Childhood Memories

Ok so with the endless hours of boredom I've endured over the past few months I started to do a wee bit of reminissing which I've thoroughly enjoyed. Many a pointless conversation have I had with unsuspecting people of my era who simply MUST have enjoyed the same childhood haunts, television programmes and toys that I did!?! Why ever would you not have seen the Riddler's for example? Well as shocking as it sounds, I have only to this day come accross 1 other person that remembers the Riddlers when they were on TV. (And I'm not even sure you weren't just humouring me ). I'm sure I didn't imagine it. But heres a few pics to get you casting your mind back to the days when kids tele was God dam good!
In addition I felt Pat Sharpe's 'Fun House' and 'Finders Keepers' were most definately worthy of a mention. I'm not entirely sure why all episodes of Fun House ended in a helicopter ride or why indeed there were some scantilly dressed twins on there - especially when its directed at 8 year olds!
Further more the 'late' (God rest his soul) Neil Buchanan was a crucial component in my artistic development (or perhaps 'lack of' as my GCSE results would have it). But I was lucky enough to have taken part in one of his life size Art Attacks on my school field. A privalege few of us have been lucky to have had. Of course there is still some mystery over whether Neil Buchanan is actually dead, after all, there is no real evidence and it may just be a cruel rumour fabricated to crush our childhood memories.
And as for Tony Hart... what can I say? You were a legend dear fellow. You were still creating artistic brilliance even on your death bed. Peace out dear man, peace out. To anyone who reads my blogs, I hope you have found this little reminissing session has nourished your soul and released the child within! Now fly like birds and butterflies and set yourselves free!

Jessica Baby and Corky Beans

Well Ralphie's not the only non human member of the Margetts family (okay so there is me, but we won't go there for now!). We also have two pussy cats who are three in October. I got them as a gift when I was having a nightmare of a time at uni. Apparently the parents only went out to buy one but there were only two left in the pet store and mum didn't want to leave one without the other. So we ended up with two pussy cats. Corky is slowing getting used to his doggie housemate and enjoys tormenting him on a regular basis. Jessica is less keen and steers well clear - in my opinion shes probably got the right idea if she doesn't want to lose and eye ball.

Ralphie's Photo Shoot at 19 Weeks Old

Ben got a funky new camera in June and took some more professional piccys of Ralphie dog. He's not camera shy! He was quite a poser, especially when he was able to pose with his favourite toy Duckie (An original name for a furry duck I know!). Anyway he soon changed his tune when a squeaky ball came on scene, Duckie was cruelly slung aside and now brandishes the scars to prove it. His innards (or stuffing) are all hanging out and Ralph is gradually working his way through it, though I've had to rescue a few stray bits of it from his salivating chops.

Ralphie Encounters Ponies

Farm Yard Dog

More recently, Ralphie and I have been on a few escapades. He had his first 'farmyard' experience where he found a hay bail to be quite a good toy. He met lots of other nice dog bots, apart from that mean old overly hairy one that took a disliking to Ralph bots :S

Poorly Dog-Bot

Hi ho, so get your violins out folks. Ralphie became quite a poorly dog-bot when he was only a few months old. The vet said it was something called a porta-cable shunt which in layman's terms is ''a bit of jip with the old liver''. We were told he wouldnt live beyond six months old but we weren't going to settle for that. I couldn't just let Ralphie dog in all his cuteness peg it like that. So I got in touch with those lovely people at the Royal Vet College who gave me a little more hope... all of 5%! Any who, Ralphie went through the mill bless him and looked like he'd had a total body transplant by the time he'd finished but I'm pleased to say that my best bud and only canine friend survived to bark and howl the tale! He's looking a little worse for wear and fore lawn in this pic following his rather horrific splicing and dicing from the surgeons but as you can see he hasnt lost his appetite. Can't resist a lamb bone when its on offer! x

Grooming Time

Since the beginning of time (well Ralphies time anyway), he's been virtually impossible to groom in any way. Even down to clipping his nails. Which explains why hes such a fluffy mess. Anyway I sent Ralphie off to the groomers and he came back looking like a completely different dog. Please see the pics of before and after that accompany this little blog. I new there was a pedigree in him somewhere!