2905 - Not going Hungary

My last full day in Hungary - oh, shame!
Big breakfast followed all too soon by lunch
Enjoyable food though, guilty all the same
For not eating more delicious duck. Scrump-
tious it was, but if I had munched more munch
It would have been greedy. Hopefully they
Can enjoy it this coming week. Feet crunched
On gravel, trod lightly on sand, away
On Szentendre Island beach campsite, my
First river swim, and it's the Danube.* I'm
So pleased we went there. Then, ferry to Vac
Wandered round that old town. Miklos showed me
Some of the sights of Leanyfalu* though time
And light was against us. Supper. Wine. Slump

* The very small beach was at the head of the island in the Danube, just beyond the small island resort town of Kisorozso
*Leanyfalu, pronounced something like Layanfalu

Tue 29 July

2854 - Loomy times

Went out to see Josie today, but no
Swimming cos not enough notice given
To me by her mum, and I don't want to
Carry swimming stuff if we're not doin'
It. This caused a scene between Josie and
Her mum, but soon after they made it up
And all was well. As usual, we went on
The train to Manchester, walked round the shops
I bought her some loom bands, which are the top
Accessory right now, it seems. Saw so
Many girls in wellies, they got the tram
To Heaton Park, a festival of pop
Popped into the book sale in St Ann's. Woah!
So hot in there! I spoke to Fat Roland!

2810 - Jacket required

Been out all day with Josie, but I felt
A bit ill, and cold too, had no jacket
We went swimming, a good day for the health
But think I've a slight cold, so feel bit shit
The staff made us get out, unexpected
So everyone grabbed all the changing rooms
Had to wait for one to be vacated
Girls all drying their hair, hairdryer tunes
As usual, went to Macs afterwards, soon
We left, cos I didn't get fries, and helped
Ourselves to a train to Alderley Edge
It was cold in the park, but couldn't run
To buying a new jacket. Money melts
Out of my account this month. And that's it!

2505 - Underwater sports

Day out with Josie, swimming in Stockport
Because the baths in Wilmslow are boring
But from Wilmslow baths vending machine, bought
Some cool black goggles. Now when I'm swimming
My eyes don't hurt, specially when I'm crawling
We swam a few lengths, that was the best part
But also as usual did some sliding
Down the tubes, jacuzzi, messing about
But swimming is really good for the heart
And lungs and arm strength. Was pleased how I hauled
Myself out of the pool with such a spring
My arms are strong, that's exercise's art
And all that walking too. Saturday night
Is now for relaxation and drinking!

2470 - A brief history of today

Been out swimming with Josie, it was fun
I even did two lengths of crawl, as fast
As I could, though the second length was one
Of struggle with lack of breath, my heart raced
Bought Josie ear-rings from where else but Claire's
In Stockport, and for Christmas I will buy
Her some Converse boots, though she has to ask
Her mum about the style! Found that Derby
Beat Blackpool 5-1, so let's all say yay!
Now I'm watching Stephen Hawking, quite some-
thing what he achieved, even while young, cursed
With motor neurone disease. Come what may
He proved the Big Bang. Then, it's old Bedlam
A history of the 'madhouse' discussed.

2379 - Ukulele Lady

Cool day out with Jo to the Manchester
Aquatic Centre (or, just 'swimming pool'!)
It was a good laugh, but I was injured
Slightly going down the tube - I was a fool
For not tucking in feet and elbows. Still,
After a poor start, learned how to do that
And also stay on the inflatable
Obstacle course to the end. I'd forgot
The plans to buy a ukulele, but
After the pool, by chance, we walked past a
Musical instrument shop, with ukes all
On display, so there was no need to fret
We went straight in and bought a red one there
Now Jo can attend uke classes at school!

2293 - Mr Muscles (not)

Been out to Wilmslow on the train to see
My almost-ten-year-old daughter again
Swimming club's paying off for my Josie
She does a mean butterfly, did a length
Or two in well under a minute, then
She told me her fastest time at the club
Was twenty-eight seconds. I realised when
I struggled to climb out of the pool, sub-
Standard fitness levels have now crept up
On me over time, though every work day
I walk for at least forty minutes. When
I ran and cycled, I was fitter. Stopped
Those, and also exercises daily
I'll start the latter again, build my strength

2289 - The goose is getting fat

Listening to Rory Gallagher's guitar
Irish Tour '74, remastered
Been Christmas shopping, you see - I walked far
This lunchtime, got some CDs as I pored
Over the racks. 'Where's Will-I-Am?' I thought
Where there's a Will, there's a Sway. Flo-Rida
I did find, however, for my daughter
But got Rory for me, Tori, Hardcore
Compilation, very cheap, diary for
Next year (bit late for this one!), cards were a
Bargain in Poundland, but though I wandered
Round and round, no swimming float found. Got a
Few small Christmas trees for the flat - they are
Placed, all to praise the coming of the Lord!

2165 - These golden days

Off work today, and boy I'm glad I am
Not only is it sunny, but I've seen
Some really great Olympic contests, and
Some more golds for our team of Great Britain
(Shouldn't that be the UK?). First, open
Water swimming in Hyde Park, BMX
Bike racing, spectacular crashes on
The bumpy bendy track, taekwondo kicks
To the head (come on Jade!), saw women box
With Nicola Adams from Leeds all golden
Rhythmic dressage, which is equestrian
Dancing to music, dancing in the seats
As a Brit girl won. Tonight, Bolt will run
In the 200 metres. Yeah, come on!

2059 - In praise of double-dip recessions

It's like it was in '73/4
That 'doomwatch' time according to TV
Series 'The 70s' ... My memories are
Mainly good of that time, but that guy, he
Would have you believe we were all at sea
Without a paddle. Perhaps cos he's posh
And his dad lost an investment or three
But for ordinary kids playing, that's tosh
The sun shone or the wind blew as we crossed
Fields, parks and roads, we swam and rode, we saw
Wonderful scenes from the branches of trees
Discovered sport, and pop's charms, and then rock's
Riffs, soul's warbling grooves, power-cuts, and more
All good fun, and it still is now for me!

1405 - The hairy monster

I washed my hair this morning: it stuck out
It’s never looked right since the hairdresser
Mangled it months ago; I have no doubt
They’ll make it still worse next time I go there
The mirror! Oh, rectangle of despair!
After lunch, daughter and me went swimming
A guaranteed way to mess up your hair
Even if you wore a cap, tight-fitting
Afterwards, my reflection resembling
Frankenstein’s ugly son after a bout
Of hair-pulling on the Jerry Springer
TV show. Oh no! We won’t be going
Into McDonald’s at this rate; without
Enough style to fit in, even in there!

1314 - You can't hurry a curry

The tenth of April, ’10, at ten to one
I don’t even know the Aintree winner
I missed the race, so I don’t know who won
I’ve eaten out twice, had double dinner
Turkey this afternoon, curry later
Josie’s swimming party this afternoon
It was a hot one: she was a winner
Of two awards, but she also had fun
With her pals in the pool. Later, I planned
July’s trip to Ireland that’s still to come
With four lads all sharing a rented car
This evening’s hot phal curry in Chorlton
A hot time was indeed had by all. Run
Tomorrow morning; then playing guitar
Sat 10 April

1217 - Summary of family fun

My daughter, P, is 22 today
But after texting her to wish her well
I spent a few hours first with little J
We went shopping, then to the swimming pool
She didn’t want to leave; I tried to tell
Her she was late, but she wouldn’t climb out
A quick McDonald’s, where they tried to sell
Me a sour choc milkshake; I had to shout
For a banana one to replace it
Next, a meal to celebrate P’s birthday
At Dough - so filling, it was a struggle
To eat it all, and no room for dessert!
A lively day, enjoyed it all the way
And a grown-up chat with both P and L

1068 - Flat out

Today was sunny, so what did we do?
Went to an indoor swimming pool, of course!
Then pigged out at McDonald’s. I bought two
New tyres today. My front left one had burst
Early this morning on the way to hers
Waited for ages for the RAC
To change my tyre. I thought, ‘I hope my spare’s
Somewhere in the boot.’ It was, luckily
Although it was dangerously rusty
Went to more than one branch of Kwik-Fit to
Replace it with a better one, because
Tomorrow’s drive to London with Louis
Must be done safely. He’s moving into
New digs. The new football season! (Applause…)
Fri 7 Aug