So where to end up? It's a site which is very much a work in progress. Hopefully by Spring it will be fully built and populated. It is the website for our business.
VACANCES D'AUDE.
It's not the world's most interactive site, not technically brilliant, but I can build it which at least makes me feel useful.
And if as normal there isn't much happening here after today, it will be because I am trying to work on the above.
Tuesday, October 31, 2017
Monday, October 30, 2017
WebOct 30
Today's site is just coming into it's own,
CHRISTMAS MARKETS.
If you fancy a trip to a Christmas market in France, Switzerland or Belgium, this is the site for you. A day trip or a weekend away to get you in the Christmas mood whilst visiting a picturesque town or city is usually a pleasure. The big cities are obviously very busy but it certainly feels more authentic than most of the UKmarkets manage. It helps haveing much colder tempertures, and they do make an excellent vin chaud!
When we lived in the UK we used to do Lille some years and we also did Bruges. I can recommend both. Go on, give yourself a treat. Eurostar makes is so easy.
CHRISTMAS MARKETS.
If you fancy a trip to a Christmas market in France, Switzerland or Belgium, this is the site for you. A day trip or a weekend away to get you in the Christmas mood whilst visiting a picturesque town or city is usually a pleasure. The big cities are obviously very busy but it certainly feels more authentic than most of the UKmarkets manage. It helps haveing much colder tempertures, and they do make an excellent vin chaud!
When we lived in the UK we used to do Lille some years and we also did Bruges. I can recommend both. Go on, give yourself a treat. Eurostar makes is so easy.
Sunday, October 29, 2017
WebOct 29
Today we have a shopping site I have been known to use.
MY SUPERMARKET
Usually I do it because there is aone off item I want and I want to know where I can get it cheapest. Such as this evening. We are coming back to the UK at the end of this week and I will be looking to buy a large multipack of Diet Cokes. The best value appears to be a 24 can pack at Iceland for £6.50 but have discovered through this site that Asda do a 30 can pack and it is only £7.50. Bargain!
One feature it has I have never used, but think it would be useful for the weekly shop, is that you put in the groceries you want and it tells you which of the supermarkets can supply that total shop the cheapest. Of course, you could work out which shop sells each individual item cheapest and visit four or five of them but the petrol driving from one to the other might outway the savings.
Now, where can I get a bargain Malt Loaf...........
MY SUPERMARKET
Usually I do it because there is aone off item I want and I want to know where I can get it cheapest. Such as this evening. We are coming back to the UK at the end of this week and I will be looking to buy a large multipack of Diet Cokes. The best value appears to be a 24 can pack at Iceland for £6.50 but have discovered through this site that Asda do a 30 can pack and it is only £7.50. Bargain!
One feature it has I have never used, but think it would be useful for the weekly shop, is that you put in the groceries you want and it tells you which of the supermarkets can supply that total shop the cheapest. Of course, you could work out which shop sells each individual item cheapest and visit four or five of them but the petrol driving from one to the other might outway the savings.
Now, where can I get a bargain Malt Loaf...........
Saturday, October 28, 2017
WebOct 28
Today's site is another nod towards my life here in France.
THE AUDE SHANTYMEN.
Although there is not one photo of me on there, this is the singing group I now belong to. If ever there is anything on here I want you to know about I will let you know!
THE AUDE SHANTYMEN.
Although there is not one photo of me on there, this is the singing group I now belong to. If ever there is anything on here I want you to know about I will let you know!
Friday, October 27, 2017
WebOct 27
I've mentioned before, I'm sure, that I've dabbled a bit in astrology. And if you are going to do that you need this!
EPHEMERIS.
This is the position of ll the planets on a daily basis, which you want to know if you are casting horoscopes or birth charts etc, but actually it is a useful device if you are stargazing anyway as you can position the planets within the constellations. So it is astronomical as well as astrological.
It also gives the Sidereal Time, i.e. accurate time in space, for each day so is possible to calculate your exact time of birth. Nobody can be bor on February 29th as no day exists like that in the sidereal time calender so it is quite possible, for those born within a few hours of midnight, depending on the four year cycle we use for leap years, to have really been born on a different day. Which is intersting, or not.
I'm definitely not getting out enough!
EPHEMERIS.
This is the position of ll the planets on a daily basis, which you want to know if you are casting horoscopes or birth charts etc, but actually it is a useful device if you are stargazing anyway as you can position the planets within the constellations. So it is astronomical as well as astrological.
It also gives the Sidereal Time, i.e. accurate time in space, for each day so is possible to calculate your exact time of birth. Nobody can be bor on February 29th as no day exists like that in the sidereal time calender so it is quite possible, for those born within a few hours of midnight, depending on the four year cycle we use for leap years, to have really been born on a different day. Which is intersting, or not.
I'm definitely not getting out enough!
Thursday, October 26, 2017
WebOct 26
I'm not sure really how to describe the appeal of todays site.
BLITZORTUNG - Lightning and thunderstorms in real time.
The link is for the page that shows Western Europe and is probably the worst day for doing this as there is not one thunderstorm across the continent as I type this. A nasty storm to the East of Australia and a bunch of them just off the North African coast.
I do actually use it to see where the storms are in our bit of France sometimes or in the UK but then I also sometimes like to just see where there are major storms either in the US or Far East.
I think this might mean I'm a bit of a weather geek!
BLITZORTUNG - Lightning and thunderstorms in real time.
The link is for the page that shows Western Europe and is probably the worst day for doing this as there is not one thunderstorm across the continent as I type this. A nasty storm to the East of Australia and a bunch of them just off the North African coast.
I do actually use it to see where the storms are in our bit of France sometimes or in the UK but then I also sometimes like to just see where there are major storms either in the US or Far East.
I think this might mean I'm a bit of a weather geek!
Wednesday, October 25, 2017
WebOct 25
You may or may not remember that last December I became the proud owner of a piano accordion. It was purchased from an auction house which I now keep an eye on. It is
BROMPTONS AUCTION HOUSE.
It really specialises in stringed instruments. They have auctions every two to three months. I have got used to the fact that violin bows often go for one to two thousand pounds but even I was somewhat amazed by this one
£57,000's worth of Cello Bow
And the most expensive violin this time was
£288,000's worth of violin.
My accordion was not of that price range!
BROMPTONS AUCTION HOUSE.
It really specialises in stringed instruments. They have auctions every two to three months. I have got used to the fact that violin bows often go for one to two thousand pounds but even I was somewhat amazed by this one
£57,000's worth of Cello Bow
And the most expensive violin this time was
£288,000's worth of violin.
My accordion was not of that price range!
Tuesday, October 24, 2017
For amateur dramatics there is an umberella organisation and is the fount of all knowledge.
NODA or the National Operatic & Dramatic Organisation.
as well as providing insurance for am dram companies they have awards and help promote companies, offer advice and help wth legal problems. We also get to check out what other companies are putting on and whether we want to run off and perform with them. They also offer reviews of performances which can sometimes be a good thing and sometimes not. In fact the pantomie I am performing in France is scripted by NODA which perhaps I shouldn't really be mentioning as it may not be licenced for eperformnce here. (Oh yes it is, oh no it isn't etc.).
I became very involved with them at one point when we discovered a problem with one of the reviewers and they were exellent at dealing with the situation.
Anyway, you can find your local societies if you want to go se a performance or perhaps tread the boards. And even mre imortant for a lot of companies, if you want to work backstage.
NODA or the National Operatic & Dramatic Organisation.
as well as providing insurance for am dram companies they have awards and help promote companies, offer advice and help wth legal problems. We also get to check out what other companies are putting on and whether we want to run off and perform with them. They also offer reviews of performances which can sometimes be a good thing and sometimes not. In fact the pantomie I am performing in France is scripted by NODA which perhaps I shouldn't really be mentioning as it may not be licenced for eperformnce here. (Oh yes it is, oh no it isn't etc.).
I became very involved with them at one point when we discovered a problem with one of the reviewers and they were exellent at dealing with the situation.
Anyway, you can find your local societies if you want to go se a performance or perhaps tread the boards. And even mre imortant for a lot of companies, if you want to work backstage.
Monday, October 23, 2017
WebOct 23
Well, at least one of you will have thought this site would be coming up.
Geocaching. The problem is you might not be able t get very far with it, bar the same one person, as access requires sign up.
Anyway, if you haven't heard of Geocaching it is, or was, the finding of various hidden items by use of GPS, usually of a decent size in a nice location. That is how it was, now it is finding some mall film canister or smaller hidden somewhere not very interesting. However, don't get me started on that or there will be problems!
As well as finding them you get to hide tham too, and I used to have three physical caches but they have now been retired because they got "lost". There used to be something called a virtual cache which, instead of a physical cache, required you to find some information to claim the find. I still have one of those going. MMMonument. It has now been visited by over 5000 people who have visited London.
As for taking part, it is not something I do much now but as I have decided I need to do more walking this winter I might have to dust off my old hand held GPS.
.
Geocaching. The problem is you might not be able t get very far with it, bar the same one person, as access requires sign up.
Anyway, if you haven't heard of Geocaching it is, or was, the finding of various hidden items by use of GPS, usually of a decent size in a nice location. That is how it was, now it is finding some mall film canister or smaller hidden somewhere not very interesting. However, don't get me started on that or there will be problems!
As well as finding them you get to hide tham too, and I used to have three physical caches but they have now been retired because they got "lost". There used to be something called a virtual cache which, instead of a physical cache, required you to find some information to claim the find. I still have one of those going. MMMonument. It has now been visited by over 5000 people who have visited London.
As for taking part, it is not something I do much now but as I have decided I need to do more walking this winter I might have to dust off my old hand held GPS.
.
Sunday, October 22, 2017
WebOct 22
This is another site that will have little interest to anyone but me and locals who lived near where we were in London.
Brentford TW8.
This is one of the many community websites covering the country. It allows us to check what is still happening but mainly in a way that allows us to get anrgy about things that are happening. Nothing more enjoyable than becoming Mr and Mrs Angry!
Brentford TW8.
This is one of the many community websites covering the country. It allows us to check what is still happening but mainly in a way that allows us to get anrgy about things that are happening. Nothing more enjoyable than becoming Mr and Mrs Angry!
Saturday, October 21, 2017
WebOct 21
I don't have a lot to do with soaps. In fact other than occasionally watching Eastenders, TV soaps are a complete mystery to me. However, there is one soap I've been involved with for about 25 years now, although that is less than half it's number of broadcast years. It is of course.....
The Archers.
I started listening when I was driving for a living. When the repeat was the next day at 1.45pm in the afternoon rather than 2pm as now. One of the reasons I liked it was because it was gentle unlike TV soaps which are nothing but sensationalism and stressful event after event. Even when characters are killed off it tended to be done discretely. And I always knew what was happening in the farming year.
There have been a number of new scriptwrites over the last few years who are trying to drive it to be more gritty and get some controvertial storylines into it. But that isn't what The Archers were about. It would be nice if things were just left alone once in a while.
Anyway. if I miss anything or want ome background information. This is where I head.
The Archers.
I started listening when I was driving for a living. When the repeat was the next day at 1.45pm in the afternoon rather than 2pm as now. One of the reasons I liked it was because it was gentle unlike TV soaps which are nothing but sensationalism and stressful event after event. Even when characters are killed off it tended to be done discretely. And I always knew what was happening in the farming year.
There have been a number of new scriptwrites over the last few years who are trying to drive it to be more gritty and get some controvertial storylines into it. But that isn't what The Archers were about. It would be nice if things were just left alone once in a while.
Anyway. if I miss anything or want ome background information. This is where I head.
Friday, October 20, 2017
WebOct 20
Todays visits
Narbonne Cathedral.
Jacqueline Riu. For M's benefit not mine.
And a walk along The Canal du Robine.
Narbonne Cathedral.
Jacqueline Riu. For M's benefit not mine.
And a walk along The Canal du Robine.
Thursday, October 19, 2017
WebOct 19
Where we went today
Dali Theatre-Museum. More in a minute!
The City Arms. Luncheon was taken here. Not the best place ever but better than some of the reviews state.
Ok, Back to the first link. I have to expand a bit. As the young people say on that there Facebook - O! M! G!. Now I'm no great art expert. I like what I like and I don't mind a bit of Dali. I grew up with a large print of Swans Reflecting Elephants on the lounge wall as it was my mother's favourite picture. She just thought it was very clever. It costs 14€ to go in and it is worth every cent. It also gets you in to his jewellery exhibition of pieces he made few of which will have heard of his prowess in that direction. We spent over two hours in the main museum and I need to spend a lot more time there. I enjoyed looking at all the stuff but I just had an incredible feeling of being overwhelmed that drawings and paintings he made were right in front of me.
I could wax lyrical for hours about different bits but I won't for which you will be mightily relieved I'm sure, but if you ever get the chance to visit and you have even the slightest interest in him YOU MUST GO!
Dali Theatre-Museum. More in a minute!
The City Arms. Luncheon was taken here. Not the best place ever but better than some of the reviews state.
Ok, Back to the first link. I have to expand a bit. As the young people say on that there Facebook - O! M! G!. Now I'm no great art expert. I like what I like and I don't mind a bit of Dali. I grew up with a large print of Swans Reflecting Elephants on the lounge wall as it was my mother's favourite picture. She just thought it was very clever. It costs 14€ to go in and it is worth every cent. It also gets you in to his jewellery exhibition of pieces he made few of which will have heard of his prowess in that direction. We spent over two hours in the main museum and I need to spend a lot more time there. I enjoyed looking at all the stuff but I just had an incredible feeling of being overwhelmed that drawings and paintings he made were right in front of me.
I could wax lyrical for hours about different bits but I won't for which you will be mightily relieved I'm sure, but if you ever get the chance to visit and you have even the slightest interest in him YOU MUST GO!
Wednesday, October 18, 2017
WebOct 18
Places we visited on purpose but probably won't bother ever again.
Cerbere - The last town in France.
Portbou - The first town in Spain.
Llanca The first decent sized town in Spain.
Cerbere - The last town in France.
Portbou - The first town in Spain.
Llanca The first decent sized town in Spain.
Tuesday, October 17, 2017
WebOct 17
La Plage Aux Mouettes where we had lunch.
Chateau Royal where we visited this afternoon.
La Vieille Cave where we had dinner.
Monday, October 16, 2017
WebOct 16
A slight change of how this is done for the next 5 days as we are on holiday but still as a weblog.
http://www.hlecatalan.com/en where we are staying
http://www.hlecatalan.com/en/restaurant-le-miradou where we ate tonight.
http://www.hlecatalan.com/en where we are staying
http://www.hlecatalan.com/en/restaurant-le-miradou where we ate tonight.
Sunday, October 15, 2017
WebOct 15
Most of my dictionaries are in storage. I have dictionaries of different languages, dictionaries of phrases, dictionaries of fables, the odd thesausus and an Etymological dictionary. They aren't anything I look at regulary but I like to have them around and sometimes I will spend half an hour reading through them for the fun of it. But I suppose like many reference works, the physical is losing out to the online. My present choice of an etymological dictionary is
ETYMONLINE.
This seems quite comprehensive (adjective 1610s) and trustworthy (adjective 1791), which is what you want.
ETYMONLINE.
This seems quite comprehensive (adjective 1610s) and trustworthy (adjective 1791), which is what you want.
Saturday, October 14, 2017
WebOct 14
The area just to the south of us is prime walking country. In fact last weekend I had 6 mates over from the UK for a couple of days walking. The weather was sunny and in the low 20s and we had a great time. We found the walks on the following site
Walks of the Audoise Pyrenees.
Over the next few months I am going to do my best to get through some if not all of them. As I sit here, I think I might even blog about them. But knowing me I won't quite get round to it. Anyway, there are some nice photo's on the site of the sceney in this area. If i don't make it round them at least I'll know where I would have been!
Walks of the Audoise Pyrenees.
Over the next few months I am going to do my best to get through some if not all of them. As I sit here, I think I might even blog about them. But knowing me I won't quite get round to it. Anyway, there are some nice photo's on the site of the sceney in this area. If i don't make it round them at least I'll know where I would have been!
Friday, October 13, 2017
WebOct 13
When I have had my fill of music from the Musicals I have a second string to my internet radio based bow
JAZZ RADIO.
If you have any interest in any form of jazz you will find a channel for it here. From calssic jazz to modern and from New Orleans to Paris. Big band, bebop, blues and ballads are all there in the aliterative glory.
Whether it is the music of your parents or a guilty pleasure of your own all jazz is here for your enjoyment and edification. Nice!
JAZZ RADIO.
If you have any interest in any form of jazz you will find a channel for it here. From calssic jazz to modern and from New Orleans to Paris. Big band, bebop, blues and ballads are all there in the aliterative glory.
Whether it is the music of your parents or a guilty pleasure of your own all jazz is here for your enjoyment and edification. Nice!
Thursday, October 12, 2017
WebOct 12
I love a good quiz. And there aren't any pub quizzes here, mainly because there aren't any pubs. So once a week I sign in to
JOHN KUTNER'S MUSIC QUIZ.
Sometimes there is a theme, sometimes there isn't. There are plenty of participants many of which are better than me. I normally end up between 50th and a 100th over the 12 week league averaging between 7 and 8 points out of 10 but I once managed 38th with an 8+ score average.
In addition he has a "single of the week" page giving the story behind the song, birthdays for the week and other trivia pages.
If you like a music quiz then why not join in? Just please don't beat me!
JOHN KUTNER'S MUSIC QUIZ.
Sometimes there is a theme, sometimes there isn't. There are plenty of participants many of which are better than me. I normally end up between 50th and a 100th over the 12 week league averaging between 7 and 8 points out of 10 but I once managed 38th with an 8+ score average.
In addition he has a "single of the week" page giving the story behind the song, birthdays for the week and other trivia pages.
If you like a music quiz then why not join in? Just please don't beat me!
Wednesday, October 11, 2017
WebOct 11
Todays website is an important one for us but other than perhaps a look at some pictures, of very little interest to anyone more than a few miles from where I sit.
LOUPIA WEBSITE
This is the official website for our village. It lets us know what is on, sometimes, allows us to see who is selling up, and gives us a chance to swot up on the history.
The downside is that it is, of course, in French!
LOUPIA WEBSITE
This is the official website for our village. It lets us know what is on, sometimes, allows us to see who is selling up, and gives us a chance to swot up on the history.
The downside is that it is, of course, in French!
Tuesday, October 10, 2017
WebOct 10
Photographs once again.
BBC PICTURE CHALLENGE
The BBC run a photo competition every week. I enter quite often but never get a picture published but one never knows. Well, I do. I tend to be more of a snapshot photographer and don't put the time in to get the right shot or to frame it properly but one day I might have a lucky break. Interesting to see what others make of the topic. Sometimes it is very literal and others it is interpretive. So now I need to work on - On Toast, Footprints and Shivers over the next three consecutive weeks....
BBC PICTURE CHALLENGE
The BBC run a photo competition every week. I enter quite often but never get a picture published but one never knows. Well, I do. I tend to be more of a snapshot photographer and don't put the time in to get the right shot or to frame it properly but one day I might have a lucky break. Interesting to see what others make of the topic. Sometimes it is very literal and others it is interpretive. So now I need to work on - On Toast, Footprints and Shivers over the next three consecutive weeks....
Monday, October 09, 2017
WebOct 9
I do like a good show tune. Or I do when I'm in the mood. Other than Elaine Paige on Radio 2 of a Sunday lunchtime you only get to hear songs from musicals in special programmes so I was happy when a friend online linked to
ENCORE RADIO.
Although it is only available online I can get my fill whenever I want. And that includes when I'm driving as long as the mobile network holds up. To be fair, even as an enthusiast of musicals, I can't manage much more than two hours without needing a change. But dipping in and out is a pleasure.
ENCORE RADIO.
Although it is only available online I can get my fill whenever I want. And that includes when I'm driving as long as the mobile network holds up. To be fair, even as an enthusiast of musicals, I can't manage much more than two hours without needing a change. But dipping in and out is a pleasure.
Sunday, October 08, 2017
WebOct8
Today's site is another of my photography tools,
IPICCY.
iPiccy is a photo editing site which is easy to use. I can use it so it must be. I'm sure there are better ones with more features but it has enough different actions and filters to make me feel as though I am in control without having too many you don't know what they are for.
In additions to photos, I've discovered, or rather I've realised, it is good for improving scans that I've made.
I haven't tried the collage part of the site yet but I should probably try as no doubt we will have plenty of opportunities to make hundreds of collages of Grand-daughter no 1 once the Magnificent M realises it is possible.
And best of all it's free and being a web based programme it isn't eating up 100s of gigabytes of the hard disk to change a 2 mb photo.
IPICCY.
iPiccy is a photo editing site which is easy to use. I can use it so it must be. I'm sure there are better ones with more features but it has enough different actions and filters to make me feel as though I am in control without having too many you don't know what they are for.
In additions to photos, I've discovered, or rather I've realised, it is good for improving scans that I've made.
I haven't tried the collage part of the site yet but I should probably try as no doubt we will have plenty of opportunities to make hundreds of collages of Grand-daughter no 1 once the Magnificent M realises it is possible.
And best of all it's free and being a web based programme it isn't eating up 100s of gigabytes of the hard disk to change a 2 mb photo.
Saturday, October 07, 2017
The foolowing site is the one I guess we should blame for us ending up living in France.
FRENCH PROPERTY LINKS
From the very first time we thought about the possibility of moving we checked out what was available, really to see what we might want when we retired. It was on this site we found the house which, although not the house we bought, meant we ended up seeing the house we bought.
Whether you fancy the idea of relocting or just want to see what a comparable house costs in France to the UK, you can browse for hours looking as French chic, or wrecks and a smattering of houses that still have gaudy 1960's orange geometric wallpaper.
FRENCH PROPERTY LINKS
From the very first time we thought about the possibility of moving we checked out what was available, really to see what we might want when we retired. It was on this site we found the house which, although not the house we bought, meant we ended up seeing the house we bought.
Whether you fancy the idea of relocting or just want to see what a comparable house costs in France to the UK, you can browse for hours looking as French chic, or wrecks and a smattering of houses that still have gaudy 1960's orange geometric wallpaper.
Friday, October 06, 2017
WebOct 6
There are loads of backing tracks to sing along to on YouTube if you want a bit of Karaoke but if you want to go one step further then the site for you is
AMERITZ
There are thousands of professional backing tracks which are all very well, but the addition that they have over some others, is the chance to change the key that the music is in so it sits comfortably in your range. They are great for practicing with before performances, even if you are just chorus and often proves that you haven't learnt the words half as well as you think whilst you've been practicing against a recording with the lyrics sung. I tend to use them for singing but actually they would also be good for solo instrumentalists.
Lots of different genres and with the occasional sale there are times when you can pick them up very cheaply.
A bit of a niche site perhaps but an important one for me.
AMERITZ
There are thousands of professional backing tracks which are all very well, but the addition that they have over some others, is the chance to change the key that the music is in so it sits comfortably in your range. They are great for practicing with before performances, even if you are just chorus and often proves that you haven't learnt the words half as well as you think whilst you've been practicing against a recording with the lyrics sung. I tend to use them for singing but actually they would also be good for solo instrumentalists.
Lots of different genres and with the occasional sale there are times when you can pick them up very cheaply.
A bit of a niche site perhaps but an important one for me.
Thursday, October 05, 2017
WebOct5
Sometimes French radio is too much and I don't fancy any of my cds so where do I head?
LIBRIVOX
This is a vast range of audio books that you can download free. I have been working my way though the detective mysteries. It's been very interesting listening to books written around 100 years ago. There are often things crop up that are relevant to political or social situations now and it gives a different perspective on the present times.
It is based in the USA so most of the readers are American which can lead to some interesting pronunciations of British place names some sounding funny but others being annoying.
There are many genres of fiction and non-fiction therein, with famous authors and others whom have probably not been heard of in many a year.
Anyway, it's free, so why not downoad one. There's not much to lose and a lot to gain.
LIBRIVOX
This is a vast range of audio books that you can download free. I have been working my way though the detective mysteries. It's been very interesting listening to books written around 100 years ago. There are often things crop up that are relevant to political or social situations now and it gives a different perspective on the present times.
It is based in the USA so most of the readers are American which can lead to some interesting pronunciations of British place names some sounding funny but others being annoying.
There are many genres of fiction and non-fiction therein, with famous authors and others whom have probably not been heard of in many a year.
Anyway, it's free, so why not downoad one. There's not much to lose and a lot to gain.
Wednesday, October 04, 2017
WebOct 4
Today brings another site at which I while away time when I should probably be doing something a bit more constructive.
PUZZLE MADNESS
It has a number of different format puzzles miainly based on japanese number puzzles. A number of versions of Suduko of which I prefer Mathdoku, a particularly bad mashup of Japanese and English terms. Whilst being number based I like Nonograms. On this site they are random puzzles but a brief google search comes up with some magnificent pictures,
a modern version of painting by numbers.
They also have what for me is one of the most pointless puzzles - wordsearch. There isn't any skill in it. But each to their own.
Now, do I write the work emails I have to do or am I going to be diverted to do today's puzzle.......
PUZZLE MADNESS
It has a number of different format puzzles miainly based on japanese number puzzles. A number of versions of Suduko of which I prefer Mathdoku, a particularly bad mashup of Japanese and English terms. Whilst being number based I like Nonograms. On this site they are random puzzles but a brief google search comes up with some magnificent pictures,
a modern version of painting by numbers.
They also have what for me is one of the most pointless puzzles - wordsearch. There isn't any skill in it. But each to their own.
Now, do I write the work emails I have to do or am I going to be diverted to do today's puzzle.......
Tuesday, October 03, 2017
WebOct 3
Today's site charts all things astronomical.
HEAVENS ABOVE
Whilst Kirsty McColl sang "it's hard to wish on space hardware", should you wish to do so, this is the site for you. You can follow the International Space Station, Hubble Space Telescope and a number of satellites, the positions of the planets in the sky in case you want to spot a tiny point of light which might just be Jupiter, and what's happening to all those satellites they got excited about when they were launched? Like Voyager 1, which is still going some 140,000+ light years away!
The reason I originally found it was because of Iridium Flares. This is where light from the sun bounces off a satellite and as you look at the sky you see it flare up and die away. It interested me for a bit but then I thought it was a great way of getting kids involved in astronomy beyond just showing them stars.
So, if you want to know what is going on up there bove your head, this is the site for you.
HEAVENS ABOVE
Whilst Kirsty McColl sang "it's hard to wish on space hardware", should you wish to do so, this is the site for you. You can follow the International Space Station, Hubble Space Telescope and a number of satellites, the positions of the planets in the sky in case you want to spot a tiny point of light which might just be Jupiter, and what's happening to all those satellites they got excited about when they were launched? Like Voyager 1, which is still going some 140,000+ light years away!
The reason I originally found it was because of Iridium Flares. This is where light from the sun bounces off a satellite and as you look at the sky you see it flare up and die away. It interested me for a bit but then I thought it was a great way of getting kids involved in astronomy beyond just showing them stars.
So, if you want to know what is going on up there bove your head, this is the site for you.
Monday, October 02, 2017
WebOct 2
Throughout my time Blogging I have occasionally picked up on photography sites that I can flex my artistic muscles over. The one that occupied my time most was BLIPFOTO. It is a simple premise - Just post a picture a day. Whether you choose to run your page as photo only, give a basic description or a full post explaining it is up to you. I haven't actually posted anything for about 10 months although I keep thinking I will go back to it. I "met" a few people through it who became online friends. Even as I write this I am thinking it would be a good idea.
Anyway, if I do post again it will be here, on DAY BY DAVE
Anyway, if I do post again it will be here, on DAY BY DAVE
Sunday, October 01, 2017
WebOct 1
Welcome to the month long Weblog event. A different website each day that means something to me either for personal reasons or just for interest.
But where to start? Particularly as I haven't had time to think about this for long. So I am going to start where I start with my day's browsing. Which is with another blog.
DIAMOND GEEZER
You may or may not be familiar with him. Diamond Geezer is based in Bow, East London and blogs every day. every singe day. And not just a quick dozen words about what he had for breakfast, although I think that has once happened, but a good 500 - 1000 words per day. He's been doing this longer than I have and if nothing else I admire his stamina.
Some days his post is very local to where he lives. Who of his readers can forget this years Bus Stop M saga. Although even some of thoe posts are interesting. But through his site and the occasional gems that pop up I now know there is a place in Essex which has a scale model of the solar system. Not just in a display case but starting on a village green with the Sun. The planets are then placed radiating out from the sun in their correct orbital positions. If I remember correctly, Pluto is somewhere in a field outside of the village. He also won't blog on behalf of companies
wishing to promote themselves which usually leads to a quarterly review of what he's been asked to write about and the ways in which he is approached.
In the last week, and this is quite a good week to look at he has covered;
1/10 - A look at Hampstead and Camden as part of an ongoing series looking at the proposed London Boroughs which never happened.
30/9 - 50 years of Radio 1. Looking at the daily running schedule every 5 years and where the DJs are now.
29/9 - What transport plans were proposed in 2006 and what happened to them.
28/9 - A visit to the Heights of Abraham in Derbyshire
27/9 - A visit to Derby which was mainly spent on the train with little time in the destination itself.
26/9 - 50 things that niggle me. 50 things that annoy me. 50 things that make me angry
25/9 - A look at Wandsworth as part of the same series as 1/10.
I think it is definitely a blog for those who have a connection with London but he certainly has plenty of readers from around the UK and the rest of the world who get an insight into his world. I commend him to you, if only for an occasional dip in to see what he has been up to and why.
But where to start? Particularly as I haven't had time to think about this for long. So I am going to start where I start with my day's browsing. Which is with another blog.
DIAMOND GEEZER
You may or may not be familiar with him. Diamond Geezer is based in Bow, East London and blogs every day. every singe day. And not just a quick dozen words about what he had for breakfast, although I think that has once happened, but a good 500 - 1000 words per day. He's been doing this longer than I have and if nothing else I admire his stamina.
Some days his post is very local to where he lives. Who of his readers can forget this years Bus Stop M saga. Although even some of thoe posts are interesting. But through his site and the occasional gems that pop up I now know there is a place in Essex which has a scale model of the solar system. Not just in a display case but starting on a village green with the Sun. The planets are then placed radiating out from the sun in their correct orbital positions. If I remember correctly, Pluto is somewhere in a field outside of the village. He also won't blog on behalf of companies
wishing to promote themselves which usually leads to a quarterly review of what he's been asked to write about and the ways in which he is approached.
In the last week, and this is quite a good week to look at he has covered;
1/10 - A look at Hampstead and Camden as part of an ongoing series looking at the proposed London Boroughs which never happened.
30/9 - 50 years of Radio 1. Looking at the daily running schedule every 5 years and where the DJs are now.
29/9 - What transport plans were proposed in 2006 and what happened to them.
28/9 - A visit to the Heights of Abraham in Derbyshire
27/9 - A visit to Derby which was mainly spent on the train with little time in the destination itself.
26/9 - 50 things that niggle me. 50 things that annoy me. 50 things that make me angry
25/9 - A look at Wandsworth as part of the same series as 1/10.
I think it is definitely a blog for those who have a connection with London but he certainly has plenty of readers from around the UK and the rest of the world who get an insight into his world. I commend him to you, if only for an occasional dip in to see what he has been up to and why.
Friday, September 29, 2017
Weblog October
Following on from Messrs Brennig and Masher's month of blogging earlier this year I declared I would suggest something for the month of October. All through September I have been wrestling with two ideas as to which shoud mark my premiere appearance of Blogger in Chief for the month. Having had sleepless nights and hours of in-depth thought I have decided to throw both ideas out of the window and go with something else.
This blogging lark has been around a few years now, I myself have been about it for the thick end of 20 years. And I thought why not go a bit retro. In the beginning, and should any young person inadvertently look at my blog whilst looking for something more interesting and not realise it, originally, weblogging was about listing websites that might be of interest to others or linked to each other by theme. Therefore for the month of October I will choose a website per day which I have in my favourites or have used in the past, and say why it is a favourite or what it is about etc.
And if Messrs Brennig and Masher chose to join me I will be honoured. And if anyone else joins in I will be even more cock-a-hoop.
This blogging lark has been around a few years now, I myself have been about it for the thick end of 20 years. And I thought why not go a bit retro. In the beginning, and should any young person inadvertently look at my blog whilst looking for something more interesting and not realise it, originally, weblogging was about listing websites that might be of interest to others or linked to each other by theme. Therefore for the month of October I will choose a website per day which I have in my favourites or have used in the past, and say why it is a favourite or what it is about etc.
And if Messrs Brennig and Masher chose to join me I will be honoured. And if anyone else joins in I will be even more cock-a-hoop.
Wednesday, August 23, 2017
Broken!
Well, I thought since my chest was still hurting a bit, although a great deal better, I ought to go get an x-ray 5 weeks after the event. I was being nagged by too many people to get it done. As always it was very efficient and within minutes of the x-ray I had the results in my hand. I've broken my sternum. Yep, I appear to have broken myself in half. Perhaps if I fit a hinge system to the back and zip at the front I could open like a Russian doll. That would be fun.
Anyway, having left it 5 weeks I'm not really able to take advantage by lying on the couch like a Victorian maiden with an attack of the vapours. But that's what we are like us Northerners. Our bodies break but we still carry on. Slowly. Although I think that might be my advancing age.
Anyway, having left it 5 weeks I'm not really able to take advantage by lying on the couch like a Victorian maiden with an attack of the vapours. But that's what we are like us Northerners. Our bodies break but we still carry on. Slowly. Although I think that might be my advancing age.
Tuesday, July 18, 2017
Bang Crash Wallop.
Well, it's not been the best of days.
I was travelling into Limoux this morning when I had to pull slightly right to avoid a lorry coming the other way. Unfortunately it was at a bit where the bridge cuts in left.
There was a van/bridge interface clash.
I managed to block half the road at a 45˚ angle. So I had 15 minutes of traffic directing and then the Gendarmes turned up. They rang for a breakdown truck whilst directing the traffic. They were very efficient. Their main concern was getting the road clear. So much so that they didn't bother checking my licence, insurance, anything. Not that there would have been a problem if they had. But no doubt in the UK I would have had drink and drug tests, all my paperwork checked. One of the most interesting things was how many people stopped to ask if I needed help. Possibly 1 in every 5 vehicles coming past. Sometimes 2 or 3 cars in a row. It's one of the things I like about being here.
Anyhow, the van is now at a garage where a loss adjuster will decide if it's repairable or dead. I think it might be touch and go!
I was travelling into Limoux this morning when I had to pull slightly right to avoid a lorry coming the other way. Unfortunately it was at a bit where the bridge cuts in left.
There was a van/bridge interface clash.
I managed to block half the road at a 45˚ angle. So I had 15 minutes of traffic directing and then the Gendarmes turned up. They rang for a breakdown truck whilst directing the traffic. They were very efficient. Their main concern was getting the road clear. So much so that they didn't bother checking my licence, insurance, anything. Not that there would have been a problem if they had. But no doubt in the UK I would have had drink and drug tests, all my paperwork checked. One of the most interesting things was how many people stopped to ask if I needed help. Possibly 1 in every 5 vehicles coming past. Sometimes 2 or 3 cars in a row. It's one of the things I like about being here.
Anyhow, the van is now at a garage where a loss adjuster will decide if it's repairable or dead. I think it might be touch and go!
Saturday, July 01, 2017
Closing Credits
Well, that didn't go quite to plan.
We have been exceptionally busy during June. Much busier than we should have been. The weather has been very unusual and the pools don't like it. I wasn't short of time for watching films because you can do that late at night when knackered but as for writing up reviews, well, I was just a bit short of brain power.
Had I have been on the ball then you would also have been reading about
We have been exceptionally busy during June. Much busier than we should have been. The weather has been very unusual and the pools don't like it. I wasn't short of time for watching films because you can do that late at night when knackered but as for writing up reviews, well, I was just a bit short of brain power.
Had I have been on the ball then you would also have been reading about
And on a rather co-incidental but sad note comes the news of Barry Norman's death.
Credits Roll.
Tuesday, June 27, 2017
Film 2017 - 3 of 10 - The Jungle Book 2016
So worried are Disney that you may mix them up, the official title for this film includes the date. They needn't have bothered.
A friend recommended the film and I certainly had misgivings. Even if this second version was from Disney it couldn't live up to the original cartoon version could it?
I started watching and within 15 minutes I had to turn it off. It didn't compare with the original and so I had to take a decision and alter my state of mind.
Second time round I started watching a film called The Jungle Book made last year. And from then it improved once I disassociated the two films.
Jungle Book has a special place for me as I grew up going through the Scout Movement from Cub to Venture. One of my best friends at the time's family was immersed in our local pack. His mother was Akela, his Dad - Hathi, Sister - Bagheera, Uncle - Kaa. his brother, on becoming of age, was Mowgli.
But back to the film. As one would expect, the CGIs are very good and to have a real life Mowgli, Neil Sethi, didn't seem out of place with the background. The story follows the original, and by that, I mean the original book, well enough. And as it is CGI'd characters other than Mowgli it is not really viable to comment on their acting ability. By the end of the film I had got used to seeing the characters as depicted in this film although I wasn't that enamoured with Kaa the Snake, perhaps I wanted to be mesmerised by the kaleidoscopic eyes of the original animation. The character I found completely out of place though was King Louis. There was nothing regal about him, just his enormous size. Too enormous in my book.
The soundtrack contained the original songs Bare Necessities, Trust in Me and I Wanna Be Like You. To my ear, not one of these matched the versions of the animated film.
I think this film would be best enjoyed having never seen or heard the original film and soundtrack. It would then stand on it's own merits, but you cannot remake such a classic film and hope to score a similar success, although they are now trying it with Beauty & The Beast. Just because technology moves on and you have more bells and whistles doesn't mean you can automatically improve things no matter how you market it and hype it up. Just don't try to fool me man-cub!
New to the Jungle Book franchise? - 3 vines out of 5.
Seen the original? - 1 Prickly Pear out of 5
Wednesday, June 21, 2017
Film 17 - 2 of 12 - PS I Love You
So, the premise is this. Hilary Swank (no tittering at the back!), plays Holly, a young American lady who visits Ireland on holiday. She meets Gerry, played by Gerard Butler, whom I am reliably informed should only have his name mentioned if you are going to follow it up with the words "witness the fitness", and they get married. It is not a spoiler but the main pivotal point of the movie, is that he dies. And Holly is devastated. As she might well be. And she thinks her life is over. And then a message turns up for her on her birthday from Gerry. Not in a "blimey, is he really still alive" sort of a way, but in as much as he has planned this before his death. In fact there are a number of messages and letters which make their way to her, over a period of time, from various different characters whom he has tipped off and provided with the necessary.
There are some interesting co-stars. Lisa Kudrow, of Friends fame, plays one of Hollys friends. James Masters who was Spike in Buffy the Vampire Slayer plays somebody or other but to be honest he was forgettable. Kathy Bates is Hollys mother and doesn't break anybodys legs. And Jeffrey Dean Morgan turns up as one of Gerry's best friends, probably best known for his role as a patient in Greys Anatomy who stole the heart of the blonde doctor whose name escapes me. And finally, Harry Connick Junior plays her best male friend. Badly.
It is a pleasant enough film and it doesn't require much brain power.
Many tissues will be required.
I must now warn my male readers that there are two possible outcomes from watching this film wth your beloved. As the final credits roll she may be overcome with a wave of romantic sentiment and lie trembling in your arms ready for you to prove you are her man. On the other hand you could be hit by a tirade of abuse based on the fact that you don't have a romantic bone in your body and you wouldn't possibly do anything like that would you, you cold-hearted unromantic bastard, I don't know what I ever saw in you. I should have listened to my mother... etc. etc. Good luck!
Anyway, back to my original comment about M's daughters. So much did they fall under the spell of Gerard Butler and all the gorgeous "Oirish" people, that they booked a series of weekends away in Dublin to go find Irish boyfriends, just like Gerry. They failed. One of them did get an Irish boyfriend who lived nearby in London, but it turned out he was a twat.
Actually, I enjoyed it for what it was and whenever it is on tv, which is reasonably regularly, and there is nothing else on, we dip in again.
4 out of 5 shamrocks.
Wednesday, June 07, 2017
Film 17 - 1 of 12 - La La Land.
So here we are, ready for the first of my film reviews. But where to start? Then it came to me......watch a film!
One of the films that has made much of the talk of the last 12 months or more is La La Land. Heralded as a return to the glorious days of The Musical, a genre which sees me both as audience and player, though on stage rather than on film, I was ready to be wowed!
The first thing to hit was the colour. The sky too blue, the grass too green, either the colour saturation or the contrast has been notched up in the cinematography department. I suspect the idea was for you to be hit by a blaze of colour. You are, but not for me in a nice way. And this is the first indication of how the film is going to be.
It is basically the story of boy meets girl, boy loses girl, and I won't give the end away.
The film appears to lack any real continuity. You can see the thought process of how it came to screen, 1) Let's make a musical, that hasn't been done for a bit. 2) Here's 5 bits of storyline I want to use and we'll make something up to link them even if it isn't very good. 3) Ooh my friend has some songs, we can use those somewhere. And so it continues.
So overpowering is this sense of mechanics that I never became attached to the characters. Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone put the work in but didn't seem to have that much chemistry. The only time I felt their characters connect and sizzle on screen was near the very end. If you watch it you will guess to what bit I am referring but would be a spoiler to mention it here.
The story ambles along from point to point and the other characters make their entrances and exits without being memorable. The music is ok. The big number as far as popularity goes is City of Stars. You've probably heard it I doubt you can hum it let alone sing it. Some of the jazz in it is good, obviously the incidental bits played by such luminaries as Thelonius Monk, but the new numbers as performed by what the credits call The La La Land Jazz Ensemble. I can't credit the pianist who plays Ryan Gosling's pieces and I am assuming it is not him, though for me, if it is, I prefer him as a musician than actor.
Everything you need for the film is there on paper but not on celluloid, or whatever medium they use these days. And it is no match for those musicals it so desperately wishes to emulate. Having said that, I do think it has a bright future, just not in this form. Eventually someone will write "the book" which will allow it to be performed on stage and I think there it might find it's forte as a stalwart of the am-dram musical scene for years to come.
It will come as no surprise that, despite it's 6 Oscars and gor knows how many other awards and nominations, I'm afraid for me it is a 2* rating. Not so much La La Land as La La Lacking.
Sunday, April 16, 2017
Flying Visit
Back in the UK for a very swift visit. Two days of babysitting grand-daughter coming to an end and then two days of celebrating the Magnificent M's Big Birthday.
Once again, a visit here is anything but a relaxing holiday!
Once again, a visit here is anything but a relaxing holiday!
Tuesday, February 28, 2017
Finale
So here we are. A month of blogging. Even if much of mine was low quality. So to end I have three questions.
1) Will Brennig be setting another June Blogging challenge.
2) If he does will I do an October one this year so we have three nicely spaced challenges.
3) But more importantly, whatever has happened to people who used to play the saw. You never see them any more.
1) Will Brennig be setting another June Blogging challenge.
2) If he does will I do an October one this year so we have three nicely spaced challenges.
3) But more importantly, whatever has happened to people who used to play the saw. You never see them any more.
Monday, February 27, 2017
Homeward Bound
So it's an early night tonight as we need to be up by 7am, which is early for us but no doubt that is later than the rest of you.
I haven't kept a complete tally of what I managed to eat that I can't get in France but it has included scampi twice, pies twice, a korma, pizza hut, some decent sandwiches. We are back in six weeks so I can have some more then although if I've put too much weight on I might have to resist.
I don't think I've done this year's Blogathon justice with the travelling and with one more post to go it won't improve.
Anyway, tomorrow's post will wing it's way to you from a hotel in Bourges.
I haven't kept a complete tally of what I managed to eat that I can't get in France but it has included scampi twice, pies twice, a korma, pizza hut, some decent sandwiches. We are back in six weeks so I can have some more then although if I've put too much weight on I might have to resist.
I don't think I've done this year's Blogathon justice with the travelling and with one more post to go it won't improve.
Anyway, tomorrow's post will wing it's way to you from a hotel in Bourges.
Sunday, February 26, 2017
Janet & John
We went to Waterstones in Kingston yesterday, where I worked for a month one December, and had a nice surprise in as much as they were selling some older books off for a quid. Some had slightly torn dust covers, others were just remainders. We bought four books;
The full scripts of Downton Abbey series 2 for someone as a present.
A thriller by someone neither of us knows but are willing to waste a pound at worst on.
A coffee table book of eclectic recipes which would have cost £35 new, which I wouldn't have paid.
And finally, the scripts from the Janet and John stories off of Terry Wogan's morning show.
I already own two of the cd collections of the stories. If you don't know them they are a wmix of the style of writing of the Janet & John books some of us grew up at school with and good old fashioned British double entendre. Terry read them and often corpsed with tales where various mishaps befell poor old John who would innocently tll his wife Janet how he'd helped the bakers wife to knead her baps and had a quick taste of her muffin. Not quite what you'd expect from Radio 2 but very, very funny. In a schoolboy sort of a way. Which is why I liked it. Even though I no longer am. A schoolboy that is.
The full scripts of Downton Abbey series 2 for someone as a present.
A thriller by someone neither of us knows but are willing to waste a pound at worst on.
A coffee table book of eclectic recipes which would have cost £35 new, which I wouldn't have paid.
And finally, the scripts from the Janet and John stories off of Terry Wogan's morning show.
I already own two of the cd collections of the stories. If you don't know them they are a wmix of the style of writing of the Janet & John books some of us grew up at school with and good old fashioned British double entendre. Terry read them and often corpsed with tales where various mishaps befell poor old John who would innocently tll his wife Janet how he'd helped the bakers wife to knead her baps and had a quick taste of her muffin. Not quite what you'd expect from Radio 2 but very, very funny. In a schoolboy sort of a way. Which is why I liked it. Even though I no longer am. A schoolboy that is.
Saturday, February 25, 2017
Reading Aloud
When I used to drive for a living I'd get fed up of listening to music and talk rdio used to annoy me so I took to listening to audiobooks. In those days they were 12 or 16 cassette long readings of, in my case, mainly crime novels, although I wasn't averse to something of a comedic quality.
A few weeks back it suddenly occurred to me I should do that again when I am driving around and I've had my fill of French Radio. Which is actually longer than you would think. The other time would be when we are driving back. I shall be scourig Amazon etc for some suitable titles but nearly bought a John Grisham audio book today. I reaslised that if we started listening when we left home we would just finish before we reached my Mums in St Albans. I'm not sure we could sustain two full days of listening to a book. Not speaking, not wanting to sing to something which we often do when driving. But maybe we could do one book over the journey there and back?
The downside sometimes with audio book is that the person reading it is wrong. Rather like reading a book and then seeing the film where all the actors are completely wrong to the way you pictured them, the voice of the person reading needs to correspond to the voice you read the book in, or at least one of the characters in the book.
Of course I could download books onto Audible or a.n.other app but when driving I think cd is best.
So now I shall start trawling the sites for something interesting to listen to....
A few weeks back it suddenly occurred to me I should do that again when I am driving around and I've had my fill of French Radio. Which is actually longer than you would think. The other time would be when we are driving back. I shall be scourig Amazon etc for some suitable titles but nearly bought a John Grisham audio book today. I reaslised that if we started listening when we left home we would just finish before we reached my Mums in St Albans. I'm not sure we could sustain two full days of listening to a book. Not speaking, not wanting to sing to something which we often do when driving. But maybe we could do one book over the journey there and back?
The downside sometimes with audio book is that the person reading it is wrong. Rather like reading a book and then seeing the film where all the actors are completely wrong to the way you pictured them, the voice of the person reading needs to correspond to the voice you read the book in, or at least one of the characters in the book.
Of course I could download books onto Audible or a.n.other app but when driving I think cd is best.
So now I shall start trawling the sites for something interesting to listen to....
Friday, February 24, 2017
Sigh of Relief
We've been in the UK now for 8 days and we both feel it is time to go home. Too much noise, too much traffic and too much to get on with back home.
Anyway, another reason to go back is to stop eating so much here. We have indeed managed to eat all the different things we miss plus more besides. We now need to go on a diet. Before we left we were talking to a friend who ha been using a technique which she may well have got from one of the big dieting companies. The idea being that one listens for the internal sigh when you have had enough to eat. Sceptical as I was I discovered I do indeed have such a sigh. To do it properly you should only eat when you are hungry and you should stop dead when you have the sigh, even if there is a half full plate in front of you. You can always finish it if you are hungry later. She has lost about a stone since she started just after Christmas and she wasn't exactly large beforehand.
Whilst we haven't stuck to it yet, we have noticed portion sizes getting smaller, (our big mistake). Let's hope the body sizes start getting smaller in the near future!
Anyway, another reason to go back is to stop eating so much here. We have indeed managed to eat all the different things we miss plus more besides. We now need to go on a diet. Before we left we were talking to a friend who ha been using a technique which she may well have got from one of the big dieting companies. The idea being that one listens for the internal sigh when you have had enough to eat. Sceptical as I was I discovered I do indeed have such a sigh. To do it properly you should only eat when you are hungry and you should stop dead when you have the sigh, even if there is a half full plate in front of you. You can always finish it if you are hungry later. She has lost about a stone since she started just after Christmas and she wasn't exactly large beforehand.
Whilst we haven't stuck to it yet, we have noticed portion sizes getting smaller, (our big mistake). Let's hope the body sizes start getting smaller in the near future!
Thursday, February 23, 2017
Nostalgia Ain't What It Used To Be
I don't know whether this is another one of those things everyone thinks when they get old but kids these days don't seem to care about the past, or it's use for the future.
Let me give you an example....
At the wedding last weekend, due to the rrival of little Poppy, there were four generations of M's family there. And her great uncle had brought a photo with him of himself with M and her two sisters sat in the garden with him when he was in his late teens and they were just small kids. Marj wanted just two photos taken, one of the four generations and one of her great uncle with her three daughters. Could she get one, could she buggery. Trying to get her girls to have a photo taken at a relevant time was impossible. They couldn't fit it in between their drinking at the wedding and their need to bugger off the next morning to go and do something which didn't involve hanging araound a minute longer than necessary. They couldn't see why she wanted these photos. What was so special? What was the point?
In the end, just before they all left M rather through her toys out of her pram, or as much as she ever does, whih comes across as slightly peeved. Two of the three daughters I think had realised that maybe this was something their mother cared about and rang later that day to find out if she was ok a they thought something might have upset her. So she explained, but they still don't get the idea why she would want these photo's. Luckily by chance, I had taken a photo during the reception that had all four generations in it, although it isn't posed, Poppy has her back to us, and it's slightly out of focus as people moved. But at least it is there and we hope one day it will give Poppy a chance to see her Great Great Uncle the first time she met him.
It's funny, with digital photography all three girls take hundreds of photos a year on phones etc, thousands of photos perhaps, but maybe not one will ever be a special photo. They won't be printed, they will just be lost in digital files, never to be seen in 20 years time when someone thinks back, if indeed they ever do. So we are going to print off a few photos each year and out them into an album to give to Poppy when she is 21. Hopefully they will mean something and be special for her. As for M's daughters, I suspect one day they are going to wake up and realise they have nothing physical to remember the past by or at least to jog their memories as to people and events.
How sad.
Let me give you an example....
At the wedding last weekend, due to the rrival of little Poppy, there were four generations of M's family there. And her great uncle had brought a photo with him of himself with M and her two sisters sat in the garden with him when he was in his late teens and they were just small kids. Marj wanted just two photos taken, one of the four generations and one of her great uncle with her three daughters. Could she get one, could she buggery. Trying to get her girls to have a photo taken at a relevant time was impossible. They couldn't fit it in between their drinking at the wedding and their need to bugger off the next morning to go and do something which didn't involve hanging araound a minute longer than necessary. They couldn't see why she wanted these photos. What was so special? What was the point?
In the end, just before they all left M rather through her toys out of her pram, or as much as she ever does, whih comes across as slightly peeved. Two of the three daughters I think had realised that maybe this was something their mother cared about and rang later that day to find out if she was ok a they thought something might have upset her. So she explained, but they still don't get the idea why she would want these photo's. Luckily by chance, I had taken a photo during the reception that had all four generations in it, although it isn't posed, Poppy has her back to us, and it's slightly out of focus as people moved. But at least it is there and we hope one day it will give Poppy a chance to see her Great Great Uncle the first time she met him.
It's funny, with digital photography all three girls take hundreds of photos a year on phones etc, thousands of photos perhaps, but maybe not one will ever be a special photo. They won't be printed, they will just be lost in digital files, never to be seen in 20 years time when someone thinks back, if indeed they ever do. So we are going to print off a few photos each year and out them into an album to give to Poppy when she is 21. Hopefully they will mean something and be special for her. As for M's daughters, I suspect one day they are going to wake up and realise they have nothing physical to remember the past by or at least to jog their memories as to people and events.
How sad.
Wednesday, February 22, 2017
Hanging Around
By the time we have returned to Franceland hopefully our lounge will nearly be ready. The last thing we need to do is to put a couple of shelves up for the sky box and the radio. we can't find much in France other than some bits at Ikea so we thought, not a problem, we'll get something in the UK. Wickes - Nothing. Homebase - Nothing. B&Q - Nothing very exciting, but the best we are going to do. I can't believe how little shelving there is in either country, other than the aformentioned Ikea. If this is what the state of the shelving economy is now, what the heck is going to happen post-Brexit. I hope Theresa May has got this on the agenda, we might need some more in a couple of years time!
Tuesday, February 21, 2017
How The Leopard Changed It's Spots
The first point I saw somewhere, possibly the Metro letters page, made me think and then the second point occurred to me earlier today.
They both come from the point that the vast majority who are against Trump and also against Brexit tend to be on the left of Politics
1) The Queen, who is normally a sponger off the state, everything that is wrong about the class system and should be got rid of immediately, has suddenly become a poor old woman and great-grandmother who should be protected from Donald Trump by calling off the State Visit as she might be embarrassed by him and it and should be protected.
2) The House of Lords are a bunch of non-elected, upper-class, old men who are out of touch with the normal person and should be abolished forthwith. Except, having laid into them, The House of Lords should rally round and throw out Brexit.
As an aside, many on the left would like to abolish the HofL and the Monarchy and make it more like that wonderful American system with a President and, oh, hold on a second, something wrong here.......
They both come from the point that the vast majority who are against Trump and also against Brexit tend to be on the left of Politics
1) The Queen, who is normally a sponger off the state, everything that is wrong about the class system and should be got rid of immediately, has suddenly become a poor old woman and great-grandmother who should be protected from Donald Trump by calling off the State Visit as she might be embarrassed by him and it and should be protected.
2) The House of Lords are a bunch of non-elected, upper-class, old men who are out of touch with the normal person and should be abolished forthwith. Except, having laid into them, The House of Lords should rally round and throw out Brexit.
As an aside, many on the left would like to abolish the HofL and the Monarchy and make it more like that wonderful American system with a President and, oh, hold on a second, something wrong here.......
Monday, February 20, 2017
It's All In The Stars
I can't remember whether I've mentioned before but I have yet another random hobby. Astrology. Specifically natal astrology and Synastry. The former being the obvious interpretation of a chart cast at birthpoint. Synastry is a sidebranch where you compare the charts of two people and see how they affect each other. You could therefore call it relationship astrology, although the two "persons" could in effect be a person and an animal, or even a building. With the latter two you are not looking at everything, nor the things you look at being interpreted in the same way.
Most people's relationship with astrology is via a newspaper, magazine or website. It is, as most people soon realise, mainly a bunch of absolute rubbish. It partly is based on predictive astrology which I don't touch as I don't have the feel for it. The stuff in papers is a little like saying my car has a wing-mirror therefore we are all driving the same car, colour, make, model, cc etc. It is an extrapolation that is so generalised it is irrelevant for nearly everyone.
I haven't really been doing much in the astrology line for some time. It is quite time consuming and another problem has been that I don't have all the books I want cos some are still in storage and I also need up to date data. So, I went up to Watkins Books who have always been my purveyor of astrological tomes. I can have things sent to France but if I'm in London it gives me a chane to browse as well as pick stuff up. I went to buy one item and came back with four, three of which were on sale.
I now have everything i need to make the chart for our Grand-daughter. The visual chart will be framed and hopefully hung on her wall, as the one I did for my niece, 24 years ago, still hangs on hers. The interpretaion is then sealed in an envelope for either the parents to read then, or to put away until their child is 21, or another age of their choosing, and then just read it out of interest. My niece would have hers if my brother hadn't managed to lose it. The reason for reading it then is not to see how accurate it was, as I say, I don't do predictive astrology, so what is it about?
It comes from the understanding at what a natal chart actually is. The snapsht of that time and day shows a map of the stars. and it exactly the same as a map of the roads. and even more relevant these days with sat-navs. If you want to get from A to B it will show the fastest route, or the shortest, or whatever you want. But once you have set that route it isn't fixed. A roadblock might make you change route, or an accident, or the need for food, or a number of things, including free will. Same with your natal chart. It explains all the routes you can take but the one that should be the road you go on can change through the actions of parents, peer group, free choice.
Of course, this is a very simplified explanation and you may decide it is all absolute hogwash.......
Most people's relationship with astrology is via a newspaper, magazine or website. It is, as most people soon realise, mainly a bunch of absolute rubbish. It partly is based on predictive astrology which I don't touch as I don't have the feel for it. The stuff in papers is a little like saying my car has a wing-mirror therefore we are all driving the same car, colour, make, model, cc etc. It is an extrapolation that is so generalised it is irrelevant for nearly everyone.
I haven't really been doing much in the astrology line for some time. It is quite time consuming and another problem has been that I don't have all the books I want cos some are still in storage and I also need up to date data. So, I went up to Watkins Books who have always been my purveyor of astrological tomes. I can have things sent to France but if I'm in London it gives me a chane to browse as well as pick stuff up. I went to buy one item and came back with four, three of which were on sale.
I now have everything i need to make the chart for our Grand-daughter. The visual chart will be framed and hopefully hung on her wall, as the one I did for my niece, 24 years ago, still hangs on hers. The interpretaion is then sealed in an envelope for either the parents to read then, or to put away until their child is 21, or another age of their choosing, and then just read it out of interest. My niece would have hers if my brother hadn't managed to lose it. The reason for reading it then is not to see how accurate it was, as I say, I don't do predictive astrology, so what is it about?
It comes from the understanding at what a natal chart actually is. The snapsht of that time and day shows a map of the stars. and it exactly the same as a map of the roads. and even more relevant these days with sat-navs. If you want to get from A to B it will show the fastest route, or the shortest, or whatever you want. But once you have set that route it isn't fixed. A roadblock might make you change route, or an accident, or the need for food, or a number of things, including free will. Same with your natal chart. It explains all the routes you can take but the one that should be the road you go on can change through the actions of parents, peer group, free choice.
Of course, this is a very simplified explanation and you may decide it is all absolute hogwash.......
Sunday, February 19, 2017
Dirty Rotten Scoundrel
That's me. Posting this to just get in under the midnight deadline. We are down in London at our friends house and the laptop won't connect to her new Improved VirginMedia box. Luckily this phone will.
Tomorrow hopefully normal service will resume and you'll get more than a dozen words!
Tomorrow hopefully normal service will resume and you'll get more than a dozen words!
Saturday, February 18, 2017
Wedding.
Bar
Ceremony
Bar
Speeches
Food
Drink
Chatting
Drink
Old Time Dancing
Drink
Cuddling Grand-daughter
Drink
Dancing
Drink
Blogging
And onwards.
Ceremony
Bar
Speeches
Food
Drink
Chatting
Drink
Old Time Dancing
Drink
Cuddling Grand-daughter
Drink
Dancing
Drink
Blogging
And onwards.
Friday, February 17, 2017
Wedding Eve
So here we are in Grantham, or just outside. we are staying at the Ramada Resort. What a damn stupid name. It's an oldish hotel that they have taken over and spruced up a bit. But it's hardly Las Vegas!
The staff aren't overly helpful either. Assuming they are the original staff they have taken " more profesional" to mean "more aloof". The Magnificent M had an argument with them the other day about one of the daughters checking in early tomorrow. They were happy to take the money but did want to point out how inconvenienced they were by it. M's sister, the Bride, has been given a room which has twin beds! Not exactly what you expect for your wedding night, however old you might be.
We shall see what tomorrow brings but they better up their game. There's no such thing as a cheap wedding but there are such thing as complaining guests....
The staff aren't overly helpful either. Assuming they are the original staff they have taken " more profesional" to mean "more aloof". The Magnificent M had an argument with them the other day about one of the daughters checking in early tomorrow. They were happy to take the money but did want to point out how inconvenienced they were by it. M's sister, the Bride, has been given a room which has twin beds! Not exactly what you expect for your wedding night, however old you might be.
We shall see what tomorrow brings but they better up their game. There's no such thing as a cheap wedding but there are such thing as complaining guests....
Thursday, February 16, 2017
+ & -
The Positives of being back in the UK so far
Chunky Kit Kat
Tropical Cooler from Costa
Pukka Steak & Kidney Pie and Chips
A Mr Kipling Pie
My Mummy
The Negatives of being back in the UK so far
The traffic jam on the M20
The traffic jam on the M2
The traffic jam on the M25 x 2
Chunky Kit Kat
Tropical Cooler from Costa
Pukka Steak & Kidney Pie and Chips
A Mr Kipling Pie
My Mummy
The Negatives of being back in the UK so far
The traffic jam on the M20
The traffic jam on the M2
The traffic jam on the M25 x 2
Wednesday, February 15, 2017
Halfway There
The reason we choose Bourges to stay in because it is about 600km from home and about 600km from Calais and Eurotunnel so a pretty good halfwy stop. The woman on the desk of the hotl actually recognised us which was nice. The bonus today was the weather. We expected to travel in clousy wether with erhaps a little drizzle but instead had sunshine and the temperture just touching 20° which meant we had a mid-afternoon stop for an ice-cream. Not really what we wxpwct for mid-Feb
The other thing about the hotel is that we get to see French TV. We only have UK tele at home, although we are going to put French tv in as well this spring. French TV is worse than French music. They absolutely refuse to use subtitles so absolutey any UK or American series or film is dubbed very badly. And I mean very badly. No attempt at all to lip-synch. The quizzes are as simple as UK quizzes. They must be because I often get the answers right with my level of French. Someties I even beat the contestant which would be very embarrasing for them if they knew.
Anyway, early night for me. Qurter past nine and I'm ready to go to sleep. Not like me at all. I must be getting too old for all this driving.
The other thing about the hotel is that we get to see French TV. We only have UK tele at home, although we are going to put French tv in as well this spring. French TV is worse than French music. They absolutely refuse to use subtitles so absolutey any UK or American series or film is dubbed very badly. And I mean very badly. No attempt at all to lip-synch. The quizzes are as simple as UK quizzes. They must be because I often get the answers right with my level of French. Someties I even beat the contestant which would be very embarrasing for them if they knew.
Anyway, early night for me. Qurter past nine and I'm ready to go to sleep. Not like me at all. I must be getting too old for all this driving.
Tuesday, February 14, 2017
Northward Ho!
Bags Packed √
Passports in Bag √
Eurotunnel Booking √
Snacks for journey √
Car washed √
Petrol filled. √
All ready to leave for the UK first thing in the morning. Well, as far as Bourges tomorrow and St Albans the day after. And then the East Midlands the day after that. The 9th visit between us in 12 months. For the third wedding in 12 months.
Passports in Bag √
Eurotunnel Booking √
Snacks for journey √
Car washed √
Petrol filled. √
All ready to leave for the UK first thing in the morning. Well, as far as Bourges tomorrow and St Albans the day after. And then the East Midlands the day after that. The 9th visit between us in 12 months. For the third wedding in 12 months.
Monday, February 13, 2017
Rum, Sodomy & The Lash
I've come to this Pogues LP somewhat late. I bought a set of 5 cd's in a boxed set and, although I like odd tracks on most, this is good from beginning to end. Sometimes you tend to forget that some of the more traditional sounding songs are in fact penned by Shane McGowan. Anyway, for me there are 4 track that are stand out tracks to my ears.
1) I'm A Man You Don't Meet Everyday
A traditional song which is sung by Cait O'Riordan who played bass for them normally. Strange to hear a woman sing the song but her voice is like drinking Baileys. Sweet, smooth and leaves you wanting more.
2) Sally MacLennane
A semi autobiographical song penned by Shane. The bar in question being the one he was brought up in. It's a great raucous sing-a-long foot stopmer of a tune. One you can't help joining in the chorus with, and unusually for Shane, you can actually hear the lyrics of the chorus which helps.
3) Navigator
Written by Phil Gaston, manager of Shane's first band, it is a paean to the Navvies who built the railways and canals. Another tune to join in with. A typical Irish reminiscing song.
4) And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda
Written by Eric Bogle, Scottish folk singer who emigrated to Australia, it is one of those songs that conjures up what was is about and how those who were there felt about it. It is to do with the Gallipoli Landings and the carnage of the event. I have a slight connection in as much as although this is about the Australian armed forces, there was also a company of The Lancashire Fusiliers at Suvla Bay. They were decimated, in fact worse than 1 in 10 died. When the call went out to restaff the battalion my Grandfather moved across from the King's Own Yorkshire to the Fusiliers. Whilst I would consider myself to be a pacifist I am certainly not one of those who prefers to wear a white poppy because they believe the red poppy glorifies war. I am a pacifist because I don't want young men to be slaughtered like that again, and it is songs like this that help transmit a form of reality that cold facts can't. Whilst Shane can never be said to have a beautiful voice, it is a very sensitive and understanding voice that sings these lyrics.
1) I'm A Man You Don't Meet Everyday
A traditional song which is sung by Cait O'Riordan who played bass for them normally. Strange to hear a woman sing the song but her voice is like drinking Baileys. Sweet, smooth and leaves you wanting more.
2) Sally MacLennane
A semi autobiographical song penned by Shane. The bar in question being the one he was brought up in. It's a great raucous sing-a-long foot stopmer of a tune. One you can't help joining in the chorus with, and unusually for Shane, you can actually hear the lyrics of the chorus which helps.
3) Navigator
Written by Phil Gaston, manager of Shane's first band, it is a paean to the Navvies who built the railways and canals. Another tune to join in with. A typical Irish reminiscing song.
4) And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda
Written by Eric Bogle, Scottish folk singer who emigrated to Australia, it is one of those songs that conjures up what was is about and how those who were there felt about it. It is to do with the Gallipoli Landings and the carnage of the event. I have a slight connection in as much as although this is about the Australian armed forces, there was also a company of The Lancashire Fusiliers at Suvla Bay. They were decimated, in fact worse than 1 in 10 died. When the call went out to restaff the battalion my Grandfather moved across from the King's Own Yorkshire to the Fusiliers. Whilst I would consider myself to be a pacifist I am certainly not one of those who prefers to wear a white poppy because they believe the red poppy glorifies war. I am a pacifist because I don't want young men to be slaughtered like that again, and it is songs like this that help transmit a form of reality that cold facts can't. Whilst Shane can never be said to have a beautiful voice, it is a very sensitive and understanding voice that sings these lyrics.
Sunday, February 12, 2017
Terpsichorean Tragedy
So the wedding we are going to has all the guests choosing a track they would like to dance to. We chose Let's Marvin Gaye. And we decided that we should practice a bit of a dance based on some Ceroc moves. We used to do Ceroc about 5 years back.
So we moved all the sofas and coffee table out of the way to form a nice little dancing space. We revised a couple of moves and developed a small routine. A small routine that worked quite well until I twisted my knee. So here I sit on the sofa with my knee up, getting larger, and rubbing on Voltarol and taking anti-inflamatories.
Let this be a warning that my dancing years may be behind me, although to be fair they never really arrived.
So we moved all the sofas and coffee table out of the way to form a nice little dancing space. We revised a couple of moves and developed a small routine. A small routine that worked quite well until I twisted my knee. So here I sit on the sofa with my knee up, getting larger, and rubbing on Voltarol and taking anti-inflamatories.
Let this be a warning that my dancing years may be behind me, although to be fair they never really arrived.
Saturday, February 11, 2017
Shanty Town
We have, in the area down here, a group of men called The Aude Shantymen. ats they have gathered a series of UK shantys, sea songs plus some French equivalents and perform occasionally around the Aude and Ariege areas of the Languedoc. I knew about them before we came down because one of them used to be in the Navy with the guy we bought the house off of. The estate agent who sold us the house's ex-husband also sings with them. When we did the audition last Wednesday, one of the women there was married to one of them. Whilst they perform irregularly they rehearse weekly which tends to start with a drink and food and then the singing gets fitted in once that has happened.
At ten o'clock this morning there was a bang on the door and there stood their unofficial leader. I had an idea this might happen. As a tenor, and often towards the upper range, I am lucky that we are often in demand. So now I have the offer of joining them after we come back from the UK in a couple of weeks time. It's very good for the ego being headhunted and it will be fun so I will have to be donning a Breton stripey jersey and Languedoc neckerchief in the near future.
So now I will be involved in two groups. The main problem is that rehearsals for both are on midweek afternoons. Plus on a Friday afternoon we often meet with our near neighburs for French conversation in order to improve. I'm not sure I can take three afternoons a week off, much as I would like to.
At least when I am working on the pools I will have some relevant songs to sing as I haul covers on and off!
At ten o'clock this morning there was a bang on the door and there stood their unofficial leader. I had an idea this might happen. As a tenor, and often towards the upper range, I am lucky that we are often in demand. So now I have the offer of joining them after we come back from the UK in a couple of weeks time. It's very good for the ego being headhunted and it will be fun so I will have to be donning a Breton stripey jersey and Languedoc neckerchief in the near future.
So now I will be involved in two groups. The main problem is that rehearsals for both are on midweek afternoons. Plus on a Friday afternoon we often meet with our near neighburs for French conversation in order to improve. I'm not sure I can take three afternoons a week off, much as I would like to.
At least when I am working on the pools I will have some relevant songs to sing as I haul covers on and off!
Friday, February 10, 2017
Chinatown.
A little bit of China is coming to Loupia tonight as our neighbours pop round and we play Mahjong. I haven't played since I was probably 9 or 10 and I can hardly remember the basic rules let alone memorising the special hands! I used to play onine against a computer but that is much easier. And I can't practice online because now I can't find a proper game because of the proliferation of Mahjong Tile sites playing a form of solitaire.
I'm hoping we have a slight advantage in as much as The Magnificent M's mother was actually born in Shanghai. M's Grandmother, having been born in the Scottish Highlands travelled on her own at the age of 16 to Shanghai to catch up with her boyfriend who had joined the Shanghai police service. That must have been an adventure for a young girl just after the 1st World War.
I suspect by the time a few beers and glasses of wine have been consumed it might be more a fun night than a serious games night but I'm too competitive to ever really let go.
I'm hoping we have a slight advantage in as much as The Magnificent M's mother was actually born in Shanghai. M's Grandmother, having been born in the Scottish Highlands travelled on her own at the age of 16 to Shanghai to catch up with her boyfriend who had joined the Shanghai police service. That must have been an adventure for a young girl just after the 1st World War.
I suspect by the time a few beers and glasses of wine have been consumed it might be more a fun night than a serious games night but I'm too competitive to ever really let go.
Thursday, February 09, 2017
A Possible New Toy.
Our trusty VW Golf is knocking on a bit having gone through 300,000kms on out last trip back. It's fine at the moment but it's always in the back of our mind it might die a death at any moment. And that moment will almost definitely on a Saturday in July or August when it couldn't be more inconvenient if it tried. We know what we want, probably, a Peugeot 5008, and we've seen one in Nottingham that is LHD French registered and a decent price. As the wedding we are going to is in Grantham and we are also visiting Newark, we could go have a look and a test drive.
The problem is shoud we buy one now to forestall a problem or are we better to leave it in case the car manages another couple of years? We know the date of first registration for our car but it would be even more helpful if there was a date of terminal breakdown.
The problem is shoud we buy one now to forestall a problem or are we better to leave it in case the car manages another couple of years? We know the date of first registration for our car but it would be even more helpful if there was a date of terminal breakdown.
Wednesday, February 08, 2017
My Public Awaits.
It's two and a half years since I last performed on stage and two years for the Magnificent M. When we came out here we thought at some point we might have to join a group. And today we went and auditioned for a group doing pantomime in December. I was told in no uncertain terms by M I was not to go for a main part and really we should both be just in the chorus. I compromised, I went for anything except a main part.
Luckily they seem a friendly enough bunch and even M liked them. The audition was pretty informal but in case I get a medium part I had to do a singing audition. As a tenor, normally you are in demand, which is lucky for me. It is also very good for the ego. Even meeting those eight people have led to me being invited to join a well known local group so I will have to consider that.
I should know what part I get in a couple of weeks if I get one. I actually don't mind whether I do or if I'm just in the chorus. I'm actually just happy to know I'm going to tread the boards again.
Luckily they seem a friendly enough bunch and even M liked them. The audition was pretty informal but in case I get a medium part I had to do a singing audition. As a tenor, normally you are in demand, which is lucky for me. It is also very good for the ego. Even meeting those eight people have led to me being invited to join a well known local group so I will have to consider that.
I should know what part I get in a couple of weeks if I get one. I actually don't mind whether I do or if I'm just in the chorus. I'm actually just happy to know I'm going to tread the boards again.
Tuesday, February 07, 2017
Bargain of the Century
I understand that this means the whole trip was particularly good value!
Monday, February 06, 2017
Destroy It Yourself
Yes, that old joke but in my case pretty true. Or at least as far as home is concerned.
Since we have arrived in France I have been registered as a "Homme Touts Mains" - a handyman. Although my main job is looking after pools I do have to do a reasonable amount of simple repair stuff. And in general I have surprised myself by how much I have been able to do. Changing a pump for a pool, building from scratch some shutters that were the size of doors, building a fence. Not by any stretch of the imagination the most complicated of jobs, but for someone with the dexterity of a retarded wombat, a definite improvement over what had gone before.
But even after all this, when it comes to doing something in the house I cannot get it right. As well as buying the main storage the other day we bought 3 cd towers. They were pretty easy to put together but it didn't stop me getting one of the shelves put in upside down. I'm also doing some pretty simple tiling with stick on tiles and even with those I've managed with one pair to not get the edges straight together.
I wonder if anyone here knows a good handyman?
Since we have arrived in France I have been registered as a "Homme Touts Mains" - a handyman. Although my main job is looking after pools I do have to do a reasonable amount of simple repair stuff. And in general I have surprised myself by how much I have been able to do. Changing a pump for a pool, building from scratch some shutters that were the size of doors, building a fence. Not by any stretch of the imagination the most complicated of jobs, but for someone with the dexterity of a retarded wombat, a definite improvement over what had gone before.
But even after all this, when it comes to doing something in the house I cannot get it right. As well as buying the main storage the other day we bought 3 cd towers. They were pretty easy to put together but it didn't stop me getting one of the shelves put in upside down. I'm also doing some pretty simple tiling with stick on tiles and even with those I've managed with one pair to not get the edges straight together.
I wonder if anyone here knows a good handyman?
Sunday, February 05, 2017
State of the Nation
I rarely post anything about politics, mainly because I tend to think it's a personal decision. I don't often link to anything political on Facebook either unless there is something particularly funny, and at the moment there is very little stuff that is very funny. Plenty of stuff people think is funny, but it isn't. And this week I have done something I haven't done previously. I have unfriended one person and unfollowed a group because I just cannot stand the constant stream of anti-Brexit, anti-Trump moaning.
What worries me most are some basic principals which seem to be lacking. In both cases, the referendum and the US election, there was a legal vote, one side won and to a degree that should be an end to it. If you didn't get the result you want, you work towards making sure the vote goes your way next time. Even with Brexit, where there might not be a next time, you work to get the deal you want and you make the best of it and try and make it a success.
But not in Britain anymore. Or apparently in the States. What happens now is that if you lose a vote you should not accept it and do everything you can to have it overturned. Demand the other side is wrong and demand politicians overturn things. And you do all this by making stupid statements and attacking people, both members of the public and those in power.
Amongst the stupid statements and suggestions are;
Only 37% of the population voted to come out ofthe EU so we should stay in! That might be an argument if that didn't mean that only 35% of the population voted to remain. There is the argument that 50% of the population should have been required but it is irrelevant as that wasn't the condition of the vote. In fact it is rare for any election in the UK to provide a result where more than 50% of the electorate vote for one side or the other.
Politicians must do the right thing and vote to remain and not trigger Article 50! To start with, it is somewhat presumptive to belive that only "your side" can be right. As we now know, most MP's did vote to trigger the vote. How could they do anything else. It really should have been a simple and obvious decision for each MP. whichever way your constituency voted, as their elected representative, you vote the same way. There shouldn't have been a three line whip. The Lib Dems are pulling their normal trick of taking a stand where they believe they can convince some voters to come over to them. They will once again find long term it doesn't work. Hw did anyone think that MPs would overturn the vote. If they did that there could never be another election again because anyone could declare it unacceptable and a precedent would have been set.
For the sake of going on and on I'll leave it there. Most of the pre-vote talk was about how only racists would see immigration as a bad thing. So, what was largely the far left and then latterly people who wuld normally not be so vocal, lay into those who voted out with a venom that if people on the right had used would be declared bigots and racists and evil.
I recently described Facebook as the Home of Righteous Indignation. And that is what it has become to all too many people. I haven't seen a kitten for weeks! It's just constant bile.
What worries me most are some basic principals which seem to be lacking. In both cases, the referendum and the US election, there was a legal vote, one side won and to a degree that should be an end to it. If you didn't get the result you want, you work towards making sure the vote goes your way next time. Even with Brexit, where there might not be a next time, you work to get the deal you want and you make the best of it and try and make it a success.
But not in Britain anymore. Or apparently in the States. What happens now is that if you lose a vote you should not accept it and do everything you can to have it overturned. Demand the other side is wrong and demand politicians overturn things. And you do all this by making stupid statements and attacking people, both members of the public and those in power.
Amongst the stupid statements and suggestions are;
Only 37% of the population voted to come out ofthe EU so we should stay in! That might be an argument if that didn't mean that only 35% of the population voted to remain. There is the argument that 50% of the population should have been required but it is irrelevant as that wasn't the condition of the vote. In fact it is rare for any election in the UK to provide a result where more than 50% of the electorate vote for one side or the other.
Politicians must do the right thing and vote to remain and not trigger Article 50! To start with, it is somewhat presumptive to belive that only "your side" can be right. As we now know, most MP's did vote to trigger the vote. How could they do anything else. It really should have been a simple and obvious decision for each MP. whichever way your constituency voted, as their elected representative, you vote the same way. There shouldn't have been a three line whip. The Lib Dems are pulling their normal trick of taking a stand where they believe they can convince some voters to come over to them. They will once again find long term it doesn't work. Hw did anyone think that MPs would overturn the vote. If they did that there could never be another election again because anyone could declare it unacceptable and a precedent would have been set.
For the sake of going on and on I'll leave it there. Most of the pre-vote talk was about how only racists would see immigration as a bad thing. So, what was largely the far left and then latterly people who wuld normally not be so vocal, lay into those who voted out with a venom that if people on the right had used would be declared bigots and racists and evil.
I recently described Facebook as the Home of Righteous Indignation. And that is what it has become to all too many people. I haven't seen a kitten for weeks! It's just constant bile.
Saturday, February 04, 2017
It's Saturday, It Must Be Sweden
So today we visited the Swedish Republic of Ikea. I always feel as though Ikea has the same status as an embassy and all their property is considered as part of their home country. Then again I've had a conversation with magpie this week so you cn't expect much sense out of me.
Our nearest Ikea is 106km away on the outskirts of Toulouse and takes about 1hr15 to get there. Then again when we lived in Loondon our nearest Ikea was just under 9 miles away and could take that long to get to. We were after some storage for the lounge and decided to use a modular system so for the last couple of weeks we have been planning out sizes of units, colours of doors, matt/lacquered/textured.....
Saturday probably isn't the best day to go when in reality we could go any day in the week but we had to go out and get our saturday morning croissants from the bakers 6km away so we were nearly there anyway give or take the last 100. So we fought the crowds, walked about a further hundred kilometers round the "yellow brick road to where the display was and then eventually, having marked down all the codes, aisle positions and quantities, descended into the bowels of the store. All went incredibly well and we got absolutely everything except one door. One door costing five euros.
Hopefully we will pass an Ikea when we are next on our UK travels either here or there because I'm not doing that journey again just for one small piece of wood.
Our nearest Ikea is 106km away on the outskirts of Toulouse and takes about 1hr15 to get there. Then again when we lived in Loondon our nearest Ikea was just under 9 miles away and could take that long to get to. We were after some storage for the lounge and decided to use a modular system so for the last couple of weeks we have been planning out sizes of units, colours of doors, matt/lacquered/textured.....
Saturday probably isn't the best day to go when in reality we could go any day in the week but we had to go out and get our saturday morning croissants from the bakers 6km away so we were nearly there anyway give or take the last 100. So we fought the crowds, walked about a further hundred kilometers round the "yellow brick road to where the display was and then eventually, having marked down all the codes, aisle positions and quantities, descended into the bowels of the store. All went incredibly well and we got absolutely everything except one door. One door costing five euros.
Hopefully we will pass an Ikea when we are next on our UK travels either here or there because I'm not doing that journey again just for one small piece of wood.
Friday, February 03, 2017
Four and Twenty Blackbirds.
This would be an apt title if it wasn't for the fact that there is only one bird involved, it's a magpie and it doesn't end up in a pie.
We look after a house in Pieusse, a village just on the outskirts of Limoux. We do security visits once a month and I was out their earlier this week. There is a resident magpie in the garden. Bloody noisy thing it is, cawing at the top of it's voice, or whatever the noise a magpie makes is called. It particularly likes the fruit of the kaki tree, which we know as persimmon, and you will normally find it there. Anyway, the other day I was walking round the garden when he decided to come and fly down and hop along side me. I'm not great with birds, flappy things that they are, and magpies beaks are a bit of a nasty looking weapon but I retained my composure faced with this six inch predator and as I walked he hopped along side of me. I talked to him and then he cawed at me. I talked again and then it started making a strange noise that then became a few words in French. I picked up bonjour, bonsoir and c'est bien. A bit of repeating and a few other words. So I stopped walking thinking I might be imagining it and he stopped hopping looked at me said a couple more words and then, somewhat bored with the fact I had stopped walking, flew off back to his tree.
To say I was a little surprised would be an understatement. It's not everyday one partakes of a conversation with a feathered friend. I didn't know magpies could mimic humans but a quick google search informed me they can. And this one apparently does. He certainly wasn't scared of me so no doubt he has either heard guests or visitors speaking and learnt the lingo. Which I have to say is somedays better than I think I am doing.
We look after a house in Pieusse, a village just on the outskirts of Limoux. We do security visits once a month and I was out their earlier this week. There is a resident magpie in the garden. Bloody noisy thing it is, cawing at the top of it's voice, or whatever the noise a magpie makes is called. It particularly likes the fruit of the kaki tree, which we know as persimmon, and you will normally find it there. Anyway, the other day I was walking round the garden when he decided to come and fly down and hop along side me. I'm not great with birds, flappy things that they are, and magpies beaks are a bit of a nasty looking weapon but I retained my composure faced with this six inch predator and as I walked he hopped along side of me. I talked to him and then he cawed at me. I talked again and then it started making a strange noise that then became a few words in French. I picked up bonjour, bonsoir and c'est bien. A bit of repeating and a few other words. So I stopped walking thinking I might be imagining it and he stopped hopping looked at me said a couple more words and then, somewhat bored with the fact I had stopped walking, flew off back to his tree.
To say I was a little surprised would be an understatement. It's not everyday one partakes of a conversation with a feathered friend. I didn't know magpies could mimic humans but a quick google search informed me they can. And this one apparently does. He certainly wasn't scared of me so no doubt he has either heard guests or visitors speaking and learnt the lingo. Which I have to say is somedays better than I think I am doing.
Thursday, February 02, 2017
We are a Grandmother.
The Magnificent M and I worked out that since last February we have travelled back to the Homeland 9 times either together or separately. Before we moved here no-one in M's family seemed to have any plans and then the moment we relocate you can't stop them coming up with ideas to bring us back. Last March we were out for eldest daughters wedding. This January M flew back for her sister's hen night who is getting married later this month so we will be across shortly. The big event however was in November when youngest daughter presented her with the first grandchild, Poppy. So I now have a granddaughter-in-sin or, as I am in a marriage sauvage, (wild marriage as the French so eloquently call living together), I have a wild Poppy. And more importantly to me as I couldn't have kids, I have presented my mum with the nearest thing she will have to a great grand-daughter and very excited she is too. So here are a few pictures and I promise I won't flood my blog with baby pictures!
Wednesday, February 01, 2017
Becoming John Malkovitch André Verchuren
Anyway, André is the mot famous of all French accordionists. He has sold over 70 million albums. That's more than one and a half times as many as Eminem. Ha. take that Slim Shady. You've been beaten by a French hair-dyed nonagenarian. Who knows though, by the time he is in his 90's he might also have sold that many.
Still, enough about them, it's me
The Magnificent M and I had half jokingly, half seriously thought it would be nice to have an accordion now we lived in France. I mean, how much more can you integrate than that! So I started looking how much one would cost. Do you have any idea how much they cost new? Well, do you? I didn't. It's £6,000.00-£10,000.00. No wonder it's a dying art! Firing up ebay I immediately checked out second hand ones and they are still £1500-£2500. So that idea died a death. Then one day I was perusing Facebook when one of those annoying personalised adverts popped up in the right hand margin. For an auctioneers. So, for no reason other than idle curiosity, I clicked on the link to see what they sold, hoping it might have art deco ceramics or jewellery. But it was musical instruments. And in general, stringed instruments. And tucked away, a few items from the end was the piano accordion. A £200-£300 guide price at least made it look a damn sight cheaper than most, and it was a well known make and professional model. So, I put on a very cheeky offer only to be told I hadn't reached the reserve price so I put in the maximum I was willing to pay, still less than the guide price and, rather like on e-bay, it took enough money to reach what was obviously the reserve price but not my total bid. So with 5 days to go I was lead bidder. And that was it. Nobody else bid. Bargain!
Luckily we were going to be in London the week after so we could pick it up in person. And we did. Neither of us ever having touched one before. And so now it resides in it's box in our living room.
M has yet to touch it and I have tried it once. By God it takes some effort. It's heavy, the bellows take some pushing and pulling, (the trick is you have the shoulder straps at different lengths so gravity helps extend the bellows so you only have to push them back). The good thing compared to the violin is that when you press a key at least the correct sound comes out, no scraping, no screeching. Our cat however, decided I had bought a large box with a filling of cats that were being pummelled and squashed within. She went from lying on the couch to going through the cat flap like a bullet within about two seconds. She did come back and then screeched. I'd like to think she was singing along but it may have been cries of pain.
So at the moment André is unlikely to be spending much time worrying about me, particularly as he is presently sitting on a cloud learning the harp, but I shall not give up. I pledge to you now that by the end of this year I will post a video on this very site of me playing it. Unless you pay me not to. You have been warned!
Tuesday, January 31, 2017
Blogathon Eve
Excitement is building here in France as we reach Blogathon Eve.
Hardly have the decorations been put away from Christmas before the whole country comes together to anticipate the month-long blogfest. In towns and villages across the nation, communities are starting the celebrations. As children leave school they are presented with the sweet delicacy Pomme D'Amour or as we in the UK know them a TOFFEE-APPLE. The excited chatter of the little children as they break their teeth on the caramelised goodie mounts as they rush to the Halles des Fetes where they are joined by the adults and the great and the good of each commune. As a whole they crack open a bottle or two of pastis and give the ancient toast for the snowy months "Bien Niege" or good snow a phrase that has been corrupted by English ears and eyes leading to the anglicised word of bien-bren and niege-nig or BRENNIG! Once the pastis has been downed it is time to choose the young boy or girl who will be crowned King or Queen. Once the child has been chosen they mount the stage and are presented with the Couronne de MASHER or Mashers Crown, an ornate headpiece made up of old bits of circuitboard and motorcycle parts topped with a luminous GPS unit. Photos are taken of the monarch supported as in previous years by two accolytes dressed purely in budgie smugglers.
The children are then sent to bed and parents stay up all night waiting for the sighting of the first blogathon post of the Spring.
Vive la France! Vive la Blogathon!
Hardly have the decorations been put away from Christmas before the whole country comes together to anticipate the month-long blogfest. In towns and villages across the nation, communities are starting the celebrations. As children leave school they are presented with the sweet delicacy Pomme D'Amour or as we in the UK know them a TOFFEE-APPLE. The excited chatter of the little children as they break their teeth on the caramelised goodie mounts as they rush to the Halles des Fetes where they are joined by the adults and the great and the good of each commune. As a whole they crack open a bottle or two of pastis and give the ancient toast for the snowy months "Bien Niege" or good snow a phrase that has been corrupted by English ears and eyes leading to the anglicised word of bien-bren and niege-nig or BRENNIG! Once the pastis has been downed it is time to choose the young boy or girl who will be crowned King or Queen. Once the child has been chosen they mount the stage and are presented with the Couronne de MASHER or Mashers Crown, an ornate headpiece made up of old bits of circuitboard and motorcycle parts topped with a luminous GPS unit. Photos are taken of the monarch supported as in previous years by two accolytes dressed purely in budgie smugglers.
The children are then sent to bed and parents stay up all night waiting for the sighting of the first blogathon post of the Spring.
Vive la France! Vive la Blogathon!
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