Blind dogs

I am missing my weekly auction visit today, but it gives me a chance to reflect on recent acquisitions and future strategy.

A while ago I purchased a print named "Waiting for Off" byKenneth Ansell

and a cocker spaniel head shot by Reuben Ward Binks. I picked up the spaniel for about £6.50 and some of his pictures from his American period go for over £2000!.This one is more likely to be £200-300 less commission when I sell it in Knutsford in a few weeks. The print might wipe its nose at about £45.

The other coup I had last week was the chance to purchase two claw foot banister posts for £25. This claw foot was the trademark of the builder who built the Shrewsbury estate on which we live. Our neighbours house has one but we didn't. I am unsure whether to retrofit one, or mount it in a glass case in the hall. I will think about that.

Blind drunk

The other side of golf has taken over this week as SWMBO and I lie on a roof terrace overlooking Cascais harbour near Lisbon.
I took the number 12 shirt for a lads tour to Praia d'el Rey and royal Obidos about 60 miles north, at the weekend then joined SWMBO for some r & r. I have always wanted to play said courses but would not rush back. Royal Obidos was the last course designed by Seve Ballesteros and while a good track, it was a bit too tricked up with water hazards and lacked the maturity of Penha Longa close to Cascais, or the Victoria course in the Algarve.

The hotel course was better but the location was so remote that it was difficult to get away. Peniche was the closest village and that took us 30 minutes in a cab. It is one of the main fishing villages for Lisbon so at least we got some good seafood.

The Ryder Cup has been and gone and the result was not too much of a surprise.The Trumpinestas in the crowd did give a view of the future of the USA and it was not a pretty sight. I feel for the good and righteous over there, they really are struggling to know who to vote for. Boris Johnson holds a US passport, maybe he could stand!!

Oh no, he has handed it in so he doesn't get taxed there...bit of a theme!

Blind golf

Last week Wallasey hosted the Ryder Cup for blind golfers from Scotland, England and Wales. The former competed against a combined England and Wales side.

On the proceeding day Wallasey members had the chance to play with and against the blind golfers and to see at first hand how they and their guides maneuvered around the course. There are three categories of blind golf, b1, b2 and b3. The b1 golfers are totally blind and rely 100% on their guide to set them up. They then swing and usually hit the ball pretty well. B2 and b3 category golfers have some vision albeit peripheral or tunnel. They still need help lining up but do have awareness of where the ball is.

I then spent two days spotting balls for these golfers, and met one of the b1 golfers called Barry. Barry was on the books of Coventry City when, in 1976, the team went to an optician to be tested for contact lenses which were becoming popular. That was the first time Barry became aware he was going blind. He still played football for Oxford United but eventually his blindness overtook him and he took up golf.

The golfers I met were all tremendous people who have faced a challenge full on and bettered themselves at their chosen sport. No pun intended but if they could see what they have achieved they would be very proud. Well done Wallasey for playing their part in the event. The Sweaties won 17-7 overall after bossing the first two days.

The Forth Bridge

Our house is a bit like the railway bridge, it really needs keeping on top of or it will go to pot. I have been eyeing the soffits and ornamental woodwork for sometime and finally decided it needed to be replaced or repairs and repainted. The roof could be looked at, at the same time.

So first thing was scaffolding. I knew it would take a bit of work and be pricey but if it is needed only once every 15 years then it's a small price to pay. The crew took it right to the top of the roof, so the painter and carpenter had no problem getting on with the task in hand and they worked well together to get it done while the good weather held. They even put the weathervane back and the 1871 year tag digits which had fallen off.

Then it was down to me! Firstly the windows which the cleaners can't reach had to have 15 years of grime removed so we could see out of them again, then I needed to remove a small forest from one of the gully's. I still have to do a bit of rendering and wait for a cloud burst to see if I have fixed the gutters, but all in all I am anticipating the scaffolding can be removed by the end of the month and the house can look it's best for the Autumn.

That leaves the interior to be smartened up, particularly on the top floor where our Airbnb visitors stay. We have a lady coming today for three nights and then a Corbynista arriving for the Labour party conference a bit later. Every little helps.

It is high, but I can see your house from here !

In the style of Private Eye, to which he was a long time subscriber:

In Memoriam
Paul Figgins

So Farewell then Figs
Our long time friend

He was a cricket man
a wicket keeper
of some regard

In a famous best man speech
'Bowled a maiden over' and
'Tickles to leg'
Both Raised a chuckle

It's what he did

Like all great batsman
An unexpected stroke
Ended his Innings

Classy but too short.

E J Thribb (17½)

A sign of distress

The Country is grabbed once again by Olympics fever as team GB are once again demonstrating how government funding can make a difference if channels to the right people.
We have had some strange medals too: trampolining, rugby sevens, wind surfing ,tennis and golf, none of which are long term Olympic sports.

I am also enchanted by the modern pentathlon, which is alleged to mimic a typical battle. Jump on a horse and ride to war, swim a river to join in and shoot and fence to survive, then run like hell to get to the next gig. Really well thought through!

The thing that has got my goat though is the number of people in the crowd, the athletes and support staff who hold the Union flag the wrong way up. The wide white stripe should be on the top at the flagpole end, or by the white tape if hand held.

It is flown the wrong way up legitimately to indicate a ship is in distress, team GB seems fine so let's fly the flag accordingly.

Figs didn't make it

In the two weeks since my last post, Figs had continued to improve with his arm and leg gaining more mobility and his mind getting back on track. he was doing crosswords and watching the Olympics although he was struggling to pick his horse racing tips as the print size was a bit small for him. He had a heart assessment appointment at Herrfiled Hospital booked for next week when they thought he might have some sort of procedure to help his heart function.

All this was conveyed to me in a phone conversation we had on Monday. On Thursday morning I got the sad news that he had passed away in his sleep. Marion is devastated but has her sisters and close friends there to help her through this difficult time.

I first met Figs in the mid seventies when he joined me to work at IBM in Croydon. We have been friends ever since. He was a reasonable goal keeper in his youth but he dislocated a knee in a game and that put pay to that sporting pastime, so we started playing golf together. We were both members of Wyke Green golf club as we became neighbours in Chiswick in West London, and he moved in with me for a short time while between girlfriends.

It was then that we hatched the plans for a mega barbecue, to be named Le Limacon after the slug population which infested the Silver Crescent flat when I first moved into it. Invitations to these events were valued, and each year we introduced a different theme. We had pub sign parties, music albums parties, a Hawaiian shirt 'do' and many more. I won't say we chased the same girls but the barbies were certainly a useful way to meet the fairer sex. Indeed SWMBO and I first met face to face at one such, all those years ago.

For many years Figs and I also went to Lord's together usually on the Saturday, but once we did all five days of an Ashes test which the Aussies won on the final morning. That tradition stopped when Figs got his gig at the Wimbledon tennis championships, and he was still working for them right up to the end.

He could be a stubborn individual and was particularly fussy about his drinks presentation. In my personalised Monopoly set, there is a property called Figgins Way, which summed him up really!

He certainly lived a full and frenetic life, and I am very proud to have been a part of it for nigh on forty years, he will leave a large gap in my life. SWMBO and I had our annual 'do' at the weekend, it's not called Le Limacon anymore and it has moved to the Wirral. The timing was poignant and  I think Figs would approve of it as a fitting memorial. Rest in peace matey.