What makes us happy?

For the sake of balance (versus "Pet hates") Mine include (in no specific order): Our grandchildren Historic Coventry - the site and the forum "Sounds of the 60s" Messi, Suarez, Neymar Chris Harris racing - and memories of Nigel Boocock Breaking down a brick wall in family history research Fish and chips with Philip Sunny days out with the camera Kleine Scheidegg

Being back in Coventry to live.

May I join you with this one. Naturally first, my family but there are not many of us in Perth. Fish 'n chips in newspaper (for old times sake) I do love a bacon n' egg butty. Early morning walk with my dog (and I mean really early) Land of Hope and Glory (when we can all join in) A really good horror movie (when I am on my own) Roses My time on the forum (especially the laughs that come with it) Good news about the CCFC Mushrooms (my weakness any way they come) Pork crackling New shoes A good time with friends (hoping that will always be) Left alone with a box of chocs (I guess this would have to be last) All not necessarily in that order. I am not hard to please am I Edited by member, 22nd Dec 2015 3:42 am

On Saturday morning I was sitting on my scooter in the Upper Precinct pausing to have a cigarette while the hustle and bustle went on around me. A friend looked at me and asked, "What are your thoughts Robin?" My answer was simply this. "Just memories, just memories ............ I'm home." My friend understood.

Despite the evidence of my driving licence photograph, I think I am usually of a fairly sunny disposition, i.e. a smile on my face for instance when I am playing sport or demolishing something (oh I do get a kick from the dropping of a big chimney or a block of flats, but I really like wielding the sledge hammer myself) They used to say rugby was a sport for lads to work off their natural aggression and lately since I`ve started to learn golf, it is the pleasure I get from a shot I have hammered and it's gone for miles and miles and miles (at least out of sight - my vision isn`t first class). I can give one instance where this disposition to wearing a natural smile can get you into trouble. E.g. my future mother in law was having an "up and downer" with her sister, a real good going "chuck the kitchen sink at it " row. I was a mere innocent bystander. Part way through there was an interlude in the melee. The sister observed "what`s that idiot laughing at?" I`m sure the question was rhetorical, but I never got the chance to correct the inaccurate description. I think I am happiest though at "unexpected pleasures", often a hidden view, or an event like a mother duck shepherding her little waddlers over a stretch of open ground and then to watch them flop into the water. Present unexpected pleasure - a host of golden daffodils - two months too early but welcome nonetheless.

What makes people happy? Other peoples misery. After 28 years in the ambulance service and been retired for 21 years the most frequent question I am asked is " What was the worst incident you attended?" After every accident there was always a queue of "rubber neckers" trying to get a view of a serious injury. To the "worst injury" question I usually reply a flat hedgehog on the A45. I have never, ever been asked what are my happiest memories.

Today I'm a very happy bunny. I found something I last needed 10 years ago within a minute of looking. I finished solving the riddle of the smithy picture that has been bugging me for years. All the junk from the kitchen cupboards is washed and back in the clean, relined shelves. I've ended up with spare shelf space and a better arrangement for the things I use regularly. And a set of book pages I ordered from Ebay, arrived early, are genuinely old and of several views of the city I haven't got, including one of Derby Lane looking south east. Happiness is appreciating the small stuff.

Waking up in the morning (to know I'm still here)

I have slightly higher ambitions than that. If I woke up dead I'd be quite cross.

Helen. You wouldn't be quite cross, you'd be dead cross, me thinks

I've woken up in the morning a few times and not had a clue where on earth I am. Usually after umpteen pints of Guinness.

That explains why zombies are so angry.

Wimero, I thought Guinness was supposed to be good for you.

A daily newspaper without Amanda Holden Gemma Collins or Katie Price in it

I know what you mean but despite their annoying attributes I think a newspaper without war, famine and plague should have made it further up the list.