Tell Tales

She's Back!,  08-Sep-2005
My troubles now begin.

Beginning to get worried,  07-Jul-2005
I am hearing hints of doubt creep in during our telephone conversations, and she does at times sound desperately tired. Undoubtedly she perks up every time I can give her encouraging news about the fund raising and I'm sure short of something dramatic occurring she will finish it somehow.

So why am I worried? Beryl thinks it because I'm concerned that my Life-a-t-ease will be over and that I will have to do all the work whilst she recuperates. What do you think?

It has been over 5 weeks since she left and today I had to look through the laundry basket to find something to wear.

Keep the money rolling in, you know it's a good cause

Knackered,  24-Jun-2005


Bankers at ease.I



I told Beryl not to say anything. I didn't want anybody to know that I had broken my vow to be lazy. Oh well, I expect the papers will expose me.

It all started when I had this idea of asking Banks to join together for a sponsored £ for £, 4 mile walk at Kilve in Somerset, I called it 'Boots and Banks'. Barclays and Nat West agreed. Unfortunately they wanted me to show the way!

It started badly. Firstly the weather was extremely hot and humid. Secondly one of the Banks was late arriving, they had lost the way. Thirdly within minutes of starting off, I lost the way. Fourthly an elderly resident and a local builder couldn't work out where we were on our map!.

Fortunately my intrepid walkers got together and found their way back to the route. I panted on behind.

Half way round we came to The Chantry and a delicious ice cream cooled us off.

We continued and enjoyed the breathtaking scenery, at least that was my excuse for sounding like an old steam train. We completed the walk without further ado and they all said how much they enjoyed it. I enjoyed their company and ecouragement. How Beryl is doing 4 times this distance alone in this weather I do not know.

I believe their effort will add over £1000 to the Granny Trek total and I'm sure that if you hurry on down to the appropriate Bridgwater branch it is not too late to make a donation. You could give by visiting our Home page and choosing which method to use

Sorry about the poor quality photograph = but perhaps the would rather not be recognised!

I'm still alive,  16-Jun-2005
Got contacted today by a spirit medium asking if she could help.

Checked my pulse and obituaries then used the mobile phone to try and contact Beryl. No signal!

Had a couple of days with her recently, acting as a Nanny. Spent most of my time trying to find my way in or out of Milton Keynes. Whoever designed the road and signposting system will need an especially good medium one day if they wish to communicate

Ouch Ouch follow up,  08-Jun-2005
Who said the the young aint tough? James and Alan were extremely brave and Beryl didn't faint. I felt a bit queasy.

Tina, the bank manager, tells me that the event has raised over £700. Well done lads. James has been promoted to the Exmouth branch. Bet his new colleagues can't wait to see his legs!

He tells me they itch like crazy. Photo shows him being comforted by Beryl.

Happy hour?,  04-Jun-2005
Sorry I am unable to tell you about the adventures of Beryl (or Julia) but contact has been minimal. I calculate that my mobile phone has cost me a bomb just to hear
" Hel.......ra.....dog........cant he...later..." etc. Have tried shouting into the mobile but she was unable to hear me, but the neighbours came running. I did gather that the Gps is also on the blink and is in the post to me (or Bill of Taunton Leisure) to sort out.

However there is no need to worry, as they contacted me late last night from the bar of a busy pub. Could'nt talk for long but they sounded happy.

Meanwhile what have I been up to? well, mainly trying to contact banks,business & press by telephone. Not had much success but found out that the weather is hot in India! The garden looks nice.

Circles,  31-May-2005
Yesterday during the first circular mini trek the walkers split into two groups. Can you guess which half got lost? that's right, the one led by Beryl!. Talking I guess.

Whilst sitting in my deck chair I had an idea to raise money. Grab-a-Granny

The idea is to get High St Banks staff to be sponsored by their friends and customers on a £4£ basis to find Granny Beryl on the edge of town and guide her to their sweatshop to deposit the cheques she has collected during the day. Better than having your legs waxed in public.

Bank managers and me,  29-May-2005
Last Friday Denise the Barclays Manager, informed me that she and the girls (see photo on previous entry) had raised £611 sponsorship which the bank would match £ for £. £1200 Wow!

Then on to HSBC where Tina another lovely bank manager told me that they had raised over £700. from a sponsored leg wax, bravely endured by James and Alan. For the first time in over 50 years of banking I wanted to hug my Bank managers! I was also pleased to hear the information!

Due to a technical hitch the Journal is not up to date, so here' the latest news

Granny Beryl had a wonderful send off from Lowestoft on Saturday from the Mayor and Mayoress and lots of talented young people who entertained the crowd of wellwishers including the family who travelled miles to be there.
The hottest day of the year made it hard work for herself and the dogs but all compled 14 miles with the help of Lionel and Glennys.

The next day she successfully completed the next stage. Meanwhile I came home exhausted, and I didn't do anything!.

Hopefully Beryl will soon have her journal up and running soon.

Ouch! Ouch!,  18-May-2005
Yet another lazy/crazy idea. Find a bank employee (male) who's daft enough or brave enough to have his hairy legs waxed to raise finds for Granny Trek CHSW. Not behind closed soundproof doors but in full view of HSBC customers!
Who is this? a young ambitious man named James Stackand his friend Alan who will also make the supreme sacrifice next Wednesday (25th) at just before 4.30. Nicki of Nicki's Beauty Room Ltd is doing the deed, so if you want to see the excitement ( Beryl says she thinks she will faint) hurry on down to the Bridgwater Branch in Somerset and sponsor them.
HSBC will double your sponsorship with their £ for £ scheme. Hope to have a X certificate photo of the event.

I've Done it!,  11-May-2005
At last I've suceeded, in true Grandad-a-t-ease style, in raising money for Granny Trek with minimum effort. How? - by finding a friendly bank manager willing to ask her staff to do a sponsored mini Granny Trek and match their effort £ for £.
So hurry on down to Barclays Bank in Bridgwater and sponsor them, knowing that every £10 you sponsor will be conveted to £20 plus £2.80 gift aid from the Tax Man.
Which one is the Manager? Answer - the one with the biggest smile and the Bank T shirt. She's smiling because she is on holiday in Scotland whilst her staff slog it out! Happy holiday Denise.