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Latest picture of Grand Children: May 2009
Dylan, Madeline and Oscar Madeline performs huge leap on trampoline.
What a great picture from my Sister Wendy. All of her 4 granddaughters in a group: Taylor, Carter (Mathew's) , Ella, Olivia (Richard's), Say Ahh! For the mathematicians amongst you, the probability of having four granddaughters is 1 chance in 16!
Well, you asked for it! Bruce in 3D. A three dimensional guy.
Trip to Bristol to see Sister Wendy and Family and Eldest Son Kerry and wife Amanda 
Click on above pictures for a large detailed image. Click on BACK to return here Bruce walks from his home in Welwyn Garden City to his daughter Kaidy's home in Ashford, Kent, a distance of 104 miles in five days. From Friday the 13th to Tuesday the 17th of June. Well I finally did it! After 5 days, 4 nights, 1 dog bite, a 2.5 hour bridge crossing, 10 pairs of dumped socks. 2 wolf whistles and 18 pubs, I arrived at my daughter Kaidy's home and spent 3 days with her and my Grandchildren.
The next day, after a great full English breakfast I set off for the M2 bridge over the Medway river to join the North Downs Way. Some of the view were stunning. Fields of poppies and rolling downs stretched away to distant hills.
The bridge crossing turned out to be a problem. The pedestrian part of the bridge was closed for building work and there was supposed to be a minibus service on the hour with a bus stop. It didn't arrive when it was supposed but finally the minibus arrived and I was taken by the driver Dean to the other side of the bridge via a 3.5 mile detour via Rochester. A distance of 200 yards took two and a half hours! On the 4th night I stayed at the 'Cold Blow Camping Barn' The name gives a clue as to it's comfort. It was a huge barn with raised wooden areas either side and a pile of rubber sheets that served as mattresses for masochists. But it was only £5 for the night and I bought some fresh eggs and bacon from the owner which I cooked at 6 o'clock in the morning because I awoke at that time and I knew I would not get to sleep again.
I finished the walk at about 5:30PM and knocked on my daughters door. It was great feeling to have walked out of my front door to her front door 104 miles away and to be greeted by my grandchildren waving flags. I had 3 great days with my family and I was driven back home with Kaidy and children by her husband John the following Saturday in one and a half hours!
They had never seen my with a beard before. I grew it because I didn't want to be bothered by shaving during my walk and I my cunning plan was to grow the beard before I started so it didn't look as though I hadn't shaved. The people I work with at CKS sponsored me for the walk and the money will go to a children's charity at my local QE2 hospital. The biggest problem during the walk had been with my feet that really were sore each day after walking an average of 20 miles a day, but, as soon as I arrived I found myself planning the next walk!
Cycle trip to Bristol to see son Kerry and sister Wendy. A total distance of 173 miles in 4 days. From Monday 25th to Thursday 28th of August 2003.
That night I stayed at the Poulshot Lodge Farm with Diana and Mike Hues (see below in their kitchen). It was pure luck that I found this place late evening when all other B&Bs were full. Farmer Mike even drove his car to the canal tow path to guide me in to the farm house. Spent the evening at the Raven Inn with 4 beers from the wood. Heaven!
I stayed with them overnight. Amanda, a graphic artist had put her stamp on the house. It's just like a show house you see on new estates. I don't see Kerry very much because of the distance from Welwyn but that evening we had a great time together. Next day I rode through Bristol on the excellent bike tracks and across the Clifton Suspension bridge ---
She and her granddaughter Taylor and friends were waiting to cheer me in as I arrived. The picture of me on my bike at the top of this page was taken by Wendy as I arrived. After spending a few days with Wendy and husband Bob, my wife Gaynor picked me up in the car and drove me home.
On Friday nights, old friends Malcolm (center) Jim (right) and me (left) go to the Rose and Crown pub in Tewin, Hertfordshire. The club, obliquely named "The Friday Night Club" has been going since 1994. Click on the picture to see what happens after 4 pints of Abbot Ale. Click on the BACK button to return here Graphics by Jim Gurney
My cousin Graham Rogers in full Story Telling mode! Graham Rogers is an experienced freelance storyteller. For many years he has been telling stories and using storytelling as a teaching style in schools and museums. During the past year he has performed in over fifty schools, and other venues, in the South of England. Building on many years experience as a First School Teacher and Advisory Teacher for Museums, Graham brings the magic of storytelling alive for children. His performances are improvised around a prepared story and therefore no two performance are quite the same. Each of Graham's stories are small theatrical performances and because of this he uses a wide collection of props, musical instruments, mysterious objects, tricks and gadgets to accompany them. Graham believes that many children in his audiences need to be lured into the excitement of the spoken word through visual stimuli. He therefore attempts to ensure that all are enthusiastic and excited by the forthcoming event, even before a word has been spoken. Click on his picture to visit his web site. 
Friends across the seas, Dave and Cathy with sons Nate, Brad and Matt.
David and Cathy have been friends of ours ever since we lived in Rochester in New York State in the USA in 1980/1. Dave shares my sense of humor and interest in music. We played together in the Company Softball team "The Rowdies" which was at the bottom of the league. I was so ignorant of the game that they used to shout out the rules as I ran round the bases. In spite of them hiding me at extreme right where no balls ever came unless a left handed batsman came on (in which case I had to change sides very quickly) I once caught someone out! I wrote a Team Song which Dave learned and we often played a guitar duet together. I remember at a prize giving party where all the local Softball teams gathered to collect their trophies. The Rowdies won nothing but we played our team song with great high spirits and some of the other teams were confused as to why we were so happy. One team even asked me to write them a song. Happy days! Dave played some very good and funny songs on his guitar one of which inspired my song 'Undecided'. It was during one of the Softball parties that Dave and Cathy met. As you can see they formed a meaningful relationship! They visited us once in 1982 and we hope to visit them one day. We have kept in touch ever since and e-mail now makes it very quick and easy.
Kerry and Amanda My eldest son Kerry with wife Amanda, live in Bristol in their new home. Here show on recent trip to Australia.
Kaidy receives her graduation for: Bachelor of Science Contempary Studies in Health Promotion on October 1999 at Chelmsford Cathedral, Essex.
Joss wins his first Karting race:
A really fantastic day at Bayford Meadows in Kent on 4th March 2000. What started off badly with the threat of no start due to a failed safety inspection ended up with Joss taking first place in his class. A hurried repair on a loose rear axle got him back in the race. With a new set of tyres that really gripped this twisting circuit, Joss consistently worked through the field. Starting at 16th place and ending 4th in his first race was a good start to the day but this record was soon dashed as he pulled first place from 8th position. Following a further 4th position in the 3rd race he held 2nd position in the last race. This gave him a 4th, 1st, 4th and 2nd overall. The final position is an average from all races so we knew he would have a position, but not where! A nail biting award ceremony listed his TKM class results in reverse order. When his School team name 'Stanborough' had not been called at 4th position we knew Joss must be in the top three but where? When he was not called for third position we really got excited and when finally a joint first was announced there was a big yell from the Stanborough team. Way to go Joss!
Mary, Jim, Yvonne and Malcolm (next door
Neighbors) enjoying the wine after a summer BarBQ.
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The
views did not disappoint. The Lea Valley Tow path was a cascade of old world
images running right into the heart of London. Colourful locks, barges,
riverside pubs and wild
life took my mind of aching feet as I walked the 30 miles from Hertford to
Greenwich in London. A dog took a fancy to me as I approached Ware and bit my
leg! I Stayed the 1st night in Waltham Abbey then the 2nd night in
Shooters hill towards Bexley Heath and just before I reached the North Downs Way
I stayed for the 3rd night in Meopham with Amazing Grace.
I
walked into a small Spar Shop in Meopham and asked a lady in the queue if she
new of a Bed & Breakfast place. "yes", she said, "I run
one!". We did the deal right there in the shop and she drove me back to her
farmhouse B&B. "look what I've picked up in the Spar shop"
she said to her husband Will. "would you like a cold beer while I sort out
your room", said Grace. "Amazing Grace", I said. I had
their front room with a put-u-up bed with access to the satellite TV. Not bad
for £25.
On
the last day I walked past some of the best scenery on the North Downs Way. Here
I watched as a hot air balloon landed in a farm. They didn't even wave! 
My
grandson Dylan and granddaughter Madeline welcome me as I arrive at their home.
This was a great trip. Picking up the Ridgeway at
Tring and following this south east via Streatly on the Thames then on to the A4
near Devises. From Devises I joined the canal tow path to Bath and from there I
picked up the cycle path to Bristol.
The
Ridgeway varied from forest to open desolate wide tracks. Unfortunately deeply
rutted in place by off road vehicles but with some stunning views. 
I
was looking forwards to seeing the famous White Horses carved into the chalk
hills but I was on the wrong side of the valley. My view of
the White Horse was a little close as I ended up on top of it. 
Arriving at Bath along the tow path led me through some stunning ancient architecture. Just
as you enter Bristol on the towpath from Devises there are four of the deepest
locks in the country. After spending an hour in Bath city centre I joined the Bath/Bristol Cycle path which took me past my son Kerry's house. 
Here is their new house with Kerry and wife Amanda outside.
And
finally, after 173 miles I arrived at my Sister's house in Nailsea.
