Much like days one and two. Defendants keep pleading guilty so of eleven potential cases only three have needed juries.
Good news is if I am not called tomorrow, I get Friday off. There is snooker and a lunch at the golf club so fingers crossed.
Now where didI leave that black handkerchief?
Wednesday, 6 January 2016
Tuesday, 5 January 2016
Day 1 in the naughty house
Jury service is off and running....200 potential jurers sit around until 2pm when first 15 are called, and I am one of them.
Joy turns to frustration as I know one of the barristers so I am kicked back to the holding area. No second chance today, so lets see what day 2 offers.
I think that's all I can say!
Joy turns to frustration as I know one of the barristers so I am kicked back to the holding area. No second chance today, so lets see what day 2 offers.
I think that's all I can say!
Sunday, 3 January 2016
Oh yes I did.....
Spot on, it's panto season so off we went to see Dick Whittington at the Empire in Liverpool. No real stars. A girl from Eastenders who is currently in Still Open all Hours, and a chap from Emmerdale together with Pete Price a local Liverpool DJ who must nearly be a Nonagenerian himself.
The dame was very good as was Dick's cat Tom. The whole production though was greater than the sum of it's parts, a really good afternoon out. There were lots of Dick jokes for the adults, and a 3D screen to scare the kids. All in all very good value of money.
We went with number one granddaughter and her mate and they seemed to have a good time too, and did not cost us much for drinks, sweets and ice creams. The theatre was pushing 'Pie Face', a cult game at the moment, and seemed to be doing a good trade. Maybe the board game is making a comeback?
Today we saw two friends who were over from Hong Kong on family business so we did a bit of research for our Sevens trip in early April, then it was take the decci's down time. That's all done now and the house looks a tad sparse. There may well be demand for a set of 'not Christmas' decorations to use from January to November for a bit of sparkle. That may be a bit chav though on reflection!
My jury service starts tomorrow and I will be blogging what I am allowed to as the weeks progress, although with a barrister and solicitor in the family I can see me being dumped on several occasions as not being suitable jury material. I have my black handkerchief ready as needed though.
The dame was very good as was Dick's cat Tom. The whole production though was greater than the sum of it's parts, a really good afternoon out. There were lots of Dick jokes for the adults, and a 3D screen to scare the kids. All in all very good value of money.
We went with number one granddaughter and her mate and they seemed to have a good time too, and did not cost us much for drinks, sweets and ice creams. The theatre was pushing 'Pie Face', a cult game at the moment, and seemed to be doing a good trade. Maybe the board game is making a comeback?
Today we saw two friends who were over from Hong Kong on family business so we did a bit of research for our Sevens trip in early April, then it was take the decci's down time. That's all done now and the house looks a tad sparse. There may well be demand for a set of 'not Christmas' decorations to use from January to November for a bit of sparkle. That may be a bit chav though on reflection!
My jury service starts tomorrow and I will be blogging what I am allowed to as the weeks progress, although with a barrister and solicitor in the family I can see me being dumped on several occasions as not being suitable jury material. I have my black handkerchief ready as needed though.
Friday, 1 January 2016
Nonagenarian
Happy New Year to all my readers. Many it give you everything you wish of it. SWMBO and I had a pleasantly quiet one. We saw off our final guests of the festive season and then went off to spend our Christmas vouchers. Shirts, shirts and shirts were my choice as, after many years, my favourites are wearing out.
We then hit the Red Fox for a late lunch and got home for Bridge of Spies, Joles
Holland and grand firework courtesy of our neighbours! I found out at my regular Christmas lunch that the son of my mate Bob is a regular in The Shrewsbury Lodge for New Year. What a small world.
The last few months have all been geared to my mother's 90th birthday. It was a rare chance to throw her a 'do' and also to have all four children together. We held it at Wallasey golf club who were excellent in their organisation and execution. The private dining room was ideal for the grand kids to charge round without mathering anybody.
It was a surprise for her and she was initially overwhelmed by it all but soon got into the swing of it.
So with that behind us we can start the clearing up process. Its a bit messy as the family cat hung itself on the decorations on Boxing Day and as SWMBO is such a traditionalist at this time of year, we can't cut it down until Epiphany. Ho,ho ho.
We then hit the Red Fox for a late lunch and got home for Bridge of Spies, Joles
Holland and grand firework courtesy of our neighbours! I found out at my regular Christmas lunch that the son of my mate Bob is a regular in The Shrewsbury Lodge for New Year. What a small world.
The last few months have all been geared to my mother's 90th birthday. It was a rare chance to throw her a 'do' and also to have all four children together. We held it at Wallasey golf club who were excellent in their organisation and execution. The private dining room was ideal for the grand kids to charge round without mathering anybody.
It was a surprise for her and she was initially overwhelmed by it all but soon got into the swing of it.
So with that behind us we can start the clearing up process. Its a bit messy as the family cat hung itself on the decorations on Boxing Day and as SWMBO is such a traditionalist at this time of year, we can't cut it down until Epiphany. Ho,ho ho.
Thursday, 24 December 2015
In a land far, far away
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!
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!
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!!
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