HOME Rebuilding
The site
This site is really mainly for me, something I wanted to do, like a hobby I suppose, it may not look very professional but then again its not supposed to be. I always wanted to write a book but when I learned a little bit about web creation for work, this seemed like the next best thing and if I can share my experiences, including mistakes and tips with others, all the better.
A couple of things to note though, when I started to write, I though this would be humorous but it hasn't really turned out that way and I can never remember the names of the people we meet, so if you read this and find yourselves referred to as the Dutch guy, or the French couple, I am sorry, I may not remember your names but I will always remember you.
About us
We are Ralph Gant 1953 and Dot Gant (formally Swallow) 1955, both born in Hartlepool Hospital on the Headland. Two children Ralph & Nicole born 1973 & 1975, Nicole is married to Tim. Three grandchildren, Georgia and Emily the twins born 2003 & Amber born 2005,
I worked in the chemical industry for 33 years, started straight from leaving school (was sent for interview by the unemployment place, can not remember what it was called back then), working for ICI and then Air Products after being acquired by them. Was made redundant by Air Products at 50, luckily with a pension, I say luckily as I had made no conscious plans for old age. Being made redundant is what prompted us into getting a motorhome, see Spain 2002.
Dot works in a pharmacy two or three days a week and has done for over 20 years, first for Boots then Carters and now Rowlands.
Since our wedding in 1972 we have been campers on a regular basis, we have had, a frame tent borrowed from Dot's Mam & Dad (George and Dorothy), that I can not find a picture of but have not given up yet, two trailer tents, the second one we use for about 20 years and one motorhome from 2003 to date.
Often the frame tent and later on the trailer tents, were used in conjunction with Dot's Mam & Dad's motorhomes and or caravan. They had a pop up Transit in the seventies, before they moved on to a caravan in the eighties, and finally a Talbot high top in the nineties.
We have been with the Caravan Club for many years and more recently became Camping & Caravan Club members as well. Camping (or even using the van for days out) and other Holidays are our main hobby, next to the grandchildren and rest of the family and friends that is.
I like good beer but do not get out to pubs very much these days, preferring to drink at home, with family and friends, I also cook most meals we have.
I will not have any work done if I think I can do it myself, I am pretty handy so will not part with money for work, unless I have to.
I read science fiction books watch science fiction on TV and also science fiction films/DVDs but am not a nerd about it, but could be if provoked. I also like most of the detective type of TV program and comedy.
I like sport but mostly on TV (used to travel to motorcycle tracks all over the country and did the IOM TT trip for 20 years), support Middlesbrough FC (listen on the radio and watch on TV when they are on).
Lately I have gone back to one of my old loves, photography.