Welling up

I had no idea that there were two Well Lane addresses within less than a mile of each other on the Wirral. It was in one such address I was due to have my golf captain photograph taken today. The poor man in Tranmere had no idea what I was talking about when I went knocking on his door. I just find it hard to imagine that I am the only person ever to make the same mistake. No, there was no ' you want the Well Lane up the road, mate' just a 'what photographs have you come to take' query. As Fiona Richmond would say, I made my excuses and left.

The correct Well Lane address when I found it was a house tucked away in Higher Beddington and is home to Colin Beringham, professional photographer. On entering the property one is greeted by a huge picture of Bruce Grobbelaar, the ex-Plymouth Argyle goalkeeper, in a very swish DJ. On the stairs is a portrait of Ken Dodd and a three quarter length John Major adorns the parlour. Colin was very welcoming and had taken the precaution of caging his dogs prior to our arrival. Good move.

After the usual preliminary discussions I was ushered into the changing room to first get ready for the blazer shots. These have been traditionally used by the Club for press release and other such routine matters, although their use does seem to have been somewhat reduced in recent years, maybe this year will see an upturn. I decided on two versions, one with the Club tie and another with the Senior section tie. It's their decision whether they take, one or both, or neither.

We then moved onto the main event of the day, the red coat shot. In the studio Colin has a range of chairs, stools, tables, half desks and other props with which to frame the perfect shot. we must have taken twenty shots for consideration but probably fifty all together.

Finally he took a three quarter of me in the style of John Major which I shall keep for my own records.

Once I was changed back into civi's we went through the selection process, aided by the current Captain who had accompanyed me there as is the tradition. I found a quick and slick process to be the best and we soon had our four portraits selected and they are now to go under the Photoshop process to make me even more good looking than I naturally am. All will be revealed after the Annual General Meeting at the end of March when my portrait will hang proudly in the foyer of the Club.

As long  as people don't think it's Jack Rowell we should be OK!!

Sunny side up

First post of 2019, and already so much going on. The New Years Eve party was good but not spectacular. There were plenty of men in skirts and a few Ceilidh dances were performed but there was not really enough room for all those who wished to participate. My knee was still crook from the wedding accident so I sat those dances out.

We were on a table for two rather than a group table which was fine, but the conversation with other guests only really took off after mid-night as everybody converged on the comfy chairs. we went to bed about 2:00am having met another Scouser and a lad from Kent who had both moved to Caithness which even further North than Inverness.

I have a reputation on golf tours of going off piste as far as the menu is concerned and the tactic of choosing the best bits of one dish with the basis of another is called doing a 'weathers'. So why not start the year with one I thought. I then proceeded to turn up for brunch at about 12:00 and ordered a full Scottish breakfast with steak and eggs on the side. A true 'weathers' would see me leaving some of it as it is usually too substantial, but on this occasion it all got woofed.

We had a good trip back yesterday and saw number one son and family. I went out for a swiftie with him and number two son. I left them at about 21:30. They rolled in at 06:00 having been out on the lash in Liverpool. Blind leading the blind me thinks.

Today has been busy. The first of the New Year jobs saw the swimming pool dehumidifier fixed. We then managed to get a Social Services assessment of my mum completed meaning she can return to her home tomorrow and care assistants will visit three or four times a day as necessary. I can then go to the Tranmere v Spurs FA Cup game and have a few beers hopefully. Golf starts in earnest again next week and hoepfully normal service will be restored.

Only time will tell......