Hola compadres

A big, big buenos dias to all my friends out there.  I am not writing this myself, I have been made to dictate my words to a small strange bear wearing a black dress and a mantilla who I am told by Napoleon Polo claims to be a genuine spanish typist and translator.  I do not know why Napoleon thinks I need someone else to write because my english is very, very good and I do not need anyone else.
So.  Anyway.  My name is Paco, but my mamma calls me Pacolina, which means little Paco.  I am not so little as all that and my feet are very big, which is a sign of beauty in a bear, and also very good for kicking people who are annoying.  I am from Malaga in Spain, but I was forced to leave by the Vatican police who objected to me hiding under the catholic nun's habits and tried to take me away to prison.  You do not know how awful that is.  The Inquisition had nothing on these guys and gals.  I hear that they slit your seams and take out your stuffing.  
I was only hiding so that they would not catch me for the tiny bit of shoplifting I did in the bakery - all those churros and that hot chocolate were such a big temptation.  In the end, it was all too much for me so I went to the airport and sat on a shelf in the shop and then I saw my mamma and I knew she was the one for me so I jump in the shopping basket and I come to Cornwall.
This is the beginning of my life here.   
Soon I will tell you of my life as a young bear, the poverty and sadness and the depths of despair.  For now, adios and hasta la vista.

The Bear Facts

Bonjour tout le monde!  For zose of you 'oo do not speak French, I will write in English.  My name is Napoleon Polo and I am a very wise bear, of French origin.  I am a former 'eadmistress of a small school for junior bears and some of my former pupils will also be writing 'ere to inform you of our daily lives which are of great interest - at least for bears.  So do not keep your laptop or tablet to yourself, but make sure that your own teddies 'ave access.  Zis is very important too in order for your teds to keep in touch wiz each ozzer.

Well, zat is all I 'ave to say for now.  Watch zis space for more news.

2018

Well, I stopped posting because life got in the way.  Six years on, and after five years of steadily deteriorating health, John left us on February 24 2017.  Before that, in 2015 Alix spent six months here helping me to clear stuff out of the house.   A lot went to auction and to charity shops, but there is still a lot more to do.  Hopefully I will keep remembering to do updates.

How can it possibly be three years down the line since I last wrote here? And how is it that I have achieved very little in this time?
Now back in Miri, after three days in Singapore and three in Kuching. Three more to go here and then its back to Singapore and off home again. It's been fantastic to be with Alix after two years, but less fantastic trying to deal with John and his lack of mobility and weird fears.  Fear of sitting in a chair with no arms, because he can't get out of it by himself.  Fear of walking down steps with no handrail (fair enough) but fear of going down the slope instead, which has a hand rail.  God almighty, it's like living with a child.

Get back to normal

Well, I have a lovely opened up kitchen now. Phil is working next week but will be back as soon as possible to finish off, but bulk of work is done. I would recommend him to anyone in Cornwall who wants a good master carpenter. He has a good eye for design too.
Looking forward to bank holiday weekend. Not looking forward to moving son's belongings on September 1 as I can't find the number for the man and van mover. Wrote it on an envelope somewhere, in a rush, as the one I phoned gave me another number to call. Oh, well, have to just hope.

Renovations and Old Friends

Kitchen is looking very good; Phil is such a good workman. Not a lot more to do for the present and the house is really looking much better.
Met with Pat Rainbird (now Long) and her husband Robert today for lunch. Apart from a short chance meeting on a bus, which I don't remember at all, it's 54 years since we last met. I am really glad that we all got on well and had a lovely time.

How to Begin?

I'm sure I had a blog before, but the senior moments have removed the details from my memory and EDF have removed the details from my PC due to their power surge in January. Life was much easier when we did not have to remember user names and passwords to access umpteen websites.
(Note to self: email log-in details and URL because I will almost certainly forget these by tomorrow)