No going back now.......................

[FLYING BANANA]

My neighbour Gerry pointed out a crack in my outside wall, on the road side.

So I phoned Cornwall Council and reported it as an emergency. I said I think the subsidence is caused by the road, it appears to be sinking. Chap typed it all out and submitted my report. I reported it on the 6th, and I’m still waiting for them to turn up.

Then I contacted my insurance company, Avvia, and sent a report and photo’s. They have replied saying that they don’t think it is subsidence just normal cracking. How can they tell just from a photo? I need someone to have a look.

Trying to find a builder is a perishing nightmare. Phoned 4 and not one picked up their phones, I left messages on two of them. Still waiting for a return call.
There is no way I will contact trust a trader, as we got ripped off by a supposedly trusted trader when we lived in Barkingside. I contacted trust a trader and they didn’t want to know. I tried to get my money back but the trusted trader was declared bankrupt. I couldn’t follow it up as I was caring for my late wife and that took a lot of my time and energy.

Regarding my friend Pete who passed away, his sister has brought me some more car bits including a complete set of the stick on Walnut dashboard sections. Brand new and only oped by Beth, as she wanted to see what was inside. I haven’t decided what to do with it yet. She also brought me some more books and a diecast Schuco Rover 75 in Moonstone. That I’ll keep as I know that Pete did have a 75 in Moonstone before he bought his Trophy Blue ZT. (And I have a Trophy Blue ZT in the collection. So I have two models to remember him by).

Had a phone call from Peter Baker, a forum member, who unfortunately is in hospital after suffering a stroke. I did post up a report on the social page and two members have been in contact to get Peter’s number, many thanks to Jennifer and Phil for getting in touch with Peter. If anyone wants his number then drop me a pm and I’ll pass it on.

I also hear Richard, aka RPWC, is making steady progress on his health issues. And it’s good to hear that Phil, aka Gatekeeper, is also making good progress from his recent surgery.

My neighbour, Marion, and I are still doing our walks. We was down the beach yesterday at Downderry, but the tide was coming in so we walked along the top path till the steps down, but we didn’t want to have a paddle so we retraced our steps and done the nature trail instead. Last Saturday it would have been Marion and Paul’s, her late husband, wedding anniversary. 51 years.
She was a little bit tearful, but I done my best to keep her smiling. We went for a cuppa at the Beachside cafe.

Then we drove home and she thanked me for cheering her up. Once home she invited me in for another cuppa and a slice of homemade cake, although I’m not a cake eater it would have been rude to say no. So she went in and I parked BBB up, popped indoors to drop my camera off. That way I know where it is. Then up to Marion’s, it’s only 50yards to her house.
The time slipped by and it was nearly 16.00 before I left.

So those that are unwell or recovering slowly get well soon.

There is a mini tour coming up next month. Going to be venturing further into deepest Cornwall with the Southwest Crew.

Many thanks for the kind comments.

[planenut]

Interesting notes Bob, thank you..........I'll give you the address for cake to be sent to.

[FLYING BANANA]

Originally Posted by planenut

Interesting notes Bob, thank you..........I'll give you the address for cake to be sent to.

I would get Marion to bake one for me to bring to the next breakfast meet that I would attend, but I doubt very much it would even make it to the car.

[planenut]

Blow it, I have the same trouble if I bake one.

[FLYING BANANA]

Well, it’s not subsidence as that is normally a diagonal crack that comes up from base of the house. The crack I have is just a crack in the rendering. I’ve had one builder come and he had a good look, a really nice guy. Got another builder coming tomorrow to have a look.

My insurance company, Avvia, said if it was subsidence then it would have been an excess charge of £1,000. Then my premium would have gone sky high, if they re-insured me which apparently would be doubtful.

Cornwall Council have been round to look at the road and reckon there is nothing wrong with the road, I beg to differ as it’s a strange dip in the road. There are two man hole covers just before the dip and I was wondering if the pipes underneath had split causing the road to dip but. But the Council reckon not. We will see.

I have news from Portugal, Elizabeth has a new love in her life and he is an English bloke who teaches English in a local school. Elizabeth is coming over to this country next month as there is still a few loose ends to tie up over her late fathers estate. So the new love is coming over with her, her son will also be travelling with them. I’m hoping to be able to arrange a meeting. Last time we met was at the services at Exeter.
She has sold her late fathers two motorcycles and one of the cars to a museum in Italy, and put the money into a trust for her son for when he is 18. Only 13 years to go then.

I have lost contact with my old neighbour in Barkingside. Not heard from her for almost a year now. Emails bounce back, I have left messages on her mobile and get no response from the landline. She might have moved, or god forbid she has passed away. Next time I go to London I’ll have to knock at her door to find out.

Thanks for reading.

[FLYING BANANA]

…………………………. Was finally removed today. Because the car was on private land Cornwall Council had to threaten the car owners with a court order to get it removed. It was towed out by a 4x4 and parked close to Banana. A low loader, from a breakers yard in Plymouth, finally turned up to haul it on board. The people that owned the car were there to see the car off. I’ve never seen them before. Turned out they live three streets away, and have been known to leave/dump cars in various streets around here.

Waiting on builder number three to come and look at the work that needs doing.
The second builder has sent me an estimate which seems quite reasonable.

[FLYING BANANA]

My walking buddy, Marion, has led an amazing life.

Born in Canada and only came over to England in 1961 with her brothers and n Mum on holiday. Her Dad worked for Avro, working on the new Avro Arrow, in the town of Brampton on the outskirts of Toronto. The town revolved around the Avro factory. So when the government pulled the plug on the Avro Arrow development then the town died. And all the businesses that had been built up around the factory died with it. So Marion’s Dad wired his wife and told her to stay in England, and he would join them if he couldn’t find another job.

He came over a year later, no chance of getting any work. So he had packed up all the furniture in the house and sent that to England. The house was rented so there was no money to be made there. All clothes and possessions were also sent over. Marion’s Mum found a house to rent in Portsmouth. So that was where the family started all over again. Marion’s Dad was an aircraft electrician but being an electrician he was able to switch, pardon the pun, into domestic electrical works.

Started working for himself in a shed and went onto own a couple of businesses. Marion’s Mum was a tailor by trade so she was able to find a job and bring up the children. Marion was the youngest of the children. Both her two brothers went into the armed forces, one as Naval engineer and the other one joined the Army as a motor fitter. Both rose up through the ranks. Marion on the other hand left school and went to work making canvas kit bags for the military. Later on she worked in heavy canvas.

When the battleships were in port then the turrets and gun barrels would be covered in tailored canvas, and that what Marion was making. She also helped in making the military flags an£ banners.
She wanted to learn to ride a motorcycle, and her bike instructor was going to become her future husband Paul.
They decided to change careers and became managers for Martins the Newsagents. Starting off in Portsmouth but they were offered two shops to manage in Saltash, Cornwall.

By now their daughter Cara had come into the world. So what with moving from Hampshire to Cornwall and finding a new home, bringing up a daughter and managing two newsagents was all done successfully. They moved into the new build in 1979, and she lives in that sane house..

To be continued

[FLYING BANANA]

……………………. For a funeral. Just received news that one of my old neighbours has passed away after a short illness. Charlie was a retired milkman, not many of them still around. Worked right up to the age of 70, but he had to retire to look after his wife who had dementia, she sadly passed away a couple of years ago.

Charlie’s daughter contacted me today with the news. I only spoke to Charlie about a month ago, no mention of being ill by him. But his daughter said that he didn’t want anyone to know. Not quite sure what he was ill with but I expect I will find out in due course.

I don’t particularly want to attend a funeral in December as there are too many memories for me to deal with. My walking buddy, Marion, lost her hubby in December and it’s her birthday in December as well. I would like to be here to support her if I’m wanted. I do have a soft spot for her, and her family.

Dropped Banana off this morning, with Allen following, at the garage. Banana needed last years advisories sorted out plus a service and so I thought her annual MOT. Turns out the MOT doesn’t run out till next year. So just a service and a few repairs to be done.

Met up with Reebs yesterday to collect the club calendars, we meet at the Haynes Motor Museum in Sparkford. It’s about halfway for us both. We had a good chat, there was a few issues that I needed to discuss with him. All club related, gladly he was able to sort most of them out but one issue still has to be resolved. But I think it will sort itself out soon.

Catch up soon. Many thanks for reading and the lovely comments.

[WillyHeckaslike]

Originally Posted by FLYING BANANA

Her Dad worked for Avro, working on the new Avro Arrow, in the town of Brampton on the outskirts of Toronto. The town revolved around the Avro factory. So when the government pulled the plug on the Avro Arrow development then the town died. And all the businesses that had been built up around the factory died with it. So Marion’s Dad wired his wife and told her to stay in England, and he would join them if he couldn’t find another job. He came over a year later, no chance of getting any work. So he had packed up all the furniture in the house and sent that to England. Marion’s Dad was an aircraft electrician but being an electrician he was able to switch, pardon the pun, into domestic electrical works.
To be continued

That was a good read Bob. Alliot Verdon Roe (AVRO) though better known for the Lancaster and Vulcan bombers produced quite a few different aircraft. The AVRO Canada CF-105 (Arrow) is just one of them and it is sad to see that it was cancelled in 1959 which was before the big rethink caused by the downing of Gary Powers in a U2 in 1960. The Arrow was innovative and ahead of its time. I see that NASA benefited from its cancellation by the ensuing brain drain when some of AVRO Canada's key players migrated South to contribute to the Apollo project. Interesting to read that Alliot Roe's brother Humphrey Married Marie Stopes. While she was the figurehead for the birth control clinics of her name the idea was conceived by Humphrey before he met Stopes.

I have something in common with Marion's father.

[FLYING BANANA]

My walking buddy, Marion, late husband Paul was diagnosed with MND. Yet another awful disease. We was out walking in Saltram Park when she told me all about his illness. I thought my Val had it bad but at least she still could eat food right up to the last 11 days, she was then in and out of consciousness.

Paul had suffered a slight stroke and was recovering from that when he got a sore throat. They never thought anymore of it. But it just got worse so he finally went to the doctors. Who, after examining him sent him onto the hospital. After a number of tests they said it was far more serious than a sore throat. He was sent by ambulance to a specialist hospital on the outskirts of Exeter. Again he was examined. By now he was unable to speak.

Here it was confirmed that he had MND. As we know there is no cure. Just a matter of time before the end. He was allowed home. Marion nursed him almost to the end. She kept telling people, me included, that it was nothing to be concerned about. Like me she wanted no fuss. Her daughter was there every other day and we knew it was more serious that we was being told.

By now Paul could only communicate via his iPad with a voice control module fitted. He could no longer lift his head up. As a result his throat virtually closed up. The only way that food could be taken was via a “peg” fitted to his stomach. Marion could then inject liquidised food straight into his stomach. He was no longer able to taste food. She would dip some cotton wool into a cup of tea and just dab it on his lips so the he could “taste” it with his tongue.

Marion’s birthday is on the 7th of this month and Paul was admitted to hospital on that day. He passed away on the 10th with Marion by his side.
By the time she had finished telling me the story I was in tears. None of us knew the pain she was going through. But she never once buckled under the strain. Her daughter helped out the best she could.

Marion lost Paul nearly two years ago. I lost my Val nearly 13 years ago. As we have so much in common we decided that we would suspend our walks through December. We both lost our partners, and we both have birthdays in December.

Today is my Val’s birthday and I have spent the day quietly, away from the maddening crowd. Not stepped outside of the door. My neighbours are aware so are not worried if they don’t see me around or wonder why my blinds are drawn. I have been looking at photos from happier times.
I expect Marion will be doing the same. Her daughter is coming over on the 7th so that they can both go to the cemetery and tend Paul’s resting place.

That is something I miss doing. Val is with her Mum and Dad Totteridge. I don’t want to stay at my brother in laws whilst I go to the cemetery. But it’s a 10 hour round trip to drive there and back. If I can persuade a friend to share the driving I might go on the 23rd. (Val took the hands of the Angels on the day).
Just have to wait and see.

Thanks for reading.