View from the car window when stopped at lightsSaturday, January 10, 2009
Cold Cold Temps
Well the UK is currently suffering an exceedingly cold snap the outside temperature has failed to get above zero for most of the week with very little thawing out. The trees look fantastic with layers of snow-like frost on them. As yet there hasnt been much snow in the SE (apparently there was some on Sunday night but I was still up north) so didnt see it, although it has tried to snow a few days this week, without much luck.
View from the car window when stopped at lights
At the moment it is a case of keeping the cold out and and keeping the heat in. therefore with this in mind Im off to the DIY store in the morning to purchase some draft excluders for the windows and under the kitchen door to see if I can reduce the heat loss from the flat as I appear to be loosing about 5C from the flat during the day, damn storage heaters.
View from the car window when stopped at lights
Christmas and New Year (part 2)
The Sunday after Christmas was spent traveling to Scotland after a fairly quiet day in Manchester we flew (not a huge distace but still able to fly the 40 minutes air time). My parents picked us up at Edinburgh to drive the 60 minutes back to the house. Sunday night was fairly quiet.
Monday saw us have a roast with the family, my sister and her husband came over to join us and we all opened Christmas presents for a second day over the 2 weeks. I guess that is one advantage about our parents living so far apart.
New Years eve or hogmanay as its known in Scotland is the big celebration. Having borrowed dads car we headed off to meet up with Doug (one of my Scouting friends) at his flat in Glasgow where we had tickets for the New Years party there in Georges Square. After a beautiful full roast and quite a few beers we headed out into the cold to bring in the New Year with up to 15,000 people, live music, fireworks and also a few more beers that were served up out of a Platapus drinking devise as not glass bottles or cans were allowed in the street party.
Once the fireworks had gone off and as the music started to wind down we headed back to the flat to play on the Wii and have some sausage rolls. Then as we were all flagging a well earned sleep.
The Thursday (New Years day) was spent visiting my Gran and Uncle after a full Scottish breakfast (although we had link rather than square sausage but haggis was on the menu) before heading back to my parents for a few days.
On the Sunday we headed back to Manchester before I dealt with train delays and cancelations to get me back to the south of the country on the Monday.
Tuesday was back to work and the groups Christmas lunch.
Monday saw us have a roast with the family, my sister and her husband came over to join us and we all opened Christmas presents for a second day over the 2 weeks. I guess that is one advantage about our parents living so far apart.
New Years eve or hogmanay as its known in Scotland is the big celebration. Having borrowed dads car we headed off to meet up with Doug (one of my Scouting friends) at his flat in Glasgow where we had tickets for the New Years party there in Georges Square. After a beautiful full roast and quite a few beers we headed out into the cold to bring in the New Year with up to 15,000 people, live music, fireworks and also a few more beers that were served up out of a Platapus drinking devise as not glass bottles or cans were allowed in the street party.
Once the fireworks had gone off and as the music started to wind down we headed back to the flat to play on the Wii and have some sausage rolls. Then as we were all flagging a well earned sleep.
The Thursday (New Years day) was spent visiting my Gran and Uncle after a full Scottish breakfast (although we had link rather than square sausage but haggis was on the menu) before heading back to my parents for a few days.
On the Sunday we headed back to Manchester before I dealt with train delays and cancelations to get me back to the south of the country on the Monday.
Tuesday was back to work and the groups Christmas lunch.
Thursday, January 08, 2009
Christmas and New Year
Well once again Ive decided to see what I can put up on the blog, I must firstly confess that over the past year I have not been very good at doing this. Im not quite sure why and I dont really have any real excusses, however I will make some.
1) I got into facebook and for a while that took over
2) Over the past 3 months I have been putting together a website, which I am fairly proud of, its not quite finished however Im still awaiting input from others. Have a look see what you think and let me know here (www.brookwoodscouts.org.uk). Ive even managed to make sections of it update live so that it can be fairly up to the minute.
3) Ive attended 2 family weddings this past 6 months.
4) I dont spend a huge amount of the time on the internet unless its at work (where I dont up date this) or for the website above.
Anyway its now a New Year and therefore I think I should try and make a resolution to try and up date this a bit more, mind you not sure if anyone reads it or not (comments please to show that you do).
This year Christmas was a bit different. For the first time in my life (the whole 30 years of it) I spent Christmas day without my mother but instead with my girlfriend and her family (another first). It wasnt as stange as I thought it would be but I appear to have coped and live on.
The weekend before Christmas was a bit busy and actually started on the Thursday with Christmas lunch at work followed on the Friday evening with the works Social Club bash. On the Saturday I spent the evening with some of my mate in Guildford having a few beers. Sunday was spent on the train to Manchester.
On the Monday a stepped foot on an ice rink for the first time in years and I mean years. Scared wasnt the word infact my girlfriend complained that for the whole hour I never smiled at all, I felt that everyone was out to get me and make me fall over. Dont think I did, how I havent a clue. We also went out for some food in Manchesters China Town followed by a trip to see Escape From Africa and it was well worth going to see.
Tuesday we travelled to North Wales to collect Andreas' sister and her two kids to bring them to Manchester for Christmas.
Wednesday was a quiet day followed by some drinking in the evening and the start of a 3 day drinking spree.
Thursday (Christmas day) I made Andrea the most beautiful (and unusual). The omlette contained 2 eggs, 5 strawberries and 50g of salmon (thats for each one), it tasted delicious I recomend it. The opening of the presents then too center stage, Andrea had missed the fact that I had hidden a wrapped wii under her bed so she got to open them and have her breckfast at the same time. My DS was opened later. The day (and night) was then spent at Andreas parents house eating, drinking, opening presents and playing both the DS and wii.
Boxing day was spent at the Panto. All Im going to say is Alladin had exceedingly long legs and a very short skirt on, and the princess wasn't bad either. However Im quite happy with my Andrea. More drinking and wii playing continued well into the night at friends.
The Saturday Andrea spent quite some time shopping so I spent an hour on the driving range and the rest of the time practicing my hand at Wii Sports and Mario Kart.
on the Sunday we headed north to Scotland to see my family.
1) I got into facebook and for a while that took over
2) Over the past 3 months I have been putting together a website, which I am fairly proud of, its not quite finished however Im still awaiting input from others. Have a look see what you think and let me know here (www.brookwoodscouts.org.uk). Ive even managed to make sections of it update live so that it can be fairly up to the minute.
3) Ive attended 2 family weddings this past 6 months.
4) I dont spend a huge amount of the time on the internet unless its at work (where I dont up date this) or for the website above.
Anyway its now a New Year and therefore I think I should try and make a resolution to try and up date this a bit more, mind you not sure if anyone reads it or not (comments please to show that you do).
This year Christmas was a bit different. For the first time in my life (the whole 30 years of it) I spent Christmas day without my mother but instead with my girlfriend and her family (another first). It wasnt as stange as I thought it would be but I appear to have coped and live on.
The weekend before Christmas was a bit busy and actually started on the Thursday with Christmas lunch at work followed on the Friday evening with the works Social Club bash. On the Saturday I spent the evening with some of my mate in Guildford having a few beers. Sunday was spent on the train to Manchester.
On the Monday a stepped foot on an ice rink for the first time in years and I mean years. Scared wasnt the word infact my girlfriend complained that for the whole hour I never smiled at all, I felt that everyone was out to get me and make me fall over. Dont think I did, how I havent a clue. We also went out for some food in Manchesters China Town followed by a trip to see Escape From Africa and it was well worth going to see.
Tuesday we travelled to North Wales to collect Andreas' sister and her two kids to bring them to Manchester for Christmas.
Wednesday was a quiet day followed by some drinking in the evening and the start of a 3 day drinking spree.
Thursday (Christmas day) I made Andrea the most beautiful (and unusual). The omlette contained 2 eggs, 5 strawberries and 50g of salmon (thats for each one), it tasted delicious I recomend it. The opening of the presents then too center stage, Andrea had missed the fact that I had hidden a wrapped wii under her bed so she got to open them and have her breckfast at the same time. My DS was opened later. The day (and night) was then spent at Andreas parents house eating, drinking, opening presents and playing both the DS and wii.
Boxing day was spent at the Panto. All Im going to say is Alladin had exceedingly long legs and a very short skirt on, and the princess wasn't bad either. However Im quite happy with my Andrea. More drinking and wii playing continued well into the night at friends.
The Saturday Andrea spent quite some time shopping so I spent an hour on the driving range and the rest of the time practicing my hand at Wii Sports and Mario Kart.
on the Sunday we headed north to Scotland to see my family.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Winter Arrives a bit early
I dont think I can remember the last time that I saw snow more than a couple of days before Christmas, however this evening so far there has been a couple of hours of snow. Its not lying on the road as yet but the cars and roofs have a bit. A few weeks ago the DJ on the breakfast show said that there would be snow in October although a little excited by the promise I didnt think that it would happen, however he was right.
Pictures from a couple of nights ago
and also tonight.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
NFL International
Well for the 2nd time in its history a regular season NFL game has come to London as part of its International series.
The weather is dry Its dark outside and even a bit chilly but the action is hot
Its halftime here in London and the Saints are up on the Chargers.
Plenty action to come in the second half.
The weather is dry Its dark outside and even a bit chilly but the action is hot
Its halftime here in London and the Saints are up on the Chargers.
Plenty action to come in the second half.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
30 and Counting
Well Im glad to report that I havent lost teeth or hair just yet and Im slowly getting used to being in my 30's and not in my 20's anymore.
One thing I have noticed is that the rate of alcohol clearance takes a bit longer as my head is still a bit fuzzy and I havent had a drink since late Saturday night/early Sunday morning. I must admid that I was lead astray after my party and taken to another pub or two and so didnt get in till 0230. Im sure that I will recover in time.
As a further note I am now a Laird thanks to the folks at work as they bought me a piece of land in Scotland.
One thing I have noticed is that the rate of alcohol clearance takes a bit longer as my head is still a bit fuzzy and I havent had a drink since late Saturday night/early Sunday morning. I must admid that I was lead astray after my party and taken to another pub or two and so didnt get in till 0230. Im sure that I will recover in time.
As a further note I am now a Laird thanks to the folks at work as they bought me a piece of land in Scotland.
Friday, September 12, 2008
Getting a bit older
Well it appears that Im getting close to moving into the 4th decade of my life. Im sure that its nothing to worry about althoughh I have been warned to expect just some of the following:
Hair loss from my head (up to a third)
Gain of nose hair
Tooth Loss
Spots
An extra ear
and possibly a cane in about 10 years or so but thats the next decade
Having had a quick look about Ive seen a few people a bit older than me and it appears ythat they all had reasonable hair levels, and didnt require a cane so I think that I might be OK for now.
Hair loss from my head (up to a third)
Gain of nose hair
Tooth Loss
Spots
An extra ear
and possibly a cane in about 10 years or so but thats the next decade
Having had a quick look about Ive seen a few people a bit older than me and it appears ythat they all had reasonable hair levels, and didnt require a cane so I think that I might be OK for now.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
F22 Raptor
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Sat Navs
Well I finally bit the bullet a couple of weeks ago and bought myself a Sat Nav. Now I know that they arent hugely cheap just yet and that money doesnt grow on trees and all that but hey Id managed to hold off for quite some time, after all its been on my wish list since October time, well atleast one of the models had. I must confess that I quite fancied the Garmin Nuvi 610T but the price drops actually brought the Nuvi 760 into play. I know there is quite a difference between the two but I did like the option of full Europe mapping in addition to the bluetooth phoning and FM transmission to the radio (therefore almost wirefree). Anyway Ive been using it for a week now and I have just got back from a trip to Manchester and I got there and got back in one piece and I didnt get lost (although I did over rule the Sat Nav once, well I thought my way would be better).
Anyway if you faancy a SAt Nav Id give it a try the instructions are quite good, the traffic system seems to work most of the time (although I did sit in a 20 minute tailback and all the emachine told me there was a 1 minute delay about 10 minutes after I got into the traffic, but hey some things do have bugs) the other delays it warned me about were gone by the time I got to them but I had been prepared.
Anyway if you faancy a SAt Nav Id give it a try the instructions are quite good, the traffic system seems to work most of the time (although I did sit in a 20 minute tailback and all the emachine told me there was a 1 minute delay about 10 minutes after I got into the traffic, but hey some things do have bugs) the other delays it warned me about were gone by the time I got to them but I had been prepared.
Monday, April 21, 2008
Championship Title 2
OK its been a while and I know that Ive not uploaded the holiday snaps either but Ive not been blogging for a while. I will try and get thenm up at some point although I dont think that it will be too soon as Im not in much this week.
Anyway just returned from the football tonight and like my favourite club Rangers we have taken another trophy to put in the cabinet by winning the Woking Indoor Winter Championship by 3 points.
At the start of the day it looked doubtful as we relying on other results to go our way and for us to win tonight too. The other results went our way with the 3rd placed team beating the 1st placed team then we beat the 2nd bottom placed team to finish top although we went 2-1 down at one point so it looked doubtful at half time. However in the 2nd half we rallied and won through.
It now means I have something else to dust.
Anyway just returned from the football tonight and like my favourite club Rangers we have taken another trophy to put in the cabinet by winning the Woking Indoor Winter Championship by 3 points.
At the start of the day it looked doubtful as we relying on other results to go our way and for us to win tonight too. The other results went our way with the 3rd placed team beating the 1st placed team then we beat the 2nd bottom placed team to finish top although we went 2-1 down at one point so it looked doubtful at half time. However in the 2nd half we rallied and won through.
It now means I have something else to dust.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Holiday Sun
Ive just returned from holiday in the sun. Whilst the UK was being battered by high winds and rain I was sat next to the pool enjoying the sun on a week long holiday in Tunisia (North Africa). The first few days weer a bit cooler at about 16C (61F) with a nice sea breeze however we headed down the country on the Wednesday on a coach trip to the Amphitheatre at SFax (where they filmed Gladiator), the Troglodyte houses near Hammett where they filmed Star Wars (IV and II/III), the Sahara near Tozer, the Atlas mountains where the highest waterfall in Tunisia is (all 8m of it) and also where 3 Kings was filmed. Yes it was a whistle stop tour of Southern Tunisia and film sets.
We spent the first day of the coach trip visiting SFax, the hotel where Star Wars was filmed (very much a disappointment to all Star Wars Fans I'm afraid, not really worth the visit), a family home to see how real Troglodyte homes are lived in. We then went to the Sahara to watch the sunset from the top of Camels (one humped in Africa). The second day saw a 0430 start (yes I did say 0430 (that's +1 not GMT either)) so that we could watch the sunrise over the salt lakes (although the sun beat us up as although we watch it rise it wasn't over the salt lake). At about 8am we jumped into a land cruiser and headed into the Atlas Mountains where we went to oasis' and to see the largest waterfall in Tunisia. Temperatures this day apparently reached 38C (101F) not nice on a coach bu at least it was air conditioned.
Our last couple of days were spent lazing in the mid 20's by the pool again and spending a morning at the local market where we could get almost whatever we wanted, from live animals, vegetable, to sweets, sun glasses to clothing, belts and dinner services. All the brands were fake but exceedingly cheap (belts I believe were only about 10DT (£5 or 10$US) for "Levis" Camel skin belts).
Photos to follow
We spent the first day of the coach trip visiting SFax, the hotel where Star Wars was filmed (very much a disappointment to all Star Wars Fans I'm afraid, not really worth the visit), a family home to see how real Troglodyte homes are lived in. We then went to the Sahara to watch the sunset from the top of Camels (one humped in Africa). The second day saw a 0430 start (yes I did say 0430 (that's +1 not GMT either)) so that we could watch the sunrise over the salt lakes (although the sun beat us up as although we watch it rise it wasn't over the salt lake). At about 8am we jumped into a land cruiser and headed into the Atlas Mountains where we went to oasis' and to see the largest waterfall in Tunisia. Temperatures this day apparently reached 38C (101F) not nice on a coach bu at least it was air conditioned.
Our last couple of days were spent lazing in the mid 20's by the pool again and spending a morning at the local market where we could get almost whatever we wanted, from live animals, vegetable, to sweets, sun glasses to clothing, belts and dinner services. All the brands were fake but exceedingly cheap (belts I believe were only about 10DT (£5 or 10$US) for "Levis" Camel skin belts).
Photos to follow
Thursday, March 06, 2008
Tuesday, March 04, 2008
How to drive on operation
Got this by Email the other day. Amazing how quickly they get out of the way of the Hummer, suggest you dont try it at home though.
Monday, March 03, 2008
New Thoughts
Ive now been at my current place of work for 6.5 years and I recently went for a promotion. Sadly I didnt get the job becasue of what appears to have been lack of experience however I have to ask the question if I dont have the experience (therefore qualification) why did they interview me for the job. Personally I think that I could do the job fairly successfully regardless of the fact that I dont have the in job experience. However Im not going to dwell on the fact that I didnt get the job but instead Im going to get a feedback session with the interview panel so that I can work out where I went wrong and improve for further interviews be it here or around Manchester.
On a better note I managed to start building a Memorial Garden at the scout center that I help out at so if anyone has suggestions of some nice (nativish (to the UK)) plants that are bright during different parts of the year then let me know. Area pictured below
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Temours
Apparently there was an earthquake in the Uk last night. Yes I knew about it at 1am this morning but the only tremours I felt was the vibrate on my mobile as the text came in from my girlfriend who was workning nights at Manchester Royal (a bit closer to Lincon than me) and I guess a cat screaching a few minutes before (although that may have been by chance) anyway all is well in my house so Ill just get on with life as normal
Friday, February 22, 2008
6 Nations 08 Wk 3
Well week 3 of the six nations is nearly upon us and after a week off I hope that the Scots can put some points on the board this weekend to lift themselves up the table a bit.
This weekend is going to be fairly quiet, Im at home and have very littele planned except a little shopping to get soe things for my trip to Tunisia and watching the rugby over a couple of beers. Its half term, so I dont have any Scouts so tonights plan is to watch teh Wild game that I recorded from Wednesday when they played the Blackhawks (I watched the first period last night and left the Wild trailing 0-1), its been so long since I watched the wild in action properly although I have watched the highlights on the computer off their website.
So all I have to say is Come on Scotland and Lets Go Wild.
This weekend is going to be fairly quiet, Im at home and have very littele planned except a little shopping to get soe things for my trip to Tunisia and watching the rugby over a couple of beers. Its half term, so I dont have any Scouts so tonights plan is to watch teh Wild game that I recorded from Wednesday when they played the Blackhawks (I watched the first period last night and left the Wild trailing 0-1), its been so long since I watched the wild in action properly although I have watched the highlights on the computer off their website.
So all I have to say is Come on Scotland and Lets Go Wild.
Saturday, February 09, 2008
6 Nations - 0 for 2
Well the second game has just past from a Scotish point of view in the 6-nations championship and despite a few drinks this afternoon Scotland are still sitting bottom of the table after their second game. LAst Sunday saw an terrible defeat to the French and today despite a better performance the Scots lost 30-15 to the Welsh. Only an improved performance in 2 weeks time will see us defeat the English to restore some hope.
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Its Christmas Time
Well another year seems to have passed and my posts on this a few and getting scarcer I think. Once again Im relaxing for a couple of weeks at my parents house to celebrate the festivities. Yesterday the evening was spent at my sisters where she prepare dinner for 11 people and boy was I full after it all, I even believe that there was plenty of dad's deboned turkey left so guess that Turkey will continue to be on the menu for a few days. She definitely did herself proud, the meal was as follows:
Starter:
Smoked Mackerel Pate (made by Graeme)
Carrot and Coriander Soup (made by my mum)
Main:
Roast Deboned Turkey stuffed with Carrot, Leak, bacon and chicken
Roast Parsnips and Carrots
Roast and Mash Tatties
Bacon wrapped sausages
2x Stuffings
Desert:
Dumpling (made by Grahams mum)
Cheesecake
followed by Coffee and the offer of more food declined by all.
After dinner we all opened presents (continued from our morning opening before we got there) in all I received the following:
Money (my usual supply)
2008 calendar
socks
Torch
Vouchers
3 books
backpack
T-shirts
All in all so far its been a good week, my girlfriend is joining me in Scotland for New Year and arrives on Saturday to meet my family.
Starter:
Smoked Mackerel Pate (made by Graeme)
Carrot and Coriander Soup (made by my mum)
Main:
Roast Deboned Turkey stuffed with Carrot, Leak, bacon and chicken
Roast Parsnips and Carrots
Roast and Mash Tatties
Bacon wrapped sausages
2x Stuffings
Desert:
Dumpling (made by Grahams mum)
Cheesecake
followed by Coffee and the offer of more food declined by all.
After dinner we all opened presents (continued from our morning opening before we got there) in all I received the following:
Money (my usual supply)
2008 calendar
socks
Torch
Vouchers
3 books
backpack
T-shirts
All in all so far its been a good week, my girlfriend is joining me in Scotland for New Year and arrives on Saturday to meet my family.
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Changing seasons
The weather here is slowly starting to look a bit more Christmasy and a bit white. OK as ever there hasnt been any snow here yert but a hard frost this morning has left the cars frozen and also the grass a bit white. Bring on the snow
My 5-a-side football team aslo won the Championship this week and so have been promoted a division
My 5-a-side football team aslo won the Championship this week and so have been promoted a division
Tuesday, November 06, 2007
Been a Whle
Once again it seems to have been a while since Ive posyted on my own Blog. Ive not been hiding totally as Ive been Ghost writing on another blog, yes it is completely possible to do that. In fact I actually post first hand to at least two other blogs in adition to this one.
My other blogs:
1) surreyb.blogspot.com which is my Jamboree units blog, its getting 20+ hits a day and has been for most of the year.
2) Im the ghost writer on jungle-diary.blogspot.com after all I dont think that a cuddly lion can write a blog or use the internet
Anyway the past few months have been quite mixed. work life is still rather crap to be honest with the place dealing with two outbreaks and being wrongly accused of one of them. Socially things are quite good, especially with Andrea who Im seeing every couple of weekends on average at the momnet although over the next couple of month that will be slightly less due to Xmas and work etc but she is coming to visit the family over the New Year period.
Scouts is going quite well my section is up to 20 or so who are all turning up on a weekly basis and all seem to be enjoying themselves with everything that they do and are all very keen. Ive also kept my involvment with the county both at Bentley Copse camp site and with the International team.
The family are mostly well with my sister planning her wedding for next October so everything seems to be going OK for that.
My other blogs:
1) surreyb.blogspot.com which is my Jamboree units blog, its getting 20+ hits a day and has been for most of the year.
2) Im the ghost writer on jungle-diary.blogspot.com after all I dont think that a cuddly lion can write a blog or use the internet
Anyway the past few months have been quite mixed. work life is still rather crap to be honest with the place dealing with two outbreaks and being wrongly accused of one of them. Socially things are quite good, especially with Andrea who Im seeing every couple of weekends on average at the momnet although over the next couple of month that will be slightly less due to Xmas and work etc but she is coming to visit the family over the New Year period.
Scouts is going quite well my section is up to 20 or so who are all turning up on a weekly basis and all seem to be enjoying themselves with everything that they do and are all very keen. Ive also kept my involvment with the county both at Bentley Copse camp site and with the International team.
The family are mostly well with my sister planning her wedding for next October so everything seems to be going OK for that.
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