but didn't you just like the look on Gordon Brown's face yesterday, when he heard what he said to Gillian Duffy.
I know that we don't expect politicians to be honest and upfront with us, but his words beggared belief from the many staunch Labour voters not to mention the lady he so insulted.
My parents brought me up to say only nice things, or keep my mouth shut; perhaps Gordon is regretting not keeping to the same guidelines.
Shame on you and the rest of the politicians who do the same, we who vote for you don't get to see the real you and when we do we probably wouldn't like you either.
29 April 2010
28 April 2010
Today is ?
Apparently World Safety and Health Day
Well who would have known it? I certainly didn't but then again we have random days for just about anything these days. Including Don't Take the Car to Work Days, sorry Cycle to Work days.
So coming up in the next month ahead is :
Local History and Community Month
May Day
1-9th May Windsurfing Week
4th May International Firefighters Day
4th May World Asthma Day
3rd- 9th May Lavender Week
9th May Europe Day
8th-15th Doughnut Week
8th May World Fair Trade Day
16th-23rd British Sandwich Week
19th-30th Be Nice to Nettles Week
29th May Oak Apple Day
31st May World No Tobacco Day
For those of you interested, Oak Apple Day was a holiday celebrated in England on 29 May to commemorate the restoration of the monarchy in Britain and Ireland in May 1660. In some parts of the country, the day was also known as Shick-Shack Day or Arbour Day.
Well who would have known it? I certainly didn't but then again we have random days for just about anything these days. Including Don't Take the Car to Work Days, sorry Cycle to Work days.
So coming up in the next month ahead is :
Local History and Community Month
May Day
1-9th May Windsurfing Week
4th May International Firefighters Day
4th May World Asthma Day
3rd- 9th May Lavender Week
9th May Europe Day
8th-15th Doughnut Week
8th May World Fair Trade Day
16th-23rd British Sandwich Week
19th-30th Be Nice to Nettles Week
29th May Oak Apple Day
31st May World No Tobacco Day
For those of you interested, Oak Apple Day was a holiday celebrated in England on 29 May to commemorate the restoration of the monarchy in Britain and Ireland in May 1660. In some parts of the country, the day was also known as Shick-Shack Day or Arbour Day.
27 April 2010
Just about Recovered
The mammoth task of last week took its toll on me, and my first day back at work saw me looking tired and exhausted. Luckily for me, having an office job means I don't have to physically lift heavy things (unless you count a cup of coffee lol) and gave me a chance to get over the manual work of the house move.
Having had some time to think about it, the way the storage container is packed is bad, so bad in fact that I am thinking about sorting it out but it might be beyond me alone. Still the upside is that even the stuff at the back is not needed as we have everything but the curtains in the caravan to last us for a few days or even weeks.
I don't have a date for the new house yet, only that it can only be a matter of weeks away until we get the keys and can finally complete the move. We still have to wait for the completion of the sale of the house at the Back of Beyond, but that is due next week and then we will both heave a sigh of relief. I no longer think of that house as the millstone I saw it as, now I see it more as a stepping stone to what I really wanted.
The first meal I plan to cook, is Roast Beef, with yorkshire puddings, fresh vegetables and potatoes, so even if it is baking hot outside that is what we are going to do to celebrate our own space once more.
Having had some time to think about it, the way the storage container is packed is bad, so bad in fact that I am thinking about sorting it out but it might be beyond me alone. Still the upside is that even the stuff at the back is not needed as we have everything but the curtains in the caravan to last us for a few days or even weeks.
I don't have a date for the new house yet, only that it can only be a matter of weeks away until we get the keys and can finally complete the move. We still have to wait for the completion of the sale of the house at the Back of Beyond, but that is due next week and then we will both heave a sigh of relief. I no longer think of that house as the millstone I saw it as, now I see it more as a stepping stone to what I really wanted.
The first meal I plan to cook, is Roast Beef, with yorkshire puddings, fresh vegetables and potatoes, so even if it is baking hot outside that is what we are going to do to celebrate our own space once more.
26 April 2010
Spam Losers
Sorry Guys, I seem to have been hit by a spam bot putting in comments so I have had to turn comment moderation on, not my choice but I refuse to give them free reign and not only that but I have no idea what they are linking to so they have to be shut out.
Hopefully it won't stop the real people from commenting.
Hopefully it won't stop the real people from commenting.
Update on the move - The marathon week that was
Well, we have the house contents down in Cornwall in storage as the dates we could move the stuff didn't combine well with the completion date which is next week.
It has been a long week, and both of us are still very tired. We managed to get it all into a 7.5 tonne truck and an estate car - both of which were probably well over the legal loading limit but it couldnt be helped.
The last day, which was Friday was the longest day. We were up at 6am, we had finished packing the lorry Thursday night, so all we had to do was pack the car, tidy and hoover the house and leave the keys for the Estate Agents. Finally we were ready just after 10am and set off back home to Cornwall.
We met up at Bridgewater Services for lunch, where we met a host of St George's meandering across the car park; it was nice to see support for celebrating the day improving. SOH set off with the lorry before me as I wanted a few more minutes to take a last minute comfort break as I didn't plan on stopping again until I reached our destination which was a self-storage container.
I overtook the lorry on the M5, and headed off down the A30 and arrived at the container about 30 mins ahead of him and this was where I had my major disaster. After ringing the owner, who had just left, I got out of the car to stretch my legs and get a bit of fresh air when the wind slammed the door shut and the central locking kicked in... damn, damn and thrice damn I thought.
I then had to wait for SOH to arrive as my phone was in the car so couldn't even call the AA out, SOH was less than impressed with me, but like I said he couldn't say anything worse to me than I had already said to myself.
We started the long job of unloading the lorry contents into the container at 5ish and the AA turned up at 5.45pm, minutes later I had access to the car, and now know how to do it for myself - thanks Russ.
We finally finished the unloading at 9.30pm, exhausted and hungry we picked up a chinese takeaway which was probably very nice but I was too tired to taste it. Then finally bed.
No lie in though, as the lorry was due back early in the morning and my car was due for it's MOT at 10am so my ever unwilling bruised body was heaved out of bed and into town for the necessary tasks. I had a nap in the afternoon, much needed and yesterday I was much less tired.
It was a challenge we both took up as it was half the price of a moving firm, but the drawback of being so tired was not something we had accounted for and hopefully we won't be doing it again in the future.
It has been a long week, and both of us are still very tired. We managed to get it all into a 7.5 tonne truck and an estate car - both of which were probably well over the legal loading limit but it couldnt be helped.
The last day, which was Friday was the longest day. We were up at 6am, we had finished packing the lorry Thursday night, so all we had to do was pack the car, tidy and hoover the house and leave the keys for the Estate Agents. Finally we were ready just after 10am and set off back home to Cornwall.
We met up at Bridgewater Services for lunch, where we met a host of St George's meandering across the car park; it was nice to see support for celebrating the day improving. SOH set off with the lorry before me as I wanted a few more minutes to take a last minute comfort break as I didn't plan on stopping again until I reached our destination which was a self-storage container.
I overtook the lorry on the M5, and headed off down the A30 and arrived at the container about 30 mins ahead of him and this was where I had my major disaster. After ringing the owner, who had just left, I got out of the car to stretch my legs and get a bit of fresh air when the wind slammed the door shut and the central locking kicked in... damn, damn and thrice damn I thought.
I then had to wait for SOH to arrive as my phone was in the car so couldn't even call the AA out, SOH was less than impressed with me, but like I said he couldn't say anything worse to me than I had already said to myself.
We started the long job of unloading the lorry contents into the container at 5ish and the AA turned up at 5.45pm, minutes later I had access to the car, and now know how to do it for myself - thanks Russ.
We finally finished the unloading at 9.30pm, exhausted and hungry we picked up a chinese takeaway which was probably very nice but I was too tired to taste it. Then finally bed.
No lie in though, as the lorry was due back early in the morning and my car was due for it's MOT at 10am so my ever unwilling bruised body was heaved out of bed and into town for the necessary tasks. I had a nap in the afternoon, much needed and yesterday I was much less tired.
It was a challenge we both took up as it was half the price of a moving firm, but the drawback of being so tired was not something we had accounted for and hopefully we won't be doing it again in the future.
24 April 2010
Saturday Satire - The Parrot
A woman went to a pet shop & immediately spotted a large, beautiful parrot..
There was a sign on the cage that said £50.00.
"Why so little," she asked the pet store owner.
The owner looked at her and said, "Look, I should tell you first that this bird used to live in a house of Prostitution and sometimes it says some pretty vulgar stuff."
The woman thought about this, but decided she had to have the bird any way.
She took it home and hung the bird's cage up in her living room and waited for it to say something.
The bird looked around the room, then at her, and said, "New house, new madam."
The woman was a bit shocked at the implication, but then thought "that's really not so bad."
When her 2 teenage daughters returned from school the bird saw and said, "New house, new madam, new girls."
The girls and the woman were a bit offended but then began to laugh about the situation considering how and where the parrot had been raised.
Moments later, the woman's husband Keith came home from work.
The bird looked at him and said, "Hi, Keith!"
There was a sign on the cage that said £50.00.
"Why so little," she asked the pet store owner.
The owner looked at her and said, "Look, I should tell you first that this bird used to live in a house of Prostitution and sometimes it says some pretty vulgar stuff."
The woman thought about this, but decided she had to have the bird any way.
She took it home and hung the bird's cage up in her living room and waited for it to say something.
The bird looked around the room, then at her, and said, "New house, new madam."
The woman was a bit shocked at the implication, but then thought "that's really not so bad."
When her 2 teenage daughters returned from school the bird saw and said, "New house, new madam, new girls."
The girls and the woman were a bit offended but then began to laugh about the situation considering how and where the parrot had been raised.
Moments later, the woman's husband Keith came home from work.
The bird looked at him and said, "Hi, Keith!"
20 April 2010
bussssy
I'm up to my ears in packing boxes right now, up at the old homestead. Everything is going into storage as the house is sold yeahhh!!!! Finally lol
Of course I wont be stress free unytil the completion date which is a few days away, but our schedules meant that we only had this week to do the move and I can confirm it is incredibly stressful. Still after this no more long 600 mile round trips except for pleasure.
All will be worth it in the long run.
Of course I wont be stress free unytil the completion date which is a few days away, but our schedules meant that we only had this week to do the move and I can confirm it is incredibly stressful. Still after this no more long 600 mile round trips except for pleasure.
All will be worth it in the long run.
17 April 2010
Saturday Satire - Blonde Joke
As a trucker in Essex stops for a red light, a blonde in her car pulls up alongside. She jumps out of her car, runs up to his truck, and knocks on the door. The trucker lowers the window, and she says: 'Hi, my name is Sharon and you are losing some of your load.'
The trucker ignores her and proceeds down the street. When the truck stops for another red light, the girl again catches up.
She jumps out of her car, runs up to his truck, and knocks on the door. The trucker lowers the window, and she says: 'Hi, my name is Sharon and you are losing some of your load.'
Shaking his head, the trucker ignores her again and continues down the street.
At the third red light, the same thing happens again. All out of breath, the blonde gets out of her car, runs up, knocks on the truck door. The trucker lowers the window again. She says: 'Hi, my name is Sharon and you are losing some of your load!'
When the light turns green, the trucker revs up and races to the next light. When he stops this time, he hurriedly gets out of the truck, and runs back to the blonde. He knocks on her window, and as she lowers it,
he says.......
'Hi, my name is Kevin and I'm driving a bloody gritter!'
The trucker ignores her and proceeds down the street. When the truck stops for another red light, the girl again catches up.
She jumps out of her car, runs up to his truck, and knocks on the door. The trucker lowers the window, and she says: 'Hi, my name is Sharon and you are losing some of your load.'
Shaking his head, the trucker ignores her again and continues down the street.
At the third red light, the same thing happens again. All out of breath, the blonde gets out of her car, runs up, knocks on the truck door. The trucker lowers the window again. She says: 'Hi, my name is Sharon and you are losing some of your load!'
When the light turns green, the trucker revs up and races to the next light. When he stops this time, he hurriedly gets out of the truck, and runs back to the blonde. He knocks on her window, and as she lowers it,
he says.......
'Hi, my name is Kevin and I'm driving a bloody gritter!'
14 April 2010
Makes me Proud
When you hear of so many youngsters these days getting into trouble with knives, drugs etc.. it is a scary place for anyone growing up these days.
Well bucking the trend is a youngster, aged 18, and now the proud recipient of The Military Cross for actions he took during the conflict in Afghanistan.
"Private Alex Kennedy, of 2nd Battalion the Mercian Regiment, saved his injured officer and took charge of colleagues during a battle with the Taliban" see more details here
He had only been in the army for six months and had the maturity to deal with a critical situation calmly and bravely.
Don't know about you, but it makes me proud to know that serving men and women today can be so brave in the field of conflict. Perhaps not all hope is lost for the future generations to come if Alex is an example of today's yoof
Well bucking the trend is a youngster, aged 18, and now the proud recipient of The Military Cross for actions he took during the conflict in Afghanistan.
"Private Alex Kennedy, of 2nd Battalion the Mercian Regiment, saved his injured officer and took charge of colleagues during a battle with the Taliban" see more details here
He had only been in the army for six months and had the maturity to deal with a critical situation calmly and bravely.
Don't know about you, but it makes me proud to know that serving men and women today can be so brave in the field of conflict. Perhaps not all hope is lost for the future generations to come if Alex is an example of today's yoof
13 April 2010
Notice of Intent
Please take this as formal notice that I will not be posting about the manifesto's (lies) of the various policitical parties nor involving myself in preparing any of you for the forthcoming General (S)Election.
Do I think that things will change, no, not a jot. The fat cats will simply get fatter and provide jobs for the boys while the genuine workers will be paying the price.. nuff said on the subject.
I have too much other stuff on my mind like an impending house clear out - stage I, I signed the contracts and they have gone back to the solicitors. I am just waiting for a date before we can commence Stage II but at long last things seem to be moving on.
Do I think that things will change, no, not a jot. The fat cats will simply get fatter and provide jobs for the boys while the genuine workers will be paying the price.. nuff said on the subject.
I have too much other stuff on my mind like an impending house clear out - stage I, I signed the contracts and they have gone back to the solicitors. I am just waiting for a date before we can commence Stage II but at long last things seem to be moving on.
12 April 2010
Have you noticed?
All these wonderful deals, are nothing of the sort.
Take for instance the deal with Kenco Coffee in the resealable pack with 97% less packaging. Did you notice the cost was around £3.78 per bag, for only 150g, but if you were to buy a jar (and glass can be recycled a lot easier than one of these pouches) which contains 200g it costs around about the same amount.
Don't see Kenco advertising that fact do you, whilst I applaud the fact that yes it is good to cut down on packaging, yet again it is the consumer being conned into thinking they are getting a good deal when in fact they are not.
Take for instance the deal with Kenco Coffee in the resealable pack with 97% less packaging. Did you notice the cost was around £3.78 per bag, for only 150g, but if you were to buy a jar (and glass can be recycled a lot easier than one of these pouches) which contains 200g it costs around about the same amount.
Don't see Kenco advertising that fact do you, whilst I applaud the fact that yes it is good to cut down on packaging, yet again it is the consumer being conned into thinking they are getting a good deal when in fact they are not.
10 April 2010
Saturday Satire - The Wife
An attorney arrived home late, after a very, very tough day trying to get a stay of execution for his client.
His last minute plea for clemency to the governor had failed, and he was feeling worn out and thoroughly depressed. As soon as he walked through the door at home, his wife started on him about, 'What time of night to be getting home is this? Where the Hell have you been? Dinner is cold and I'm not reheating it'. And on.... and on..... and on......
Too shattered to play his usual role in this familiar ritual, he poured himself a large shot of whiskey and headed off for a long hot soak in the bathtub, pursued by the predictable sarcastic, bitchy remarks as he dragged himself up the stairs.
While he was in the bath, the phone rang. The wife answered and was told that her husband's client, James Wright, had actually been granted a stay of execution after all. Wright would not be hanged tonight!!
Finally realizing just what a terrible day he must have had, and feeling a little sorry for her harsh treatment of her husband, she decided to go up stairs and give him the good news, to see if it would cheer him up.
As she opened the bathroom door, she was greeted by the sight of her husband, bent over naked, drying his legs and feet.
'They're not hanging Wright tonight,' she announced.
He whirled around and screamed,
'FOR GOODNESS SAKE WOMAN, DON'T YOU EVER STOP COMPLAINING?!'
His last minute plea for clemency to the governor had failed, and he was feeling worn out and thoroughly depressed. As soon as he walked through the door at home, his wife started on him about, 'What time of night to be getting home is this? Where the Hell have you been? Dinner is cold and I'm not reheating it'. And on.... and on..... and on......
Too shattered to play his usual role in this familiar ritual, he poured himself a large shot of whiskey and headed off for a long hot soak in the bathtub, pursued by the predictable sarcastic, bitchy remarks as he dragged himself up the stairs.
While he was in the bath, the phone rang. The wife answered and was told that her husband's client, James Wright, had actually been granted a stay of execution after all. Wright would not be hanged tonight!!
Finally realizing just what a terrible day he must have had, and feeling a little sorry for her harsh treatment of her husband, she decided to go up stairs and give him the good news, to see if it would cheer him up.
As she opened the bathroom door, she was greeted by the sight of her husband, bent over naked, drying his legs and feet.
'They're not hanging Wright tonight,' she announced.
He whirled around and screamed,
'FOR GOODNESS SAKE WOMAN, DON'T YOU EVER STOP COMPLAINING?!'
08 April 2010
Desire
Desire can take many forms, I desire a lot of things but most of all I want to be in my own home again, to be able to have a shower/bath when I want, to be able to cook a meal in comfort and to enjoy sprawling out on the floor watching television.
I want to ride my bike, well actually both of them the push bike and the motorbike.. I want to feel the wind in my hair and smell the fumes; yes I know the last bit is strange but if you are a motorcyclist it makes perfect sense.
I want to be able to close the front door at night, and know that nothing is going to disturb us. I want to be able to invite friends in for coffee, to stay, to see where we are and what we are doing.
Hopefully in the not too distant future, I will get my desire.
I want to ride my bike, well actually both of them the push bike and the motorbike.. I want to feel the wind in my hair and smell the fumes; yes I know the last bit is strange but if you are a motorcyclist it makes perfect sense.
I want to be able to close the front door at night, and know that nothing is going to disturb us. I want to be able to invite friends in for coffee, to stay, to see where we are and what we are doing.
Hopefully in the not too distant future, I will get my desire.
05 April 2010
Bedford Blues
Went over to Camborne yesterday afternoon, with SOH, to watch Cornish Pirates play Bedford Blues. It was funny as the first ever match we went to see was this one, but at Bedford's ground.
It was a good match, and well played especially given the referee's obvious bias against the Pirates; why he did it I have no idea and even the linesmen didn't seem to indicate when fouls or offsides were being done. Despite this and the Bedford Blues playing their hardest, the pirates won the match with four points and playing well defensively right into the dying seconds.
Couldn't have asked for a better match, or for a better Easter Sunday as the sun shone brightly down on us even though the wind was cold.
It was a good match, and well played especially given the referee's obvious bias against the Pirates; why he did it I have no idea and even the linesmen didn't seem to indicate when fouls or offsides were being done. Despite this and the Bedford Blues playing their hardest, the pirates won the match with four points and playing well defensively right into the dying seconds.
Couldn't have asked for a better match, or for a better Easter Sunday as the sun shone brightly down on us even though the wind was cold.
03 April 2010
Saturday Satire - Trading in
If my body were a bike, this is the time I would be thinking about trading it in for a newer model. I've got bumps and dents and scratches in my finish and my paint job is getting a little dull ....
But that's not the worst of it.
My headlights are out of focus and it's especially hard to see things up close
My traction is not as graceful as it once was. I slip and slide and skid and bump into things even in the best of weather.
My whitewalls are stained with varicose veins.
It takes me hours to reach my maximum speed. My fuel rate burns inefficiently.
But here's the worst of it --
Almost every time I sneeze, cough or sputter, either my radiator leaks or my exhaust backfires!
But that's not the worst of it.
My headlights are out of focus and it's especially hard to see things up close
My traction is not as graceful as it once was. I slip and slide and skid and bump into things even in the best of weather.
My whitewalls are stained with varicose veins.
It takes me hours to reach my maximum speed. My fuel rate burns inefficiently.
But here's the worst of it --
Almost every time I sneeze, cough or sputter, either my radiator leaks or my exhaust backfires!
02 April 2010
Good Friday
Why is it called Good Friday?
Well the simple answer to that is that many Christians would call it Holy Friday or Great Friday, when they celebrate the (is that truly the right word to use?) crucifixion of Christ. All now is quiet and solumn until Easter Sunday and the resurrection.
Britain, has a public holiday, but everthing remains open for business, or rather the main supermarkets, DIY stores etc obviously it couldn't simply shut up shop, so to speak, for the fear of offending the masses. As for banning the sale of alchohol on this day, well it wouldn't happen though it would be interesting as a social experiment.
I am enjoying a day off, catching up with paperwork, tidying up and sorting things out. For once it isn't raining, and the sun is shining in though rain doesn't look too far away :-(
Have a happy Easter everyone, don't overdose on the chocolate eggs on Sunday
Well the simple answer to that is that many Christians would call it Holy Friday or Great Friday, when they celebrate the (is that truly the right word to use?) crucifixion of Christ. All now is quiet and solumn until Easter Sunday and the resurrection.
Britain, has a public holiday, but everthing remains open for business, or rather the main supermarkets, DIY stores etc obviously it couldn't simply shut up shop, so to speak, for the fear of offending the masses. As for banning the sale of alchohol on this day, well it wouldn't happen though it would be interesting as a social experiment.
I am enjoying a day off, catching up with paperwork, tidying up and sorting things out. For once it isn't raining, and the sun is shining in though rain doesn't look too far away :-(
Have a happy Easter everyone, don't overdose on the chocolate eggs on Sunday
01 April 2010
April Fool
Going over to the training session this morning I was listening to Pirate FM and they were talking about the pedestrian areas of both Truro (Lemon Quay) and Plymouth being managed by all pedestrians walking only one way.
Now this was obviously an April Fool, but it was surprising the number of even dafter suggestions and criticisms including a roundabout for being able to cross the area and line of traffic to get access to the shops. I was laughing my head off as I drove through Redruth, so if you saw me you will have to excuse me.
The subject hit such a nail on the head as I used to get annoyed with people in Milton Keynes shopping centre who would suddenly stop or turn around, or even worse walk 3 sometimes 4 abreast. It didn't matter who wanted to walk along, they would be forced to give way by the numbers.
Now this was obviously an April Fool, but it was surprising the number of even dafter suggestions and criticisms including a roundabout for being able to cross the area and line of traffic to get access to the shops. I was laughing my head off as I drove through Redruth, so if you saw me you will have to excuse me.
The subject hit such a nail on the head as I used to get annoyed with people in Milton Keynes shopping centre who would suddenly stop or turn around, or even worse walk 3 sometimes 4 abreast. It didn't matter who wanted to walk along, they would be forced to give way by the numbers.
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