The Bunch of Daffs!

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DaffsThere is something very reassuring about daffodils. They are rather like that one friend who always smiles and is cheerful despite whatever is going on in his/her life. They bounce into your life and always say nice things about you, bring the right bottle of wine and dance as if nobody’s watching! No wonder a certain poet was so enthusiastic…

I wandered lonely as a cloud…
That floats on high over Basildon!
Where all at once I saw a crowd,
They’d lost 7-1 to Billericay Town!
In the second half, on their knees,
No-one looking very pleased.
On the way home the manager said:
“I’ll buy some Daffs, then go to bed!”

With apologies and commiserations to fans, players and staff at Basildon Town FC, better luck next time. Apologies also to W. Wordsworth and all his supporters. Anyone who has been affected by the contents this programme can contact our helpline, details will follow after the credits.

© Baldock Bard 2015
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Football Crazy Football Mad!

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At the World CupLike millions of households last night we watched the World Cup Final. The football became a backdrop to a wonderful evening of good food, good company and good wine! In fact a perfect evening where the only volume control was on the TV…

With friends last night I sat down to see,
The World Cup Final upon TV!
I’m not a real football fan,
Overpaid prima-donnas to a man!
Everyone had watched the Brazilian game,
And was expecting Germany to play the same!
Diving, skiving, seeing players floored,
I’m afraid even the dog was bored.
However the goal, when it finally came,
Reminded us sometimes it’s a beautiful game!

© Baldock Bard 2014
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May you live in interesting times!

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Cup Shock!It is alleged that Confucius said ‘May you live in interesting times.’ Nobody said whether this was a threat or a promise! Last night Mrs Bard and I changed TV channel just in time to see Germany score a World Cup goal against Brazil. Ten minutes later, having watched a further four hit the back of the Brazilian net, we sat open-mouthed and stunned. How many of you checked the score this morning to check you hadn’t been dreaming…

Brazil one, Germany seven,
(Could very well have been eleven!)
“May you live in interesting times!”
Disbelief can disrupt sometimes.
The shock defeat of the age,
Will footballers go back to minimum wage?
Will everything we know be different now?
Leave us shocked and wondering how.
Will politicians start to tell the truth
And everything work via Bluetooth?
Will traffic wardens forget to fine,
Supermarkets saying: “pay next time!”
Who knows what the future might bring,
We may even see Charles as King?
Thoughts of change makes me feel ill,
What if England could beat Brazil?

© Baldock Bard 2014
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Two Different Styles!

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Different StylesI’ve had a shock! I looked into the mirror this morning and an old man gawked back! But that is not all: This week I had a Victor Meldrew moment and found myself saying: “in my day it was totally different!” So I’ll soon be Zimmer-bound, completely toothless and able to block a Tesco aisle with my Geri-scooter! But again, that is not all: I was talking to someone much younger about a famous role model and discovered to my horror that we were talking about two different people from different eras who almost share a surname. Don’t worry about me, I’m off to spend my day in a wing-backed chair in front of television I no longer understand or hear…

I was looking through some very old files
When I came across a picture of Nobby Stiles,
Few front teeth and a terrible stare,
Went through footballers as if they weren’t there
Opposing players got their kicks
He played for England in ‘66
Then into management, medals were sold,
To keep his family when he grew old

Harry Styles has his life planned
As part of a successful young boy band
Sold out venues for their managed show
Screaming girls in every row!
With perfect teeth and floppy hair
Even mothers have an open-mouth stare!
No need to worry about pension projection,
He’ll only be travelling in one direction!

© Baldock Bard 2013
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Mastering the Wind and Waves!

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Jamie Drummond 1Have you ever watched a sport where you have not the faintest idea what is happening? Last weekend I watched Jamie Drummond, a Freestyle Windsurfer, in action at a competition in Weymouth, Dorset. Despite having driven from Vassaliki, Greece, where he is based with water-sport holiday company Ocean Elements (http://www.ocean-elements.com), he gave a masterful performance in 50 knot winds to deservedly be placed first equal. I heard him use phrases like ‘Spock’ and ‘Kono’ but despite becoming an instant expert in a baffling sport, have to admit I’m none the wiser…

Jamie Drummond is riding the waves,
The wind is howling (or sick!)
He’s managed to fall numerous times,
As he performs his latest trick!
Did I just see a ‘Burner’?
Perhaps a Shaka or Loop?
His Ponch must be worth many prizes,
While he pulls off a new Betty Boop!
If I were to take to the water,
I’d sink like a drunken waiter!
So for all concerned, I have learned,
It’s best that I’m a spectator!
Jamie Drummond 2

© Baldock Bard 2013
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The Pavement Pounders!

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Pavement PoundersThe head of a Korean car company was once apparently quoted as saying that ‘those who need a gym after work aren’t working hard enough’. Personally I think that’s unfair to those who work behind a desk. I count myself lucky that I get some exercise during the day, although not as much as I used to, thanks to the demands of an administrative paperwork mountain. So flex those muscles, don those expensive trainers and hit the pavements. I’m afraid you’ll have to go on your own as I’ve got oats to shovel this morning…

Jim and Jan are joggers,
Running around the town,
Pounding the pavements,
Bits bouncing up and down!
At first the cause was dietary,
Then it became a craze,
Now it’s an obsession,
Not just a passing phase!
One day they might need surgery,
One knee perhaps two,
But for now they’re happy,
To jog past me and you!

© Baldock Bard 2013
For more verse click on ‘Home’ above

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Dai’s Big Cardiff Match!

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Wales 6 NationsMrs Bard had a great weekend. She is Welsh. For the benefit of my foreign readers, let me explain: To Wales (Cymru), England (Lloegr) is ‘the old Enemy’ and the game of rugby (rygbi) is a religion. Wales has a population less than six percent of its larger neighbour, and a senior rugby playing base roughly one-eighth the size. On Saturday in the Six Nations Rugby Tournament (contested by Wales, England, Ireland, Scotland, France and Italy), Wales annihilated England 30 points to 3, in what was promised to be (by the English-biased BBC commentators), ‘a close encounter’. After the match those same commentators, who had heralded an English victory, were quick to blame the effects of the stadium’s atmosphere, saying that it upset the young England players. Perhaps those young warriors would have been better off visiting one of Wales’ golden beaches, armed with bucket and spade, instead of braving the colosseum. Match day in Cardiff is special. If you ever, ever, are offered the opportunity to watch a match at the Millennium Stadium, sell your Grandmother, give away your kids and head on down to Cardiff…

Dai woke up in Cardiff,
Sat up on the bed,
“I can’t believe we won the match,”
As he clutched his aching head!
He’d set off Saturday morning,
Kissed his wife and kids goodbye,
He’d promised to be home that night,
This time he’d really try!

A pint of Brains slipped down a treat,
His second even better!
His third was spilt down his chest,
There was more beer than sweater!
Pre-match in the Prince of Wales,
With a chap he met called Bevan,
Another couple to steady the nerves,
Took his own score up to seven!

Walking to the stadium,
A sea of red and white,
Not sure if Wales could win the match,
But they’d put up a fight!
Seated in Row F seat 7,
Nestling another pint,
With Tomos from Abergele,
And Ray from Llantrisant.

He stood unsteady for the Anthem,
His voice was strong and sure.
Tears were streaming down his face.
‘Feed me evermore!’
Then silent prayers,
Were whispered all around,
“Please O Lord help beat them,
On this sacred ground!”

A half-time score of 9-3,
Better than dreamed how,
Halfpenny’s boot was magic,
Please Lord, stop it now!
But second half was fantastic,
Two tries crushed their fears,
Had England run away to hide?
Best win for many years!

Dai was over-euphoric,
Coming back from the park,
He thought he’d kissed an Englishman,
But it was awful dark!
A few more pints to celebrate,
Singing with the boys,
On and on into the night,
His voice became just noise!

Sunday morning fine and bright,
And his head was awful sore.
He couldn’t believe where he was:
A bedding superstore!
He told the surprised manager:
“I’m very sorry, see,
I didn’t mean to spend the night,
But we beat them 30-3!”Wecome to Wales

© Baldock Bard 2013
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Plane Sailing!

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Luton AirportYesterday morning I took Jamie Drummond to Luton Airport following his stint on the Ocean Elements stand at the London Boat Show (http://www.ocean-elements.com). Jamie is a pro windsurfer (http://www.jamiek787.com) and was on his way back to Malta for more training before the season begins. His long-suffering girlfriend, Jo, will be seeing quite a bit of his back in the weeks to come as he perfects his competition routine. However my simple task was to deliver him to the airport in time for his flight…

I’m taking Jamie to the airport,
Ring, ring, the alarm clock starts to chime!
Four in the morning,
It shouts out a warning,
Must get him to the plane on time!

The road to the airport is quite icy,
The gritters are now gritting ‘till daytime!
I’ve missed the bloody turning,
My passenger’s a-gurning,
Just get him to the plane on time!

He’s flying out to stay in sunny Malta,
There’s no snow there, the weather is just fine!
He’s soon be windsurfing,
His girlfriend he’s deserting,
Will get him to the plane on time!

Luton’s doing better now than Heathrow,
No cancellations, all the planes in line!
Pull into the drop-off,
To the terminal he’ll pop off,
I got him to the plane on time!
Jamie Drummong Luton© Baldock Bard 2013

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A Memorable Present!

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It is always difficult choosing gifts. Make a mistake and the memory lingers like a bad smell. Like it did with Mrs Bard at Christmas many years ago when I bought what I mistakenly thought had been ‘admired’ in an Italian restaurant. The giant pepper pot didn’t really stack up to a friend’s wife’s broadcast joy of an expensive (and ‘new’) microwave! This summer I was treading carefully…

Mrs Bard had a birthday
I thought I’d better make sure
And buy her something memorable
What she’d like, (not a bike, or a saw!)

I looked around for a present
Cookery books she has every one!
Judging by the size of my stomach
That could be, for me, overdone!

I looked for something she could wear,
(She doesn’t like fashion at all),
I’d tried that avenue some years ago,
It was one, not fun, but a fall!

Then I thought of this years summer,
And looked to see what to get,
I’d heard with athletes they’d been popular,
So I got her a 2012 duvet set!

And she liked it a lot!
(Don’t try this at home. Results may vary, in some cases leading to painful and permanent injury)

© Baldock Bard 2012
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Great Games!

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There were those who suggested the country couldn’t afford it. Those who suggested the country was fatally ethnically divided. Those who suggested an embarrassingly low medal haul. They stayed away and their voices of doom were replaced by a massive roar as the Games became a stage of hope, faith and a showcase of all that is Great about Britain. We can, we did and we will…

The party is over,
Clearing up has begun,
The crowd has dispersed,
All the medals are won!

What will I remember,
When time has passed by?
All problems forgotten,
A view through dry eye!

I hope I remember,
That moment of love,
Gemma Gibbons whispered ‘love you,’
To her mother above.

Local girl Pendleton,
Made a heart with her hands.
Tearfully retired,
Thanked all her fans.

That euphoric moment,
When the nation went wild.
Mo Farrah’s double Gold,
Shared with wife and their child.

What of transport chaos?
Empty seats and the weather?
Our national sport – grumbling,
We then pull together!

The tower and the stadium,
Back-drop to the news.
We’re back to a studio,
Blank walls with no views.

And now Monday morning,
Back to life with a sneer.
We emerge from a triumph,
Did it really happen here?

Thanks to Alastair Pawsey and Maxwell Heron for permission to use their photographs

© Baldock Bard 2012
For more verse click on ‘Home’ above

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