30/04/2026

CHAIRMAN OF THE BORED

So fed up today. Not in a depressed or despair driven way, just bored. I was wanting to go into town on my mobility scooter but I'm expecting about three different things being delivered and have no real timeframe of when, so don't want to be out of the house and miss them.

Expected items in bagging area

Medications

Signed Civic Green LP

New Wallet 

I definitely don't want to be out when the LP comes, just in case it's the same chap that delivered my Shindig magazine this week who FOLDED it before putting it in our post box. I was fuming (see Tuesday's video diary). Our usual post lady is lovely. She wouldn't have been so ignorant.

So yes, nothing to do but sit here. Might put some tunes on and carry on with my book. (I'm re-reading Chariots of the Gods? by Erich von Däniken)

TTFN

Sime

29/04/2026

HERE WE GO AGAIN

Went with Vic to take the wumps for a walk again last night, and again forgot to take my new POV camera.

Usual route which took us past the mural, and YES the typo has been corrected. Looks superb in the sunshine.

After that it was back down and around Oakwell again. Then home 

28/04/2026

SWEET SWEET, THE MEMORIES YOU GAVE ME

We were in the Premier League once you know 

Only the once, but we made it.

Unlikely to happen again any time soon.

There's been mumblings about having something to mark it for a while, and mumblings about a mural somewhere. Separate mumblings, but they were there.

Then someone stepped up and started to do something about it.

As a resident of the Oakwell area and a Tarn fan, I was asked for my opinion (i know, right?) and I suggested a couple of large flat walls which were taken under consideration, and that's where my direct involvement ended, albeit staying in touch with one of the main protagonists.

After stumbling over the first real potential site, the local paper shop owner was approached. 

He was extremely willing to have the proposed painting on his property, and so the plan became to really begin.

A fundraiser was created that took only ten days to get the amount required (and more) and so the work started. 

Scaffolding went up, Paul Staveley got to work and this morning the scaffolding came down and it's done.

Well, sort of. 

As an 80's/90's kid, there's an E that shouldn't be there, but it's getting fixed.

And here it is. 

BEFORE 

AFTER

Personally, I reckon it's fantastic (even better when the spelling error is fixed)

You?

TTFN

Sime.

27/04/2026

SLOW NEWS DAY

Not a great deal to tell you today, and not really feeling the urge to type.

Fingers hurting, head aching, fuming with Amazon just dumping a parcel at my door without knocking on the door or ringing the bell. I was in the front room and the Wumps were barking, so no way of missing him, but even so...

TTFN

Sime

26/04/2026

IN THESE SHOES?

Ever since I had my scooter accident way back in 2002 I've struggled with footwear. My right ankle was fused and at an odd angle, so consequently I wear shoes/trainers out easily, and can't cope with a heel. 

Which brings me to these...

See, Vic offered to buy me some Birkenstocks for our holiday, but I said no, there's no way I'm having her pay Birkenstock money when we don't know if A, they'll be comfortable and B, if they'll last.

So bought some from Cotton Traders for less than half the price, and to be fair, I've had them in constantly since they came yesterday and they're doing the trick. 

No, not exactly Mod, but we're going to Crete, can't be wearing my Clarks and bowling shoes.

TTFN

Sime. 

25/04/2026

WE'RE GOING WHERE THE SUN SHINES BRIGHTLY

We're going to Crete soon.

Decided after last year's nonsense that we needed to spoil ourselves, so we're booked into a five star resort, ground floor apartment, with lots to do if I don't feel up to going out. 

Sit me by the side of the pool with a book and I'll be sorted. 

Counting the days.

TTFN

Sime.

24/04/2026

TAKE IT WHERE YOU CAN GET IT

It's not very often Baxter will jump up and sit with you for any length of time, but not him and Bella hate Vic's walking mat, so come lay in the room out of the way.

Bella will spend all day laid next to me, not Baxter.

Last night was different, he got up and laid there for ages 

Granted, they're both very keen to keep an eye open for when Vic is due home. They have an uncanny knack of knowing it's almost time.

My best mates. They've kept me sane. Love em.

TTFN

Sime

23rd April 2026

EVERY GIRL'S CRAZY 'BOUT A SMART DRESSED MAN

Sorted my drawers out 

Got rid of a lot of stuff, some of which I no longer wear, some of which is too big for me. Yes, you read that right, too big.

Still got my wardrobe to go through, but filled almost two bags so far.

And the pile on the studio sofa?

That's holiday clobber, which once we come back in June will be vacuum packed and stored.

*any bagged clothes will go to the clothing bank*

TTFN

Sime

22/04/2026

NO LONGER BIMBLING

I love scooters, adore them. They've been a huge part of my life since I can remember.

Owned a few, this is a handful of them.

They've been more than a mode of transport, they've been a way of life (sic).

My latest one is Lola, a Royal Alloy GPS automatic.

Yes, it looks like a Lambretta, but it's not. I know that, in fact when I had my Bimble Bum SC hoody made I had them put "I know, but I never said it was" on the back, to just so folks know.

I've not been on Lola since last January, and to be brutally honest, it's looking increasingly unlikely that I shall again in the foreseeable future simply because of my stability.

Now obviously, this upsets me, but I'm not saying never. Royal Alloy now do a sidecar model, which would negate my need to put my feet down (and give me a handy place for my sticks)

Only time will tell. 

21/04/2026

YOU WILL RESPECT MY AUTHORITY 

I've fallen down a rabbit hole of watching videos of American folks getting pulled by the police.

It's leaving me slack jawed at their ignorance and stupidity.

"Can I see your licence and registration" is predominantly met with resistance that in most cases ends up with them being physically removed from their "vee-hic-cule" and put into cuffs.

And don't get me started on the whole "sovereign citizen" malarkey.

Seriously, go have a look. You'll lose hours. 

TTFN

Sime

20/04/2026

ROME WASN'T BUILT IN A DAY

The rowing machine came yesterday

Donecmy first five minutes on it

Doing another five this afternoon, then another five this evening.

Going to take a while, but I am determined.

TTFN

Sime

19/04/2026

OUCH OUCH OUCH

So much pain in my legs today. Last night was a nightmare, my left calf cramping caused me a lot of grief in the evening and  kept waking me up through the night. That's got better, but my knees are aching like mad today.

It's never ending.

Rowing machine arrives today, hopefully that'll help me build strength in my legs and make them less painful.

Perhaps it may make them worse before they get better. 

We'll see.

TTFN

Sime.

18/04/2026

AND HERE'S TO YOU...

Woke up this morning to the news that Conor is leaving Barnsley FC at the end of the season via mutual consent. Doesn't come as any surprise, and will be sad to see him go, but he was out of his depth in his first managerial role, and personally I'm glad he's not been sacked. Loved him as a player, always will, and didn't want that tarnished.

So who's next? Not sure, but not sure who'd want the job either. There's zero ambition coming from above, and no money or backing either. It will be interesting.

We drew against Bradford by the way, which was a decent result if you take into consideration we played all bar eight minutes with a man less. 

Only one home game to go. And that's the final one of the season. Big decision about whether we renew our season tickets or not. (obviously we probably will)

TTFN

Sime

17/04/2026

 WAIT A MINUTE MR POSTMAN

Today has been a day of sitting waiting.

Three items

Two deliveries, despite all being ordered together.

First to arrive, bluetooth bone conduction headphones and earplugs for the holiday pool.

Then a five hour wait for the second, a case and keyboard for the kindle, which i am using to type this.

Really happy with all three. 

Now to go and get ready for a date night with Vicky.

TTFN

Sime

16/04/2026

NOTHING TO SEE HERE

I have genuinely nothing to say today.

Had a lay on as the planned trip to work didn't happen to.

Just shaved my head & chin.

And that's the highlights of the day so far. 

See if tomorrow brings any more delights.

TTFN

Sime

15/04/2026

TIMBER

I stacked it yesterday.

Tripped over my own feet and the rug in the hall. Just lost my balance, my walking sticks didn't stop me, and down I went. Didn't really hurt myself, mostly my pride. 

Not the first time, must be three now. One of the perils of my condition now. I plod on.

On an up note, my Kindle came this morning, so something to keep me occupied for a while now.

That's it for today. 

It's not all gold.

TTFN

Sime

14/04/2026

WHEN ONE DOOR CLOSES...

So the post lady delivered my P45 and final wage slip this morning, making it even more official than it already was.

Discussed it with Vic and I am waiting until we're back from Crete to start looking at the future. 

As it stands at the moment, my benefits equate to what my wages were, so financially I'm no worse off, but it's the mental health part of keeping my mind active and have a reason to get out of bed in a morning. Not that THAT has become an issue yet.

So there we go.

TTFN

Sime.

13/04/2026

SHORT & SWEET

A minimal post, not feeling in a good headspace today. I'm ok, just had a fitful sleep and woken up in a bit of a grump.

I blame the inability to get comfy in bed after BEING comfy for 30 seconds then moving and not being any more.

As I say, I'm alright, it'll pass as usual.

Harrumph.

TTFN

Sime

12/04/2026

EI-EI-EIO

Up the football league we go...

Barnsley won yesterday. Away. At Rotherham.

Three on, yes, we conceded a goal. No great surprise there.

This has taken us up to twelfth in the table.

Now, I'm no Carol Vordeman, but my basic maths ability tells me that we're thirteen points off sixth place (last play off position for those not in the know) with six games to play, which equates to eighteen points to play for, so mathematically at least, it's still possible to make it.

Not that we will, nor do we deserve to this season.

The real highlight of yesterday's match was the kit man had got Adam Phillips' name wrong on his shirt.

The joys of football eh?

TTFN

Sime.

11th April 2026

PHOOEY

So it seems the old Kindle doesn't work. It's been plugged in overnight and isn't turning on. Add to that the fact I googled it and the internet reckons that THAT model is no longer supported by the kindle store or able to download new books to it 

So I have bitten the bullet and bought a Fire one from a well known online auction site. Should be here by Wednesday.

Off to lig on the settee watching football but before I do I will mention something I was involved with six years back.

During lockdown, the powers behind We Shall Overcome decided to try something that at that point, hadn't been done before. An online festival.

Thirteen hours of music and poetry, during which I filled the gaps between the acts.

Somewhere in the region of £30,000 to £50,000 was raised. An amazing day. 

TTFN

Sime

10/04/2026

ERM...

I am sat at the kitchen table trying to think of something to tell you and i have no idea just exactly what.You see, the days all seem the same when you are stuck at home with nothing to do and nowhere to go. Thankfully it's Friday, so i'll have Vic's company for a couple of days, unless she has plans to do something with her mum/sister/whomever. 

Obviously for two hours tomorrow i will be sat in front of the TV watching Barnsley away at Rotherham, so it's easy to assume i shall need cheering up post match.

I found an old Kindle yesterday and am currently waiting for a charger cable to arrive so i can see if it is still capable of working. It's an older version, so who knows (sneaky suspicion it won't). Both Vic and I used to have a Kindle Fire each, the one with a colour screen, a bit like a mini tablet, but i have no idea what happened to them, perhaps we gave them to the parental unit, i haven't a clue. I have had a quick look and can only find my case and keyboard. 

I just thought it may be something handy to have poolside when we go to Crete in a few weeks so i can preserve the battery on my phone. I've also ordered a three in one charger cable so i can charge my old power banks and my phone stabiliser at the same time. Ain't it funny how everythin is USB-C these days and yet we still hold onto old tech but absent mindedly throw away the chargers? Or is that just me?

Anyhoo, that's about it for today.

TTFN

Sime

09/04/2026

TELL ME WHAT YOU WANT, WHAT YOU REALLY REALLY WANT 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY NICOLE.

Yes, it's my eldest niece's birthday today which always puts me in mind of one of the best gigs I've attended.

Manchester Arena 8th April '98

As a devoted and loving uncle, I had promised to take Nic to see the Spice Girls should they ever tour. Now in my defence, this was said after they had released "Wannabe" and I genuinely thought they would be one hit wonders. Shows how much I knew.

So I had the phone call, "Uncle Simon, they're touring" and I did the decent thing. Only issue was, I couldn't drive. Step forward Rob, a friend who said he'd drive us, if he could go see them too.

Sorted.

So we went, and it was wonderful. 

They sang, sometimes out of tune proving it was live, they danced, and thousands of young girls screamed, cried, and blew whistles. And Rob and myself had a blast (apart from the fucking whistles).

Happy Birthday Nicole

Lots of Love 

Uncle Simon x

The rest of you

TTFN

Sime.

08/04/26

I'M STILL HERE

Well ain't this something?

I am writing this at stupid o'clock after Vic has gone to work, and before I do my video diary. That's a first.

I don't want to do politics here, but some things are just unavoidable.

We went to bed last night not knowing what we were going to be facing when we woke up, a bit like the morning after the referendum but MUCH worse.

The light was glowing on my charger and the windows were still in place, so Armageddon hadn't happened. Yet.

Vic has spoken a few times in the last few weeks about what's if's and maybe's, but I keep telling her, there's nothing WE can do to stop it or alter the course of things, so try not to overthink it. Obviously easier said than done when there's a lunatic ready to unleash nuclear weapons as a distraction from what we all know to be true.

So it seems we get to go around the sun for another 48 hours (given the orange one's latest proclamation/ultimatum) and hope that they're keeping his tiny hands full of McDonalds and away from any red buttons.

Much Love

TTFN

Sime.

07/04/2026

IT'S A MYSTERY*

As Toyah once sang, it really is.

Knock on the door from the posty this morning, she hands me a parcel.

Go back in kitchen and open it. It's Weller's "Orchestral Songbook" the deluxe cd version.

On the back it says "sender, Paul" and an address.

I've spent the best part of the morning trying to work out WHO Paul is. Coming up a blank.

If you're Paul, and you're reading this, THANK YOU, I really appreciate it. 

Still confused though.

TTFN

Sime.

*credit to King of the Mods (Dave) for today's title.

06/04/2026

MASOCHISM 

Don't know why we continue to do it, but we're off down to Oakwell this aft as Tarn "entertain" Plymouth Argyle.

It's a nothing match, we can't go up, unlikely we're going down, it's been another season of hope and disappointment combined.

But we keep going.

Said it to many folks, and Vic concurs, if the ground wasn't literally at the bottom of the street, we'd likely not go. We don't drink, we don't smoke, we're happy in our own company, so it's basically the only thing we do on a regular basis, and sometimes the only time that week/fortnight I get to see my lad (Vic sees Fyn at work every day) but this season has us questioning whether or not we renew our season tickets.

We probably will. I'll get dogs abuse from certain sections of the Barnsley online keyboard warrior brigade, but it's a personal choice, and a connection that runs deep as my Uncle Dave.played for them in the late 50's.

Watch this space.

TTFN

Sime

05/04/2026

GRUBS UP

Over the space of many Christmas periods, we alternated them between Barnsley and London, Harrow on the Hill to be precise, stopping with Uncle Frank and Aunty Sheila.

I bring this up today, as we're having Vic's family down for Easter dinner and I've made a treat that Aunty Sheila used to make and then Mum passed on to me.

Don't get too giddy, it's a simple dish.

BISCUIT-GEL

Digestive biscuits

Melted butter

Jelly (your choice of flavour)

Evaporated milk

Crush the biscuits, mix in the butter and make a base in a suitable dish. Chill in the fridge.

Make the jelly (use half the amount of water as normal) then add the milk.and put In fridge to set.

Should look like this.

Then eat. 

OR

You could make a Biscoff cheesecake, like this one Vic made 

but it's my blog, not hers, so that's enough about that.*winks*

Roast sirloin beef, home made cauliflower cheese, Yorkshire puddings amongst other goodies before the sweet stuff though. 

Oh, and Vic made a cake too this morning as she'd "got ahead" of herself.

TTFN

Sime

04/04/2026

TWICE IN TWO DAYS

Vic went to church for the first time since before COVID yesterday, and then we went for tea with the kids and in laws.

For fish and chips.

Which we'd had the day before.

This isn't a complaint, I LOVE fish and chips.

Thursday we had them from the big chippy/restaurant on what was the pier, yesterday at the Whetherby Whaler in wakey. 

Both equally tasty. Both equally enjoyed.

Been out with Vic to take a load of her old clothes to charity this lunchtime, sorting mine out in the next couple of days. Desperately needs doing. 

TTFN

Sime

03/04/2026

GOOD FRIDAY MY ARSE

I'm struggling with sleep at the moment. Awake six times last night, it's left me completely knackered today.

Said that this written blog and the video one will be different, but today both will feature this topic.

There's few nights in sleep all the way through, but last night was a swine. Pain in all extremities had me waking up frequently as you can see here...

I had been in hospital a while, getting woken up every hour so every night for observation, then was informed that I could refuse them, which meant more chance of a half decent kip.

I adore the NHS and all they have done for me, but to be woken just to be asked if I was ok never ceased to infuriate me and make me laugh equally. 

Anyway, bit of a loaf on the settee watching Barnsley this aft should see me right.

TTFN

Sime. 

02/04/2026

CLEETHORPES

Vic and myself have been out for the day to the seaside, and a place closed to my heart.

My Aunty Joyce and Uncle Ken had a caravan there and it's THE place we always went to.on our holidays, and later Mum & Dad got a caravan of their own. 

I shall gladly concede there's little to nothing to do there, but that's always been the appeal to me.

Ona warm, sunny day like today it was a delight.

Vic took Bella and Baxter on the beach, the last day they're allowed on all beaches before the season kicks in tomorrow. They had a lovely run up and down, Baxter doing his trick of funding any kind of water to go in (easier at the seaside).

Couple of cups of coffee, fish and chips and fresh donuts (the law) even I managed a jaunt along the front (loads of benches to rest on).

A pair of worn out wumps later and time to head home. Chilled, relaxed, feet up. 

Today has been a good day.

Sime 

01/04/2026 pt2

 Just to let you know i have included a link to the daily video diary over on the right sidebar.

There are already over seventy entries there, content will be different to here, That's the plan at least.

Also adding a subscription button.

01/04/2026

It's a funny thing coming back to "Blogger" as it's where my computer fun started, 

Back then i was known as the Cappuccino Kid. And it almost cost me my job (a tale for another day)

I met people online that remain friends to this day, some of whom I've been fortunate enough to meet in real life.

It's also how I started my life as a DJ, firstly online, then out and about. 

Again, more of which later, at the moment I am dipping my toes back in this pool, not diving in straight away.

See you tomorrow,

Sime.