ANOTHER FAMILY SUCCESS STORY

somre more Hong Kong scenes, this time trams on the island, once more last Sunday ( in the rain)

last night thanks to the sleuth Pat Peacock I at last made contact with my half sister Susan and husband Graham in Northampton, a lovely time chatting on the phone, in fact it took up most of the evening. Pat is still on the case looking for missing brother Tony O'Grady. My family has grown so much I wonder if it will ever stop, Jim my father seems to have been a bit of a lad so to speak. Its been hectic at work today but picked up China photos but Asda had forgotten toi do the discs which will be ready tomorrow. Getting busy again on EBay and even Amazon waking up again. Off to the three greyhounds for a catch up this evening, just downloading the last of the 1996 truck scenes which will enable me to get on to China DVD editing.

GALLOPING ALONG AS EVER

some more shots from Hong Kong on Sunday last in the pouring rain, busy again but my cold is getting better but Mandy's bruising from her fall in Ireland and the robbery have left her very sore and fragile, wish we could catch the little bast***s. Still waiting to hear from Greater Manchester police. Got my DNA Ancestry results back and trying to get my head around them, certainly mainly Irish links although all via persons in Nth America, UK or Australia at present. Waiting to hear from Pat Peacock on tracing my sister results. Must get the greenhouse watered, its full to bursting, the borders need clearing ready for bedding later in May

CHINA IN REVERSE ORDER

shots in Hong Kong at the end of our journey on Sunday, a wet day as you can see. Hong Kong Island at Central, still good services but the day was hard work, it never stopped raining until Yuen Long NT in the early evening.

Mandy is getting over her mugging yesterday, Cheshire police came round last night and said the Greater Manchester hadn't responded very well at all, still awaiting a crime number and whether they want a formal interview, meanwhile insurance forms etc. We have caught up with all outstanding orders with the covers for Cobham and Reading DVDs done this evening. I've got a couple of truck DVDs to completer ( 1997) before i start to look at editing the Chinese trip, around 15 hours of film taken in all. Obviously feeling a bit jet lagged but straight into it at work this morning and osteopath this afternoon, still no miracle cure in the pain department but bearable on the trip.

BACK FROM CHINA GREAT TRIP

Arrived back from China trip today, Mandy however was mugged at the airport whilst waiting to pick me up, handbag stolen and hand hurt as she was loathe to let go! 2 Hoodies with Pitbull terrier, in China when the catch em it's curtains, wish it it was here. I'll start posting tomorrow, busy days ahead though catching up at home, work and PMP

LEAVING FOR CHINA

Yes at last the time has come for our exploration of the trolleybuses and trams of China, we fly via Dubai to Beijing and go on to explore the mining villages with workers trolleys west of Beijing then up north near North Korea and then all the way down to Hong Kong, nearly all systems explored. When I get back there will be a feast of material to post, if i get a chance I'll copy en route but if not wish us luck on our adventure
goodbye for now

ALL PACKED FOR CHINA

Mandy has got the packing done, camera bag sorted last night, Osteopaths again this afternoon, ornamental tree replanted after last night wind damage hmm, didn't tell osteopath about that. Holiday setting on Amazon so you can only order on EBay while I'm away. Checking in tonight for flight to Beijing, small alterations to Chinese train times from 1st April. Went through speed camera in Northwich on way to Osteopath, sod it. Mandy did great job with the packing, everything I wanted is in, and very compact and light. Last couple of DVDs burning from the weekends shoots. Truck archives from 1996 waiting to do when I get back.

OSTEPATH ACUPUNCTURE BRING IT ALL ON

some more shots, designed to show the variety in Oxford, all taken last Saturday

Went to see Tony Dickinson again today, acupuncture, really felt it this time, ouch then manipulation, hope to god it helps relive this pain and discomfort. The block is really ticking towards the China trip, the furthest away 'lads' trip we have ever done. Last minute preparations, packing, battery charging, sweets, snacks, as Martin said two weeks sandwiches and Guinness?

ANOTHER DAY OF RUDDY PAIN

Reasding saturday afternoon, the sun was full out by now and not a drop of rain abouit despite the weather forecastes,, again!!

well Reading was colourful, I'm busy editing Oxford as I write, then Cobham and Reading, the list on the website is already updated with programme numbers, perhaps get time to list on EBay tonighht. Its frantic visiting Osteopaths, doctors and getting ready for China trip on Thursday. Last minute packing preparations under way, Osteopath tomorrow plus phone doctor, lots of pain today then the blessed car packs in once more, long story but Mandy came and picked me up, waiting on auto hire car to deliver at work in morning, Mandy will drop my off, could do without the hassle I'll tell you.

A reminder of Cobham on Sunday set against the blossoming trees.

GREAT WEEKEND AT COBHAM

it was Cobham Blossom Bus, compare with Snowbus last year, a great day, sales up yet again, two events in a row, recession smashing all the way with great bargains and even lower prices at PMP, notice EBay and Amazon have also been busy, remember we are away from Wednesday next for a couple of weeks on the China trip. We went down on Saturday and filmed at Oxford first, lots of new 09 buses then on to Reading, nothing brand new but plenty of fresh liveries and route branding, arrived at Epsom around teatime then spent lovely evening with Auntie Joan Vincent and family before returning to hotel for a pint of Guinness before bed. Up 6 am and at Wisley for 7, set up stand and used the same spot as in the snow for the arrivals which worked very nicely. There were lots of friends there, John and Maureen came up from Sussex, cousin Stephen and Carol came, their first bus rally ever, will they ever forget it.

MARCHING TOWARDS CHINA VIA EPSOM

when is Stagecoach not Stagecoach you ask, well this certainly isn't, more from Blackburn yesterday afternoon

but this is, oh how are the mighty fallen - Ribble??

Today I loaded the car up ready for Cobham, hoping to do Oxford and reading on the way down Saturday, a bit of rain forecast but dry for Cobham bus rally at Wisley on Sunday, we hope, at least no snow forecast this time. Visiting my aunt Joan near Epsom Saturday evening. Mandy has filled my goodie bag with treats and essentials for China, packing on Monday. The pain factor today has been low, long mat that last. Fixed leaking hose, watered green house, fed birds, post posted, magazines read, letters written, oh boy, yes another average tea time set of chores. Not much space left in the car mind you so what we have is what you get, no spares of anything ( except my book).

BLACKBURN IN SUNNY LANCS

a meeting in Blackburn hence this visit this afternoon before i set off back home. Back / nerve problems better today after an horrendous night with lack of sleep for myself and Mandy, I was up doing emails at 3.30 this morning.

We got the preliminary results on Mandy's father, Harold Patterson from Ulster Family History group, not a lot that was decisive but a hopeful starts. I also received my DNA kit from Ancestry which I need to do and return tonight, report back as and when, guess it takes a while back and thro from USA. Still trying to get something rally wise sorted for May bank holiday weekend after i get back from China. Last minute hotel tweak with Dial A Flight, you really need to treble check everything with them. Got home, washed cars, mowed lawns, trimmed the hedges, lovely chicken curry for dinner, tonight its the Three Greyhounds at Allostock, my remedy for lack of sleep - a few pints of Guinness.

WHERE NEXT PLYMOUTH

yes as you can see Plymouth is the subject of my next Devon bus archive, 1997 - 2002, nearly finished, certainly ready for Cobham at the weekend

Nerve pain, so bad getting depressed, went for a different Osteopath today in Northwich via Bupa through work, like something out of Dickens in the end, although fingers crossed the old girl knew what she was doing, well you'll try anything when you are in pain. Meetings our up at Blackburn tomorrow.