Journal. Food for Thought.
A few moments ago a cold shiver went up my spine. I was entering details into my Family Tree. I was checking my father's details for correctness and entering further expanded details. I sat looking for a moment and noticed his age, he died at age 67 and here was I at aged 70 with lots of things to do and see yet. And as I said a cold shiver went through me.
I was aged 41 at the time he died and I considered him old. Does my family find me old and look on me as old? I don't feel particularly old, even if I am aged 70.
Tuesday, June 29, 2004
Monday, June 28, 2004
Journal. A Funny Food Weekend.
We went out to dinner last Friday night with son Anthony and friend Craig. We had a barely passable smörgåsbord meal at Memory Lane in Hamilton City.
The impression was confirmed on this visit that Memory Lane like a lot of other food places, that the quality of the fare is slowly drifting down-wards.
The soup was not good and the ice cream machine pumped out a mixture of white frozen milk diluted with water and tasted awful. The ice crystals were evident. The management did not seem too concerned to a polite chide. But the seafood was excellent and Pat went for a little more. I doubt that we shall go again. A pity I have always liked the ambiance of Memory Lane aka The Old Flame.
However on the subject of food, I was impressed by the Casino Restaurant on 2 recent visits, the food was superbly prepared and very edible. Craig tells me that he knows of other traditional food eateries which we will visit. If these sink in quality there is always my favourite to fall back on, Indian fare with more than one good restaurant in Hamilton with the odd good Chinese now and then.
A pity about Memory Lane I enjoy a good traditional English roast served in a Smörgåsbord manner, to chose what I like.
Food places come and food places go. Some lasting longer than others. Give customers sub standard fare, customers remember and talk.
Otherwise our weekend was enjoyable and we returned home in a happy frame of mind.
We went out to dinner last Friday night with son Anthony and friend Craig. We had a barely passable smörgåsbord meal at Memory Lane in Hamilton City.
The impression was confirmed on this visit that Memory Lane like a lot of other food places, that the quality of the fare is slowly drifting down-wards.
The soup was not good and the ice cream machine pumped out a mixture of white frozen milk diluted with water and tasted awful. The ice crystals were evident. The management did not seem too concerned to a polite chide. But the seafood was excellent and Pat went for a little more. I doubt that we shall go again. A pity I have always liked the ambiance of Memory Lane aka The Old Flame.
However on the subject of food, I was impressed by the Casino Restaurant on 2 recent visits, the food was superbly prepared and very edible. Craig tells me that he knows of other traditional food eateries which we will visit. If these sink in quality there is always my favourite to fall back on, Indian fare with more than one good restaurant in Hamilton with the odd good Chinese now and then.
A pity about Memory Lane I enjoy a good traditional English roast served in a Smörgåsbord manner, to chose what I like.
Food places come and food places go. Some lasting longer than others. Give customers sub standard fare, customers remember and talk.
Otherwise our weekend was enjoyable and we returned home in a happy frame of mind.
Thursday, June 24, 2004
Journal. This Story made me Smile.
One sunny day in 2005 an old man approached the White House from across Pennsylvania Avenue, where he'd been sitting on a park bench. He spoke to the U.S. Marine standing guard and said, "I would like to go in and meet with President Bush." The Marine looked at the man and said, "Sir, Mr. Bush is no longer president and no longer resides here." The old man said, "Okay" and walked away.
The following day, the same man approached the White House and said to the same Marine, "I would like to go in and meet with President Bush." The Marine again told the man, "Sir, as I said yesterday, Mr. Bush is no longer president and no longer resides here." The man thanked him and, again, just walked away.
The third day, the same man approached the White House and spoke to the very same U.S. Marine, saying "I would like to go in and meet with President Bush."
The Marine, understandably agitated at this point, looked at the man and said, "Sir, this is the third day in a row you have been here asking to speak to Mr. Bush. I've told you already that Mr. Bush is no longer the president and no longer resides here. Don't you understand?" The old man looked at the Marine and said, "Oh, I understand. I just love hearing it." The Marine snapped to attention, saluted, and said, "Yes Sir. See you tomorrow."
One sunny day in 2005 an old man approached the White House from across Pennsylvania Avenue, where he'd been sitting on a park bench. He spoke to the U.S. Marine standing guard and said, "I would like to go in and meet with President Bush." The Marine looked at the man and said, "Sir, Mr. Bush is no longer president and no longer resides here." The old man said, "Okay" and walked away.
The following day, the same man approached the White House and said to the same Marine, "I would like to go in and meet with President Bush." The Marine again told the man, "Sir, as I said yesterday, Mr. Bush is no longer president and no longer resides here." The man thanked him and, again, just walked away.
The third day, the same man approached the White House and spoke to the very same U.S. Marine, saying "I would like to go in and meet with President Bush."
The Marine, understandably agitated at this point, looked at the man and said, "Sir, this is the third day in a row you have been here asking to speak to Mr. Bush. I've told you already that Mr. Bush is no longer the president and no longer resides here. Don't you understand?" The old man looked at the Marine and said, "Oh, I understand. I just love hearing it." The Marine snapped to attention, saluted, and said, "Yes Sir. See you tomorrow."
Wednesday, June 23, 2004
Journal.Winter Weather.
Yesterday we had high winds, rain, hale and sunshine. Sometimes all together! Today the wind has dropped, morning rain showers and sunshine and the weather is getting progressively better. Temp today is 17C.
Journal. Letters.
Wrote and posted 2 letters today to David Bell, my cousin living in Ponteland near Newcastle-on-Tyne and Harry Douglas, retired Schoolmaster at Bromfield in Cumbria.
Ponteland is very much like a leafy NZ suburb
Bromfield village probably hasn't changed since my mother went to school there in 1912 to 1920 era. Visiting in 2003 I thought time must have stood still.
Yesterday we had high winds, rain, hale and sunshine. Sometimes all together! Today the wind has dropped, morning rain showers and sunshine and the weather is getting progressively better. Temp today is 17C.
Journal. Letters.
Wrote and posted 2 letters today to David Bell, my cousin living in Ponteland near Newcastle-on-Tyne and Harry Douglas, retired Schoolmaster at Bromfield in Cumbria.
Ponteland is very much like a leafy NZ suburb
Bromfield village probably hasn't changed since my mother went to school there in 1912 to 1920 era. Visiting in 2003 I thought time must have stood still.
Journal. Harry Douglas Letter.
26 Dudley Ave
Huntly, 2191
New Zealand
23 June 2004
Dear Harry,
You will be surprised no doubt to get a letter from New Zealand. I visited Bromfield last year in June enquiring about my Uncle Joe Brough and also Tommy Brough who lived at Intack House, Crookdake.
I have just been writing up my daily journal précis notes of my 10 week trip to the UK and I have just arrived in Bromfield. I thought I would drop you a line of thanks for the time you took with me and your help gladly given. I was glad to come and see Bromfield once more, my last visit was when I was a small boy.
I also had another reason to write to you. After leaving Bromfield my next stop was Ponteland in Northumberland to visit my cousin who, on relating my experiences in Bromfield promptly said to me "I know Harry Douglas, we went to Teacher's Training College together". Do you remember David Bell from Aspatria?
David's mother, my mother, Joe & Tommy Brough were brothers and sisters. David unfortunately had a stroke 2 years ago which badly affected his speech and weakened his right hand although he can still drive. His mind is still sharp. He asked to be remembered to you.
As I write up my notes and this letter I feel I would like to make another visit to Bromfield; I didn't really get all the information I wanted, I did not allow enough time for the exercise. A day and a half was not sufficient. I didn't get the photos I should have done either, however I did get a photo of my grandfather's gravestone Joseph Brough Snr., with his 2 wives inscriptions. His first wife died at the age of 32. The white grave-stone on the far rear end wall of the churchyard.
Again, thank you for your help.
Kind regards,
Eric Brough Irving
26 Dudley Ave
Huntly, 2191
New Zealand
23 June 2004
Dear Harry,
You will be surprised no doubt to get a letter from New Zealand. I visited Bromfield last year in June enquiring about my Uncle Joe Brough and also Tommy Brough who lived at Intack House, Crookdake.
I have just been writing up my daily journal précis notes of my 10 week trip to the UK and I have just arrived in Bromfield. I thought I would drop you a line of thanks for the time you took with me and your help gladly given. I was glad to come and see Bromfield once more, my last visit was when I was a small boy.
I also had another reason to write to you. After leaving Bromfield my next stop was Ponteland in Northumberland to visit my cousin who, on relating my experiences in Bromfield promptly said to me "I know Harry Douglas, we went to Teacher's Training College together". Do you remember David Bell from Aspatria?
David's mother, my mother, Joe & Tommy Brough were brothers and sisters. David unfortunately had a stroke 2 years ago which badly affected his speech and weakened his right hand although he can still drive. His mind is still sharp. He asked to be remembered to you.
As I write up my notes and this letter I feel I would like to make another visit to Bromfield; I didn't really get all the information I wanted, I did not allow enough time for the exercise. A day and a half was not sufficient. I didn't get the photos I should have done either, however I did get a photo of my grandfather's gravestone Joseph Brough Snr., with his 2 wives inscriptions. His first wife died at the age of 32. The white grave-stone on the far rear end wall of the churchyard.
Again, thank you for your help.
Kind regards,
Eric Brough Irving
Tuesday, June 22, 2004
Journal. David Letter.
26 Dudley Ave
or PO Box 80
Huntly
New Zealand
22 June 2004
Dear David and Moira,
Thought I would drop you a line to fill you in what is happening to us in this neck of the woods… not that there is much to tell. I have finished work completely now after the last few years of semi part-time albeit shortened hours.
The closing down of the business took much longer than expected. The accountant said to allow about 3 months with all the paper work involved and he was right, but everything is cleaned up now. I’m now busy with all the things I have wanted to do and couldn’t because of work or too tired in later years to do them.
I had a phone call from my eldest son Ian a few weeks back to say you had phoned him and were intending to send the draft copy of the second part of “ Thanks for a Life” for writing up. Send it anytime that is convenient to you, I will be more than delighted to do it for you. It will make a pleasant interlude between poking around in genealogy and writing my memoirs and gardening.
John and Edith Irving have just returned from visiting here NZ last week and were talking of visiting you at some stage on their return. They made their base at their son’s place and came and stayed with us for a time.
On their return after a few days they were going house and cat sitting for a month in Harrogate at Edith’s brothers place whilst he is Australia visiting his daughter.
It is our winter now; the shortest day is now past and I’m trying out growing winter tomatoes in the new greenhouse. Others do it but we have to be careful of early morning air-frosts next month, which can knock them back. Lettuce and other vegetables grow well. Oh, and not forgetting flowers. It is rainy squalls at present with wind and sunshine following but mild.
I do hope your daughter is bearing up after her sad loss and the children too. It is difficult to say in writing what you want to say but you will know what I mean.
By the way David I’m about to drop a line to Harry Douglas to thank him for his help in Bromfield when we were there and I will mention you to him. I’ve just finished writing up that part in my journal that I kept of our trip.
Over the page I’ve placed a poem I came across some time ago on the Internet. I immediately thought that you would like to see it David, I remembered you used to like Cumbrian dialect. The web site also had the copy of the 1954 Directory of Aspatria and District. Under Mealsgate and Bromfield were entries for Joe and Tommy Brough, East House including the Bungalow and also my Irving entries. I had a look under Aspatria and would guess that you would know a lot of the names listed. I can take them off on the printer if you like.
Well I’m over the page so you will see the poem.
I will say cheerio for the present and keep well. Say hello to Diane and Slinky
Regards… Eric
P.S. The spell checker didn’t like the poem!!
A Poem
This poem, attributed to Gordon Nicholl, describes the demise of Bulgill Colliery in about 1910.
Original West-Cumbrian Version Translation
Bulgill's buggert marraWukken out cum's fastIf thou gits t'backshift inThat cud be thee last Bulgill's buggered friend,Working-out comes fast,If you get the backshift in,That could be your last
T'Powney's gone till RiserT'Ingins gone till t'sealsThompson's up afoort t'bossFer pinchun six inch neals The pony's gone to RisehowThe Engine's gone to the salesTompson's up before the bossFor stealing six inch nails
Tyson's gone till ButhyCass till OutersideUncle Joe's at Number FowerAn Tom's at Number Five Tyson's gone to BothelCass to OughtersideUncle Joe's at Number fourAnd Tom's at Number Five
Bulgill's buggert marraJust a wa' o steanDivent ga 'till ButhyThoo's better off at yam. Bulgill's buggered friendJust a wall of stoneDon't go to BothelYou're better off at home
Ere we ga up t'clog trodIn till t'Railway PubGet thee wissel wet me ladSee-un thou'll be on't club. Here we go up the pathInto the Railway PubGet your whistle wet my ladSeeing as you'll be on the club
26 Dudley Ave
or PO Box 80
Huntly
New Zealand
22 June 2004
Dear David and Moira,
Thought I would drop you a line to fill you in what is happening to us in this neck of the woods… not that there is much to tell. I have finished work completely now after the last few years of semi part-time albeit shortened hours.
The closing down of the business took much longer than expected. The accountant said to allow about 3 months with all the paper work involved and he was right, but everything is cleaned up now. I’m now busy with all the things I have wanted to do and couldn’t because of work or too tired in later years to do them.
I had a phone call from my eldest son Ian a few weeks back to say you had phoned him and were intending to send the draft copy of the second part of “ Thanks for a Life” for writing up. Send it anytime that is convenient to you, I will be more than delighted to do it for you. It will make a pleasant interlude between poking around in genealogy and writing my memoirs and gardening.
John and Edith Irving have just returned from visiting here NZ last week and were talking of visiting you at some stage on their return. They made their base at their son’s place and came and stayed with us for a time.
On their return after a few days they were going house and cat sitting for a month in Harrogate at Edith’s brothers place whilst he is Australia visiting his daughter.
It is our winter now; the shortest day is now past and I’m trying out growing winter tomatoes in the new greenhouse. Others do it but we have to be careful of early morning air-frosts next month, which can knock them back. Lettuce and other vegetables grow well. Oh, and not forgetting flowers. It is rainy squalls at present with wind and sunshine following but mild.
I do hope your daughter is bearing up after her sad loss and the children too. It is difficult to say in writing what you want to say but you will know what I mean.
By the way David I’m about to drop a line to Harry Douglas to thank him for his help in Bromfield when we were there and I will mention you to him. I’ve just finished writing up that part in my journal that I kept of our trip.
Over the page I’ve placed a poem I came across some time ago on the Internet. I immediately thought that you would like to see it David, I remembered you used to like Cumbrian dialect. The web site also had the copy of the 1954 Directory of Aspatria and District. Under Mealsgate and Bromfield were entries for Joe and Tommy Brough, East House including the Bungalow and also my Irving entries. I had a look under Aspatria and would guess that you would know a lot of the names listed. I can take them off on the printer if you like.
Well I’m over the page so you will see the poem.
I will say cheerio for the present and keep well. Say hello to Diane and Slinky
Regards… Eric
P.S. The spell checker didn’t like the poem!!
A Poem
This poem, attributed to Gordon Nicholl, describes the demise of Bulgill Colliery in about 1910.
Original West-Cumbrian Version Translation
Bulgill's buggert marraWukken out cum's fastIf thou gits t'backshift inThat cud be thee last Bulgill's buggered friend,Working-out comes fast,If you get the backshift in,That could be your last
T'Powney's gone till RiserT'Ingins gone till t'sealsThompson's up afoort t'bossFer pinchun six inch neals The pony's gone to RisehowThe Engine's gone to the salesTompson's up before the bossFor stealing six inch nails
Tyson's gone till ButhyCass till OutersideUncle Joe's at Number FowerAn Tom's at Number Five Tyson's gone to BothelCass to OughtersideUncle Joe's at Number fourAnd Tom's at Number Five
Bulgill's buggert marraJust a wa' o steanDivent ga 'till ButhyThoo's better off at yam. Bulgill's buggered friendJust a wall of stoneDon't go to BothelYou're better off at home
Ere we ga up t'clog trodIn till t'Railway PubGet thee wissel wet me ladSee-un thou'll be on't club. Here we go up the pathInto the Railway PubGet your whistle wet my ladSeeing as you'll be on the club
Sunday, June 20, 2004
Journal. J & E Home
John and Edith are now home in the UK and no doubt in need of a good rest. The only problem, they have to go in 4 days to Harrowgate to house sit for a month.
I sent them a welcome home email and some photos. The last 2 bounced, their box is full. I also sent the same pix to Ian and also Jen.
Ian phoned last night and I didn't get to bed until well after midnight. His late call was welcome, we had not heard from him for a while and Pat thought he had dropped off the end of the earth with her texting to him going un-answered.
John and Edith are now home in the UK and no doubt in need of a good rest. The only problem, they have to go in 4 days to Harrowgate to house sit for a month.
I sent them a welcome home email and some photos. The last 2 bounced, their box is full. I also sent the same pix to Ian and also Jen.
Ian phoned last night and I didn't get to bed until well after midnight. His late call was welcome, we had not heard from him for a while and Pat thought he had dropped off the end of the earth with her texting to him going un-answered.
Wednesday, June 16, 2004
Journal. Field Days
Every year in mid June and our winter here in NZ, Agricultural Field Days are held at Mystery Creek near Hamilton. All the manufacturers and importers of agricultural products and machinery set up their stands and marquee's. Other sellers of products also show their wares and an instant town springs up over the preceding week.
Visitors number into 6 figures and each year the preceding years record is usually broken. And every year it rains; the weather forecast for the opening tomorrow after our nice weather this week is it will rain cats and dogs again starting tonight.
Every year in mid June and our winter here in NZ, Agricultural Field Days are held at Mystery Creek near Hamilton. All the manufacturers and importers of agricultural products and machinery set up their stands and marquee's. Other sellers of products also show their wares and an instant town springs up over the preceding week.
Visitors number into 6 figures and each year the preceding years record is usually broken. And every year it rains; the weather forecast for the opening tomorrow after our nice weather this week is it will rain cats and dogs again starting tonight.
Sunday, June 13, 2004
Journal. John and Edith. Caitlin and St. John's.
John and Edith returned to stay with us last Thursday again before returning home to the UK on this coming Tuesday. We again enjoyed their company.
Yesterday, Saturday we went over to Thames (the NZ one) taking J and E with us. We went to see our grand-daughter Caitin enrolled as a cadet into the order of St. John's Ambulance Service along with 65 other inductee's with an age range from 8 to 18 years from the surrounding towns and country areas. Most were teenagers. All were dressed in uniform and they looked a picture.
We enjoyed the old world ceremony and a pleasant finger food meal afterwards. The day was fine and the sun shone.
Afterwards J and E left us seperately and were returning to spend the rest of their time with Geoff and Anna in Waiuku. Anna will see them onto the LA flight on Tuesday where they will spend 2 days before proceeding home.
John and Edith returned to stay with us last Thursday again before returning home to the UK on this coming Tuesday. We again enjoyed their company.
Yesterday, Saturday we went over to Thames (the NZ one) taking J and E with us. We went to see our grand-daughter Caitin enrolled as a cadet into the order of St. John's Ambulance Service along with 65 other inductee's with an age range from 8 to 18 years from the surrounding towns and country areas. Most were teenagers. All were dressed in uniform and they looked a picture.
We enjoyed the old world ceremony and a pleasant finger food meal afterwards. The day was fine and the sun shone.
Afterwards J and E left us seperately and were returning to spend the rest of their time with Geoff and Anna in Waiuku. Anna will see them onto the LA flight on Tuesday where they will spend 2 days before proceeding home.
Sunday, June 06, 2004
Journal.The Past Week
The the weather has been variable during the past week with rain, sun, wind and sunshine. Of course it is the start of our winter now here in NZ. The day temperatures are starting to drop down to a maximum 14-18 deg.C. and nights down to 9 deg.C.
The Huntly Railway over-bridge is now completed and the by-pass extention is now in use. Much finishing is still to be completed so that may take a month or two.
This weekend is Queen's Birthday Weekend and Paul and Gill with Caitlin and Ashley have gone to Taupo. The highlight will be a jet-boat trip up the river (or down stream) I'm not sure which. Tahlia didn't go, preferring to go to her friend's house as she does most weekends. We dont't see her much... only during the weekdays. Tahlia is nearly 17 now so maybe she thinks she is too old to go with Mum and Dad?
Pat has adopted the stray young cat she has fed for over a year now. It is black with white paws and nose. She had me pick it up on Tuesday and take into the vet's to be "fixed"... a good Kiwi expression! We knew it as variously as "Street Cat" and "Blacky". Pat rechristened it "Dudley"... our street name where we found it. Dudley has now been let into the house for the first time.
During our 10 weeks holiday in the UK the stray cat had a rough time having to scavenge for its food and he was very thin on our return.
Pat still thinks of Biggles and gets upset now and then. We talked of him yesterday. And she has the date of him going missing firmly planted in her mind as she has the date of his birth 11 years ago.
I must dig out a picture of Biggles and put him on the weblog.
The the weather has been variable during the past week with rain, sun, wind and sunshine. Of course it is the start of our winter now here in NZ. The day temperatures are starting to drop down to a maximum 14-18 deg.C. and nights down to 9 deg.C.
The Huntly Railway over-bridge is now completed and the by-pass extention is now in use. Much finishing is still to be completed so that may take a month or two.
This weekend is Queen's Birthday Weekend and Paul and Gill with Caitlin and Ashley have gone to Taupo. The highlight will be a jet-boat trip up the river (or down stream) I'm not sure which. Tahlia didn't go, preferring to go to her friend's house as she does most weekends. We dont't see her much... only during the weekdays. Tahlia is nearly 17 now so maybe she thinks she is too old to go with Mum and Dad?
Pat has adopted the stray young cat she has fed for over a year now. It is black with white paws and nose. She had me pick it up on Tuesday and take into the vet's to be "fixed"... a good Kiwi expression! We knew it as variously as "Street Cat" and "Blacky". Pat rechristened it "Dudley"... our street name where we found it. Dudley has now been let into the house for the first time.
During our 10 weeks holiday in the UK the stray cat had a rough time having to scavenge for its food and he was very thin on our return.
Pat still thinks of Biggles and gets upset now and then. We talked of him yesterday. And she has the date of him going missing firmly planted in her mind as she has the date of his birth 11 years ago.
I must dig out a picture of Biggles and put him on the weblog.
Wednesday, June 02, 2004
Journal. Quiet on the Weblog Front.
Yes, I've been lax with all my weblogs. My time has been spent getting my new genealogy program Family Historian up and running and evaluating its capabilities. I like it even though it is a little harder to master, Much better than my original program.
So far I have entered my present family, my parents and grandparents families on the Brough's side first together with all their siblings and other details I have accumulated. I used my mother's family, the Brough's first because it is easier and more comprehensive. The family tree is laid out graphically on a very large A0 sheet of paper.
The Huntly Bird Show is over for another year. This year the paper work was computerized and although it was only a little quicker than the manual system it was easier on man power.
Yes, I've been lax with all my weblogs. My time has been spent getting my new genealogy program Family Historian up and running and evaluating its capabilities. I like it even though it is a little harder to master, Much better than my original program.
So far I have entered my present family, my parents and grandparents families on the Brough's side first together with all their siblings and other details I have accumulated. I used my mother's family, the Brough's first because it is easier and more comprehensive. The family tree is laid out graphically on a very large A0 sheet of paper.
The Huntly Bird Show is over for another year. This year the paper work was computerized and although it was only a little quicker than the manual system it was easier on man power.
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