it seems amazing that I'm relentlessly ploughing through mountains of training returns logging in courses and producing certificates all day long with hardly time to grab a glass of water as the temperature in Ellesmere Port kept rock steady through the afternoon at 31C especially as I'm just waiting for my finishing date but that commitment for you. I did have a sort of reprieve the whole process it seems started off on a sticky wicket and I didn't have any notification before the formal process other than a couple of days heads up but now it seems that i should have had 45 days so the clock starts ticking today which puts my earliest departure at the 30th of October another two months towards my expected pension. I tried to raise them today but it was really difficult breaking off to do other things although I did have one business skype meeting on safety which seemed a bit late in the day, I'd better keep my head down in future.

I did manage to get Mandy booked to see Prof Jari Thursday evening after my appointment, there's a bit of a gap but it save two seperate visits to the hospital. I had my third blood pressure reading and its still a little high so I've now got to try and find an appointment with a doctor as ours is off long term sick and the preferred one is on leave so its take a chance on a short notice appointment next week. There is also all the paperwork that goes with this and my file is getting thicker each week. Mandy is going to consult over her 'good' knee which is giving pain although to many ops and it will be useless like mine and is the only one which gets Mandy up stairs. The weather forecast for first thing Friday arouned Chester is looking good which would be great as its our four times rebooked ballon flight morning. I'm not sure of Saturdays film destination, south has better weather but we don't want to go all the way as we have Alton and Worthing soon.

Here are some links to Youtube clips from the remainder of the Kelsall rally DVDs

with the mercury rising it's going to be hot tomorrow and hotter still over night which doesn't make for comfortable sleeping here as the noise from the motorway with the windows open acts against sleep just as much as the heat. Talking of which Mandy went to Northwich glass today and we are going to get a quote to upgrade to treble glazing which Mandy hopes will keep me asleep when I'm retired and I'm not off anywhere so we get a lay in bed sometimes which will be a bit of a novel experience. Mandy also went to Winning kitchens which was near to my office when we were down the road at Northwich. We are looking to get the new units fitted in the same spaces as the old ones but I don't think it will really work, anyway Mandy want all white units and grey detail and floor so it's goodbye blue and yellow ( hmm it was a little bit of Eastbourne Corporation but you just have to let these things go.

I'm still work relentlessly at the office to ensure everything is in good shape and ready to be handed over, thrown in the dustbin or passed to someone outside. I spoke to our pensions department today to get the figures so we can work out the best way to play the redundancy / retirement cards. I also got Mandy a doctors appointment using the online system and she got a referral for her knee so need to get a slot for Mandy with prof Jari tomorrow. I've done some work in the garden but now time for a clean up and off to the Church inn at Mobberly for our 41st wedding anniversary meal ( the actual day was yesterday) and wasn't it great to be able to lay out on the loungers in the sunshine with drinks at our side which were replenished a couple of times, such decadence but I think after all the years of doing two jobs one might be just enough. Anyway some bargains on EBay if anyone is fed up with the heat ( strange people ) and the latest releases from the Kelsall rally are already on our shop on this site and miost recent relreases previous to that featire in our Amazon and EBay shops. Photos from the Kelsall rally.

Greetings readers, friends, customers, relations or those just bored and thought they'd just drop in and find out what its all about. In the usuao busy schedule we found ourselves at home today, after about 8 hours on my feet yesterday my left leg was pretty well done in and Mandy made her mind up that with foul weather forecast for the first haldf of the day we should call the second day at Kelsall rally off. I'm mightly glad that we did and so was my knee.

The weather was indeed awful I awoke to the sound of bouncing rain drops and it wasn't until well into the afternoon the the sun came out and I  brought the loungers out of the green house and gave them a few hours use for the first time this summer. It lasted until around 6pm when the dark clouds finally came over once more. After going to St Oswalds this morning we had lunch and then a session getting the van cleared of lorry DVDs and photos and then loaded up with out south east photo sales stick and more of the latest DVDs ready for the rallies at Alton and Worthing later in July, meanwhile there is a happy gap between. We a heat wave forecast on the south east this week there even looks to be a chance of good weather in the north.

I've a lot to do at work this week not least updating my cv and making a business case for my training department to be nested elsewhere in Amec Foster Wheeler but as the days pass I must say total retirement seems to be most attractive. Anyway we'll see what transpires and we are pretty relaxed with the situation. I go back to prof Jari on Thursday and should be able to select a date for the knee replacement this will in turn influence our attendance at rallies for the rest of the year. I noted that Showbus has the sales stand details published which seem every bit as expensive as at Duxford and on first view our reaction is to say give it a pass as if you thought that Duxford was often Shower Bus wait until you've had a dose of the old location which was more like mud bus. I've got all three Kelsall Rally DVDs done and will work on the covers this evening, the clips are already on Youtube.

Good evening ladies and gentlemen worldwide, I'm glad to be seated and have selected a nice bottle of wine to go with the fillet steak this evening. We were at the Kelsall rally today which is only a few miles down the road and compared with our usual travels a bit of a doddle. I thought it would be a bit like Llandudno but really has its own unique qualities although it doesn't include people who buy DVDs, most of the stalls were non transport related or paints and polishes. We did cover the costs and made a small surplus so not a complete fiasco and regards lorries its way up there in the big league, really its a lorry and tractor rally with a dose of cars and some traction engines. The lorry turn out is boosted by the large numbers of ERF trucks this being home territory of course and a lesser number of Fodens. These two occupy their own field whilst all the other commercials are fairly loosely arranged with an attempt to get vintage, classic and modern trucks roughly sorted plus military, fire etc in sections. Buses are very meagre although there was one I hadn't seen. So a very strong commercial bias to it and exceeds most of the events for oldies other than Gaydon.

We were given a good spot which as requested was close to the toilets for Many. I thought that numbers looked a bit thin but people thought that tomorrow would see more people and more vehicles but to tell the truth I nearly got 4 hours of film done and Mandy is annoyed that I've overdone it and had to take a tramadol in the afternoon so I could carry on. I'll probably divide it intro three quite long running volumes, it took ages to get around all the lorries and certainly is an event I would visit as a punter, we however met few people we knew with a couple of notable exceptions and these were very pleasant ones including friends we hadn't seen for quite a long time. We had got all the truck DVDs lifted out of stock which I thought was over doing it but Mandy insisted of course getting it all back is a pain. The nest rally is Alton in Hampshire followed by Worhing in Sussex. After Worthing I go off to Moldova with Martin Rickitt. I'm seeing the consultant Prof Jari next Thursday and will get a date for the knee replacement, I think the knee is also making my back worse which seems on the verge og 'going' all the time.

I'm banned from doing anything else this evening other than having a shower and dinner and relaxing although I may sneak in a download of todays film. The variety of vehicles was quite wide and a good few locals ones you don't normally see at the national events. All being well tomorrow I'll get the lawns mowed, feed the birds and then unload the truck DVDs and load up ready for Worthing then try and relax. Last night I got all the new DVD releases from June / July on to both Amazon and EBay so you have a choice of three locations for them, our shop being my top choice but its up to you. Amazon coast you more in postage , EBay is just a pain but we all use it, our shop is pwered by Paypal so is very secure. It was mainly hot and sunny today with some clouds which at times were dark but no rain although last night it heaved down again. Tomorrow will be mixed but some more sun would be nice I could get the loungers out of the greenhouse. Needless to say the pictures tonight are from Kelsall, Cheshire.

good evening and the start of another weekend, its been a warm clammy day with heavy rain to round off the afternoon. I was quite hectic at work still trying to catch up from the French holiday and a mountain of work coming in which is all very weird given the redundancy / retirement situation but just in case i can't shake it all off I'd better keep on top of things. I had to dash back home and then up to Manchester to the Spire at Whalley Range which is vaguely near where we used to live in Chorlton. We saw Prof Jari and he arranged an Xray whilst I was there, next Thursday we'll review the results and arrange surgery date for the knee replacement which is likely to disrupt plans later in the summer but not until I've had the Moldova trip. Usually there are folk who can help a little, Lathalmond and Bridgeton plus Manchester are all good on that front. So with that out of the way we went on to Southern Cemetary where we reviewed my spring freshen up work on the Hardy family graves and where the commemorative bench is going to be. Then we went on to visit cousin Trish and Derek at Sale before heading back through heavy rain although thankfully the rush hour traffic had gone.

This evening I've started to get the latest thirty or so DVDs loaded to our other shops, all the new ones are now on Amazon and my next task will be to get EBay updated, there are likley to be quite a few popular releases not least the Southdown 100 coverage and the London DVDs are also selling well. The last of the French trip DVDs on the trucks is now done and dusted and a copy in the latest truck stock all loaded in the van for the Kelsall traction engine steam and commercial event down the road in Cheshire which should be an experience and something to film even if we don't sell anything. We shall have our complete lorry output with us and the latest bus etc DVDs from normal stock. What can I offer tonight, nothing to hand in particular so lets have a look back at my travels in Myanmar / Burma which has been the highlight of my travels over the years.

ritual humiliation at the end of a phone not the best way to round off nearly 40 years of service but that's modern multi nationals for you. Anyway had the start of the process to terminate with a HR lass who's only been with the company 5 minutes and all by telephone, most embarrassing really and there is still a chance that they will sort something out for me along the lines of part time working, after having taken the concept of retirement on board it will be a bit of a let down if it doesn't happen but I'm trying to remain very philosophical about it ( no spell check required although I did spell very wrong!) Actually regular readers will know the the keys sometimes seem to be hit at random especially after a couple of bottles of wine talking of which it's pub night and we shall try and pop round to see Tom Lloyd on the way out.

I've now listed all the French material that i've completed covers for and will try to finsh those outstanding this evening. I've given the PMP van a good clean after its journeys on the AA shuttle transfers up and down the country. The big news I suppose that even transcends the end of work is my knee which I've decided to progress as it's best done whilst I've the company private health insurance, I've got an appointment to see Prof Jari tomorrow afternoon at the Spire at Fallowfield in Manchester, he is just waiting for the word to go ahead and process the op and we've had a look at possible dates which seem to be in August, must tie in with friend Martin as it may impinge on intended visit which could be brought forward perhaps. I've the trip to Moldova first. When retired I think we'll have one long distance trip per year to Australia, NZ, South America etc and try and make others economically viable in that they will get material which appeals to my customers such as places like Malta or Hong Kong.

Another thing to be sorted sooner rather than too much later is a new kitchen, the only major outlay item, will try to see if it can be replaced to present dimensions to avoid ripping everything out and too much mess, just fabricate and fit to present positions with new appliances as required. I'm sure that will be kitchen sellers a nightmare especially in Lower Peover where the half million kitchen is probably de rigeur in many houses. I'll get the French truck DVD done as well before we go off boozing, lovely thought after all that French muck.

Well on this coming Sunday it will be our 41st wedding anniversary and a bit more low key than last years event and as we are at Kelsall traction and transport rally over the entire weekend we just wish for an absence of rain and a little sunshine. I've contacted the firms health care providers and will see about activating the operation on my left knee which impending retirement or redundancy may push up the priority list a bit, the whole process kicks into action tomorrow but there is a plus side as I'll end up nearer home midf afternoon. I've been out labouring in the fields, well back garden trying to stem the tide of grass and geraniums which take over everywhere if not checked.

The borders are looking reasonable and although the glory days og No17 are long gone it does still draw comments on it's looks. I'm nearing the end of editing the French material, just the last one on trucks in France down at Marseilles and Toulouse and thats another job out of the way. I've a few hotels to book for forthcoming rallies although the two next Sundays are still free and we have no desire to fill them too soon although I may check with friends if its a convenient time to pay visits. I will probably pop round to see Tom Llyod with Mandy tomorrow night on the way to the pub, we are trying to skype to New Zealand at the moment. Tonight some Youtube links to the recent releases and of course they are all on the PMP shop on this website.

Change is of course sometimes unsettling but then without it there would be boredom and a lack of opportunities and Mandy and I recalled the terror her early retirement held for us a couple of decades back. Anyway it was the biannual pensions consultative meeting at Knutsford and thus a fairly short journey although we are in the midst now of the two day Cheshire show which clogs up the main roads less than previously but grid locks the smaller communities between Northwich and Lymm. There was ample time for some networking with people that are very relevant to changes coming up at work and it may well lay down a route to follow and it's hard not to feel that a divine hand is giving me a little guidance along the way. Unsettling times once more but really whatever the outcome we'll make the most of the situation and meanwhile we are hard at work again with the van picked up from Trafford Park this afternoon with all 4 fuel injectors now replaced so fingers crossed that it will be a long time before we enjoy again the delights of the AA relay service from one end of the country to another. I've got the majority of the French material on DVDs, I've just finished Montpelier and about to put clips on the Youtube channel and of course loading them on to own shop.

I will hopefully get EBay and Amazon updated sometime soon.  When Mandy got back with the van I was home to help unload, some boxes damaged due to the frequent loading operations in the rescue off the motorway etc. We have sorted out all the truck material we have and this will all be on sale this coming weekend at Kelsall Steam Fair near home and which attracts a large amount of lorries including Cheshire produced Fodens and ERFs. THis is our penultimate attempt to crack the plorry rally market with just the classic truck Gaydon event later and if that doesn't work we'll keep the truck DVD sales to the internet and magazines where it does really well and reserve visits to the commercial shows to visitor only status. At least overheads are minimal this weekend and travelling time measured in mere minutes, hopefully the weather which shows some promise now will stick with us through the weekend. I really must get some gardening done after work tomorrow although another conference takes me to Lancashire in the morning, I'll try and dash back to the office and clear more documentation before horticultural duties. Tonight pictures from St Etienne.

It's catch up time at work although for how much longer lingers in the air with the possibility of changes and even retirement starying to open up so who knows what the future is going to bring but it does prompt me to think about my old knee and the urgency I should give to getting it fixed sooner rather than later. There French DVDs are coming off the production line each day now, already done is Limoges and next will be Toulouse which is being prepared as I write.

I'll get the Southdown 100 cover ready tonight and some more clips from my travels on Youtube where we are clocking up nearly half a million hits a month with 17M views and heading towards our next target of 800 subscribers, get to 10K and Moscow watches your movements in Russia while Vietnam has now overtaken the other countries watching and is second being the UK which must be truly remarkable although of course the translation of views to puchases of DVDs remain another matter entirely and readership of the blog could also do with a boost if only to keep my own morale up.

The photos tonight come from Marseilles, taken a week back and show cars working on the new route three which makes services very frequent and the trams very long compared to the tiny line to the east which runs free of charge in Aubagne.

Its been a very busy and tiring day and my legs are shaking and ready to drop off and the prospect of work tomorrow almost makes me wish the day of retirement came a year early. Anyway I've accomplished much and it's hard to know where to start. I've been finishing off tasks from pre French trip days and this includes the completion of the Southdown 100 DVD which lasts a whole 90 minutes and you certainly can never get too much of a great thing like Southdown and I noted as I quickly flicked through Buses magazine that they'd got a report of the great day at Southsea included which must have required some quick footwork. I got my adverts for the August editions of Buses and Classic Vintage Commercials ready and sent off. I've nearly finished downloading the French video to the computer. I've spent some time mowing lawns and titivating the garden and also cleaned out all the bird feeders and my hands still smell of disinfectant from the clean up.

I've also been shopping and the gentle aroma of home cooking bides well after that rubbish French muck, I wish they could learn to cook rather than just think they can, most English pubs knock spots off any French bistro etc. Washing and ironing now dominate Mandy's domestic schedule and a quick count up of left over euros revealed just how expensive it is traveling at speed around France. The next overseas trip is at the end of July when I visit Moldova again with Martin, which reminds me I've also sorted out the rather diminutive selection of tickets from France although these days such things are becoming increasingly hard to find abandoned as cards are topped up and retained for long periods. I've uploaded a few clips from the remainder of the Hampshire trip pre France and need to do the Southdown 100 cover for the DVD.

Lets have yet another selection from the French photos by now moving on to the next legs of the journey Montpelier is one of my favourites and work to complete the city loop of route 4 was under way, I got some great shots from around what is now quite an extensive system. Work tomorrow will be frantic as I seem to recall conference Tuesday and Wednesday taking me out of the office yet again with so much to catch up on in a busy period but one day all this will be a distant dim memory of 40 years with just one company to end my working life.