16/08/2007 by Ted.

Hello Richard and Linda,

What lovely photographs.  Had me worried for a minute - I thought that after the floods you now had snow.  But it helps me to understand why you love your job so much, Richard. And good to know that the Worcester Branch twig (little Nathan) is getting around.  He’ll be walking soon and then you’ll have to get your skates on.  “Nathan …….. Nathan, where are you?” etc.

Everything is OK at the Millom Branch.  Did I tell you that mum had a sore toe - the “£20 per visit to just cut your toenails” chiropodist broke the skin and it turned septic.  She’s OK though.  The staff at St. George’s are soaking her feet in a bowl full of Dettol water twice a day to help heal the septic and a request has been put in for a real chiropodist - they call them Podiatrists or something now presumably so that they can pay them more money.  Anyway, this one is on the NHS and comes free.  But I had to fill in a form to say whether mum was black or white or mixed, Asian or Caribbean or even white Irish - there was half a page of options regarding race and colour to select from.  What that has to do with getting your sore toe seen to is beyond me.  And if you put anything like that into anything you wrote you would probably end up in court on racism charges. So I put down that she was “the colour and race of the one that gets priority in getting their feet seen to”. But the toe is feeling much better on its own now.

They now have a proper chef at St. George’s by the name of John.  When he came mum’s daily tea-time tomato sandwich started to arrive surrounded by lettuce and cucumber which she does not like or eat at all. I explained that it was a matter of food presentation but she has insisted in having naked tomato sandwiches at tea-time which she now gets. Poor chef!  These Millomites just do not appreciate him. 

Well, nearly bed-time now so I will say “goodnight” which you will probably read when it is “morning” - all except Richard who will be working away through the night hours as usual - and enjoying it.

By the way, I dont go on about the family not contributing to the blog because I am lonely or anything but because it is a “family blog” and our blog motto is “The Talbot family - keeping in touch” which we dont if we don’t contribute. For instance, did you know that Bob is planning to go to New York at the beginning of September? It would ne nice to have news like that on the blog so that we could ALL be jealous.

Love to you all,

Mum and Ted.

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16/08/2007 by Ted.

Hi Pat and welcome aboard.  Please feel free to contribute as a Talbot family member - which you may well be. I dont know of an Australia connection but your remark about your red-headed ancestor stirs memories of a similar person in this side of the Talbot family. Anyway we have a family ancestry at www.talbotfamilyonline.org.uk and it may be that somewhere among the names you may find a link.  That would be really interesting.

Hope you had a good walk with your pet kangaroo! And that your weather is better than it is here.

We look forward to hearing more from you when you have time.

Best wishes,

Ted.

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16/08/2007 by Pat.

Thanks for letting me join your blog.  Maybe we are related having the same surname - who knows. My folks came over to Oz fom UK many years ago. I did start doing a family tree one time but - well you know how these things are  I got as far as one of my relatives being a redheaded sea-captain who murdered a prospector and stole his claim. Thought it was time to stop there! Well, you never know these days. Bit like the yanks and Saddam Hussein.

I’m just going to keep this short for now.  I have a pet kangaroo and he’s trying to kick the door down because its time for his walk - well hop really.  He likes to drag me around a bit and then he settles down under the table again till its time to feed him. Bit of a pain really but is nice to have someone to talk to.  Doesn’t say much himself of course.  But that’s roos for you.

Anyway mate, must go before he splits the door panel. Will be in touch soon, and thanks once again for letting me join your blog.  There seems to be a whole heap of family on the photograph. Look forward to making their acquaintance.

Oh, blimey, must go. See you, mate,

Pat. 

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