Ok, so before you start thinking yacht's and Belgravia penthouses... don't!
....but, to walk into work at 06.30 hrs on a Monday morning, after a two hour drive in wind and rain to be handed £200 won in the works lottery syndicate, made for a pretty good start to the day.
Yayyyyy....£200 that I didn't expect, right now that's a kings ransom to me.
Yup, there have definitely been worse starts to a Monday! :o)))))
Monday, 10 December 2007
Sunday, 9 December 2007
The nativity....
.......UK circa 2007!
Coming to a town somewhere near you soon!
Kinda worryingly true!
Coming to a town somewhere near you soon!
Kinda worryingly true!
Saturday, 8 December 2007
Penis envy??
I doubt it!
One would have thought that by the time a guy makes it to his forties he is somewhat more familiar with the responses of his anatomy than this guy was....who felt it 'necessary' to put a ring of metal pipe around his most precious and delicate of body parts!!!
The result....the fire brigade called to attendance complete with cutting gear in hand....I kid you not!
I shall resist the temptation to use the phrase 'Dick head'!!! ;o)
One would have thought that by the time a guy makes it to his forties he is somewhat more familiar with the responses of his anatomy than this guy was....who felt it 'necessary' to put a ring of metal pipe around his most precious and delicate of body parts!!!
The result....the fire brigade called to attendance complete with cutting gear in hand....I kid you not!
I shall resist the temptation to use the phrase 'Dick head'!!! ;o)
Thursday, 6 December 2007
It's only...
...... eleven working days until I 'break up' from work for the Christmas holidays....not that I'm counting like! ;o)
Yayyyyy.
Yayyyyy.
Wednesday, 5 December 2007
Wow!!!....
...just WOW!
As one who has a passion for extreme weather and the sea I find this report recently of a Newquay surfer's shennanegins in the biggest surf
Donegal has seen, absolutely amazing :o)
© BBC
As one who has a passion for extreme weather and the sea I find this report recently of a Newquay surfer's shennanegins in the biggest surf
Donegal has seen, absolutely amazing :o)
Monday, 3 December 2007
A perfect 'upper cut'
Yesterday I was 'treated' to a new experience in my life courtesy of Fletch, something I have long wondered about, about how it would feel (get your mind out of the gutter please), well now I know!
Imagine the scene, a Dickensian Christmas market in the town square, christmas carols and a wintery chill in the air, children laughing happily, lights twinkling, a perfectly relaxed festive atmosphere......and then out of nowhere a powerful and perfect upper cut landed squarely on my jaw!!!!! Owchhhh!!
Ok, so to be fair it was far from intentional, one of those bad timimg things. I bent down as Fletch moved his arm up to do something and the contact between hand
and jaw was complete and instant. For a minute or two I wasn't sure where I was anymore, I bit my tongue hard, I had been eating some small titbit (where it went in the aftermath I have no idea), my teeth seemed to crash together and everything started to go very, very black........
I didn't thankfully keel right over, though a degree of 'propping up' was required from a concerned Fletch for a minute or two, whilst I concentrated on remaining upright. I really didn't know what had hit me, it was so instant I had no idea what had happened, only that it hurt like hell and all I could do was stand there holding my mouth like a fool, I couldn't speak to even say I was ok. Well I wasn't but you know what I mean!
A few minutes later I had gathered my wits, my jaw and my tongue still hurt but nothing too drastic.
I always wondered how boxers did it and now I know they have to be very strange individuals to put themselves repeatedly in the line of fire....I had absolutely no idea just how much a smack in the mouth could hurt!!!!
Ok, ok, so in retrospect it's funny I know.... but stop sniggering at the back please ;o)
Imagine the scene, a Dickensian Christmas market in the town square, christmas carols and a wintery chill in the air, children laughing happily, lights twinkling, a perfectly relaxed festive atmosphere......and then out of nowhere a powerful and perfect upper cut landed squarely on my jaw!!!!! Owchhhh!!
Ok, so to be fair it was far from intentional, one of those bad timimg things. I bent down as Fletch moved his arm up to do something and the contact between hand
and jaw was complete and instant. For a minute or two I wasn't sure where I was anymore, I bit my tongue hard, I had been eating some small titbit (where it went in the aftermath I have no idea), my teeth seemed to crash together and everything started to go very, very black........I didn't thankfully keel right over, though a degree of 'propping up' was required from a concerned Fletch for a minute or two, whilst I concentrated on remaining upright. I really didn't know what had hit me, it was so instant I had no idea what had happened, only that it hurt like hell and all I could do was stand there holding my mouth like a fool, I couldn't speak to even say I was ok. Well I wasn't but you know what I mean!
A few minutes later I had gathered my wits, my jaw and my tongue still hurt but nothing too drastic.
I always wondered how boxers did it and now I know they have to be very strange individuals to put themselves repeatedly in the line of fire....I had absolutely no idea just how much a smack in the mouth could hurt!!!!
Ok, ok, so in retrospect it's funny I know.... but stop sniggering at the back please ;o)
Sunday, 2 December 2007
Time to panic
It's that time of year again, the one that as a child seems to take an eternity of excitement to arrive and as an adult seems to creep upon me with a ferociousness of speed that leaves me in my current state....panic stricken at my lack of appropriate action!
Christmas, ugh!
I used to love it but I begin to think it should be relegated to perhaps alternate years, or maybe even one in four like leap years. I barely seem to have relaxed from the last one and here it is again and again here I am not in any
semblance of organisation. Not so much as a card purchased in gemmaks-ville, let alone any gifts....and more worryingly I haven't so much as mustered any inspiration as to what those gifts might be when I finally make my way to some manically crowded high street!
It's not that I don't have the time, my early start at work means I finish at 2.30 each afternoon, it's more that any attempt at motivation seems to have deserted me completely which of course means that my level of panic is rising considerably now as the final countdown approaches. Hell, I don't even have kids or a home to deal with and I still can't get my act together!
It should be easy, I know it should, I don't have anything like as much to get organised as most do, I'm unlikely even to be in the U.K. for Christmas but somehow the 'get up and go' to do what needs to be done seems to have 'got up and gone'!
*note to self - pull yer bloody finger out girl!
Christmas, ugh!
I used to love it but I begin to think it should be relegated to perhaps alternate years, or maybe even one in four like leap years. I barely seem to have relaxed from the last one and here it is again and again here I am not in any
semblance of organisation. Not so much as a card purchased in gemmaks-ville, let alone any gifts....and more worryingly I haven't so much as mustered any inspiration as to what those gifts might be when I finally make my way to some manically crowded high street!
It's not that I don't have the time, my early start at work means I finish at 2.30 each afternoon, it's more that any attempt at motivation seems to have deserted me completely which of course means that my level of panic is rising considerably now as the final countdown approaches. Hell, I don't even have kids or a home to deal with and I still can't get my act together!
It should be easy, I know it should, I don't have anything like as much to get organised as most do, I'm unlikely even to be in the U.K. for Christmas but somehow the 'get up and go' to do what needs to be done seems to have 'got up and gone'!
*note to self - pull yer bloody finger out girl!
Saturday, 1 December 2007
The short way round!
Today saw Fletch and I heading off early for Birmingham and the N.E.C....to the bike show of course, an annual 'must do', though it's probably 20 or so years since I last actually managed the pilgrimage! On that occasion things didn't go too well, it was April, I was camping overnight and a freak heavy snowfall caused my tent to collapse spectacularly at two in the morning....leaving me no option (I was on a bike remember) but to spend a cold miserable night holed up in public toilets for a little shelter! Ugh.
This visit went more to plan, we made the journey easily, the roads in were remarkably clear and the N.E.C as ever has the whole queuing/parking/paying malarky sussed, no problem, relaxed and easy, none of the usual bunfight gaining access to these events often is.
The show was as these things are, excellent if you're into two wheels, probably boring in the extreme if you're not....so I won't, bore you that is! ;o)
We enjoyed it thoroughly though, all the things we wanted to see/achieve were achieved and the place was only comfortably full (thank God for the Christmas shopping rush and the need for many to hit the high streets).
For me there was one most definite highlight, seeing Claudio von Planta (and his bike of course) of The Long Way Round fame.
He might not have been the one to attract all the publicity at the time but this guy was the un-sung hero who not only had to ride with Messrs Boorman and McGregor but also had the task of filming the whole thing single handedly!
As ever I am with these kind of individuals, I just gazed at him and his machine in wonder....this guy had actually, really done one of the things I would most like to do in my life!
Ok....so he did it with a support team and on a BMW (maybe you have to be a biker to understand why that is mentioned) but he did it and that mere fact is enough to more than make him a hero to me! :o))
Other than that there was the usual 'sitting' on various bikes in the hope that someday, someone might just make an adventure bike low enough for a five foot female, I have to say here that BMW (for all we deride them) make the nearest thing too it but still the only thing I can comfortably get my feet down on is a Hog, ugh, just not made for offroading is it with all that chrome!
For those taller and for we dreamers there is however this:
...assuming of course one can get it to go the distance in one piece!
Did I say I wasn't gonna bore you? Ooopss....sorry! ;o)
This visit went more to plan, we made the journey easily, the roads in were remarkably clear and the N.E.C as ever has the whole queuing/parking/paying malarky sussed, no problem, relaxed and easy, none of the usual bunfight gaining access to these events often is.
The show was as these things are, excellent if you're into two wheels, probably boring in the extreme if you're not....so I won't, bore you that is! ;o)
We enjoyed it thoroughly though, all the things we wanted to see/achieve were achieved and the place was only comfortably full (thank God for the Christmas shopping rush and the need for many to hit the high streets).
For me there was one most definite highlight, seeing Claudio von Planta (and his bike of course) of The Long Way Round fame.
He might not have been the one to attract all the publicity at the time but this guy was the un-sung hero who not only had to ride with Messrs Boorman and McGregor but also had the task of filming the whole thing single handedly!
As ever I am with these kind of individuals, I just gazed at him and his machine in wonder....this guy had actually, really done one of the things I would most like to do in my life!
Ok....so he did it with a support team and on a BMW (maybe you have to be a biker to understand why that is mentioned) but he did it and that mere fact is enough to more than make him a hero to me! :o))
Other than that there was the usual 'sitting' on various bikes in the hope that someday, someone might just make an adventure bike low enough for a five foot female, I have to say here that BMW (for all we deride them) make the nearest thing too it but still the only thing I can comfortably get my feet down on is a Hog, ugh, just not made for offroading is it with all that chrome!
For those taller and for we dreamers there is however this:
...assuming of course one can get it to go the distance in one piece!
Did I say I wasn't gonna bore you? Ooopss....sorry! ;o)
Wednesday, 28 November 2007
The epitome of selfishness
One of my calls in the white van from hell is to a group of five builders who undertake small-ish renovation works, as they move from job to job every few weeks so do I. Currently they are renovating a cottage at the head of a private road in the middle of the countryside. This is their first week on the job and all has not run smoothly.
The road is an unmade track and a dead end and is accessed from a country lane, there are two small cottages at the head and a large country house at the other end, approximately a mile away, the owner of which also owns the lane and all the surrounding acres of land.
This 'lady' is just about everything I dislike in someone, very faux upper class, the horsey type with a mouth full of plumbs and 'sensibly' dressed in green wellies, a riding jacket, head-scarf and with a severe haircut dragged back off her forehead with a kirby grip.
She has a problem it seems with the builders, apparently their three cars that are parked at the top of the lane are 'destroying the grass verge (there is none) and disrupting here peace and quiet' and the small earth moving vehicles required for the job are 'an abomination'....add to that my small van that is there for five minutes a day is a 'nuisance'!
There have been, between builders and 'Lady Muck', a number of 'disagreements' over the last few days, she told them to move their vehicles onto the road (thereby causing and obstruction on the narrow lane) and to be finished with the earth movers (they are very small, these are not of road building proportions)within the week. They tried in vain to explain that the cars would be a hazard and would likely have their expensive tools stolen from them (a common occurrence lately here) and that the earth mover would be gone asap (it's expensive to hire) but would be needed for approx. another 10 days. Lady Muck was having none of it, she wasn't interested in anything other than asserting her rights and power as landowner and patronising all involved.
So...the builders ignored her.
Next it was my turn, I was banned from turning around in hermuddy unmade track road for fear I might put a tyre on the non existent verge....I bit my tongue....and ignored her too.
Today things moved up a notch on the 'unbelievable' scale. The builders were met early by the owner of the cottage they are working on, he was in a flap and begging them to do as Lady Muck demanded on all fronts. It seemsthe old cow she has threatened him with legal action (I have no idea on what grounds) if 'his builders' don't do as she has told them to. He too has tried in vain to explain one can't move that amount of earth by hand and that the vehicles parked on the road are a hazard and at risk of theft...... but she is still not listening!
I am confounded by her attitude, she gave permission apparently for the renovations to take place and presumably the owner of the cottage has some rights of access over the lane but what really confounds me is this lady's small and selfish mindedness, she I doubt has ever done a days work in her life beyond making the canapes for the monthly bridge meeting and nor does she appear to have the vaguest idea of what goes on in the world outside of her own cossetted life. All of that I could almost bear if she wasn't so damn rude and condescending, as it is I could happily poke her hard in the eye with a blunt stick but like the others I'm gonna have to tow her line.....for me that means reversing my van (no rear windows remember) onto a blind bend on exit.
As for the earth moving considerations.....who knows, that's yet to be resolved.
It's not my fight but oh how I would love just five minutes of her time!
The road is an unmade track and a dead end and is accessed from a country lane, there are two small cottages at the head and a large country house at the other end, approximately a mile away, the owner of which also owns the lane and all the surrounding acres of land.
This 'lady' is just about everything I dislike in someone, very faux upper class, the horsey type with a mouth full of plumbs and 'sensibly' dressed in green wellies, a riding jacket, head-scarf and with a severe haircut dragged back off her forehead with a kirby grip.
She has a problem it seems with the builders, apparently their three cars that are parked at the top of the lane are 'destroying the grass verge (there is none) and disrupting here peace and quiet' and the small earth moving vehicles required for the job are 'an abomination'....add to that my small van that is there for five minutes a day is a 'nuisance'!
There have been, between builders and 'Lady Muck', a number of 'disagreements' over the last few days, she told them to move their vehicles onto the road (thereby causing and obstruction on the narrow lane) and to be finished with the earth movers (they are very small, these are not of road building proportions)within the week. They tried in vain to explain that the cars would be a hazard and would likely have their expensive tools stolen from them (a common occurrence lately here) and that the earth mover would be gone asap (it's expensive to hire) but would be needed for approx. another 10 days. Lady Muck was having none of it, she wasn't interested in anything other than asserting her rights and power as landowner and patronising all involved.
So...the builders ignored her.
Next it was my turn, I was banned from turning around in her
Today things moved up a notch on the 'unbelievable' scale. The builders were met early by the owner of the cottage they are working on, he was in a flap and begging them to do as Lady Muck demanded on all fronts. It seems
I am confounded by her attitude, she gave permission apparently for the renovations to take place and presumably the owner of the cottage has some rights of access over the lane but what really confounds me is this lady's small and selfish mindedness, she I doubt has ever done a days work in her life beyond making the canapes for the monthly bridge meeting and nor does she appear to have the vaguest idea of what goes on in the world outside of her own cossetted life. All of that I could almost bear if she wasn't so damn rude and condescending, as it is I could happily poke her hard in the eye with a blunt stick but like the others I'm gonna have to tow her line.....for me that means reversing my van (no rear windows remember) onto a blind bend on exit.
As for the earth moving considerations.....who knows, that's yet to be resolved.
It's not my fight but oh how I would love just five minutes of her time!
Tuesday, 27 November 2007
Eekkkk, not again!
So....I plucked up the courage, I faced my fear and I had all the dental work done that was required a few months back, it took weeks, way too much time pinned helplessley in the chair...... so I could be forgiven for thinking that might be that for a while but nope!
One of the teeth that underwent major 'surgery', not but a short while ago, disintegrated again last week, so tomorrow it's back into the lions mouth (no pun intended) in a hot and shaking state of panic once more for me......
Eekkkkk
One of the teeth that underwent major 'surgery', not but a short while ago, disintegrated again last week, so tomorrow it's back into the lions mouth (no pun intended) in a hot and shaking state of panic once more for me......
Eekkkkk
Monday, 26 November 2007
Sunday, 25 November 2007
Contentment?
Sometimes I wonder if there will ever again be a time in my life where I can just feel peaceful and contented. Nothing to worry about, no problems that seem unsurmountable, safe, secure and light of mind.
I don't ask for much eh? heh. ;o)
Ok, so I know life ain't exactly supposed to be like that, if we didn't have the crap bits we wouldn't appreciate the cool bits and we wouldn't build strength of character.... but hey, whilst I'm not feeling sorry for myself, it would be nice just for a little while to feel that chilled....
who the hell needs strength of character anyways! ;o)
I don't ask for much eh? heh. ;o)
Ok, so I know life ain't exactly supposed to be like that, if we didn't have the crap bits we wouldn't appreciate the cool bits and we wouldn't build strength of character.... but hey, whilst I'm not feeling sorry for myself, it would be nice just for a little while to feel that chilled....
who the hell needs strength of character anyways! ;o)
Saturday, 24 November 2007
Saturday sunrise
The laughing duck had me awake this morning at 7....not good, though for someone who has to be up and at it by 5.30 in the week I suppose 7 qualifies as a lie-in! However, good or bad I woke to the most beautiful frosty sunrise, I couldn't resist and was out, unsuitably dressed in my hurry not to miss the sight almost as soon as my eyes popped open. I was utterly frozen within a few minutes and after only a short while had to give up for lack of being able to depress the shutter button with numb fingers any longer.....but it was worth it.
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