Forget July

Well, I planned to post many times in July, but having just logged in today, I find that I failed!!! Oh well, never mind.  I had a few things to rant about, probably the stupidity of humanity and people's inability to drive and we were quite busy too. Mainly work type stuff, you know, that does appear to take up rather a lot of our time, but as we have yet to win mega bucks on the lottery, we have to keep at it!


What we did do in July was go to the Olympics. We were lucky enough (and in the first ticket draw) to get tickets to the cross country phase of the the three day eventing at Greenwich. But before I write about that (I feel I should devote a whole blog to this), we went to London on Wednesday 18th July - a recci trip so to speak.


With our Olympic tickets, we got a free zones 1-9 travel card, so once in London, out travel was free, but we had to get to London. Now courtesy of the magic pass, we can also get to London free, as First do a bus between Victoria (Coach Station) and Legoland, which stops in a few other places, and luckily Slough is one of them. But as we had never done this before, we thought that we should try this out.


So, getting up rather early for a day off, off we went. The magic pass worked and we arrived safely at Buckingham Palace Road (outside Victoria) and descended into the bowls of the earth - well the Underground anyway. Then Victoria to Bank, Bank to Monument and the DLR to Greenwich and off we get to try to locate the park. Now there were a few of these 'games makers' about, and not being that au fait with Greenwich we asked them which way to go. Helpfully they didn't seem to know either, but were sure it was right out of the station. Shame it was left, but luckily I had remember the A-Z and we found it without to much further difficulty.

After a quick wonder about, we went back to the now restored Cutty Sark

and then walked the foot tunnel under the river and got back on the DLR to the Tower of London.









We had great fun being tourists in our own capital city (which let's face it, we only live 40 minutes from).

 We then got a but up to St Paul's. but as they wanted £15 each to go in,






we walked across the Millennium Bridge to the Globe Theatre and found a convenient pub next door!



















Then back on the bus up west and a quick trip to Hamleys before getting the bus back to Slough.

All sorted.

Motorways Part 2 - Slip Roads

Motorways, freeways, or what ever you call them, generally come with this marvolous invention to help you join them smoothly..............the slip road.


The idea is, that as you drive down the slip road, you increase your speed so that at the actual point that you join the motorway, your speed is somewhere near the speed of the vehicles already on the motorway - which is supposed to be a maximum of 70 miles and hour in this country ........ yeah right!!!!

So why is it, whenever I go to join the motorway (remember, I must use it to get to work, so quite frequently), and I end up following someone, they drive like Miss fucking Daisy and proceed down the slip road at 40 miles an hour!!!!

Prometheus and 3D fail (for me)

Went to see Prometheus tonight, the new Ridley Scott movie, and a sort of prequel to Alien. Really enjoyed the film and conveniently it has been left open for a sequel.

For something different, we went to Uxbridge to watch it in 3D imax. Now you have to wear the glasses so you can see it in 3D, and unless you watched it straight on, it all got a little blurry, but basically I couldn't see the difference. The advert for Spiderman before was good - with Spiderman coming out of the screen at you, but during Prometheus.....................didn't really notice it. Michael has confirmed that loads of stuff was in 3D, but it all passed me by.

So, I have to conclude that 3D does not work for me!

Motorways

We have these wonderful things in this country, they are called motorways, and they allow traffic to travel at highers speeds than on normal roads and are usually the quickest way of travelling long distances. They have them in other countries too, and go by the names of freeways, autobahns, snelweg, autostrada to name but a few, but the principles are the same.

Anyway, motorways, like all roads, have rules (you can find them in the Highway Code), and the principle is that if you break the rules, then you pay the price, which  often in this country (unless you do something really stupid and serious) is a fine and points on your licence. But as we all know, the police are often overstretched and so some of the lesser rules shall we say, often get ignored.....by drivers and the police when it comes to enforcement.

So, I drive on the motorway to work every day, and home again. In fact, the majority of my 50 mile plus round trip is on the M40. Now rule 264 explains that we should all be driving in the inside lane unless overtaking a slower moving vehicle. And rule 265 explains that certain vehicles are not generally allowed in the outside (right hand) lane when then road has three or more lanes.

Lane discipline

264

You should always drive in the left-hand lane when the road ahead is clear. If you are overtaking a number of slower-moving vehicles, you should return to the left-hand lane as soon as you are safely past. Slow-moving or speed-restricted vehicles should always remain in the left-hand lane of the carriageway unless overtaking. You MUST NOT drive on the hard shoulder except in an emergency or if directed to do so by the police, HA traffic officers in uniform or by signs.
265

The right-hand lane of a motorway with three or more lanes MUST NOT be used (except in prescribed circumstances) if you are driving

• any vehicle drawing a trailer
• a goods vehicle with a maximum laden weight exceeding 3.5 tonnes but not exceeding 7.5 tonnes, which is required to be fitted with a speed limiter
• a goods vehicle with a maximum laden weight exceeding 7.5 tonnes
• a passenger vehicle with a maximum laden weight exceeding 7.5 tonnes constructed or adapted to carry more than eight seated passengers in addition to the driver
• a passenger vehicle with a maximum laden weight not exceeding 7.5 tonnes which is constructed or adapted to carry more than eight seated passengers in addition to the driver, which is required to be fitted with a speed limiter

All I can say is 'yeah right'!!! Many a journey I spend in the inside (left hand) lane speeding past the middle lane hoggers going more slowly that I am. And while lorry and coach drivers follow the rules, some of those long wheel base big vans fall into point two and they are often then ones up your arse in the outside lane doing 90 plus!

And the sign costs..............

A couple of weeks ago I got off the motorway on my way home and I noticed that the county council have put up a new sign. It says that they are spending £25 million on fixing the roads.


Well after two winters in which fair amounts of snow fell, which didn't really do the roads any good they certainly need fixing. A collection of potholes would be a better way to describe the roads round here.


But back to the sign - it is on the A40 in Stokenchurch, and I am sure that it is not the only one in Buckinghamshire. So, how many of these signs have appeared throughout the county and how much of the £25 million have the council spent on the signs? Anyone know how much a road sign retails at nowadays?

Christopher Update

Well Christopher has now been with us about six weeks and I can truly say I cannot imagine life without him. He has settled in brilliantly and definitely rules the roost..........it's his house now!

We kept him in for the first tow or three weeks, and then started taking him out on a lead. He was very good, letting us put the harness on him. We then took to letting him out in the yard freely while we were there, not letting him jump over the wall.

Once hubby had fitted the super dooper microchip reading cat flap, we let him go out by himself during the day, but set it to in a night for the first few days, then over the bank holiday, we let him do what he wants.

Routine is now well established.......he comes in for breakfast, then goes up to our bedroom to get on his bed (which he kindly lets us use at night), where he then sleeps until mid afternoon. He then pops out for a check to make sure that the neighbour hood is behaving itself before coming back for dinner from about 5pm.

The rest of the evening is in out, in out until about 10pm ish when he goes off for longer night prowls - got to keep those mice in order!! Although he spends most of the night out, he does pop back in the middle of the night to check that we are ok, usually announcing himself with a loud chirp at about 3am as he leaps onto the bed for a cuddle and stroke before going back out again.

Christopher

Haven't blogged for a while.................mainly coz I think of things to blog (rant) about, then by the time I get home, I have forgotten what I wanted to say......................old age!!!

But our biggest news is the arrival of Christopher on the 25th April. He is a rescue cat from the Blue Cross, somewhere between two and three years old. Unfortunately he was abandoned by his previous owners, which is terrible, as he is such an affectionate and friendly cat. He is so trusting, he has obviously been well treated and looked after, as he is in good condition. Such a shame they felt they had to just leave him.

But he is now our kitty and very quickly made our house his home. He is very definite about the food he likes..........Felix not Whiskas. He knows what sweeties are (I think cats are born with the ability to recognise cat treats) and he is very playful - has a mad five minutes several times a day when he kills all his toys......as well as my foot when I am trying to do my stretches after running!

He was very good when we took him to the vet after we had him for a week, to get his top up jabs, was very well behaved, though he did sulk for several hours afterwards. His worming tablet was dead easy.....two sweeties, worm tablet, sweety.................result!!

He hasn't been outside yet...........we did try taking him out on a lead this evening, but after putting him down outside (on a lead) he took one look and shot straight back inside. We haven't fitted cat flaps yet, but will try little by little day by day. We do wonder if because he was abandoned he is worried about going outside because he thinks he may be abandoned again, so we will let him try in his own time.

He is a wonderful kitty and a welcome addition to our family.

Can it makes its bloody mind up........please!!!

The 'it', is the weather. This morning I was scraping the ice off my car at 6am.........not impressed - it is mid April for gods sake.


Last week we were on our summer hols (don't go there - hubby doesn't get to book hols, bus drivers get told when their hols are), and it was bloody freezing and we had snow. This week I spent Thursday weeding the garden - in between the hail showers!!! And then this morning, scraping the ice!


The week before we went on our 'summer hols' the weather was brilliant - up on the 20's and sunny.


What is going on????? I just wish the weather would make it mind up...................and that is before we even get onto the fact the we have a hose pipe ban because we are in a drought. That'll be the summer washed out then!

Good News (well it's a little thing)

Well, a little bit of good news, in the general gloom and doom of things. Remember back in my review of the year, I mentioned that we were 'under review' at work. Well, just before I headed north, I finally had the confirmation that I got what I wanted.......yeap, I am staying in Oxford, doing the job I have been doing to the last 2 1/2 years. In the team I work in, we all got our first choice, which means that apart from one person, who chose a station closer to his home, we are all staying in Oxford, and our boss is staying our boss too.............so smiles all round!

Summer Hols - Up North

So, on Monday we went North................really North!!! Uncharted territory for us, Northumbria, or Northumberland...........not sure which is correct, as both appear to be in use. We went past the Angel of the North as we circumnavigated Newcastle to get to the cottage we had booked for four nights, just north of Alnwick off the A1. The cottage was lovely, done out to a very high standard, very comfortable and well equipped.

Kitchen leading to bathroom and bedroom

Bedroom

So we made it 'up North' in good time, arriving just before 3pm, having left home just before 9am. The weather the week before had been wonderful...........sunny and temperatures around the 20 degree mark. But for course, as we were going on our summer hols, it was destined to change. We had plans of things we wanted to see........Bamburgh Castle, Alnwick Castle, Lindesfarne (Holy Isle) and Hadrian's Wall to name but a few, some of which are not really conducive to bad weather, but hey, we were sure that it would be fine! So..weather forecast on Monday night, forecast snow for Tuesday.............yes SNOW!

So, Tuesday saw us at Bamburgh Castle in 70 mile an hour winds, sleet and snow.....lovely! One poor woman got blown over, and we had to hold onto each other to make it to the car and back!

Luckily, Wednesday and Thursday saw much better weather, though Wednesday was cold and on Thursday the wind still had bit of a nip in it.

Wednesday we did Alnwick Castle, Dunstanburgh Castle as well as picking up a few kippers in Craster.

Thursday was the day for Lindesfarne.

The causeway nice and dry!

Lindesfarne Castle

Remains of the Priory (post Henry VIII)

And the causeway ....... a bit damp!

So, despite the weathers beat efforts, we loved Northumbria (or Northumberland) and have decided that we definitely be going back............though we may wait until a little later in the year, so as to avoid the snow!

Dog Poo

I run as I think you know. Most of my running is done on the pavement, and until recently I used to do circuits of my estate, each circuit being just under half a mile.


Now there are various dogs living on my estate, and their owners obviously walk them on the pavements that I run on. Now dogs eat and so therefore have to go to the toilet, and as animals, they just go, on the ground.


I know a few dog owners, and as far as I am aware they are responsible, they clean up after their dogs, but looking at the state of my local pavements, I would say they are in the minority. Basically there is dog shit everywhere and it is disgusting!


But on a side note, when I was a kid, there was white dog shit........not any more. So what made it white then???

Fog!

In the UK, fog lights seem to be extras for your car that are there as either additional headlights (in the case of front fog lights), or to piss people off (rear fog lights). Then this morning, when I left work, it was a touch foggy.....to say the least. But were people using their fog lights??? Well some were, but some didn't even have their normal lights on!!!



I took this picture of my street when I got home. As you can see, well you can't see the end of the street very well. There is a row of houses at the end of the street.


Rule 114 of the Highway Code states you must not 'use front or rear fog lights unless visibility is seriously reduced'

Rule 226 states 'You must use headlights when visibility is seriously reduced, generally when you cannot see for more than 100 metres (328 feet)'

Think a few people need to be reminded of both of these

Sodding snow

As I think I have mentioned, I have taken up running and to my surprise I really enjoy it. I had hit a bit of a wall, and struggled to get the 30 minutes non stop, but by back tracking a bit, and slowly building up, I got there, and all last week I ran 30 minutes non stop with no trouble. My wall was conquered, my body shape was changing, the weight was dropping off and I was now ready to progress slowly and steadily a bit further.


Then it snowed. On Saturday night we had about 10 inches of the stuff and we woke to a white world on Sunday. Great...............no run then. Never mind, the weather forecast was rain, so only one day missed, would not be a problem. Well it may well have rained, but it didn't here. In fact basically the temperature plummeted and I now think that it has probably not got far of the zero mark all week. So, we have gone from have a nice white world, to having a nice icy world. Now I suppose I could run in the road, but the way people drive in this country, I would be placing my life in the jaws of death. The pavements are out, because 100% certain they are going to lead to some type of broken bone when I slip over, and as a colleague at work is currently off sick with a broken ankle (he wanted New Year off so fell over in the back yard at work - I'm joking!! About the New Year bit anyway), it would probably not go down to well.


So it is now seven days............yes SEVEN days since I have run and I am desolate. I worked so hard to get up to 30 minutes, was so pleased with the results, and now all that hard work will be dropping away. That is the problem with fitness, it is much harder to achieve than lose...........that is so bloody unfair.


And the icing (literally) on the cake is........................more f*#king snow forecast for tonight!

Passing of a life

Today my little baby Amber passed away. Before anyone panics, Amber was my hamster and she we worked out she was three years old, which for a hamster is very old.


For the last few months she had been showing her age. I believe she had arthritis, as she seemed quite stiff in her back legs, but she was till eating and drinking fine, stuffing the chocci drops as fast as she could get her little paws on them.


But last night I had a fright, because I thought that she was dead, as she was cold and very still. but after a bit of stroking and a chocci drop, we decided she had gone into hibernation mode as the temperature had rapidly plunged. However, I think although she had a brief revival, I think she was already on her way, and when hubby got home from work this afternoon, she was very still and cold again. But when I got home, while she was still quite cold and still, she was alive, moving a little when stroked.


We warmed the hot water bottle, to try and warm her, but she quietly passed, with both of us there.


My previous hamster, Mango, had a stroke and had to be put down. The thing I wanted most for Amber, was that she did not suffer, and I believe that she didn't. She really just shut down, waiting until we were both there to draw her last breath.

Er...............done it again!

So, there I was, did my ten days straight, and I survived! Had one day off, worked four days then two days off and then................................ Yeap, now on 11 days straight! Today is day three.

The weather is freezing - like not getting above freezing at all. It was -8 when I left to go to work this morning, and -6 when I recovered my car from the park & ride.

And now we have snow forecast......................joy!!

Realisation dawns!!

Today was day 7.................and I feel quite good!


I was checking my diary this morning. My next day off is Wednesday. then I am back to work for four days, two days off..........................then eleven straight!!!


Not sure what has happened there, but the taxman is going to think Christmas has come early!!!

Day One of Ten

Today I was at work, and it was the first day of ten straight!


Now I will admit, this is my choice. Today I should have been on a rest day, then I should work Monday through Wednesday, rest days Thursday and Friday, then working Saturday though Tuesday.


But we are a bit thin on the ground at work at the mo...............broken ankle, leaver and paternity leave are not helping, so today I was on overtime, as I will be on Thursday and Friday!


All I can say is that the tax man is going to love me at the end of February!!!!

Sound of 2012

So, here we are, on the 6th January 2012 and Michael Kiwanuka has been named the 'Sound of 2012'. Now I have never heard of this chap, but apparently the criteria include being a 'new' artist, and from what few bits the BBC have just played on the news, it sounds pleasant enough, soul type music. But how can we say he is the sound of 2012 when the year is only 6 days old!!!

Headlights

Monday night, there I was, driving to work to start my first night shift (of four) - yuk. Car was fine, working properly when I left home, headlights all ok, dipped and on main beam, so all was hunky dory. That was until I came into the next village on from mine, so dipped my headlights, which had been on main beam for the nice dark country back road, and ah, problem......lights not as bright.



Well not a huge amount I could do, part way through a journey, but when I got to work, double checked, and sure enough, bulb had blown. Now why is it that these things always happen on nights? Last time I had a headlight bulb blow, I was on nights, and what is it that you do when coming home in the morning...............that's right, sleep, most of the day, making it difficult to get to Halfords to source a replacement. Luckily hubby went on his spread over (that's like a long gap bus drivers have in the middle of their duty, so there are more of them about during the rush our), and procured a replacement, which he then fitted when he got home.



Anyway, having a duff light made me notice how many other vehicles there are out there with bulbs blown and badly adjusted. Now there is this strange thing (that I don't really understand), when headlights blow, there is still light, it's just duller. Like I don't really get how one bulb can do dipped and main beam...............does it get more power? But I digress, and as long as they work, fine!



It really is shocking the number of people who drive around with blown headlights. Commercial vehicles are normally ok (lorries and buses/coaches), though I have seen one or two with badly adjusted lights. White van man appears to be the worst for badly adjusted.....how many times have I been almost blinded by the dazzle of white van man two inches of my back bumper in the outside line because he is in a hurry to die. But car drivers are by far the worst for blown bulbs, and not just the light being very dim blown, quite a few where it has gone completely, so they only have light on one side. Apart from it being illegal and dangerous, how do the see??? If I was able to see a noticeable difference with the duller type of blown, I cannot work out how they can properly see the road.

What's with the fruit?

So, there I was in Asda this morning, stocking up on a few essentials............you know...........food, and I was in the tinned fruit aisle. Hubby likes it for breakfast occasionally, so I thought I would stock up. Now you would have thought in this era of healthy eating etc, the majority of this fruit would be in fruit juice...............but no, the majority of it is in light syrup!!!!!!!!



What's this all about then??