mar 2009
Tuesday, 5 April 2011
915 - No cider with Josie
Slept well and got up about nine, breakfast
The usual orange juice and pills, cereal
And then a shave, a shower, fresh clothes; aghast
At the state of my hair, slapped on some gel
Looked at The Beeb’s Writers’ Room for intel
About what they go for with sitcom plots
And characters must seem real; show, not tell
And other rules…Obey, or lose your slots
Took Josie to Alderley to take shots
Of her on a tank, but it had got lost
No police car or fire engine either… Well,
We went to Gourmet Burger Kitchen, hot
On the High Street right now; then, shopping. Last
Was the park. Evening at home (musical)
Sat 7 Mar 2009
The usual orange juice and pills, cereal
And then a shave, a shower, fresh clothes; aghast
At the state of my hair, slapped on some gel
Looked at The Beeb’s Writers’ Room for intel
About what they go for with sitcom plots
And characters must seem real; show, not tell
And other rules…Obey, or lose your slots
Took Josie to Alderley to take shots
Of her on a tank, but it had got lost
No police car or fire engine either… Well,
We went to Gourmet Burger Kitchen, hot
On the High Street right now; then, shopping. Last
Was the park. Evening at home (musical)
Sat 7 Mar 2009
897 - Snippets of my day
Another day at work but not much done
Always distracted by emails, chatting,
Brewing up, answering calls on the phone
Writing to-do lists, another meeting
Left early, worried about battling
The rush hour going south from Manchester
Made worse by roadworks, soothed by listening
To gospel. (Was amazed by a builder
This morning, mobile held up to his ear
While standing by a pneumatic drill. Dumb!
But then they don’t get prizes for thinking)
Collected little J, then big sister
P and her mother V, then I drove on
To Pizza Express for serious eating…!
Tue 17 Feb 2009
Always distracted by emails, chatting,
Brewing up, answering calls on the phone
Writing to-do lists, another meeting
Left early, worried about battling
The rush hour going south from Manchester
Made worse by roadworks, soothed by listening
To gospel. (Was amazed by a builder
This morning, mobile held up to his ear
While standing by a pneumatic drill. Dumb!
But then they don’t get prizes for thinking)
Collected little J, then big sister
P and her mother V, then I drove on
To Pizza Express for serious eating…!
Tue 17 Feb 2009
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