Alan Gandy

Archive for the ‘Personal Stuff’ Category

If you are here you probably know already I am planning on walking the length of the island on the 4th February 2011, and hoping to raise a bit of money for charity in doing so.

I’m raising money for Niños Tercer del Mundo, and the Rose Road Centre in Southampton. Both of which I feel are extremely worthy causes.

If you wish to sponsor me or contribute to the charities concerned, here’s how you can do so; Read the rest of this entry »

Given the walk I’m planning I’ve wanted all along to tie it in with pulling my finger out and improving my general fitness.

Given that I haven’t been in a gym for about four and a half years, consumed far to much wine and have continued – the fool I am – to smoke, I actually quite surprised myself. Read the rest of this entry »

For a couple of year now I’ve had it in my head that I was going to walk the island from north to south.I measured it by road the other day, and it’s approximately 73km from the port at Orzola to the lighthouse in Playa Blanca.

You know how things are, we say these things and never get around to doing them. I’ve been procrastinating on this one for far too long. So, to stir myself into action, I have decided to use it to hopefully raise a little bit of money for charity. Committing to that forces me to plan for it and name a date.

As you’ve probably guessed by now – the date I’m working towards is the 4th February 2011, which gives me a little time to train for it, and to gain some exposure for my nominated charities;

Niños Tercer del Mundo based here on the island and raising money for children in the third world.

The Rose Road Centre in Southampton who provided a wide range of services to severely disabled children and their families. (A charity suggested by Geoff Holt who, if you remember last year set off from Playa Blanca to become the first quadriplegic to sail unassisted across the Atlantic. Geoff has since become a good friend of ours – I’m a massive fan and wanted to do something to support his work.) Read the rest of this entry »

I’m not the best fisherman by any stretch of the imagination. But I have to say I’m rather proud of this Sea Bass I caught yesterday.

I only go fishing occasionally – but if I can start bringing fish like this home each time I’d be going a lot more often! Read the rest of this entry »

You might think this is the Guido. But it isn’t – this is Pepper – he is currently on probation as to whether he joins our household. In for a test run so to speak…

Guido is – we think – is a Labrador and Beagle cross (mostly), he looks very Labrador though with a few Beagle traits and the litter he came from apart from him were all marked like Beagles. We didn’t believe it when we first got him 3 years ago but a Labrador Beagle cross is an official hybrid breed called – wait for it – a Beagador. He’s smaller than your average Labrador cross, and a little nervy at times, but great fun, and a lovely natured dog.

This chap is a bit different Read the rest of this entry »

I’ll admit it. I’m not the world’s greatest fisherman. Not by a long way. But I have to say I’m quite proud of this Garfish (88cm) I caught recently.

Having spent many an afternoon fishing for small bait fish and catching either nothing or very little, Sunday was no exception. I’d spend a couple of hours sat there watching my float bob up and down while small fish stole the bait.

Getting a bit tired of this I decided to just put on a bigger hook and more bait – not thinking I’d necessarily catch anything – but felt safe in the knowledge at least if there was a few pieces of bait on the hook I might at least not to have to be brining it in and casting it out every two or three minutes. First cast my float shot under the water within seconds – and I knew I had something half decent as soon as the line went taught.

It was a really fun fish to bring in. If you imagine a mini-swordfish jumping out of the water and throwing it’s head around in anger – that’s about the best way to describe it. Once I’d got it in, I didn’t know quite what to do with it – there was no way I was putting my fingers in that mouth! So – it was soon out of it’s misery and heading for the dinner table next day…

As a child, my granddad (Thomas Gandy) was my idol. I remember him as a little old man, apparently frail and ‘bow legged’, but if you looked further the man had the strength of an ox. If he rolled his sleeves up he had muscles like Popeye on a spinach high! I idolised him he used to sit me on his knee and tell me great stories about his travels in Canada – so spectacular to a child that you wondered whether he was making them up at times…. Cows and cowsheds being lifted by winds, travelling under the rails of trains – stories you might expect to read in Jack Kerouak than to hear off your own grandfather.

To put you in the picture of the type of man he was, he was very gentle with us. I remember him most of the time sitting quietly in his chair as my grandmother would talk constantly. Boy could she talk – well, when she got the chance between bringing us constant supplies of cakes and ginger beer made and bought in specially for our regular visits. He was quiet – but you always knew who wore the trousers in that house!

I recall one time – as a child does – asking “Why do you have such big ears”? At which point (socially acceptable in those days) my mothers hand came from nowhere around the back of my head. He said calmly, but authoritatively, and with a suppressed anger I’m sure – “What was that for? The boy asked a perfectly reasonable question. I DO have big ears”. He took his eyes away from my mother, looked at my tearful eyes and answered the question as though nothing had happened. That was the kind of man he was.

I’ve told this story many times as I was told it by my dad – to the best of my recollection – over the years… But after writing recently about my uncle Fred passing away thought it was time to write it down.

Read the rest of this entry »

Today is the day of Uncle Fred’s funeral. Well my great uncle… A man I only have fond memories of, a genuinely nice guy and a big influence on my life – not directly – but through his influence on my dad. As well as the immediate family (you know who you are if you are reading this) I feel for my dad today. I grew up with stories of my dad’s childhood – many centred around Fred. Fred seemed to figure somewhere in just about all of them. Amongst other things Fred taught him to drive, they spent a number of years in the TA together, and have always been close…

My dad hasn’t just lost his uncle, he’s lost his last real link with his own parents, and he’s lost a man who was as much a big brother figure and a friend to him as anything else… Fred taught him, Fred looked out for him, Fred helped shape him…

I hate funerals, and if I’m honest avoid them unless I feel affected closely. This is one I would have liked to have been at – I would have been at – if it were possible. I wish I could have been in Liverpool today to pay my respects and say my own farewells…

Goodbye Uncle Fred – you were a great guy – we were all honoured to know you!

In response to my latest comment on this blog (and others)… Here’s the t-shirt that makes up my very own autumn collection!

It reads…

If you feel the need to call me a
“a fu**ing up your arse tosser”
please have the balls to say it to
my face instead of hiding behind
fake identities on the Internet…

This fine, top quality product is available for purchase from Red Bubble!

This makes it sound like I’ve died… But, it’s hard not to be touched – both pleased, and saddened – by this little gem I found on my son’s Bebo page. Life has it’s ups and downs, not all is constant – but my kids over the years have been the one thing that is – they´ve kept me going through the bad times and the good. Every moment I have with them, every line I exchange with them on Messenger I treasure – even if the conversation on Messenger is usually limited to words like ‘ye’, ‘cool’. ‘borin’ and ‘nothin’…

Joe, if you´re reading this – don’t you ever forget that I love and miss you (and your brothers) every minute of every day. Thanks for making my day!