Vic Patterson

TomTom, What do you mean by "dead" ? And what would you like to see?

Those that supply daily consumables (milk and bread etc) will probably survive, hairdressers probably come into that category! and possibly some local interest specialty businesses. I think cost has taken over from local service! I enjoy going into the big box stores! (not very often) looking, trying and testing all the options,(computers, TV's etc) tasting fresher food, often getting good advise from experienced assistants, (there are lots of ex-tradesmen sharing their knowledge) picking the right tires, selecting the correct lumber etc I hardly ever buy on line, sometime occasional old car parts. As Malcolm says this is the 21st century, we need to adapt to the technology, (the post office first!)

Its not a term I've heard before but I presume it is not enough people using the business! as much as we like to support local businesses can we afford too? with limited incomes most people will buy at the supermarkets when they are available, just a sad fact of life. Our nearest big name supermarket is over 100 miles away, so we tend to stock up when out of town. Yes our small businesses don't last very long

Are people really selling their houses and moving? where are they going? The faces of small towns are changing, the big box stores, transportation and communications have all had a part in the change. It's not only Bedlington its everywhere, just look at Blyth, Ashington even Newcastle! I could write a book on Grande Cache and the changes in the years we have been here! not all change is bad though it seams so at the time, look for some positive things change brings.

That should read OIL SANDS

Ransoms and dodgy countries would be my guess!

Old technology! great pictures! thanks for posting Foxy, I believe my brother was posted at Leuchers a long time ago,

Tail-sliding, that would be a sight to see!I was working at Farnborough air show about 1974 and saw several Harriers square dancing! going side to side and dipping their noses! all to the music. There is an Scotsman in Calgary trying to sell his Harrier, $1.3 million!

Thanks Foxy, great photos, can almost feel the ground shaking! (good camera? good photographer? or both?)

Thank you Merc' I am "Following†XH558 and a few sites on Facebook, looking forward to the pictures. Was the movie on TV Malcolm?

Just spent quite a bit time looking at footage of Thumper and Vera, along with so many other old aircraft. I have quite a few videos of aircraft and airshows on VHS (what's that?) and was wondering if I should convert them to the latest form of storage, but looking at the availability of much more and far superior on the internet I don't think I'll bother! (This is my old profile picture! not Malcolm, but I can see the resemblance!)

That must take some skill! and nerve! Seaking, I only remember the Sycamore and Whirlwind!!

Thanks for clarification Eggy, I wasn't aware of the school at the station only Westridge the school my wife attended. The location doesn't appear very central!

What a sight! What a SOUND! I followed "Vera's†flight back to the U.K. it created quite a lot of interest, wouldn't it be fitting to see a Spitfire and Hurricane do a a flypast with them. Thanks for the post Mercury!

Is the old one Westridge? or is there another (newer) High School? if it is, how old and where is it? (I'm going to fly Google and look for it!)

I think (down under) Brian will be the expert on such things, (he lives north of Brisbane) Nice city Brisbane, are you staying there long!

Yes Paul, very familiar! I was introduced to it a few years ago in Montreal, I think it was "discovered†in Quebec, most of the fast food outlets (McDonalds etc) now offer it. I'm sure it would go down a treat in the local chippy or at the match! Eh!

Well done, great to see all that effort recognised! So sad to see there are a few brainless louts who just don't get it! I expect it is the same ones destroying the picnic tables, once identified they should be named and shamed (if that is possible!) http://www.newspostleader.co.uk/news/blooming-marvellous-1-6743340?utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitterfeed

Thank you everyone, the temperatures are down and the local fires are under control, depending on the wind direction the smoke comes and goes, but its not causing a problem here. Once a fire is brought under control they often like to let it continue to burn to clear out the underbrush and create a fire break for the next few years! it also completley changes the wildlife habitat! http://wildfire.alberta.ca/wildfire-status/wildfire-status-map.aspx

No worries Tonyp, (as Brian would say!) it's cooler here today with a bit rain, and lightning! (starting more fires) there is still lots of smoke but that often happens, thank you Canny lass, Maggie.

Canny lass, just now smoke is the biggest problem the water bombers are controlling the fire risks and we have several fire breaks, my brother here in town has respiratory problems and has to stay indoors, the rest of our family are 100 and 300 miles away, but still in the smoke! the eldest daughter and granddaughter are coming for a visit tomorrow if the roads don't close.

https://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/pages/Alberta-Wildfire-Info/357885625988

Talking theoretical % loss etc doesn't really tell me a lot about their situation, they may have been overpaid! underpaid or even average paid! It appears that it's not roll-back but almost a freeze! or am I missing something?

Pork "drippin†cold was also well liked! the brown bit had the most flavour! Fry-up is is a Sunday night favourite here Tonyp!