Blind Dave's Blog

NEWS FROM THE LEAKY PENTHOUSE

24-09-2007

Not content with attempting seven marathons in seven days on seven continents next summer, Black Country marathon Blind Dave Heeley is completing his back garden "penthouse" - leaks and all.

Well at last some decent weather. I'll not shout it out though, the man with the buckets of water might be listening and throw some more at us. But whilst the sun shines we'll make hay, the Penthouse is coming along lovely.

I've built the window frames in Debb's greenhouse cum come potting shed, put in the Perspex windows, made the door and actually got the flat roof on. I even managed to felt it, and when the water came again and tested it, guess what? There were no leaks!

Well, not in the greenhouse side, anyway - the penthouse still leaks but the roof I've ordered, I'm told, is on it's way, so things are getting there. Once that's on, all I have to do is make the inside furniture. That's the worrying part - the kids once again have some wonderful ideas. I keep shaking my head but all Debb keeps saying is "stop moaning and get on with it". Women! And I've got a houseful. No rest for the wicked.

Mind talking of women, well little ones any way, I have to laugh some times. I was looking for my phone and my little helper, Dannie was sitting in the kitchen.

Fumbling around, scratching my head, where did I put that phone? "Can you see it?" I said to Dannie. "Dad it's by my cup". Great, I thought, "So where's your cup". "On the side" she replied. "What side?" I said. "There next to my hat".

By this time I'm a very frustrated Dad. "So where's your hat?" Bless her she was getting very agitated and her voice said it all, "Dad it's by my cup, next to my hat on the side" and at that she sighed and walked into the garden. Kids, I thought.

So I did what I normally do, rang my mobile from the house phone, it rang and I found it, right where Dannie said it was, next to her cup, on the side by her hat. Yep, I found them all. But I had to smile afterwards, it must be hard some times for them to understand, but not to worry, we found the offending item.

Again talking of women, Debb has had a few problems this week. I'm not the one to say it might be her age - I'm not that brave - but we were going out and she got all dolled up.

For some reason she stopped at the patio door and caught a look at herself in the reflection from the glass in the door, there was one of her pretty socks, peeping over the top of one of her boots.

She said it reminded her of orphan Annie, she had put on the wrong boots - or at least one of them. She had put two different boots on, one short one and one long one.

The same day Debb decided to do the kids' favourite for tea, Tuna pasta bake, we all sat there and tucking in I commented, "there seems to be a different taste to this tonight", licking my lips and putting down my knife and fork, very satisfied I may add.

Debb burst out into fits of laughter, "Your right " she said, "I've forgot to put the Tuna in it". I rest my case. She's losing the plot - we have a roll call of ingredients from now on before the cooking starts.

And then there's the mother in law, once again I rest my case, or in this instance her broom. I had to go to the warehouse and she asked if I could get her a few items. Lo and behold, she asked me of all people to get her two new brooms. She shouldn't have, I'll never let her live this one down.

"Ttwo brooms" I said, "you can do enough damage flying on one, never mind two!" She's been reading too many Harry Potter books. Still, she takes it all in good humour. Mind, she ain't got much choice. Still, she'll never get caught up in a traffic jam!

Well these boots were made for walking not showing your socks. Mind, Debb could start a new fashion - she could also get a part in Hells Kitchen. And there was me thinking my tastebuds had gone. In fact, it was Debb's memory.

Mind the flat roof is on the greenhouse, if for no other reason than Nan has somewhere to land. Something tells me I can feel a slap coming on, so it's blind Dave signing off in a hurry and seeing if the greenhouse door actually locks.

To find out how you can help Dave raise money for Guide Dogs for the Blind log on to www.justgiving.com/777