Monday, 22 July 2019
Sagrada Família
Sunday, 27 January 2019
Toast to the Lassies 2019
We have ni bought a red red rose,
We cannae play a tune,
We may have brought our dancin shoes,
Or maybe we could croon?
We cannae turn the soil, find mice,
Or sing out Auld Lang Syne;
In trouble we think we'll pay the price,
Wee nip, make thinking time!
A kilted bard, to toast the haggies,
He delivers, he has the knack.
I think, that us three maybe lacking,
Aye gormless sasserknacks!
Under pressure, under starters Orders,
A bunch of fine fellows,
Gay Gordon's found South of the Border
Chippendales to Strip Willows!
Well we have bought our silver tassies,
Let all the whisky flow:
Best we toast these Bonnie Lassies,
Afore we give it a go!
Cumberland Square, know what I mean,
Dance Strathspey and the Tulloch,
Reel out our old Sausage machines,
Oh what a bunch of pillocks!
A jig, a square set, four couples repeat
A reel, a step, now all promendade
Right now cross oh we're all left feet,
This Scottish dancing is taxing and hard!
To Preston Pans, to dance the Frisky,
Perhaps prepare, try harder.
Down a dram of best Scotch whisky,
Farewell to Auchterarder!
Five hundred miles for haggies neeps,
Keep it clean, now what dya think?
We love our Highland Lassies heaps,
Aye Laddies let's dance to the washing up in the sink!
Tuesday, 30 October 2018
Blue Peter
Brought up on bruised Blue and purple bottomed Peter,
Nelson column cleaner or Bobsleigh unseater,
Singleton, Noakes with them Peter Purves
Thanks BBC, provide public service.
Then Judd n Groome, replaced them in twos
With Goldie, his accent when reading the "news" !
Days before Google if dates be exact,
Debating the time line with rose tinted facts.
Advent of Santa, coat hangered Christmas crown,
One prepared earlier to stop falling down.
Christmas appeals, old clothes, silver paper,
Collecting the sackfuls and badges, such capers.
Totaliser flashing, achievements fantastic,
Old Washing up bottles and sticky back plastic,
Childhood memories, no better does it get
Stop onset of ageing. Now just get down Shep!
Wednesday, 5 September 2018
Habitat Soundscaping
Thursday, 30 August 2018
All welcome to John Lewis Kingston
All welcome to John Lewis,
Oh come on now be bold!
We hope that you all knew this,
Never knowingly undersold!
To the basement for your food wares;
Be careful mind your toes,
Take escalators, lifts or stairs,
Down to our Waitrose!
On this floor fine perfumery,
Jewellery and for soft skin care,
Home wares, cards and pharmacy,
Ornaments you'll find there.
Step up for ladies fashion,
To underwear or bedding,
If crockery or glassware's the passion,
It's the right way that you're heading!
Kitchen ware, utensils,
Home furnishings to see,
Coffee machines even pencils
Make your way to floor three!
Through passage via the artwork
Computers and TVs,
Restaurant or sports work out;
Toys where the kids will be!
Flooring, carpets, curtains,
You definitely need to see.
You maybe quite uncertain,
But please, well just ask me!
Menswear, clothes for children,
Please pop in and try things on.
Or click online and order them,
And we can bring along!
But we would love to greet you
Partners mean much more
It would be our greatest pleasure
To welcome you in store!
Friday, 17 August 2018
Big ears!
Why have you got such big red ears?
That stick out proudly causing sneers?
Around for clipping, thicking, flicking,
Hearing whispers, ripe for twisting.
First in the queue, not for IQ,
But here's big ears we'll stick on you.
Did you not think to trim them down?
Plastic surgery works wonders now.
Why have you got such flapping ears?
Did crocodile pull them and cause those tears?
Satellite dishes on the side of head,
Signals and sounds of what lies ahead.
Indian, African around the globe,
Like elephants ears your huge ear lobes!
Don't get caught in mild stiff breeze,
Lifted as a kite to trees.
We'll wind you in, you pin them back,
We'll get you fastest back on track!
Years being boxed, judged FA Cup,
Jug lugs things now on the up!
You may look like a chimpanzee,
Now found new roll within UC.
Designed especially to model these,
Or this, or those, or maybe these.
Trophear cabinet resides the mould,
Shining FA Cup in shimmering gold,
Unique design the heights I've reached,
Life's a beach but I've found my niche,
Three cheers big ears!
Hip hip hooray for grandes oreilles!
The question over so many years,
Why do you have such big red ears?
To be honest here's the answer handsome,
Noddy refused to pay the ransome!
Thursday, 7 June 2018
Lucky charms
Fate, lap of the gods,
Victory against all of the odds?
Give it some welly, pat Buddhas belly,
Watch it all sat glued in front of the telly!
Rub rabbits paws are we clutching at straws?
Cheering for England in our lucky drawers.
Luck of the Irish, lucky socks to be worn
Borrow some luck from a Leprechaun
Bird dropping balm, all staying calm
Clasping so closely to our lucky charms.
Biting our fingers, nibbling our nails.
Count lucky numbers, how can we fail?
Roy of the Rovers, find four leafed clover
Head in my hands until it's all over
Whistle is blown referee says its done
Would you believe it, without luck we won!
Oh how we shout, it was never in doubt!
Wednesday, 6 June 2018
Three Lioned Shirt
All those fallow years of hurt,
St George's Cross now waving high,
Hopes and dreams, oh how they fly!
To Moscow in search of Jules Rimet,
Coupe Du Monde, Potter wave thy magic wand
To the pressure oh how we respond.
Great grandfather's were cup holders:
Follow in their great footsteps,
Leaps of joy, lest we forget.
Play football of such gracious beauty;
Weave patterns of our Wilton best,
Play up to being the honoured guests!
Wordsworth, Keats our love is here.
Milton, Chaucer keep the rhythm,
Show the team that we are with em!
But of one thing you can be sure:
This is your chance of glory, gold
And we'll support you as things unfold!
Thursday, 31 May 2018
World Cup 2018
Everyone in England knows '66,
Since then wounds licked.
World Cup Willy, won't he?
Penance of the penalty!
Water under bridges,
Sadness, tears, near misses,
Failures and omissions.
Yellow cards, broken metatarsals
Spurs, Liverpool, Manchesters, Arsenal.
Talisman suspension not to mention
Golden generation holding hopes of the nation;
Losses, limp St George's Crosses:
Failed Managers, sacked bosses,
Golden balls, golden boots,
Fools gold fails at the roots.
But hope springs eternal, shoots!
We've had it all
Now we'll stand tall,
New hopes and dreams,
For this young team.
The game, from Russia with love.
Oh how we'll do it for you, Guv
Three Lions passion, the roar
The glory, new hopers, new dreamers
Every front room screamers.
I was one when we won,
Now this is the one!
More of Moore, Ball, Charlton, Styles;
It's been a while,
It's been a while,
This is the year, that we smile!
Tuesday, 29 May 2018
Ball tampering
We scraped a win by the skin of our teeth.
Chewing nails, but chewing seams, good grief!
Close one. Team on paper was as good as any;
Opening stand flattered to deceive, got many.
Middle order collapse, no wagging tail on hand
Innings foundation built on sand.
The sound of summer, leather on willow
Scent of linseed and of sand or brillo
Temper tantrum tampered ball
Oh how the mighty Aussies fall
Paper's journalistic scissors cutting tone
Taunted please do not phone home.
Reverse the charges. Coins now rolling
Team roughed up not by aggressive bowling
Brass in pockets red tape restricts
Oh how it grated. Captain's wounds licked
Fat lady sings now on banned stands
Sad paper headlines. Paper sands
Take rough with smooth
Cancerous growth has been removed
Masking tape papers over cracks
Defiant call, Struth we'll be back!
Memories eroded by the sands of time,
I'll scratch your back if you scratch mine!
Wednesday, 23 May 2018
Green salad
Invited to a barbecue;
Oh what can I bring?
Marinated chicken?
Home recipe's the thing.
Paprika cayenne sticky and thick
With hint of turmeric!
Or home made, crafted burgers
Imbibed with whisky and gin.
Or home baked bread, ciabatta?
Brioche best fresh made baps?
I can knock up a quick tabbouleh
Fattoush? No looking back
Or shall I bring a dessert?
Pavlova? Bake a cake?
Or signature dish fruit pudding?
There's many things I make.
Roulade of cream, fresh strawberries,
With raspberry coulis,
Banoffee pie, a cheese cake.
There's no way to fool me!
Or if the last resort's your wish,
Ta da! Well here it is!
I bought a bag of salad
And stuck it in a dish!
Tuesday, 22 May 2018
I need the loo
Monday, 21 May 2018
Trains a few of my favourite things
Rain drops on roses
And puddles in Dittons
Brollys on Platforms and no seats to sit on
Grey clouds above oh what chaos it brings
These are a few of my favourite things
Track circuit failures
And some times derailments
Guards and train drivers on strike or with ailments
Commuting to London such arrows and slings
These are a few of my favourite things
Icy conditions
Now points that are frozen
A dozen excuses to pick from or chosen
Short notice amendments or just cancelling
Trains won't be running my favourite things
When the guard strikes
Stuck in sidings
When I'm feeling sad
I simply remember my favourite things
And then I don't feel so bad
No copper cables
Uprooted or stolen
Cutting removing hope make pockets swollen
Trains they aren't running there's no signalling
These are a few of my favourite things
Delays on the network
It seems there's no power
A late running train will it come in the hour
Getting to work on a prayer and a wing
These are a few of my favourite things
Leaves on the line
We are changing timetable
Broken down train we will fix if are able
Sorry for service and all our failings
Trying to repair our favourite things
Works on the weekend
That may affect journey
Check the timetable you better start early
Here is list of the routes not runn-ing
These are a few of my favourite things
Trains run reduced speed,
Disruption to service
Congestion announcement make sure that you heard this
Delays to your journey now there's tresspassing
These are a few of my favourite things
New signal failure
At Waterloo Junction
Delays on the network we no longer function
Hot days in Britain what chaos it brings
Sweating togther my favourite things
When the guard strikes
Stuck in sidings
When I'm feeling sad
I simply remember my favourite things
And then I don't feel so bad
Friday, 18 May 2018
Dear Sir David Brailsford
I was down in pub wi me son last night he's a right big fan a yours
Tells me there's some trouble brewing wi route of this years tour
He said to me dear Fatha you've done it, seen it all
There's cobbles causing concern can you give Sir Dave a call
I know in pursuit of perfection you leave no stone unturned
I'd like to offer an 'elping hand me knowledge is well earned
Preparing blokes wi bicyles, usin' right propper wheels that's round
It's about Planning layin foundations preparin' winning ground
Which is 'andy with them cobbles I'll need somehow to turn em smooth
To keep Geraint and Chris Froome in front and on the move
You see I've always rode to bakery, to go deliver t bread
I've learned to conquer cobbles, I'm an expert its been said
I am very scientific me, when there's trouble down at Mill
I'll bring an innovation then bugger off up ill
If there's any other problem like a spool missing from treddle
I'll fix that too don't worry before I go and pedal
It's a fine line makes the difference between first and second place
I can help wi' preparation if TeamSky's to win this race.
It can be oh so technical, it's also in the mind
Especially when there's cobbled streets It can be such a grind
I know them cobbles are tricky, to stay upright's a fight
Them cobbles are right tricky and I acknowledge Froomey's fright
For sixty years I've rode round here, just once I had a spill
When Mary from the Bakery, she walked on t cobbled hill
For me this was a turning point I was young and cycling slow
On't cobbled streets it's dangerous don't go too fast tha knows
I applied sufficient pressure to me brakes both front and back
Me front wheel caught a cobble and I hit ground with a smack
But Mary was on hand to help mop my bloodied brow
To tell me, "Watch them cobbles lad" (I wish we'd married now!)
She told me see them cobbles imagine bubbles full of air
You'll be carried you'be lifted like on a set of Stannah stairs
Ensure you're in survival mode other lads won't feel the same
But you will burst their bubbles lad and they'll feel all the pain.
I still float across them cobbles and deliver bread on t bike
Though Mary is not with us she had to take a hike
I've overcome cobbles challenge, it wa' bubbles that saw me through
I called it Cobbles Conquered It'll work for Teamsky too
So Sir David I'm available if you'd like some of my psychology
I can help wi teams nutrition too, a slice o bread wi Tea
So if you're in the area and need a little Yorkshire nouse
You will all be very welcome to pop around me house
To talk about a strategy drink tea in my front room
Aye and bring Geraint with you and last years winner Froome
The kettle will be boiling, Yorkshire tea brewing in the pot
The fire will be stoked up it'll be cosy for you lot.
They say there is no I in TEAM and I know the reason why
Is there room for ME A(n') T(ea) in next season's TeamSky?
Saturday, 12 May 2018
Giro Training TeamSky
Change those gears drop those cogs
Pedal like those cycling gods
Nero fiddles while Rome burns
Thighs on fire wheels just turn
Chain set cadence tempo high
Spin it out the end is nigh
Power pedals power cranks
Power zones you've trained with thanks
Balanced structured progressive load
Training active recovery mode
Intensity built from base to top
Heart rate monitored race to stop
Endurance tempo lactate threshold
Cycling fitness will unfold
Be Cycling Caelus gods of sky
Come on Team it's time to fly
Giro Italia Team Sky
As you saddle up your works of art
Grande Partenza or your Big Start
Prepare for vistas prepare for views
Oh lead us on you mystic muse.
Take on montagna or small collina
Routes designed and rides to free you
Challenges in countryside
Or Adriatica the place to ride
Golden sands or mountains green
Steep ascents or rolling free
Leonardo Da Vinci, Michelangelo
On Dogma steeds, ride fine fellows
Versace, Dolce and Armani
Sing operatic chorus of Puccini
Or Verdi, Bellini and Rossini
Someliers drink in the famous vini
Grigio, Chianti taste Barolo
Ride Pesco Sannita to Gran Sasso
From Penne to Gualdo Tadino
Assisi, St Francis ride Osimo
From Umbro through Marchean Appenines
Muri with its punchy climbs
Be Cycling Caelus gods of Sky
Come on Team it's time to fly!
Friday, 4 May 2018
Bottom Butter!
Lycra legs supple, stubble on show.
Days we're counting, tension mounting,
On hide toughened backside I am counting!
But be prepared for the saddle sore.
Soothing words from physio uttered,
Make sure you've packed your bottom butter!
This is the place where it does begin.
Start at the bottom, helps you rise to the top,
Firm foundations, makes sure you won't stop.
Having to pull out of this magnificent race.
Turning your training into one big farce
Because you forgot to look after your arse!
But come on sister, come on brother,
A word of advice, it doesn't get easier
Look after your asset, your prized posterior
You'll be ready for riding miles in the sun.
Banter and hard work - now live your dream,
But don't forget the chamois cream!
Thursday, 25 January 2018
Superbowl LII
To Superbowl LII,
Irony stakes be cooked on high.
On bended knee oh how he tries
Though Anthem words escaped,
Assured he's sound of mind
In Star Spangled Banner draped:
Mantra: Make America Great!
Hide all bad news, go bury fake
Eat as well as keep the cake
If this nation is divided,
For all of heaven sake
Use the tools provided!
Grid iron is to galvinise,
Forget about the Russian spies,
Follow my words of wisdom wise
In climactic culmination,
Forget wherefore and whys
Create unification!
Avoid again our bloody hell,
As AFL joins NFL!
Let's get this country well
My Tweets apparently partly
Instrumental! Some say swell.
In this seasons fine finale.
Guided by the Trump tower touch!
Tweets of wisdom from the butch,
About grid iron he knows so much
Liberty Bell, Philadelphia rings,
Greatness within clutch
Half time the President sings!
Goliath to avoid the slings and arrows,
The stones of outrageous fortune narrows.
Misguided sometimes harrows
Insanity? No way not at all.
My brow though often furrowed
Rhyme n reason for the wall!
Red hot favourites tickle bellies of under dogs
Cheese burgers, screens of White House blogs.
Fake news the message fogs
End game, end zone, don't leave it late.
Create more jobs
Grid Iron to make America Great!
Friday, 19 January 2018
To the Lassies 2018
So as we sit around your table
And feast on haggies, whisky neeps
Addressing done there is one fable
Who wears the breeks upon their hips
A man's a man for a that we say
Though I'm sure sweet lassies they'll say nay
We're the ones who wear the troos
Gentlemen a shame. You lose!
There's no such uncertainty as a sure thing
The fellas they all sing
Buy red red rose let's us be schmoozers
Donald wears the troosers!
Go mash the tatties go mash the neeps
Like Wee sleekin cowering timorous beasts
We'll leave it to the red red rose
In our tam O shanter in recline repose
The best laid plans of mice and men
We'll leave it to the lassies then
Should old acquaintance be forgot
Just toast the lassies with a tot
Go mash the tatties go mash the neeps
Like Wee sleekin cowering timorous beasts
The best laid plans of mice and men
We'll leave it to the lassies then
As fair art though our bonnie lasses
It's time for us to raise our glasses
You wear the troosers we have no guilt
In fact we prefer to wear our kilts!
Tuesday, 16 January 2018
Modern Marvels
Characters hidden in treasures' trove;
In an instant all is known,
Trending now is how its shown.
Followed, liked, hash tagged, re-tweeted
Mistress Coy maybe unseated
Shy, quiet a little flustered,
Carpe diem? Done and dusted!
Written, sealed with tears of joy
With loving kiss, oh how I miss,
Nerve wracked first dance courtships!
The crafted words of quills be sent,
Enveloped vellum, the perfume scent.
Purposeful stride towards post box,
Heart beating fast with clasp of locks!
Like coin in wishing well, heart stopped.
The loving kiss, hope hit right note,
Gentle uttered words we spoke.
Trinkets, tokens, deepest thoughts,
Heartfelt wishes shared all sorts,
But alas the letter is second class,
Too slow need now instantaneous!
Behold their Midas touch of gold.
WhatsApp, what's next? AI self taught,
Algorithms read the thoughts
And minds, emoji's picture how we feel
Facebook status, brought to heel.
Carpe diem with Instagram
The weight is over, I'm your man!