Death By Curiosity

'I remember' are two words I use on a regular basis, mostly when I'm about to tell you a tale that happened many years ago.

As I don't want to disappoint anyone by deviating from a tried and tested method ...

... I remember ...

that many years back I was questioned by the police.

A uniformed policeman called at my door at about lunch time.

"I believe you used to own a firearm" he said as I ushered him in and towards the sofa.

"Not me" I answered.

"We have statements from your neighbours to the contrary" he said smugly.  "They say you used to own a weapon very similar to a shotgun and that you used to fire it over on the school playing fields at weekends".

"Never owned one or ever wanted one" I said, wondering where all this was going.

Then he changed tack and began to query my whereabouts between the hours of 8 pm and 10 pm the previous evening.

That was easy.  I was on a plane flying back from Germany.  I said so and he demanded proof, so I showed my plane tickets and my train ticket from London to Newcastle.

Without explanation, after writing down my ticket numbers, he excused himself and left.

I tried several times to find out what his questions were all about, but without success.

He left without saying a word.

That evening as I watched the news on TV, I was amazed at the headlines.

A young boy of three or four years old had been found dead.  His body was found on grassland along what used to be the local rail track.  He died of head injuries after having been shot at fairly close range by a shotgun.

The penny dropped.

Apparently, for a short while, I had been on the list of suspects.

For a further week the world and I watched as news bulletin after news bulletin merely said that investigations were continuing.

I knew I was in the clear, but someone out there had done it and the village was crawling with police trying to solve the case.

Then came the startling revelation that shocked not only the family of the dead boy, but the entire north east of England, if not the country.

The youngster had been killed by two relatives, both youngsters themselves, in order to 'see what it looked like'.

My home town was in shock and the only talk in cafe's, pubs, clubs and on the street was of the two boys that had killed a young relative (a cousin,  I think) and then told a pack of intricate lies to cover it up.

I returned to Germany just a day or two after their arrest and quickly put the whole affair behind me.

That is until today.

It all came back to me this morning as I was walking the dogs in the freezing cold.  It happened thirty years ago, but for some reason it very clear in my mind as if it had only recently occurred.

For Cali

For Cali

(the kitten)

Departed

November 24, 2010

Your stay was brief but full of love,

and I pray you'll look down on us from above.

Tis with great sadness that we must part,

but you will always be with me as a piece of my heart.

Sleep well my princess and dream sweet things,

and I will join you when my Angel sings!

(Cali on TOP)

Those Who Fell (A Re-post)

Someone mentioned this poem a little while ago and to be honest, I'd forgotten I'd written it.  I re-read it and decided that it deserves a second airing. 

Those Who Fell

I often stop and wonder why,

and ask 'What it's all about?'

I find myself looking into the sky,

and hear myself scream and shout.

I wake from my sleep,

with my heart beating fast.

And tears I weep,

as I long for safer days past.

More sand and dust,

another day of hell.

Doing what I must,

remembering those who fell.

Winning hearts and winning minds,

trying every day.

Doing this job takes all kinds,

but I wish it would just go away.

I dread each day when we go out to seek,

the enemy with his gun.

But all I have left is one long week,

then my time here will be done.

I hope I can hold my head up high,

and say 'I did my job well'.

And I, with a sigh,

will remember those who fell.

The End of Jack Duckworth

As any Corrie fan will know, Jack Duckworth passed away last night.

But did anyone recall what song was played in the background as he left The Rovers Return?

No?

Well I'll tell you...

It was Bill Tarmey, aka Jack Duckworth, singing his version of Wind Beneath My Wings.

Just thought it was worth a mention.

I think it was a very nice gesture of the 'Corrie' production team to mark the 31 years of Bill playing 'Jack'.

Train Deaths and that Mysterious Flying Pig

In 1963 the sleepy little coastal town of Lidley entered the history books for all of the wrong reasons.

Lidley was the only station on the local commuter line running west to Brighton, but it's days were numbered and the events of the 3rd of October that year, were to seal it's fate for ever.

It was a Thursday and, as per usual, the last train arrived from Brighton that evening at 10.25pm.  The ticket collector at Lidley station, Albert Drummond, remembered it as 'an unusual evening', as that night there were nine passengers waiting to board the train for the last run into Brighton. Normally the train would return empty.

When the train pulled into Lidley, three passengers got off; Roger Morton ( a local salesman ), Mrs Jean Cummins ( a hotel chamber maid ) and John Sturrock (railway employee).

Mr Drummond ushered the nine passengers onto the two carriage train and made sure all the doors were closed then waved his flag and blew his whistle.

Drummond recalled how the engine driver and his fireman, George Ridley and Eddie Peaks, shouted "See you to morrow, mate" above the sounds of the train as it pulled out of the station.
After it was gone, Drummond locked up.  He said he was home by 11.15pm that evening, a fact verified by his wife.

The run from Lidley to Brighton takes approximately 25 minutes at an average speed of 30 miles per hour.

On this evening, Albert Drummond and the three passengers who alighted at Lidley, swear the train was 'running dead on time'.  "In more ways than one" it was later commented.

Chief Inspector Noel Hedges said "The journey seems to have only taken 9 minutes.  Someone must have been wrong about the trains arrival time in Lidley or it's arrival time back in Brighton.  I  have been assured that it is physically impossible for a steam train to travel that distance in nine minutes. I doubt if one of those new diesel trains could do it!"

The signalman in Brighton,who was waiting to knock off work after the Lidley trains arrival, logged the train as passing his signal box at 10.39pm ... "According to my railway clock, sir" he told police. "It's never wrong!"

He also noted that the train was doing the appropriate speed for entering Brighton station, but that he did not notice anyone in the cab of the engine, stating that normally they would wave to him as they passed.

The Lidley train pulled  into platform three as normal and came to a halt.

Lionel Preston, the duty porter on that platform said "It stopped at the buffers just as usual, but none of the doors opened, so I thought there was no one on board.  That was it's normally like".

But he also said that neither George Ridley or Eddie Peaks got off and that one of them always got off straight   away because, as it was their last run, they wanted to get the engine put to bed and get off home.

Preston noticed something trapped in one of the carriage doors and went over to remove it.
As he opened the door,  the body of a young woman fell towards him.

The police were quickly on the scene and discovered thirteen bodies in total in the two carriages.  The bodies of George Ridley, Eddie Peaks and Paul Clarke (the ticket collector) were in the first carriage.
The others were Marjorie and Terry Edwards, Joan Saddler, Tom and Linda Lewis, Patrick Cotter, Andrew Coombes, Len and Mary Whitehead and Raymond Smart.

Autopsies carried out on all the dead reported no injuries, bruising, breaks or cuts on any of the victims.  All of the dead had their eyes wide open and a look of absolute terror on their faces.

Every single person on that train appeared to have been frightened to death!

In the hand of one of the dead women a piece of paper was found on which had been written  "They are killing everyone ..." in lipstick.

Months of detective work turned up nothing but more questions;

• How did the train enter the station without an engine crew?
• How were thirteen people killed in exactly the same manner? 
• Who were "they"? 
• Why did the journey only last 9 minutes?

And many, many more.

This was investigated for almost two years, without progress, before the Lidley line, along with the investigation, was closed.

It has never been satisfactorily explained and no one has ever been arrested for any crime.

It is still an open case to this day.

Police are still looking for a Pearl in a haystack ...

... and that mysterious flying pig!



(copy of an email sent to Pearl)

Biff

(Originally posted many moons ago of TOP forum)

There once was a doggy called Biff
Who's best trick was playing a stiff.
Then a long came his mum,
With a huge tin of chum
And he wolfed it all down in a jiff.

Now this doggy was stuffed to the brim
But there's nothing that'll escape him.
He saw mum with cake
and followed in her wake.
Now Biff'll have to go to the gym!

Now Biff has a bit of a tum.
It's as big as a horses bum.
He's now going for runs
And stopped eating sticky buns.
And he'll never forgive pedigree chum!

Reuben, Buddy, Dave and Motley

Reuben, Buddy, Dave and Motley,
we bid you a fond farewell.
We wish you all good things,
in the new land where you now dwell.
You've crossed the Bridge,
and been released from all your earthly ties.
Now you play together,
under beautiful clear blue skies.
And although you will be sorely missed,
we know that you are blessed.
For as someone else once said,
Heaven only takes the best!


In memory of four lovely dogs -

• Reuben (Rottweiler),
• Buddy (Whippet),
• Dave (Rottweiler), and
• Motley (Collie X)

Bad puppy

I chewed your bag and I ate your shoe,
I pooped in the hall and I pee'd over you.
I covered the sofa in mud and hair,
and I opened the fridge and ate ev'rything there.
I was sick on the rug then I dug up your flowers,
and I chased next door's cat for hours and hours.
But at night you let me climb on your lap,
and you stroke my head as I take a much needed nap.
And you don't mind if I drool on your leg,
because today you taught me how to sit up and beg.
You forgive all my sins and I know you love me,
but I don't plan to calm down until I'm at least two or three!

For Bernard

Far away,

yet still in my heart.

Safe over the Bridge,

yet we are so far apart.

I dream,

I still see your face.

And I remember,

how you loved to race.

Sweet memories,

will always be mine.

To me,

you will always shine!

God speed,

dear friend.

We will never let

your story end!

Needy pups

We are Four Paws,

and we need your backing,

to give stray dogs,

the care they are lacking.

Please read on,

and see if you can assist,

with some of the things,

below in this list.

Could you spare some pennies,

or maybe a pound?

to help us save,

some desparate hound.

Could you foster a dog,

so he'll no longer roam?

could you give it hope,

until we find him a home?

Could you help us to run

a collection or stall,

at your village fete,

or community hall?

Could you open your heart,

to a dog in need,

and give him a home,

as your good deed?

However you help,

whether it be simple or grand,

you'll be lending some pups,

a much needed hand!

Four Paws Animal Rescue (s. Wales)

Olivia

Take my love with you
  as you start on upon your way.
Wait for me on the other side,
  for I will join you there one day.
Take heart in your new surroundings,
  and play with new friends and old.
But don't be sad without me,
  be brave, be dashing, be bold.
Enjoy the golden splendour,
  and stretch your beautiful claws.
You'll never be alone now,
  because paradise is yours.

We Will Train You

(To the music of Queen's 'We Will Rock You, originally posted on 13 June 2009)



Taffy was a pup with a big yap
Playin' in the yard gonna be a big dog some day
He gets food in his face
leaves a big disgrace
we're pickin' up poo all over the place.

We will we will train you

Singin'

We will we will train you 

Taffy you're a grown dog hard dog
Barkin' in the street gonna take on the Rotty one day
You'll get his leg in yo' face
Leave a big disgrace
Waggin' your tail all over the place

We will we will train you

Singin'

We will we will train you 

Taffy you're an old dog poor dog
Pleadin' with your eyes gonna cross that bridge some day
You got grey in your face
You aint no disgrace
Somebody's gonna miss you when you go to that place.

We will we will train you

Singin'

We will we will train you 

More than 'just a dog'

There is no beginning,
there is no end,
my love is yours forever,
my little doggy friend.

There are no strings,
there are no rules.
And to those who think you are 'just a dog',
I say to them, they are fools!

They don't know,
and they can't comprehend,
how a 'just a dog'
can become more than a friend.

I tell you my worries,
I share with you my woes,
and you calm my fears,
with a lick on the nose.

You are always there,
you are always near,
and with you by my side,
there is nothing to fear.

More than 'just a dog',
that is patently clear.
You are my confidant,
and I hold you so dear!

For Cherry

Ah, my friend,
this is not the end,
although my heart is breaking.
For now you are free,
and there is so much to see,
in the brand new life that is waiting.

Ah, dear friend
this is not the end,
although my tears are falling.
Cross over the bridge,
and run up to the ridge,
to where your new friends are calling.

Ah, sweetheart,
this is only the start,
so go with my love and good cheer.
You'll live on in my heart,
as though we didn't part,
and in truth you will always be near.

For Merlin

Hush now; sleep,
fear not what you may see.
For across The Bridge new friends abound,
and there you can learn to run free.

Run fast; run hard,
and revel in strength renewed.
For now you start a brand new life,
with so much that needs to be chewed.

Sweet memories; joy,
will remain with us through all our lasting days.
And we will recall all of the magic,
that you showed us in so many different ways.

Thoughts; love,
are with you now and forever.
And if asked if we will ever foget you,
our answer will be a loud and resounding "Never"!

For Alice

I fear not the darkness,
and death does not me hold.
I wander now in sunshine,
and such beauty I behold.
I am no longer bound by the years,
that made my poor bones creak.
So dry your eyes of tears,
for I have found the peace that I seek.
Although our paths have parted,
I still carry your love in my heart.
And I know your thoughts are with me,
on this new life I now start.

For Smokey

Weary am I no more,
my sight no longer fails.
Now I run in flower filled fields,
as above me a cotton cloud sails.

My stength renewed,
my heart free from woe.
I will run free forever,
and your love still in me glows

Fret not at my passing,
for in life you loved me dear.
I'm now with those who went before,
where there is nothing left to fear.