“There are no shortcuts to any place worth going.”

[dozzer19]

(Thursday) No short cuts today, 7/3, surging forwards accompanied by my trusty valet pulling the tartan musical instrument trolley. (If we can nick it from Nanna.) Other instruments also welcome if you want to play your own. Forwards for the freedom of all!

[Miles_Yonder Graduate]

Good luck, Sir. Slowly but steadily we progress. Our army builds, to the sound of the bugles. I move closer, conquering 9/2 today myself. Currently resting for Friday's 9/3. We shall not fail. With chocolate milk we fight on. Onward! *bugles forlornly*

[dozzer19 Graduate in reply to Miles_Yonder]

Still a bit knack'd this morning. Thought that was the sound of 'budgies' not bugle. How many budgies would it take to lift and carry me the course? Certainly they'd be pretty forlorn. To be quite honest the way I'm feeling I think I'd rather take part in a real Forlorn Hope and end it all within seconds not 25 minutes. I'll have half strength banana milk if I get back. Get nan to pick some up from Gary when she pops to town for me.

[dozzer19 Graduate]

I am speechless. Unless they're on the way to warmer climes can we have them for the tartan trolley? Thanks chap.

[dozzer19 Graduate]

Such levels of prognostication have not been used for many a moon. The dark side pulls me under.

[spoonierunning Graduate]

Sir today I did it I infiltrated the enemies camp, I have copies of their next attack plans, have sent them to you via scout bunny with battle dog for extra protection. Good luck and on we fight.

[dozzer19 Graduate in reply to spoonierunning]

Oh, Corporal spoonierunning well done old bean. I await scout bunny and battle dog. So, Second Lieutenant Spoonierunning, it must feel good.

[spoonierunning Graduate in reply to dozzer19]

It does indeed feel good

[dozzer19 Graduate in reply to spoonierunning]

All hail spoo

[dozzer19 Graduate in reply to spoonierunning]

It was supposed to say All Hail Second Lieutenant Spoonierunning!

[Beads Graduate in reply to dozzer19]

Jammie dodgers all round to celebrate?

[dozzer19 Graduate in reply to Beads]

Think I might go as far as chocolate digestives, McVities too!

[dozzer19 Graduate]

I hadda feeling that tonight would be a good night if I just stopped vacillating, got on with it and lived without recriminations and calls of cowardice from the troops. So, accompanied by musicians, tartan trolley and weather balloon full of instruments I went for it. Week 7 over. Please don't tell me how long the wicked Bluey wants from me next week.

[waletta Graduate]

Well done Doss old bean. Well done. From what I remember it's about 3 mins more, that's all. As Andy Williams sang "almost there, we're almost there." Btw was I wrong to take out my bow & arrow & shoot down the weather balloon this morning? It was making such a racket.

[dozzer19 Graduate in reply to waletta]

'Snigger'. Nice one Captain Waletta. Corporal poppypug (ents div) has serious competition! I've never seen Andy Williams out of a rocking chair, or is that Val or Perry?

[waletta Graduate in reply to dozzer19]

get on you tube - you are thinking of Val.

[dozzer19 Graduate in reply to waletta]

I asked Nanna. She said she thought it was that nice young lady from Blue Peter.

[waletta Graduate in reply to dozzer19]

Tell Nanna the nice young lady from Blue Peter called Val didn't have rocking chair. It was the chap who knew about paddy's goat.

[dozzer19 Graduate in reply to waletta]

For real a goat?

[waletta Graduate in reply to dozzer19]

Oh come on "Paddy McGinty's Goat". If you've heard of Perry & Val, you have to know about the goat.

[dozzer19 Graduate in reply to waletta]

I'll ask Nanna if she has the cassette. I'll put it in the Walkman next time I'm out.

[poppypug Graduate]

Wotcha Dozzer ! Are we tak

[dozzer19 Graduate in reply to poppypug]

Sorry, ents, you've totally lost me now.

[poppypug Graduate]

Aw sorry Dozz, I thought we were playing a new game where we type just a few words and then press the "Submit " button .......... xxx

[dozzer19 Graduate in reply to poppypug]

Ur will try to memb thiz

[poppypug Graduate in reply to dozzer19]

Ha ha Dozz Anyway ( serious face ) how did you find it today ? xxx

[dozzer19 Graduate in reply to poppypug]

Hard going. Tartan trolley helped.cw shot down the weather balloon halfway through - didn't know what it was and it was making too noise. Managed though, rather proud.

[poppypug Graduate in reply to dozzer19]

Yep, I agree, it does get a bit relentless at this stage.

You can do it Dozz xxx

[dozzer19 Graduate in reply to poppypug]

Doubt I'll reach C25K in 30 mins this decade though. Thanks for encouragement, go you too!

[poppypug Graduate in reply to dozzer19]

Who knows what we can do when we put our minds to it I can do the 30mins I think, but I will have to work on doing that and the 5k together We are strong and fearless Dozz xxx

[dozzer19 Graduate in reply to poppypug]

Oh faithful Corporal poppypug (ents div). You spur me on and encourage me in my endeavours. Just think you will soon be a Lieutenant!

[poppypug Graduate in reply to dozzer19]

I do ? I will ? When ? xxx

[dozzer19 Graduate in reply to poppypug]

Oh yes. On graduation you are moved into officer ranks.

[poppypug Graduate in reply to dozzer19]

F-A- B ! Will I be a first Lieutenant or a Second Lieutenant though ? Whats the difference ? Can I still play my bongos or do I have to learn the fife and drum ? xxx

[dozzer19 Graduate in reply to poppypug]

Until I finish you will be a Second Lieutenant. Then you will be a complete one. You can play any instruments you like, even bagpipes.

[poppypug Graduate in reply to dozzer19]

Oh Im always playing the bagpipes, I think I will take up the pan pipes instead xxx

[dozzer19 Graduate in reply to poppypug]

Ace, or kazoo would be fun too.

[poppypug Graduate in reply to dozzer19]

Hey, Im not touching the kazoo with a bargepole, look what happened to McCauley Culkin ! xxx

[dozzer19 Graduate in reply to poppypug]

Mmm, I heard about that.

[poppypug Graduate in reply to dozzer19]

Poor chap, his family all bugger off on holiday without him and then he gets bottled off stage - Unlucky xxx

[I_will Graduate]

Sir! 8/1 completed, harp cordially twanged, pain in right buttock but pushed through to fight another day *bows low*

[dozzer19 Graduate]

Hmm, i was planning on 8/1 but Warg hunting took precedence. May need you later.