Talking too much, AGAIN!!!

A backdated post

2009-03-02T21:10:00.003Z

Written on Saturday 28th February
I’m trying to write this having a mischievous cat poking around on the desk, wearing one of those plastic collars the vets make them wear. They went in to be spayed on Tuesday and of course you should see them grumble and complain about these bulky things around their necks! Oh dear.

Yesterday I had to attend the local passport office for the short interview you have to do as a first time applicant. All that way across London, just for 15 minutes ‘verifying’ who I was… But I should get the passport within 5-10 working days. Hehehehehe!

A month late, but I finally was told this week that I’ve completed my probation period – the review concluded that my performance had been ‘good’ – so that was the last hurdle to be cleared. As a consequence of that, and with Ally getting her new job sorted and the girls doing well at school and college, we’re all going out for lunch this afternoon, but Rob has to pay… Good job I was paid yesterday!

Another day driving a desk...

2009-02-16T21:06:00.002Z

09:05
It dawned on me, laid in the bath last night, that I hadn't updated ye olde blog and yet I don't know what I want to say. This one might take all day to write so it might look disjointed and bitty...

09:48
Well that's me on top of things at this moment it time so I'll just take a minute to add a bit more. I've just been having a look at what my employee's handbook says and it requests that nothing be written in any blogs that may identify the company, criticise the company's employees or in any way bring the company's name into disrepute. Fair enough, given what has happened in the past with other companies and bloggers. Just means that, in effect I can't say much more than it's an independent fostering provider based in London. So you'll have to miss out on all those neat things that happen and the gossip, worries and concerns we have in the office...

Speaking personally, its not been a bad time recently at the homestead. Ally is starting her new job, on a part-time basis, on better money and more realistic hours as well. I should be confirmed son as having completed my probation at work satisfactorily and the cats (they're no longer kittens, see pic!) are now full of it.

Midnight, in the pink collar, loves a breakfast cuddle. As soon as I sit down with my porridge, she vaults onto my lap and stays there until I have to move to get ready to go out. She's not scared of spending longer either. Last night I sat down watching football on the TV, she jumped up onto my lap, and wriggled upwards until she was laid on my chest where she stayed for the whole of the first half (about 45 minutes), she knows how to claim her place! Lightning however, isn't so much of a cuddle-n-fuss cat but she'll come and ask for attention in her own way. She's the noisiest of the two and believe me she can really sound off if she really wants to! Her worst habit is attacking my toes through the duvet, when she can get into our bedroom. It tickles!

back I am...

2009-02-02T09:04:00.002Z

After the snarg that was last month, I've managed to get back on line and this time I have a new picture to share with you all.

Doesn't it look pretty, the pristine snow on the delightful wheely bins....

Apparently this is the worst snow in London for 18 years or so. Means I can't get into work today. Hey-ho, its a poor day that doesn't give some joy in it. I'm not even sure about tomorrow either, so we shall just have to wait and see.

The worst day I have ever known.

2009-01-06T09:08:00.000Z

I do not want to see the 5th January 2009 ever again. In between Ally going to work and my arriving home, the house was broken into. Items were taken to the sum of about £400 or so, including the laptop with all of last years photo's that Ally has taken. The perpetrators broke a back window and got in that way, then dropped the latch on the Yale lock on the front door so that no one could disturb them - although thanks goodness the mortice lock was on the door as well. We shall just have to wait and see what the insurance company say now.

No happy Rob for a while...

Happy New Year!!

2009-01-03T14:19:00.004Z

Ahhh. Well I suppose at this point I should look back on 2009, and I won't disappoint...

Its been a good year, finally got moved into the house in West London in February, settled down and picked up a nice job in July, which pays well. Its been cold, just right for Christmas and the New Year.

You didn't expect a vast amount of detail did you??? :)

Its nearly Christmas...

2008-12-08T20:36:00.002Z

Well where does the time go? Not long ago it was summer, or what passed for it this year, now there's only 17 days before the holiday arrives, and hasn't it flown by. Doesn't seem like less than 5 months ago I was starting a new job and now I'm the hub from which a lot radiates from in the office, just a month or so left of my probation and I'm still working to make sure its a formality. However, I'm not geting my hopes up until after the review takes place mid way through January....

Believe it or not I actually have most of the presents bought for Christmas, which isn't bad for being organised, haven't sent any cards out yet so I'm not that organised!! During the coming week perhaps. :)

For once, winter is turning out nice and cold, ok not all the time, but its still what you want in December. Frosty mornings, crisp sunny skies and the hopes of the possibility of a few snowflakes, which around here is someting to remember! We may get some, we may not... but the anticipation is something to be enjoyed. Mind you there's always a few people moaning about the cold, and wishing it was warmer. HELLLOOO! IS THERE ANYONE IN THERE? Its December, its supposed to be cold this time of year...

Its gone quiet, I'd better go and see that the two tiny terrible tyrants are up to, it usually something for which they can turn that innocent expression to what I catch them!

Cuteness alert!

2008-11-20T20:44:00.005Z

Now I ask you, who would not describe these two little ones as cute....? Now 4 months old, they've got to the stage of growing out of their kitten features and now looking like small cats. Boisterous, confident and loving their food as well as ours... This is their look that says "We run this place and you will do as we say. Your bed? Is ours now! So we'll sleep here, and you can't argue about it!"

Looking back at the last month, not a lot has happened so there's not much to talk about, so I won't waste your time with boring crap.... Work is going well, the football is enjoyable and Christmas is coming. 'Nuff said!

What therapy....

2008-10-15T20:24:00.002Z

You know, at the end of a stressful day, when the phone's been ringing non-stop, and people have been wanting this, that and the other, sometime we all need to 'smell the roses'.

I get that by going home watching my kittens run around and do the manic things two 3 month old little black scraps get up to, occasionally I join in and its that which makes me laugh the most, when they jump on each other, fight each other, play around with any old thing that is now their toy. The latest fun item is an old train ticket crumpled up. Watching them skating around, chasing this scrap of card across a laminated floor is a tonic in itself...

Ever such a lot!

2008-10-02T08:16:00.002Z

Well there's a lot to mention this time, so grab a cuppa and get comfortable.

After my last entry I went to see my sister as you know, and had a really good time. It was good to spend time with little sis (and I know that will bug her!). We did nothing but talk and watch TV, talk a bit more and have a coffee, watch TV and eat dinner, that kind of day. Was really good.

Also during that time I spent time with some of the astronomy bunch that I used to hang around with before and it was good as well, even though the weather didn't always understand the necessity of clear skies that weekend!

To top it off, I harassed the girls at the old coffee shop, but in a nice way. All I had to pay for was my coffee, cos I kept getting food placed in front of me. I think they liked having me back.

All in all it was a wonderful weekend and I enjoyed it all, every part. Plus it has a bearing on a later entry! :)

Last weekend, well it wasn't a weekend as you would know it... Saturday was spend work training, attending a first aid course for the whole of the day. And being the responsible person as well. ARRGGHH! It was tempered by an amazing evening, where this happened. Smashing, amazing, mind-bogglingly astonishing times for Hull City!

Sunday saw me having a trip to Newcastle, to see how the company office there works, as its been established for 10 years, and had an 'outstanding' rating at the last official inspection, it was thought it would be good for me to pick up systems and routines there. Well if I couldn't there, then I couldn't anywhere. But I was glad to get home.

At this point I'd like to introduce our two additions to the house, two tiny tyrants. Meet Midnight and Lightning.... Its not the best of pictures, cos it was taken in a hurry last night on my mobile. We came to get two little bundles of fun cos A felt lonely when I was up in Hull visiting my sister, apparently the house was too empty when she was home. Aren't they just cute?

Lightning (on the right) is the more outgoing, she's always looking for something to chase, attack or eat, depending on her mood. Her little sister, Midnight looks like the runt of the litter and so is a bit smaller and more reserved, but she's catching up and eating all she can get. At just 10 weeks old, they're just right for a new home, and after just one week, they think they own the place, plus they know who's the soft touch, and it isn't A!

Expect more cute pix over the next few weeks, months and so on, of our little adorable bundles...

Another weekend...

2008-09-12T15:05:00.004Z

Doesn't seem like 7 days since the start of the last one, but yep, here it comes again.

And it's back to the football, toodling off to watch Hampton & Richmond in the Conference South. I enjoy last week's match so much, I'm becoming a bit of a fan. Of course, that's not to say I'm giving up on the mighty Tigers, I just can't get to their games, whereas I can for H&R. It's worth the £10 admittance fee against 3 or 4 times that for their professional cousins...

Today has seen another in the series of bus drivers strikes . Thankfully it's not all of the buses, just a couple of companies, so I could still get to work, although I had to take the train for the last part. I still managed to observe poor uninformed souls wondering where their regular bus had got to! I mean, it's been all over the local tv, radio, some sections of the newspapers and on the news websites as well. How do people go around not taking any notice of what's happening around them??

Next weekend, I'm off on a jaunt by myself, as I'm going to see my sister before she's disappears off elsewhere for about 18 months, work you know. As well as spending much of the weekend with her, I shall be revisiting a few old haunts, so if you're reading this in Hull, be careful! The weekend after that will see me travelling to Newcastle on the Sunday, to spend the Monday observing one of the company's more established branches, what they do and so on. I think I'm enjoying all this...

Me... final part.

2008-09-05T14:56:00.004Z

Moving on, and moving away...

Moving to live in Bridlington was not my most enlightened of ideas. The cost of the rent on the room I rented etc., quickly ate into my finances. and my student overdraft expanded alarmingly. So after one term, I moved back home as it worked out cheaper to commute in on the 3 or 4 days a week I needed to be in college. If I needed to contact my fellow students - 6 of them by this time, and all of maturer years - then I could email or phone them. Problem solved.

Business & IT turned out to be right up my street and this time I wasn't going to mess it up and I didn't. 2 years of hard work got me a very good pass and thus I was awarded my diploma (one step down from a degree). I had to then consider if I was going to do a 3rd year for the degree, but having weighed up the options, I chose not to. So back out I went looking for work.

I decided to call in a few long term favours and spent 3 weeks in London during the October of 2001. Although I didn't find any work, it was one of the most important times in my life.

One weekend while in London, I was bored out of my tiny mind so I texted, on the off-chance, an old college friend of my sister's, Alicia, to see if she fancied showing me around the city. She agreed, and so I first spent time with my now-fiancee... I'll spare you the details of that day, but we agreed to keep in touch after I moved back home.

But I couldn't go back home, the rest of the family decided it was best if I moved out, and so I settled in Hull, in a rented room found for me by my sister. Reasonable enough, and I had a better chance of finding work. Registering with employment agencies found me sporadic work, but I didn't mind. I had my own space to do what I liked with. However I was getting back into the comfortable rut though, and that wasn't good. It's funny for all the government crackdowns, the Jobcentre staff still believed everything you told them, providing it was plausible, and that what I did for a number of years, happy to have the rent paid for me and enough to survive on.

In my copious spare time, I was busy with the Hull Astronomy Society, really busy. In fact after just a short period of time co-opted onto the committee, in charge of the website, the members decided to have a complete change and thus elected me as Society President for a 3 year term. This shocked and amazed me, I had no experience, and neither had my secretary, whom I liked as a person and I was pleased to have as part of the team. So we had to make it all up as we went along, and I think we did a good job. the membership rose steadily throughout that 3 year term and the finances improved as we settled into a new venue, the University of Hull. After I completed my term, the secretary took over for 2 years and now its in the capable hand of Paul, my long time observing buddy, mentioned earlier in the blog.

By 2005, A was coming to Hull on a semi regular basis, 5 or 6 times a year, and I was starting to think about the future. Or should I say, I was being forced to think about the future. Here was I, in my mid 30's with nothing to show for that time. Troubling stuff, and I used to get quite anxious about that.

One night, I'd had A on the phone, after she'd broken up with the man she was seeing, I decided to make my feelings known, and we decided we should think about being a bit more serious. In October 2005 (I can never remember the exact date) we became engaged, in front of my parents. My sister, who'd had a disagreement with A some years previously, found it hard to take at first but slowly she's come to accept it.

At this point we made plans to move me to London, as it wasn't possible for A to go to Hull, with the girls (see pic at the bottom left) meaning she had to stay close to home. The plans were to move us into a house in Ealing (I'm not going to be any more specific, my choice), that was owned by A's parents and at that time was let out. All that began in 2006, and that's after the blog started, if I remember correctly... So there you have it, the rest you can check in the Archive.

That's my life up to now, and for the first time in a long while, its all on the way up. I've got the chance of a good life, with a decently paid job, living a good house - which I'm thankful for - and with someone who loves me for who I am. I'm a very lucky person now and and I going to jeopardise all this?? Not for your life!

One thing I do miss is all my old friends in the Societies, my old footballing mates and the people in Sammy's cafe, my regular Sunday morning haunt. But life moves on.

I realise that I have missed things out that are not directly relevant to the story, but the main bits are there! So now you know who I am and what I'm like and so on...

Me... part 2

2008-08-29T10:11:00.003Z

PS Hi to all my readers... Finding it interesting?

After finally getting my head around the fact of where I was going and what I was doing, I had to get some travel plans in order and some accommodation. The travel plans were easy, the accommodation wasn't. Thankfully the Methodist Church, who we as family attended, came to the rescue. They found a local minister in Dagenham who could give me a place for a week or so, until I could arrange something for myself. The day before term started my mother and I travelled down (she'd never been to London either), and we made our way to Dagenham. That was OK, and the following morning, I went to to the Poly, while she travelled home.

I spent the next 9 months studying all aspects of the Estate Agents business, the trade and so on, getting to know people and making friends, exploring London and falling in love with the Underground. That time planted a seed which in the present day is starting to grow substantially. I joined my first astronomical society at this time, the East London Society, based in Wanstead. Its still going now, but I doubt it would remember me nearly 20 years on.

The course was interesting in its way, but I was either subconsciously realising this wasn't for me or I thought I could pass it all without doing as much study as I should. Of course, with there being a much less discipline factor, you being on your own, I had no one to chase me. If the work wasn't done, that was your lookout, and in my confidence of youth, I think I thought I could do it easy.

The first year exams were my biggest hurdle, I needed to pass 6 of the 8 modules from the year to be accepted into the second year of the course. I passed 5. That was a shock to the system, and after I got back home in the June, I was effectively given the silent treatment for failing for a few days. I deserved it and it hurt. So what now? Effectively I was isolated at the cottage, not being able to drive and in the local area, jobs were at a premium outside of working on the farms, which I had no intention of doing.

So I had to go down the JobCentre and register myself. This turned out to be the main event in my daily life for quite a while. During the next few years, I had summer jobs in hotels, assisted at a riding stables - I got to be able to ride quite nicely by the end - and doing some voluntary work in Shropshire, but these were few and far between, in fact I spent more time doing training like getting Admin qualifications, than I did working.

When I returned home in 1990, one of the first things I did was to get in touch with the Scarborough Astronomy Society, and joined. This was the start of an unlikely friendship with the people there, and even more so with the person who would run me home after each meeting, Deirdre. This arrangement was still going in the end of 2007, and I was glad of it.

In late 1997, I started a part-time job, at a weather consultancy business, back in Shropshire, about 7 days a month, expenses paid. I really enjoyed this, but there was no way it would last forever, as there was clearly not enough money in it - my entitlement had dropped because of the work. So in 1999, I had to make a decision. Stay at home, enjoy my life, playing bowls (which I had took up in 1996) 3 or 4 nights a week and spending days messing on the computer or finally make a move towards getting out of that pleasurable rut.

In the May of that year, I applied to East Yorkshire College in Bridlington to do a Higher National Diploma in Business and IT, in July I was accepted. I decided to move out into the town, to be nearer the college. So I was moving out again, this time hopefully wiser and more mature, to try and improve myself, spot the recurring theme....??

More in a week or so.

Me...

2008-08-18T14:57:00.003Z

Well this blog has been going for a long time now, close on three years, and most of you have shared the trials, the worries, the happy times that I've experienced in that time. You know much about now, so I thought I'd pursue an idea I've been considering for a while, namely, a post or two about me in my younger days. Ready? Sitting comfortably? Then I shall begin..

Early years
I was born in December 1970 in the East Riding of Yorkshire. Apparently I couldn't wait, being born a month premature, impatient as ever! Early in January I was finally taken home to my home for the next 10 years, a small farm cottage high on the Yorkshire Wolds. If you were looking for a safe place to bring up children, well you couldn't do much better than that. It had it's downsides though, in that there were no other children to play with, when you've wide open spaces to play in, you soon develop a good imagination. One of the ways I used to do this was to take a tennis ball, and a piece of wood, and play my own cricket matches against the house wall.

In 1973, my sister was born, and things changed a lot. She was completely different to me, in that she was more like my mother in temperament, where I was more like my father. This meant all kinds of escapades, usually for which it was my fault, although I can't believe or remember if that's true. In 1975, I started school in the nearest village, problem was that the previous year, the county boundaries had changed and we were just inside North Yorkshire, when the address was East Yorkshire. Neither authority could make up its mind where I should go, but in the end it was decreed I should go into North Yorkshire. Sometimes over the years I wish it had been different.

Being the outsider in everything didn't help, in a school or place I had never been to before. At least going the other way into East Yorkshire, at least I would have known where I was as the village was the one my father had grown up in. However, trying to fit in wasn't easy, but I did my best, at least I think I did.

Over the next few years, I did well academically, problem was that by 1980, I knew it as well. The following year we moved into the village to be nearer the school and to provide some interaction with kids our age. By this time I was ready to start senior school, while my sister was still in the junior school. I was sent into North Yorkshire and the nearest one was in the small town of Norton. being used to a small village school, being in a bigger one with about 900 people was a bit of a culture shock. I made a few friends and managed to settle in quite well. I almost lived for the games lessons, which for me fed my love of sports. I was never the most able of players but I loved it anyway.

I think it was in the first couple of years I reached my peak, getting good reports and exam results, but they all had an underlying comment, 'has the ability, but could try harder'. I suppose I felt that as I had the ability, I could coast along on that and not work as hard as I might. My mother was sure that I wasn't working as hard as I might because I was always thinking of sport, well that wasn't the case, not that I remember anyhow. Its something that in the present day I regret a lot. The crowning glory of my school years was when taking the old 'O' levels and CSE's (exams before the current GCSE's were brought in). I managed to turn up on the wrong day and the wrong syllabus for my Maths exam, thus ensuring no result or grade. I got into some serious trouble over that one...

Thankfully I managed to get good enough grades in the rest of the exams to be able to go to further education in the neighbouring town of Malton. Because it was only a small college, some of the subjects I wanted to take clashed and I had to change to do only Chemistry and Geography, plus the ubiquitous General Studies (which have been better described with 'Current affairs and Life Skills' I suppose). For whatever reason it was, I can't remember now, I bombed on Chemistry, which was strange cos I'd done fairly well in that subject at a lower level. I think I was OK in practical terms, but the understanding of what I was supposed to be studying never seemed to make sense. geography I was OK with and enjoyed especially when it came to the physical aspect of the subject, meteorology, seismology and vulcanology all fascinated me even then as they do now.

In the end I passed Geography and General Studies (it took real failure to mess the latter up!), so what now? In the end I was accepted into the old Polytechnic of East London, based in Stratford, to study Land Management. First time in London, indeed the furthest I had been from home - barring a two week camping holiday in the Highlands of Scotland - and I was still a typical naive country boy in many respects. How would I take to the change in lifestyle and culture? More later...

Days off and so on

2008-08-14T08:32:00.002Z

It seems strange now to be at home during the week, Monday was my day of in lieu of working on the 2nd and to still be in the house at 9am, not in my working gear, well it didn't feel right. Thats not to say I don't appreciate the fact, just that its weird. At least I went back refreshed and ready for action and so on. The tasks I had won't be that onerous, at least not for a while. not until the processes as regards fostering gets underway properly. But it was a good weekend. That is always a good thing, isn't it? Saturday was quiet, I suppose you could call that a complete wind-down kind of day. Sunday was busy but fun, as we spent much of the afternoon at the London Mela which is a great day out. The rain didn't help at all, a couple of bad showers meant that we got soaked but apart from that it was good. Admittedly I felt rather conspicuous, as one of small number of non-asians at the event but once that's got over, its just a case of enjoying whats around you, the sights, the music, the food and so on. If you never been to an event like a Mela, then go sample it, you might even like it!

In the evening, both Ally and I were taken out to the local Bollywood movie theatre. Admittedly A had been before, but I hadn't and I wasn't entirely sure of what to expect, but afterwards, I could honestly say that I had enjoyed it quite a lot. Thank goodness for the subtitles or I would have been all at sea. Actually the moral behind the story was one that could be applied the world over, in that money is only good for what it can do for others, and that you should always consider the wider implications of your actions. Its a shame more people don't take these thoughts on board, I'm sure things would be a whole lot different in the world if they did.

Things that bug me (part 1): I spend a lot of time travelling on the buses and I always try to make sure that I don't take up a seat unnecessarily, by standing mostly, if there's just a few spare. What gets up my nose are those people that choose to sit on the inside seat, furthest from the window, and leave the outside seat empty. I mean, why?? It means then if anyone wants that seat, they have to push past, or the other person has to get up. ok perhaps they are just going a few stops, but why not take the window seat?? Makes no sense to me at all.

A leaf in a bunch of roses...

2008-07-26T08:12:00.000Z

End of first week's work and its all looking like the finest garden imaginable. There's much to be done every day, and given my surroundings, it's not a toil at all. The entire office - from first floor to the top of the building - is staffed entirely by women, and I love every minute of it, being the only one of the male gender in the place! Its wonderful, but then I always did prefer being around women. I'm not going to name the company, such is my way, neither am I going to name the staff around me, as they wouldn't like that, but it's all good.

I'm working for an independent fostering agency in Ealing, still quite small and finding its feet - although it is part of a wider, national organisation - so there's still a lot of new systems to devise and set up, plus adapting other ones to suit my style of working. Throw into this the task of organising fostering panel meetings, chasing paperwork from local authorities, arranging forms for applicants and so on, there's plenty to do. In what spare time I have, I've been making contacts within the other regional offices, to make life a little easier in the long term. As I have no experience of the fostering sector, I also have to try and pick up the terms and expressions, their meanings, their implications and so on. Its not something I would have seen myself doing, but its now a position I feel capable of fulfilling. 5 years ago, I would have not thought that, but being more mature and somewhat more organised, I feel like I can do this and do it well. Of course the surroundings make a difference as well...!

Onwards and upwards!

2008-07-10T09:28:00.002Z

In the three weeks since I last travelled this way, and left my last chronicle of ordinariness, things have actually happened, and to my benefit too. Although the weather today has been foul, or fowl, or possibly duck, its not a problem as there’s luck about too.

Just after my last entry, I was accepted onto a training course, beginning 14th July, studying Sage Accounting for 13 weeks. Something I always wanted to do. At about the same time, I’d passed over my CV, through a friend of Ally’s for an admin post in a different part of the same building where she worked. Two weeks ago, a letter appeared in my letterbox, inviting me for interview at Portland Place, central London, which was the head office of the company. Well, that was nice, considering I wasn’t entirely sure what the job description was, not having seen it! I didn’t even know what the salary was likely to be!

Thursday 3rd arrived and just my luck, on a day when the tube went haywire - which I could have done without - I finally made the interview, 20 minutes late. That could have had an adverse effect but having called ahead in sufficient time to warn them, it worked in my favour. The interview went well I felt, and all I had to do was wait for the decision, which could be the next day, but more likely to be Monday, I was told.

As Ally had a day off the following day, we decided to take her eldest (who had finished exams and was getting bored) into town to play tourist, and we ended up going around St Paul’s Cathedral, which I had never done. My being somewhat of a spiritual nature, it had a sobering effect on me, and given how I was wondering about the decision that would be made after the previous day’s interview, it was welcome. The three of us decided to climb the tower into the dome of the building, which filled me with a little unease, as heights are not really my thing, given as I feel uncomfortable 10 feet up a ladder!

The first stop was the whispering gallery, and that was very difficult for me, as it’s quite a narrow passageway. But I managed to pass that and go up a level to the exterior gallery, and the view, as you would expect, was amazing (see picture right).This didn’t bother me as much as I couldn’t see directly downwards. I elected to stay there while the others went right to the top of the dome. As it turned out it was a wise choice as the ladder and passageways were that industrial style of equipment, full of gaps etc.! If I’d have done that one, I’d have needed help to get down, that or some clean items of certain pieces of clothing...

When we got back to terra firma, we then crossed the river, via the Millennium Bridge, and went looking for a pub. We had to take a bus ride past Borough Market and London Bridge station to find a Wetherspoon’s. Eventually we did, and after lunch, we went home. Quite a fulfilling day, all in all.

Move ahead now to Monday morning. I’d wandered off to the library to check emails and so on, when the company rang to let me know what their decision had been. Unfortunately, it was in the negative, but the impression I’d got was that I was pretty close and might even have been in the final two. Well this wasn’t the disappointment it might have been as I still had the training course to fall back on.

I dropped back into the routine of nipping into the library computer area on Tuesday morning and as I was leaving, my mobile rang and the number looked familiar...

It was the company again. I knew then what was going to happen, and I can’t explain how I knew. I just had that gut instinct that there was only one reason they would ring back 24 hours after letting me know I hadn’t been chosen, and I was right!

They wanted to offer me the post, and would I be interested?? Silly question! Having accepted, I then had to gather together all the documentation I would need, proof of address, proof of identity and so on, towards the CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) I would need, as the company are foster care providers, and I would be dealing with sensitive information and so on, as the admin support for the London branch.

I just have to wait for the formal, written offer, and down the JobCentre I go, to tell them the course will not be required. Hah, I might even consider doing it as an evening class, if I so decide.

Life’s good, for once.

PS No I am not going to mention the remuneration package, that’s for me to be very happy with and for you to wonder about...!

Thinking time...

2008-06-18T08:32:00.002Z

Although I'm back to the previous occupation of finding one, it does give me much time to think. Time to think about things, and when I look at it I'm quite lucky really. I have a decent life with a wonderful partner, I have a nice (or soon to be nice home) in a good part of west London (within the borough of Ealing) and everything is fine.

Yet sometimes I mourn for the things I left behind in Hull. Like going down to the observatory with Paul, Allan and George late on a warm summer evening (and in the winter too), the Society meetings, Sammy and her coffee shop, watching the football, all the friends across the City and all the old familiar places. All these I miss, yet I know this chance of a proper life that I have now is great, and what I should have had a long time ago. Hull would never have got me moving forward, stuck in a comfort zone as I was. Its all worth it now....

Hmm, the brown stuff might be flying soon...

2008-06-09T13:25:00.002Z

Just got back from chat with the agency that placed me in the job I recently had, and from what they are saying it might mean that the ordure is about to start whizzing through the air for the company that employed me. Seriously. I might not be in it up to my neck but I sure might well be the cause of it for other people. Heh. And you know something, I don't care too much, apparently the company owes me a days holiday pay, plus I was never paid for either of the Bank Holidays that happened while I was employed there. That's just the tip of the iceberg, more later on when I get to hear about it. However the agency have offered to have a word with other local companies that they know who deal in the same products as the original company, which help I was happy to accept.

I'd like to welcome the newest subscribers to the Yahoo site, good to see you all, some of you know me well, or just know me. Especially young Gillian, I haven't forgotten the buckets of water or the cooking oil in the coffee, she knows what I mean, I have a long memory! If you want to read posts from the past I believe the link is on the bottom of the Yahoo message this came in...

Life's a B*tch...

2008-06-07T08:19:00.001Z

Ok I know its been such a long time since I updated here, but a lot has happened since then.
Ok, in the middle of April, I managed to get work, at a company that produces windows and double glazing, and after a tricky settling in period, everything was going swimmingly. I was starting to enjoy my time there, the work wasn't TOO arduous and I was making friends with the other people in the office. That was interesting in itself as I was the only european in that office. Many times conversations were flying over my head, being in punjabi. Now some people would have taken offence at that but I figured, well if its something I need to know they will tell me! However yesterday (Friday 6th), I got called to see the personnel office, to say that due to a problem with my New Deal financing (i.e. the Employment Services were not forthcoming with any), they couldn't afford to keep me on. At least it wasn't for the quality of my work or my timekeeping, which I was assured was very good on both counts. I had noticed though, that the orders were not really coming in, in sufficient numbers, to keep two people busy putting those orders on to production system. Some days the total orders reached about 30-35 windows, which is about a couple of hours work for two people. Last year it was quite normal to get orders totalling about 100 a day, which would have been a challenge for me. So its back to scanning the papers and harrassing the jobcentre. So many plans ruined, ah well.

The one good thing that came out in the time since I posted last is that my football team, Hull City, have finally reached their dream in being promoted to the Premiership, the ultimate league in the world. After finishing 3rd in the Championship, they earned the right to enter the playoff series and after two devastating displays against Watford, whom they thrashed 6-1 over two games, they faced Bristol City at Wembley. Just getting this far was enough to make all City fans proud, but Wembley! We'd never been there before! On a warm Saturday afternoon, the teams fought an absorbing game, which was never a thriller, and an amazing 20 yard volley from the old campaigner, 39 years young, Dean Windass, sent Hull City in the Promised land. There were tears of joy as the final whistle went at the end of the game, even from me, and I was sat in a pub cos I couldn't get a ticket. Oh yes, two milestones reached in just 3 weeks, the first visit to football's most famous arena, AND a season in the most lucrative league in the world. Of course some pundits are saying we won't survive but let's just wait and see...

One month on...

2008-03-06T09:26:00.002Z

Well, a quick few minutes down the library has given me time to make a quick post! So hello again everyone.

I thought it would be instructive for everyone for me to set out my blog rules, just so you know where I come from.

No names without their permission; nothing that might identify any member of my extended family and nothing that might identify the street in which I live. If I choose not to mention an event or happening, then that's MY choice as a blogger. OK? So now you all know. Apart from that, anything goes, I guess.

Its been a shock, the way things have been in the new house. After the tenant left, there's been much to sort out, both in the house (by ourselves) and out of the house (very capably dealt with by Alicia's family (and if they read this, I'm so very grateful for all you've done)).

I've forgotten what a carpet is, and the place can be a bit of a building site at times, but there's a three year plan in Alicia's mind to get it into the kind of house we want. At the moment, the bathroom is 80% finished with the walls now replastered, the suite just has to be installed, and the place retiled last of all. Then the place has to rewired before we can get the main bedroom replastered and decorated, once that's done, then that's it for the coming year. Next year, the rest of the house will get sorted, and the following year it's the garden! So its all go.

All I need to do is now find work, and the world is fine and dandy, but its not at the moment cos of that. Its not as easy to find that job as I thought so I'd better go and do that now. So I'll catch you soon. But here's a little thought from our Chinese friends, "Walk through life, don't run."

See you around, folks...

2008-02-08T08:49:00.000Z

Well, today is that last full day in Hull, and this time tomorrow will see the last loading of boxes into the van. The day that I've been looking forwards to for so long is almost here, and you've no idea how that feels. Well perhaps you do, anyhow, after today, I don't know when I'll next be able to update this little feeble blog. But I will do, when the internet connection rises up the "To do" list, probably when I've gained some meaningful employment and not before.

I'd like to thank all my readers over the last couple of years for stopping by and reading the entries, as I thank those who read it via email. Your interest means a lot.

I would like to thank everyone else in Hull, to those who I've worked with, to those who I spend time under the stars with, to those who I've shared a drink with and to those who I've shared football with (have I left anyone out?)

AT LAST!

2008-01-30T12:47:00.000Z

Well, the news I've been itching to give you all is out. On 9th Feb my long awaited move to London will take place after a delay. Its been kept under wraps as I didn't want to tempt Fate by announcing it and it falling through. However it will mean that for a while I shall be offline until we get either a phone line sorted or cable connected. When that happens I will let you all know via a note on here...

I'm all excited now......

Important days...

2008-01-29T09:58:00.000Z

If today, or at the latest tomorrow, goes to plan then I should have some news that I've been hoping to bring for at least a year and possibly longer, so come back here before the weekend (for those that visit here) or watch your inboxes, for those who receive the email and I will be able to reveal all (well, not completely, that would be shocking!).

If you look a bit lower to the posts below, you'll see a picture from a presentation that was made to me last year. Well, I managed to acquire a copy of the original digital image, and that's now the one you see - the other was a scan of a print, which didn't look great. Another image has come to light and I share it with you now. Not a great picture, but then I suppose they can't all be! But at least it has me, in focus and not trying to get out of frame either.

Another one...

2008-01-10T11:21:00.000Z

Now that events are moving, and the move looks 95% certain for the end of the month, everyone is now wanting to tell me what a great person I am and so on. The latest one was before the holidays when the people at the Observatory decided to thank me for the help and work I'd done over the last year or two (don't understand, I never did any work!) I would just have been happy with a handshake and a few words of thanks and so on.

However, I was presented with a nice print of a favourite comet, a print which I helped to produce on the night it was taken. I shall remember it everytime I look at the print in the future, as much as I shall remember the people involved. Its been a bonus year, that I wasn't expecting to get, and I think I made the most of it down there at the observatory. I shall miss my nights down there with Paul, Allan and the rest of them, and it'll seem dull without them.

5 things I don't understand...

2007-12-28T15:13:00.000Z

The Boxing Day sales madness - I really don't get this one. You've just spent a silly amount of money in the run-up to Christmas, buying all those presents for the family and friends. As soon as the stores re-open, offering obscene discounts on things you don't really need, you HAVE to go out and spend even more!! Madness.

TV soaps - I really cannot see how the fictional mundane crises of a place that doesn't exist, where troubles appear to be never ending and people seem to be on the verge of a breakdown, can be riveting viewing. Surely life is bad enough without the vicarious pleasure of watching fictional characters suffer? I don't get it.

Friday nights - I never have understood the thinking that says its been a good night out if you get absolutely hammered, and wake up next morning with a stinking, splitting headache and no memory of what you've done. What is the point of that?? If you can't remember it, how do you know it was a good night?

Cars and the seduction of driving - As a SNDB (smug non driving b'stard), I never understood that mad, almost mindless dash to learn how to drive when turning 17. I still don't. We have been seduced into thinking that if you don't drive or own a car, you are in some way to be looked down on. Cars are expensive to maintain, run and protect. Why does everyone do it?

Sport: football referees and the players - Very often, within football matches, the decisions of the referee will go against one team or another. More often than not, the referee will be crowded by protesting players, screaming abuse about his abilities, honesty or parentage. Why? He isn't going to change his mind, and to my mind it shows a lack of respect and a lack of self-control in the players. You will hear managers saying "heat of the moment" or "pressure of the situation" or similar. What a load of tosh that is.

Happy Christmas

2007-12-26T13:57:00.000Z

I would just like to wish all my readers the compliments of the season and that you all have a peaceful and prosperous New Year!

See you all in 2008!!

That time of year again...

2007-12-21T10:50:00.000Z

Well, tomorrow I buzz off to spend Christmas with the folks, at their new place. It'll seem strange to not be in the cold cottage, sat before the open fire and enjoying the solitude. But it'll be nice to spend time with them.

Yesterday was a bit of a sobering emotional time, as mother, sister and myself went to say farewell to an old family friend who passed over last week. A wonderful gentle man, with a mischievous sense of humour but full of wisdom and sound words, who lived his life by his faith. I hadn't seen him for a while but his passing is a sad loss to the world. I shall miss him. On the journey back, Keri and I spent most of the trip reminiscing over his life as we had shared it with him... His advice, his laugh, his stories. Farewell, JV.

To everyone, have a wonderful Christmas, and a wonderful New Year.

Christmas??? So soon?

2007-12-12T19:43:00.000Z

How slack and lackadaisical am I? I was at a meeting on Monday night, and Christmas cards started appearing in front of me. Well that's about right, its expected in December, yet the thought of writing some myself had never entered my head, and I can't work out why...

I could say I was wrapped up in events are regarding the house (if you are on speaking terms with Alicia please ask her discreetly), or I was busy with astronomical stuff, or other things but it wouldn't be true. My memory must have more holes in it than a sieve. Shameful, isn't it?

Delayed Scottish Holiday Travelogue....

2007-12-02T21:31:00.000Z

Grovelling apologies, noble readers, for this delay but here we go!

Sunday 11th November
There's something not the same at the site this year and I'm not quite sure what it is. Perhaps it will all become clearer as the week goes on. Mistakes over the booking, no access to essential grocery supplies (apparently the shop in the village had stopped supplying the site) and other minor niggles meant that it wasn't exactly a cheery arrival.

So this morning we ambled into the village - Carr-bridge - for breakfast at "The Old Bakery" (and damn good it was too), we stopped by the shop to get those essentials we needed. When asked about the lapsing of the shop's arrangement with the site, we got told a different story, which said it had been the site that had stopped the deliveries.

It makes you wonder.

Monday 12th
A very late morning (ahem) led to a late trip to Aviemore for the extras the village shop couldn't provide. Spent a valuable 15 minutes in the excellent Tourist Information in the town, planning my days walking with the knowledgeable staff. Afterwards we had a brief reconnaissance of the other holiday site in the town, run by the company, at Dalfaber, which is where Alicia will spend her day while I go walking. Tomorrow? A trip over the top, to Inverness. I like the journey along the A9, looking down on the Moray and Inverness. Such a lovely sight.

Tuesday 13th
What a smashing day!! After a pleasant walk along the River Ness, we popped into the Floral Hall and gardens, to have a look-see. It has a surprisingly good tropical house and adjoining it, a drier cactus house, which, although not large is really worth the time investigating.The trip back to Carr-Bridge was quite interesting in that it doubled up as the school run from the local high school, Milburn Academy, taking in the little villages off the A9. Its fascinating to see a little snapshot into the everyday life of people, instead of being just a tourist. What was refreshing to see was the way in which the school children behaved, so much better than many city school buses! We couldn't believe it. Perhaps it's because being asked to leave the bus is not an option that is willingly faced out there. Nice to see though.

Wednesday 14th
Had a quiet day catching up with some gentle walking around the woods close by the village. A couple of hours worth, so that's about 4-5 miles at my pace. It sets up the feet nicely for the longer one tomorrow, which I estimate at about 9 - 10 miles, which will be a challenge, although the going should be ok.

This picture is of the River Dulnain, which ultimately feeds into the Spey at Dulnain Bridge. I took a similar picture facing the other way and the water didn't look blue! Isn't it strange how some pictures just come out perfectly, purely by luck? Bit like this one really!

Thursday 15th
Umm. I'd forgotten what 10 miles felt like. Now I remember. Just like I'll remember this scene, the Spey with the Cairngorms behind. Ouch, I ached in place I had not heard from in at least a year, having got out of practise cos my former walking partner found another interest to occupy her time! After a long hot bath, and a short nap, I was back to normal, well almost. Alicia had made the most of her day's pampering at the other site, at Dalfaber. Well its alright for some...!

I was walking back from Aviemore to Carr-Bridge via Boat o'Garten, along the Cycle route 7 and just before I got to Boat, I met a woman who was going the opposite way, to Aviemore, in street boots. As it was part of the National Cycle Route network, it was do-able, certainly, but not what I would have recommended! Strange.

Friday 16th - final day
A quiet restful day as we made a short visit to the Speyside Heather Centre, just for a brief loiter. We were greeted by this oldish tomcat - Podge by name we later found out - who immediately decided to attach himself to us. You know how some cats take an instant like to a person - almost saying "ooh I like YOU, you're my friend, rub my tummy" - and so on? That was just like this one, he finally decided to let us move on when he found somewhere else to do. Another reason for visiting this place was the smashing clootie dumplings they make, a perfect finishing dessert to a meal.

Update delayed...

2007-11-20T09:48:00.000Z

I will update this, but with a defective monitor (no red coming through, just greens and blues etc) I daren't mess with the images I have cos I will have no idea if they are right or not!

Holiday time!!

2007-11-09T14:45:00.000Z

Ok, everyone out there in the blogsphere, and further afield, its my holiday time, so I'll not be posting of a while. Not that you'll notice of course, given the regularity which I post!

So in about 10 days time, watch this space for the mini-travelogue of my holiday....

Busy, busy, busy...

2007-11-05T11:30:00.000Z

Has it been this long since I updated here?? Aren't I a bad blogger to leave you all hanging like that??

Anyhow, update time. Spent an unexpected but welcome short break with Ally, meeting up with her mad friends Sarah and Shereen - hi girls! - PS Sarah like having her bum spanked BTW! hehehe. It was all good though.

While I was away, something happened in the astronomy world that had astronomers all over the world scrambling to find a dark sky as soon as possible.

A formerly unexceptional comet, dimly glowing at a level that would need BIG telescopes to even find it, suddenly brightened up to a point where you can go out into your backyard and just look up and its obvious.

17P/Holmes - which was discovered in 1892 - suddenly appeared and has created much debate and discussion and will continue to do so. As a consequence of its appearance, I've been down the observatory on many nights, helping the team image the comet. Our best effort is easily this one (its a bit big for the blogger page so its an external link.)

Should you want to have a pop at finding it, and it looks good in binoculars, this map should be useful:

This is in the northwest, and if you can find the obvious cluster that is the Pleiades, then the comet shouldn't be a problem! However, its not a stereotypical comet so don't expect a long flowing tail. At 2 and half times the earth-sun distance, the solar wind isn't strong enough. But have fun anyway.

20 years on...

2007-10-15T10:01:00.000Z

Tonight sees the 20th anniversary of one of the most devastating and possibly most contentious UK weather events of recent times.

15th/16th October 1987 saw a storm pass across the Midlands, bringing storm force winds to the South and South East of Britain, average wind speeds of 60-85 mph were recorded in many places with gusts reaching over 100 mph.

But of course that is not the real reason why this storm is so contentious. There still is a widespread belief that the Meteorological Office 'got it wrong', with an off-the-cuff remark on a weather broadcast on the 15th, concerning a tropical storm over the Western Atlantic, mis-interpreted subsequently to mean the storm of the 15/16th.

1987 storm links - Wikipedia, Met Office, BBC (On this day)

However, given the paucity of available data to the forecasters that night of the 15th, no automatic floating buoys, no dedicated weather ships, minimal satellite imaging information and so on, I suppose that they got close is something!

I remember that morning, as I sat in the 6th form common room at Malton School that morning before lessons, being amazed at the events further south. Outside the window there it was a sunny crisp autumn day that promised much (probably double lessons of Geography!), and yet in London and the SE, devastation everywhere.

As the Met Office said subsequently "In an ideal world, storms like 1703 and 1987 will never take us by surprise. In the real world, however, we must remember that caprices of the atmosphere may occur at any time."

That's the nature of the atmosphere I'm afraid, we think we know how it works, yet we will never know for certain if we are right, except in hindsight.

Interesting times

2007-10-07T13:21:00.000Z

Hmmm. been a fair bit happening but I can't remember it all so the best bits.

Last weekend was the end of a brilliant few days with Ally. Trips out everywhere, visits to friends etc., other things of an evening, and yep all good.

Then on her arrival back home, all that was wiped away. I won't go into it, but the local council whom were are dealing with over the house has right royally screwed up. They couldn't find their collective asses with map, photo and GoogleEarth image, or so it seems. We shall find out this week what happens. If the final door is slammed shut, we've ANOTHER 6 months to wait, and I can't see that happening, cos Ally is impatient, to say the least. So watch this space.

Then a very enjoyable evening watching the football at Hull City on Tuesday last, in a match that will be remembered for the 20 man pushing match in the first half, and not for the score. The Football Association is having an investigation, oh well.

And then yesterday. A trip to support the Yorkshire Astromind, a sort ofMastermind contest for astronomers in this fair county. No, I wasn't going to take part, oh no! Done that before, a few times, but I wasn't going to undertake that kind of ordeal again, oh no. but I DID take part in the audience participation section of one of the rounds, racking up a total of 9 points out of about 25. Pitiful you might say, but it was enough to win the prize for the best audience score, a bottle of wine! Ha! Bit of a surprise though, that no one else in the audience has done better, I even beat one of the contestants... heeheehee!

Quiet night out on the range...

2007-09-15T20:26:00.000Z

Having come towards the end of my last house-minding jaunt to my parents, I'm sat here on a Saturday night with little to do. I can't get to the TV cos they're home and watching a movie (when I wanted to watch 'Match Of The Day' later), there's nothing much to entertain me off the net tonight, and I haven't brought any games or similar to pass the time with. There only so many baths you can take, so for something to do, I thought I'd pass that time making a blog entry, even though I can't think of much to say yet... So grant me a little slack if this rambles a bit.

As you well know, this blog is also visible on my Facebook page (ask if you want it, but the link is over there on the left somewhere). I've found Facebook to be quite informative about what my irregular acquaintances are doing. One of them, Alison, since I saw her last in 1999, had grown up, got married and so on. Her parents and mine were and still are very friendly for the best part of 25 years I think. Yet looking at the pictures she'd posted on her website, to me they were unrecognisable. I looked at them, and the attractive confident young woman I saw wasn't one I knew at first. If her full name hadn't been at the top, I would have never guessed who it was. Memory plays tricks on us all.

Another thing that occurred to me recently was than memories would be all I would have of this place of my parents as it looks like by the end of the year they will be settled in a new place. Its that thought that's going to be hardest one to get over when they leave, and I move away to London. Much of my happiest times on my life have been here and to probably never visit this place again will be a mountain to get past.

One thing that isn't a mountain is the number of visitors this blog gets. In the last 10 1/2 months just over 990 different visitors have made their way to my blog. Not that many, averaging about 3 per day. But not many. What is interesting about the visitors is where they are from, etc. Even a visitor from Iran passed by my blog, I'd love to know what they thought of it (PS If you think I might be interested in where you live, please leave a message! It fascinates me who reads these blog entries) . One thing I was pleased to see, was that the site that most often has referred people to my blog is Archie's Archive, a Blog which is far more interesting! But 44 people have left his site to look at mine, which isn't bad...

More stats at Blogflux

Oh, and a hi to those sheep who are panicking over their accounts with Northern Rock. BAHHHH!!! Every reassurance is being given and yet they still think their money is at risk. BAHHHH!!! I've seen sheep out in the fields with more sense and reasoning than these people.

Holidays and primary school memories

2007-09-08T08:43:00.000Z

Well, I'm coming to the end of a week's cat- and house-sitting as the parent have had a much deserved holiday away in Devon and Cornwall, and I have to admit the time has flown by. It was so easy to slip back into the old ways while here. Eating better - no shops to pop down to for crisps etc., more scope for getting out - sitting in the garden on a sunny day with a book is something I just can't do in Hull and getting a proper nights sleep without anyone else moving about in the background!

The only downside has been the lack of company, apart from Paul as he dropped by for a cuppa while he was out and about driving and delivering. Thats what I've missed most.

The week has given me time, however, to complete something I've been trying to do for a while. Uncertain as to whether I still had a copy, I asked if there was anyone who still had a copy of my primary school class photo of 1982, in the local paper to the school back in the early part of the summer.

Only one reply, the teacher of the class had kept an archive, and forwarded his copy to me. Its been scanned to produce a digital copy, and here it is.

Its hard to believe this photo was taken 25 years ago. I mean, thats forever ago! I was 11 at the time this photo was taken, one of the many poor ones of me. Looking at the Friends Reunited site, I see some of them are IT consultants and soldiers, married with children too. One or two are still living in the area of the school. That was a good year though, I'd left the past behind and had a fresh start, which did me a lot of favours. Shame I had to go to senior school the following year and have the past catch up with me...

On the remote chance that anyone in the photo sees this, then feel free to contact me, I wouldn't mind getting in touch with you all again.

Summer in the city

2007-08-11T19:40:00.000Z

I don't know about you, but there seems to be a lot to look at during the summer, well in the city anyway. Perhaps its just the aesthete in me or perhaps its just me age and wandering eye (hah!), but summer really brings out the beauty in the population of Hull. Ok we haven't had much summer but that's by-the-by.

Whether its the same elsewhere, but its good enough reason to just go and sit in the main square and watch the world go by! Its even better if there's a drink in hand and then there's no real need to move anywhere too quickly.

Admittedly there are times when you see people who ought to cover up a bit more, but on the whole the people of Hull are not too bad on that front, or back, whatever! :)

The joys of observing

2007-08-11T07:08:00.001Z

Sometimes its just nice to sit outside of the observatory on an evening or late at night and take in the scene. The stars etc., set in a darkish sky above, with a comfortable chair and a cuppa in hand, and then just letting your mind go can be really relaxing, especially if you're trying to spot meteors.

There are times when its just the thing, rather than just dashing around with the scope, observing this and that and forgetting the sky as a whole. We forget the views the ancients had, instead we've parcelled the sky into manageable segments for our big optical devices.

Just sit and take in the sky sometimes, who knows what your mind might turn out or where it might go!

Have a happy Yorkshire Day!!!

2007-08-01T18:07:00.000Z

What? You didn't know? Shame, shame. Today is the day, throughout the world, that all true born Yorkshiremen celebrate and promote the greatest county in the whole of Britain. One like no other, with a people like none other. The place where that county west of the Broad Acres is never mentioned without spitting. Unlike any other county, Yorkshire celebrates its heritage, its geography and its whole essence.

"Yorkshire Day is celebrated on 1 August to promote the historic English county of Yorkshire. It was first celebrated in 1975, by the Yorkshire Ridings Society, initially in Beverley, as "protest movement against the local re-organisation of 1974". The date alludes to the Battle of Minden, and also the anniversary of the emancipation of slaves in the British Empire in 1834, for which a Yorkshire MP, William Wilberforce, had campaigned."*

"August 1st held a special place in Yorkshire's history for, on this day in 1759, soldiers from Yorkshire regiments who had fought in the battle of Minden, in Germany, picked white roses from bushes near to the battlefields has a tribute to their fallen comrades."**

So all true born Yorkshiremen and women, repeat after me:

The Yorkshire Declaration of Integrity
I, (your name), being a resident of the [West/North/East] Riding of Yorkshire [or City of York] declare;

* that Yorkshire is three Ridings and the City of York, with these Boundaries of 1130 years standing;
* that the address of all places in these Ridings is Yorkshire;
* that all persons born therein or resident therein and loyal to the Ridings are Yorkshire-men and women;
* that any person or corporate body which deliberately ignores or denies the aforementioned shall forfeit all claim to Yorkshire status.

These declarations made this Yorkshire Day 2007.
God Save the Queen!"**

So now you know!

Yorkshire Day

* Wikipedia
** Yorkshire Ridings Society

Late night down the observatory...

2007-07-25T04:07:00.000Z

Sometimes its handy to not have a tomorrow to worry about too much. 00:44 am and the observatory is gently abuzz with murmurs of decision-making, observers (just the three of us) filled with tea or coffee, and picking at chocolate biscuits. In the dome, Paul and George are experimenting with imaging details, camera information and deliberating on what to observe.

Me? I'm part time tea-boy, telescope operator and all round Goon (The Goon Show entitled "Under two Floorboards" playing in the background)! There's something to be said for suchlike, to relieve the silence and monotony of the night between calls for fresh targets! There's only so much you can do in silence, only so many times you can ogle pictures of the delightful Myleene Klass...

Better go, there's a call for a fresh object... :)

00:55 25/07/2007

Legal System? Hmph...

2007-07-20T11:05:00.000Z

This morning has been an interesting one already. I've just been into the local magistrates court, to act as a witness if needed, to an absurd case to be brought before the magistrate. To understand what I mean, here's the background.

As some of you will know, I like to spend my Sunday lunchtimes at a local coffee shop, and have done for some years now, so I know the staff and owner fairly well. I went in one Sunday as normal when the owner told me she had been visited by the local police the previous day, to present her with a fixed-penalty notice (similar to a parking ticket but non-specific) for a 'public order offence' allegedly committed by her the previous Sunday. I won't go into the detail, but at the time the offence was supposed to have happened, she was in the coffee shop serving customers! The officers presenting the ticket apparently did not allow the opportunity to make a statement at the time, other than making a visit to a police station to do so. As the shop was full (9-30 on a Saturday) closing it to go to the police station to make one, well it would have been ludicrous.

She refused the ticket, as entitled to do, and appealed against it. The matter was then referred to the local courts to deal with and after entering a 'not guilty' plea, the date was set for this morning.

As I was a regular customer, and was in the shop at the time of the alleged offence, I offered to be a witness to that fact. So this morning we both went to the local magistrates court for the hearing. Before the hearing though, the owner had a chat with the duty solicitor on the matter. After hearing the statement, the solicitor went into the court dealing with the case to see what evidence had been presented by the police. Turned out there was none, none whatsoever. So it was thrown out by the court there and then, and neither the owner nor myself had to go before the court, and could leave immediately, which of course we did.

I would just love to know how the case was taken to the court by the police in the first place if there was no evidence to back up their allegations. This can't be right, and I would be interested to see a statement from the investigating officers, on how they decided an offence had been committed in the first place, given as how it was based on one persons evidence, with no corroboration. Plus how was it brought to the court on the same evidence, as there was no statement from the owner either. This isn't a good example to be setting by the beleaguered police force in this area.

Some said I was a fool to go be a witness, but I still believe that if someone says they are innocent, and I know that to be true, then I will defend them and stand up with them. Perhaps I am idealistic and naive but being convicted of something you didn't do, even if the punishment is only an £80 fine, is not something that I can allow.

Time for a post!!

2007-07-16T08:30:00.000Z

3 weeks??!!!! Gad, that's terrible.... Just a wee update on the TfL job interview, I didn't get it. I passed the written tests very easily, but didn't make the 'customer interaction role play' good enough. Ah well, at least I can go back in the future and try again.

Ok. Most of you will have seen what happened to this city of Hull, after the last time I posted, so I won't dwell on it. It'll take time though, to recover and hopefully will be better than it was before.

A week or so back, I saw something that made me smile. If you know me well, then you'll know that I HATE people who are lazy enough to ride their bikes on the pavement!! Well, as I walked into town last week, (only about 20 minutes) I saw a pavement rider get stopped by two police support officers (uniformed but no powers of arrest I believe) and given a right telling off. About time, cos grown adults shouldn't need to ride their bikes on the pavement. If you have a problem with riding a bike on the road, then, in my opinion, you shouldn't have one. If you don't like the traffic, then don't even think about it. I'm all for proper cycle lanes and paths, but where there isn't any facilities for your bike, then you should be prepared to ride on the road. If you aren't then tough.

The astronomy has been a lot slower, due the weather, which is atypical for the time of year, well sort of, I guess. We've had no settled spells of sunny weather yet and by the way its going, I can't see where one will come from. Ho hum, back to the old fashioned summers of old...

NOT singing in the rain...

2007-06-25T15:00:00.000Z

It has not been a good day on the City of Hull and the East Riding. Its been raining for about 12 hours continuously with the heaviest since about 7am this morning, as these rainfall radar images show, one from this morning and one from this afternoon. I can vouch for it, having had to go out twice in it and I was indeed wet, Wet, WET! However, the flood has taken its toll, BBC Humber. All so sad. What a horrible way to go.

My neighbour's back garden is a lake, just to enlarge the pond he already has...

The main problem with the landscape around Hull is that it's rather flat and so drainage is always going to be a difficult thing to solve when excess rainfall events happen. I would expect that when the rainfall observations are reported, that around Hull will see totals pushing 50mm (2"). Further North, on the Yorkshire Wolds, there's already reports of 60-75mm (up to 3") up to 4 pm today and it looks like the rain is going to last longer still, another 4 hours possibility. Anyone want to estimate it for later on when it stops???

The month of June has been wet alround, and if somewhere in Yorkshire doesn't record 200mm (8") for the whole 30 days, then I shall be very VERY surprised.

Twitchy...

2007-06-19T18:58:00.000Z

Friday fast approaches, when I go and try to persuade Transport for London that I should be employed by them. I shall be travelling down on Thursday morning, to get me rested in enough time and I shall depart Saturday night (cos I could only persuade Employment Services to make out the warrant for that long).

However, this will mean the rest of Thursday and most of Saturday with Alicia, so if you are reading this in London, watch out...! :)

Clad as I will be in a smart new outfit - suited and booted - how can I fail??

(I didn't get it)

Rain and more rain.... [squelch]

2007-06-15T13:13:00.001Z

For what is nominally a summer month, you wouldn't believe the rain of the last 24 hours. Just since midnight (14 hours) many local rainfall stations are reporting in excess of 25mm (1 inch). I even saw a report of one, not far from my parents place, reporting 66 mm (2.6 inches)! Thats in excess of what many places around here would expect to get in the whole of the month.

Roads are flooding in and around Hull, with some closed, Boothferry Road is closed at the railway overbridge, due to the sheer depth of water - which will always gather there when its like this. Place west of Hull have been having similar amounts and what the rivers will be like in a day or two, when the runoff reaches them, won't bear thinking about.

I'm off now, but I shall take the camera to see what's about, as I travel first to Hornsea, then to Scarborough for tonights astronomy meeting, so more tomorrow sometime. Probably....

Funny old thing, time.

2007-06-14T18:26:00.000Z

As my sister is away, I'm currently minding her house, and very pleasant it is too, to be able to sit in front of a big widescreen TV with satelllite channels to watch, in PEACE. Of all those channels, there's only the history channel, one or two of the sports channels, the kids cartoon channels (Ok I know....) and a channel called ESPN Classic, which shows sporting action from the past 30 years or so. tennis, rugby, football and cricket feature quite prominently.

Yesterday, I caught a re-run of some of the 1976 Test series between England and the West Indies, the final Test at what is now the BritOval or something, on that channel. Anyhow, although the game hadn't changed that much, the players of the time were fascinating to watch, plus the state of the ground...! As most will remember, 1976 in Britain was one of the driest and hottest years ever, up to that point. The outfield was brown, the grass was dead and people were in hot weather gear, namely just a pair of shorts for the men. Oh, and the West Indies absolutly THUMPED England that summer...

This summer is completely different. This time its England handing out the beating over the West Indies, and the pitches are lush and green, when they can get out on them, as tomorrow's first day looks like it could be a washout...

Funny old thing, time. Things change, yet they stay the same, sometimes anyway.

Busy time at the footy club...

2007-06-12T20:21:00.000Z

Many of you will know of my writing for the Hull City VitalFootball site, which I do for the fun of it, I might add! As a consequence, myself and site editor Matt were invited to an important press conference yesterday concerning the takeover of Hull City. It was something to be treated on the same level as the professional journalists of many years standing, from the local paper, local tv and radio and further afield. Made us feel quite important!

Anyhow afterwards, I spoke to one of the staff on the local paper whom I have dealt with before in my astronomical society days, who happened to remember I was a City fan too. As a consequence, I appear in todays paper, and here's a link to the online version. The printed one is worse, they found a picture of me to place alongside it. If I'd known they were going to do that, I would have supplied them with a better one!!

Should anyone want to read our notes from the press conference, which were pretty comprehensive, then click here.

News....

2007-06-06T19:55:00.000Z

Just a note to tell you all that I'm hoping to get taken on by TfL, the London Transport organisation, and will be going through the final stages of their recruiting procedure on June 22nd. I have known for a week or so this date, but wanted to make sure everyone else was told... :)

Clever old me...

2007-05-30T09:54:00.000Z

Another night down the observatory, and another night crawling in just as dusk lifts the darkness of the night. I'm be getting a bad name for being a dirty stop-out at this rate. After spending weeks watching the others taking pictures and producing some nice pictures, I thought it was time I did.

With a little help in the setup, I shot some video of the Moon, through the large 14" (35cm) telescope. Then with some processing, I produced this image, which is quite acceptable. And before you ask, no, I don't know where on the Moon this is, I've enlisted my old friend John Harper at Scarborough to help identify what craters they are (he knows these kinda things). {He says its around the crater Pythagoras, which is the one half in shadow, with a central peak]

I can't let the others get all the glory, now can I? :) Mind you, I feel part of the BLAS Telescope Imaging Team, now....

The others took some images of Jupiter and Saturn but they weren't as good as MY moon images, so I was well pleased with it.

Today
Mother's birthday, big dinner tonight etc. Better see what I can buy as a present...

Visitor of Today

2007-05-28T22:29:00.001Z

Just for something to post, I thought a short entry of the visitor here that most piqued my curiosity, so IS THIS YOU??? :)

Time: 11:12 am - May 28, 2007
Search: Yahoo! - talking too much
Browser: Internet Explorer 6.0
OS: win|xp
Resolution: 1024x768x32

If this is you, then you are welcome to please leave a message, in fact this goes for any and every visitor to the blog, tell me about yourself. Some of you I know (Hi Sharon in Korea!), but the rest I don't. Come and tell me how you came across my blog and what you thought of it. Every blogger likes to see comments, and I'm no exception. Its wonderful to think that at some point each day, someone elsewhere in the world is reading these words.

For those of you that receive this by email, I wouldn't bother, cos I know who you all are. In fact, if you are a regular reader, then you too can receive it this way, just click on the link "Blog Email List (via Yahoo)" and subscribe there, providing you have a Yahoo! email or similar...

Good 48 hours...??

2007-05-27T10:39:00.000Z

Hmmm, well, I think that's a fair title for THIS entry.

On Friday, I had a brief (about 15 minutes) interview over the phone with TfL (Transport for London) towards their Customer Service Assistant positions. It went well, and I've been invited to join the 3rd stage in the process, a day at their Assessment Centre, at Ashford House, in London. Get that and the following stage right, and there's a good chance of a being offered a position. From what I can gather, this day is spent doing things like role-play exercises to see how the individual reacts to typical situations in the job. Should be interesting and a little bit of fun too. Plus the train fare will probably be paid by Employment Services....

Yesterday, I rediscovered the joys of watching cricket live in person, as I joined my father for the day watching Driffield Town CC play host to Sheffield United CC. Watching the game on TV is great, but you don't get the atmosphere of being there in person as we did. We had a great time watching some thrilling Kevin Pietersen-like batting, some enthralling spin bowling and some accurate pace bowling. And the result was favourable too. Driffield managed to set their opponents a chase of 272 from a maximum of 55 overs, but Sheffield were never really up with the rate, they lost wickets regularly and in the end, only made 216, to leave Driffield the winners by 55 runs.

Father and I came to the conclusion that we must do this again! The funniest thing was that one or two of the locals thought we were from Sheffield as they had never seen us before....

Home sweet home...

2007-05-23T17:58:00.000Z

Once again the latest Lonely Planet Guide to Britain has come out and it describes my home city of Hull is such direct terms.

It says Hull is, "A curmudgeonly English seaport, with a hard-bitten attitude to all things in life, and an almost lunatic nightlife."

Sounds pretty accurate to me. :)

Good night/Good morning

2007-05-21T19:39:00.000Z

Astronomy can be both an antisocial hobby and yet a social one too. Over the weekend, being down the observatory with the lads was a great way to wind down a little, and on Saturday night we made sure we filled it to the max. Arriving there about 9-45 pm, just as night was starting to take a hold, the three of us spent the night observing, taking pictures of the objects we were looking at, drinking tea/coffee and scoffing chocolate biscuits, plus bossman George brought a pie each (cheers George! Steak and Kidney pies too!) as we really had a fun night. Next thing we knew, the sky was lightening up in the northwest, telling us that the night was over and the sun wanted to be back in the sky.

Yep, we lasted longer than the night and was it worth it? Definitely. Paul took some nice images, and this of number 57 in Charles Messier's catalogue, aka The Ring Nebula, was very tasty indeed. Its not an easy object to see, even through a telescope, due to its size and realatively low brightness, but a short timed exposure of a few seconds or so through the scope brings it out nicely.

Rolling into bed at 4-am is not something I'd done for a while but on reflection, Saturday nights are definitely all right (for astronomy that is!).

Raindrops....

2007-05-14T10:44:00.000Z

Well its 11am Monday, and the rain has finally stopped. In about 18 hours, for which it never really stopped raining at all during that time, somethere between 25 and 40 mm (1 to 1.6") fell on the local area, depending on your source; officially its the former, but 2 unofficial sites, one about a mile away and the other some 10 miles distant, say the latter.

It has been a while since we've had that kind of rainfall in a similar short space of time, normally 40mm is about 2/3 of the month's total at this time of year. The ground seems to have soaked it up like a bone-dry sponge, as the month of April saw very little rain all month, less than 10mm (0.4") across the whole 30 days.

Of course, I could imagine there'll be a few rivers in the area rising quite quickly over the next day or so.... The Severn will be a worry for a while to the likes of Shrewsbury, in the Midlands, I'll have no doubt about that.

Rolling back the months

2007-05-11T14:59:00.000Z

While on the way to meet sister for coffee yesterday, as is our regular thing, I ran into one of the blokes from the postroom. After a few minutes chat, he suggested I pop over that afternoon to see everyone. With having nothing much to do, I agreed. It was like nothing had changed, still quiet of an afternoon, friendly banter and mild abuse etc. all over the place. Missed the characters though, shame really, but it was good. To round it off I promised to let them know when i was leaving (finally), so they could throw a "thank goodness he's gone" party, I jested as I left.

3 Astronomers (sort of...)

2007-05-01T18:29:00.000Z

Most of you will be aware of my interest in astronomy, and that I belong to two differing societies. One Society I don't actually belong to (officially) is out at Brough, just off the A63 out of Hull. However, because I'm such a valued member I can get away with not paying the annual membershop (plus I cannot afford it!!), but I do pay the monthly top-up fee. As a result, I can get to use the observatory there, and during this fine settled spell, I've been down there many clear nights, with this pair of reprobates.

The one on the left, pulling the face, is Allan, what a naughty sense of Scottish humour he has. The one on the right, who looks like he's suffering from the strike at the razorblade factory is Paul, who actually a good flamenco guitarist (as least that what he says), and the self-confessed brains of the party is stood behind. I'm sure HE needs no introduction. If it's a clear night, chances are that we'll be down there, with Society leader George, who scuttled off before the photo was taken, at 2 am last night.

Some would say we only go there to have somewhere to drink tea, eat biscuits and have a bit of a lads' night, but we do actually do observe many things while we're down, using a computer guided and controlled 14 inch (35cm) reflecting telescope. We do enjoy ourselves...

Ah, the weekend....

2007-04-27T14:43:00.000Z

Well a good time all round was had last weekend. A trip to see Ally and to go to a couple of parties, the first of which was something special...! I have to admit, I'd had more to drink over the 3 days I was down than I'd had for quite a while!

The first party, on Saturday night, was a 21st birthday party of an old college friend of Ally's, held in the Hampton & Richmond FC clubhouse. Terri had finally reached that magic age, and doesn't she look a picture with her father, Alan... For those of you who were football fans in London during the late 70's and early 80's might recognise the face. So it was food, beer and pretty reasonable music, plus a slightly cheesed off footy fan of my acquaintance as Alan bought me and A a drink. Because of her background, Terri knows as much about football as a lot of men, so Ally doesn't mind me talking to her (A has no interest in it, can't think why). As a consequence of this, when I can't get to see my beloved Hull City, which will be most of the time, I'll be following Hampton. Ok, they aren't a league club but does that matter? Not to my way of thinking. Plus if they get promotion this weekend, they'll be one more step up the non-league ladder. Come on Hampton!

On the way there, the bus engine gave up with a blown radiator, with steam and water everywhere, thankfully there wasn't much of a delay as the next 111 service was just behind. On the way home afterwards, we had to trip onto Kingston, from Hampton, and then walk across the town to the bus back to Ealing and home. Kingston, Surrey, after midnight isn't different from anywhere else at that time! Halfway home there was a bit of a ruckus on the bus, a number 65, but we got back to Ealing safe enough.

On the Sunday night, Ally and I went out to have a meal etc. with Sarah and Shereen's families, these being two close friends of Ally. And what a riot is was, laughing all the time, silly gossip and allround hilarity. Yes, it was a good night, but she mixed a glass or two of wine with 2 pints of Marston's Pedigree beer, and I will say no more, mixing the grain and the grape together... Mad. But Sarah's parents are a hoot, and I think I like Shereen's mum, even more so if her cooking is as good as A says. Besides, she said I was "a nice young man." Hmm......

A message for one of my regular readers
Karina, you might want to ask A about a blue vase, next time you talk to her..... Not that she'll remember, other than what I told her afterwards, but it might make you smile.

Watch this space...

2007-04-26T16:07:00.000Z

A proper blog entry for the last week or so will appear soon, just as soon as I get the pix sorted that I want to use...

Honest!!!

Long month....

2007-04-13T09:15:00.000Z

Ok, its been a month since I lasted posted for you all on here. For that, accept my apologies, its been a case of "just didn't feel like it" for a long time. Not much happened either so I suppose it was justified.

As there wasn't much happening here to keep me in the city, I decided to go spend some days around Easter with the parents, and take a few pictures of the area. Here's one of the riot of daffodils outside their house, and aren't they wonderful? If we didn't know that spring was here before, well you do now. For as long as I can remember, these daffodils have been flowering, every year, producing such a rich swathe of variations on yellow that is so beautiful. I shall miss seeing it next year.

Plus I had a visit while I was there from some of the lads from the astronomy society who were after some proper dark skies. Had a hell of a job to get them to go home too, must have been about 2am before I could go and lock the back door to call it a night! Of course it was way darker than the skies around Hull and one or two of them took the opportunity to take some pictures that they normally wouldn't have been able to. But they enjoyed it so much that they want to go another night. Ah well, it keeps them happy!

Oh nooooo....

2007-03-17T22:16:00.000Z

Expect a week of me grumbling, complaining and retreating in to the warmth as often as possible. Cold northerly winds, snow, ice, all my worst weather. ROLL ON SUMMER!!!! And if anyone complains about this, then :-P to you as well! There's nothing written that says I have to like snow, you know...

Busy time

2007-03-07T17:31:00.000Z

Well its been a busy old couple of weeks. Couple of weekends ago, Alicia came up for a few days. felt better for her coming...

Then last weekend was a busy astronomy weekend, with an eclipse of the moon being seen from nearly all of Britain. Late night time on that one, but good.

And then I finally got around to creating an online archive of all the Hull City articles I've written in the last few months. I'll extend it further when I can be sure of when I wrote some of them and where they were published!

Here's the link

Writing Archive

Something I forgot to mention...

2007-02-26T09:41:00.000Z

After the second presentation, at Scarborough last week, I had this from the secretary there.

"Good talk last night - thanks for that."

Me and her have had an occasionally strained relationship in the past, but now I'm leaving, she's easier to get on with! Plus she's not always the easiest to garner compliments from. So I was well pleased.

In fact many people came up afterwards and said how much they'd enjoyed it, so I must have done something right. The presentation is about 90% finished, but it will be a long while before its complete, as the comet is still visible and being studied. No doubt there will be more to add to my little piece of work, when the professional papers are published in the next year or two.

Profound Thought for the day...!

2007-02-22T10:43:00.000Z

It's a small man that holds on to the past and refuses to let go, its a big man that forgives and forgets, as its harder.

Last night

2007-02-13T09:27:00.000Z

Because the sad withdrawal of last nights speaker at the Astro Society, a couple of weeks or so ago, I was asked to step in and make a presentation, to fill in as it were. Two weeks of feverish activity saw the presentation on Comet McNaught, an object which few in the society had seen, only 3 or 4 of the 30+ people attending the meeting (This actually was as many at a meeting as most can remember for quite a few years - don't think it was because it was me!). I was actually the first half of the meeting, the other half was a visit to the University's proposed observatory - into which we've had input as we meet there and will have use of.

This was me before the start, a bad picture, probably cos I was talking while the photo was being taken. The presentation itself went well, but I know it can be even better on Friday, when I shall be presenting it to my other society at Scarborough. Amazing isn't it? Being asked to make presentations to both the societies I belong to in the same week... Ah well, I hope Scarborough know what they're doing. Shame I won't be able to claim any expenses for doing them, being a member knocks that out of the window for a start.

I wish...

2007-01-31T21:35:00.000Z

...sometimes that I had a more interesting or active life! It says something when all I have to look forwards to in the next couple of weeks is a trip to watch the football, Hull City vs West Brom on Saturday, and that's it!

Oh and a couple of speaking engagements on the recent bright comet, to astronomical societies on 12th & 16th February.

Not very exciting or interesting for you all, is it??

Is it just me or what...?

2007-01-24T21:00:00.000Z

Everyone been going childish about the snow, so am I the only one who can't stand it??

Its cold, makes the the roads and footpaths hazardous and you can't do what you want to do! I suppose its a hang-over from being blocked in at the farm in the past. Of course if you're not used to seeing snow, then you will get excited about it, but sorry everyone, count me out, I'm not joining in.

Roll on spring and summer!

PS Hi, to all my new readers! Welcome to the women of the BBC Radio4 message boards... No cleaning the place up girls, its good enough as it is....

Good time for astronomy

2007-01-11T09:16:00.000Z

At the moment its a good time to be interested in astronomy, with a nice bright comet to observe just after sundown.

Here's a picture of said comet, Comet McNaught, taken by observing mate Paul Reed last night from just outside the city of Hull, and yes it was truly that bright. This photo, I gather, was only a very short exposure, less than a second in duration, yet look how good it is. For about an hour there was three of us, slightly awestruck and definitely excited, observing the comet as it set into the evening darkness.

If you want a high-resolution image for yourself, then please contact Paul on paul@laxey.karoo.co.uk and have a chat with him to discuss it.

Comets are wonderful, aren't they? So much so, that I will be taking the February meeting of the Society, speaking on 'Sun-grazing comets', as the regular speaker is unable to be there, due to family commitments. Its sad it should happen this way, but at least I will get one last swan-song in front of the Society...

Happy New Year...

2007-01-02T19:24:00.000Z

Well its 2007 now, and the world feels the same. The main thing I was looking forward to this time last year, I'm still looking forward to it, but at least its further on! This WILL be the year.

At this time of the year we all get rather reflective, and yours truly is no exception. Back in 1989 when I left school, the Millennium year seemed ages away, in fact I was never certain that we'd all get there. Now, 6 years after it ended, we're now closer to 2010. And I'm now nearer 40 than 30 and that's something that deserves comment!

But then again my life has taken more changes in the last 24 months than it had in the previous 10 years, things I never thought I would ever do (or thought had passed me by), will happen. I'll be leaving this area which I grew up in, to join with someone I happen to be very fond of, and finally make something of my life. I'm not going to go on from here in this tone cos otherwise I'll get called a soppy git... ;)

Yet, I'm excited about the future and yet scared a bit, and sometimes feel even less sure about the world and my place in it, a sign of growing old I suppose. The past, well, its something we all have to live with. I know there's things in my past I'm seriously not proud of, yet I suppose those actions are part of me, and the same can be said about everyone.

Hmm, I'm thinking too much again! :)

Best wishes for 2007, everyone, and thanks for reading over the last 12 months... and for those in the London area, especially Southall, then watch out, the Rob is on his way!!!!!

Good news...

2006-12-29T21:11:00.000Z

Well not for me, but good for someone else!

Back in April, I posted about an online friend called mandy and the fact that she'd become pregnant. Well I just had news that her son, Koan Kristopher, was born on December 10th, so she and her partner Chris had a very happy christmas indeed! I know it wasn't the easiest of pregnancies but thankfully many prayers were answered and all are doing fine!

My personal downside is that I haven't a New Years Eve party to go to this year, so I don't quite know what to do....? I don't do the massed gatherings in the centre of town, at least not solo, and for the same reason, I don't like the local pub. Yet I do fancy some company that night...

Have a Merry Christmas!

2006-12-24T18:59:00.000Z

I would just like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas. I hope you have a good one, despite whatever circumstances you may be in!

Thought for 2007: Don't let regrets of the past spoil today and wreck the future. What is past is past, and cannot be altered. Live for tomorrow, which is what YOU make it.

Best wishes
Rob

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!

2006-12-18T12:43:00.001Z

Happy birthday to me, happy birthday to me, happy birthday to me-eee, happy birthday to me!

Addendum

2006-11-28T20:03:00.000Z

Monday – Aviemore

I was rather disappointed with Aviemore as I had thought it was bigger than it actually turned out to be, but there you go. Because we were rushing around getting supplies in, there was not time to take pictures but the landscape with the snow on the tops of the hills was stunning. What must it be like in the depth of winter, well it must be even more stunning!

As we haven’t a view of Aviemore, here’s a pic of the view from our lounge window…

Tuesday – Inverness

The bus ride over Slochd summit was a definite experience; the wind had risen and in the rain, it looks not a place to linger, yet the views were special. Snow from the week before was still very much in evidence by the roadside and on the hills, but my first impression of the area was a good one, wishing I could see it in the summer as well!

Inverness was a lovely little place, despite the rain! The River Ness was very high, as you can see from this picture, showing it and the castle in the background.

We couldn’t actually get into the castle as its now the courthouse, or the museum, it was closed, so we had to make do with the mercantile delights of the town, which was varied enough to suit everyone.

Wednesday – Grantown On Spey

Sitting by the fast flowing River Spey on a crisp sunny late autumn afternoon was just so special and relaxing that Ally fell asleep! Like all the other local river the Spey was quite high as it grumbled and roared its passage in front of us, but we could tell that it had clearly been a lot higher in previous days. The light was just wonderful.

The bus we’d chosen to get us home turned out to be a school run, but the kids were quite well behaved, indeed one lad gave up his seat so Ally and I could sit together, without being asked. Just goes to show that there are still some good ones about, despite everything.

Grantown Musuem

Thursday – Lochanhully

As we decided to do the domestic things today, we took the opportunity to take pictures etc of the local area around the site. Photos of the view can’t really do it justice but they’re not too bad.

It was a real treat to be able to pull the curtains and to look out on that every morning, started the day off right.

At this point in time I hadn’t yet got a pic of the bridge in the village of Carrbridge but I subsequently took this one later on, and you can see why it’s a bit of a tourist attraction. It was originally built in the 19th century but the parapet was swept away in floods late in that century.

I’ve been much impressed by the landscape around this slightly remote part of Scotland despite the time of year. Most tourists prefer the Cairngorms and Strathspey during the summer, but the winter has its stark beauty which is completely different to any other time of year. Although the weather can tend to be mercurial, a bright day after rain or snow, it can be an awe-inspiring sight, seeing the snow glinting off the to mountain tops. The air can be very invigorating as you take it in, gazing upon the relentless power of the flooded rivers, forcing you to recognise the way man has to adapt to the landscape rather than moulding it to his will.

Lochanhully Woodland Club

Friday – Newtonmore

Not easy to get there and not easy to leave either! Ok the train from Carrbridge was ok, and we got there easy enough, but after we arrived, it turned out there was two train left that day, about 1pm and the 6.30pm! Turns out I made a mistake on the timetable, which is most unlike me. So we got back to Aviemore and then got a taxi home, from our friendly local driver, Bill Grant. And I had to pay too… But the view was ok though.

We were in Newtonmore to see the attraction of the Waltzing Waters, which was well worth the trip.

Waltzing Waters

Saturday – Carrbridge and the Landmark Centre

We decided to stay close by the village and visited the Landmark Centre, a woodland heritage park and it was well worth going to. The highlight of the day was the chance to get to see red squirrels. Not close enough to touch them but close enough to be able to see the colours of there eyes.

Landmark centre

Theres more photos at my Yahoo site (click on the link)

Saturday and the wind down.

2006-11-26T09:16:00.001Z

Had quite a lazy day wandering around the Landmark Centre in the village. If anytime you are passing through this area, then we would recommend a visit. It made the day to just watch the red squirrels scoff the food in the trees... Hopefully I should get to place links to all the places we went to within the next day or two, so you all can see for yourselves the beautiful places we've been to.
-- (sent via mobile)

Friday!

2006-11-25T16:21:00.001Z

Friday! Ah yes, we spent the morning and lunch at Newtonmore, watching the 'Waltzing Waters' then we nearly ended spending the rest of the day there as I managed to misread the timetable! We managed to get home safely though!
-- (sent via mobile)

Thursday

2006-11-24T08:03:00.000Z

We had a quiet day around the club today, doing things like laundry, food shopping etc. Nice and relaxed kinda way to spend a Thursday!
-- (sent via mobile)

Is that the Sun we see?

2006-11-22T21:42:00.001Z

We saw the sun today, on our trip to Grantown on Spey. We had almost forgotten what it was like! However it was wonderful sat by the Spey this afternoon following a fascinating trip around the town's museum. Shame the weather looks as if it's going to turn bad again. We can't wait to hear when everyone gets their postcards! PS I'll be adding to all the holiday entries with pictures and further thoughts when I get home, Ok?
-- (sent via mobile)

Tuesday (pt 2b)

2006-11-21T22:05:00.000Z

And another thing, the rain hasn't stopped for very long either yesterday OR today, at least thats what it feels like. At least here in Inverness, we've been able to get out of the weather, just glad we weren't out in the hills today! And Mart Adamson, AKA Mcmarty, should he reads this, ought to know he's a cheeky beggar, sitting in his warm Clydebank office...
-- (sent via mobile)

Holiday - part 2

2006-11-21T11:21:00.001Z

Slight panic yesterday when Ally got clipped by a vans wing mirror, on the way into the village. Bit of bruising, but nothing really bad. After picking up a pile of groceries in Aviemore, we relaxed for the afternoon. A whisky tasting session before dinner was the DB's! But what you expect from me...? The evening show was ok to round off the day. More tomorrow!
--
(sent via mobile)

Holiday pt 1

2006-11-20T19:02:00.001Z

Its the end of the day and its been an interesting one after a late arrival last night! No taxis at the station (no surprise to me!) so a gentle half mile walk, in the drizzle along icy roads, to the village hotel and a taxi. Then we get to the site and the reception was closed, we had to call the emergency number for our key! But we got in, had a bite of supper, and hit the bed! End of sunday...
-- (sent via mobile)

On the way.

2006-11-19T13:08:00.001Z

1.05 pm: The muted autumn colours of the Wolds have receded into the distance as the train glides towards Doncaster, where I'll catch the 1441 GNER service. This is the train Ally is on, we then speed on to Newcastle, Edinburgh, Perth, arriving at Carrbridge about 9.30ish tonight. Long day, huh?
-- (sent via mobile)

Next week

2006-11-16T16:36:00.000Z

I've changed some of the settings at blogger.com so I can update the blog from my mobile phone while I am away. However, for those on the mailing list, I'll have to mess around with the settings on there so that you can benefit. At the moment I have to approve every post to the Yahoo list, if I can change that, I will. Hopefully it can be done.

Of course the entries won't be very long but it'll be nice to give you all something to read....

Back to normality, I think so anyway...

2006-11-16T10:48:00.000Z

Well I'm home now, after having a week minding my sister's house while she was away having a lovely time no doubt in Egypt. But it'll not be for long as I'll be leaving for a weeks holiday with Ally, in Scotland. It'll be a great chance to get away from everyone, and see a new part of the world, cos apparently I love travelling!

For the last astronomy meeting at Scarborough, the secretary, who's very interested in astrology as well, asked for volunteers to have their birthchart produced, and mine was very interesting indeed. I'm not going to post it here, well not all of it, but if people are interested then I might post some of the best bits, if someone asks. After all, I wouldn't want to post it and people weren't interested.

Ally had hers done too, and her mum swore I'd written it cos it was so accurate!

Well I'm back again....

2006-11-05T18:46:00.000Z

Ok, ok. So I know I've been rather busy on the old travelling front (another visit to London to see the Boss) and I didn't report back in... Sorry and all that.

But here's some photos that she took, I'll have to sort mine out later!

Holiday Pix

Next up, a week keeping an eye on my sisters house, then a week in the Highlands of Scotland on holiday....!

Water

2006-10-31T05:18:00.000Z

Water, water, everywhere and not a drop to drink! Burst pipe, or rather a little loose pipe end stop and poor Dina gets flooded from above. She'd only been here in the house a couple of weeks! She must have thought the sky had fallen in...

As it turned out, she's left completely. Poor girl, seemed like a nice sort to me...

Nature in its majesty

2006-10-13T14:41:00.000Z

Sitting here in the rather warm autumn sunshine, looking over the saltmarshes and mudflats of the Humber estuary, I feel so at ease with the world. Its so tranquil, the sounds of the many seabirds drifting across on the gentle breeze that ruffles the grasses and reeds as it passes. The spiders floating gossamer strands billow in the wind, draping themselves in filmy threads across everything that catches on them.

Nature is wonderful today. Its truly a wide open sky out here.

(sent via mobile)

Oooo-er!

2006-10-05T13:58:00.000Z

Talk about an unpleasant episode! I was just minding the house and the dog for Nick & Elaine, and their landlord came banging on the door! And I thought mine was bad. This one has a serious attitude problem that needs adjusting, pronto. What a irritating old man he was, made me shake with nerves aferwards, due to the confrontation.

No wonder Nick & Elaine have had enough of him, I think I would have by now. Even standing half naked in the rain currently falling outside would be more bearable.

(sent from mobile phone)

All quiet on the Eastern Front....

2006-10-04T18:01:00.000Z

Nothing much is happening. Still stuck in a limbo, everything's moving slowly, and I feel tired and out of sorts for no good reason. Ah well, into each life a little crap must gently fall.

Downtime

2006-09-25T19:36:00.000Z

Its been another horrible wet day on the train home and this trip is the most unpopular part of the whole weekend, going home. In the space of 4 days, Kings Cross has turned into my least favourite place from being a damn good one. However, I suppose we must carry on, cos life carries on, even though life is becoming complicated.

Its disappointing to have to keep moving dates further into the future, with no real prospect of thing moving any faster than they already are. The only thing I can cling to is the promise of the system eventually running its due course in time, which although it may be slow, it will get there eventually.

As a greater man than I shall ever be once said: Take the first step in faith. You don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

The weekend!

2006-09-24T21:30:00.000Z

23rd/24th
A spiffing kind of day on the Saturday seeing the joys of Kew Gardens in SW London today, and when I get in gear at home, I'll add a pick or two to show it. Enjoyed every minute there, watching the squirrels etc, and generally making the most of a rather warm day in the gardens.

The evening was almost a cock up with buses terminating at stops that were too early for us, made us about a hour late for our night out with Shereen and Sarah and her mum. But in the end it was a good night all round.

Sunday afternoon we just went walkabout, ending up in Uxbridge and taking advantage of the later afternoon warmth with a walk around the town centre. The evening saw us making the best of the bottle of bubbly presented at Scarborough, in Karina's company. All very enjoyable. And I fell in love again, but this time with the kittens at K's, and those who know me will know I'm a soft touch for cats of any age and size!

Wet day in London Town

2006-09-22T21:30:00.000Z

22nd September.
Its been a wet manky day in West London, rain on and off for most of the time we were out. It was only when I was going home and A was on her way to work that it relented, which I suppose is just about right, all in all! Never mind, in spite of that, it was a good day.

Last night, on the way to Conway Crescent, I managed to hit every delay going on the tube. At least that's the way it felt, as it took me about 2 hours to cross town! In that time during the afternoon, I got 2/3rds of the way to town, against the short distance I managed when I got here.

Random thoughts etc.

2006-09-21T21:30:00.000Z

21st Sept

Another trip and a chance to see everyone on the Medway estate again. The Wolds have receded into the haze on a day that is almost freakish in its heat for so late in the year, must have been all of 23-24C outside the train, more like July/August.

Looking forwards to seeing A, Amber & Jody, Karina, Sarah and Shereen as well. It seems so long since I was kicking around the mean streets of Perivale! Different to other times though as I shall have to find my own amusement for a few hours on a couple of days as A is having to work on Friday and Sunday. C'est la vie as the French say. Can't have her taking time off just for me, can we??

So Friday should see me round at Karina's for coffee and seeing the cats\kittens for a while, plus anything else going! She has my sympathy with Jon being away for a couple of weeks. I mean, how will she manage without her comforts??

Managed to come across Mandy the other day and at the moment, her and the pregnancy is all ok. Only 2/3rds of the way through, she's made it to 6 months, and the little one is so active, its tiring her out. Everyone is hoping and praying that she can continue to full term, or close enough to it, after all the problems of the past.

This weekend will also have its serious side, as I'll get a better idea of what's happening with regards to Rutland Road, now that Steve has decided to renovate this house into flats. This means we shall all receive out statutory notices to leave on the 1st of October, giving us 2 months notice. The sooner I can get it in writing, the sooner Audrey can use it to possibly use it to hurry matters along. I want to be in by Xmas!

Once again, it happened on the only weekends I get in London, Hull City are in town too, playing at QPR, just when I'm seeing all my other women! If I even consider thinking about going to it, I might just as well pack my bags straightaway and start off home! Of course I shall still get the goal alerts on the mobile, which for this weekend will have to suffice. ROLL ON NEXT YEAR.

2 weeks since the last entry, and what have I done?

2006-09-11T14:42:00.001Z

Well some things have happened anyway... :)) Mind you, I had to look at the diary etc to find out what they were! Its disgraceful I know but you know how things go...

For the last time, on August 26th, I think it was, I played for the bowls club and managed to get this picture of the rest of the team, bunch of right characters they look, don't they! Of course I won again and kept up my 70% success rate over the season. It must be said that the team, who have a few others not pictured here, were great to play for and I would gladly play with them again. Let's hope my next club is as good.

Then I had a very enjoyable weekend at my parents, pitching in with the local flower show etc. Enjoyable, that. Plus I managed to take a few reasonable pictures while I was there. This is a pic of a cactus I've managed to keep alive... :)

And I also managed to remember father's 65th birthday on September 5th, which I gather was a very enjoyable night, or so I was told afterwards. Now he just works as and when he feels like it, and good for him.

The next week though will be a bit surreal, if not strange. The two astronomy societies to which I'd been given thoughtful and hearty farewells, will see me again, tonight and Friday. I can almost hear the "Thought you'd gone!" and "What you doing here?" .

Finally, 21st to 25th September will see me in London, so expect a few pix there, of people, places and things! :)

Exhausting....

2006-08-23T20:38:00.000Z

After spending Monday and Tuesday in bed, to start moving around again today is something to be thankful for. A nasty flu-type bug got me Sunday night and left me low for all of the next two days. I couldn't even sit here at the PC for longer than about 15 minutes without feeling worse, so I left it to that.

However, I discovered the joys of Radio 4 (for those not in the UK, it's a talk-based radio station from the BBC) Discussion, interviews, features etc with very little music, just what I needed.

So while laid in bed I learned about how the wife of US President FD Roosevelt, Eleanor, had a lot to do with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and the antics of 'Doctor' JR Brinkley and his goat-gland surgery for restoring male potency. Plus I also learned about rainwater harvesting, and how one fanatic has gone around the world discovering what sounds animals make in other languages.

Amazing stuff! Shame I couldn't concentrate on it better....

All's well that ends well.

2006-08-19T19:48:00.000Z

After the uneasyness of Thursday's meeting etc., thankfully the committee (or at least the important parts of it) saw that the meeting was neither the time nor the place for a discussion over the subscription, after due consultation of the rules. I've a feeling that the members will be given a softsell campaign up to the AGM next year for an increase, a moderate one hopefully.

Personally, I would rather they went down other routes to raise money and to that end, I suggested fundraising ideas that could replace whatever shortfall they felt they would face this year. If they go about it in the right way, they should be able to end up with a little more in the account than they thought at first!

Oh Hades....

2006-08-17T22:38:00.000Z

I fear I may end up making myself unpopular after tonight's Society committee meeting.

I've just discovered, after tracking down my copy of the rules of the Society, that one of tonights agenda items shouldn't have even been discussed, according to said rules. The committee wanted to vote on an increase in the subscription, a matter with which I was uneasy at the time, as I felt it had to be taken to the members. As it was, the proposal of an increase to £12 from £10 was carried.

Subsequently, under section 4.1, the rules state that such a topic as the decision on the following seasons subscription can only be made at the AGM... I had a feeling such might have been the case and so I think I might well be unpopular with everyone else after this, for not letting it go.

It would be a shame if that happened cos it was such a good meeting. The new website looks seriously good, and after the weekend, pop and have a look at: HERAS .

Another place...

2006-08-15T09:05:00.000Z

And if any of them from this other place read this "Hello, there...!"

Somehow, and it couldn't have been for my looks (although I dunno sometimes), I've started joining in with a new newsgroup (for me), outside of my usual dubious ones, called alt.penpals.forty-plus-yrs and it's a great place to hang out. Technically I shouldn't even have thought about joining, but its just a state of mind when you look at it. I think I got into the group thanks to my association with one of the sort of not-leaders, if you get my drift.

Now excuse me while I go and oversee my virtual health club in the group village, that's if they let it be set up. I shall have to go bribe the mayor with Rolos...

APFPY Village

Have to admit, when I was first taking a look round the village, I was laughing all the while, reading the different characters etc. Plus the humorous stories someone had written (Hi Cathy) were just brilliant. I shall know I've arrived if I ever appear in one...

I think I'm going to stay a while.

Mixed bag of a day....

2006-08-12T22:53:00.000Z

Its been an odd kind of day, at least by the boring standards of my life its been odd!

This morning was relatively sensible, as I met with my old mate Stuart, mentioned elsewhere in this blog, for coffee and for setting the world to right. I've often missed the many intellectual conversations as regards the sporting issues of the day, and these weekly chats have been very enjoyable.

During that chat, at about 10.30 am, a phone call from the bowls club to say the afternoon's match was off, due to the opponents green being waterlogged. Ah well, I thought, means I have time now for a second cup! So I did. However, from that time onwards, there was no more rain within miles of us and I expect by 2pm, when we should have started, it would be perfectly playable. Making the decision as early as that was a little hasty in retrospect. Very odd.

So I had a quiet afternoon at home before going down the pub to watch my soccer team play on TV. I will not dwell on the events concerning the game or I might get mad, but it was NOT a good night.

Then in the last hour, I had a delightful chat on the phone with one of Ali's old friends from MILES away, Sharon (her blog is linked to on here somewhere). I think I like her, shame that its unlikely I shall get to meet her in the flesh, so to speak, but she does seem like good fun!

Slightly odd kinda day really...

Not a happy bunny this morning....

2006-08-07T09:54:00.000Z

For the third time in 5 years I've had my bicycle stolen. This time from out of the back yard. Thats it, I'm giving up on bikes till I move, then I'll get another after I arrive in London.

Something else...

2006-08-05T18:25:00.000Z

For those of you who know, I play that 'old man's game', lawn bowls, and just for something to do, I've uploaded my record for this season. Follow the link 'Bowls 2006' and you will see that I've not had a bad season up to now.

I never claimed my world was that interesting, now did I?

Not very interesting???

2006-08-04T09:40:00.000Z

One or two of the readers of this blog have suggested that at times its not very interesting. Well, at the moment I don't have an interesting life! Some bloggers have interesting jobs (although they have to be careful what they write!), some have interesting hobbies, some bloggers have interesting stories to tell, some are just interesting people!

Things I think are interesting might bore the pants of most of you, my small band of readers, so what to do?

Actually, I'm sort of happy that the soccer season is about to start over here, so I have that to give me something to dive into. I'm likely to be returning to the Astro society, 4 months after saying farewell to them all, now that will be fun, will it not?