BACK FROM FRANCE

Calais Friday lunch time

St Quenton yesterday afternoon

we've just arrived back home, stashed the wine and other pressies and caught up with orders on the net. I'll report more fully on the weekend tomorrow when I've caught my breath!

BRIGHTON VIA FLEETWOOD THATS A GOOD UN

The last one is 1996 at work at ICI Fleetwood on a shutdown that summer, the lads are gathering for a safety award. otherwise above its Brighton in days of yore on the promenade with a mix of Southdown, Eastbourne and Brighton Corp.

Coming up to date, we head off to France tonight via Cannock and will be back Sunday night. Not sure what we;'ll get up to other than good company and wine.

Last night I downloaded all the rest of pre DVD era Netherlands ready to edit next week. Includes Arnhem and Utrecht.

It was the busiest day for orders of the year yesterday and it looks like continuing, a small sale is on at our EBay shop.

Thanks for all the Christmas cards rolling in at present.

AN ESSEX VISIT

its off to Colchester for my archive corner today and not too much to report, it's a bit groundhog day as I did yet another Den Haag tram DVD last night taking me through to 1999, just 2001 tonight and then I'm up todate and the released on DVD era. Yet another clip on Youtube on 1996 Den Haag, these clips seem to be getting a few hits. Got another CD of diditised negatives yesterday from which these essex scenes were derived. Earlier material is still at Asda who are now caught in Christmas rush. Paul who is the neighbouring stand at Boyle st, Manchester dos uis gojh to lend us his negs for next year expanding my range a bit more. Its a brighter sunnier drier day for a change. Got the new DVD recorder yesterday, plugged it in but the lead came out again from TV which gave a frustrating few minutes. Yet to risk an actual recording!

AT THE SIGN OF THE BLACK CAT

a theme for tonight, obviously Felix in Derby but did you know that they were threatened with legal action over use of the Felix logo, wonder they didn't want to banish the name as well.

anyway life goes on, a bit busier on the net tonight both EBay and Amazon. I've got through the Den Haag archives and am just running off the DVD of The Hague trams in 1999. The 1996 clip is on Youtube. I managed to get a few notes done to go with Christmas cards. My present to Li in China arrived today, he is trying to read my book, stuck on the first page, guess it translates somewhat difficultly into Chinese, oh boy glad i'm not trying it the other way around. Still copies out there if anyone is interested. Getting ready for out trip to France on Friday to stay with Ian and Miguel at La Maccassar in Corbie near Amiens, one of best 10 small hotel in Europe per Trip Adviser, No1 according to us.

A REMINDER TO POST EARLY?

yes some shots from one of my lesser known collections, for many years I've taken snaps of post boxes around the world!

I was at the opticians today getting tested for new specs, eyes improved .25 diop which is only a tiny bit but better that way than white stick land and good news the cataracts are about 30 years away still.

Not one single order on either the net or in the post, the first day like that for many months, I'm sure it will chanfe as the night wears on. Another small sale on EBay ( our 'low cost' carrier as it were. Still working through Den Haag films, 1990 posted on YouTube.

BOYLE ST MANCHESTER PHEW I NEED A REST

yes another fairly busy day and although we broke no records it wasn't a bad turn out and lots of old friends to chat with. A few snaps of visiting buses and free bus service plus interior of the museum. All EBay , Amazon etc orders being despatched in morning. Hurray no more rallies or sales until the end of March 2010

BOYLE ST PEOPLE BUT NO MONEY

a smaller selection of visiting bus on Saturday at Boyle St today but should be a few more tomorrow. There were plenty of people first thing but after a brisk morning trading it went dead in the afternoon and was well below last years event. Still as friendly as ever and plenty of time for you to visit tomorrow. The old knee and now right foot giving pain after a day standing, it wasn't that cold this time. I've been sorting through photos whilst there and getting new box selections ready, hoping to keep one theme per box to prevent mixing by browsers. The 'new' stick I've had printed from my collection has gone well today. Brisk sales on Amazon today so grateful for that, everything is still being prepared same day.

OH NO NOT HOSPITALS AGAIN

its a commercial day, no not adverts but trucks. Anyway I've just got home aster setting up the stand at Manchester Bus Museum at Boyle St ready for the weekend, lots of new releases there, hope to see a lot of our friends and customers.

of course I'm getting many of my photos on digital, eventually nearly everything should be avauilable most of the time.

Anyway went to see Mr Geary the consultant this morning, had x-rays of knee and right foot. Knee MRI scan again next week, possibly need new part of new fitted. The right foot also has damage, the insert to correct flat feet has been incoprrect and now I have additional problems, oh boy.

Really looking forward to a good sit in the bath and get clean after being at the museum and give my foot a rest. Another nice email from Li in China, some explaining of the wedding last week required.

MPTE NOW AVAILABLE ON AMAZON

I must be feeling generous today but here's a free voucher for you, print - cut out and use with any order sent in before end of December for any DVD. http://www.pmpvideo.com/ for full list. You can even use it on Sat or Sun at Boyle St Christmas Cracker in Manchester.

Last night I got all the latest releases uploaded on the website and for sale on Amazon. EBay lags behind but I'm in no hurry as it offers such poor value as a seller. I may catch up after Christmas.

We are off to the Halle at the Bridgewater hall in Manchester tonight which means i need to load the car as soon as I get home, bolt down dinner and get moving. Tomorrow I have another appointment with the consultant Mr Geary over the slow recovery after my July knee operation, now getting pains in my right foot as well, oh dear.

I'm now editing all pre DVD era Den Haag material before moving onto UK Bus and Truck rallies of yesteryear!

A BIT OF THE BLARNEY

soon I should have the first batches from my 1979 - 83 stay in Ireland on digital with a very thorough coverage of CIE plus Ulsterbus. Meanwhile a few teasers from the collection to keep you amused

tonight I'll have a clip from the MPTE do at Liverpool last Sunday on Youtube, the covers were ready today so it will be on sale at Boyle St on Saturday this week, yes it's Christmas cracker time again folks.

What else, well I'm getting the new releases loaded on Amazon, no hurry with the hated EBay, much rather use Amazon, at least they give me a reasonable return for minimum chew.

No-one seems to be hitting the adverts on Youtube, remember they are there to be clicked on at no cost!

EMMA AND PHILS WEDDING

arrival at the reception, Jayne, Jimmie and Mandy














The tent was pushed back to reveal the dance floor, hence my blister and yet again swollen knee












Saturday evening, the wine has long been flowing, Jimmie do you come from Warrington explains his theories of relativity to Emma whilst Jayne looks on incredulous, well most people are incredulous unless it's Jim's knowledge of race horses you are tapping






















Another married couple, yep its 37 years and still going myself and Mandy




























Emma as they say looking radiant!

























tonight I've finished off my round of Amsterdam trams and then done the DVD of Sunday's MPTE bus event at Liverpool, if i get time I must load onto Amazon. A couple of large orders today but otherwise it's the quietest day for a couple of weeks DVD wise.

Mandy hat and all