Monday 19 January 2015

So long England and thanks for everything, good friends, good people, good times,.............

.........,most of the time anyway, I'm going home!


2014 was in all honesty an awful year, depressing job, mounting debts, stress, high blood pressure, England becoming a less pleasant place to live for several reasons, bailiffs, anger, selling figure collection to survive, diabetes suicidal thoughts etc........blah, blah, blah!

So the other half decided that we should sell the house, move to a farm in the Republic of Ireland.........so we have and tomorrow we are!

I won't bore you with the drama of selling a house these days or packing up a man shed but we paid off the debts, bought a needs some work three and a half acre property in Ireland (lock, stock and two smoking barrels) and that was that.........

I'm going to miss England especially the friends I've met, the bloggers, the shows, the games, the best friends, becoming a Reject, the last few years of the eleven and a half years at GSK.............

So I'm off and will be back blogging regularly as soon as I can, painting, planting potatoes and turnips, becoming calmer, being Irish........

Currently still laptop free but using a pad and it can be a fecking nuisance, doing this on friends laptop where I stayed after the sale and transition, painted a lot before finishing work and hope to post in the painting challenge before time runs out, maybe one big post Curt?,.....

See you soon and a bit of cleavage at the end of the pictures as a warning for those who open this at work.............




Good friends, times and people......................
































Happy Trails..................











129 comments:

  1. Fran,

    Good luck for the future. I hope the move goes well and that life takes an upturn for you and your family. I also look forward to reading your blog as you settle in to your new home.

    All the best,

    Bob

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  2. Best wishes for the future Fran, end of an era but the start of a new adventure. Looking forward to the posts from the farm.

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  3. All the best Fran, other than the many friends you'll be leaving sounds like a good choice! Maybe even have your own gaming area in your new place eventually?

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  4. All the very best Fran for the road ahead!

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  5. I wish you all the best, Fran. Live long and prosper!

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  6. All the best budd. Here's to a better 2015 :)

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  7. Well Fran, Ireland is, as I have been told, not at the end of the world and thus you will be out of touch luckily for us. It seems to me you've had your fair share of misery last year and I can only wish you all the luck (of the Irish ;-P) in the future!

    Cheers Sander

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  9. Whoops I meant to say NOT out of touch, why don't comments have 'edit' buttons?

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  10. The memories will always be with you.
    May this be your best year ever, Fran. Good luck with the move and may you find peace instead of stress. Finding a pot of gold would be even better!

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  11. I wish you all the best, Fran!

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  12. All the best Fran. Sounds like you going to have fun, if not a little work to do. Look forward to your regular posts again. :)

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  13. You take care of yourself big fella, looking forward to more regular posts when you land safely.

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  14. Best of luck on this new adventure!
    Rod

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  15. All the very best Fran – I do hope everything goes to plan for you and your other half – and well done for doing it, part of me is rather jealous as I love Ireland. Life's too short to be unhappy if you have the power to change things. I will miss you at Salute, but long may the online banter continue.

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  16. Hi Fran,

    All the very best back on the Emerald Isle and I will look forward to seeing the turnip and potato crop in due course.....😄

    Take it easy old chap,

    All the best,

    DC

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  17. Good luck mate and England is the poorer for losing you.

    Ian

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  18. It will and has been sad to see you go but I feel a wealthier person for having met you. If you need anything now or in the future let me know.

    If not FECK off mate and have a good life.

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  19. I hope 2015 treats you better - me, too for that matter!

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  20. We boo and hiss and spit on 2014, Fran, may the year rot in hell where it belongs! Hope this one will treat us better!
    Me and Annzie will pop over to Ireland as soon as you open the Irish Shenanigans Pub there!

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  21. I wish you the best Fran...love your last three new girl friends...

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  22. Greetings, my General! May you fit into your new residence comfortably and with much prosperity.

    Hail Franonia!!

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  23. Good luck and all the best...I'm going to Germany if that lyin', meat-faced, cockwomble Cameron gets in again!

    If you ever think you could use a 50+ farm hand who can 'CAD stuff up', I'm a dab hand with a Fergie 135!!

    H

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  24. Put the shitty year in the rear view and away you go. Hope the move goes well and you get some much needed r and r. Hope 2015 is great. You needed to show Anne there to scare the rats away, right? lol

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  25. All the best mate. Put it all behind you and think ahead. Look forward to seeing some pics of your potato patch :D

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  26. Well Done Fran! The big decisions are always tough but they often lead us to brighter places. I feel fortunate that while I managed to work for three companies in 2014, each one turned out to be a step in the right direction for me. May 2015 be a prosperous year for you and your's!

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  27. All the best, may the direction you take be the best... I am too going to say F'2014! Your friends will still be your friends and the world just became a bit larger for you...

    Jeremy

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  28. I hope the future holds good things for you. Take care of yourself, and get back to blogging soon!

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  29. Good luck in Eire Fran
    Sounds like it was a good move.
    Cheers, PD

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  30. Good luck and godspeed, Fran! I'm a little jeolous. There comes a time in a man's life when a reset is in order and you've jumped with both feet. A small farm in Ireland...what could be sweeter? I'd love to see pics of your Fran's Acres one day.

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  31. Good luck and all the best, Fran !
    I'm looking forward to reading from you again and hear how things are going in Ireland.

    Cheers
    Stefan

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  32. Very best of luck with your new life in Ireland, I may be joining you in the coming decade !

    All the best ,

    Jerry

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  33. “May the road rise up to meet you,
    may the wind be ever at your back.
    May the sun shine warm upon your face
    and the rain fall softly on your fields....
    :)
    Good luck!!!!

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  34. Good luck in your new lifestyle, Fran!

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  35. Good fortune follow you Fran, many thanks for the support you've shown my blog in my first year.

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  37. Best wishes for the move and the new adventures Fran.
    The world is a small place via the blogosphere so I'm sure we'll read your dulcet tones again soon!

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  38. Best of luck, Fran, and I'm looking forward to the resumption of blogging.

    FMB

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  39. First let me say that I'm glad the SWMBO is so supportive of you and understands what you need. You deserve a woman that good.

    You''ll know you're home when you feel yourself wrapped in the warm embrace of Irish guilt and feel the chill of the ever present rain on your cheeks. I hope you enjoy the Summer. I hear it's scheduled for a Thursday in June.

    Thanks for putting my pic up there although you made me cry, you bastard :0)

    Mo sheacht mbeannacht ort!

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  40. All the best mate, stay ahead of the game! :-)

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  41. May your new venture bring you happiness, health and prosperity. Good luck dude!
    Us Celts need to stick together. So long and thanks for all the fish!

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  42. All the best with new home , let's hope thing really are on the up...keeping blogging , painting and gaming..

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  43. So this farmer's son says to his dad "You've never given me anything and I bet you cut me out of your will too!". His father says "You can have part of your inheritance now then" and gives him a swift kick in the slats. The boy gasps, sinks to his knees and cries out "What's that for?" and his dad says . . . . . "I've just given you a couple of achers!"

    And on that note, good luck and God speed. You'll all have a grand time of it.

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  44. Good luck Francis,

    Are you now a bog warrior :)? I'd love to go home (Dublin) but we left the UK and went to the other side of the world instead.

    Best of luck and hope 2015 is a better year for you.

    Cheers

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  45. Wish you and the family all the best! Hope to hear something from you soon!

    Greetings
    Peter

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  46. Wishing you the best, Lurker. And I'm looking forward to you blogging more, once you and your honey bunny get settled in.

    Hugs & Bugs,
    - Me

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  47. Best wishes for the venture Fran. You'll be missed on our fair isle, but at least we've t'interwebs!

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  48. I wish you and your family all the best in the move and the new place. It might be the best thing for you mate.

    Take care of yourself.......

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  49. Hope it all works out for you back in the Auld Country definitely nothing more important than your health (mental or otherwise) and well being.

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  50. back to home country then? Well I hope everything works out for you and you'll be missed big man

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  51. Best of luck with the move back to Ireland Fran! I hope everything works out well for you. You'll have to start a new chapter of the Rejects back home (hopefully you'll not be too far from civilization).

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  52. Good for you and consider me jealous! A pint of Guinness to you, sir!

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  53. Best of luck to you, Fran! I hope this year is a lot better for you, and starting it out in your beautiful home country can't be a bad start!

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  54. Loads of great memories. Loads of great mammaries. What's not to like? Despite what you'll be losing there is nothing quite like going home... Best of luck mate!

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  55. Wish you all the best for the future, Fran

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  56. I'm glad I got to meet you... I'll be here when you decide to return...Farmer Francis!

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  57. Bon Voyage Francis! It's good to reimagine oneself so embrace it my friend. My best wishes to you both. Now we have another reason to visit Ireland!

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  58. Good luck Fran! I hope the move goes well and that we see you back blogging even more frequently in 2015. I'm sure you will back visiting the shows and hearing the delightful people at Ryan Air claiming that your pack of 15mm skirmishers brings a luggage surcharge!
    Best wishes,
    Jason

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  59. Maith thú... May you escape the gallows, avoid distress, and be as healthy as a trout!

    Looking forwards to some quality posts this year then! :-)

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  60. Well everyone seems to be saying goodbye so instead I'll say hello and welcome you to the Emerald Isle instead :-)

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  62. Hi Fran,

    I wish you and your family all the best!

    Take care.

    Gilles "thefrenchjester"

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  63. Good luck in your new life, Francis !
    I'm touched because despite your problems, you were always on the blogosphere or elsewhere to give us your nice comments and "like" ... I'm sorry because I didn't know that you have all those problems.
    I wish you all the happiness you deserve ...

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  64. Best of luck with the new life Fran, hope it all works out for you!

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  65. Best of luck to you Fran and I do hope being home again raises your spirits!

    Christopher

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  66. A lot of photographs with a lot of tits in them (some you even know ) - it's a fitting conclusion to your attempt at colonisation.
    Here's hoping you get more blogging time once you've resettled.
    Good luck Fran

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  67. Sorry to hear that 2014 was so bad. I really hope 2015 really picks up for you! Returning home, a new start, I hope it brings you much happiness and a much better year (and many more to come)!

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  68. Sounds like you're doing the best thing for you. Besides I suspect you'll like London much better as a gaming vacation spot. Good luck and watch out for Ray.

    Rob

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  69. Nicely done Fran. Looking forward to the tales and woles of potato and turnip production.

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  70. All the best Fran, sounds like a great move, look forward to the pics of potato's and turnips

    Airhead

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  71. All the best Fran!! Good luck! :)

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  72. Best wishes for the move and the new life Fran. You will be missed. Hopefully you'll be able to pop back over for the occasional show to meet up with us.

    ps - thanks for finding some halfway-decent pics of me for this post! And for the cleavage :)

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  73. I'm sorry to hear you're leaving Fran but at least you found a nice place back in Ireland. Best of luck to you. You should make an effort to come by for the miniatures conventions and still meet up with everyone. You need to replenish that collection after all. Safe travels and best of luck.

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  74. Sorry to hear 2014 sucked. Here's to a better 2015! And good luck with the move.

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  75. I hope and wish you all the very best in this move, which is stressful in its own right too, and much happiness in Ireland. It sound idyllic.

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  76. Live well and enjoy life in the country.

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  77. Bon voyage, Angry. Good luck with the new year - hope it treats you better in 2015 than in '14.

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    1. Oh yeah - looking forward to more blogging presence!!!

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  78. Enjoy your new digs, Fran. Looking forward to seeing updates soon.

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  79. Best of luck mate, I hope your move works out for you.

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  80. All the very best to you Fran! It sounds like a sensible and idyllic plan. Can't wait to read the new, relaxed, inspired blog posts from the emerald isle.

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  81. Hurry Back Fran, and all the best for the move and the new settlement, we will miss you big fella :)

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  82. Good luck with your endeavors, pal. See you in the ether.

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  83. All the best for you and your family Fran. Hope to see you again sometime.

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  84. Very sorry to hear of your woes, Fran; best wishes and hope all turns out for you and yours soon.

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  85. Well come home Fran, I lived in London back in the 90s and came home for much the same reasons as yourself. what county are you going to settle in?

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  86. Best of luck Fran. Will miss the game day banter between you and Ray, but what's a few miles between friends? Hope that health wealth and happiness will be yours as you make the move.

    Best wishes,
    Aaron

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  87. Best of luck Fran, and once you've finished the spuds maybe you could set up a Wargaming Holiday Centre...? Just a thought...!!

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  88. All the best Fran. Good luck and and maybe you'll find a goblins pot of gold while diggin potatoes.
    Thumbs up my friend.

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  89. Best of luck in your move, Fran. Maybe by this time you'll only be the "Moderately Annoyed Lurker." I hope the change helps with the stress and rejuvenates you and the family. Look forward to hearing more from you as soon as you get all settled.

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  90. If you don't keep blogging we'll all haunt you! So, it's not good bye but see you later. You don't need luck...you're Irish after all, so, a blessing on you and all you love.

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  91. Holy crap Fran! I'm away for a few weeks and what do you do??? Seriously mate, it sounds like you were well and truly ready for a sea change and you've had the guts - and support - to do it. Congrats man. Enjoy plantin an diggin up them praeties in beautiful Erin. A pleasure blogging with you and no doubt we'll see you back online when you're settled. All the best from the other side of tha world! Blog you again soon me hearty!

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  92. Cleavage = Power Move. Happy moving, mate.

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  93. I was thinking about you the other day. Sincerely hoping all is well with you and yours. Take care of yourself big fella!

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    1. Thanks Anne and everybody else, still without internet and technically electricity but things are good, blog you all soon!

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    2. Oh but it's grand to hear from you and to know you are well. I may be gone from mid March until June, but I will sneak in just to check up on you :0)

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  94. Are those last pictures taken at the new farm Fran? Can imagine you move..but seriously..best of luck with this new adventure!! and I sure hope we will meet again! Cheers, Mike

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  95. Wait, that was "a bit of cleavage"? Generally we Texans feel compelled to point out that everything is bigger down here but in this case I yield the point.

    Vaya con Dios, and I'm looking forward to when you fire this blog back up. Always an entertaining read.

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  96. Fran,

    I am about 2 months or more behind in my blog readings and just saw this entry. I hope you do better and get better for many more years to come.

    Sapper Joe

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  97. Fran, hope you're doing all right. Miss seeing you here.

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  98. Hey, I thought about you again!

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  99. All the best Fran, here's to a fresh start. They reckon a change is as good as a rest and for the most part I agree.

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  100. Here it's still too early for plants outside, I had to pull my blueberries and grapes inside to avoid frost overnight even though it might be warm in the day. I am envying the land part of the move.. My land I had to carry up one container at a time the Cahokia way. It is mine though that way. Bummer having to leave friends behind but they aren't really that far away, on a strategic scale. Maybe a solar panel could help for a power supply.

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  101. Sorry I had not seen this before, wish you all the best Fran. Your impact on making the gaming blog community as wonderful as it is cannot be overstated! Look forward to your stories from Angry's Acres. :-)

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  102. Okay you bastard, where are you? For fucks sake I'm tired of waiting. Who do you think you are anyway? Christ Himself? :0)

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    1. Still breathing Anne....just, still not hooked up to the internet of my own yet or to a bank account due to the missus not being Irish so It's taking too long but hope to be back and running soon, thanks all the same my cailin!

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    2. Such a relief to hear from you. I was worried that the move might have been a jump from the frying pan into the fire. God knows that's happened to me more than once. Just look at the state I'm in now for fucks sake.

      You two hang in there and we'll be looking forward to hearing from you again!

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  104. Hi Fran, sorry to hear of all your woes. As you have probably noticed I've not been very active in the blogging circles for sometime so only catching up now.
    All the best for to you for your return home and hopefully it won't be too long before you are up and ranting like the good old days! Take care

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  105. Was thinking of you so I stopped back in to say howdy. Hope all is going well in your new/old home.

    Cheers and boogie boogie.

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  106. Take care and good luck Fran. See you in the blogsphere.
    P.S Thanks for choosing the photo that makes me look like a serial killer who waxes a landing strip into his widows peak. I'll remember that!
    See you in the blogsphere. And hopefully at a con sometime soon.

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  107. Hey Fran! Hope all is well!! Miss you!!

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  108. Hope all's going well in the new place, Fran. All the best, Aaron

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  109. I hope the bright peaceful days are smiling on you and yours again,and that you in yourself are feeling much better now.I was on Ringo`s today when I saw this,and so took a proper look. Life can be very tuff at times this I realise from down and out experience. Now I`m in my twilight years of retirement after muddling through it all,and so happily my hobby interest are now my work.So here`s looking ahead buddy, stay cool run the course,and above all enjoy life. Beano Boy

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  110. Yeah, it's been awhile since I popped in to bug you. Did you think I'd forgotten about you? Pfffft...ain't gonna happen, you big gorgeous Irishman :0)

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  111. Good luck, I hope all goes well for you and your family.

    Tony

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