Some more older people in Lent

Here we are about to open the batting, our combined ages more than the opposition total. I think it was Helmsley
Greg and I opening the batting. Greg has given up alcohol for Lent. Despite advanced arthritis in one knee, he is a passionate gardener. Enjoys his sport, including Rugby League, which some folk might think is unusual for a southerner with a strong Union pedigree. I struggle to keep track of everyone in his families. He might too. He loves them all.
  I had a telephone conversation with him recently.
  He asked, "Did I see you driving up Blackmoorfoot Road this morning?"
  "No. I went to Halifax to see my new granddaughter."
  "Oh. Must have been someone else. I was off to Specsavers."
  "Sounds like you need them."
  "Maybe. I was going for a hearing test.”
  
 I met him a week later for coffee in Scufflers. Still abstemious, but thinking about it. I tried to recall with him my grumpy pilates moment. He said yes I was - so not letting me off the hook. The childbride suggests chocolates.

Jane, Greg's partner from a previous family, joined us. The question of our new arrival came up. 'Oh, what is it?" she asked. We looked askance. The rest of the table looked elsewhere. "What sort of a dog is it?" Charlie, the daughter of their union filled the silence, "It's their latest grandchild, mum".

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I have to include Barbara Hoskins who has become a gay icon at the age of 91.
Clic on this link for a Radio 5 Clip.

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We had been to watch Huddersfield and Sale and then came back for the Calcutta Cup. My team lost twiceBob is a fellow baritone. You are not with him long before you realise he is from north of the border, Glasgow to be exact, and a former West of Scotland rugby man. His thing in life was pumps, but as I know nothing about them I won't go there. He had a great early life in The West Indies and S. Africa. I presume his dad was a missionary. Returning home and a family man, he spent holidays and weekends sailing the west Scottish coast.

What's his thing in life now? Planes. Model ones of which he has several. Where does he put them all? I imagine them popping out from behind cupboard doors and curtains. He also has a wonderful time writing letters, to the press and local MP, about everything that is wrong, especially the government of the day.

Pumps, planes and politics.
Scotland won the Calcutta Cup.

A week later and I'm still not talking about English rugby. Bob tells me his grandchildren collected wool off the hilltop fields during their recent visit. They stuffed it into the holes of Bob's bird boxes in his back garden, keeping a watchful eye for nesting activity. Well they saw it - the birds flew into the boxes, grabbed the wool in their beaks and flew away.

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