Shed label: Arthur
Shed label: Jackson
Doesn't everyone give their sheds names?
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Arthur "Two Sheds" Jackson - Part 2
Having named my sheds (see Arthur "Two Sheds" Jackson) I decided they should be labeled up properly. So I had two labels made and attached them to the sheds. Job done!
Shed label: Arthur
Shed label: Jackson
Doesn't everyone give their sheds names?
Shed label: Arthur
Shed label: Jackson
Doesn't everyone give their sheds names?
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Why I Hate My Mac
Because it makes me feel like a complete incompetent, an utter n00b.
On the Windows PC I am slick, proficient, productive. I am the go-to guy in our office if anyone needs help with Office. My fingers naturally curl into the three chords of Ctrl-C, Alt-Tab, Ctrl-V like Rick Parfitt belting out that good old Rock'n'Roll.
On the Mac everything is painfully slow and clunky. I have to use the mouse instead of the keyboard short-cuts and it takes multiple clicks to do things that I would normally accomplish in a few well chosen actions. I hate it. The Mac may be usable but it is not intuitive.
I know, I know it's a "training issue" and in six months time I may well be singing its praises like all the other Mac fanboys and geekgirls. But that's not the point. Right here, right now the learning curve is so steep it more resembles a brick wall. I have so much to unlearn and relearn it is dispiriting. It was more of a shock because I love my iPhone and was hoping for a similarly pleasant experience but not so.
When my previous laptop died I decided I would finally make the switch after years of hearing how wonderful the Mac was. I was trepidatious because the one application I really needed, QuickBooks UK version, was not available for the Mac. No problem they say - use BootCamp. So I went and bought a top of the range MacBook Pro. Now bear in mind that not only have I never owned a Mac I have never even used a Mac but I did look over someone's shoulder once. And these are my initial experiences:
It's slow work though and I am very slowly creeping up the learning curve but at the moment I still hate my Mac.
On the Windows PC I am slick, proficient, productive. I am the go-to guy in our office if anyone needs help with Office. My fingers naturally curl into the three chords of Ctrl-C, Alt-Tab, Ctrl-V like Rick Parfitt belting out that good old Rock'n'Roll.
On the Mac everything is painfully slow and clunky. I have to use the mouse instead of the keyboard short-cuts and it takes multiple clicks to do things that I would normally accomplish in a few well chosen actions. I hate it. The Mac may be usable but it is not intuitive.
I know, I know it's a "training issue" and in six months time I may well be singing its praises like all the other Mac fanboys and geekgirls. But that's not the point. Right here, right now the learning curve is so steep it more resembles a brick wall. I have so much to unlearn and relearn it is dispiriting. It was more of a shock because I love my iPhone and was hoping for a similarly pleasant experience but not so.
When my previous laptop died I decided I would finally make the switch after years of hearing how wonderful the Mac was. I was trepidatious because the one application I really needed, QuickBooks UK version, was not available for the Mac. No problem they say - use BootCamp. So I went and bought a top of the range MacBook Pro. Now bear in mind that not only have I never owned a Mac I have never even used a Mac but I did look over someone's shoulder once. And these are my initial experiences:
- First impressions OK. Switching it on the layout seemed reasonably intuitive. That row along the bottom seemed to combine the functions of the Windows Start menu and quick launch and task bar. The system tray was up the top but that was fine.
- Menu bar has moved. Clicked on a few apps and was confused by the lack of menus across the tops of the windows until I worked out that it was along the top of the screen and changed according to the active application.
- Inconsistent app installation. Used Safari to download and install Firefox no problem. Then used Firefox to download Skype and it all went pear-shaped. I ended up with some kind of disc drive icon on my desktop instead an installed application. Not a consistent experience.
- There was no driver for my HP LaserJet 1020. I tried Googling and installing an alternative driver which did not work and eventually used the driver for a different model but not after wasting quite some time - hardly plug and play.
- The serial number is written on the base in minuscule font, something like 2pt, silver on silver - only just legible with a magnifying glass a close range. Made registering for the Protection Plan difficult.
- There is no key labeled Option. This caused me some grief with Boot camp. I was asked to format the disc drive as part of the Windows install and thereafter I could only boot into Windows. With no information I had to guess what the Option key was and I guessed wrong that it was the Squiggle key. "Oh f**k", I thought, "I've gone and wiped the Mac OS! I'm going to have to go into the shop and get the bl**dy thing rebuilt." [I now know it is the alt key to the left of the Squiggle key - thank you Elizabeth]. But there was a very worrying, panic-inducing half hour.
- There is no # key. How am I supposed to use Twitter hash tags. [I now know it is Option-3].
- It only has two USB slots. So with the laser printer, the all-in-one scanner, the external back-up device, the wired mouse, the wireless transmitter for the separate keyboard, a USB stick and the iPhone for syncing I am quite a few slots short of a full set of peripherals. Fortunately I had a USB mini-hub in the drawer.
- iPhoto took control. It insisted on downloading all my photos into separate events one for each day. Excuse me I want to be in charge here. I want to decide the folder structure and which photos go where. Moving photos all into one event seemed very long-winded and inefficient. [I now know there is a merge function - thank you Helen]
- There was no equivalent of Windows explorer as far as I could see. It was several weeks until I was round at a friends house that he pointed out that it was Finder. [Thank you - Tim] The Smiley icon gave no clue, the name made me think it was a search function and using Spotlight merely reinforced that misapprehension.
- File >> Save As >> Where give a fixed list of locations so I had to save it where I was forced to and then painfully move it using Finder (now I knew what that is). Now I know to click the drop down icon next to the file name field not the where field - how unintuitive is that?
It's slow work though and I am very slowly creeping up the learning curve but at the moment I still hate my Mac.
Sunday, June 05, 2011
The Perfect 60th Wedding Anniversary Present
My bother is a star and has tracked down what is, in my opinion, the perfect present for our parents' 60th wedding anniversary. Then Jane and Mary went and added icing on the cake *and* a cherry on top.
For their honeymoon Mike and Geri went to Paris and they brought back, as a souvenir, a Madonna and Child ceramic figurine by Roger Capron. That figurine has always sat in full view in their house as long as I can remember.
Ian Googled and found a piece by Roger Capron for sale on an ceramic gallery website: a clock featuring "Les Amoureux de Peynet" - doubly symbolic for such an event.
However he got no reply from the two requests he sent and the website had no phone number nor address. I did a Whois but the registrant was shown as some ISP in Switzerland - dead end. More Googling revealed that it was a gallery in St Tropez. Still no street address and international directory enquiries had no record of the gallery - another dead end :-(
But then Natalie, Ian's Office Manager who is French, came to the rescue. I do not know how she did it but she tracked down the seller. By one of those magical coincidences the seller lived near her Grandmother who Natalie was due to visit the following weekend (you couldn't make it up). A rendezvous and exchange was arranged and the item transported to England.
Roger Capron / Raymond Peynet clock
Ian (and Sarah) and I went down to Farnham on Thursday for a meal and to hand over the present. Jane and Pete were in India and Mary was in South Africa but had done their own arranging. Jane discovered that the Queen not only does letters for 100th birthdays but also 60th (and 65th and 70th) wedding anniversarys. A sneak photocopy of the marriage certificate was arranged with Dad and a request to The Palace resulted in a special delivery on the day.
Mary remembered Mum once talking about how she had wanted an orchid corsage for their wedding but her future MIL went and bought a gardenia - something that has obviously rankled ever since. So what better to supplement the obligatory bunch of flowers but an orchid corsage which Mum wore for our celebratory meal.
Well done team!
In a couple of weeks time when the wanderers return to the UK we will have a follow-up family lunch with all offspring and partners down at Jane's.
For their honeymoon Mike and Geri went to Paris and they brought back, as a souvenir, a Madonna and Child ceramic figurine by Roger Capron. That figurine has always sat in full view in their house as long as I can remember.
Ian Googled and found a piece by Roger Capron for sale on an ceramic gallery website: a clock featuring "Les Amoureux de Peynet" - doubly symbolic for such an event.
However he got no reply from the two requests he sent and the website had no phone number nor address. I did a Whois but the registrant was shown as some ISP in Switzerland - dead end. More Googling revealed that it was a gallery in St Tropez. Still no street address and international directory enquiries had no record of the gallery - another dead end :-(
But then Natalie, Ian's Office Manager who is French, came to the rescue. I do not know how she did it but she tracked down the seller. By one of those magical coincidences the seller lived near her Grandmother who Natalie was due to visit the following weekend (you couldn't make it up). A rendezvous and exchange was arranged and the item transported to England.
Roger Capron / Raymond Peynet clock
Ian (and Sarah) and I went down to Farnham on Thursday for a meal and to hand over the present. Jane and Pete were in India and Mary was in South Africa but had done their own arranging. Jane discovered that the Queen not only does letters for 100th birthdays but also 60th (and 65th and 70th) wedding anniversarys. A sneak photocopy of the marriage certificate was arranged with Dad and a request to The Palace resulted in a special delivery on the day.
Mary remembered Mum once talking about how she had wanted an orchid corsage for their wedding but her future MIL went and bought a gardenia - something that has obviously rankled ever since. So what better to supplement the obligatory bunch of flowers but an orchid corsage which Mum wore for our celebratory meal.
Well done team!
In a couple of weeks time when the wanderers return to the UK we will have a follow-up family lunch with all offspring and partners down at Jane's.
Thursday, June 02, 2011
Puglia May 2011
Two weekend trips to Trullo Azzurro (TA) in one month; this time our guests were Grant and Helen. It is amazing how much good stuff you can pack into a weekend.
Friday
The flight was Alitalia Heathrow to Brindisi, change at Rome. The second leg was delayed so we got in a 00:45 in the morning and fell into bed.
Saturday
Since we were last out at the beginning of the month TA has been whitewashed and the olive trees pruned so the place is looking all spruced up ready for the season.
This was kindly organised by our friends Chris and John so the next morning we went round to their place early for a quick hello and to drop off a "thank you" gift. Normally we take bacon for John so this time we took Welsh spring lamb for Chris - 1.3 kg of organic, boned leg joint. The lamb went hand luggage and I was not surprised when security at Heathrow pulled over my bag for inspection. Fortunately the man was satisfied that it was the Sunday roast rather than some curious explosive device.
Then we met up with Pietro to settle our local tax bill which he had arranged to be paid. Back at TA we pottered about until the call from Grant and Helen to guide them in the last couple of km in time for lunch and relaxing. That evening it was aperitif at Bar Fod in Cisternino followed by supper at the always excellent Osteria Sant'Anna.
Sunday
As luck would have it the city of Lecce were having Cortili Aperti [PDF] - Open Courtyard - where various palazzi (palaces) not normally open to the public literally opened their doors so you could look round. Many of them had live music performances as well.
Lecce Courtyard
We dropped the car off at Fasano station and took the train into Lecce which made it more of an adventure. Most of the houses had plenty of twiddly baroque carving and delightful courtyard gardens.
Lecce Garden
Lecce Street
Three hours of top notch gawking and home on the train. On the way back from Fasano station we dropped in on neighbours Carole and Mino who insisted we sample their own wine that they had bottled the day before. Both white and red were very tasty and I love that you can see the very vines right next to you.
Mino's wine
The evening was similar to the night before: Bar Fod then Osteria Bell'Italia for another typical Puglian meal. Food excellent and the house wine an amazingly quaffable EUR 6 a litre.
It was the Feast of Maria Ausiliatrice in Cisternino so we took a post-prandial meander down Via Roma to admire the illuminations and soak up the atmosphere.
Cisternino illuminations
Monday
The usual last minute headless chicken routine as we tidied up and moved things around. Retrieving the truckle bed from underneath our bed and putting it in the little sitting room involved a major Tower of Hanoi style shuffling of bicycles and bedside cabinets.
Then down to La Rotonda da Rosa for a seafood lunch and a reluctant departure to Brindisi for the flight home.
La Rotonda da Rosa
But never mind we are back out at the end of June for another, slightly longer weekend :-)
Friday
The flight was Alitalia Heathrow to Brindisi, change at Rome. The second leg was delayed so we got in a 00:45 in the morning and fell into bed.
Saturday
Since we were last out at the beginning of the month TA has been whitewashed and the olive trees pruned so the place is looking all spruced up ready for the season.
This was kindly organised by our friends Chris and John so the next morning we went round to their place early for a quick hello and to drop off a "thank you" gift. Normally we take bacon for John so this time we took Welsh spring lamb for Chris - 1.3 kg of organic, boned leg joint. The lamb went hand luggage and I was not surprised when security at Heathrow pulled over my bag for inspection. Fortunately the man was satisfied that it was the Sunday roast rather than some curious explosive device.
Then we met up with Pietro to settle our local tax bill which he had arranged to be paid. Back at TA we pottered about until the call from Grant and Helen to guide them in the last couple of km in time for lunch and relaxing. That evening it was aperitif at Bar Fod in Cisternino followed by supper at the always excellent Osteria Sant'Anna.
Sunday
As luck would have it the city of Lecce were having Cortili Aperti [PDF] - Open Courtyard - where various palazzi (palaces) not normally open to the public literally opened their doors so you could look round. Many of them had live music performances as well.
Lecce Courtyard
We dropped the car off at Fasano station and took the train into Lecce which made it more of an adventure. Most of the houses had plenty of twiddly baroque carving and delightful courtyard gardens.
Lecce Garden
Lecce Street
Three hours of top notch gawking and home on the train. On the way back from Fasano station we dropped in on neighbours Carole and Mino who insisted we sample their own wine that they had bottled the day before. Both white and red were very tasty and I love that you can see the very vines right next to you.
Mino's wine
The evening was similar to the night before: Bar Fod then Osteria Bell'Italia for another typical Puglian meal. Food excellent and the house wine an amazingly quaffable EUR 6 a litre.
It was the Feast of Maria Ausiliatrice in Cisternino so we took a post-prandial meander down Via Roma to admire the illuminations and soak up the atmosphere.
Cisternino illuminations
Monday
The usual last minute headless chicken routine as we tidied up and moved things around. Retrieving the truckle bed from underneath our bed and putting it in the little sitting room involved a major Tower of Hanoi style shuffling of bicycles and bedside cabinets.
Then down to La Rotonda da Rosa for a seafood lunch and a reluctant departure to Brindisi for the flight home.
La Rotonda da Rosa
But never mind we are back out at the end of June for another, slightly longer weekend :-)
 | Trullo Azzurro: beautifully restored trullo in delightful, secluded valley near Locorotondo, Puglia, Italy. Available to rent on a per week basis, sleeps 4-6. For more information visit http://www.holiday-rentals.co.uk/trulloazzurro |
Wednesday, June 01, 2011
Puglia Wine Tasting Dinner
Putney, London, England - Wednesday 25-May-2011
This meal was an opportunity to introduce our friends Tim and Sarah to the fine restaurant Enoteca Turi and get ourselves in the mood for our forthcoming trip to Puglia. As always, superb food and wine. This must be our 10th or 11th wine dinner there (plus a couple of "normal" meals).
To quote from the blurb "Peter McCombie, journalist, wine writer, consultant and one of the highest authorities on Italian wine, will explore the expression of these grapes [Primitivo, Negroamaro and Nero di Troia] in different styles, accompanied by a Puglian feast researched by Giuseppe and Head Chef Massimo"
These three varietals [Primitivo, Negroamaro and Nero di Troia] are local and endemic in Puglia but not so well known elsewhere - apart from the Primitivo which the Americans know as Zinfandel but, in my view, tastes so much better in the Italian version.
As well as being knowledgeable (as you would expect from an MW he had some sensible things to say about enjoying wine. So we did :-)
Stuzzichini
Apulian tastes
Negroamaro IGT 2008 Il Meridione
*
Selection of antipasti
Aubergine involtini with scamorza, burrata and Altamura bread bruschetta
Primitivo del Salento IGT 2008 Pietrafitta
*
Orecchiette con cacio ricotta, rucola e pomodoro
Orecchiette with cacio ricotta, rocket and fresh tomato sauce
Il Falcone DOC Riserva 2005 Rivera
*
Agnello arrosto con olive e patate, pecorino e pan grattato, zucchine alla poverella
Roast organic Rhug estate new season lamb with potato and olives,
courgette poverella and toasted breadcrumbs
Le Cruste nero di Troia IGT 2005 Alberto Longo
Maime Negroamaro IGT 2006 Tormaresca
*
Formaggi pugliese
A selection of artisan Apulian cheeses
ES Primitivo di Manduria 2008 Gianfranco Fino
*
Coffee with almond nougatine sticks
This meal was an opportunity to introduce our friends Tim and Sarah to the fine restaurant Enoteca Turi and get ourselves in the mood for our forthcoming trip to Puglia. As always, superb food and wine. This must be our 10th or 11th wine dinner there (plus a couple of "normal" meals).
To quote from the blurb "Peter McCombie, journalist, wine writer, consultant and one of the highest authorities on Italian wine, will explore the expression of these grapes [Primitivo, Negroamaro and Nero di Troia] in different styles, accompanied by a Puglian feast researched by Giuseppe and Head Chef Massimo"
These three varietals [Primitivo, Negroamaro and Nero di Troia] are local and endemic in Puglia but not so well known elsewhere - apart from the Primitivo which the Americans know as Zinfandel but, in my view, tastes so much better in the Italian version.
As well as being knowledgeable (as you would expect from an MW he had some sensible things to say about enjoying wine. So we did :-)
Stuzzichini
Apulian tastes
Negroamaro IGT 2008 Il Meridione
*
Selection of antipasti
Aubergine involtini with scamorza, burrata and Altamura bread bruschetta
Primitivo del Salento IGT 2008 Pietrafitta
*
Orecchiette con cacio ricotta, rucola e pomodoro
Orecchiette with cacio ricotta, rocket and fresh tomato sauce
Il Falcone DOC Riserva 2005 Rivera
*
Agnello arrosto con olive e patate, pecorino e pan grattato, zucchine alla poverella
Roast organic Rhug estate new season lamb with potato and olives,
courgette poverella and toasted breadcrumbs
Le Cruste nero di Troia IGT 2005 Alberto Longo
Maime Negroamaro IGT 2006 Tormaresca
*
Formaggi pugliese
A selection of artisan Apulian cheeses
ES Primitivo di Manduria 2008 Gianfranco Fino
*
Coffee with almond nougatine sticks
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Thames Bridges Bike Ride 2011
London, England - Sunday 22-May-2011
Our fourth participation in the Thames Bridges Bike Ride in aid of The Stroke Association - 14 bridges and 33 miles.
We don't ask for sponsorship for every event to prevent donor-fatigue amongst our friends. Instead we sponsor each other for the suggested fund-raising target, that way we can support the charity and the charity can claim the tax relief. We save the begging emails for the big events.
Start at Southwark Park
Mary signed us up for the 8 o'clock start (!). Public transport is not really fully operational at that time on a Sunday so we set the alarm for 6 and cycled the 7.5 miles to the start point.
Start at Southwark Park
We were in the first batch across the start line and consequently amongst the early arrivals at the end point just beyond Hampton Court. We did the route in a riding time of 2:53 consequently we were all done by 11. Then it was a well deserved cup of tea with Jamaican jerk chicken with red beans and rice.
Finish at Hurst Park
Previously: Thames Bridges
Our fourth participation in the Thames Bridges Bike Ride in aid of The Stroke Association - 14 bridges and 33 miles.
We don't ask for sponsorship for every event to prevent donor-fatigue amongst our friends. Instead we sponsor each other for the suggested fund-raising target, that way we can support the charity and the charity can claim the tax relief. We save the begging emails for the big events.
Start at Southwark Park
Mary signed us up for the 8 o'clock start (!). Public transport is not really fully operational at that time on a Sunday so we set the alarm for 6 and cycled the 7.5 miles to the start point.
Start at Southwark Park
We were in the first batch across the start line and consequently amongst the early arrivals at the end point just beyond Hampton Court. We did the route in a riding time of 2:53 consequently we were all done by 11. Then it was a well deserved cup of tea with Jamaican jerk chicken with red beans and rice.
Finish at Hurst Park
Previously: Thames Bridges
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Kenilworth Grammar School 1971 Reunion
Kenilworth, England - Saturday 21-May-2011
At the weekend I went to my third old School reunion (see previous *). It is 40 years since I left Kenilworth Grammar School. Respect to Dilys Shepherd for her untiring efforts in tracking people down and organising these events.
This one was held in The Virgins and Castle, one of many of ye olde pubs in Kenilworth. Driving up the main drag made me realise what a delightful town it was. Probably very "middle England" and still very unspoilt.
KGS Reunion 2011 - Virgins and Castle
Who was there? Alex Smith, Andrew Fox, Bill Nealon, Caroline Bostock, Deb Collett, Diana Gibson, Dilys, Kay Warmingham, Ken Harrop, Kevin Beckett, Liz Thomas, Louise Phillips, Mark McLellan, Mark Webster, Martin Haswell, Mary Cameron, Rick and Wendy Skelcey, Ross Beadle, Sue Kirk, Pete Old, Wendy Skinner, David Ashwell, Paul Pearce, Craig Horner, Chris Hills and Carol Mallorie
plus.... teachers: Malcolm Chambers, Norman Stevens, Fud Forsyth and Peter Muckersie
KGS Reunion 2011 - Mark Webster and Mark McLellan
As before there were people who I remembered vividly and others who I would never have picked out in a police line-up. Not that they have changed - the years, in general, have been kind to the assembled company - it was more that I simply didn't remember them despite having spent years in their company. No reflection on them more a sign of my poor memory :-(
KGS Reunion 2011 - Team Photo
In this photo: Andrew Fox, Paul Pearce, David Ashwell, Peter Old, Peter Muckersie, Craig Horner, Sue Kirk/Hope, William Nealon, Dilys Shepherd, Wendy Skinner, Kevin Beckett, Liz Thomas, Chris Hills, Richard Skelcey, Nigel Mykura, Sue Lamb/Mykura, Norman Stevenson, Deb Collett, Caroline Bostock/Drew, Shelby Louise Phillips, Alexandra Gunning, Mark Webster
Some people had not made it to the previous reunions so it was fascinating to hear about their lives since KGS. It was also good to get an update from those who had made previous events. There are some who Dilys has not been able to track down - whatever happened to Brian Burton or Clive Dodds - and some where the trail went cold or they never replied.
An enjoyable afternoon and I would love to spent longer chatting to some there if we could meet up again - like parties there are so many people you never get long enough to talk to everybody.
Here's to the next one!
My full set of photos on Facebook
Facebook page for Kenilworth Grammar School 1971
* Previous reunions:
Reunion 2001 photos
Reunion 2006 photos
At the weekend I went to my third old School reunion (see previous *). It is 40 years since I left Kenilworth Grammar School. Respect to Dilys Shepherd for her untiring efforts in tracking people down and organising these events.
This one was held in The Virgins and Castle, one of many of ye olde pubs in Kenilworth. Driving up the main drag made me realise what a delightful town it was. Probably very "middle England" and still very unspoilt.
KGS Reunion 2011 - Virgins and Castle
Who was there? Alex Smith, Andrew Fox, Bill Nealon, Caroline Bostock, Deb Collett, Diana Gibson, Dilys, Kay Warmingham, Ken Harrop, Kevin Beckett, Liz Thomas, Louise Phillips, Mark McLellan, Mark Webster, Martin Haswell, Mary Cameron, Rick and Wendy Skelcey, Ross Beadle, Sue Kirk, Pete Old, Wendy Skinner, David Ashwell, Paul Pearce, Craig Horner, Chris Hills and Carol Mallorie
plus.... teachers: Malcolm Chambers, Norman Stevens, Fud Forsyth and Peter Muckersie
KGS Reunion 2011 - Mark Webster and Mark McLellan
As before there were people who I remembered vividly and others who I would never have picked out in a police line-up. Not that they have changed - the years, in general, have been kind to the assembled company - it was more that I simply didn't remember them despite having spent years in their company. No reflection on them more a sign of my poor memory :-(
KGS Reunion 2011 - Team Photo
In this photo: Andrew Fox, Paul Pearce, David Ashwell, Peter Old, Peter Muckersie, Craig Horner, Sue Kirk/Hope, William Nealon, Dilys Shepherd, Wendy Skinner, Kevin Beckett, Liz Thomas, Chris Hills, Richard Skelcey, Nigel Mykura, Sue Lamb/Mykura, Norman Stevenson, Deb Collett, Caroline Bostock/Drew, Shelby Louise Phillips, Alexandra Gunning, Mark Webster
Some people had not made it to the previous reunions so it was fascinating to hear about their lives since KGS. It was also good to get an update from those who had made previous events. There are some who Dilys has not been able to track down - whatever happened to Brian Burton or Clive Dodds - and some where the trail went cold or they never replied.
An enjoyable afternoon and I would love to spent longer chatting to some there if we could meet up again - like parties there are so many people you never get long enough to talk to everybody.
Here's to the next one!
My full set of photos on Facebook
Facebook page for Kenilworth Grammar School 1971
* Previous reunions:
Reunion 2001 photos
Reunion 2006 photos
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Race for Life, Battersea Park 2011
London, England - 18-May-2011
Raising awareness and raising money for Cancer Research UK
A cause we both support - both our Mums had breast cancer and Mary's Dad had prostate cancer and all successfully treated. More research is always needed into causes and cures.
Mary at Race for Life, Battersea Park 2011
Mary ran, I sponsored. They sensibly divide the participants into runners, joggers and walkers. Because of her dodgy back Mary placed herself with the walkers but, given all her recent power walking, she was closer in speed to the joggers - 5K in 40mins. Pink is the colour!
Afterwards we went for a meal at the Lost Angel with our friend Andrea A for a very enjoyable meal. It describes itself as "bar, restaurant and boozer". I have cycled past many, many times on my commute but this was a first visit - very pleasantly surprised. I was expecting more of a "young persons meeting place" but it turned out to be a very pleasant gastro-pub.
Raising awareness and raising money for Cancer Research UK
A cause we both support - both our Mums had breast cancer and Mary's Dad had prostate cancer and all successfully treated. More research is always needed into causes and cures.
Mary at Race for Life, Battersea Park 2011
Mary ran, I sponsored. They sensibly divide the participants into runners, joggers and walkers. Because of her dodgy back Mary placed herself with the walkers but, given all her recent power walking, she was closer in speed to the joggers - 5K in 40mins. Pink is the colour!
Afterwards we went for a meal at the Lost Angel with our friend Andrea A for a very enjoyable meal. It describes itself as "bar, restaurant and boozer". I have cycled past many, many times on my commute but this was a first visit - very pleasantly surprised. I was expecting more of a "young persons meeting place" but it turned out to be a very pleasant gastro-pub.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Colavecchia Primitivo Bottling
Three years ago our neighbours introduced us to the Colavecchia Primitivo - excellent everyday drinking wine at a ludicrously cheap €1.10 per litre. We bottled that first batch using old bottles and recycled corks pushed in by hand. I decided that we should bottle using fresh corks and a bottling widget but it has taken a couple of years to get round to doing that.
Colavecchia Primitivo - Buying 10 litres
While we were out in Puglia this Easter we took our friends Tim and Sarah and Elizabeth over to the cantina armed with two 5 litre plastic demijohns and bought their *cough* top-of-the-range primitivo.
Colavecchia Primitivo - Inspecting the bottle (Photo by Elizabeth Buie)
Back at Trullo Azzurro I co-opted Tim to assist in the bottling process.
Colavecchia Primitivo - Using the corking machine (Photo by Elizabeth Buie)
Colavecchia Primitivo - One down, twelve to go (Photo by Elizabeth Buie)
Mind you I'm not sure we needed to bottle all 10 litres because we had drunk half of it by the time we went home. The rest will be awaiting us on our next visit.
Colavecchia Primitivo - Buying 10 litres
While we were out in Puglia this Easter we took our friends Tim and Sarah and Elizabeth over to the cantina armed with two 5 litre plastic demijohns and bought their *cough* top-of-the-range primitivo.
Colavecchia Primitivo - Inspecting the bottle (Photo by Elizabeth Buie)
Back at Trullo Azzurro I co-opted Tim to assist in the bottling process.
Colavecchia Primitivo - Using the corking machine (Photo by Elizabeth Buie)
Colavecchia Primitivo - One down, twelve to go (Photo by Elizabeth Buie)
Mind you I'm not sure we needed to bottle all 10 litres because we had drunk half of it by the time we went home. The rest will be awaiting us on our next visit.
| Trullo Azzurro: beautifully restored trullo in delightful, secluded valley near Locorotondo, Puglia, Italy. Available to rent on a per week basis, sleeps 4-6. For more information visit http://www.holiday-rentals.co.uk/trulloazzurro |
Saturday, May 14, 2011
JJ Grey and Marcus Bonfanti at the O2 Academy Islington
London, England - 12-May-2011
Were it not for the joys of the interweb and the iPhone we would have missed this gig.
Some while back my friend Rosemary, who I met through the blogosphere, stayed with us and sent me a JJ Grey CD as a thank you. In return, for her birthday, we sent her a Marcus Bonfanti CD. We had come across Marcus as a support act when we went to see the legendary John Mayall.
Marcus Bonfanti
Rosemary had posted a link to the JJ Grey tour info on the Wednesday but after we had gone to bed. By chance I decided to check Facebook on the iPhone before I leapt out of bed and discovered that both these acts were on that very evening! Otherwise I might have cycled to work and Mary gone to her Italian conversation class.
As it was we had a rapid change of plans and went off to the O2 Academy, Islington for the gig.
JJ Grey and Mofro
Both acts were excellent - to quote Mary "Awesome!" What I was also impressed with was the venue itself. Very small, nay intimate, like a large pub room. That meant you could get right up close to the band, just feet away. It would be hard to imagine a greater contrast to the O2 Arena at the complete other end of the spectrum.
A great evening that really got us hankering to go back to New Orleans for the Jazz Fest. Laissez les bons temps rouler!
Were it not for the joys of the interweb and the iPhone we would have missed this gig.
Some while back my friend Rosemary, who I met through the blogosphere, stayed with us and sent me a JJ Grey CD as a thank you. In return, for her birthday, we sent her a Marcus Bonfanti CD. We had come across Marcus as a support act when we went to see the legendary John Mayall.
Marcus Bonfanti
Rosemary had posted a link to the JJ Grey tour info on the Wednesday but after we had gone to bed. By chance I decided to check Facebook on the iPhone before I leapt out of bed and discovered that both these acts were on that very evening! Otherwise I might have cycled to work and Mary gone to her Italian conversation class.
As it was we had a rapid change of plans and went off to the O2 Academy, Islington for the gig.
JJ Grey and Mofro
Both acts were excellent - to quote Mary "Awesome!" What I was also impressed with was the venue itself. Very small, nay intimate, like a large pub room. That meant you could get right up close to the band, just feet away. It would be hard to imagine a greater contrast to the O2 Arena at the complete other end of the spectrum.
A great evening that really got us hankering to go back to New Orleans for the Jazz Fest. Laissez les bons temps rouler!
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Georgian Chiffonier
We have been looking for a stylish antique for the breakfast room for a couple of years now to replace the Homebase pine sideboard and a butchers block that had served as our work surfaces - well when I say "we"...
A regular Sunday activity has been a stroll to Criterion Auctions of London armed with tape measure to look for likely candidates. Many unsuitable items have vied for our bids but we resisted until the right one came along.
Rather than let this one slip away Mary went down on the Monday evening and bid in person. We got it for just under the guide price on the second bid, pipping an absentee bid and no in-room competition.
Georgian Chiffonier (with Peaches and Blue)
The next evening I went down in the car with the roof racks that have repaid their cost many times over and brought our trophy back.
Now it is the happy home for the kettle, cat food and serving dishes.
A regular Sunday activity has been a stroll to Criterion Auctions of London armed with tape measure to look for likely candidates. Many unsuitable items have vied for our bids but we resisted until the right one came along.
Rather than let this one slip away Mary went down on the Monday evening and bid in person. We got it for just under the guide price on the second bid, pipping an absentee bid and no in-room competition.
Georgian Chiffonier (with Peaches and Blue)
The next evening I went down in the car with the roof racks that have repaid their cost many times over and brought our trophy back.
Now it is the happy home for the kettle, cat food and serving dishes.
Monday, May 09, 2011
Sanding the floors and painting the hall
We are now in week six of a major redecoration with the end, at last, in sight.
SWMBO decided that the downstairs floors needed sanding. That means the living room, dining room, breakfast room and hallway - in other words the entire downstairs apart from the kitchen and shower room.
Boxes on the bed
So we had to clear the decks - everything had to be moved upstairs or to the garage - while they sanded. Dust everywhere!
Front hall - work in progress
Dining room - work in progress
Then Mary had her contract extended so we could afford to have the hall painted as well. However that is about a third of the house as it takes in the kitchen and breakfast room, stairs and upstairs landing. More sanding, more dust.
Hallway from the breakfast room
Thankfully the lads are nearly done and we have started to reassemble our life. The breakfast room is done; the living room is mostly reconstituted but we are waiting till the post-decoration spring-clean before unboxing the CD's. The dining room will be last when they clear out their equipment.
Then we will have to host some dinner parties to show off our wonder walls and shiny floors.
SWMBO decided that the downstairs floors needed sanding. That means the living room, dining room, breakfast room and hallway - in other words the entire downstairs apart from the kitchen and shower room.
Boxes on the bed
So we had to clear the decks - everything had to be moved upstairs or to the garage - while they sanded. Dust everywhere!
Front hall - work in progress
Dining room - work in progress
Then Mary had her contract extended so we could afford to have the hall painted as well. However that is about a third of the house as it takes in the kitchen and breakfast room, stairs and upstairs landing. More sanding, more dust.
Hallway from the breakfast room
Thankfully the lads are nearly done and we have started to reassemble our life. The breakfast room is done; the living room is mostly reconstituted but we are waiting till the post-decoration spring-clean before unboxing the CD's. The dining room will be last when they clear out their equipment.
Then we will have to host some dinner parties to show off our wonder walls and shiny floors.
Monday, April 11, 2011
In praise of the 87 bus
London, England - 12-March-2011
We love the 87 bus; it leaves from just outside our house and goes all the way to Aldwych (Map of the route, PDF).
We use it regularly to get in to the West End on a Saturday, getting off at Charing Cross and walking up into Covent Garden and theatre-land. Even better we use the N87 to get home afterwards. Why spend £25 to get home in a black cab when you can snooze on the bus for £1.30.
Wandsworth - East Hill
I love to be in the front, right seat upstairs - it is the only place to be on a double-decker - from there you get the best views. From the 87 you get to see some of the great tourist sights of London.
Houses of Parliament
Big Ben
From Parliament Square you go up Whitehall, past the Cenotaph, Downing Street and the Horse guards on sentry duty in full ceremonial uniform.
Nelson's Column
Visitors to the UK spend a lot of money to get here and see these and we get them all for less than two of your English pounds. Result!
We love the 87 bus; it leaves from just outside our house and goes all the way to Aldwych (Map of the route, PDF).
We use it regularly to get in to the West End on a Saturday, getting off at Charing Cross and walking up into Covent Garden and theatre-land. Even better we use the N87 to get home afterwards. Why spend £25 to get home in a black cab when you can snooze on the bus for £1.30.
Wandsworth - East Hill
I love to be in the front, right seat upstairs - it is the only place to be on a double-decker - from there you get the best views. From the 87 you get to see some of the great tourist sights of London.
Houses of Parliament
Big Ben
From Parliament Square you go up Whitehall, past the Cenotaph, Downing Street and the Horse guards on sentry duty in full ceremonial uniform.
Nelson's Column
Visitors to the UK spend a lot of money to get here and see these and we get them all for less than two of your English pounds. Result!
Saturday, April 02, 2011
Commuting from Wandsworth Town
London, England - 28/30-March-2011
This is why I prefer to commute by bike when I can. Living in Zone 2 is great for getting home late at night but the commute to work in the morning is not as much fun.
The 07:40 is generally the last train you can be sure of getting on but not this Monday. From 07:47 onwards you are often have to let one or two trains go before you can squeeze on.
Wandsworth Town rail station 07:40 on 28-March-2011
The Thameside path is a different matter - no crowds here - and the river's ever changing moods. One day gray with the tide out, another day sunny and the tide is high (cue song).
Thameside path 07:40 on 30-March-2011
Maybe I should take a series of photos from the same spot to illustrate - no matter - the point is that it is quicker to cycle to work than take the train (seriously), cheaper than the gym (saves me money) and you are there in the moment - no slug-like dozing on the train but all senses alert for the traffic around you - that wakes you up for the day!
This is why I prefer to commute by bike when I can. Living in Zone 2 is great for getting home late at night but the commute to work in the morning is not as much fun.
The 07:40 is generally the last train you can be sure of getting on but not this Monday. From 07:47 onwards you are often have to let one or two trains go before you can squeeze on.
Wandsworth Town rail station 07:40 on 28-March-2011
The Thameside path is a different matter - no crowds here - and the river's ever changing moods. One day gray with the tide out, another day sunny and the tide is high (cue song).
Thameside path 07:40 on 30-March-2011
Maybe I should take a series of photos from the same spot to illustrate - no matter - the point is that it is quicker to cycle to work than take the train (seriously), cheaper than the gym (saves me money) and you are there in the moment - no slug-like dozing on the train but all senses alert for the traffic around you - that wakes you up for the day!
Friday, April 01, 2011
Edinburgh - Scotland vs Italy
Edinburgh, Scotland - 19/20-March-2011
We went up to Edinburgh for a short city break based around the six nations Scotland vs Italy match.
Flying up on Saturday morning we had no time to do anything but dump our bags at the hotel and head straight for Murrayfield for pint of Guinness.
The atmosphere at rugby matches is always welcoming and the crowd friendly. Many of them take the opportunity to dress up in fancy dress - we've seen all sorts: Hawaiian grass skirts, nuns, school girls, Ali G, vikings and Smurfs...
Rugby supporters dressed as Smurfs
What I liked was that both squads got an honour guard of a pipe band to escort their team buses round the stadium.
Bagpipes welcome Italian squad
We needed lunch so wandered round the various fast food stalls seeing what was on offer. I just had to go for this particularly Scottish healthy and nutritious offering.
Deep fried haggis and chips
The evening meal, I am glad to say, was much more sophisticated - Cucina at the Hotel Missoni. As you might guess from the name an Italian restaurant and high quality it was too. The sommelier was particularly accommodating. Our red wine had the faintest hint of cork taint at that borderline level where it is hard to decide whether it is returnable. After a discussion the sommelier tasted and opened a new bottle. Marginally better and the other side of the borderline.
Edinburgh castle
Sunday we did the castle - took the free half hour tour to get a basic orientation then spent another hour and a half wandering round.
To recover from a hard morning's touristing we had lunch at Monteith's in The High Street. The Top Table deal was a free glass of wine which they very kindly swapped for a glass of prosecco (as we were going to order more wine anyway). Excellent food, service and value, I would happily go back there again.
Sparkling aperitif
Then home for a quiet evening.
We went up to Edinburgh for a short city break based around the six nations Scotland vs Italy match.
Flying up on Saturday morning we had no time to do anything but dump our bags at the hotel and head straight for Murrayfield for pint of Guinness.
The atmosphere at rugby matches is always welcoming and the crowd friendly. Many of them take the opportunity to dress up in fancy dress - we've seen all sorts: Hawaiian grass skirts, nuns, school girls, Ali G, vikings and Smurfs...
Rugby supporters dressed as Smurfs
What I liked was that both squads got an honour guard of a pipe band to escort their team buses round the stadium.
Bagpipes welcome Italian squad
We needed lunch so wandered round the various fast food stalls seeing what was on offer. I just had to go for this particularly Scottish healthy and nutritious offering.
Deep fried haggis and chips
The evening meal, I am glad to say, was much more sophisticated - Cucina at the Hotel Missoni. As you might guess from the name an Italian restaurant and high quality it was too. The sommelier was particularly accommodating. Our red wine had the faintest hint of cork taint at that borderline level where it is hard to decide whether it is returnable. After a discussion the sommelier tasted and opened a new bottle. Marginally better and the other side of the borderline.
Edinburgh castle
Sunday we did the castle - took the free half hour tour to get a basic orientation then spent another hour and a half wandering round.
To recover from a hard morning's touristing we had lunch at Monteith's in The High Street. The Top Table deal was a free glass of wine which they very kindly swapped for a glass of prosecco (as we were going to order more wine anyway). Excellent food, service and value, I would happily go back there again.
Sparkling aperitif
Then home for a quiet evening.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Trullo Azzurro - opening up 2011
Locorotondo, Italy - 25/27-March-2011.
Our usual flying visit to open up for the start of the season. We took Friday afternoon off and flew RuinAir out of Stansted. Straight to T-A for a late cupboard supper of pasta, sauce in a jar and a bottle of red wine.
The next morning an early dash to Trito village stores for bread, butter and milk. After breakfast a trip to Conforama to look for extra sun loungers and a few other bits and bobs including buying ingredients for lunch.
Lunch al fresco
After lunch was when we dragged all the beds and mattresses out into the courtyard, turning every hour, to toast them in the wonderful spring sunshine and drive off the winter damp.
While that was happening I neatly folded the olive nets into the crates - they had been hastily stuffed indoors after our last visit to harvest the olives.
In the evening we popped into Cisternino for aperative and free wifi in Bar Fod.
Then back to T-A for a relaxing evening in: fine food, fine wine and an early night. Bliss!
Sunday morning there was only time for a quick tidy up but I did plant half a packet of rocket (arugula). Hopefully when we are out there in a month's time for Easter we might have some fresh picked salad available to eat.
Our usual flying visit to open up for the start of the season. We took Friday afternoon off and flew RuinAir out of Stansted. Straight to T-A for a late cupboard supper of pasta, sauce in a jar and a bottle of red wine.
The next morning an early dash to Trito village stores for bread, butter and milk. After breakfast a trip to Conforama to look for extra sun loungers and a few other bits and bobs including buying ingredients for lunch.
Lunch al fresco
After lunch was when we dragged all the beds and mattresses out into the courtyard, turning every hour, to toast them in the wonderful spring sunshine and drive off the winter damp.
While that was happening I neatly folded the olive nets into the crates - they had been hastily stuffed indoors after our last visit to harvest the olives.
In the evening we popped into Cisternino for aperative and free wifi in Bar Fod.
Then back to T-A for a relaxing evening in: fine food, fine wine and an early night. Bliss!
Sunday morning there was only time for a quick tidy up but I did plant half a packet of rocket (arugula). Hopefully when we are out there in a month's time for Easter we might have some fresh picked salad available to eat.
| Trullo Azzurro: beautifully restored trullo in delightful, secluded valley near Locorotondo, Puglia, Italy. Available to rent on a per week basis, sleeps 4-6. For more information visit http://www.holiday-rentals.co.uk/trulloazzurro |
Wednesday, March 09, 2011
Weekend in Scotland - March 2011
Last weekend was spent in Irvine doing DIY for the MIL. Not that I begrudge it at all. She is Mary's mum after all *and* she has been very generous to us in not spending the children's inheritance but passing it on. Also it takes some of the load off the SIL who does an awful lot for May, being so much nearer.
Bathroom mirror
Saturday's task was drilling holes in tiles for the bathroom mirror - always a nerve-wracking task. Went smoothly I'm glad to say as did the towel ring and loo roll holder.
French drain
Sunday's task was creating a French drain along the edge of the lawn. The troughs were killing off the grass and made it difficult to lawnmower up to the edge. Some black plastic, six bags of gravel and a couple of hours hopping about like a frog fixed that.
All in all a good deed kind of a weekend well spent.
Bathroom mirror
Saturday's task was drilling holes in tiles for the bathroom mirror - always a nerve-wracking task. Went smoothly I'm glad to say as did the towel ring and loo roll holder.
French drain
Sunday's task was creating a French drain along the edge of the lawn. The troughs were killing off the grass and made it difficult to lawnmower up to the edge. Some black plastic, six bags of gravel and a couple of hours hopping about like a frog fixed that.
All in all a good deed kind of a weekend well spent.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Timeshare in Ambleside, the Lake District
After several enjoyable walks at Christmas Mary decided we should do more walking.
Back in 2009 we had an excellent weekend of walking with Bob and Lynn based out of Ambleside in the lake district.
Mary's uncle Ronald and wife Avril have owned a week in the Quaysiders timeshare apartment in Ambleside for many years. They grew to love the area so much they eventually moved down to Kendal.
Lake Windermere Ambleside
So Mary got to hankering after one of those timeshare apartments.
At Mary's instigation Ronald sent us details of some weeks that were for sale and the prices were very reasonable. Less than our normal monthly credit card bill in fact!
To cut a long story short we went up to Kendal to spend the weekend with Ronald and Avril. The main purpose of the visit was to have a confirmatory inspection of the timeshare apartment before signing on dotted line.
Quayside Timeshare Ambleside
We have purchased the Christmas week of unit 16. It cost a little more than some of the others but it is worth lots of points in the trading schemes that enable you to swap for other timeshares. So when we get bored of Christmas in the lakes or just want a change we can swap for a couple of weeks in the sun and still have points left over.
It doesn't really count as a major addition to our property portfolio as it is only 1/52nd of a property.
Back in 2009 we had an excellent weekend of walking with Bob and Lynn based out of Ambleside in the lake district.
Mary's uncle Ronald and wife Avril have owned a week in the Quaysiders timeshare apartment in Ambleside for many years. They grew to love the area so much they eventually moved down to Kendal.
Lake Windermere Ambleside
So Mary got to hankering after one of those timeshare apartments.
At Mary's instigation Ronald sent us details of some weeks that were for sale and the prices were very reasonable. Less than our normal monthly credit card bill in fact!
To cut a long story short we went up to Kendal to spend the weekend with Ronald and Avril. The main purpose of the visit was to have a confirmatory inspection of the timeshare apartment before signing on dotted line.
Quayside Timeshare Ambleside
We have purchased the Christmas week of unit 16. It cost a little more than some of the others but it is worth lots of points in the trading schemes that enable you to swap for other timeshares. So when we get bored of Christmas in the lakes or just want a change we can swap for a couple of weeks in the sun and still have points left over.
It doesn't really count as a major addition to our property portfolio as it is only 1/52nd of a property.
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