Well it seems like that sometimes.........and I get stick from my regular readers for not posting too often. This is as much due to my routine lifestyle than anything else. I don't want to write about golf, DIY, life in Scouseland and family all the time, unless something out of the ordinary happens.
So,is no hot water, a ruptured tap spout and number two daughter locked out of her house on her birthday routine? It's a good question, and , yes, it probably is routine as we have at least one major crisis just before Christmas.
In the past we have had the cooker pack up on Christams Eve and only got it fixed because the company, Stoves, is a Scouser outfit, the swimming pool has broken on more than one occasion just before Christmas and the central heating boiler has also given up the ghost at this time of year.
So, at least a bit of variety. Our ever so helpful plumber, Keith sorted the hot water on Tuesday, and the spare part for the tap arrived about an hour after he had left. It was only the 'simple' task of undoing a grub screw and taking off the old spout, but could I do it? Not a chance. Keith was back the next day after his works night out and he could not do it either, until I had a brainwave and delved into my car boot sale box to pull out one of a number of hobby screwdriver kits. In amongst the sockets, cross thread and posidrive attachments was a T9 fitting that went into the grub screw a treat. Once removed it was evident that the screw was also ruptured which explained why it was so difficult to remove. Anyway, job done.
So all that was left was last nights drama at number two daughter house. She was off out partying and had left her keys in the inside door lock. So my trusty bent and twisted coat hanger, or ouja douja as number one grandaughter calls it, was forced into action and after half an hour or so the key was flicked out and access to the house restored. Number two daughter return later totally oblivious to the problem and resulting panic.
Only concern was that no neighbours or passing dog walkers called the police to advise of this dodgy looking character trying to gain entry to a house, through the letterbox.
Hey ho, maybe all the expletive's warned them off..........happy ho ho ho to all my readers, look out for the family Christmas stories to follow....with 18 for lunch, there are bound to be some!
Thursday 24 December 2015
Tuesday 3 November 2015
Barry Bucknell
I am taking advantage of the mild weather to put the house to sleep for the Winter. It does not Winter well, so it needs a fair bit of TLC.
The first problem was that the dehumidifier in the basement packed up so that gives us a condensation problem. The manufacturers have to send engineers from their base in the Isle of Wright to fix it each time. They charge £100 just to visit, so each all-out is ridiculous. Why they don't have regional reps I don't know! Anyway that's sorted now.
Next challenge is the roof. I have been waiting since July to get some tiles replaced by the insurance company. The scaffolder arrived today but decided he had under quoted so is back to the drawing board. Its a £100 job which needs £4000 of scaffolding. Ridiculous.
I was hoping to get my soffits replaced and eaves painted at the same time but that's not going to happen now.
So what have I done? Well, the rockery is finished,the first leaves are collected and an annoying tree has been lopped. I've done a tip run, and cleared the drain.
So now it's boundary walls and fences, final grass cutting and pruning outside. Damp sorting, some painting and junk shifting inside.
We have another Airbnb visitor tomorrow, and then SWMBO is off to Tanzania. When she gets back it will be into Christmas festivities......roll on March when the heating can go off!
The first problem was that the dehumidifier in the basement packed up so that gives us a condensation problem. The manufacturers have to send engineers from their base in the Isle of Wright to fix it each time. They charge £100 just to visit, so each all-out is ridiculous. Why they don't have regional reps I don't know! Anyway that's sorted now.
Next challenge is the roof. I have been waiting since July to get some tiles replaced by the insurance company. The scaffolder arrived today but decided he had under quoted so is back to the drawing board. Its a £100 job which needs £4000 of scaffolding. Ridiculous.
I was hoping to get my soffits replaced and eaves painted at the same time but that's not going to happen now.
So what have I done? Well, the rockery is finished,the first leaves are collected and an annoying tree has been lopped. I've done a tip run, and cleared the drain.
So now it's boundary walls and fences, final grass cutting and pruning outside. Damp sorting, some painting and junk shifting inside.
We have another Airbnb visitor tomorrow, and then SWMBO is off to Tanzania. When she gets back it will be into Christmas festivities......roll on March when the heating can go off!
Thursday 29 October 2015
Flat caps and farmers
It was always on the cards that I would be on the Tele last weekend. I had a front row ticket for the Australia v Argentina game between the halfway line and the 22, right opposite the cameras.
There was a false start when I featured on the big screen right after the anthems. That did not make the live coverage though as ITV cut to the adverts, as they do.
Did not have long to wait though as an Argentina line-up five minutes into the game allowed me a chance to doff my cap to my adoring fan base. Job done.
The whole weekend had gone well. We watched the SA v NZ game in a bar in Charing Cross and were glad we were not there when the weather closed in. We were joined briefly by a group dressed as animals who were out for a significant birthday. They had trotted out to Covent Garden by half-time and after the match we joined them.
We had supper in Joe Allen's in Exeter Street. No celebs, but a very fine evening which we finished off in the Farmers Club in Whitehall.
On Sunday (but not after supper!) farmer Simon used a contact to get us a plum table in the Bluebird Cafe on the Kings Road. I can't remember the last time I was on the lash in that area of the capital. One pub I used is now a burger joint, and the Click and Whichity's have both long since shut down.
The Bluebird was swish and we would not have been surprised if Jose Mourinho or a few of his players had been in there...but then they could have been as we would not have recognised them!!
So back to Scouse on the Monday and now geared up for the final. We have embraced the tournament. Tickets were expensive, the fanzone in Trafalgar Square was a bit of an embarrassment, as were the host nation, but the times with rugby mates are always priceless, so look out Japan in 2019, make sure you have enough mobility scooters!!
There was a false start when I featured on the big screen right after the anthems. That did not make the live coverage though as ITV cut to the adverts, as they do.
Did not have long to wait though as an Argentina line-up five minutes into the game allowed me a chance to doff my cap to my adoring fan base. Job done.
The whole weekend had gone well. We watched the SA v NZ game in a bar in Charing Cross and were glad we were not there when the weather closed in. We were joined briefly by a group dressed as animals who were out for a significant birthday. They had trotted out to Covent Garden by half-time and after the match we joined them.
We had supper in Joe Allen's in Exeter Street. No celebs, but a very fine evening which we finished off in the Farmers Club in Whitehall.
On Sunday (but not after supper!) farmer Simon used a contact to get us a plum table in the Bluebird Cafe on the Kings Road. I can't remember the last time I was on the lash in that area of the capital. One pub I used is now a burger joint, and the Click and Whichity's have both long since shut down.
The Bluebird was swish and we would not have been surprised if Jose Mourinho or a few of his players had been in there...but then they could have been as we would not have recognised them!!
So back to Scouse on the Monday and now geared up for the final. We have embraced the tournament. Tickets were expensive, the fanzone in Trafalgar Square was a bit of an embarrassment, as were the host nation, but the times with rugby mates are always priceless, so look out Japan in 2019, make sure you have enough mobility scooters!!
Tuesday 20 October 2015
Molly Malone
We took in the quarter final games at the rugby world cup in various bars in Dublin. We had planned it months ago, so brother-in-laws David being Welsh, and I always sensed one of us might be enjoying the craic more than the rugby. That will have been me then.
So it was Guinness, watch a game, major food then watch another game with more Guinness. Sunday was brunch watch two games with Guinness, then a major steak restaurant, nightcap and bed. All in all a very full on 48 hours.
Three of the games were classic, with the other being NewZealand finding some form to seriously stuff France. The locals were a bit shell shocked as the Argues blew them away, a result I had predicted days earlier.
The bars were not as lively as I had expected, but the semi-final weekend should be a cracker. Come on the winners.
So it was Guinness, watch a game, major food then watch another game with more Guinness. Sunday was brunch watch two games with Guinness, then a major steak restaurant, nightcap and bed. All in all a very full on 48 hours.
Three of the games were classic, with the other being NewZealand finding some form to seriously stuff France. The locals were a bit shell shocked as the Argues blew them away, a result I had predicted days earlier.
The bars were not as lively as I had expected, but the semi-final weekend should be a cracker. Come on the winners.
Thursday 8 October 2015
Chance to Shine
It was back to London yesterday to take part in the awards ceremony for the cricket charity , Chance to Shine. The charity was founded ten years ago by Mark Nicholas, the Channel 5 cricket presenter and Mervyn King, the then governor of the Bank of England. It's aim is to reintroduce cricket into state schools and local neighbourhood's through the Quik Cricket format and street cricket initiative's.
We were going because number two son, Kieran, was nominated for the Volunteer of the Year award.
He was not given the news until a few days ago, so there was a hectic rush for train tickets and you can imagine the situation there....£100 plus for a single even with our old gits rail cards, so some lateral thinking had to be applied.
Using Martin Lewis and his split ticket web site we managed to get three returns for just under £120 although it did mean driving to Crewe. That bit was fun as there was an early accident on the M56 so the sat nav took us all over the show. The long term car park at Crewe was full so we eventually got on the platform with four minutes to spare. The return journey was no less stressed as I had a blonde/senior moment and threw away the return tickets rather than the outbound bits. Luckily no tickets were inspected on the homeward bound section so all was sorted.
As for the event itself, Nomura International, hosted it in their Upper Thames Street offices and it was an excellent bash, made all the better when Kieran was announced as winner of his category. He was really pleased as were we as proud parents, although he seemed more interested in chatting to the fit England Ladies cricketers who were there, than with us!!
He won the award for his efforts introducing girl's cricket into Prenton High School, and for coaching the ladies section at Oxton Cricket Club. The fact he was not a PE teacher as many award winners were also counted in his favour.
His new school in Neston do not have a team so that will be his next task once he has sorted out the History department. That should keep him busy!!
We were going because number two son, Kieran, was nominated for the Volunteer of the Year award.
He was not given the news until a few days ago, so there was a hectic rush for train tickets and you can imagine the situation there....£100 plus for a single even with our old gits rail cards, so some lateral thinking had to be applied.
Using Martin Lewis and his split ticket web site we managed to get three returns for just under £120 although it did mean driving to Crewe. That bit was fun as there was an early accident on the M56 so the sat nav took us all over the show. The long term car park at Crewe was full so we eventually got on the platform with four minutes to spare. The return journey was no less stressed as I had a blonde/senior moment and threw away the return tickets rather than the outbound bits. Luckily no tickets were inspected on the homeward bound section so all was sorted.
As for the event itself, Nomura International, hosted it in their Upper Thames Street offices and it was an excellent bash, made all the better when Kieran was announced as winner of his category. He was really pleased as were we as proud parents, although he seemed more interested in chatting to the fit England Ladies cricketers who were there, than with us!!
He won the award for his efforts introducing girl's cricket into Prenton High School, and for coaching the ladies section at Oxton Cricket Club. The fact he was not a PE teacher as many award winners were also counted in his favour.
His new school in Neston do not have a team so that will be his next task once he has sorted out the History department. That should keep him busy!!
Tuesday 6 October 2015
Running for the bus
It was a busy weekend just gone as we attended a wedding in London. It clashed with England v Australia in the rugby world cup, but the way the tournament has mapped out for England I dealt no disappointment missing it.
The wedding was at the Brooklands motor and air museum and as part of the deal we got to ride on part of the banked circuit which still survives. It was quite an experience!
We also took a ride on an open backed London bus which pre-dated the Routemaster. That took us past Mercedes World where the Irish rugby team were having great fun on the skid pan.
The wedding was for my cousin Mikes daughter Elizabeth and her husband Nathan. It went off very well with the venue doing an excellent job.
We will next be off to Dublin for the quarter finals weekend I wonder who will get my ticket for the second semi-final?
The wedding was at the Brooklands motor and air museum and as part of the deal we got to ride on part of the banked circuit which still survives. It was quite an experience!
We also took a ride on an open backed London bus which pre-dated the Routemaster. That took us past Mercedes World where the Irish rugby team were having great fun on the skid pan.
The wedding was for my cousin Mikes daughter Elizabeth and her husband Nathan. It went off very well with the venue doing an excellent job.
We will next be off to Dublin for the quarter finals weekend I wonder who will get my ticket for the second semi-final?
Tuesday 29 September 2015
Full English
Interesting how to take that by-line. It is related to the fact we had our first paying guests in our new venture as an Airbnb registered bed and breakfast establishment. We had three guests over the Saturday night who had come from Leeds and London to enjoy the entertainment on offer in Liverpool.
Paul, who booked us, was an Irish lad who worked as a band manager in the music business so they all trotted off to the Liverpool Psychedelic festival in the Baltic triangle. He was spotting for new talent and they cruised in about 3am. We 'forced a full English. down him at apout 11:00 and they were gone by midday. Paul recommended I listen to two bands, Wooden Shjips and Moon Duo, so that's on my list to do.
They gave us a good rating so we are now up and running and looking forward to the next customers. None booked in just yet though.
As we trawled through the competition we found out that our close neighbours also do Airbnb at about the same price, but, with only one room to our three, we look to be the best for groups. We shall see.
Full English could also link to the dismal rugby later on the Saturday evening. I was physically drained even before the game, and dozed off so missed the first half ( never thought about ITV +1) but watching the second half I struggled to understand how England were in the lead. There was always only one winner in the second half and memories of Wembley and Scott Gibbs all came back to haunt me.
Anyway after Wales lose to Fiji and England destroy Australia the status quo will be restored. Hang on though, I think I am still asleep and dreaming!!!
Paul, who booked us, was an Irish lad who worked as a band manager in the music business so they all trotted off to the Liverpool Psychedelic festival in the Baltic triangle. He was spotting for new talent and they cruised in about 3am. We 'forced a full English. down him at apout 11:00 and they were gone by midday. Paul recommended I listen to two bands, Wooden Shjips and Moon Duo, so that's on my list to do.
They gave us a good rating so we are now up and running and looking forward to the next customers. None booked in just yet though.
As we trawled through the competition we found out that our close neighbours also do Airbnb at about the same price, but, with only one room to our three, we look to be the best for groups. We shall see.
Full English could also link to the dismal rugby later on the Saturday evening. I was physically drained even before the game, and dozed off so missed the first half ( never thought about ITV +1) but watching the second half I struggled to understand how England were in the lead. There was always only one winner in the second half and memories of Wembley and Scott Gibbs all came back to haunt me.
Anyway after Wales lose to Fiji and England destroy Australia the status quo will be restored. Hang on though, I think I am still asleep and dreaming!!!
Monday 21 September 2015
A Slant on the Rugby World Cup
Well, it was off to Gloucester this weekend to embrace the Rugby World Cup at Kingsholm as Tonga took on Georgia.
I was picked up on Friday afternoon by Sham and we pottered down the scenic route to Chipping Camden and our billet at the Lygon Arms. This is the cheap version, not the hugely expensive version in Broadway, and extremely pleasant it was. The first person we met was an American lady who worked in the Chiswick Business Park next to Silver Crescent, so that was a bit weird. We then dined with the locals in front of the tele as England huffed and puffed to a bonus point victory. Good enough but not earth shattering.
Next day it was off for the live match which kicked off at 12, noon. There was time for a Doom Bar before going into the shed. That was an experience. Its terraced and as we got there ten minutes before kick-off we had to squeeze through a few locals to get a spec. The abuse we got was bizarre.
'You can't just turn up with ten minutes to go to kick-off and expect a view' eh, why not? 'What are you some group of toffs who never go to matches except in Corporate' eh, no, but we do like to see how the other half live........that went down well. We did move a few kids in front of us so they could see, but once the game started everybody settled down.
It was not much of a game in the first half but it picked up in the second half and Georgia ran out worthy winners in the end. They are a big unit so could give the big dogs in the group a test.
After the game we visited a few horse racing pubs in the Cheltenham area before settling for the Plough to watch South Africa v Japan. What a proper game of rugby that was and well played to the Jap's for a very well deserved victory.
On Sunday before we left we went on a tour of Simon the Farmer's homestead and this picture shows how much we looked the part.
I got home to news of multiple Welsh injuries and was mightily disappointed for them....here's to the weekend.
I was picked up on Friday afternoon by Sham and we pottered down the scenic route to Chipping Camden and our billet at the Lygon Arms. This is the cheap version, not the hugely expensive version in Broadway, and extremely pleasant it was. The first person we met was an American lady who worked in the Chiswick Business Park next to Silver Crescent, so that was a bit weird. We then dined with the locals in front of the tele as England huffed and puffed to a bonus point victory. Good enough but not earth shattering.
Next day it was off for the live match which kicked off at 12, noon. There was time for a Doom Bar before going into the shed. That was an experience. Its terraced and as we got there ten minutes before kick-off we had to squeeze through a few locals to get a spec. The abuse we got was bizarre.
'You can't just turn up with ten minutes to go to kick-off and expect a view' eh, why not? 'What are you some group of toffs who never go to matches except in Corporate' eh, no, but we do like to see how the other half live........that went down well. We did move a few kids in front of us so they could see, but once the game started everybody settled down.
It was not much of a game in the first half but it picked up in the second half and Georgia ran out worthy winners in the end. They are a big unit so could give the big dogs in the group a test.
After the game we visited a few horse racing pubs in the Cheltenham area before settling for the Plough to watch South Africa v Japan. What a proper game of rugby that was and well played to the Jap's for a very well deserved victory.
On Sunday before we left we went on a tour of Simon the Farmer's homestead and this picture shows how much we looked the part.
Wednesday 2 September 2015
Egyptian mummies
The Clampitts trip has gone a bit pear. The Cairo cramps swept through the party taking its toll on the adult members of the party. Most of them recovered well enough to travel home but poor old Emma was confined to barracks and could not travel back. So SWMBO had to stay behind to look after Ava and Nell. They are now expected back tomorrow all being well.
That has given me a few extra days to potter but the rain has put pay to any outdoor activities and I get the joy of taking sister-in-law Michelle to the Simon and Garfunkel Show tomorrow.
It feels like Wednesday morning 3am but at least they are Homeward Bound.
That has given me a few extra days to potter but the rain has put pay to any outdoor activities and I get the joy of taking sister-in-law Michelle to the Simon and Garfunkel Show tomorrow.
It feels like Wednesday morning 3am but at least they are Homeward Bound.
Tuesday 25 August 2015
Home alone
SWMBO and her family are entering the second week of their Clampitts holiday in Egypt. Apart from some tourist tummy trouble, all seems to be going well. The kids in particular are enjoying the water park and chocolate parties.
I, in the meantime, am left fending for myself which has been a welcome reintroduction to peace and quiet. The main benefit has been the ability to get on with jobs round the house without having to worry whether an ankle biter will get hold of a chisel or fall over a power lead.
One challenge I have though is that a couple of tiles have slipped during the storms so I am waiting for the insurance go ahead to get the work done. The loss assessor said he thought the door would cost £50 labour and £1500 for scaffolding. Gone are the days when a bloke and his ladders turned up and did it. It's all 'ealth and safety now.
I am all set up with my new tablet computer now as well. I got the latest ZenPad with some vouchers the bank gave me, and it's good to be mobile again. I now have films on tap via Kodi, an X-Box simulator, and sport available via a Ace Player feed. There are a few wires across the floor at the moment but I will work out how to loose those in the next day or so. Luckily the rugby world cup is on ITV so that will be routine.
SWMBO looks like she is off to Tanzania again in November with her dental health charity and she also has a day trip to Dublin for some stand management at a dental conference. Maybe a job opportunity will come up as a result otherwise she will be secret shopping with me.
I am still trying to earn a few bob via e-bay, a couple of pictures and some riding crops from a recent auction seem to be interesting people but the box of Hudl covers I got have no takers. You win some, you lose some.
It will be disappointing to miss the Bampton raft race this year but I suspect it has run its course as far as I am concerned. Next year I will become an onlooker with 'off the record' Dick. I look forward to meeting up with the S Club in Gloucester for the Tonga v Georgia match as our own RWC mini tour gets under way.
Looks like time for an all day breakfast......excellent!
I, in the meantime, am left fending for myself which has been a welcome reintroduction to peace and quiet. The main benefit has been the ability to get on with jobs round the house without having to worry whether an ankle biter will get hold of a chisel or fall over a power lead.
One challenge I have though is that a couple of tiles have slipped during the storms so I am waiting for the insurance go ahead to get the work done. The loss assessor said he thought the door would cost £50 labour and £1500 for scaffolding. Gone are the days when a bloke and his ladders turned up and did it. It's all 'ealth and safety now.
I am all set up with my new tablet computer now as well. I got the latest ZenPad with some vouchers the bank gave me, and it's good to be mobile again. I now have films on tap via Kodi, an X-Box simulator, and sport available via a Ace Player feed. There are a few wires across the floor at the moment but I will work out how to loose those in the next day or so. Luckily the rugby world cup is on ITV so that will be routine.
SWMBO looks like she is off to Tanzania again in November with her dental health charity and she also has a day trip to Dublin for some stand management at a dental conference. Maybe a job opportunity will come up as a result otherwise she will be secret shopping with me.
I am still trying to earn a few bob via e-bay, a couple of pictures and some riding crops from a recent auction seem to be interesting people but the box of Hudl covers I got have no takers. You win some, you lose some.
It will be disappointing to miss the Bampton raft race this year but I suspect it has run its course as far as I am concerned. Next year I will become an onlooker with 'off the record' Dick. I look forward to meeting up with the S Club in Gloucester for the Tonga v Georgia match as our own RWC mini tour gets under way.
Looks like time for an all day breakfast......excellent!
Friday 31 July 2015
Birkenhead Brewery
Another month slips by, and a very strange one it was, certainly from the weather perspective. It was scorching hot early on which made people wonder why they went abroad all the time. Then it went wet, wild and cold, and we all realised why we go abroad.
Unfortunately the overseas market has been literally blown out of the water in the aftermath of the Tunisia beach massacre, and add to that the critical situation surrounding ferry and train travel from France and it is no fun being a holidaymaker at the moment. SWMBO and her family are off on their Clampitts holiday to Egypt in a couple of weeks and Tim has just had two weeks in Bulgaria mso some of the family will see some sand, sea and sangria.
The football and rugby season's are soon upon us, and the death of Peter O'Sullevan this week has netted the Twickenham RFC steward a pretty penny in the death list lottery. Free pint from Dennis then!
Golf continues at a pace as I am still in two knockout competitions which have entered their quarter final stages, and there are five seniors matches still to play. Wallasey hosted the Carris Trophy a couple of weeks ago which is the U16 English strokeplay competition. Some of the players were very accomplished, and with Jose Maria Olazabal and Justin Rose as previous winners there may well be a future tour pro or two in the field.
The Ashes test series has been a bit up and down. We went to the Saturday at Lord's by train. That made it a ling day, and the cricket was probably some of the dullest in the series so far. At £100 per ticket we are going to think seriously about continuing the tradition. it would be a hard one to make as SWMBO and I have been going for nigh on 25 years, and I first went with my Dad in 1962 and have not missed many Saturday's ever since.
I am taking my mate Peter to Old Trafford in August for a day night 50 over game, Lancs v Glamorgan and that's £19 a ticket. It will be his first live match so looking forward to it.
We ended the month in style last night when we went to the Peerless Brewery pop up pub. All their ales and stouts were £2 a pint and one of Kierans friends, Ross, just back from Hong Kong, was on a mission to have a pint of all eight draught beers available. Good on him
So fairly routine in July, I wonder what August will have to offer.
Unfortunately the overseas market has been literally blown out of the water in the aftermath of the Tunisia beach massacre, and add to that the critical situation surrounding ferry and train travel from France and it is no fun being a holidaymaker at the moment. SWMBO and her family are off on their Clampitts holiday to Egypt in a couple of weeks and Tim has just had two weeks in Bulgaria mso some of the family will see some sand, sea and sangria.
The football and rugby season's are soon upon us, and the death of Peter O'Sullevan this week has netted the Twickenham RFC steward a pretty penny in the death list lottery. Free pint from Dennis then!
Golf continues at a pace as I am still in two knockout competitions which have entered their quarter final stages, and there are five seniors matches still to play. Wallasey hosted the Carris Trophy a couple of weeks ago which is the U16 English strokeplay competition. Some of the players were very accomplished, and with Jose Maria Olazabal and Justin Rose as previous winners there may well be a future tour pro or two in the field.
The Ashes test series has been a bit up and down. We went to the Saturday at Lord's by train. That made it a ling day, and the cricket was probably some of the dullest in the series so far. At £100 per ticket we are going to think seriously about continuing the tradition. it would be a hard one to make as SWMBO and I have been going for nigh on 25 years, and I first went with my Dad in 1962 and have not missed many Saturday's ever since.
I am taking my mate Peter to Old Trafford in August for a day night 50 over game, Lancs v Glamorgan and that's £19 a ticket. It will be his first live match so looking forward to it.
We ended the month in style last night when we went to the Peerless Brewery pop up pub. All their ales and stouts were £2 a pint and one of Kierans friends, Ross, just back from Hong Kong, was on a mission to have a pint of all eight draught beers available. Good on him
So fairly routine in July, I wonder what August will have to offer.
Friday 3 July 2015
Walk Tall
I played golf yesterday with my good friend Cookie. He called up to suggest we played and I was able to fit in. I then started thinking how long ago we had last seen each other, and it must have been nearly a year.
The thing about long standing friends is that you can just slip into their company almost seamlessly, regardless of the time between meetings. we certainly did not lack for things to talk about during our four hours on the course.
He did remind me, however, that I was once more delinquent on my blog, and one post during May and none in June is certainly poor form considering what we have been up to.
That said, I played golf sixteen times in May, including a great week in the North of Ireland for the Causeway golf challenge. I met up with Chris Campbell and Chris Finden-Browne, friends from my IBM days, and much like yesterday with Cookie, the chemistry was still there and we had a great week. We played Ballyliffin in Donegal as well as Portrush, Castlerock and Ballycastle. I had a chat with Darren Clarke, the Ryder Cup captain elect, at Portrush as he parked next to me in his white BMW i8. Very impressive.
Chris C-F and I managed to finish in the top 50 out of a field of over 600 so we felt very pleased with ourselves about that.
Liverpool also hosted the rendezvous of the 'Three Queens' on the late May Bank Holiday as Cunard celebrated their 175th anniversary. SWMBO and I saw them line up to enter the Mersey from the 4th tee at Wallasey golf club before hot footing it to Birkenhead to see them salute the Liverpool coastline. The Red Arrows then saluted them with a quick flypast on their way to Blackpool air show. Initial reports indicate the weekend generated some £22m for the local economy.
During June I participated in a sculpture workshop near Nantwich which took place over two days at a secret garden called Mount Pleasant. I carved a hand out of a lump of limestone and it now cradles a pot of plants in the garden. It was very gratifying to be able to produce something in such a short time, but certainly showed how much patience a sculptor needs to have to execute their art.
A couple of weeks ago it was the turn of the Oxton Society to take centre stage as they held their secret gardens event. I had hoped to have the 'S Club' in residence for that, but a combination of work commitments and event clashes meant that only 'off the record' Dick turned up on his way back from Scotland. We had a good craic and drank a variety of beers and red wine before he went off to Liverpool on the Monday to do some work.
Finally we took number one grand-daughter to London for number two grand-daughters birthday, a flying visit just for the day. Ava and Sofia certainly enjoyed each others company and it is a relationship we must continue to nurture.
And now we are into July where we have SWMBO's birthday to celebrate, our wedding anniversary and a leaving do for number two son, Kieran as he is off to a new school in September. He is moving from a 600 pupil all girls school with no Sixth form to a 1400 pupil mixed school where he can start to teach A-level. It means he will need to travel further so he is taking driving lessons, at last. I just stay off the road on those occasions!
The golf club are hosting the Carris trophy during the month. It's an event for U16 male golfers and is played over three days. It numbers Justin Rose as a previous winner.
So not much spare time to do any secret shopping or e-bay stuff, but certainly time to catch up with some more ex-work colleagues in a week or so in Liverpool for a serious lunch.Problem is I am on the 07:45 train to London the next day for the Lords Ashes test match.
In the words of Val Doonican, the singer, , who sadly died yesterday, I'm Gonna Get There Somehow !
The thing about long standing friends is that you can just slip into their company almost seamlessly, regardless of the time between meetings. we certainly did not lack for things to talk about during our four hours on the course.
He did remind me, however, that I was once more delinquent on my blog, and one post during May and none in June is certainly poor form considering what we have been up to.
That said, I played golf sixteen times in May, including a great week in the North of Ireland for the Causeway golf challenge. I met up with Chris Campbell and Chris Finden-Browne, friends from my IBM days, and much like yesterday with Cookie, the chemistry was still there and we had a great week. We played Ballyliffin in Donegal as well as Portrush, Castlerock and Ballycastle. I had a chat with Darren Clarke, the Ryder Cup captain elect, at Portrush as he parked next to me in his white BMW i8. Very impressive.
Chris C-F and I managed to finish in the top 50 out of a field of over 600 so we felt very pleased with ourselves about that.
Liverpool also hosted the rendezvous of the 'Three Queens' on the late May Bank Holiday as Cunard celebrated their 175th anniversary. SWMBO and I saw them line up to enter the Mersey from the 4th tee at Wallasey golf club before hot footing it to Birkenhead to see them salute the Liverpool coastline. The Red Arrows then saluted them with a quick flypast on their way to Blackpool air show. Initial reports indicate the weekend generated some £22m for the local economy.
During June I participated in a sculpture workshop near Nantwich which took place over two days at a secret garden called Mount Pleasant. I carved a hand out of a lump of limestone and it now cradles a pot of plants in the garden. It was very gratifying to be able to produce something in such a short time, but certainly showed how much patience a sculptor needs to have to execute their art.
A couple of weeks ago it was the turn of the Oxton Society to take centre stage as they held their secret gardens event. I had hoped to have the 'S Club' in residence for that, but a combination of work commitments and event clashes meant that only 'off the record' Dick turned up on his way back from Scotland. We had a good craic and drank a variety of beers and red wine before he went off to Liverpool on the Monday to do some work.
Finally we took number one grand-daughter to London for number two grand-daughters birthday, a flying visit just for the day. Ava and Sofia certainly enjoyed each others company and it is a relationship we must continue to nurture.
And now we are into July where we have SWMBO's birthday to celebrate, our wedding anniversary and a leaving do for number two son, Kieran as he is off to a new school in September. He is moving from a 600 pupil all girls school with no Sixth form to a 1400 pupil mixed school where he can start to teach A-level. It means he will need to travel further so he is taking driving lessons, at last. I just stay off the road on those occasions!
The golf club are hosting the Carris trophy during the month. It's an event for U16 male golfers and is played over three days. It numbers Justin Rose as a previous winner.
So not much spare time to do any secret shopping or e-bay stuff, but certainly time to catch up with some more ex-work colleagues in a week or so in Liverpool for a serious lunch.Problem is I am on the 07:45 train to London the next day for the Lords Ashes test match.
In the words of Val Doonican, the singer, , who sadly died yesterday, I'm Gonna Get There Somehow !
Friday 8 May 2015
True Blue
It now seems that David Cameron has achieved an overall majority and has the remit to form a government without consulting with any of the minority parties. The red lines on offer are no longer relevant, and three horror scenarios seem to have been avoided. There will be no coalition, no labour powerhouse, and the SNP elected officers will be impotent. This latter point will be a huge disappointment to the Scottish voters who were hoping to hold the balance of power and use it to push through another Scottish referendum.
Will the national picture dominates, if you look deeply enough into some of the high profile losses there are local issues which may have cost them seats. Esther McVey in Wirral made some I'll judged comments about foodbanks and their users. She was given the push.
In Twickenham, Vince Cable positively supported an industrial development on the Thames in the Teddington part of his constituency. Teddington is very yummy mummy so he got the push too.
UKIP had support in those areas most affected by immigration, particularly in Essex and Lent. We shall see if their momentum can be maintained over the next five years. Cameran can now look to further strengthen the UK terms in Europe and, if successful, have no need for a referendum.
Interesting times ahead, but more predictable than could have been the case. I just hope saving rates go up!!
Will the national picture dominates, if you look deeply enough into some of the high profile losses there are local issues which may have cost them seats. Esther McVey in Wirral made some I'll judged comments about foodbanks and their users. She was given the push.
In Twickenham, Vince Cable positively supported an industrial development on the Thames in the Teddington part of his constituency. Teddington is very yummy mummy so he got the push too.
UKIP had support in those areas most affected by immigration, particularly in Essex and Lent. We shall see if their momentum can be maintained over the next five years. Cameran can now look to further strengthen the UK terms in Europe and, if successful, have no need for a referendum.
Interesting times ahead, but more predictable than could have been the case. I just hope saving rates go up!!
Wednesday 29 April 2015
The Wrath of the Gods
Tranmere Rovers were relegated from the Football League to the Football Conference this weekend when the mighty Greens beat them 3-2. That ended a 94 year stay in the League. It would have been more appropriate if it was a one hundred year stay which was ending, as it would tie in nicely with their total disregard of the celebrations commemorating the start of the First World War.
Tranmere used a field as their training ground, which adjoined Prenton Park, their home stadium. The field was a memorial to the men who lost their lives during the First World War, and who had been educated at the Birkenhead Institute. Those people included the well known war poet, Wilfred Owen.
The Club sold the field for a housing development, a decision which was furiously challenged by local people. The government of the time saw little reason to reject the planning application and the sale has now been completed.
How apt then that this relegation may be the first step on the path to oblivion for the club. The field may be no more, but, as Tranmere are now discovering, you mess with history at your peril.
Tranmere used a field as their training ground, which adjoined Prenton Park, their home stadium. The field was a memorial to the men who lost their lives during the First World War, and who had been educated at the Birkenhead Institute. Those people included the well known war poet, Wilfred Owen.
The Club sold the field for a housing development, a decision which was furiously challenged by local people. The government of the time saw little reason to reject the planning application and the sale has now been completed.
How apt then that this relegation may be the first step on the path to oblivion for the club. The field may be no more, but, as Tranmere are now discovering, you mess with history at your peril.
Wednesday 15 April 2015
Messsage in a bottle
It's been a while since SWMBO and I have been out to a gig, so it was a pleasure to pitch up at the Manchester Arena on Monday for Paul Simon and Sting together on stage. It seemed an odd coupling when we booked the tickets, but the partnership worked well.
They did several sets together and solo spots designed to allow them a rest. No such luck for the audience as they went three hours non-stop. It was a score draw between the Police fans and the S & G fans as to who could sing along loudest!
Paul Simon still has the voice, but his range has become shorter. This was admirably compensated for as Sting was only too happy to sing the high notes in the wonderful rendition of 'Bridge Over Troubled Water' which was their finale. That song has great memories of adolescence for me, Early girl chasing and live performances of 'Bye Bye Love' in The Polish Club, off Mutley Pain in Plymouth. The police were also involved then too, as they raided the place one night as there was underage drinking and the club did not have a license!!
Interestingly Paul Simon outlined the time when he was doing the Northern club circuit which was when he wrote 'Homeward Bound'. All in all an excellent night.
On the sporting front, the Wallasey Seniors did get the expected spanking at Vale Royal Abbey 2.5 to 5.5, but got our season back on course on Monday with a 7-1 win against Leasowe. The New Brighton v Birkenhead Park local rugby derby was a bit of a damp squib, with Park winning easily to clinch their promotion, and almost certainly guarantee New Brighton a first season relegation. Twickenham, on the other hand, managed to beat Guildford and so set up a winner takes all relegation decider against Cobham on Saturday.
The mighty Argyle hang on to the last play-off place in League 2 and now need only two wins form their last three games, but it is looking tough for Brentford in the Championship as a defeat last night in Sheffield see's them lose touch with the sixth place team and only three games remain to be played there too.
Now it's time to focus on the outdoor activities in the garden while the dry weather stays. There is still plenty to do inside as well before the S Club descend on us , but that can wait until the April showers arrive. That said, we are half way through so they better hurry up.
They did several sets together and solo spots designed to allow them a rest. No such luck for the audience as they went three hours non-stop. It was a score draw between the Police fans and the S & G fans as to who could sing along loudest!
Paul Simon still has the voice, but his range has become shorter. This was admirably compensated for as Sting was only too happy to sing the high notes in the wonderful rendition of 'Bridge Over Troubled Water' which was their finale. That song has great memories of adolescence for me, Early girl chasing and live performances of 'Bye Bye Love' in The Polish Club, off Mutley Pain in Plymouth. The police were also involved then too, as they raided the place one night as there was underage drinking and the club did not have a license!!
Interestingly Paul Simon outlined the time when he was doing the Northern club circuit which was when he wrote 'Homeward Bound'. All in all an excellent night.
On the sporting front, the Wallasey Seniors did get the expected spanking at Vale Royal Abbey 2.5 to 5.5, but got our season back on course on Monday with a 7-1 win against Leasowe. The New Brighton v Birkenhead Park local rugby derby was a bit of a damp squib, with Park winning easily to clinch their promotion, and almost certainly guarantee New Brighton a first season relegation. Twickenham, on the other hand, managed to beat Guildford and so set up a winner takes all relegation decider against Cobham on Saturday.
The mighty Argyle hang on to the last play-off place in League 2 and now need only two wins form their last three games, but it is looking tough for Brentford in the Championship as a defeat last night in Sheffield see's them lose touch with the sixth place team and only three games remain to be played there too.
Now it's time to focus on the outdoor activities in the garden while the dry weather stays. There is still plenty to do inside as well before the S Club descend on us , but that can wait until the April showers arrive. That said, we are half way through so they better hurry up.
Tuesday 24 March 2015
Whitewash
So home and straight into the old routine, a Friday night fuelled by alcohol, Saturday morning down the pub then into the lady's boudoir known as Rock an Rose for some tucker before going through the thrills and spills of England's mighty effort to beat France by 26 points. They hit the bar but given we beat Wales in Cardiff and finished above them in the table, a win was a win against France and everything pails into insignificance. There wer fourteen of us on parade, so a good weekend was had by all. Luckily SWMBO was on hand to drive home on the Sunday as I was a bit weary.
Monday gave me no rest bite as it was down to the golf club for the first Seniors game of the season, one which I was Chairman for the first time. I was voted in In Absentia on Friday.
We were playing Prenton, one of the closest courses to us, and I was under no pressure being paired with the new club Captain, Chris Kerin. There was an up side though, Chris plays of 5 so any lapse on my part could be more than compensated. Blessedly, my game held together pretty well, and we went round in level par better ball which gave our opponents little chance of a win.
It got even better in the bar when it transpired we had won 8-0, something which the more senior Senior's were struggling to remember doing before. It can, of course, only go one way from there though! My opening speech seems to have gone down well, so it's onto Prestatyn tomorrow and then our second fixture away at Vale Royal Abbey, always a hard place to get anything from.
A few days back and it seems like we have not been away. The twelve bags of washing indicate that we have though!
Monday gave me no rest bite as it was down to the golf club for the first Seniors game of the season, one which I was Chairman for the first time. I was voted in In Absentia on Friday.
We were playing Prenton, one of the closest courses to us, and I was under no pressure being paired with the new club Captain, Chris Kerin. There was an up side though, Chris plays of 5 so any lapse on my part could be more than compensated. Blessedly, my game held together pretty well, and we went round in level par better ball which gave our opponents little chance of a win.
It got even better in the bar when it transpired we had won 8-0, something which the more senior Senior's were struggling to remember doing before. It can, of course, only go one way from there though! My opening speech seems to have gone down well, so it's onto Prestatyn tomorrow and then our second fixture away at Vale Royal Abbey, always a hard place to get anything from.
A few days back and it seems like we have not been away. The twelve bags of washing indicate that we have though!
Thursday 19 March 2015
walk on the wild side...
I have never seen so many bagpipes as in New York yesterday. The
St Patrick Day parade here differs from San Fran in a lot of ways. For a start
there are no vehicles or floats. It’s all one long march from 44th
to 65th. Our hotel is right near the start so we had a good view
early on. Second difference is it’s actually on the day itself and finally, the
number of people is huge.
So we walked the route then did the central library which
sadly had its two most impressive reading rooms closed and grabbed a cocktail
in The Campbell Apartments in Grand Central station. It’s a red velvet and
brown chair sort of bar going back the Twenties, hidden away and very pleasant
after a route march through mid-town.
Today was freezing at -3 degrees so a trip to Ground Zero should have been heart warming. It is still very much a building site, but
the two memorial waterfalls were certainly a fitting tribute to the victims,
demonstrating the footprints of the two towers at the same time. The viewing
gallery of the new World Trade Centre will open in the next few months, and the
views should be spectacular.
We walked most of the way back, and then finished the day
with dinner at a training restaurant aptly called L’Ecole. We were joined in
SoHo by our good friends Eins and Tina from Blundellsands who were also in New
York for yesterday’s parade.
Tomorrow it’s back to Blighty but we do have membership of
the Cornell Club for the day so will be dropping in there for WiFi and coffee
at some point.
All in all a wide and varied 28 days with much to look back
on and smile about….. talking of which did you know the tooth brush was
invented in South Dakota? Otherwise it would have been called the teeth brush…….
Monday 16 March 2015
Food, glorious food....
Mega problems at check-in this morning as we are over weight.....' Its the same luggage came out with' I pleaded. 'Its not the bags sir', she said,' Its you'
I knew those meatballs last night were a meal too far!! Ah well five hours in the air feeling like an American!
I knew those meatballs last night were a meal too far!! Ah well five hours in the air feeling like an American!
Sunday 15 March 2015
Bridge over troubled water
It was going to be jailhouse rock, but the first available tickets for Alcatraz were for Tuesday. The fallback was the open topped tour bus. It was a good choice.
We took in most of the major sights including Haight/Astbury, the hippy center of the sixties, the Victorian sector which survived the 1906 earthquake, and, best of all, got ride over the Golden Gate bridge. That was a tad windy but provided some great views.
We saw some very appealing art but the girl did not ship international, so its off to Little Italy for some tucker before an early start tomorrow for New York. I wonder what the strap line will for that?
We took in most of the major sights including Haight/Astbury, the hippy center of the sixties, the Victorian sector which survived the 1906 earthquake, and, best of all, got ride over the Golden Gate bridge. That was a tad windy but provided some great views.
We saw some very appealing art but the girl did not ship international, so its off to Little Italy for some tucker before an early start tomorrow for New York. I wonder what the strap line will for that?
climbing the stairway to heaven.
We left God's waiting room this morning after catching the first half of the England rugby, and I was pleased to see, when we got to our San Fran hotel, that the chances they squandered did not cost them the game. All to play for next week then.
So then cruise has ended and we now have San Fran and New York before returning home on Friday. For all the highs and lows of the last two weeks, nothing could compare with SWMBO dragging me away from the stage as I went to volunteer as a standup comic in the passenger variety show.....I think I would have got a laugh but she disagreed! Funnily one of the acts was a blind chap from Cheshire telling jokes....exit signs, are they on the way out?
So then cruise has ended and we now have San Fran and New York before returning home on Friday. For all the highs and lows of the last two weeks, nothing could compare with SWMBO dragging me away from the stage as I went to volunteer as a standup comic in the passenger variety show.....I think I would have got a laugh but she disagreed! Funnily one of the acts was a blind chap from Cheshire telling jokes....exit signs, are they on the way out?
We have been out to see the St Patrick's Day parade this afternoon and we are shortly off to tour some old world architecture and some stunning hotel reception area's. Then it will be Guiness and steak before retiring. Our hotel restaurant is one of the best around and is a converted 1950's ballroom, so it should be good.
Trouser belt still on same notch so here's hoping it will survive another week!
Friday 13 March 2015
Riiiiba.....
We are in Encelada on the US/Mexican border. It is a typical cruiser town. It has one long street which is arty and designer and then behind that sprawls the rest of the town, run down and dusty. It could easily be a setting for a Clint Eastwood movie.
The second week of the cruise has been better. The sea has been calmer and we have had a few days when we could get some sun on deck.
Princess seem to have upped their game too. The entertainment has been better and the food has improved. A cynic might say this is so we remember it as a positive experience but people on the ship who have done the trip several times have said how bad it has been.
It seems the rough weather going out may have been the edge of the cyclone which hit the South Pacific today, just suffice to say the ship could not cope with an aged passenger population who were unable to get on deck, and in many cases out of their cabin.
If you are under 70 this cruise is not for you. If you want to see Hawaii then fly there and take a week to do some island hopping.
The Captain did not see to be concerned we had not had a cruise of the quality expected, it seemed to be all about them, not about us, the customers.
Look out TripAdvisor there's another storm brewing!
The second week of the cruise has been better. The sea has been calmer and we have had a few days when we could get some sun on deck.
Princess seem to have upped their game too. The entertainment has been better and the food has improved. A cynic might say this is so we remember it as a positive experience but people on the ship who have done the trip several times have said how bad it has been.
It seems the rough weather going out may have been the edge of the cyclone which hit the South Pacific today, just suffice to say the ship could not cope with an aged passenger population who were unable to get on deck, and in many cases out of their cabin.
If you are under 70 this cruise is not for you. If you want to see Hawaii then fly there and take a week to do some island hopping.
The Captain did not see to be concerned we had not had a cruise of the quality expected, it seemed to be all about them, not about us, the customers.
Look out TripAdvisor there's another storm brewing!
Sunday 8 March 2015
Lai lady lai
So, final day on the islands with a visit to the Hawaii volcano national park. the Kilauea Caldera which we primarily visited is active and was steaming. It last erupted in 1986 and is one of four active volcano's on Hawaii. Mauna Kea is the tallest at about 14000 feet above sea level, but from its ocean base it is higher then Mount Everest.
We also went through a lava tube and visited a couple of craters in the caldera. All interesting and good to see.
The town of Hilo where the ship moored is a throw back in time to the 1950's. It has many art deco buildings most of which are run down, and there is the usual passenger oriented craft market. All in all a slow old place.
So now we are off into the Pacific for four days, hoping for fine weather and some better entertainment than was the case coming over. While the ship cannot legislate for the weather it can for the entertainment. the comedian and hypnotist were second rate, the piano singer can play but not sing and the Machida band are well liked by the Japanese but there are more Brits on board than them.
The sports bar is a smoking bar and is disgusting, more so now that such an environment is a rarity at home. Still ESPN show rugby and footie as well as the cricket world cup in the cabin so all not gloom and doom.
We now have our sea legs screwed back on and it's off we go back to San Fran.
We also went through a lava tube and visited a couple of craters in the caldera. All interesting and good to see.
The town of Hilo where the ship moored is a throw back in time to the 1950's. It has many art deco buildings most of which are run down, and there is the usual passenger oriented craft market. All in all a slow old place.
So now we are off into the Pacific for four days, hoping for fine weather and some better entertainment than was the case coming over. While the ship cannot legislate for the weather it can for the entertainment. the comedian and hypnotist were second rate, the piano singer can play but not sing and the Machida band are well liked by the Japanese but there are more Brits on board than them.
The sports bar is a smoking bar and is disgusting, more so now that such an environment is a rarity at home. Still ESPN show rugby and footie as well as the cricket world cup in the cabin so all not gloom and doom.
We now have our sea legs screwed back on and it's off we go back to San Fran.
Saturday 7 March 2015
Love me tender,love me true...
We were tendered into port today at Maui. Usually it’s a calm
10 minute ride in. Today some shuttles took 45 minutes. We were lucky to only
take 15 and a decision was taken just afterwards to suspend transfers. We
queued two hours to get a tender back, the weather on this trip is just not
working for us.
Still, it’s a holiday and we are trying to make the most of
it. We saw a school of humpback whales this morning, and a leatherback turtle
popped in to our snorkelling cove this afternoon. Even the snorkelling was
terminated due to poor visibility and strong under currents.
Maui, or the town of Lahaina where we were based, was a
beautiful place, very similar to the Cayman Islands, Bermuda or Aruba. It was
voted the worlds most beautiful island by National Geographic magazine.
With the large whale population it is no surprise that this
was a major whaling colony with some right goings on before European
missionaries came there and sanitised the place. The main bar and bordello of
the time, still stands though and is now a very elegant Best Western hotel.
Back on board it was love boat disco night on the top deck.
Bit breezy but good fun. I am still waiting for the Zimmer frame race round the
deck though.
Today we are landing at Hilo on what is called the big island. We are off to see some volcano's, one of which is still active. Hopefully an update on that before our second week at sea when we will be offline again.
Friday 6 March 2015
Book him Dano
On dry land at last, as we
moored up successfully in Honolulu, the capital of Hawaii. It is on the island
of Oahu, a mountainous region constructed from erupting volcano’s all of which
are now extinct.
This holiday has been planned as a pilgrimage for SWIMBO.
She had planned to meet her brother here in Hawaii for his 50th
anniversary party, but he was sadly taken from us a few years ago, so the
rendezvous will never happen.
We started the day at the USS Arizona war grave and memorial
in Pearl Harbour, a place which has been a pilgrimage for many American and
Japanese citizens for over seventy years. We saw the statistics, the names of
the fallen, and oil still leaking to the surface after all this time. We visited
the memorial to the 50 or so submarines lost in the conflict, and then visited ‘mighty
Mo’ the USS Missouri on which the Japanese surrendered.
The below decks tour was fascinating given we are on a
pretty large ship ourselves. It makes one understand the conditions some of our
crew will be experiencing.
We finally went down to Waikiki for spot or sun bathing, and
then brought a Lei in Liverpool colours, which will be placed on Martin’s grave
on our return. We toasted his memory in a local bar and are now set fair for
tomorrow on Maui.
The ship is quite cosmopolitan and that embraces both crew
and passengers. In one bar a Latino band called the Emmanuelle Blanco band is
proving popular with the Japanese. Last night they got adventurous and banged
out a song by Dire Straits called ‘Butterfly’. Never heard of it said I to SWMBO,
when suddenly the riff kicked in……. dada dadadadada dada….. and it tlanflormed
into ‘Walk of Life’ silly me !
Thursday 5 March 2015
All at sea
Not the strap line I was going to use, but the cruising part
of the trip has not quite gone to plan. We left San Francisco with the words of
captain Nash ringing in our ears. It’s going to be rough he said in his Cornish
burr, so he could have added ‘me lovers’ or ‘proper job’ at the end of the
sentence.
Well, rough it was, and for three days most of the 3000
passengers were confined to barracks, with the demand for the full English in
short supply. SWMBO is not good with motion but she had been a martyr to the
cause and we have represented the UK with fortitude. We were rewarded on day 4
with a calmer sea and sunbathing weather which put everybody in a good frame of
mind for our first landfall on Wednesday.
Seems something upset Poseidon though as we awoke to the
news than the winds were too strong to allow the ship to dock at Nawiliwili on
the Hawaiian island of Kuala. Instead we spent the day circling it before
starting out for Honolulu. We did see several silverback whales on our travels
and are promised many more when we get to Maui on Friday. Up to 10000 come down
from Alaska to sporn ever Winter so that should be exciting.
The ship has very little to occupy us as most of its
clientele are overweight slothful Americans. We have probably brought the
average age down somewhat. Nonetheless we are battling on with a trip to Pearl
Harbour on schedule for tomorrow. Then its snorkelling and a volcano tour
before we head back with another four days at sea. Our course back is further
South so should miss the wind and be set fair to top up our tan.
If not it will be bingo, play your cards right, and ballroom
dancing, can’t wait!
Friday 27 February 2015
E V B
Emily tries but misunderstands, ah ooh
She often inclined to borrow somebody's dreams till tomorrow
There is no other day
Let's try it another way
You'll lose your mind and play
Free games for may
See Emily play
Soon after dark Emily cries, ah ooh.......
Our sixth grandchild has finally got a name, Emily Veronica, and she was immortalised by Pink Floyd all those years ago in 'See Emily Play'. That last line could be very true, although I understand she is a very contented soul at the moment.
Our first night in San Fran was uneventful. We found a very pleasant Irish bar, as you do, and had some Guinness to get in the mood for Sunday. Although we will be at sea, I am hopeful there may be a link up to Fox TV.
We then had an excellent steak in John's Grill, an establishment which has over 100 years of history behind it, including a feature role in The Maltese Falcon. It was produced by John Huston and starred Humphrey Bogart.
We also climbed to the top of Nob Hill which got the heart rate up. We will do it by tram next time!
Later today we jumps on our cruise ship so we will be offline for a week or so. Roll on Hawaii.
She often inclined to borrow somebody's dreams till tomorrow
There is no other day
Let's try it another way
You'll lose your mind and play
Free games for may
See Emily play
Soon after dark Emily cries, ah ooh.......
Our sixth grandchild has finally got a name, Emily Veronica, and she was immortalised by Pink Floyd all those years ago in 'See Emily Play'. That last line could be very true, although I understand she is a very contented soul at the moment.
Our first night in San Fran was uneventful. We found a very pleasant Irish bar, as you do, and had some Guinness to get in the mood for Sunday. Although we will be at sea, I am hopeful there may be a link up to Fox TV.
We then had an excellent steak in John's Grill, an establishment which has over 100 years of history behind it, including a feature role in The Maltese Falcon. It was produced by John Huston and starred Humphrey Bogart.
We also climbed to the top of Nob Hill which got the heart rate up. We will do it by tram next time!
Later today we jumps on our cruise ship so we will be offline for a week or so. Roll on Hawaii.
Thursday 26 February 2015
Woka woka
We are just packing to move on to San Francisco this morning. We did Penn and Teller, and they were a bit old school. The show was not as slick as they appear on TV, but they had some clever tricks and interspersed the act with their usual humour.
Yesterday we took a helicopter to the Grand Canyon and were surprised when we landed near the bottom for a champagne picnic. I will post some pictures when I find a fast WiFi connection. Our pay as you go is working well but is painfully slow.
I last visited the Canyon with Dodgy after our West coast rugby tour in the late nineties and we drove to the South rim via the Hoover dam. That view gave a better aspect of the size of it all, but being in the gorge showed the power of the water and the scale of the Colorado river compared to the depth of the gorge.
We had a good scoff in the evening, watched the Bellagio water show and caught the Mirage volcanic eruption on the way back.
Only down side was the roulette table bet minimum which was $15 so managed to keep our losses to $30. With the minimum bet it just meant we didn't play too long..... probably no bad thing!
Our newest grandchild arrived Monday just as we were taxiing at Heathrow, so more about her once she has a name, poor thing.
Yesterday we took a helicopter to the Grand Canyon and were surprised when we landed near the bottom for a champagne picnic. I will post some pictures when I find a fast WiFi connection. Our pay as you go is working well but is painfully slow.
I last visited the Canyon with Dodgy after our West coast rugby tour in the late nineties and we drove to the South rim via the Hoover dam. That view gave a better aspect of the size of it all, but being in the gorge showed the power of the water and the scale of the Colorado river compared to the depth of the gorge.
We had a good scoff in the evening, watched the Bellagio water show and caught the Mirage volcanic eruption on the way back.
Only down side was the roulette table bet minimum which was $15 so managed to keep our losses to $30. With the minimum bet it just meant we didn't play too long..... probably no bad thing!
Our newest grandchild arrived Monday just as we were taxiing at Heathrow, so more about her once she has a name, poor thing.
Wednesday 25 February 2015
Viva Las Vegas
Actually it should be called Viva Las Vegas,as that's where we are so have changed it!. Day 1 was a ten hour flight and a fairly smooth passage through homeland security. Amusingly IBM have a kick off meeting here this week so there were a couple of ex-colleagues on the flight. They were a bit green when I outlined out travel plans!
I should check in with Ginny Rometty, the CEO, now that IBM has lost the latest court battle concerning the pension closures of the early noughties. It would probably ruin my chances of an invite to Augusta now she is a member.
The hotel has a golf course but I don't really have time to play during this short stay. Today we started with a full on American breakfast, then walked the strip from end to end. Paris won the best design award and the Bellagio won best Chinese New Year décor prize. The IBM crew are staying in the Hard Rock so well away from us.
Tonight is cabaret night with Penn and Teller then off to the Grand Canyon tomorrow.
Latest gambling position, I am $10 up.
I should check in with Ginny Rometty, the CEO, now that IBM has lost the latest court battle concerning the pension closures of the early noughties. It would probably ruin my chances of an invite to Augusta now she is a member.
The hotel has a golf course but I don't really have time to play during this short stay. Today we started with a full on American breakfast, then walked the strip from end to end. Paris won the best design award and the Bellagio won best Chinese New Year décor prize. The IBM crew are staying in the Hard Rock so well away from us.
Tonight is cabaret night with Penn and Teller then off to the Grand Canyon tomorrow.
Latest gambling position, I am $10 up.
Friday 13 February 2015
Ker ching
They say things go in three's and that seems to be the recent case here in Scouseland. A few days ago SWMBO received notification that she had been successful on the Premium Bonds which will boost her spending account when we go on hols later in the month.
I received a call this morning to say that the small claims court action I had instigated against Scottish Power has been settled in my favour. So not only do I get the £200 they have owed me since last May back, but I get the court fee's and an inconvenience payment as well.
I moved to one of their tariff's in October 2013, and they managed to transfer the gas supply of a different property in the street. They then instigated a standing order to take funds out of my account to pay this neighbours gas bills!! It did take me a couple of months to notice, but nothing like the time it has taken to get them to understand the problem they have caused, and the reason I was a bit grumpy. I must have talked to them 6 or 8 times and each time I was reassured they would sort it. They didn't and in the end I got so frustrated I went to court.....they now say the cheque is in the post!!!
Scottish Power have the worst customer satisfaction rating of any of the big 6 power companies, so as soon as I have the money I am looking to move somewhere else.
So that's two bits of good news. The third one has just made all the days I spend trawling through tat and rubbish at auction houses worth the effort.
On Wednesday I was at an auction I go to fairly frequently when I saw a very odd shaped putter in a bag of 1930's steel shafted clubs. This putter had a curved face and a hickory shaft. I got the lot for £5.50 including commission, and a bit of research indicated I may well be on a winner. It's on e-bay here.
The irony of all this is that yesterday I threw away two old mirror's in the tip, they both smashed. So much for seven years bad luck. I can only think that as they were intact when I let go of them that I was not deemed to have smashed them!!
Sorry to be missing the England v Italy Six Nations game tomorrow but I feel confident the boy's will do the business. I will return for the France game which will hopefully be the Grand Slam decider.
Sunday 25 January 2015
Hung Jury
Friday was a co-incidental day. I had two legal documents waiting in the post box on my return from London, both were a bit of a surprise.
I had been dan Sarf to help number one son with some DIY on his new house. It allowed me to spend a few days with him which is something I don't do enough of, and to catch up with some old friends.
I got photographed by one of them here. I also took in the football match between Spurs and Sheffield United. The less said about that the better.
So I returned on Friday after easing a few door and shaving some of their bottoms off. My cousin Mike helped with numerous cups of tea and words of encouragement, not to mention a steady hand in the sawing department.
There in the box was the confirmation that I have served a notice of recompense against Scottish Power for the sum of £200 plus additions. They have owed me this money since May, when they took four unauthorised payments from my account before I noticed and stopped the direct debit. I filed the paperwork in the small claims court over the internet and it was all straight forward. My only concern was that their registered offices are in Glasgow and I may, therefore, have to pursue them in Scotland using their less efficient system. As luck would have it, however, they do have an operating office in London so the summons was served there. They have until 4th February to respond so we will see what happens.
The other letter was a notification that I am required for jury service in February. As it happens I am away for the time they have requested so I was able to politely decline. I have offered them some alternative dates in December and January next year by which time they may have become disinterested in me.
I have done jury service before about 35 years ago in Upper Norwood near Croydon in Surrey. I was on one trial which was concerned with stamp theft. It went on for six or seven days so we were excused after that. It was quite interesting but hopefully at some point during my next stint, the judge will reach for his black cap and indicate that the defendant be taking to a place to be determined and there be hung by his neck until dead.
Not sure that will happen though, hey ho!!
Monday 5 January 2015
Shed therapy
What a wonderful day it was on the Wirral today, and I was fortunate to have the chance to play golf with Eric Hirst and Simon Birtles. Eric is the oldest ex-captain of Wallasey still playing golf at the age of 82, and knocks it round off a respectable 19 handicap. His job these last few days has been to manage the whole community of ex-captains in their selection of the new Captain for 2015. This will be announced this evening after which the new incumbent will be in the bar to buy drinks. It's not a cheap experience being golf club captain and this is just the start of a year of lunches, speeches and copious drinking sessions. It needs a man with a strong constitution to cope.
Simon has just returned from five weeks in New Zealand where he visited all four corners of the Country. It was sad to hear of the sorry state in which Christchurch remains. Shops are trading out of portacabins, no progress has been made to either rebuild or demolish the cathedral which was extremely badly damaged during the earthquake almost four years ago, although there is a pop-up cathedral which has temporarily taken its place. People are moving away and it is in danger of being a shadow of its former self. Simon, however, seems to have had a great time, sunbathing in the North island and skiing in the South. Quite a contrast really.
Yesterday I took to the shed. This is the original shed, not the one I built in 2013. I have installed solar powered lighting which seems to be working well, and cleared a large number of unwanted storage jar which I was keeping 'just in case'. I can now see the work bench and most of the floor, so just need a rainy day when I can go through my screw tin which contains all shapes and sizes, and grade them for use as and when needed. I use hair gel containers for this, but now number two son has moved out, that source is harder to come by.
I am not over keen on this dry January fad to be honest, but I am trying to drink healthy home made juices at the moment as we had a new juicer as a present for Christmas. The orange and ginger shot first thing in the morning is a definite wake up call. This is all part of the pre-holiday tone up programme aimed at trying to return home in March, roughly the same weight as we were on 1st January. Time will tell.
So the year is up and running, no new years resolutions as such this time, just a good and content time surrounded by friends and family. Here's hoping.
Simon has just returned from five weeks in New Zealand where he visited all four corners of the Country. It was sad to hear of the sorry state in which Christchurch remains. Shops are trading out of portacabins, no progress has been made to either rebuild or demolish the cathedral which was extremely badly damaged during the earthquake almost four years ago, although there is a pop-up cathedral which has temporarily taken its place. People are moving away and it is in danger of being a shadow of its former self. Simon, however, seems to have had a great time, sunbathing in the North island and skiing in the South. Quite a contrast really.
Yesterday I took to the shed. This is the original shed, not the one I built in 2013. I have installed solar powered lighting which seems to be working well, and cleared a large number of unwanted storage jar which I was keeping 'just in case'. I can now see the work bench and most of the floor, so just need a rainy day when I can go through my screw tin which contains all shapes and sizes, and grade them for use as and when needed. I use hair gel containers for this, but now number two son has moved out, that source is harder to come by.
I am not over keen on this dry January fad to be honest, but I am trying to drink healthy home made juices at the moment as we had a new juicer as a present for Christmas. The orange and ginger shot first thing in the morning is a definite wake up call. This is all part of the pre-holiday tone up programme aimed at trying to return home in March, roughly the same weight as we were on 1st January. Time will tell.
So the year is up and running, no new years resolutions as such this time, just a good and content time surrounded by friends and family. Here's hoping.
Thursday 1 January 2015
Old Year reflections
SWMBO and I reverted to our traditional date night in for New Years Eve. I get the privilege of cooking, and we reminisce the year past. My speciality this time was weeping lamb with boulangere potatoes with French onion soup to start, and it was all yummy.
So what did we see as the years highs and lows?
Starting on the family front, we were blessed with our fifth grandchild, Alexander, who has now maintained the continuity of the Weathers line, blending a bit of Bulgarian into the Irish and English gene pool. A welcome surprise on Monday was the news that my cousin Mike and his long suffering partner Valerie, has finally tied the knot and were officially Mr and Mrs Weathers. SWMBO's mum also got over a major health scare which we were all delighted about.
SWMBO and I both lost relations towards the end of the year. SWMBO's Uncle Kevin died after a troubled few years, in his early sixties, and my Auntie Betty passed away on Christmas Day morning after a short illness. She was 92 so had had a fair old innings.
Domestically, the years highlight was the redesign and construction of a new bedroom for SWMBO, in less than two weeks while she was in Tanzania. We had a good family barbeque and both Tim and Kieran moved into new homes in the later part of the year. Kieran's move left us rattling around on our own in Chateau Weathers. Maxine survived a full year without working!
It was good to be involved in Wally's stag 'do' in Portugal and to be visited by friends and family from London, on a regular basis, but an acrimonious holiday in Turkey meant we have lost Lou, one of SWMBO's long term work colleagues, as a friend. They say love is blind, and in her case she is the only one to be able to see any good in her new partner, Martin. Pity.
On the sporting front, I was delighted to break 80 on the golf course for the first time. I also fired a 82 around Southport and Ainsdale which was pretty special, and I am chuffed to be Chairman elect of the Seniors section at Wallasey next year.
We saw the year as routine when we started discussing it, but as you can see a lot happened.
So now we are into 2015 and I have 23 blog entries to try to beat to allow me to reversze the downward publishing trend. what can you look forward to then?
We are off to the States for a month in March going from Las Vegas to Hawaii and back to New York. There are two trips to Ireland, one for the Causeway Classic golf festival and one to coincide with the rugby world cup. I will be attending some of the world cup games too.
I end the blog as I started, with news of grandchild number six which should arrive sometime in February. So do stay tuned it will be another exciting year.
So what did we see as the years highs and lows?
Starting on the family front, we were blessed with our fifth grandchild, Alexander, who has now maintained the continuity of the Weathers line, blending a bit of Bulgarian into the Irish and English gene pool. A welcome surprise on Monday was the news that my cousin Mike and his long suffering partner Valerie, has finally tied the knot and were officially Mr and Mrs Weathers. SWMBO's mum also got over a major health scare which we were all delighted about.
SWMBO and I both lost relations towards the end of the year. SWMBO's Uncle Kevin died after a troubled few years, in his early sixties, and my Auntie Betty passed away on Christmas Day morning after a short illness. She was 92 so had had a fair old innings.
Domestically, the years highlight was the redesign and construction of a new bedroom for SWMBO, in less than two weeks while she was in Tanzania. We had a good family barbeque and both Tim and Kieran moved into new homes in the later part of the year. Kieran's move left us rattling around on our own in Chateau Weathers. Maxine survived a full year without working!
It was good to be involved in Wally's stag 'do' in Portugal and to be visited by friends and family from London, on a regular basis, but an acrimonious holiday in Turkey meant we have lost Lou, one of SWMBO's long term work colleagues, as a friend. They say love is blind, and in her case she is the only one to be able to see any good in her new partner, Martin. Pity.
On the sporting front, I was delighted to break 80 on the golf course for the first time. I also fired a 82 around Southport and Ainsdale which was pretty special, and I am chuffed to be Chairman elect of the Seniors section at Wallasey next year.
We saw the year as routine when we started discussing it, but as you can see a lot happened.
So now we are into 2015 and I have 23 blog entries to try to beat to allow me to reversze the downward publishing trend. what can you look forward to then?
We are off to the States for a month in March going from Las Vegas to Hawaii and back to New York. There are two trips to Ireland, one for the Causeway Classic golf festival and one to coincide with the rugby world cup. I will be attending some of the world cup games too.
I end the blog as I started, with news of grandchild number six which should arrive sometime in February. So do stay tuned it will be another exciting year.
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