Charlie story, circa 1976

A comment i read on another journal put me in mind of a classic story regarding my grandfather, Charlie.

In the mid 70's, my uncle Bud arrived at our house. He was nearly hysterical with laughter and had driven all the way to our house to tell us something that had just happened. Because he was laughing so hard, trying to get out the tale, we were all in gales before he even got to the "punchline" (though it is a true story, not a jokey punchline). He was working in Charlie's basement in a work room, doing some wiring, fixing lights or something. Charlie was puntering around, getting underfoot trying to "help". Uncle Bud kept sending him on errands and asked him to go collect something. Charlie hurried out into the main basement and Bud subsequently heard a huge loud KERRANG followed immediately by Charlie hollering and cursing as only he could do. Bud rushed out into the basement to see Charlie holding on to his forehead, cursing like a trooper and, glancing to one side, Bud sees a low slung pipe with a massive dent in it. Immediately concerned, Bud insisted he take his dad to the emergency department to check for concussion and other heinous injuries. Charlie just continued to curse and groan and resist. But, Dad.... "NO GODDAMNIT... I'm not going to the hospital" .."But Dad, if you hit the pipe that hard..." "JESUS CHRIST, I'M OK! I've only been hitting my head on that GODDAMN pipe in the SAME place for 40 YEARS!!!!"

By the time Bud got that out, we were ruined, completely dissolved by tears running down our faces, stomachs hurting from laughing! Charlie was the most impatient man you've ever met, and the most stubborn.

Now Where Were We?

Last i left off on my travels, i told you about missing the train to Manchester.
( So in brief, the last week.... )

So there you have it in a nutshell. It was a busy holiday, i walked miles with the blisters to prove it. Met up with lots of LJ and coro friends, wonderful to meet some of you for the first time and equally great to touch base with others again. Special thanks to naturalbornkaos for lending me the sofa and organizing the LJ pub GTG and to John who sorted out the Chinese meal in Manchester. Thanks also to sushidog for inviting me to the Vicarage Tea where i met more lovely people including a couple that had met on the internet and have now been married 8 years. Success stories like that are encouraging. Thanks to everyone that took the time to meet, drink, lunch and chat! I shall be back sooner or later!

Highlight of course was my week with gramie_dee, i could go on and on but i will spare you and save that for his ears only ;) I shall have photos soon and will work on the full written travelogue and post the links as and when.