Category Archives: People and Personalities

The Joys Of Friendship

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thennowLast year everyone told me not to worry about turning sixty as this is now the new forty! Huh! In many ways it hasn’t felt like it, my body is in slow decline and the shock I get every morning when I look in the mirror starts my heart beating again. But now I’ve become sixty-one I realise that some things don’t change…

My oldest friend and I
stood on a gate,
in the same position,
as we stood
many years before.
We re-encacted
the picture!
He is distinguished,
having had,
good health,
a successful career,
long marriage,
three children,
and grey hair!
I on the other hand,
have been a peasant,
all my life,
but enjoyed,
good health,
two children,
and long marriage.
Sadly,
we both share,
the devastating
loss of a child,
but above all,
we also share,
the joy of a life-long friendship.

To all my readers, friends and loved ones, thank you for your friendship. The other person in the old photo is my father, still going strong at 90 years old!

© 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

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The Special Friend

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monkeyMost children have something that, above all else, is so precious to them that at times of distress only that item will do. My granddaughter has Monkey. The fact that she has a number of identical simians makes no difference, only Monkey will do. There are times when adults could do with such a friend…

My Granddaughter’s monkey always wears a smile,
even though his life’s a trial.
Everywhere he tags along,
just in case things go wrong!
He knows how to make things better,
by clinging on to her tear-stained sweater.
His reward for being her friend,
is constant use: mend on mend.
Even then he wears that smile,
his friendship goes that extra mile!

Remembering all those special friends we all rely on in times of trouble. Do you know someone who could do with a special ‘Monkey-style’ hug today?
Especially remembering Maxwell, Mandy, Annabell and Thomas also John, Angie, Rachel and family. Life can be cruel but friends can help by being friends. 

© 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

 

 

 

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Friends Found!

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On September 29th I wrote about a couple who were emigrating from Bedfordshire to Bournemouth http://www.baldockbard.co.uk/?p=8791 As the days progressed and the last car boot sale of the season drew ever closer I began to panic. Would I find them to let them see the posting? Would they appear out of the blue? Would I ever see them again? They had became a couple that epitomised the friendly face of the Baldock Saturday Boot Sale…

Last Saturday, on the very last sale of the season, there they were! Not only that but after the sale was over they sent an e-mail that out-barded the Bard. So for the first time (hopefully not the last), pray silence for our guest writers of the day, Dawn and Ray (aka the Talls), formerly of Clifton, Beds, soon to be of Bournemouth, Hants…

Each Saturday before dawn breaks
The Baldock Bard cheerily wakes
A hop and a skip to the coffee and toast
Then down to the field to let in the host…
Of sellers who’ve come to dispense of their wares
They look at the weather and utter their prayers.
‘It’s Simon’ they yell, ‘all’s well with the world’,
As they head for the field like the Dervish who whirled.
He stops for a chat with each one he greets
No favourites has he, no time for elites
Once everyone’s settled he’s off on his rounds
To part the good punters from their hard earned pounds.
Please take no offence, we think you’re a smasher
The lord of the manor, the King of his pasture
And as we depart for lands by the sea
Dawn and Ray wish you well, and we will guarantee
That if ever to Baldock we venture to shoot
We’ll spend a few hours at your famous car boot.

From Dawn and Ray aka ‘The Talls’.

Looks Like I’m going to up my game with competition of this standard! Look out Bournemouth, the lovely Dawn and Ray are on their way!

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!
Every Saturday
From April to October 2017
With more FREE parking and a field full of bargains!
www.u-boot.co.uk

 

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Internet-Ready Henz!

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henzOver the years we have had a variety of hens on the farm. Most have ended their days on the menu for Monsieur Reynard (the fox). We have had a variety of shapes, sizes and characters, however the current trio are possibly the funniest we’ve ever known…

The three hens on the farm
are internet-ready,
there’s Daphne, Sonja,
and one that’s called Freddie!
They look as if someone,
has used Photoshop,
to accentuate their markings,
not knowing when to stop!
They wander the farm,
like old ladies on the bus,
grumbling and gossiping,
and making a fuss!
Yes they’re ornamental,
of that there’s no doubt,
but to be perfectly honest,
it’s fun having them about!

© 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!
Every Saturday
Last Bootsale this Season – October 15th 2016
With more FREE parking and a field full of bargains!
www.u-boot.co.uk

 

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The Farmer’s Wife!

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mealsAt this time of year farmer’s nerves are frayed, tempers are short and backsides sore from hours spent in a bumpy tractor seat. However there is one life-saving member of the team who is unseen, un-thanked and generally un-waged – it is the Farmer’s wife. Without her the autumn cultivations, and much more, would fall apart…

Mrs Bard’s day isn’t going to plan,
delivers lunch to her old man,
then it’s off to fetch spare parts,
there’s no time to bake jam tarts!
Very soon it’s time for tea,
out to the field to a grumpy ‘He’.
Late at night in darkness now,
a tired grumpy man arrives for ‘chow’.
Dust-fill nostrils make him snore,
then it’s up with the lark
…it starts once more!

© 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!
Every Saturday
Last Bootsale this Season – October 15th 2016
With more FREE parking and a field full of bargains!
www.u-boot.co.uk

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The Bossy Spider!

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spiderYesterday, while using the smallest room in the house, I came across one of the largest spiders I’ve ever seen. As per usual I took a photo. When I looked closely, the damn spider was laughing at me and pointing to cracks in the wall. Rather than waste a picture I have used it and promise that when all the landwork is finished I shall do some DIY…

The largest spider in our house,
is big enough to frighten a mouse,
it sits waiting in the downstairs loo,
to leap out at users and shout ‘Boo!”
Yesterday it suggested to me,
things were not as things should be!
I should forget the tractor and just try,
to try my hand at some DIY!
“Look at how I have to live,
These cracks in the wall are massive,
Unless you deal with them real soon,
I shall be forced to move to a different room!”

…with apologies to all arachnophobes for not posting a warning.

© 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!
Every Saturday
Last Bootsale this Season – October 15th 2016
With more FREE parking and a field full of bargains!
www.u-boot.co.uk

 

 

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The Twins Win – Again!

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img_0849Yesterday morning I was wondering just how and when I would be able to finish the ploughing and roll the seed after the drill. Almost a fortnight ago I had broken the tractor for a second time in two weeks (http://www.baldockbard.co.uk/?p=8779) and since then it has sat forlornly in a corner of the shed, its rear end in bits and minus two wheels. I had been told that the parts were on back order (the computer says ‘No!’) and there wasn’t much hope before November. So it was with surprise that when I walked into the shed yesterday afternoon the ‘Mechanical Twins’ (http://www.baldockbard.co.uk/?p=8767) were back and the tractor was almost whole again…

When Jonny and Jonny (the mechanical twins),
appear on the farm everyone wins!
A two-wheeled tractor wasn’t going anywhere,
is all of a sudden running and fair!
This farmer who had been feeling down in the dumps,
is up and smiling even feeling goose bumps!
Out in the field later today,
a bright yellow tractor will be back at farm-play!

Thanks are due to the ‘Twins’ and also to Colin in the workshop and everyone at Oliver Landpower of Luton who worked their own brand of magic and made the back-order become a front-order so the tractor was repaired in under half the expected time. Also thanks to James for offering the borrow of his tractor.

© 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!
Every Saturday
Last Bootsale this Season – October 15th 2016
With more FREE parking and a field full of bargains!
www.u-boot.co.uk

 

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“Sian Is Here!”

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sianLast weekend Mrs Bard and I were in North Wales for a birthday celebration. Nothing unusual there you might think. However the celebration was for a most unique friend. Everyone should have a friend like Sian…

The friends all gathered,
From all around (Including Colwyn Bay),
To sing the thanks and also praises,
It’s Sian’s birthday “Hip Hip Hurray!”

Now she’s having a brand new hip,
those bloody crutches to be thrown away,
she worries more about her friends,
when they ask says: “I’m OK!”

When her friends have troubled times,
calm and serene she does appear
we all know things will be OK,
when someone shouts: “Sian is here!”

© 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!
Every Saturday
Last Bootsale this Season – October 15th 2016
With more FREE parking and a field full of bargains!
www.u-boot.co.uk

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Saturday Friends!

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tallsSomebody once asked what made my car boot sale special. I replied that it was rather like the earth: Without people, the earth would be like just another rock in space – the car boot sale would be just another empty field. Last week a couple told me they were emigrating to the seaside. So I took their picture to add to the vast number I have of people standing beside their cars on Saturday mornings for the last 24 years! It has come as quite a shock as to how little I know about this very nice couple, I don’t even know their names…

Mr and Mrs Tall are moving,
to Bournemouth by the sea,
I don’t like to loose good customers,
especially like she and he.
They’ve been coming to the boot sales,
quite a few times a year,
with their friendly disposition,
we’ve enjoyed their presence here.
Lucky old Bournemouth,
new recipient of your smiles,
perhaps we’ll meet again one day,
it’s not that many miles!

Dedicated to all my wonderful customers, whoever you are or wherever you’re from.

© 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!
Every Saturday
Last Bootsale this Season – October 15th 2016
With more FREE parking and a field full of bargains!
www.u-boot.co.uk

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The Mechanical Twins!

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twinsHurrah! The tractor that was broken is now mended and after a road test, has been declared ‘fit to plough!’ The two mechanics sent from Oliver Landpower, the local JCB dealership, waved their magic spanners and repaired the differential in the front axle quicker than scheduled…

Jonny and Jonny are mechanical twins,
exceptionally good at mending things!
When tractors on a farm break down,
they’re the mechanics you want around.
The JCB is fully functional now,
ready to return to the field with the plough,
The two must have had exceptional training,
they waved a spanner
…and it stopped raining!

© 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!
Every Saturday
April – October 2016
With more FREE parking and a field full of bargains!
www.u-boot.co.uk

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