Oops! 
Sorry folks, it seems that I may have inadvertently misled you lot a tad and somewhat misrepresented my delight yesterday. I’m not actually a grandad, rather a grand uncle! Apologies if this may have caused confusion and undeserved congratulations, but in my defence I’d had a stressful day which was happily topped off by some fantastic news, accompanied by copious celebratory drams/vino/beer!
To be honest, the title doesn’t really matter to me, she’s still absolutely gorgeous irrespective of my not quite so close biological provenance, 
and I’m still happy as Larry to have welcomed her to our planet and have her in my life. 
15 Likes
A new life is always something to celebrate
2 Likes
Your enthusiasm is completely on show and perfectly understandable.
1 Like
Not related (although given the depth of the Belgian gene puddle …) but I’ve known her since she was born so I’m claiming it.
My friend’s daughter has received confirmation from the academy of her qualification in fine jewellery.
I think it’s a yes/no thing however the academy has put her, and only her, forward for some third-party awards.
I’m interpreting that as “top of the class” so Go Jill!
12 Likes
FoL#2 Lauren started her apprenticeship this week.
She had looked at applying for a couple of F1 apprenticeships, but realised that she couldn’t really afford to live in Motorsport Valley on an apprentice’s wage. I think being away from her horse might have been a factor too.
So she decided to go for something she already knew she liked and applied to a few big Agricultural equipment dealerships.
She got offered places at 2 of the biggest, but she must have really impressed one of them because they offered to put her with their most senior tech as her mentor (who apparently is really choosy about who he takes on, but actually requested to mentor Lauren) doing an apprenticeship sponsored by JCB which is also their “best” one. She’ll still learn how to do the Fendt and Massey Ferguson stuff but will be a JCB specialist and go down to their academy in addition to her courses at Reaseheath College. So she took that one.
She’s really enjoying it so far. She’s the only girl apprentice so they’ve installed her own personal Swarfega dispenser in the ladies.
I bought her a Halfords Advanced socket and spanner set to start her off, but the Snap-On man has already been round to say hello to the fresh meat… 
33 Likes
Oh, she might have sort of got a pet cow too.
6 Likes
Best thing I’ve heard all day 
1 Like
It’s a Charolais, superb beef apparently…
4 Likes
Don’t milk it…
3 Likes
Obvious Simpsons quote is obvious.
2 Likes
Sam’s back fitting fit now and is playing again, great concert tonight with Pleasley Colliery Welfare Band.
10 Likes
Niece #2 turns 18 today.
She has requested a small family do this afternoon with fizz, cheese and cooked meats etc. Then this evening she’s going out on the gargle with big sis to the (exceedingly iffy) pub where niece #1 works.
In a family of absolute liabilities her mother refers to her as “the adult of the household”. I wish her a long and happy life 
24 Likes
Hope she has a great day!
1 Like
So she bought herself a massive pair of gold hoop earrings.
You can take the girl out of Croydon etc.
It turned out that niece #1’s boyfriend is massively into, of all things, 80s metal, which just happens to be my specialist subject.
He seemed quite boggled to encounter a living relic of the period.
8 Likes
What’s his favourite Metallica album, and does he like Megadeth?
1 Like
Master of Puppets.
Yes. He finally caught me out with “What’s your favourite track on Peace Sells but Who’s Buying?”
I can’t bloody remember, it was going on 40 years ago 
Acceptable answer 
3 Likes
21yo Malaysian kid who knows who Cliff Burton was.
I think she should marry him
3 Likes
What are his thoughts on Blackie Lawless?
My son Dan is a sergeant in the Royal Marines. He’s done his 21 years and has just been granted a 3 year extension. He drives an 8 x 8 as part of his daily duties as a vehicle mechanic.
21 years ago when he told me he was joining up I remember wondering how long it would last.
Well done son, you’ve far exceeded any expectations I had. I’m proud to be your dad
38 Likes