Spent the last 3 days working in Glasgow and although I didn’t get around as much as I wanted I saw enough to re-confirm from my last quick visit that I like this city. New buildings have sprung up since my last trip and seem to fit in well with the older dwellings, I love the architecture and early on Tuesday morning wrapped up against the cold I found myself walking the city centre admiring all the sites and thinking it was like the place had had a spring clean. There are excellent shops which are easy to reach and some fabulous restaurants that made the evenings enjoyable, but most satisfying of all are the people, they actually talk to you; a pleasant “good morning” or “good afternoon” makes a world of difference and is so easy to say! I wonder why the likes of London or Birmingham cannot be the same; can you imagine a stranger in London talking to you? You would probably think you were about to be mugged.
Company policy is now firmly against the employee flying around the UK unless absolutely necessary and only then must be authorised by a director. For the longer journey in the UK the company would prefer you to take the train or other means of public transport. While I applaud their advertised “greener approach” I being a little older and hopefully wiser am perhaps a little more pessimistic and am inclined to think their “cheaper option”, but never the less am not a great fan of this country’s public transport system, I say this through the harsh reality of various experiences that I have suffered over the years. So it was with great intrepidation that I climbed aboard the Sunday afternoon Cheltenham Spa to Glasgow Central train with fresh memories of the recent disaster I had a while back when I foolishly acquired a monthly return ticket for commuting from Cheltenham to Birmingham and after which I swore to myself “never again”!
Cheltenham to Glasgow takes approximately 4.5 hours providing you don’t encounter delays which inevitably happen. To be fair the journey up there was not too bad, most likely because it was a Sunday and so the normal hostile commuter who is happy to fight a pitch battle for one tiny scrap of corner seat was nowhere to be seen. Meeting up with a colleague in Birmingham I had someone to chat with and so the journey went by reasonably quickly and leaving the train 4.5 hours later at Glasgow Central my intolerance to public transport was for a short time washed away especially after we had a few glasses of the local brew.
The return journey yesterday brought me back to reality with a bump, all was fine until beyond Crewe where we encountered a broken down train and we were stuck behind it. Once removed we were then stuck behind slower commuter traffic and we crawled all the way to Wolverhampton where once again another train had broken down, we eventually ambled in to Birmingham over an hour late and of course I had missed my connection to Cheltenham and had to wait a further 30 minutes to catch the next available train. Needless to say the next time I see my manager I may well have words about our company policy!
"Oh Darling, he's written Another post".
Thursday, February 04, 2010
Monday, January 25, 2010
Out and About
Cycling around Yamworth, Compton Abdale and Brockhampton yesterday morning was certainly a breath of fresh air. It was just great to get out and about without having to watch out for ice and snow on the roads and take in some of sights.
Many groups of cyclists were also taking advantage of the better weather and I found myself greeting them all as they shot past me at high speed. I’m not really a club man when it comes to cycling, I have cycled with packs of riders and it can be fun but living out in the sticks means I have to either cycle or drive down in to town to meet up and I can’t be bothered, plus they are very keen and I am quite happy to go along at my own pace and take in the scenery, besides when my asthma sometimes plays up in the cold weather I frequently have to stop to catch my breath.
Although dry the weather was grey and dreary but the Cotswolds are still a picturesque sight in the middle of winter and wildlife can be seen in plenty. Lots of the surviving male pheasants were already strutting their stuff and fighting each other for ownership of the females and as I past by I found myself thinking that they only have a week or so to go before they will be able to roam freely without a twelve bore being pointed at them. Plenty of deer were to be seen quietly mixing with sheep grazing in the fields, occasionally looking up and sniffing the air or twitching their ears checking for any danger before continuing to nibble at the grass. Past the Roman Villa near to Chedworth I climbed the small the hill towards the village of Yamworth and spotted a male hare lolloping slowly across the field taking in the morning air and no doubt looking for a female to chase.
Horse and riders were also out in numbers sauntering down the lanes, no doubt like me glad that there was a break in the weather for them to get out and about. I’ve learnt to cough of greet the riders loudly before getting too close to the horses as they tend to be easily startled and on a few occasions I have come close to getting a kick or worse the horse so startled that the rider has difficulty in hanging on, common sense I know but when you’re halfway through a ride the temptation is to push on because you want to keep the pace up.
With the cycle ride completed I then brought out the Bonneville for the first time this year and after a thorough mechanical check I fired her up and did a quick tour of Northleach. I always like riding through Northleach, the houses are tightly packed together and are feet away from the old A40, this creates a wonderful echo rather like riding through a tunnel and you can really appreciate the roar of the bonnie. No doubt the residents have other ideas and often when looking back in the vibrating mirrors I either see either admiring glances or frowned faces!
The pups are now very relaxed in their new environment and have completely taken over the CG household. Their antics provide hours of enjoyment and I think Mrs CG and I had forgotten how much energy young pups have, one minute the are frolicking in the garden chasing each other or chewing anything that is available to suddenly appearing in the house exploring every nook and cranny to see what mischief they can cause. Then within seconds they have collapsed in a heap on their bed snuggled together and fast to sleep!
Many groups of cyclists were also taking advantage of the better weather and I found myself greeting them all as they shot past me at high speed. I’m not really a club man when it comes to cycling, I have cycled with packs of riders and it can be fun but living out in the sticks means I have to either cycle or drive down in to town to meet up and I can’t be bothered, plus they are very keen and I am quite happy to go along at my own pace and take in the scenery, besides when my asthma sometimes plays up in the cold weather I frequently have to stop to catch my breath.
Although dry the weather was grey and dreary but the Cotswolds are still a picturesque sight in the middle of winter and wildlife can be seen in plenty. Lots of the surviving male pheasants were already strutting their stuff and fighting each other for ownership of the females and as I past by I found myself thinking that they only have a week or so to go before they will be able to roam freely without a twelve bore being pointed at them. Plenty of deer were to be seen quietly mixing with sheep grazing in the fields, occasionally looking up and sniffing the air or twitching their ears checking for any danger before continuing to nibble at the grass. Past the Roman Villa near to Chedworth I climbed the small the hill towards the village of Yamworth and spotted a male hare lolloping slowly across the field taking in the morning air and no doubt looking for a female to chase.
Horse and riders were also out in numbers sauntering down the lanes, no doubt like me glad that there was a break in the weather for them to get out and about. I’ve learnt to cough of greet the riders loudly before getting too close to the horses as they tend to be easily startled and on a few occasions I have come close to getting a kick or worse the horse so startled that the rider has difficulty in hanging on, common sense I know but when you’re halfway through a ride the temptation is to push on because you want to keep the pace up.
With the cycle ride completed I then brought out the Bonneville for the first time this year and after a thorough mechanical check I fired her up and did a quick tour of Northleach. I always like riding through Northleach, the houses are tightly packed together and are feet away from the old A40, this creates a wonderful echo rather like riding through a tunnel and you can really appreciate the roar of the bonnie. No doubt the residents have other ideas and often when looking back in the vibrating mirrors I either see either admiring glances or frowned faces!
The pups are now very relaxed in their new environment and have completely taken over the CG household. Their antics provide hours of enjoyment and I think Mrs CG and I had forgotten how much energy young pups have, one minute the are frolicking in the garden chasing each other or chewing anything that is available to suddenly appearing in the house exploring every nook and cranny to see what mischief they can cause. Then within seconds they have collapsed in a heap on their bed snuggled together and fast to sleep!
Saturday, January 23, 2010
A Suggestion?
I might be a little over the top here, but if you taxed parents for having children instead of giving them benefits, it could go towards stopping all those nice so called adults who see having children as a means of income and then realise that it doesn’t work like that and can’t be bothered to bring them up responsibly.................Just a thought.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Great Adventurers
As a past owner of a private pilots licence I naturally take interest in all things flying and it was with great sadness I learnt of the death of a micro light pilot Martin Bromage, a local pilot who had set off from Gloucestershire airport yesterday morning in an attempt to fly solo to Australia.
Apparently he had encountered dense fog over the channel and had been told by French air traffic control that he would be unable to land in France, turning back towards England something had gone badly wrong, either height misjudgement or engine failure or some other issue but sadly he crashed in to the sea and his body was recovered off the French coast.
Only last night I was watching an interview he gave for the local BBC news just before his take off and it showed him full of excitement on the start of a great adventure.
I remember thinking I must keep an eye on his progress over the next few weeks, so it was a bit of a shock to read about his untimely end in such a short space of time.
I never tried micro lighting, I always thought it was a bit too “al fresco” for me but I knew a few pilots who loved the idea of being strapped to a very large kite with an engine on the back. I always thought it took a bit of steel to do that, a bit like parachuting or bungee jumping.
Whilst writing about adventurers, last night I caught the last few minutes of a BBC4 programme about diaries. Rory Bremner was investigating the heroic explorer Captain Robert Scott's diary and I’d forgotten how incredibly awe inspiring it is. Particularly the account of Oates leaving the tent to go outside stating he maybe some time:
“Should this be found I want these facts recorded. Oates' last thoughts were of his Mother, but immediately before he took pride in thinking that his regiment would be pleased with the bold way in which he met his death. We can testify to his bravery. He has borne intense suffering for weeks without complaint, and to the very last was able and willing to discuss outside subjects. He did not - would not - give up hope till the very end. He was a brave soul. This was the end. He slept through the night before last, hoping not to wake; but he woke in the morning - yesterday. It was blowing a blizzard. He said, 'I am just going outside and may be some time.' He went out into the blizzard and we have not seen him since."
And finally the last entry on March 29th 1912:
"Since the 21st we have had a continuous gale from W.S.W. and S.W. We had fuel to make two cups of tea apiece and bare food for two days on the 20th. Every day we have been ready to start for our depot 11 miles away, but outside the door of the tent it remains a scene of whirling drift. I do not think we can hope for any better things now. We shall stick it out to the end, but we are getting weaker, of course, and the end cannot be far. It seems a pity, but I do not think I can write more.
R. Scott
Last entry
For God's sake look after our people."
The bodies were found months later by members of the team, Scott lying on his front one arm over a comrade with his diary tucked underneath him.
Incidentally Capt Scott’s diary is currently on twitter; it started back in November 2009 and will follow each day up until March the 29th:
http://twitter.com/scottslastexp
Apparently he had encountered dense fog over the channel and had been told by French air traffic control that he would be unable to land in France, turning back towards England something had gone badly wrong, either height misjudgement or engine failure or some other issue but sadly he crashed in to the sea and his body was recovered off the French coast.
Only last night I was watching an interview he gave for the local BBC news just before his take off and it showed him full of excitement on the start of a great adventure.
I remember thinking I must keep an eye on his progress over the next few weeks, so it was a bit of a shock to read about his untimely end in such a short space of time.
I never tried micro lighting, I always thought it was a bit too “al fresco” for me but I knew a few pilots who loved the idea of being strapped to a very large kite with an engine on the back. I always thought it took a bit of steel to do that, a bit like parachuting or bungee jumping.
Whilst writing about adventurers, last night I caught the last few minutes of a BBC4 programme about diaries. Rory Bremner was investigating the heroic explorer Captain Robert Scott's diary and I’d forgotten how incredibly awe inspiring it is. Particularly the account of Oates leaving the tent to go outside stating he maybe some time:
“Should this be found I want these facts recorded. Oates' last thoughts were of his Mother, but immediately before he took pride in thinking that his regiment would be pleased with the bold way in which he met his death. We can testify to his bravery. He has borne intense suffering for weeks without complaint, and to the very last was able and willing to discuss outside subjects. He did not - would not - give up hope till the very end. He was a brave soul. This was the end. He slept through the night before last, hoping not to wake; but he woke in the morning - yesterday. It was blowing a blizzard. He said, 'I am just going outside and may be some time.' He went out into the blizzard and we have not seen him since."
And finally the last entry on March 29th 1912:
"Since the 21st we have had a continuous gale from W.S.W. and S.W. We had fuel to make two cups of tea apiece and bare food for two days on the 20th. Every day we have been ready to start for our depot 11 miles away, but outside the door of the tent it remains a scene of whirling drift. I do not think we can hope for any better things now. We shall stick it out to the end, but we are getting weaker, of course, and the end cannot be far. It seems a pity, but I do not think I can write more.
R. Scott
Last entry
For God's sake look after our people."
The bodies were found months later by members of the team, Scott lying on his front one arm over a comrade with his diary tucked underneath him.
Incidentally Capt Scott’s diary is currently on twitter; it started back in November 2009 and will follow each day up until March the 29th:
http://twitter.com/scottslastexp
Friday, January 15, 2010
Charities Soaps and little Fat Dogs
Whilst I’m all in favour for supporting charities in regard to the disaster in Haiti, I am somewhat baffled as to how the government can happily provide six million pounds of tax payers money to support the victims, after all isn’t this country supposed to be broke? On the one hand they say we have to cut back and raise taxes accordingly and on the other they happily shell out money willy nilly.
Not that I’m a great soap fan, I happened to see part of “Emmerdale” last night and I think it’s probably the most over acted drama I’ve ever seen, once watched never again!
It always amazes me that soaps have such a massive viewing audience, I suppose it’s because human nature is to be nosey and they love to see other people in misery, for me I can take or leave them although I do find “Eastenders” depressing and very noisy. I remember my Grand Mother back in the sixties was a huge fan of Coronation St and everything would stop when the programme was on air and on weekly visits from her friends the talk would always be about Corry!
The snow is beginning to melt and now we face the prospect of wet puppy paws everywhere. The Girls went to the vets for their second jab yesterday and as usual there were lots of oos and aahs and all in the waiting room came over to see and stroke them. The vet pronounced them fit and healthy and injections were administered, not a squeak from either one them. Surprisingly the vet advised not to have them spayed as they are large pups and I guess he think they may well turn out to be shall we say large dogs.
Personally I have no intention of trailing around the countryside when these two are on heat being pursued by every dog in the Cotswolds. The fault with obese dogs as we have learned to our peril with past labs is the owners spoiling them. But I have no intention of going down that road with these two, I’m happy to supply the odd treat but that’s as far as it goes. Before these two little mites arrived I had many a conversation with Mrs C (to the point that I believe she was totally fed up with me) about over feeding and however hard we find it we must rigorously stick to our plan.
In the meantime paw wiping and drying is making towel stocks low and I think it's time we bought a new mop!
Not that I’m a great soap fan, I happened to see part of “Emmerdale” last night and I think it’s probably the most over acted drama I’ve ever seen, once watched never again!
It always amazes me that soaps have such a massive viewing audience, I suppose it’s because human nature is to be nosey and they love to see other people in misery, for me I can take or leave them although I do find “Eastenders” depressing and very noisy. I remember my Grand Mother back in the sixties was a huge fan of Coronation St and everything would stop when the programme was on air and on weekly visits from her friends the talk would always be about Corry!
The snow is beginning to melt and now we face the prospect of wet puppy paws everywhere. The Girls went to the vets for their second jab yesterday and as usual there were lots of oos and aahs and all in the waiting room came over to see and stroke them. The vet pronounced them fit and healthy and injections were administered, not a squeak from either one them. Surprisingly the vet advised not to have them spayed as they are large pups and I guess he think they may well turn out to be shall we say large dogs.
Personally I have no intention of trailing around the countryside when these two are on heat being pursued by every dog in the Cotswolds. The fault with obese dogs as we have learned to our peril with past labs is the owners spoiling them. But I have no intention of going down that road with these two, I’m happy to supply the odd treat but that’s as far as it goes. Before these two little mites arrived I had many a conversation with Mrs C (to the point that I believe she was totally fed up with me) about over feeding and however hard we find it we must rigorously stick to our plan.
In the meantime paw wiping and drying is making towel stocks low and I think it's time we bought a new mop!
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Dog Damage and Rubbish
Yet more snow due in tonight for the South West, oh what fond memories I’ll have when I chuckle about this during the summer months with Mrs CG!
Damage check with the puppies this week;
1 leather settee (lower side cover ripped),
Knobs on antique desk chewed,
Various cushions chewed,
3 holes of differing sizes have appeared in the garden (it’s like “The Great Escape”)
Thankfully no TV remotes or mobiles but I’m sure at some stage I will inevitably forget and something will get chewed.
Actually drove to work today and was amazed at how the minor roads are still clogged up with snow and ice, obviously the gritting shortage has hit Gloucestershire, however no problem in getting to work with the trusty 4x4 (he said smugly)!
The rubbish is piling up at the side of the road by the farm entrance; I can’t believe how much rubbish two houses can pile up in the space of a fortnight mind you we are including Christmas waste.
I suppose it’s inevitable that the rubbish men will not appear until all traces of ice and snow have long disappeared, as with all public services health and safety is very high on their agenda, heaven help us if a real catastrophe hits the UK, the country would certainly grind to a halt within days.
Morse coded some chap 350 miles east of Moscow on the radio last night, he had a temperature reading of minus 29, makes you think its positively balmy here in the UK!
Sorry, I had to change the background colour of this blog again, it’s driving me nuts. However, this colour is pretty naff as well, think I might have to go my own way and get back in to web design, anyone know of a suitable templates website I could use?
Damage check with the puppies this week;
1 leather settee (lower side cover ripped),
Knobs on antique desk chewed,
Various cushions chewed,
3 holes of differing sizes have appeared in the garden (it’s like “The Great Escape”)
Thankfully no TV remotes or mobiles but I’m sure at some stage I will inevitably forget and something will get chewed.
Actually drove to work today and was amazed at how the minor roads are still clogged up with snow and ice, obviously the gritting shortage has hit Gloucestershire, however no problem in getting to work with the trusty 4x4 (he said smugly)!
The rubbish is piling up at the side of the road by the farm entrance; I can’t believe how much rubbish two houses can pile up in the space of a fortnight mind you we are including Christmas waste.
I suppose it’s inevitable that the rubbish men will not appear until all traces of ice and snow have long disappeared, as with all public services health and safety is very high on their agenda, heaven help us if a real catastrophe hits the UK, the country would certainly grind to a halt within days.
Morse coded some chap 350 miles east of Moscow on the radio last night, he had a temperature reading of minus 29, makes you think its positively balmy here in the UK!
Sorry, I had to change the background colour of this blog again, it’s driving me nuts. However, this colour is pretty naff as well, think I might have to go my own way and get back in to web design, anyone know of a suitable templates website I could use?
Sunday, January 10, 2010
TV Weather Girls
Watching the weather forcast today the very relaxed Midlands today weather presenter said we were ok cos it would be only about 5cm of snow today, no need to worry.
Imagine if she had said this weather report 2 weeks ago, before the heavy stuff had arrived in the Midlands, I bet it would have been a bit different?
"We're in for a shocker today viewers, possible blizzard conditions, traffic may well be at a stand still with 5cm of snow, schools maybe shut and only go out if it's necessary"!
Imagine if she had said this weather report 2 weeks ago, before the heavy stuff had arrived in the Midlands, I bet it would have been a bit different?
"We're in for a shocker today viewers, possible blizzard conditions, traffic may well be at a stand still with 5cm of snow, schools maybe shut and only go out if it's necessary"!
Friday, January 08, 2010
Radio Hams and Addiction
Santa gets muggedOk this was fun when it started but now its getting to be a pain, I struggle to walk down the path to the car which is permanently frozen, the cold water drinking tap has frozen and the bath waste tap had a fit last night and also froze, luckily I managed to fix before it got any worse, the cause was a simple dripping tap.
However when I do manage to get out I feel slightly smug driving the 4x4 around the place while others struggle to get by. The farm snow plough has been hard at work clearing the surrounding tracks so at least we get the puppies out for a short wonder around the farm. The lane though is still very icy and drivers crawl at a snails pace in and out of the village, I hear that the nearby Chedworth hill is still impassable so any visit to Cirencester is now to be attempted via the main A40. However we have enough supplies to last at least a month and I can happily work from home with my trusty laptop so why bother risking it?
Izzy and Ella still find the snow intriguing and are happily jumping around exploring or merrily digging holes in the stuff, they don’t seem to feel the cold (being labs), and are quite content to stay out for long periods before coming back in to the kitchen for a well earned nap, only to wake up half an later and start all over again.
Being a Ham Radio enthusiast I am on the radio most mornings listening to comments from around the country. The majority of the time it’s boring stuff, mostly operators talking about their medical problems or what sort of antenna they have built but at the moment it is quite useful in receiving the weather reports around the UK and also Europe which seems to be having a real rough time of it, I suspect a lot worse than Blighty but of course its not reported.
I was listening to one German ham last night who was near to RAF Brugen where I was stationed back in the eighties and he was reporting temperatures of -19. Interestingly when I joined up my very first field exercise over in Europe was around that area and during the two week exercise the temp went down to -23, my mate got frostbite on his toes through taking his boots off and leaving them outside his tent; some bright spark got up in the night to go for a pee, as it was pitch black he accidentally covered the boots. My mate continued on oblivious but complained of pain in his toes. Eventually he reported in sick to the medic who promptly sent him back to the station where he was flown back to the UK and had two of his toes amputated!
The other week I realised that I am a “Sudafed” addict, I didn’t really think about it but for many months I have been happily sniffing away on the stuff since having a cold a long time back. After reading about it on the net I realised that I was hooked and quickly switched to a saline solution and thankfully have got off the hard stuff. But it was hard work, constantly having a very stuffy nose which kept me awake for many a night.
So a warning to all cold sufferers out there it’s very easy to get addicted and the consequences can be dire!
Tuesday, January 05, 2010
The Fun Continues
What a difference a few days make to the lives of our pups. Now full of confidence, they tear around the house chasing each other and happily chew anything that is worth an investigation. Already through a bit of order they now know to pee and poo outside but as you would expect accidents still happen! I have managed to construct a large enclosure in the rear garden and they happily frolic around with what seems a complete ignorance of the cold weather, while either Mrs CG or I stand at the back door watching their antics whilst freezing our socks off.
I forgot how busy you are keeping an eye on the little buggers as they will chew anything from the corner of a desk to table legs or any item of clothing that happens to be in reach.
Doors, entrances and any wiring has now been closed off by boards or cages, TV remotes and mobiles are no longer left in low areas, no doubt certain things will get broken, one of my speaker cables has already been cut in half, but that’s what you must except for the next 6 months.
Word has spread and most of the family have been round to see the labs, it’s amazing how many "aahs and ooos" I heard over the past few days. I’m just dying to see the reaction from the Gamekeeper when one of the farm hands tells him; he’ll be really hacked off knowing that once more we will be trailing around the farm. Come February the 2nd I shall be down on that farm with my bitches, shouting a hearty good morning to him and happily strolling over to the river taking them for their first swim.
I forgot how busy you are keeping an eye on the little buggers as they will chew anything from the corner of a desk to table legs or any item of clothing that happens to be in reach.
Doors, entrances and any wiring has now been closed off by boards or cages, TV remotes and mobiles are no longer left in low areas, no doubt certain things will get broken, one of my speaker cables has already been cut in half, but that’s what you must except for the next 6 months.
Word has spread and most of the family have been round to see the labs, it’s amazing how many "aahs and ooos" I heard over the past few days. I’m just dying to see the reaction from the Gamekeeper when one of the farm hands tells him; he’ll be really hacked off knowing that once more we will be trailing around the farm. Come February the 2nd I shall be down on that farm with my bitches, shouting a hearty good morning to him and happily strolling over to the river taking them for their first swim.
Friday, January 01, 2010
Meet Izzy and Ella
I’d like to introduce you to the two new members of the CG family, Izzy and Ella.
Nine weeks old and adorable as all pups are, we picked them up from a local farm yesterday . The vet gave them a quick once over and pronounced them fit and once home I suddenly realised that the last few months of holiday period was well and truly over.
Nine weeks old and adorable as all pups are, we picked them up from a local farm yesterday . The vet gave them a quick once over and pronounced them fit and once home I suddenly realised that the last few months of holiday period was well and truly over.
Already Ella seems to be the dominant sister and seems to be a little more relaxed than Izzy but I’m sure after a week when they both settle down all will be fine. First night was filled with dread for Mrs CG and I as we thought we would be up most the night but hardly a wimper was heard and they seemed very settled in their brand new bed!
The place of course is like poo and wee city but that’s what you get with pups!
Will keep you informed as we go along!
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