Author: The Boy Tom
Well how are you all a’gettin on together?
Well that arrived!……. Thas t’old snow I’m on about. A time I am a’writin this (Jan 30th) there’s sum on it a’layin about. You know what they say “thas a layin there a’waitin for sum more t’join it”
They recon we arn’t a’gonin t’git another “Beast from the East” this year but we might git more than we want. That’ll du good t’git sum hard weather for a day or two. That’ll git rid o’all them colds un coughs folk seem t’be a’gettin und the arable farmers will be pleased cos that’ll help t’git rid o’all them viruses that hang about on Autumn sown crops. Mind you if any on um hev got any sugar beet in a heap the’ll ha’a make sure they hev got them covered up so the beet don’t git any frost into them, cos if they do that’ll be no good him a’carton them t’the factory cos the whole load will be chucked out.
A fare while ago I knew a farmer who he’d a load rejected. When he’d got the beet loaded onto the lorry he thought they looked a bit dirty so he give them a wash. The trouble was the loaded lorry stood in the yard overnight und that fros suffin hard. When he got the factory the next morning he went t’tip the load orf but the old beet wound’t move cos they were fros on.
I don’t know if any on yar hev bin a’watchin that programme thas been on the TV during the afternoon about farmers who getting their stock riddy for a show. Well I hev bin a watching on it und tuther week they were a’shown folk near here who were a’gettin their sheep ready for the Norfolk Show. I knew one or two on um who were filmed und thet were good t’see the Norfolk Show getting some publicity.
What about the Wayland Show then!… They recon that a’goin t’be cancelled this year und then come back next year on Sunday May 3rd. They say that’ll help the Farmers cos they wont be after the Harvest then und them in charge o’the show are a’goin t’try und attract more folk to attend by a’puttin on new events that’ll get folk involved.
Cos there’s another show what they could learn a thing or two about getting visitors involved und thas the Spring Fling at the Norfolk Show Ground. This year thas on Thursday April 11th. Tickets are on sale now. I’m a’goin t’be on the Stand thas called the Ark. Children can touch the animals we hev there und can get a chance to lead sum on um round in a little ring. The Missus is coming this year t’keep an eye on me so i’ll ha’a be on me best behaviour
Well the old BREXIT saga keep a rumblin on. That remind me of when the Missus und I used t’teake our 3 younguns out in the car. They used t’keep a’askin “Are we there yet”. Thas a bit like that w’them up a Whitehall who are supposed t’be driving while the rest on us are a’sittin in the back asking i “Are we there yet”. The trouble is them who are a driven are lost und don’t know which way they are a’goin. Tha’ll soon ha’a start a driven along the right rood cos the end a’March will soon be just round the next bend!!!!
The Village Hall her re-opened after the toilets & kitchen hev bin tricolated up. Less hope folk keep a’usin on it cos thet hev cost a bit t’get the work done. I hed a walk up Summer Lane tuther morning. My heart there were a rum lot of rubbish in the hedge rows. Thas folk a hulling it outa their cars after they hev finished eating their take-a-way. There were enough beer cans t’fill a skip. Why can’t folk take their rubbish home? I see down the Ovington Road somebody hev hulled an old fridge into the bottom o’the ditch. I know I hev said it a’for but when the Missus und I are a travelling about over the water you don’t see litter about like you do here. Perhaps that is suffin we can learn from um before we leave?
Them boys up at Carra Rood are still going strong. They play every game right till the final whistle. Thas how they win a’lot of their games. They hev still got the big one a’comin up in a week or two. Thas the one against the
Tractor Boys. They don’t seem to have got going yet despite hevin Mr Lambert in charge!
I hed better close now cos that’ll soon be time for me fourses. That’ll soon be light enough t’draw outside after I hev hed be cup o’tea. Mind you that’ll ha’a be suffin warmer than that is now.
Fare ye well t’gither und du yu keep a’troshin.
How are yu all a’gettin on t’gether?
A’time yu get t’read this we’ll be inta the last month o’the year. Cos old mother nature can’t make up har mind about which weather she’s a’goin t’send us but that don’t feel like December at the moment. Still that’ll meake the winter seem shorter when that du arrive.
I’ll tell yu where there is a hot o’hot air, thas up at Westminster. Them who we elected hed two years to sort out this here BREXIT out und what du they du; They wait until they hev nearly got their heads under the water und now they are a’tryin t’see how yu tun the tap orf. If they cant agree amonst them selves then how are they a’goin t’get a good deal for all of us? Them folk in Brussels who they are a’talkin to must recon that their Christmas hev cum early.
The trouble is that don’t help the farmers. They hev got crops a’growin in the field that will be harvested arter BREXIT. A rare lot o’Wheat & Barley git sold und shipped out o’Yarmouth t’other european countries. Will that still happen arter BREXIT? thas the same w’farmers who are keepin sheep. Where will the lambs, that the ewes are already a carrying, be sold. Nobody can g’them an answer.
I were a talkin to the man who’s garage were a servicing my car tuther day. That were meade in this country but every day two hundred lorries come acrors the channel t’deliver parts to the factory. What happen if they git held up corse that teake them more time through customs at Dover? Nobody know!
Since I last hed a wud along with yu the Missus und I hev bin on a day trip t’Windsor Castle. We went on a coach what picked us up at Thetford. We got t’the Castle a little afor midday und the driver recon we ha’a be back for him t’leave at half arter four. We ha’a go through security afore we could git inta the castle. The night afor we went the Missus hed a looked at what we could teake inta the Castle und what we were not allowed t’teake. Thas a good job she looked cos one thing yu could not teake were a pen knife. So I ha’a leave mine at home. That din’t feel right a’not heven my old shut knife w’me all day. The Missus told me I’d just ha’a git used to bein with-out it. The first room in the castle we went into were full o’knives, swords und guns. I say t’the Missus “I don’t know why they were a worrying about me bringing my old shut knife w’me” The Missus dint say anything…….she just gi me one o’har looks.
We hed a good look round what they call the state rooms, they hed meade a good job of tricolating it up arter that big fire they hed there. When we left I thought the coach driver were a’goin t’hev a job a gettin us round London, I’ll tell yu suffin, he knew some back roads und we din’t git held up once afore we got t’that service area near Stansted Airport.
There were a good turnout of village folk to hear the fella who cum to talk about the Commonwealth War Graves. He giv us a good talk about how that were all started and what they are a’doin today t’maintain the graves.
At the Remembrance Sunday Service there were an even better turn out o’folk. When we went outside t’lay the wreaths just a’for eleven o’clock there were the poppies a’strechin down from the top o’the church tower inta the graveyard. There were even one that cum down as far as the War Memorial.
They recon that a knitten them poppies hev got the old village spirit back: Less hope that keep a’goin arter the poppies cum down.
Well them boys up a Carra Rood are hevin a good run at the moment. Thas hope they can keep a’goin till next May.
Even though thas a’gettin near to the turn o’the year things are still a growin in the garden. I hev only just pruned the old roses back und my old hins hev started a’layin agin cos they think thas warm enough for Spring. I am now a’goin t’draw outside und git some old oak leaves swept up for the last time this year.
As this is the last time I will be hevin a word along with yu a’fore the turn of the year the Missus join me in wishing yu all a very Merry Christmas und a Happy New Year.
Fare ye well t’gither und du yu keep a’troshin.
Well how are yu all a’gettin on t’gether?
A’time yu are a’readin this we’ll will ha turned the calendar over agin und them nights will be a pullin in. That’ll mean I wount be able t’draw out inta the garden arter I’v hed m’tea.
I know there are sum on yar who will a bin a’keepin your eye on how them up at Whitehall are gettin on wi them BREXIT talks with them over the water. Well t’my eyes they don’t seem t’be a’gettin on to sharp. Her who’s in charge hev ha’a get somebody else t’do the negotiations cos har fust man he chucked the job in. The trouble is time is a slippin away und they don’t seem t’be a puttin their backs into it. When they go over the water for a meetin they go on Tuesday und come back on Thursday. I thought yu only warked a three day week when there want enough t’keep yu a’goin for five or seven days?
Tuther day they told the farmers what they were a’goin t’du when the EEC farm payments dry up. They called it a ‘landmark document” Hu. At the moment the farmers receive a acreage/hectare payment . Them up at Whitehall are agoin t’replace this w’payments over a seven year period to a system that’ll pay farmers for “public goods” which mean conservation , higher animal welfare standards or public access to the countryside. There’s nothin in there for increasing food production. At the moment, the farmers in this country only produce 40% o’what we put on our table t’eat! Still what du yu expect cos the man in charge he’s the same one who got rid of 20% of the Prison Officers and look at the muddle their in now?
When yu are a’ridin about yu see a lot o’pigs kept outside, well the farmers who keep them are a’gettin worried cos over the water in Belgium they hev found a case of African swine fever in a wild boar. They don’t want to see that a’comin over here cos if that git inta a pig herd the mortality can be 100%
I see the village hall is closed so they can put in sum new toilets und kitchen. They hev done well t’git the money t’do the wark. Mind yu thay wanted a’doin cos I helped when the old toilets und kitchen were put in ni on forty year ago.
Them boys up a Carra Rood are a’doin well. A’time o’writtin this (end Sept) they hev won 3 matches in a row. Thas good t’see the manager givin some o’the youngsters a go. Thas the only way the’ll learn.
The Missis und I hev bin a’havin a look at sum o’these gardens that open. Tuther day we went und hed a look at a garden right in the middle o’Cambridge. Well bor we hed a job a parkin. Findin a space were alright but there were a notice on the ticket machine saying that yu ha’a pay usin yar mobile phone. Well, that were a job und a half, arter about 20 minutes I were gettin suffin savage cos that wont wark. The Missus she kept a’tryin t’git me t’calm down. How sum ever arter a while we see some folk go to another machine und put sum money und git a ticket out. So thas what we did. Just arterwards a ticket man cum past so I hed a word along a him. He recon that I were the only one he new who hed hev any trouble w’the mobile service. I told him thas cos I cum from Norfolk und we du things differently there. The Missus din’t say anything……….she just giv me one of har looks.
Arter we hed looked round the garden we driv to a place where you could hev yar tea a sittin in a deck chair. The Missus und I recon we would hev a job a gettin outa them so we sit on some plastic garden chairs. The place were near the river und the Missus recon that next time we come to Cambridge we could hire a punt und come to the teas place by punt. I don’t now who she think ull be a drivin the punt cos that ount be me.
Afor I go I must just tell yu suffin what happened to me tuther day….I fell orf me bike. That happened just outside our house. I were a’sittin on me bike ready t’go und git me peaper when I noticed I hant got my yella waistcoat on. So I cocked my old leg over the saddle t’git orf…the only trouble was I din’t git it high enough und that hit the saddle which knocked inta me und down I went onta the hard road. My heart I felt suffin dissy, thas when you know how old yu are. I ha’a crawl t’the side of the road und then get up und git me bike outa the road. I got me self indoors und got upstairs t’see the Missus. Do yu know I ha a lay on the bed for a bit. I hed taken the skin orf me elbow und my behind felt a bit tender. Still the bike were ok und I hev bin out on it agin.
They tell me that the Villages History group are a’havin a meeting in the Church on October 19th at 7pm. They hev got somebody a’cummin along to talk about Farming Today & Yesterday und what effect that hev hed on the village. The Missus und I are a’goin t’draw down there for it so we might see yu there.
Fare ye well t’gether und du yu keep a’troshin.
How are yu all a’gettin on t’gether?
Well thas another month gone und we are a’turnin the corner inta Autumn. Mind yu arter the weather we hev hed so far this year thas bin suffin hard t’know when one season end und another begin.
I’ll tell yu suffin I see at the beginin o’the month that made me think suffin funny were a’goin on. That were at the Wayland Show und there I see sum pink sheep. I had drawed down there t’help on the Rare Breed Stand. They hed got t’gither all the Norfolk Rare Breed in a tent for folk t’cum und look at. There were sheep, Turkeys, Hins und Ducks. They even hid a Norwich Canary there in a cage although he wernt in very good fettle cos he were on the moult.
We were a’sharin the tent with Swaffham Young Farmers who hed got a pen o’four fat sheep und a pen o’four fat cattle. Folk ha’a have a go und judge them in order of which they thought were the best down to the wust in each pen. They hed numbers sprayed onta them so folk could sort them out. The Young Farmers hed had a master judge cum and judge the cattle. then they cum over und asked three on us a helpin with the rare breeds if we would be the master judges for the sheep. Well t’judge sheep yu ha’a git in the pen und handle um t’see how fat they are und if they are fit to go to slaughter. The three on us decided to judge them on our own und then see how near we were t’each……..du yu know we all hed them in the same order.
Arter we hed bin there sum while the head lady who look arter the sheep at the show cum und asked me if I could go und hev a look at the pink sheep they hed got there. Sum o’the ladies who were a showin sheep hed started hevin a pink sheep class for Ladies v Cancer at other shows durin the summer und Wayland hed agreed to run a class at their show. To help the charity folk who were a watchin were asked t’put sum money inta a bucket. Well boy the sheep und their handlers looked a job. The sheep hed bin sprayed pink usin hair dye und some of the ladies wore pink coats and one or two hed dyed their hair pink un all. There were about 20 sheep entered und the lady who judged them were a goin the cycle from London t’Paris for the charity.
They recon that were a success und are a’talkin about hevin a Blue class at next years Wayland show for Men v Cancer. So that’ll be suffin t’look forward to. I went home und told the Missus about it und recon I would spray my hair blue for it……. The Missus din’t say anything…..she just me one o’har looks und recon that would be a job cos I hant got enough hair t’dye.
I told yu last month that I were a’goin the Carra Road with my Son-in-Law t’see Norwich play their fust home game agin West Brom. As he is a West Brom supporter he hed got tickets right agin the away supporters. As you may know Norwich lost 4-3. Some of them Norwich players played as if they were on the moult like the Canary we hed at the Wayland Show.
Thas the big one this week-end against the Tractor Boys. Les hope them Canaries are a singing by Monday morning cos if they arnt my Brother will be!!!
I don’t know if any of yu hev noticed them 2 new information boards that hev bin put up round the village. One is near the Millennium Green entrance und tuther one is on the Norwich Road near the Aerolite garage. The boards show a pictorial history of the village. The Heritage Group in the Village hev got them done with the same man who painted the one thas at the entrance to the Church. If you han’t seen them go und hev a look.
I recon that by the time I hev a wud along with yu agin the farmers will be inta harvesting their Sugar beet although they wount be in any hurry cos they’ll want t keep the beet in the ground as long as possible because the dry weather we hev bin a havin mean they have still got a bit o’weight t’put on.
Fare ye well t’gether und du yu keep a’troshin.
Well how are yu all a’gettin on t’gether?
Well that were over suffin quick. Thas the old corn harvest I am a’talkin about. Sum on um on the rearly light land recon they hev never finished harvest by the end of July afor. Around the village I see the Young Master up at the Hall hev cut his Winter Barley und Oil Seed Rape but they hant started cuttin the Winter Wheat yet (July 31st) .
We hev hed rum rain at last. I’m suffin pleased thet hev rained cos that mean my old water butts are full agin. As I hev said afor the Missus like t’use rain water on har indoor plants rather than tap water, so that rain hev put har in better fettle.
A lot o’folk are a talkin about the dry summer we hed in 1976 that were dry like this but I don’t think that were qiute sar hot? Do yu now last week my old weather station recon that were 36c down at the bottom o’my garden. That hev bin s’hot that I ha’a start wearing short trousers. I din’t like a’doin on it cos the Missus recon I could’t wear my old braces with um. So I drawed my old belt in suffin tight und allus hed a bit o’string in me pocket just in case.
If I hed any jobs t’du in the garden I meade sure I got them done early afore that old sun got a’goin. I hev bin a’waterin plants in containers but there were a lot o’shrubs planted in the garden that were a’hanging their heads. As I said to the Missus yu can’t start a’waterin them cos they’ll git to expect it und stop a’puttin their old roots down inta the earth t’git their own water.
Still we han’t had it as bad as folk in other parts o’the world that hev lost everything in the bush fires. I know there hev bin sum stubble fires here where farmers hev lost some standin corn and in one or two cases t’combine un all. That int as bad as 1976 cos farmers were allowed to burn the straw in the fields then rather than bale it up. That hev all changed how cos straw is sold for animal bedding und some go to be used as fuel for power stations. I know these one o’them just over the border at Eye in Suffolk. I recon amimal feed is a’goin t’be expensive this winter cos farmers are a’havin t/feed their animals on their winter feed already cos there aint any grass.
At the beginin of the month the Missus un I hed our annual day trip on the Broads with our Daughter und Son-in-Law. We hed a good day, that wernt to hot und we went from Horning t’Wroxham und then up t’Coltishall. That were a lot quieter that way cos a lot o’them big boats can’t git under Wroxham bridge. Our Daughter und Son-in-Law brought their doog wi’them this year. He’s one of these Labra-dootles. My Heart he’s suffin big und only about a year old. As well as us He ha’a wear a life jacket. Once he settled down he sat und watched the world go by. I’ll tell yu suffin though he nearly hed a set too with a Swan. Yu know how they swim up to the boat t’see if yu hev got any bread for them. Well the dorg wernt a’hevin any o’that. He stuck his head outa the boat und barked in the old swan’s face. Well bor I thought the old swan was a’goin t’cum inta the boat… he started hissin und rufflin his old feathers. In the end the dog backed down und we give the old Swan a few biscuits.
When we got back t’where we hired the boat there were another one a’tying up afore us. We head them a’tellin the boat owner that they han’t bin able t’stop all day cos they could’t git the boat near enough to the bank t’tie up. Thas a good job their boat hed a toilet du they might hev bin in a muddle.
I see there hev bin another British winner of that cycle race in France. I recon the French are a’gettin a bit fed up w’us a goin over there cos I think somebody from this country hev won the last six or seven years. Still that could all change soon with BREXIT!!
I notice that them cyclists wear suffin tight riding clothes. I say t’the Missus do yu recon I could crowd my old bike along as quick as they du if dressed up like that….she din’t say anything…….she just gimi one o’har looks.
The old Football season kick orf soon. I see Noorwich hev sold sum o’their players for a tidy sum und bought sum new ones. I am a’goin the see the fust home game. My Son-in-Law is a’takin me cos he support the team Noorwich are a’playin. I told him I wern’t a’goin t’sit with his supporters so we are a’sittin in the same stand as them but with the Noorwich supporters.
They hev bin a’grittin some o’the roads in the village. But they han’t dun them all .They seem t’do a bit und then miss a bit out und then start a’gin. They hev done the middle of the village, up the Shipdham Road und along Broadmoor. Then they missed the rest of the village out und started a’gin down the Ovington Road. They ha’a move their equipment from one place t’the next so why could’t they just grit it as well? I suppose if I asked them up a County Hall there would be somebody who would gi’me an answer. Cos wether I would understand what they were a’talkin about is another matter!!!
Fare ye well t’gither ind du yu keep a’troshin.
Categories
The Boy Tom – July 2018
Categories
The Boy Tom – June 2018
Well how are yu all a’gettin on t’gether?
Last time I hed a wud along with yu I started by a’talki.n about the weather…well I recon I’ll ha’a do the same this time. Thas alright if yu are on holiday but that aint su good if yu are a waitin for rain like most farmers are. Tha bin alright if yu are a’makin hay but that aint su good if yu keep livestock or are a’growin sugar beet. These a crop o’beet at the top o’Gilmans Drift( Muddy Lane) that I hev a look at every day when I crowd past on my bike. My heart the old sugar beet leaves are wiltin and a’touchin the ground. I know the farmer who hev the field hant got any irrigation although he hed sheep a’grazin a catch crop last Autumn so they put a bit o’heart back inta the soil when that were ploughed afore the beet were drilled. (For those who dont know where Gilmans Drift is it is the footpath running between the Norwich Road ,opposite the Watton Green turning and the old Griston Road ).
If Farmers are a’keepin pigs outside they ha’a keep a close eye on them cos pigs only hev little sweat glands and they can get sun burned. Thas why you see on them outdoor pens big troughs of water that the pigs can get in and cool down. they then go und lie in sum mud which sticks to the skin und protects it agin the sun The pigs also keep in the shelters t’keep out of the sun.
They tell me that the corn harvest ha started in some parts of the country. That ount be long a startin round here, the trouble is the farmers want sum rain t’swell the grains in the ears of corn. If they dont git some there be sum low yields about, the only good thing about that is that will increase the price the farmers git when they cum t’sell.
That weather were just what the organisers wanted for the Royal Norfolk Show last week. There were blue skies on both day but there were a nice sea breeze t’keep the heat down for both man and beast. I were there a’helpin on the Rare Breed stand. We hev a nice crowd of folk t’see us. That were good t’see s’many youngsters in school parties. We hed a Story Teller on the stand a tellin a story in-front of a Shepherds Hut, there were a good crowd of youngsters a listening to him every time he come on.
I’ll tell yu suffun I see at the show. That were on one o’them machinery stands where they were a’showin some 1970s farm equipment a’gin t’day models. Well there were this 1970s combine with a 10ft wide cutter bar standin in front of a 2018 model with a 40ft cutter bar. The trouble is I can remember a drivin the 1970s model und we thought that were big machine then.
I hope that sum on yer went to the Village Fete und Flower Festival in the village last week-end (30th June-1st July) The Missus und I drawed down t’hev a look. There were a rare crowd o’folk on the Millennium Green and in the Village Hall where there were a lot of different stalls. The Church hed been trimmed out w’flowers. Each flower arrangement hed a story t’tell about the Teddy Bear a’sittin along side. I recon there were over a couple o’dozen on um. I asked the Missus what flower arrangement she would put a’side me t’tell a story………….She din’t say anything….. she just gi me one of har looks.
Since I last hed a wud with yu the Missus und I hev bin over the water with out caravan. We din’t go s’far this year, just down t’the Loire. While we were there we went und hed a look round one o’them Chateau places. That wernt a very big one. How-sum-ever we parked outside the gate where there were a sign t’say that were open. We were heven a look round the garden when this women come arter us a drivin a golf buggy. She wanted t’know if we wanted t’look round the house. She told us which door t’go to und she come und took our money und recon har Husband would come und show us round. That turned that she owned the place. Har Husband dint speak a’lot of english but that were a good visit until he took us out onta a balcany und showed us a bridge over the river which he reckoned had been blown up durin WW 2 by the British. I asked him if the Germans had occupied the house durin the war. He recon they had but he dint want t’talk about it.
We see another Chateau that were for sale. The Missus looked up about it…they only wanted thirty million dollars for it. They recon the man who were sellin it hed spent close to one hundred million dollars a’duin it up so he were a’goin t’lose a bit o’money on the deal.
The Football world cup is still a’goin on und England are still in it. That seem a long while ago when I watched Bobby Moore lift the trophy. Thas good see the England Manager is a’givin sum youngsters a go. I get suffin savige when I see them a’pushin each other about when there’s a free kick or a corner. They look as if they are a’tryin t’play rugby although in rugby if yu tried that the ref would soon send yu orf.
Well the heat o’the day has gone so I suppose I get better draw out inta the garden. I know the grass don’t need cuttin but the weeds keep a’growin.
Fare ye well t’getter und du yu keep a’troshin.
Categories
The Boy Tom – May 2018
Well how are yu all a’gettin on t’gether?
I know that Spring is supposed t’be nearly over but han’t that bin a rummun one? Arter the “Beast of the east” hed left us we hed another one cum along und then we hed a wet und cold Easter. Last week we hed weather that were as good as many Summer days. Now I am a writtin (Sat. 28th) this cos thas a’rainin und the garden is to wet und dawby to get on. They recon that the farm wark is about 3 weeks behind. That don’t sound much but come harvest time that could be the difference between a makin or losing money on the crop.
A little arter Easter we hed our two Grandsons to stay for a couple o’nights. We took them up to Holkham Park for the day as there’s plenty there to keep them entertained. One thing we went t’see was the Field to Plate interactive display. That is suffin t’go und see cos that show folk how their food is grown and there’s a lot for the little ones t’do. One of our Grandsons got dressed up as a Game Keeper. One o’the things the boys liked was the tractor driving simulator. That were a modern tractor cab with all the hands controls und instead of the front window there were a screen which showed the tractor a goin acroos a field ore travelling along a road. You ha’a steer the tractor und you could meake it go faster or slower. The man in charge recon that they use suffin similar to train real tractor drivers on. When you look at all the leavers und buttons around the cab that int such a daft idea as that sound. Thas better to meake a mistake on a simulator rather than on a real field or road where you could hev an accident und somebody could git hurt.
Yu know how I were a’tellin yu last month how many pot holes there were in the road twix Watton Green und Caudle Springs well I can tell yu that they hev been filled in. That seem a rummin that they hev done them when there are still pot holes on the main Norwich Road outa Watton that hant been seen too.
Some on yu may hev seen that there hev bin a group of folk who hev bin a goin round the Village a’pickin up litter that folk hev thrown outa they car windows. We hev gotta be grateful there are folk in the village who are prepared to turn out in their free time und do this.
Why do folk hull litter about the country side, why cant they take it home und put it in their own refuse bins? Some folk recon that them fast food places are to blame. Well when the Missus und I hev bin on holiday over the water yu don’t see any litter along their roads near their fast food places.
I recon them at the Council arn’t a helpin by chargin folk t’teak stuff to their local refuse collection point und them who recon they know about recyclin recon thats a job to re-cycle everything. Well I’ll tell yu suffin: Afore I retired I warked at a place that were inta recyclin. I hed suffin t’do with the Waste Management Unit there und we managed to recycle 80% of the firm’s waste und that included food waste un-all which were turned into compost, so that can be done. I remember a’tellin an expert at one o’them recyclin roadshows about it. Arter I hed finished she recon that her Council had different parameters (What ever they were) to the ones I were a’warkin to!!!!!
Well I hev just hed a gawp outa the window und I recon that that hev stopped rainin so I might draw outside. Thas afor the Missus find me a “little” inside job to do, I recon I can find suffin t’do in my greenhouse.
Fare ye well t’gether und du yu keep a’troshin.
How are yu all a’gettin on t’gether?
Well that old Beast from the East hev bin un gone agin. That certainly did a good job a holdin folk up when they were a’tryin t’git about. There were folk on the TV und Wireless u’tellin us all that were a commin und not t’travel unless yu rearly hed to. But some folk dint listen und went out und got stuck und then other folk ha’a turn out t’rescue them.
Them boys on them grittin lorries were a workin all the time. But when that hed snowed they wernt allowed t’use the snow ploughs on the front o’their lorries unless there were two on um a riddin in the cab. I dont know what difference that were supposed the meake. Was the second man supposed t’git out und walk a’front of the lorry t’see how deep the snow was? What about them farmers who sent their tractors out t’clear the roads und help pull folk’s cars und lorries outa snow drifts, I don’t recall a’seein two on um a ridin in the tractor cab. Thas true what folk were a sayin: there were plenty o’thanks for the farmers when they were a’clearin the snow but that’ll be forgotten when they get held up by a tractor und trailer when they are a’drivin about durin the Summer.
The Missus und I din’t go far durin the snow. I were able t’walk up the footpath t’the garage every day t’git my old pearper. That old wind were suffin cold. A’time I got home my old cheeks were as numb as if I hed bin t’the Dentists t’hev sum fillins done.
Once that old snow hed gone yu could see, und feel, the damage the old salt hev done to the roads. When I were a’riddin my old bike the other day between Watton Green und Caudle Springs I counted 26 pot holes in the road that’ll want fillin in. I went for a walk up to the Water Works tuther day und see along the road tuther side of the bridge on the Ovington road that the verge hev fell away inta the ditch that run a’side the road. If a car or lorry drive near the road edge there thas a’goin the give way und the car/lorry/tractor is a goin t’end up in the ditch.
Hev any of yu a’driven up through Watton Green und seen what they hev done with the new road lay-out up onto the Norwich Road. My Heart, thas hard enough t’git round on my old bike. That ount be long afore a lorry turn down there und run over the sorft ground behind the kerbs und git stuck.
While that road were closed they delivered a mobile home,all the way from Cumbria, to that site up at Red Hill park twix Watton Church und Watton Green. Du yu know what they did: Cos they could not unload it at Watton Green they unloaded it in the village near the School und then dragged it up Drury Lane where sum tree branches hed sum o’the roof orf und they only missed knockin my front fence by a few inches. I dont know how they are a’goin t’git on a tryin t’git one of them homes round the new corners at Watton Green?
Them old Farmers are a’gettin on with their spring work cos the old land is a warmin up a bit. They hev got sugar beet seed t’drill, potatoes t’plant und over wintered crops are a’goin t’want a drop o’fertilizer t’get them a’growin.
The old birds are a’startin t’look for nest sites. We hev an old Cock Pheasant who cum in our garden with sum hen pheasants every day t’pick at sum feed that drop orf the old bird table. He hev bin a’showin sum colour und hev started a’traydin’ (courtin) with his hens.
Sum on yar know I like a’gettin out w’my old camera. This spring I hev bin a lookin t’photograph sum old Hares. I hev bin a’drivin around a’lookin on the fields o’winter wheat or barley cos thas where they get at this time o’year. I hev found sum, not in Carbrooke, und hev started a drivin there und sittin in my car und photographing them outa the window. Cos I hev been there several times them old hares hev got used to the car and hev started t’git closer every day. This mornin (23rd March) I counted 10 on um a’runnin about in the field.
Them old clocks change next Sunday(25th March) so that mean I’ll be able t’start a’drawin out inta the garden arter I’v hed my tea. As always there’ll be plenty t’git on with.
Fare ye well t’gether und du yu keep a’troshin
Well How are yu all a’gettin on t’gether?
Thas suffin cold this week (26th Feb) they recon that there Beast from the East is a goin t’pay us a visit. Well I hope that hurry up und git here und then go agin.
I’ll tell yu suffin what like this here weather, thas Husky Dorgs. They were a’racin in Thetford Forest tuther week-end und I drawed along und hed a look at um. There were a rear lot on um there. They were a racin round a trail through the forest. They set orf one arter the other und were timed round the trail. The winner was the one who got round the quickest. They start a’racin fairly early in the mornin (8.30am) so they don’t ha’a run durin the heat o’the day. There were different races depending on how many dogs are a’pullin the sledge. Cos there wern’t any snow they were a pullin a 3 wheeled pram thing where the driver or Musher as they are called stand. Them dogs are suffin fit und they were a’gettin suffin excited when they were a’waiting t’start.
The last race were for young dogs they were a’trainin. The Musher were on a bike w’one husky on a lead a’runnin beside him. I say the Missus when I got home that I could do with a dog like that t’pull me round on my old bike every morning when I go und git me peaper. She din’t say anything…….she just gi’me one of har looks.
I see in th peaper and on the TV that the Farmers hev elected a Mawther t’be their new (NFU) leader. Good luck to har I recon she hev got suffin t’git har teeth into cos she’ll ha’a try und talk t’them up at Whitehall who are dealin with BREXIT. I recon that ull take sum doin t’knock sum sense into sum on um. They want t’be a gettin on with it cos thas only a year until thats all spus t’happen. If that mean that our farmers ha’gotta be growin more of suffin cos that aint a’goin t’be a’cummin over the water they want t’be a’knowin about it cos most crops teake ni on a year from sowin t’harvest. That
teak a’lot longer than that t’git a calf t’grow inta a cow und produce a’drop o’milk.
Them old pot holes in the roads are gettin suffin bad. Theres a master one up Summer Lane. Folk hev told them up a County Hall about it but they recon the pot hole don’t meet their criteria t’be filled in……I recon that would git filled in suffin quick if some folk from County Hall ha’a drive down Summer Lane every day like a lot o’folk do t’teak their younguns t’school.
Thas the same with them folk who repair the telephone wires. The Missus und I are a’havin a master job t’git anybody out cos we are heven a lot o’trouble with our internet connection. Last week them engineers made 4 appointments t’come und see us: We hev waited in und nobody turn up. I hev hed a rare go um on the the phone. That aint BT’s fault thas that other company who they git to repair the fault und who you cant talk to. One on um did ring up t’say he were runnin late . We told him we could not wait in any longer und could be come back t’see us. He recon he could’t cos his next appointment were in Lowestoft!!!!!
Talkin of Lowestoft, them old Tractor Boys still cant beat them Canaries, even arter 10 years o’tryin. As I told my Brother(who support the Tractor Boys) we left it a bit Klose this time.
Thas to cold und wet t’git onta the garden at the moment but I hev sown my Sweet Peas inta some long pots und put them inta the green house t’chit. I hev got one o’them heated sand trays und I hev stood them onta that just t’git them started. I am a’goin t’start some wild flower seeds the same way und then plant them inta the garden when that git warmer. As I git older I hev told the Missus that the conservation area is a’goin t’git nearer to the back door. She recon she don’t mind as long as I leave some where for har to hang the washin out und keep a’growin a few sweet peas for har t’cut.
Well I hed better close now und meake sure we are ready for the Beast from the East.
Fare ye well t’gether und du yu keep a’troshin.
Well how are yu all a’gettin on t’gether?
My heart we are a havin sum rum old weather. When yu draw outa bed in the mornin und open them curtains yu can see old Jack Frorst hev bin. That caught them who du the road grittin tuther mornin. They recon they were told that the old thermometer wernt a’goin t’drop below +1c so they din’t bother t’git the gritters out. Well bor the police recon there were over 30 car accidents afor 9 0 clock next mornin. Most on um caused by cars a’skiddin on ice. I know the Council recon they hev gotta save money but I when thas only 1 degree above freezin I recon thas to cloos cos that don’t mean thas the same temp. in Yarmouth as that is in Kings Lynn or Norridge. At the place where I warked a-for I retired I were in charge o’grittin the roads und footpaths. I’ll tell yu suffin if that forecast a frorst I got the gritter a’goin cos there were over a 1000 folk on the site und if one on um slipped over und hurt themselves I knew who would git the blame.
We hev hed a rare lot o’rain und all, That hev made the gardon suffin dawby when you ha walk on it. The Missus she git suffin savige if I drag any mud inta the house. She meake me leave my garden shoes in the shud afore she’ll let me back indoors.
I see they hev trockolated up the old village sign und hoss plough what stand a’front o’the village hall. That wanted a’doin cos they were both a’gettin a bit green. The Missus und I when for a’walk on the Millennium Green tuther day und we see that they hev built a new play area for the little ones t’play on. Less hope that git used. They tell that one o’the farmers at the tuther end o’the village want t’build sum houses und put in a footpath for folk t’use t’git t’the centre of the village so they can use the shop und catch a bus. I recon if he hed a look in the centre o’the village he’ed see we hant hed a shop or bus there for several years.
They hev got the old road closed at Watton Green cos they are a’widening the junction. Thas on account of there are a’goin t’be a rare lot o’houses built und thas where them folk are a’goin t’drive out onta the Norridge road.
I stopped there tuther day while I were out on my old bike t’hev a gawp but that were all fenced orf , all I could see was that they were a’cuttin back the verges t’meake the road wider. I thought about askin one of the warkers if they were a’goin t’put in a cycle lane but I dussant. Thas goin t’teake until fust week o’March afor that’ll be finished. That’ll mean all the little roads round by Watton Church und through t’Ovington are a gettin cut where traffic try t’pass. I wonder how long that’ll be a’for somebody drive onta the verge or inta a ditch und git stuck?
Them boys up a Carra Rooad are hevin a busy time. I see um a playin Chelsea on the TV tuther night. They give a good account’ themselves although they recon they were a’goin t’be tired for the next game on the Saturday cos they would hev only 2 days t’recover. When I were a playin (with a leather football) in the Norfolk und Suffolk league on a Saturday I ha’a still go inta wark on the Sunday t’look arter the stock. That were no good me a tellin the boss I were to tired.
They only got just over 12 months t’git this here BREXIT sorted out but nobody seem t’be a doin anything. Here we are (last week January) und they don’t seem t’hev hed any meetings since Christmas. When they du meet thas only for 3 days cos they ha hev Monday und Friday t’travel there und back. They wanta wark in the real world. One o’our Son’s go t’Switzerland for meetings some times und he go there hev the meeting und cum back all in the same day. So why can’t them BREXIT folk du the same?
Them old evening are a drawing out und I’ll soon be able t’du a bit on the garden (when that dry out) arter tea. In the mean time:
Fare ye well t’gether und du yu keep a’troshin.
Well How are yu all a’gettin on t’gether?
A’time yu are a’readin this that’ll all be over. Thas Christmas und the New Year I’m a’talkin about. When we recon it all up we will hev spent to much money und ate to much food
Afore Christmas the Missus und I went on a couple o’trips. Fust of all we went to London t’see the lights in Key Gardens. We din’t go on our own cos thas a rum a’drivin about London anytime so the Missus she got sum tickets orf a coach company that were a goin there. Cos we were a’goin t’see the lights they picked us up at Thetford a little arter midday. We und another group o’Mawthers were the last t’git on. I like a riddin on a coach cos you can gawp about while somebody else du the drivin. We stopped near Baldock so we could git a bite t’eat und the they driv us t’Windsor so we could hev a look round there afore we went onto Key. When we were a comin orf the M25 onta the M4 the driver meade a mistake. I say t’the Missus that we were a goin t’Heathrow not Windsor. She told me t’hold me row cos the driver knew what he were a’doin. That tunned out I were right cos we got nearly up t’the runway when he ha’a tun the old bus around. The Driver recon he were sorry und that he’ed soon hev us back on the right road.
When we got out o’the coach at Windsor, My heart that din’t harf rain und the old wind got up un all. That tunned the Missus’s umbrella inside out twice, I hed on o’them great old golf umbrellas: I ha’a hang onta that with both hand du I recon I would hev taken orf und ended up back at Heathrow.
Arter that we got t’Key Grardens on time und hed a walk round t’look at the lights and laser displays. They hed meade a rare job on it und that were worth the trip. I’ll tell yu suffin, when we got inta our car at Thetford t’drive home that din’t half snow. By the time we got home that were a’layin but that hed all gone by the mornin.
The tuther outin we hed were nearer home, we drawed along t’Thursford t’see the show there. We ha bin there several times durin the last 40 odd years und they allus put on a good do. I recon that thas a rummin that yu are a’watchin suffin like that a’sittin in an old cattle shed in the middle o’Norfolk. That must be good cos There were folk there from all over the Country.
There were a couple of Christmas does in the village un all. There were the Bazar in the Village hall und Church und then there were a evenin in the Church where a couple entertained us wi folk songs und Carols. There were both good does but thas a pity there wernt a few more village folk there supporting all the hard work others hed put in.
I he bin t’see Norwich City agin, that were when they played Brentford the Friday afore Christmas. That wern’t as bad as when they played Barnsley but they still lorst. I know they recon that they hed one or two o’there players out cos they were injured. I git suffin savige when I see them players a’rollin about when they fall over arter a tackle: At least , at the Brentford game, the ref could see they were acting und he booked a couple on um. I wonder how they would carry on if they hed got knicked by an old cow or had an old Ram butt inta them. I seem t’remember when it happened t’me I just cussed a bit und got on with what ever I were a doin. My Boss would hev recconned that he hed employed the wrong man if I were t’start a rollin about like some o’them footballers du.
There aint much to do in the old garden at the moment. I am just keepin an eye on the tender plants in the Green House t’meake sure old Jack Frorst don’t git in there. They recon them old nights will start a’drawin out agin but I recon that’ll be a day or two afore I can git out there arter m’tea. In the mean time the Missus ha got a list o’little jobs she want me t’du so I had better stop this und git started cos if I don’t I’ll still be a doing har little jobs when I want t’be a’gettin outside.
Fare ye well t’gether und du yu keep a’troshin.