Blind Dave's Blog

WATER ON THE BRAIN

17-09-2007

West Brom runner Dave Heeley updates us on his latest news as he prepares for next year's mind-boggling 7/7/7 marathon attempt to raise funds for Guide Dogs. He can get on with some serious training now the summer holidays are out of the way and the kids are back at school.

Hi Stirrers

The summer holidays flashed past, as per normal, and after Grace (the 16 year-old) received her exam results, it reminded me of how good all the kids reports were.

Dannie, had her first report from nursery - she knows her numbers, letters, shapes, colours, and she's very helpful and very caring - what a glowing report for her first. Georgie-lee was top of the class, she ended up with yet another gold certificate, her report was excellent, quite a learned young lady, all down to her perseverance, she simply loves to read, write and enjoys learning, not a bad thing at all.

Grace's results were just right for her to enrol in 6th form - to be fair we were very pleased, happy and very proud of all three girls results, I'd like to think they get their brains from me, but sadly they don't. I'm thick and the only intelligent genes I have are my 501's.

We had a busy time during the summer holidays, including a trip to the BBC WM studios where the kids came along and saw me on Ed Doolan's show. He gave a good mention to my challenge next year.

We then visited Classic Gold and the drive time show with Paul Burrell - once again the challenge was announced. It was good publicity and a great experience for the girls.

Debb and myself had a little break, we packed the kids off to Nan's for a few days, every one seeming to have a good time, I know the kids did, they wanted to stay even longer. Nan, I think you let them get away with too much.

We went ten pin bowling and guess what? Blind Dave actually won a game. I had three strikes on the trot yes I'm sure it was more luck than judgement and it might have been something to Debb moving me off the centre line but no I didn't have the bumpers up either – oh ye of little faith!

Whilst the weather was good we got out the paddling pool, more like a swimming pool, 10 foot long, by 6 foot wide and around 2 foot deep, the kids can swim in it, but one little bit of advice, - when inflating a pool, make sure all the bungs are in.

I was blowing it up with the pump going like the clappers and I thought “this is taking a long time”. Well, it would if you don't plug all the holes up. I forgot there was another series of holes which these are used when loosing down the pool, but it does help to put them in when blowing the thing up. The word “plonker” springs to mind - although it went up eventually.

With the water and the kids in, we all had some great fun when we stayed at home. In fact Aunties went in, Nan's, friends who came round, Mom had a dip, even I found my way in, with a little help from the kids.

I was going to let them push me in, I resisted a little, then Grace caught me unawares - she jumped on my back and toppled me in, T-shirt, trousers, socks, pants and even my slippers, my best slippers. Then to top it all Dannie and Georgie-lee jumped on me, keeping me under the water.

I had to explain only fish can breathe under water, Dad was very wet but I explained , I'm not a fish. Still we all had a great laugh and you've guessed it , Debb had the video camera running, fancy that!

Mind Dannie came up with the saying of the day, “Dad this swimming costume is wet, I'll go and change it for a dry one and get back in”. Well, what do you say to that? Oh the innocence of kids.

At this point I'm off to dry my slippers, see I told you I wasn't that clever, with kids about especially grace you stay away from paddling pools, I don't know whether I'm a drip, the man from Atlantis or blind Dave, so I'll have a splash around and think about it, glug glug till next week.