The trophy is now safely ensconced upon our mantel.

I'm the man. . .again!

On Monday, I won the first annual Central URC Open played at the demanding Farrington Golf Club. I especially encourage you to look at the scorecard except for holes 11, 12 and 13 when my torn cruciate ligament and two stress fractures were giving me problems. As soon as we returned to level ground and I was able to recover from the excruciating pain, I ran off a string of 5 straight fours to finish my impressive and totally dominating win. Please double click on the card to see my impressive scoring, please double click on the trophy to get some idea of its actual mammoth size.

Signs of 'The Times'

From today's Times of London. I present these humourous signs without additional comment.

Cosmo (on Queen's Square)

Milsom Street Pig (Of course, being a child of the sixties I could say this picture contains two pigs, but I have the utmost respect for our Constables On Patrol.)

Bubbles (in front of the Bath Spa, of course!)

Paradise (pig hanging from the giant tree in Abbey Green)

Roger (next to one of the few remaining hexagonal pillar boxes in the UK)

Happy (in front of Holburn Art Museum)

Rattus Rattus (not a pig)

In search of Bladud's pigs. . .

During the spring and summer, brightly painted pigs are appearing all over Bath. This is to celebrate the legend of Bladud, who was a Celtic King whose leprosy was cured in the healing warm springs that made Bath famous and make it such a tourist attraction today. I went out to photograph a sampling of the pigs that are now appearing all over the city. Most have names and I have included them for your edification.

Rory at 6 months. . .

The vivacious Rory celebrates her half year birthday.

Happy Birthday, Your Majesty!

A few photographs from today's annual Trooping of the Colours in honour of the Queen's "official" birthday. She was actually born on April 21st. The parade took place on 'Horse Guards Parade' which I along with the William's gang visited just two weeks ago. The grandstands were already in place when we were in London.

The original Diane Arbus photograph
Abby's impression of the Arbus photograph
The truth is in the photographs

On my daughter Abby's blog she states that the horrific face she is making in the photo immediately above was one that she had seen me make on several occasions. This false perception was confirmed by my step-daughter Jessica and Abby's mother, Sheri. For the record I wish to state that I have never made such a grotesque face and doubt if it is even possible.

But, I do think that I have found out how this perception became seeming reality. I am a great fan of the late photographer Diane Arbus (pronounced, Deeyan) Diane was at one time married to Alan Arbus, who played psychiatrist Sidney Freidman on the television series, MASH. I have at various times owned books of Diane Arbus' photographs. I think the three women in question probably saw these books and were drawn to Arbus' famous photograph of a young boy in Central Park. The similarities between his expression and Abby's are beyond coincidence. I rest my case.

For more of Abby's delusions please see her blog at http://ouranimalhouse.blogspot.com.

A taste treat fit for a King (or Queen)

The thawing of US/British relations. . .

As I sit down to write this entry, President Bush is in the midst of his farewell tour to Europe. In a few days he will arrive in Britain to say his final goodbye. Needless to say, the last seven years have caused considerable strain between Britain and 'the colonies.'

When the Williams clan came to visit Maurene and I they brought two 'must have' items with them. Marshmallow Fluff is a staple of the Ron Garner diet and can only be obtained at exorbitant prices in the United Kingdom. Whilst they were here, I introduced them to the joys of addictive McVities Digestives. Upon their departure, I began experimenting by spreading Marshmallow Fluff on the individual biscuits and then topping this all off with a second biscuit. This made for a McVitie/Fluff sandwich. The taste is indescribable but can best be captured by simply calling it a gourmet s'more -that wonderful treat that is often created over the great American campfire.

I have determined that if the makers of Marshmallow Fluff and McVities Digestives would combine their efforts, that the strain of the last seven years would quickly be diminished.

We still haven't found a useful combination for Maurene's Strawberry Twizzlers.

Happy birthday to my beautiful daughter!

I hope you have a happy birthday. Wish I could be there to celebrate with you.

Happy Birthday, Abby!

I miss you! We'll always have London.

Love,

Brad

A new take on the Revolutionary War

John O'Farrell is one of my favourite columnists in the Guardian. In his latest book, An Utterly Impartial History of Britain, his biting humour is displayed in the description of the Revolutionary War from a British standpoint.

The first War on Terror lasted from 1775 to 1781. In the American colonies, local insurgents, hell bent on causing anarchy and destruction, began their cowardly attacks on the British peace-keeping forces. As the assassinations and bombings escalated, there were calls for the British government to withdraw the security forces, but despite being thousands of miles from home, the British army bravely refused to cut and run, trying instead to maintain the fragile peace so desperately desired by the vast majority of the peace-loving colonial settlers. In the warped mind of the extremists, they might have imagined themselves to be fighting some sort of 'heroic war of independence', but by any of the standards applied in the West today, the actions of the extremist militias was terrorism, pure and simple.

Ouch!

It all seemed so pleasant at first. . .
Grif and Lauren prepare for the final assault

Throughout our climb we were watched with curious interest
View from the top of Sugarloaf

The Williams family rests at the peak

Our descent took us through beautiful oak woods

Nearing the end, Mark almost falls into a mountain stream

A climb up Sugarloaf

Yesterday, we journeyed to Aberveganny in Wales and climbed to the top of Sugarloaf Mountain in the Brecon Beacons National Park. It was a nine-mile trek and took us through beautiful forests and upper heathland. Throughout the 4 hour adventure we constantly had the support of the sheep who use the mountainside for grazing. We are none the worse for wear the day after our adventure.

Where to go? Where to go?

With the arrival of our American cousins less than 36 hours away, Maurene and I puzzle over where we might take them to give them a flavour of the United Kingdom. Yesterday's Independent offered something that might make an interesting tour. The daily newspaper named the British villages with the rudest names. Yes, all of these are authentic and can be found on most Highway and Ordnance Survey maps. Besides Shitterton we have:

Cockington

Lickey End

Nob End

Thong

Ugley

Pratts Bottom

Lower Swell

Wetwang

Twatt

Balls Green

Penistone

Bitchfield

Tosside

Prickwillow

Crapstone

Bell End (am I missing something?)

Cockenmouth

Spital In The Street

Titlington

Upper Dicker

and Muff

I can see Mark posing by the town signs and taking photos home to show all of his friends and family.

If you get a chance, go see this film.

Maurene and I went to our Little Cinema last week and saw this film starring Sally Hawkins. In my opinion it is the quintessential British film. It takes place in Camden Town, just to the south of where we lived whilst in London. Sally Hawkins' performance is outstanding and makes you have faith in humanity in these troublesome times. It is a feel-good film, no doubt, but it does have its darker moments to which keeps you on the edge of your seat. Go see Happy-Go-Lucky. The Director is Mike Leigh.

Hillary cartoons. . .

It times like these it's nice to have something that makes you smile.

A view from the ladies 13th tee. Notice the aiming stakes in front of the dunes (necessary from the back tees.) The Bristol Channel lies beyond the dunes.

Dunes are prevalent on the back nine. This is a view from the back of the 13th green.

Looking down on the 14th Green from the 15th tee. The Bristol Channel lies beyond.

The flag is an indication of the power of the wind which whirls around the Bristol Channel almost constantly. This is the unseen hazard that is always in play.

The ever-present Gorse bushes.

P & K

Yesterday I travelled to Wales to play golf at the Pyle and Kenfig Club which I joined as a country member last month. I thought I'd add a few holiday snaps from my outing. It was a great day. I returned with either a sun or wind burn (probably a combination). Double-click on photographs for more detail

Will they, or won't they?

I walked into town today to do some work at the office. Actually, the first and last Monday's in May are bank holidays, but I worked a bit anyway. After I left the church I saw these novice kayakers trying to summon up the courage to go over the Pulteney Weir. The weir is a flood control measure on the Avon River since the Avon is affected by the tides. I guess it is about a 10 foot drop total. They hovered around at the top and failed to heed the enthusiastic words of encouragement from those who were gathered on the road above. The photographs also contain 3 of the tour boats that get very active this time of year.

I finally left and snapped the photograph of one of the floral arrangements in Parade Gardens which is right next to the river and weir. I heard a cheer and two of the five kayakers ventured over, whilst the others headed for the shore.

Our neighbour, Olly Barkley scores one of his two 'trys' (yes, that's the appropriate spelling)

Would you believe Lee Mears is a 'hooker'?

Bath 66-21 Saracens

Bath Rugby moved into first place today with a decisive victory over the Saracens.

Take that, ilegal immigrnats. . .

Rita Whiteinblew, a former runner-up in the National Spelling Bee, makes her feelings known about securing America's borders.

To all of you folks that are getting a tax rebate. . .
Why don't you send it to this fine gentleman? Jesus is coming soon, and boy is he pissed!

Petrol -£5 per gallon

Today, petrol (gasoline) will probably hit an all-time high of £1.09 per litre in the United Kingdom. That will take the price to £5 per gallon or $9.95 in US dollars.