78 degrees and climbing!

Today the weather is 78 f.and we are feeling sorry for all our friends and relatives who are suffering from the cold and snow(and tht is the truth)hee hee heee!Montana is still eating that horrible organic food,and we are indulging ourselves down here in florida trying to put on a little weight we lost on his prison regime,I await the cheque for the snow clearing but I fear it will be in the post a long time like the parcel for Sonia.
Sandra the pom is chuffed about their Sam's office,and his ability to survive in the outback!!
Sorry folks must go now a little sunbathing is in the offing Ciao Graham

SUN AND SAND Florida

Sunny walk today on the beach then back for bacon and egg,looked at all our old haunts on the beach,72f today bit warmer than Kansas,not much else to say,we are on his and hers side by side computers at the local college library,Mongolian buffet tonight,and we are off for a phone card as we have a phone but only local calls are free.
Graham ,news at 20.20pm seminole college Florida

English summer in Kansas

Today is like an English summer,I have been out this pm sitting in the sun in a t shirt,then we went out for a buffalo burger at a local restaurant,and a little banter with the waiter,Montana came back and straight away had a thorntons toffee,he never stops eating.
Not much else to report today no adventures in the wild west just mundane stuff,I hope Sonia and Michael go to Silves in portugal for the two old ladies chicken,its worth a trip to portugal just for that,and try the boat trip across to spain at Alcutim,but have lunch in portugal first,its no good in Spain,Chicken Luis (Frango Luis)is not as good as the old girls at Silves.
There are untrue comments on MM's blog re my contributions to the housework etc here,but Sam the pom knows that Montana is prone to terminological inexactitudes, he had to ask me how to turn on the dyson vacuum cleaner.(Yes Andrew they have dysons here too.)
Graham news at 9.20 Kansas City.

Glory be!!!! We are Saved.

Today we went looking for Jesse James and found the lord! and due to mischevous signage by the mormon church we mistook their church for the museum,and were then subjected to a sermon, but luckily as I was about to make our excuses and leave.the phone rang miraculously and we were saved,we did not see the light but heard the phone.
We had a chat with the local sheriffs men and woman in the courthouse,and then we departed for a restaurant and a large lunch where we did not say grace.
Much activity on the house sale and some rather strange ways of selling American style,the house has to be empty for the viewing and only the estate agent and possible buyers are present.
Glad to see the Poms are settling in OZ and Sandra is making friends with the antipodean arachnoids, Gina would like to meet them,though my cousin Crocodile Mick reckons there are no spiders in OZ,the snakes ate em all!
Sandra,s job seems like a gem of an occupation and I'm sure puts a sparkle into her eyes every Monday morning(I know,poor joke) but who knows what makes the Aussies laugh,she is clued up on strine already and will be a model OZZIE when she sings Advance Australia Fair.and luckily for them not a snowflake in sight,unlike Kansas and Missouri.
Countdown is on for Florida and hopefully some hot sun,gumbo at the bayou cajun cafe on long bayou,and the famous mongolian buffet,shrimps catfish and a drop of " Chardy" Sandra.
Thats all for now from the midwest Bless you all ,, Brother Graham

Haircut

Today had a Yankee marine sargeant haircut,then a little drive around,and later a visit to aVERY good friend of Montana Mikes.
Earlier in the day we went to a farm out in the sticks to get blueberries and spotted a house for sale with stables, a pool and acres of land which would be great in lincolnshire but a bit too cold over here.
Sheila has really made friends with billy the dog,and he loves to have her chase him in slow motion around the house.
Tomorrow if it is not snowing we are off out into the wild west in the little lexus car,and barring indian ambushes will come back in time for bed.
Thatsll for today . Graham

Go West Old Man,and Woman

Big adventure today we went up to a l ittle town called Weston.north west of Kansas City in Missouri,and had a nice Lunch in O'Malleys pub/restaurant,they brew their own beer,and the young lady waitress succumbed to my charming ways and brought 4 samples of their beers to try,needless to say,after trying them I had no need to buy any,but as ever I spent money liberally and bought a six pack of mixed bottles.
The weather was brilliant sunshine and lovely countryside but it was too cold to walk around for long,so we drove down to Fort Leavenworth,and saw the military base and the very imposing penitentiary,where all good accountants and politicians could end up,we crossed back over the wide missouri(about as wide as the river trent at gainsborough) and back down the valley to Kansas City,all good cowboy picture names are'nt they?oh yes and I bought a small bottle of local distillery whiskey which should last the holiday out,it is very nice George much better than johnnie walker!
We have Mary Sue to thank for very good maps and directions,otherwise it would have been a tricky journey finding our way around.
Tonight MM is back from Baltimore so its back to water and raw carrots for all!!
Yesterday we crossed the Oregon trail,and today the trail of the two blokes who went across America to the pacific,must have been tough blokes, cos sheila kept looking up at the hills for injuns,and spotted smoke signals but it was the distillery chimney,luckily for us.
Disturbing news that farmer joe has spent the rent money,it looks like a diet of whatever Martin shoots when we get back,must go now to hide the whiskey from Montana Mike.
Graham,news at five Kansas.
ps I think the parcels have stopped arriving Sonia.

Snowflakes in the midwest

Today we were out in the car alone and almost made it to dodge city!! but turned around and finally found our abode.
Parcels are arriving for Sonia like snowflakes in a blizzard,just proves your past actions will catch up with you,the two dogs are pining for montana mike,and are like a pair of lost souls.
This morning I came downstairs in a dressing gown nd my panama hat ,but i dont think Mary Sue was impressed with my Noel Coward impression,I was just trying to introduce alittle levity into our lives without Montana.
We crossed the state line into Missouri just to shop at walmart,it all sounds very exotic but is'nt really.
I hope Mick and Montmorency are ok and following our adventures in America,along with our other friends and aquaintances,it is very cold with snow flurries but a pleasant little interlude in our otherwise uneventful lives.
Graham News at 8 Kansas City

New Job USA

After a long trip ,made it to the midwest,and woke up to 4 inches of snow,Montana Mike has gone to Baltimore so I got the job of snow shifting on the drive,its a three car garage drive so a fair amount of snow to shift,as I came in after doing the job MM rang up from baltimore and on receipt of the news about my heroic effort with the snow said,"Tell him I am not paying him",but too late the invoice was already on his desk.
Last night I had a T bone from Mary Sue's Family farm,beautiful! farmer Joe would have enjoyed it,tonight weare going to the Big City of Kansas,maybe see some gunslingers around town!!
I have been reading Spike Milligans bible book and had tears rolling down my cheeks,(not laughter),I was remembering paying at the shop earlier, no seriously? it was hilarious,I have read most of his stuff but not this one,it was a bit difficult with the joined up writing though.
Wildlife Paragraph. spotted a fox track in the garden (it showed up well in the fresh snow) and also some bird I can't identify.
Poppy has returned after her escape and causing much angst among her friends and admirers,according to Gina she is unscathed after her two nights out on the town in Preston North End
We had some time to kill between flights at Orlando airport,and watched the local traffic warden moving people on at the drop off area,he was a little very old Indian(Taj Mahal India) armed with a whistle and lots of parking tickets,very officious and extravagant hand waving and pointing,I think he could be a tourist attraction,he amused us for an hour and all for free,one very large Mexican boke with heavy duty bling round his neck was moved on his way with only a whistle blast,and no sign of resistance,it was a David and Goliath scene.
It has been a revelation watching the chocolate eating prowess of Montana Mike,if he keeps this up he will be as big as our Herbert was,who at his heaviest weighed in at 22 stones American readers need to multiply that by 14 to give them his weight in pounds,European readers who can only do Kilos ,,tough!
Th sun is blazing down but its very chilly outside,luckily I have use of Sam the pom's football jacket,and I have to say I am becoming very attached to it,Sandra the pom has totally spoilt the dogs and they are now under a more strict regime,NO FACE LICKING IS ALLOWED,and I have possession of Sandra's chair.
If anyone reading this gets to see Ian the expat or his wife Doreen in Maltby le Marsh,we can't get the Sheffield derby on tv here but he knows who we are favouring,and of course MM is favouring The Blades.
Thats it from Graham way out west.
I hope they can maintain a sense of decorum in the Turks Head pub while the game is on.

Heaven and Hell

Last minute order came through yesterday on the e mail so worked on the first poster friday and finished the second today ,just as I was winding down"bloody customers" but it will all help to pay off the credit cards.
Farmer Joe is in charge of the little house for a few days,which is only right as he built the place,I hope he saves me some of the rent from leasing the place out.
I should mention to Montana,the posters feature heaven and hell and are for a church in sheffield,so any orders he gets me in KC Iwill give him 2% !!
Sheila just came in with eggs so I think she was at the poultry farm on Stain Lane,as I am writing this 2 cock pheasants flew by the window,and on a sunny day they are a riot of colour,I think Montana would like it here with the wildlife.
I have tried to find the Design for Gentleman Farmer George,and everything but the one he wants is there,so if he reads this I will keep on trying ,and if no success its down to the Beaker/Mug, he knows to what I refer,and I hope no ill effects ensued from the Jamisons.

Jamison Talk

Spent last evening at the palatial country residence of Squire George and Lady Ann,where a little Jamisons Whiskey loosened tongues and a pleasant evening was had by all,especially two gentlemen imbibing the Irish stuff.
Montana Mike is now extremely worried at the possibility of no thorntons products arriving that he has resorted to ludicrous threats which are obviously idle in nature.
The weather is rather grey with a dampness in the air but not particularly cold,but as usual rather breezy.
Daffodils are about 6 inches in places so not long before we have a riot of yellow decorating our garden and all the local area,the days are growing longer and its now 4.330 before dark,spring is always the best time of year so the blue tits will soon be nesting again,and the magpies trying to eat the chicks,looks as if I shall be shooting at the black and white marauders again.
Bob the goose is home from hospital and I hear is ok after his operation,I noticed his tractor is on the move again so he is not convalescing.
Squire George is interested in a design for ceramics by an artist called Michael Herring who is based in Norfolk,in particular "The seed drill"if anyone can help let me know.
posted by Graham

Morning after the night before

Had a pleasant evening at the pub 8 til 'late! we reminisced about footballers and there was much calling each other pigs by the sheffielders,I enjoyed my neutral role as a Millers fan apart from throwing fuel on the fire hee hee!had 2 pints of john smiths beer,brewed in yorkshire,and an all round pleasant evening with the expats, then up this morning to fetch a paper and continue slaving away on the posters,hoping to finish them sunday,watched the cup game villa v man u. man u won 2.0 which was not the desired result in the little house on the prairie.
A massive flock of honking canada geese flew over my head as I put the car in the garage,a shotgun would have wreaked havoc with them, speaking of geese,Bob the goose is in hospital having a back operation,and the news is he is doing ok.
Montana is now upping the ante and ordering thorntons toffee,THORNTONS IN MABLETHORPE !!!!! how we laughed.

Boozers Gloom

Today worked in the cold garage on posters probably got another 2 dqays work left to do,this evening going out to the pub,I sall not be drinking much as I can't afford pub prices,but we rarely go out to pubs so its an experience.
The weather has been cloudy and lare its started to rain heavily,but sun is forecast for Saturday so things should warm up for me working.
I see Montana is not keen on cancelling the chocolate order,so much for healthy eating,a nice raw carrot would do him more good,and I would enjoy watching him eating it,whilst imbibing some of his bourbon.
Off now to get ready for the pub,Cheers all !! Graham

Mrs Broccoli is out and about!

Today had a sprinkling of snow but the wind off the sea has almost melted it,though its about 2c a lot warmer than Kansas City,where Montana is suffering,his blog says he is concerned about his weight so maybe he has changed his mind about the chocolate order?and brown sauce which contains lots of sugar!
Had a call from Aussie vicar Geoff in Sheffield,his wife is swimming in the sea in Sydney so he is a little put aback ,as he has had a little snow in his pennine village.
Parked up in the co op at mablethorpe and purely by accident I was next to Betsy Broccoli,though Mrs Broccoli was not in evidence,or I could have commented on the dirty state of her car,though the dice in the window ,and stuffed toys scattered around inside were all nicely placed.
Had a key made at the diy which took 20 minutes,this may be a record, but is fairly normal here in the depths of lincolnshire.
Yesterday the Sheffield expat Doreen rang up to tell us they had a good time in the Turks Head on new years eve,and asked us to go for a drink with them this weekend,so one of us is on pop.

sheila's new blog

For those unfortunate enough to be missing Sheila's blog you can get it on----------
sheilasdomain.blogspot.com

Happy New Year from Lincoln Green

Happy New Year to all.on this wet Lincolnshire morning,we stayed in last night,mainly because there's no place to go other than the pub in the village,around 2 miles each way,which at a push could be done on foot except there are no footpaths and no speed limit on the roads, and the added hazard of no street lighting,we could have gone by car but then one of us has to drink pop,which is ridiculously priced and not good to drink.
So like Montana Mike we spent the night watching tv,and went to bed before midnight,and the new year dawned just the same.
I think all the turkeys and geese will be feeling quite contented,until easter at least,there still seem lots of pheasants around,and the 5kilo bag of daffodils Sheila brought home one day are in the main shooting up ,some around 4 inches high(the eec can do their own metric conversion on that).
Mrs Farmer Joe is suffering with a head cold,and is also baby sitting ,and probably making a cake for Farmer Joe!!
Spoke to Mrs Broccoli on the phone yesterday and she is still hyped up about being able to go out in "betsy" on her own,she drove all the way to Boston and back and is really proud,I think she will take all year to come down from this high,Betsy is her Fiat cinquecento which I am trying to teach her to pronounce properly but it is'nt easy,she threatened to drive round for a cuppa tea(this has to be said in a brummy accent for full effect)so we expect her at any time.
Sheila is on the phone to her auntie Louie which could be a very long job,luckily we have a deal with bt re the phone,I am" eariwiggin" the conversation as I type this ,and now they are singing to each other down the phone?? at that I will say Happy New Year ,and buon anno.
ps . eariwiggin is broccoli speak for earwigging.