D-Day

Posted on June 6, 2017 by The Baldock Bard.

According to historians, the run up to June 6th 1944 was accompanied by horrific weather. We must be grateful that the weather cleared, or who knows what the outcome would have been. This morning we were due to have 30 school children from London to visit the farm, the forecasted 40mph winds have led to the trip being postponed…

By 10:30 this morning,
excited voices would have filled the shed,
but alas this stormy morning,
silence rules instead.
They would have discovered,
the feel of linseed, oats and wheat,
and where their breakfast comes from,
to make their day complete!
Then they’d walk through the woods,
discovering as they go,
but the wood is silent this morning,
apart from planes shuttling to-and-fro!
But a postponement isn’t a worry,
(we’ve not had one before)
would have been more disasterous way back then,
…in nineteen-forty-four.

Thinking of all those who made the ultimate sacrifice on D-Day so that we may have the freedom we all enjoy today.

© Baldock Bard 2017
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Age Before Youth!

Posted on June 5, 2017 by The Baldock Bard.

Over ten years ago Mrs Bard picked a kitchen clock out of the rubbish at the Saturday car boot sale I organise. She put in a new battery and since then it has kept perfect time as it is controlled by a radio signal from Rugby. Yesterday it failed. I put in a new battery to no avail, it was time to wave goodbye…

The old kitchen clock has run out of time,
it’s days in the house are through,
I gave up trying to restart the hands,
“no more can we rely on you!”
I replaced it back upon the wall,
until a replacement found,
and on the internet we did trawl,
for a clock with a wood surround.
The new replacement ordered,
the old clock whirred once more,
and suddenly both hands stopped in place,
Perfect time at ten to four!

So the threat of the dustbin works as a repair mechanism!
Old free clock kicks new £45 clock’s butt! For once age beats youth!

© Baldock Bard 2017
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Pan Overboard!

Posted on May 2, 2017 by The Baldock Bard.

On the Bank Holiday Mrs Bard and I were invited to go on a short cruise on a river by some friends who own a posh cruiser. While eating a rater fine piece of cake I made a mess on the Wilton and the dustpan and brush went into action. Unfortunately while giving the crumbs to the fish, an accident occurred…

Up went the cry:
“Pan overboard!
it can’t swim,
Oh my Lord!
Attention Captain!
Stop the boat,
it can’t swim,
perhaps it’ll float?”
By swift action,
I’ll not forget,
the pan was saved,
by Annette!

Have a great week and if you’re boating please take care

© Baldock Bard 2017
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The Baldock ‘Boutique’ Boot Sale
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is the friendliest bargain bonanza anywhere!
2017 Season
EVERY SATURDAY!
until mid-October
With more FREE parking and a field full of bargains!
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The Dangers of Slots!

Posted on April 14, 2017 by The Baldock Bard.

I’ve never been a lucky gambler. The horse I backed in the Grand National came in twenty-something places behind the winner, my attempts at winning a fortune on the lottery have all come to naught and as for slot machines, let’s not go there! However it is reported in the media this week that a Jan Flato (66) from Florida was even unluckier…

Jan Flato from Florida went to the casino,
with Marina Navarro his friend,
he put in the coins while she pressed the button,
enjoying themselves no end.
All of a sudden flashing lights and a bell,
the jackpot he thought he’d won,
she scooped up the winnings and did the off,
(presumably at the run!)
According to experts she is the winner,
she pressed the button for sure,
Old Jan said ‘goodbye’ to one hundred thousand dollars,
I suspect he’s feeling quite sore!

Have a great weekend and stay lucky!
Thanks to THE WEEK for keeping me up to date with the week’s news and happenings around the world and around the corner.

© Baldock Bard 2017
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Branch Closure

Posted on April 10, 2017 by The Baldock Bard.

Often in the media you hear about banks closing local branches. This is one of those facts of life that generally happen to ‘other people!’ This time, it’s us! Our local branch of Lloyds Bank is due to close. It has perfect parking, superb staff and is popular with local businesses and residents alike. The alternatives proposed have their problems, either with distance or parking. One alternative branch is only open on a Tuesday or Thursday. One wonders if these faceless committee members have ever visited the town…

Lloyds at Baldock is closing down,
(I’ve always thought the best in town!)
Faceless groups in faceless offices,
issue diktats from various orifices.
If an alternative one should seek,
Stevenage: Only open two days a week!
If in Letchworth you try to park,
get up early preferably when it’s dark!
Did they ask us, did they hell!
(they’d dislike the answer, just as well!)
I suspect progress will get the blame,
for us, the customers, it’s just a shame.

With thanks to the wonderful staff I’ve known during 45 years of being a customer. You have always provided a personal service that is getting rarer these days. In terms of banking service, friendliness and customer satisfaction, Baldock is BEST!

The Brightest Daffodils

Posted on March 24, 2017 by The Baldock Bard.

Every year, just when it seems that the daffodils are gone for another year, the brightest, oldest and best appear on the farm. Like a ‘Last Hurrah’ these beautiful, tall, visions in yellow, stun us with their brilliance. This year they serve to remind us of the reassurance of continuity during difficult times…

Planted so many years ago,
in very much gentler times,
the daffodils that line our drive,
inspire us more than rhymes.
They’ve seen difficult times before,
up on this Chiltern ridge,
and give us reassurance,
after events on Westminster Bridge.

Let us remember PC Palmer,
who put his own safety aside,
and repeat his deed to our children,
as to why this brave man died.

Like the bright yellow daffodils,
that shine so brightly here today,
They remind us to make the most,
of every single day.

Thinking of all those who died, were injured or affected in any way by the attack. We remember in our thoughts (and prayers if you wish), the families left behind.

© Baldock Bard 2017
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The Must-Ride Road

Posted on March 14, 2017 by The Baldock Bard.

The road outside the farm is the last straight overtaking area before it becomes winding and narrow with hairpin bends and adverse cambers. In other words a biker’s heaven. Unfortunately all too often it turns into a biker’s hell with ambulance crews picking up the pieces, police taking down evidence and fire crews left to wash the road. It is known as a ‘Must-Ride Road’. However add lorries, tractors and other traffic to crass stupidity and sadly it can become a ‘Must Die Road’…

Travelling down a local road,
empty Loadall no heavy load,
I’d cleaned the mirrors so I could see,
all around and what was behind me.
I indicated right for a field gateway,
two cars slowed some distance away,
I started to turn and suddenly spied,
a biker had appeared alongside.
How I missed him I’ll never know,
I’d done everything safely to see and show,
that’s no way to behave,
unless he sought an early grave.
So if you see a tractor beware:
it may be me – Please take care.

If you’re on the road on either two wheels or four today, please stay safe.
In the picture I was about to pull onto the road from the field track. The bike half-hidden had slowed down for the corner and was driving with great care, unlike the following four.

The Snowman!

Posted on February 13, 2017 by The Baldock Bard.

Yesterday my daughter and granddaughter made a snowman. There hadn’t been a great fall and so much energy was expounded in rolling two great snowballs for a great distance around the garden. However by midday the head had fallen off and the fine gentleman was on the way to becoming a mere memory.

The 12th of February is a date that evokes sad memories for our family. It was on this day, just before midnight, that we had that dreaded knock on the door and a policeman bearing the news that our son, David, had been killed in a car crash at the age of just 22.

I suspect there are some lucky people, who haven’t experienced this situation, who may consider that after 14 years we should ‘be over it by now’ as don’t they say ‘time is a great healer‘? Well I guess that in my case time doesn’t heal, it just makes the memories harder to recall and the ‘what may have been’ all the more difficult to comprehend. It also makes you realise that there are things in life that are more precious than money or material possessions.

Every time I see in the media that a youngster has lost his/her life in a car my thoughts are for the family who are about to embark on one of the hardest journeys they’ll ever face. They will miss the opportunity to say a final few words and this will haunt them for years. However if, like us, they had said the simple words ‘Love You‘ at the end of every phone call or parting, then they would know that their last words to their child were special.

Like the snowman, it is up to us to enjoy the life we have and be thankful for every day, because we never know when the thaw might come!

With love and best wishes to you all.
Love You David
BB
© Baldock Bard 2017
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The Nesting Mavic Drone!

Posted on December 1, 2016 by The Baldock Bard.

The other afternoon I flew my UAV to capture pictures of the late autumnal colours in our woodland. ‘Nothing difficult there’ you may be thinking, the trees are hardly likely to run away or dive behind each other to avoid the camera. However I noticed during the flight that a herd of deer had appeared. Wanting to see how close I could get to them before they ran I manoeuvred the drone closer and closer until suddenly and without warning the drone activated RTH (or return to home!). Whoops!…

“Returning to home,”
said the drone,
as it turned and started to fly,
“That’s OK!'”
I was heard to say,
before saying simply “Goodbye!”

Off it went,
electronically sent,
flying over the wood.
I didn’t see,
the tallest tree,
but it’s forward sensors could.

It suddenly froze,
then arose,
perched on a branch above!
When it was found,
high off the ground,
too high to give a shove!

Russell tried to climb,
but after time,
couldn’t reach the UAV
John then came,
with bamboo cane,
from the cage on the JCB!

It now knows,
not to nest like crows
and the height of the tallest tree!
I once again think,
the weakest link,
without a doubt is ME!

The Rescuers (with Bamboo)!

I was lucky, the damage amounted only to four new propellors. I now know not to laugh at drone crashes on YouTube, as it can happen to anyone!

© Baldock Bard 2016
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is the friendliest bargain bonanza anywhere!
BACK NEXT YEAR
From April to October 2017
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In The Digital Darkness!

Posted on November 19, 2016 by The Baldock Bard.

For the last eight days I have been in IT darkness! Mrs Bard and I rented an apartment in a Norfolk seaside town and I couldn’t find a way to attach my Macbook to the wifi. My iPhone would only find a signal through an outstretched arm on the balcony and there was no postbox in sight. So those who foretold of my untimely demise are to be disappointed, I am back…

I cannot believe I’d ever feel this way,
with no means of communication on holiday,
but when I got used to having no signal,
I had time to read upon my Kindle!
Mealtimes had no interruptions,
no viruses worms or other corruptions!
Wherever we went in this iPhone nation,
people were texting with no conversation!
Youngsters sat around cafe table,
clicking and clacking – speech not able!
Now I’m home I have to say,
I was most relaxed on my i-Free holiday!

With thanks to those who e-mailed to enquire about my general state of health, I hope you all enjoy a relaxing weekend.

© Baldock Bard 2016
For more from the Baldock Bard click on ‘Home’ above 
Facebook: Baldock Bard
Twitter: @baldockbard
E-mail: baldockbard@www.baldockbard.co.uk

The Baldock Boot Sale
SG7 6RD
is the friendliest bargain bonanza anywhere!
BACK NEXT YEAR
From April to October 2017
With more FREE parking and a field full of bargains!
www.u-boot.co.uk

Baldock Bard

Verse and Worse from the Baldock Versemonger

Category Archives: Loss

D-Day

Age Before Youth!

Pan Overboard!

The Dangers of Slots!

Branch Closure

The Brightest Daffodils

The Must-Ride Road

The Snowman!

The Nesting Mavic Drone!

In The Digital Darkness!