Vic Patterson

I go for walk almost every day, (I'll be off in 5 minutes!) being a small town you get to know must people and most will wave, say hi or toot their horn, but many will not make eye contact! Yes they are usually new in town, I make point to say hi and something about the weather (usually how much snow or how cold it is! not much else to say around here!) and sure enough they will acknowledge you! next day they say hi (and you think who the heck was that!!)

I used to post under a pen name but later decided to use my real name. About three years ago after following the posts of the late Joe Rooney (RIP) I felt that using my real name, not writing anything that I wouldn't say face to face with someone, not writing anything too personal about myself, friends or relatives that might compromise their security or privacy, (or causing embarrassment, unless you know the the intended target well enough to know that it is jest) Once you establish a friendship with any of the forum members (I feel I have made several) you can PM them or go to regular e-mail, again consider nothing is 100% secure! Joe was a real gentleman, well know and very well liked by everyone, if we all follow his example (I feel we all do, not like in some of the early days!) Respectfully submitted.

We would "hap-up†the fire (a bucket of coal) then take a shovel of the ashes from under the grate and put on the top of the coal to slow down the burning! hopefully it would last until the next morning, fire guard was in place of course! Blyth News was our favourite bleezer (but divint use the picture page) until we got posh and I made a steel blazer! Bath nights you had to pull out the damper to heat the water. Front grate was just big enough to roast chestnuts on! People couldn't wait to get rid of the big old iron fire place (side oven, hobs, mantelpiece etc) and put in a modern tiled one, now they are collector pieces!

I'm fascinated reading this and the Emily Wilding Davison posting but I am confused at the connection to Bedlington. I presume Emily was part of the suffragette movement! What happened to (historian) Ellen Mitchell's mom? did she abandon Ellen or was their an unfortunate incident? Now to Google and try find out!

Happy Australia Day Brian, Light that Barbie! but isn't it tomorrow the 26th! (still 25th here)

Dot agrees with about aaud Nicky!

H.P.W. tell Billy! Dot says Hi and I'll see Maureen later this afternoon on my daily trek.

My (now) wife worked at Patrick's shop when I met her!

I wouldn't go there....

Happy birthday Canny Lass, hope you have a great day with friends and family!

Excellent John! We really enjoyed watching it, it must have been taken around the time that we left for the colonies! looking forward to see more!

Good to see return Merlin.

Happy birthday Alison.

Happy birthday GGG, hope you have a great one!

Keith, Vancouver had a snowfall last night, it usually only rains there! but from Golden to Lethbridge (through the pass) is OK, usual winter driving, Lethbridge is about –20c, we're at –25c, Those H&R rigs are pretty big (especially when your only in car!) My son (Keith) is driving Hinton- Edmonton and back to Hinton today, Edmonton had snow last night and the roads are pretty bad! but the road crews will be out (and the nutter drivers)

Pete, First day it hasn't snowed in a long time! but we have LOTS already! Merry Christmas.

Happy birthday Ed, hope your having a good one.

Being retired now and having all the toys I need (and many that I don't need!) living in a wonderful little town (but it is very remote) great outdoors, very little crime, weather !!! All I ask for is good health for my family and friends. Merry Christmas everyone, best wishes to you and your families.

Happy Birthday Pete, hope your having a great day!

Congratulations, best wishes to mom, dad and grandparents!

Happy Birthday Keith, hope your having a great day!

Happy birthday Keith, hope you have a relaxing day!

Keith, On the BBC website I read that he wrote a book "Beaurocrats and How to Annoy Them". he used the pen name R T Fishall, I shall look that one up!

Sad to see the passing of Sir Patrick Moore, I fondly remember his first broadcasts in the 50's, he explained things so well, I wish I had retained some of it!

Wish I could make this one!