Whitey Grandad

Thanks Phil, but perhaps I'll risk it. I need something to cheer me up. No belly laughs though, just a few gentle chuckles would be nice. :-)

Yes. Unfortunately the great population explosion (insert blame here) has taken all the available housing and pushed up costs for everybody.

Magic! I would have missed that.

Saturday 21st? What channel? How will they play when they see that I'm not there?

Not a lot to report. Operation last Wednesday, four bypass grafts later and I was let home this Monday. The usual scar down the breastbone and the longest one you have ever seen from the inside of my left ankle to the inside top of my left thigh and uncomfortably close to the important bits. Luckily I'm right-footed and only use my left to stand on. My ribs hurt, I've got numb bum from sitting all day but I'm alive and there's golf, cricket and Tour de France on the tele. Thanks for asking. I shall post up my angiogram scans when I'm more mobile. Cheers all!

'It's better to have had your wish than to have wished you had'

From Whitey G - in da hosp. All your best wishes have obviously worked. Had a quadruple bypass last Wednesday and am very slowly getting there but won't be able to make the matches tonight which is disappointing, especially as today's my birthday but if anybody catches a glimpse of the lesser-spotted giant could they please post up a photo or else I might have to wait another year for it. Thanks again, I should be back in time for Wigan.

When Jason Dodd scored a screamer at the Dell all the players went mad. Not because he had scored but because they all had him at 50:1. Allegedly

Had the opposite at Newcastle once. They had sold seats amongst the Saints' section to a load of locals. Next to me was and old grandad with a young nipper. The old man was mouthing off about Matty and when I asked him to tone it down told me to f*** off in front of the youngster. Then when I politely had another word with him told me not to tell him what to do, "not in this place". He's lucky there wasn't a riot.

Done it a couple of times but it's not easy Villa Park for the end of season a few years ago and Bournemouth sitting next to Jackanory behind the goal where Rickie scored his free kick. We just had to sit there and mutter 'good shot' or 'jammy bastard' or 'oh bugger' or something like that. I think there were quite a few other Saints amongst us.

There's also the salt to think of!

'till 9 to 5 have passed through the door.

It's the quantity that matters. Little and often is my motto.

Will the giant flag be out? I can't be there to see it of course, but if it is could some kind soul post a picture of it for me?

No, it was a rhetorical question. What is the point of those?

Can Pompey afford to take it to court?

But from what and to what?

Mmm, bubblicious! If it went pop I wonder what would come out?

Too bloody right mate, he's not having my slot. Mind you, it would explain the waiting... It's all a question of who collapses first, me or Portsmouth Football Club. My money's on them to be honest. :-)

We've had the best French bread ever in Spa.

Thanks Markus. Shame you couldn't be here with us but you knew where we were going.

French fries are said to have been invented in Belgium, a much underrated country in my view.

Is it going to be a new strip every season from now on?

I have spent a couple of short stops there courtesy of the European Broadcasting Union. There's also the Atomium and the Comic Strip Museum: http://www.comicscenter.net/en/home Rue de Bouchers has some restaurants.

Thanks, I have actually heard of it. My younger sister (by six years) had it some time ago. My arteries (all three of them) have too many restrictions for stents, they would have to be too long and too many and with the diabetes it's a bypass for me, hopefully some time next week. You're right though, the angiogram is somehow strangely fascinating and you can't believe it's your own heart. I have the photos and I'll post them when I can.