I have just checked and found the last post was on July 1st, nearly six weeks ago, so time for a little catch up.
So what has been happening? Same old, same old. We did go to see 'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang' this week in the WMC. A damn good show with great music and a great cast. Lee Mead in part as the inventor of the car, and Sean Wlliamson as Baron Bombast, and Clair Sweeny as his wife. Really well worth watching.
This weekend I am going up to Northamtonshire, to Silverstone for a Truck Fest. Plenty of noise and truck racing and it should be fun. We are staying for two nights, coming back on the Sunday.
What else? Well I have had my garden done in Artificial grass. Not very exciting, but it is only a small patch, and the grass was terrible, and looks a lot better now. It is not quite finished, but hopefully should be done today. Not by me I have to say, but my neighbours son who does a lot of my odd jobs.
Although I have officially retired, I have taken up voluntary work with V.E.S.T. who take the elderly and disabled on days out etc. I have finished the training I need and start by taking some people to Weston next Tuesday.
Thursday, 11 August 2016
Friday, 1 July 2016
A medium evening
Well last night was different that is for sure.
An evening with a medium/clairvoyant has been arranged with a mutual friend in aid of a women's aid charity. The medium was a well known man in these circles called David Winterfield. (The link is his Facebook page) I went along with Denise and some of here family, not thinking many would be there.
It turns out these things are more popular than I had imagined as it was a full house with over 100 there. Only two men including myself, so this seems to be a female thing.
The medium started by describing a lady that was there and saying things that someone should have recognized. But no-one called out and after a while he let that one go. (in the interval someone did say to him that they knew who it was)
This went on with others, some near him, and others standing next to people. Most knew who he was talking about eventually. Nothing bad was said, and often it was just things of comfort to people there.
You may be as I was extremely skeptical about this. It was not the big things, but the small things that made me believe there is more to this than just a charlatan taking advantage of people.
Talking to one person who had recognized the person that that 'come forward' he mentioned that her pet rabbit had died. To another one he talked about a 'fish tank'. She had not got one, but did have a large container she called a fish tank. To another, a broken remote control was bought up, and that was right.
He talked about someone in our group that had come forward and Denise recognized her grandmother. He then mentioned a new car that one of her relatives had bought, and then to me saying had I bought a car in the last few months. ( I have of course). I did mention that I was not a family member, but he said that I had got close to the family.
Believe it or not, I now believe that there is more to this than meets the eye, and might well go again.
An evening with a medium/clairvoyant has been arranged with a mutual friend in aid of a women's aid charity. The medium was a well known man in these circles called David Winterfield. (The link is his Facebook page) I went along with Denise and some of here family, not thinking many would be there.
It turns out these things are more popular than I had imagined as it was a full house with over 100 there. Only two men including myself, so this seems to be a female thing.
The medium started by describing a lady that was there and saying things that someone should have recognized. But no-one called out and after a while he let that one go. (in the interval someone did say to him that they knew who it was)
This went on with others, some near him, and others standing next to people. Most knew who he was talking about eventually. Nothing bad was said, and often it was just things of comfort to people there.
You may be as I was extremely skeptical about this. It was not the big things, but the small things that made me believe there is more to this than just a charlatan taking advantage of people.
Talking to one person who had recognized the person that that 'come forward' he mentioned that her pet rabbit had died. To another one he talked about a 'fish tank'. She had not got one, but did have a large container she called a fish tank. To another, a broken remote control was bought up, and that was right.
He talked about someone in our group that had come forward and Denise recognized her grandmother. He then mentioned a new car that one of her relatives had bought, and then to me saying had I bought a car in the last few months. ( I have of course). I did mention that I was not a family member, but he said that I had got close to the family.
Believe it or not, I now believe that there is more to this than meets the eye, and might well go again.
Its been a while.
I have not blogged for a couple of weeks because no-one seems to read this much anyway. But it is time to catch up.
We went to Derbyshire back two weeks ago for a short break and stayed in a lovely hotel called the Charles Cotton hotel. He was apparently a famous angler and wrote 'the complete angler' which I understand from the blurb in the hotel has outsold the bible! (maybe just in the UK!)
While we were there, we went to Chatsworth house about half an hour away. One of the huge houses in the UK and well worth the visit if you are in the area.
And from there on to Bakewell. In the UK we have all heard of or in most cases tasted Bakewell tarts or pies as they are known. Made in this area they are usually small sticky sweet cakes with almonds, sometimes covered in icing. If you have a sweet tooth they are quite nice, and we tried one while we were there. They were OK I guess, but over priced and over sweet.
The weather was not up to much, dull and a bit damp. We managed to miss the worst of it, as some parts had floods.
we went to see Billy Elliot in Cardiff's Wales Millennium Centre when we got back. It was good, but we had to leave as my sister-in-law was taken ill. We managed to miss the best of it I think.
And I have bought new private hearing aids. The old ones I had with the NHS were not up to the jobs, and I was missing to much of conversations and things on the TV etc. These cost quite a lot, but are far smaller and more comfortable, and work a lot better than the old ones, so in the end are worth it.
Next Monday we are off to Pembrokeshire for another short break. More about that when I get back.
We went to Derbyshire back two weeks ago for a short break and stayed in a lovely hotel called the Charles Cotton hotel. He was apparently a famous angler and wrote 'the complete angler' which I understand from the blurb in the hotel has outsold the bible! (maybe just in the UK!)
While we were there, we went to Chatsworth house about half an hour away. One of the huge houses in the UK and well worth the visit if you are in the area.
And from there on to Bakewell. In the UK we have all heard of or in most cases tasted Bakewell tarts or pies as they are known. Made in this area they are usually small sticky sweet cakes with almonds, sometimes covered in icing. If you have a sweet tooth they are quite nice, and we tried one while we were there. They were OK I guess, but over priced and over sweet.
The weather was not up to much, dull and a bit damp. We managed to miss the worst of it, as some parts had floods.
we went to see Billy Elliot in Cardiff's Wales Millennium Centre when we got back. It was good, but we had to leave as my sister-in-law was taken ill. We managed to miss the best of it I think.
And I have bought new private hearing aids. The old ones I had with the NHS were not up to the jobs, and I was missing to much of conversations and things on the TV etc. These cost quite a lot, but are far smaller and more comfortable, and work a lot better than the old ones, so in the end are worth it.
Next Monday we are off to Pembrokeshire for another short break. More about that when I get back.
Friday, 10 June 2016
Nine days later
So here I am on the 10th June, and what has been happening? Well same old, same old. We just plod on, although the weather has been very warm. Much hotter than we normally get this time of the year. The first rain in over two weeks has just come down and even that was not much. Normally I would not argue, as we have had enough rain over the winter months. But the garden is dry and needs some spring rain.
I am going away next week to the peak district for a couple of days, so that will make a nice change. Hopefully some nice photos when we get back to post. We are probably going to visit Chatsworth house while we are there. One of the great houses of the UK. I have been there before and it will be well worth a visit again.
So what else? To be honest not a lot, which is why I have not blogged recently. It is nice to put something on here! Although I have made appointments to see two hearing specialists. I have a NHS hearing aid, and I am just missing a lot of things. I am reluctant to pay for another, but as Denise says, I would pay the same for a good holiday, but not for something that would change my life.
Of course all we hear on the TV and see on the papers is the bloody E.U. referendum. One side comes out with a load of crap, so the opposing side has to come out with even more crap. Don't these politicians realize that they are putting off the voter, not turning them on?
And now, we have Euro 2016. More bloody football just as the season has come to an end. And if you don't like to watch 20 men trying to kick a bag of wind behind two more, you are thought of as weird and heaven help you if you want to go into a pub, as all there is, is bloody football on the TV.
OK, that is my moan and I will wish you all a good week ahead.
I am going away next week to the peak district for a couple of days, so that will make a nice change. Hopefully some nice photos when we get back to post. We are probably going to visit Chatsworth house while we are there. One of the great houses of the UK. I have been there before and it will be well worth a visit again.
So what else? To be honest not a lot, which is why I have not blogged recently. It is nice to put something on here! Although I have made appointments to see two hearing specialists. I have a NHS hearing aid, and I am just missing a lot of things. I am reluctant to pay for another, but as Denise says, I would pay the same for a good holiday, but not for something that would change my life.
Of course all we hear on the TV and see on the papers is the bloody E.U. referendum. One side comes out with a load of crap, so the opposing side has to come out with even more crap. Don't these politicians realize that they are putting off the voter, not turning them on?
And now, we have Euro 2016. More bloody football just as the season has come to an end. And if you don't like to watch 20 men trying to kick a bag of wind behind two more, you are thought of as weird and heaven help you if you want to go into a pub, as all there is, is bloody football on the TV.
OK, that is my moan and I will wish you all a good week ahead.
Wednesday, 1 June 2016
Long and boring
So after the excitement of the balloon ride, today has been just plain boring. Denise has been out all day with her elderly neighbour. She is eighty eight year's old today and the whole family are out for a meal.
So I have been left on my own all day. I have just had a lazy day doing little at all.
I resorted to downloading this blogger app to use on my tablet. Why? I am not really sure but I just wanted to try this for when I am away from the home computer.
It all seems to work well so I guess that will benefit me in the USA to blog later in the year.
We have just had a bank holiday weekend with some hot weather for a change. We did not get far as the roads are crazy when the sun is shining at this time of year. And as I have retired I can go anytime these days.
Well that will do for today, I just wanted to try this ap, and I don't want to bore you all to much.
Friday, 27 May 2016
The Balloon trip
So, yesterday I went on my Balloon ride. This was a present from my partner Denise that she had given me for my birthday. I was something I had promised myself to do for years but never gotten around to.
These trips are very much at the vagaries of the weather of course. A little to much wind, or rain and they are called off. But I was lucky and the only problem was that the site was changed to a field just before Bath.
Photos of the trip can be found on my Facebook page, or on my Flickr account here.
I will put just a couple on here and if you are interested, just look at the album. If you have been on one of these you will know just how great they are. If you have not and have thought of it, then go for it. The peace and quiet up there is just surreal. Just gently floating and looking over our lovely countryside, getting a view that few ever see is a wonderful thing.
Are there any downsides? Well if you have a problem with heights, then that of course if obvious but apart from that just a couple. The first is getting in the bloody cage in the first place. It is about four feet high and to access it there are feet holes in the basket and you have to climb in. No problem for the nimble, but I gave up climbing many years ago, and I had a struggle.
But when you are up and away, the view makes it all worth while. But then of course you have to get out! And that means climbing out of the thing you had a problem getting into! But I got out in the end, and I believe the photos were worth the effort.
And just the one more thing. This is an experience you are expected to join in with and that means helping to put the balloon by and folding it up with all the rest on board. The fact that the pilot landed in a field full of cow shit did not help either!
But overall I had a great day and I am glad I went for it.
These trips are very much at the vagaries of the weather of course. A little to much wind, or rain and they are called off. But I was lucky and the only problem was that the site was changed to a field just before Bath.
Photos of the trip can be found on my Facebook page, or on my Flickr account here.
I will put just a couple on here and if you are interested, just look at the album. If you have been on one of these you will know just how great they are. If you have not and have thought of it, then go for it. The peace and quiet up there is just surreal. Just gently floating and looking over our lovely countryside, getting a view that few ever see is a wonderful thing.
Getting the balloon ready in the early mist.
Are there any downsides? Well if you have a problem with heights, then that of course if obvious but apart from that just a couple. The first is getting in the bloody cage in the first place. It is about four feet high and to access it there are feet holes in the basket and you have to climb in. No problem for the nimble, but I gave up climbing many years ago, and I had a struggle.
Ready to fly
But when you are up and away, the view makes it all worth while. But then of course you have to get out! And that means climbing out of the thing you had a problem getting into! But I got out in the end, and I believe the photos were worth the effort.
Fire the hot air!
Up looking over the countryside.
And just the one more thing. This is an experience you are expected to join in with and that means helping to put the balloon by and folding it up with all the rest on board. The fact that the pilot landed in a field full of cow shit did not help either!
And finally down again, with the balloon collapsing.
But overall I had a great day and I am glad I went for it.
The referendum
The European referendum.
I seem to be getting a lot of posts these days as the
referendum approaches on the ‘OUT’ side of the story, and not that many on the ‘IN’
side. So, I will put my point of view, which I realize many will disagree with,
but hope that you will accept there is two sides to every story.
I am will be voting ‘IN’ on June 23rd. Do I think
that the E.U. is perfect? No, actually I don’t. There are many things that
should be changed and yes it does cost a lot to run. We cannot change anything by leaving. But NO we do not pay the £350 million or
whatever figure has been plucked out of the air by Nigel Farage on a daily
basis. This is the actual figure for the cost of being in the E.U. by the
UK. https://fullfact.org/europe/our-eu-membership-fee-55-million/
The ‘OUT’ side say that we can make Britain great again. You
really believe that do you? I mean REALLY? Yes we were Great Britain about seventy
years ago, and yes maybe Churchill was right at the time to say we should look
after ourselves first. But that was in
the past, and we are now living in a new world and a new century.
So we can look after ourselves can we? Why should the world
care about us if we leave? Why would they give a shit if we are not part of a
HUGE trading block? I am sorry friends on the ‘OUT’ side, but you are living in
cloud cookoo land, and I have not heard one ABSOLUTE cohesive argument that
will convince me that voting out will be better for the UK.
You think we will but you do not KNOW.
As for the arguments on the TV, most of it is absolute
bullshit on both sides. Yes, I know Cameron is a dickhead and so is Osborne, but
who are your champions on the ‘OUT’ side? Nigel Farage? Boris Johnson? Michael
Gove? Iain Duncan Smith? Oh please! The ‘OUT’
side seem to be the more vocal. But I have a sneaky feeling that the ‘IN’ side
are the quiet majority. We just have to make sure we vote on this.
Well that is my side, and I hope that those that bother to
read this don’t swear at me too much. Just accept that we all have our views.
Tuesday, 24 May 2016
A few days off
I do not get a huge number of readers to this blog, so I might as well catch up after a few days.
So what has happened? Well not a huge lot, just the normal day to day stuff. We went to see a show in Cardiff's New Theatre called 'Dancing in the streets'. This was Motown based, and very good and lively. We went along with my brother and his wife, and all in all had a great time. If this comes to your area, and you like Motown, I can highly recommend it.
And on Saturday we had another night out, this time the 65th birthday party of a relative of Denise. It was a surprise party, and a great time was had by all. His daughter Louise use to be a professional singer and she did a lot of singing, and very good she was as well. And while this was on, I had to drive over to Cardiff airport to pick up my son, who was coming home after a holiday in Ibiza.
He does love that island. He says he has more friends there than back at home. I cannot get the idea of going to the same place year on year, but it suits him. But while he we was there, he managed to lost his passport. Silly sod, but he took it all in his stride, and I guess they are used to Brits doing that over there. Luckily he managed to get it sorted in time to get his plane home.
And finally, after a couple of months work, my house is finished. Or at least the wall cladding part of it that the council sorted. It is much warmer now, and even if it goes cool, putting the heating on for a short time warms it up quickly. I have also had a lot of work done on the house and apart from a couple of small building jobs, it is finished. I have made up a small video of the before and after work to be put on here.
On Thursday I am supposed to be having a balloon ride in the Bristol area. It will depend on the weather, but if it goes ahead, expect another blog about it with some photos!
So what has happened? Well not a huge lot, just the normal day to day stuff. We went to see a show in Cardiff's New Theatre called 'Dancing in the streets'. This was Motown based, and very good and lively. We went along with my brother and his wife, and all in all had a great time. If this comes to your area, and you like Motown, I can highly recommend it.
And on Saturday we had another night out, this time the 65th birthday party of a relative of Denise. It was a surprise party, and a great time was had by all. His daughter Louise use to be a professional singer and she did a lot of singing, and very good she was as well. And while this was on, I had to drive over to Cardiff airport to pick up my son, who was coming home after a holiday in Ibiza.
He does love that island. He says he has more friends there than back at home. I cannot get the idea of going to the same place year on year, but it suits him. But while he we was there, he managed to lost his passport. Silly sod, but he took it all in his stride, and I guess they are used to Brits doing that over there. Luckily he managed to get it sorted in time to get his plane home.
And finally, after a couple of months work, my house is finished. Or at least the wall cladding part of it that the council sorted. It is much warmer now, and even if it goes cool, putting the heating on for a short time warms it up quickly. I have also had a lot of work done on the house and apart from a couple of small building jobs, it is finished. I have made up a small video of the before and after work to be put on here.
On Thursday I am supposed to be having a balloon ride in the Bristol area. It will depend on the weather, but if it goes ahead, expect another blog about it with some photos!
Monday, 16 May 2016
back swimming
Yes, I am going back to the pool on a fairly regular basis these days again. I used to go quite often, then, gave that up due to work, and recently joined a gym. But sessions on the bikes and treadmills seemed to have given me a pain in the hips, so sadly I have had to give that up.
So it was back to the pool again. I need to try and lose a bit of weight and the exercise will do no harm at all. I am enjoying it, but after laying off for while it is taking a little time to get back into swimming again. I have been doing about ten widths, and then building up to twelve and today fourteen. There is no points in doing myself an injury as it is meant to be good for me!
So today, being another nice day, I decided to clean the car. I have purchased some 'Williams waterless wash' with carnuba wax in it. This is a product I have used many times before on other cars, and always with a good finish. So today, it was time for my Peugeot to get the treatment. I spent a good part of the morning cleaning the outside of the car and a little while ago, I did the wheel trims.
It is a damn good car, and probably the best I will have, so I want it to look its best for as long as I can. Check out the photos below and let me know what you think.
Peace and quiet at the moment as my son is in Ibiza on holiday for a week. Getting suntanned and drunk I would guess, but that is the sort of holiday he likes.
So it was back to the pool again. I need to try and lose a bit of weight and the exercise will do no harm at all. I am enjoying it, but after laying off for while it is taking a little time to get back into swimming again. I have been doing about ten widths, and then building up to twelve and today fourteen. There is no points in doing myself an injury as it is meant to be good for me!
So today, being another nice day, I decided to clean the car. I have purchased some 'Williams waterless wash' with carnuba wax in it. This is a product I have used many times before on other cars, and always with a good finish. So today, it was time for my Peugeot to get the treatment. I spent a good part of the morning cleaning the outside of the car and a little while ago, I did the wheel trims.
It is a damn good car, and probably the best I will have, so I want it to look its best for as long as I can. Check out the photos below and let me know what you think.
Peace and quiet at the moment as my son is in Ibiza on holiday for a week. Getting suntanned and drunk I would guess, but that is the sort of holiday he likes.
Friday, 13 May 2016
A night with Annie
Annie. The stage musical of course. This took place in the 'Muni' in Pontypridd about ten miles from Cardiff.
This used to be run by the local council but was shut to save costs. It has been taken over by a local group who are all volunteers and puts on musicals and arts items.
This show was put on by a local 'am-dram' group, the Pontypridd theatre company. Who knew there was such talent in this little town? Very well staged, and the young girl who played the central part was simply superb. She sounded just like the girl who first played Annie on the original film back in 1982.
All the cast played great parts, and it was very well received by a virtually full house. All in all, a great night and it encouraged me to go again the next time they have something on.
This used to be run by the local council but was shut to save costs. It has been taken over by a local group who are all volunteers and puts on musicals and arts items.
This show was put on by a local 'am-dram' group, the Pontypridd theatre company. Who knew there was such talent in this little town? Very well staged, and the young girl who played the central part was simply superb. She sounded just like the girl who first played Annie on the original film back in 1982.
All the cast played great parts, and it was very well received by a virtually full house. All in all, a great night and it encouraged me to go again the next time they have something on.
Wednesday, 11 May 2016
Rocket and paper
A bit a strange title for this blog I would think. But this is a moan about the crap lettuce that is served these days known as rocket lettuce. Whenever you go for a meal in a restaurant they nearly always shove some of this rubbish on the plate and call it 'salad'. Small leaves that just taste of nothing and about two halves of a cherry tomato. And that is a bloody salad.
Why? because it is cheap and cheerful and can look as if the plate is full. We went for a meal last weekend in a new pub, and I chose burrito. And to be fair it was a very tasty burrito accompanied by some tortilla chips and a long line of salad. Rocket lettuce of course. And all served on a piece of bloody paper on the plate.
Paper! Why would they serve the meal on paper? It was some sort of a type of paper that thankfully did not cut as I was cutting up my food, but why put it on there? The other meals in the party did not have it, and it is hardly going to save washing the plate, so what possible use is it? I imagined that I would be chewing the bloody stuff as I was eating.
I have seen this in other restaurants so this is not exactly new, I just cannot understand why they would not serve the food straight onto a plate.
Anyway, that is my daily moan as it is pissing down outside and I am fed up with the TV. Have a nice day all.
Why? because it is cheap and cheerful and can look as if the plate is full. We went for a meal last weekend in a new pub, and I chose burrito. And to be fair it was a very tasty burrito accompanied by some tortilla chips and a long line of salad. Rocket lettuce of course. And all served on a piece of bloody paper on the plate.
Paper! Why would they serve the meal on paper? It was some sort of a type of paper that thankfully did not cut as I was cutting up my food, but why put it on there? The other meals in the party did not have it, and it is hardly going to save washing the plate, so what possible use is it? I imagined that I would be chewing the bloody stuff as I was eating.
I have seen this in other restaurants so this is not exactly new, I just cannot understand why they would not serve the food straight onto a plate.
Anyway, that is my daily moan as it is pissing down outside and I am fed up with the TV. Have a nice day all.
Monday, 9 May 2016
Catch up time
Off for the last few days, as I have been first bored and then busy. On Saturday we took my niece Katie's son out for a birthday treat. He was twelve on the Thursday and a nice bright young man interested in history.
So we took him to Cardiff Castle for a treat. If you have never been there, then while in the city, this is a must see. Well worth the entrance fee and the tour is brilliant. The only down side, is that if you have difficulties with stairs, this is not for you. As we are residents of Cardiff, we were entitled to the Cardiff Key which for a small price will give free entrance to the castle and parts of the house and tour.
The only issue is if you have walking difficulties as there is a lot of stairs up and down on the tour. But it is very interesting and of course the guide are extremely knowledgeable. Well they would have to be or there would no point in doing the job! The tour is just under an hour and then you are free to wander around. One of the highlights is the Castle keep which is the second highest in the UK.
And then there is the Welsh regiments museum underneath the visitor centre. You can also walk through the walls of the castle where people sheltered from the bombs during the war. All in all a very interesting day and young Lewis loved it.
Some more photos taken there below, and the full album is on my Facebook page.
And then yesterday we went out to a pub for lunch that I had not been to before, the Oystercatcher just outside of Penarth. It is one of the 'hungry horse' pubs, and serves large portions! I had a burrito, and just could not finish it. All in all though a very nice meal and I would go back again.
It was a very hot day though, as in my car it read 27c and even at home I had 22c, and this in early May. Extreme for the UK, but that will ease off by this week. Us Brit's simply are not used to that heat this early.
So we took him to Cardiff Castle for a treat. If you have never been there, then while in the city, this is a must see. Well worth the entrance fee and the tour is brilliant. The only down side, is that if you have difficulties with stairs, this is not for you. As we are residents of Cardiff, we were entitled to the Cardiff Key which for a small price will give free entrance to the castle and parts of the house and tour.
The only issue is if you have walking difficulties as there is a lot of stairs up and down on the tour. But it is very interesting and of course the guide are extremely knowledgeable. Well they would have to be or there would no point in doing the job! The tour is just under an hour and then you are free to wander around. One of the highlights is the Castle keep which is the second highest in the UK.
And then there is the Welsh regiments museum underneath the visitor centre. You can also walk through the walls of the castle where people sheltered from the bombs during the war. All in all a very interesting day and young Lewis loved it.
And then yesterday we went out to a pub for lunch that I had not been to before, the Oystercatcher just outside of Penarth. It is one of the 'hungry horse' pubs, and serves large portions! I had a burrito, and just could not finish it. All in all though a very nice meal and I would go back again.
It was a very hot day though, as in my car it read 27c and even at home I had 22c, and this in early May. Extreme for the UK, but that will ease off by this week. Us Brit's simply are not used to that heat this early.
Tuesday, 3 May 2016
Great google maps
On the way to our weekend away, I had put the whole weekend into a new sat nav that I had purchased. This is a Tomtom start 60, and of course, I wanted to try it out properly. I put in all the addresses we were going to via my home computer before we left, and turned it on and away we went.
Yes, I know I should have checked the route out on a map before we went, but of course with a new Sat Nav, they are so good these days, you get a bit lazy. So it was a shock when after an hour of driving and nowhere near my first destination, the Tomtom screen went blank.
After a lot of swearing, I thought the plug for the in car power might be gone so we pulled into a services to get a new one. The guy there checked ours out, and found it working and said that almost certainly the power socket fuse in the car was gone.
So there I was with no Sat Nav on the way to Stratford. Now I could have found that OK, but the hotel was in Walsall, and a bit of a journey away from there. So I tried the Google maps on my new phone. I know Google maps have been around for ages, but I had never had a phone good enough to use them while driving.
But with my new phone, this was a different proposition.I put in my first destination, Stratford, and it found it straight away. From there I searched for the hotel and once again it found it with no problem. And from there the next day, the car park near the canals that we had to park at.
So it is fair to say, that I am now a big fan of the fantastic Google maps. I have used them at home, like I suppose a lot of us, but never as a Sat Nav. They are as good as my Tomtom, although of course not quite as easy to read, but then that has a five inch screen. but, they are very good indeed.
Yes, I know I should have checked the route out on a map before we went, but of course with a new Sat Nav, they are so good these days, you get a bit lazy. So it was a shock when after an hour of driving and nowhere near my first destination, the Tomtom screen went blank.
After a lot of swearing, I thought the plug for the in car power might be gone so we pulled into a services to get a new one. The guy there checked ours out, and found it working and said that almost certainly the power socket fuse in the car was gone.
So there I was with no Sat Nav on the way to Stratford. Now I could have found that OK, but the hotel was in Walsall, and a bit of a journey away from there. So I tried the Google maps on my new phone. I know Google maps have been around for ages, but I had never had a phone good enough to use them while driving.
But with my new phone, this was a different proposition.I put in my first destination, Stratford, and it found it straight away. From there I searched for the hotel and once again it found it with no problem. And from there the next day, the car park near the canals that we had to park at.
So it is fair to say, that I am now a big fan of the fantastic Google maps. I have used them at home, like I suppose a lot of us, but never as a Sat Nav. They are as good as my Tomtom, although of course not quite as easy to read, but then that has a five inch screen. but, they are very good indeed.
a busy weekend
And a busy weekend it has been. On Saturday we drove to Stratford upon Avon and had a look around there, and if you have never been to Shakespeare's birth place, it is worth a visit. Only a small place, but because of the bard, busy with tourists. Not that I know anything about him, but the history and ancient buildings are worth seeing. Below is Shakespeare's birthplace.
Then after that we drove onto Warwick about half an hour away. This was a quiet place when we were there, although it is probable that we missed part of it. The photo I have put in is of 'Eastgate'. This building first built in 1420 fascinated me, as it was used for hundreds of years as part of a school nearby and has now been purchased and remodeled as a private residence available for hire. The link will tell you the prices, but if you could afford it, that would be quite the place to stay.
After that we moved on to the hotel in Walsall that we had booked for the night. Another holiday inn by Express. We like these for a short stay. They are clean and comfy with all the amenities you need. Breakfast is included in the price, but as we were going for a Sunday lunch, we just had some toast and a hot drink.
And then onto the real reason for this weekend away. We had been given as a Christmas present from my brother and his wife, a riverboat cruise dining experience. This was on the canals in Birmingham centre, and was a three course Sunday lunch.
We boarded at just before twelve, set off shortly after, being served by waitresses, a very pleasant choice and as the boat only does about four miles an hour, just a gentle relaxing time. It lasts about three hours, and is so easy going. The food was excellent and I would recommend it to anyone.
These narrow boats are not the easiest to get into and as they are only six foot ten inches at the widest, not for the disabled. That would be the only downside though. A couple of photos below of narrow boats.
The bottom one is the one we took the cruise on. At over seventy foot long, these have to be turned around with care!
And the last photo is of my lovely partner Denise. Of all the photos I took, this is the one that I think came out best.
And then onto the real reason for this weekend away. We had been given as a Christmas present from my brother and his wife, a riverboat cruise dining experience. This was on the canals in Birmingham centre, and was a three course Sunday lunch.
We boarded at just before twelve, set off shortly after, being served by waitresses, a very pleasant choice and as the boat only does about four miles an hour, just a gentle relaxing time. It lasts about three hours, and is so easy going. The food was excellent and I would recommend it to anyone.
These narrow boats are not the easiest to get into and as they are only six foot ten inches at the widest, not for the disabled. That would be the only downside though. A couple of photos below of narrow boats.
And the last photo is of my lovely partner Denise. Of all the photos I took, this is the one that I think came out best.
Thursday, 28 April 2016
More phone problems
The saga of the mobile phone continues and not just with mine! After getting the phone working finally, I had problems getting on my home wi-fi. I got on to Virgin media to explain and it turned out that my router was not picking up the phone. So I was told to turn it off and restart to get it to pick up the wi-fi.
Which I did. And then the bloody phone would not turn back on! I tried it for ages, but without success. As you might have guessed after all the problems I have had, I went up the wall. I phoned to try and get some technical assistance and all that was said was that they would take the phone away, and check it out and see if it needed repairs.
As I had only had the phone nine days, and only had it working for three, this was not acceptable, and I asked to be put through to cancel the contract. In the meantime the phone restarted and luckily I have had no problems since.
And then more problems with my partners phone. I gave her the old phone as it was bigger than her old one. and replaced her SIM card from her old one into my old one. Does that make sense? Then of course I had to download Facebook onto it. Oh Facebook did not like that! Because it is a new phone they blocked it and I had to eventually get onto here account via my computer and verify it. What a mess around.
And as she does not use email much, we had to set up a new email account to access the Play store to download FB etc.
My swearing and blood pressure went up yesterday I am sure!
Which I did. And then the bloody phone would not turn back on! I tried it for ages, but without success. As you might have guessed after all the problems I have had, I went up the wall. I phoned to try and get some technical assistance and all that was said was that they would take the phone away, and check it out and see if it needed repairs.
As I had only had the phone nine days, and only had it working for three, this was not acceptable, and I asked to be put through to cancel the contract. In the meantime the phone restarted and luckily I have had no problems since.
And then more problems with my partners phone. I gave her the old phone as it was bigger than her old one. and replaced her SIM card from her old one into my old one. Does that make sense? Then of course I had to download Facebook onto it. Oh Facebook did not like that! Because it is a new phone they blocked it and I had to eventually get onto here account via my computer and verify it. What a mess around.
And as she does not use email much, we had to set up a new email account to access the Play store to download FB etc.
My swearing and blood pressure went up yesterday I am sure!
Am I ill?
Well am I? My doctor said I should stop driving straight away. Yes, really that will happen as well. For those who might think I am being selfish, I will explain.
A couple of weeks ago I had a 'funny' turn while I was in town and felt quite unwell for the rest of the day. I had stopped taking aspirin that I had taken for years, on advice because I have been having stomach problems. As this was the only change I had made in my medication, I decided to restart it, and have had no further problems.
Well yesterday I had an appointment about a scan I had on my hip, as I had been having some pain there. (oh the joy of getting older!) That was no problem, just wear and tear, but I then mentioned that I had restarted Aspirin and the reason why.
You would think I had passed out on the spot.She arranged for blood tests, ( I had them today) and a heart trace that will happen next week, and has also arranged to get me a check up with the cardiology unit in our local hospital! And then she said I should stop driving until it is sorted. I also had a blood pressure check and my heartbeat checked. Both were fine, so I think she overreacted.
I have had no problems at all since the last one a few weeks ago, and have been driving since. But I guess they have to cover themselves and I cannot blame them with the culture of blame we have today.
I was going to go back to driving buses a couple of days a week, but that is out I am sure. If I even felt for a minute that I was a danger in any way, I would not drive, but I feel fine, and will continue. We have plans anyway for this weekend, and more of that in another blog.
A couple of weeks ago I had a 'funny' turn while I was in town and felt quite unwell for the rest of the day. I had stopped taking aspirin that I had taken for years, on advice because I have been having stomach problems. As this was the only change I had made in my medication, I decided to restart it, and have had no further problems.
Well yesterday I had an appointment about a scan I had on my hip, as I had been having some pain there. (oh the joy of getting older!) That was no problem, just wear and tear, but I then mentioned that I had restarted Aspirin and the reason why.
You would think I had passed out on the spot.She arranged for blood tests, ( I had them today) and a heart trace that will happen next week, and has also arranged to get me a check up with the cardiology unit in our local hospital! And then she said I should stop driving until it is sorted. I also had a blood pressure check and my heartbeat checked. Both were fine, so I think she overreacted.
I have had no problems at all since the last one a few weeks ago, and have been driving since. But I guess they have to cover themselves and I cannot blame them with the culture of blame we have today.
I was going to go back to driving buses a couple of days a week, but that is out I am sure. If I even felt for a minute that I was a danger in any way, I would not drive, but I feel fine, and will continue. We have plans anyway for this weekend, and more of that in another blog.
Tuesday, 26 April 2016
A working phone
At last! After all the phone calls and frustration, the SIM card finally arrived and I managed to fit it in to start the phone going. I say I managed, but have any of you tried to fit a 'nano sim' card in a phone? The bloody thing is so tiny, my big fingers had a job holding it, and Sony have made the place you fit the damn thing in a pain.
There are two small trays to pull out, one for the SD card and one for the SIM. The cards do fit in obviously, but what a fiddle! I dropped the bloody thing on the floor several times, and it is so small I thought I had lost it for good!
But at last it is in and working, and it works well. The main thing you notice is the camera. With 21 mpx front facing and 13 mpx 'selfie' camera, this really is a good phone for camera work. Nearly as good as my main camera, although of course for serious work I would prefer to use that.
A quiet day today as the weather is just plain weird. Sunshine all morning, and sunshine now as I write, but then we get sharp bouts of rain, sleet, snow and hail all mixed together. Not something I enjoy being out in these days.
But at last it is in and working, and it works well. The main thing you notice is the camera. With 21 mpx front facing and 13 mpx 'selfie' camera, this really is a good phone for camera work. Nearly as good as my main camera, although of course for serious work I would prefer to use that.
A quiet day today as the weather is just plain weird. Sunshine all morning, and sunshine now as I write, but then we get sharp bouts of rain, sleet, snow and hail all mixed together. Not something I enjoy being out in these days.
Monday, 25 April 2016
Still waiting
I am still waiting for this bloody SIM that I have been posting about. I was promised it on Saturday, and was told that it would be posted through the letterbox so there was no need to wait in. So we went out for the day, only to get a 'sorry we missed you' text later that day.
My blood pressure went through the roof, and as soon as I could I got on once again to Virgin mobile to tell them they could stuff the phone and I would cancel the contract. They said that they would take £15 off my bill and promised to send the SIM by post to arrive today. My patience has been tested to the limit now, and if this bloody SIM does not arrive they can stuff the contract where the sun does not shine.
On Saturday we went out to Merthyr for a few hours. The sun was shining and it was just to get a bit fresh air. Not that Merthyr has that much of it! Just a walk around and a bit of shopping and lunch to get out of the house. The day before was damp and miserable and we stayed in most of the day.
Then out to lunch on Sunday as we do nearly every week. All that cooking and washing up for one meal is not worth it. Find a nice pub and let them serve you these days is the way to go.
And that is about it for today. I have a funeral to go to this afternoon, or at least I will be driving my partner there and waiting for her. It is her ex and the children's father, so I am just doing the taxi work and waiting. I did not know him so there is little point in going in.
Have a nice day all!!
My blood pressure went through the roof, and as soon as I could I got on once again to Virgin mobile to tell them they could stuff the phone and I would cancel the contract. They said that they would take £15 off my bill and promised to send the SIM by post to arrive today. My patience has been tested to the limit now, and if this bloody SIM does not arrive they can stuff the contract where the sun does not shine.
On Saturday we went out to Merthyr for a few hours. The sun was shining and it was just to get a bit fresh air. Not that Merthyr has that much of it! Just a walk around and a bit of shopping and lunch to get out of the house. The day before was damp and miserable and we stayed in most of the day.
Then out to lunch on Sunday as we do nearly every week. All that cooking and washing up for one meal is not worth it. Find a nice pub and let them serve you these days is the way to go.
And that is about it for today. I have a funeral to go to this afternoon, or at least I will be driving my partner there and waiting for her. It is her ex and the children's father, so I am just doing the taxi work and waiting. I did not know him so there is little point in going in.
Have a nice day all!!
Thursday, 21 April 2016
The Queen at 90
I don't suppose by any means that I will be posting about this occasion, but I thought that I would put my words in on this.
So, our Queen has reached the grand old age of ninety years old. And still she looks as if she could carry on for years yet. My mother reached that birthday three years ago, (she passed on last year) and had needed a stick to help her walk for several years. The Queen needs no stick and on the 60th anniversary of her reign stood for hours as the flotilla passed by. She has over twenty years on me, and I certainly could not do it.
She certainly has been a steady influence in the country over the past 64 years of her reign, but then all the TV programs have already put that many times.
Are you a Monarchist or a Republican? For me, I am a Monarchist, as I believe this country is far better off with the Royal family than without it, even on just a monetary basis. Would we get the millions of visitors without the Royal family and the castles and history that we have? We certainly do not get them for the weather!
And it is of course not the UK that celebrates her birthday. There are 53 countries in the commonwealth that also pledge allegiance to the Queen, although of course several are looking to become a republic as the years go on. Australia and New Zealand have had referendums on this and both have turned the idea down. Jamaica is also going to decide soon I think, and I would imagine that after the Queen passes on or passes the Throne to Charles that will speed up. It is my belief that only the allegiance to the Queen herself is keeping the commonwealth as it is.
So, I would be one hundred percent sure that the Queen or anybody to do with her will read this, but for me anyway,
So, our Queen has reached the grand old age of ninety years old. And still she looks as if she could carry on for years yet. My mother reached that birthday three years ago, (she passed on last year) and had needed a stick to help her walk for several years. The Queen needs no stick and on the 60th anniversary of her reign stood for hours as the flotilla passed by. She has over twenty years on me, and I certainly could not do it.
She certainly has been a steady influence in the country over the past 64 years of her reign, but then all the TV programs have already put that many times.
Are you a Monarchist or a Republican? For me, I am a Monarchist, as I believe this country is far better off with the Royal family than without it, even on just a monetary basis. Would we get the millions of visitors without the Royal family and the castles and history that we have? We certainly do not get them for the weather!
And it is of course not the UK that celebrates her birthday. There are 53 countries in the commonwealth that also pledge allegiance to the Queen, although of course several are looking to become a republic as the years go on. Australia and New Zealand have had referendums on this and both have turned the idea down. Jamaica is also going to decide soon I think, and I would imagine that after the Queen passes on or passes the Throne to Charles that will speed up. It is my belief that only the allegiance to the Queen herself is keeping the commonwealth as it is.
So, I would be one hundred percent sure that the Queen or anybody to do with her will read this, but for me anyway,
- 'A Happy Birthday your Majesty' !!!
Commonwealth Countries
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
The Roof
Inside Cabot Circus in Bristol