Blind Dave's Blog

WEATHER WITH ME

14-07-2007

Who would be a marathon runner, training in this weather? Blind Dave Heeley has little choice as he prepares for his epic 777 challenge next year. Mind, there's still some time for carpentry and birthday cake.

Hi Stirrers,

Well the weather has certainly taken a turn for the worst - hot, cold, wet and then even wetter.

It’s put paid to work on the Penthouse, well most of it - but I had promised the steps and balcony and doors would be up in time for Georgie-lee’s birthday, and so they were.

I was a little wet at times - in fact I think the words used were a big drip - but who cares? She’s happy and that’s what counts. The rest will have to wait till the weather gets a bit better.

Talking of getting wet, training has to go on come rain or shine. The secret is to wear only shorts and vest in the rain; not so much gets soggy.

Training is not going too badly. Mac has had a few late nights at work, so I’ve enlisted the help of another couple of runners, Keith and Karl who you know from previous reports. Karl’s the one who keeps forgetting I’m there.

The other night he dragged me over suddenly to avoid a mini-lake. He did that alright, but took face on into a tree instead. He said he was very sorry, but explained he was looking at the floor and not at the tree branches above.

Grrrrrrr.

We certainly do some unusual runs. Keith runs for Tipton Harriers, the opposition, but who cares? It gives me the opportunity to keep training. But talk about getting wet.

On our last few runs the rain has been horrendous, with puddles on the footpaths like lakes, tree branches low and sodden. It’s a shock to the system and at times I’m sure there have been fish in my trainers.

As for you drivers out there, can’t you get close enough to the gutter when you pass us? One car came through a puddle and the water came over us like a tidal wave.

One of these days, your cars will stall - all I can say is keep your doors locked. If I find you, you’ll have more than a little ducking.

Talking of car drivers (yes it’s time for the moaning head) I was walking up to town in West Brom the other day, and I still wonder how many footpath (as opposed to road) licences the DVLA are issuing.

The traffic wardens’ office is just off Victoria Street, but I wonder if they have my problem and need to borrow Wicksie. That street, along with many more in the town, is lined with double yellows - so drivers just get around the problem by parking on the footpath.

One vehicle forced me and Wicksie into the road. I had the feeling the driver was there and obviously he couldn’t give a damn.

Instead of knocking off an old lady for parking outside the post office, can someone tell both sets of idiots - the motorists and the traffic wardens - that pavements are where pedestrians walk, including mothers with buggies, people in wheelchairs and the elderly who can’t get about too well.

A couple of Sundays ago, I was trying to cross over the zebra crossing, on the corner of Lyttleton Street and Bromford Lane, coming home after a couple of pints.

The music was blaring out of the Swan Pub and standing on the crossing, cars were simply whizzing past and not stopping. I realised I could hear two car engines, either side of the crossing, and after about 5 minutes I shouted out and asked for assistance.

It was then one chap told me that therewere taxis on the zigzag lines on both sides, waiting for people from the pub. That meant the cars coming up and down the road couldn’t see me - and the cabbies, like the driver I mentioned earlier, couldn’t give a damn.

So when I got home I rang the Police - and guess what? They didn’t give a damn either.

The Sunday after, in the same place at the same time, the vehicle wasn’t parked on the zigzag, it was actually parked on the footpath, blocking any one passing either way.

I phoned the police again, and once more they couldn’t be bothered. My feeling is respect for others has gone out of the window, along with law and order.

I do wish I could get one of our local councillors, MP’s or chief of Police to accompany me one Sunday, just to see what we have to put up with.

Anyway coming back on to much happier subjects, like Georgie-lee’s birthday party.

When she said she wanted to ask a few friends from school to come along, we didn’t think she meant the whole school! She doesn’t do things by half. I think at the last count there were 17 kids, their little bodies every where, upstairs, downstairs and in the ladies chambers.

Georgie’s bedroom, with her slide and castle was certainly tested, along with Dannie’s room, castle, slide and den. From my point of view I was chuffed, all my hard work had paid off. The kids certainly love their rooms, and it gave me satisfaction that even with 17 kids crawling and climbing all over the place, everything I’d built seemed safe and secure.

They all also enjoyed the penthouse, which was finished to a state where they could run up and down the steps and lounge on the balcony. 17 of them got inside at one point and they were all dancing, but it’s still intact.

Phew! My handiwork had passed the test of kids. It might not get the kite mark but at least it’s still standing. The main thing was they all seemed to have a great time.

Wicksie did the best thing - he emigrated for a couple of hours and disappeared next door, sensible lad, but I made myself known when the birthday cake was being cut. I think Georgie-lee will remember her 6th birthday for some time to come - at least until her 7th.

Must also say, Debb worked very hard, with the help of Aunties, and Nans . They made the sandwiches, laid the tables, made the jellies and trifles - it was like a little cottage industry.

Thinking about it, I could set up a little business for them at weekends, because there’s always food required at weddings, christenings, parties etc. I wonder if I should mention it to them?

On the other hand, I’m not into wearing black eyes, so no, I’ll keep my thoughts to myself, much safer.

Well it’s been wet and dry this week, I feel like a piece of sandpaper, certainly a piece of cake, mind it’s all gone now, shame, I’ll keep my business ideas to myself, well the ones I had for Debb, in fact I think I’ll try and get a bit more running in this week, one, to get a little weight off and the other reason to keep away from Debbs right hand.

So it’s bye from Blind Dave and if I can sneak to the computer next week I will keep you up to date with things.

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