tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66585972012-02-02T03:48:24.939Zwaffle and daub1 i zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13558407530891673133noreply@blogger.comBlogger12201100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6658597.post-65039427761518686692009-07-26T14:01:00.002+01:002009-10-16T18:15:21.571+01:00

Dartmoor is a landscape that makes sense in grey, windy conditions.Dartmoor with a mother in a wheelchair in grey, windy conditions makes less sense.Ah well the hotel was fabulous as ever and the staff are so friendly and accommodating that despite the vagaries of the British summer we manage to have a good time and hopefully it gave the folks a bit of a break, which is after all the main point

1 i zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13558407530891673133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6658597.post-58003936501552883482009-07-18T14:00:00.002+01:002009-10-16T18:10:37.048+01:00

Spending a weekend in Bristol with the lovely C, en route to Dartmoor has become an annual event. It may have started as a break in the long drive south of a Friday night, but just because this year I’m adopting the more environmentally responsible option of train travel, is no reason to mess with tradition.Obviously something in the universal planning scheme of things screwed up somewhere as

1 i zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13558407530891673133noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6658597.post-9980849730752539272009-07-11T18:38:00.002+01:002009-09-21T13:17:37.476+01:00

Eldest adopted niece will shortly be turning 18. Where does the time go? I can date the time when I first properly got to know her as it was her last year before starting high school.The reason I know this is because of the following (by now apocryphal) tale:Over that year or so I’d become increasingly good friends with her parents (and now count my blessings regularly to consider them some of

1 i zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13558407530891673133noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6658597.post-85881889899648143602009-07-10T21:59:00.001+01:002009-09-21T13:18:07.619+01:00

Sometimes it's easy to forget about the hidden treasures that exist on your doorstep; or in this case, my office doorstep.

1 i zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13558407530891673133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6658597.post-87202593642723768852009-07-09T14:03:00.000+01:002009-09-17T18:21:33.606+01:00

I suppose it took me a while to get used to the fact that the title of this book is a bit misleading. Olive is little more than a bit-player in many of the stories that make up the chapters of this book.Whether it’s a film or a book or whatever, our expectations going in often play a large part in determining how we receive a piece of art. Go to see a film with high expectations and you’re often

1 i zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13558407530891673133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6658597.post-75576125824506416522009-06-26T13:54:00.001+01:002009-09-21T13:17:52.157+01:00

This rather wonderful story on the BBC, recounts how Tasmanian Wallabies are eating opium poppies and creating crop circles as they hop around "as high as a kite".The story is made all the more fabulous by the assortment of comments people have left. My favourite is probably "I have seen a stoned wallaby but I don't know about them making crop circles. The one I saw was slurring his words and

1 i zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13558407530891673133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6658597.post-37202257819000046102009-06-25T14:04:00.001+01:002009-09-20T21:38:57.699+01:00

Last week was Refugee Week and having been approached by the Red Cross, this week's Book Group is a little out of the ordinary.Firstly we've selected a book from the list of novels by or about refugees (you leave the guys unattended for a second and they chose a graphic novel...) and secondly two representatives from the Red Cross join us for the evening.I have to confess that graphic novels

1 i zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13558407530891673133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6658597.post-28431159832860254452009-06-19T13:57:00.003+01:002009-09-20T18:14:27.509+01:00

J recently turned 40. Not for her the big party or formal bash; instead seven of us headed to a small villa in Brittany for a week of sunshine and relaxation.Wine, BBQs, swimming pool, beer, sightseeing, farmhouse, wine, langoustine, hypermarkets, fly infestations, sunshine, wine, fresh salad, baguettes, tarte citron, wine, girlie chats, aftersun squealing, local dogs, novels, games, siestas,

1 i zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13558407530891673133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6658597.post-46060291649235492282009-05-28T13:54:00.000+01:002009-08-17T13:57:45.355+01:00

I didn't expect to like this week's Book Group selection, but I'm won over.The relative honesty and the analysis of his grief is deeply moving. His questioning of God and faith more nuanced than I had expected.I may need to reasses my thoughts on the man a little.

1 i zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13558407530891673133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6658597.post-83530653281611669942009-05-24T13:36:00.003+01:002009-09-21T13:19:17.076+01:00

I'm starting to think I really like G's lifestyle.Captain Pugwash is into yachts. He has his own racing yacht and has taken full advantage of the Cardiff Bay Barrage's maritime revolution.When the barrage was being constructed, my then employers (who shall not be named, because it's entirely possible that if you say their name 3 times they come back and take over your company again...) were

1 i zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13558407530891673133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6658597.post-53723262517009942212009-05-23T13:25:00.000+01:002009-08-17T13:34:06.528+01:00

Saturday, G treats me to a day out at Barry Island (and buys me a Gavin and Stacey inspired fridge magnet to remember it by). Barry is...well...Barry. Often with seaside towns, phrasing like "faded former glory" spring to mind, but that doesn't quite work here..."faded former tackiness" is perhaps a little unkind but closer to the truth.What remains of the pleasure park is possibly in want of

1 i zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13558407530891673133noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6658597.post-17727869688229674672009-05-22T13:55:00.002+01:002009-08-17T13:34:18.937+01:00

After a last minute cancellation of plans, I find myself with a free weekend.Originally my plans for the weekend involved an Ops Social (in Alsager - don't ask!) organised by myself S and N. It was very eleventh hour, but we hadn't really expected that none of the 13 "yes we'll probably come" respondees would actually follow through. The instruction to those wanting to come was to make their

1 i zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13558407530891673133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6658597.post-66872130737345591612009-05-22T12:55:00.001+01:002009-08-17T13:04:35.861+01:00

I've been delaying posting blogs because of being behind with downloading photos from my camera. Given I'm clearly not finding time to get that sorted, I figure I'll just go ahead and post the drafted entries regardless. Sorry.So, Cardiff:Things you don't want to hear from your training department regading training courses they want you to run:a) the trainers and half the delegates are having to

1 i zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13558407530891673133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6658597.post-77056972885405421422009-05-16T13:23:00.000+01:002009-07-13T13:54:49.327+01:00

Annual Eurovision party time. I think it went better than last year...well being in the correct country was a good start (always helps when throwing a party at your house).Little bit of a blip when the impressive efforts of a friend to get the BBQ really blasting courtesy of a hairdryer, proved to be a bit more than the extension lead with all the outside lights on,had left to give. Still we

1 i zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13558407530891673133noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6658597.post-15779507109569526332009-05-14T13:14:00.001+01:002009-07-13T13:22:39.465+01:00

This week for Book Group we read The Manchester Man by Mrs G Linnaeus Banks.Is it wrong that the main reason for accepting the suggestion was that it promised to provide the answers regarding the source of the name of two well-known Manchester pubs: Jabez Clegg and Joshua Brookes?It's not the best written novel of its time, but it's not bad. Its at times preachy, morallistic tone can be forgiven

1 i zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13558407530891673133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6658597.post-80909358639837027872009-05-09T12:23:00.000+01:002009-07-13T13:13:57.698+01:00

Call me a food snob, but generally I find pub attempts at Asian cuisine to be generally disappointing and a particularly sort of bland westernised beige approximation of the real deal.Accordingly my expectations last night were rather low, as S and I condescend to partake in the bargain ‘wok’ menu deal at the Three Horseshoes. I have to say I was pleasantly impressed; not entirely convinced of

1 i zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13558407530891673133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6658597.post-67537756250209316142009-05-08T10:50:00.002+01:002009-07-13T13:14:39.416+01:00

All around Burnsall lies the Duke of Devonshire’s territory. Place after place displays the tell-tale colour code and crest of the Cavendish clan, a family well adept at charming the money from your pocket.To be fair (if one really must given it's such aristocratic nonsense), when it comes to dealing with the public, they do it well and have been ahead of the curve in areas like disabled access

1 i zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13558407530891673133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6658597.post-61165885073802321272009-05-07T13:26:00.002+01:002009-06-01T13:50:35.545+01:00

With no firm plans in mind, armed with S's trusty OS map we walk along the river from Burnsall to Grassington where we weigh up weather forecasts, potential walks and bus timetables and decide to get the bus to Kettlewell and then walk back along the Dales Way.Arriving in Kettlewell we consider the various options for an early lunch. We should have listened to our gut instincts rgarding the

1 i zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13558407530891673133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6658597.post-35549835898929847662009-05-06T13:16:00.001+01:002009-06-01T13:25:56.337+01:00

My Christmas present from P&S was a night away at a 'lovely place' and so with P at work conference, S and I take the chance for one of our traditional few days away, meeting up with P for the weekend.Whilst often it's nice to explore new destinations, cometimes it's nice to go with what you know to be good, so we head back to the Red Lion at Burnsall.Excellent location - check.Lovely

1 i zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13558407530891673133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6658597.post-66321977398731704422009-04-30T21:33:00.004+01:002009-06-01T13:16:08.459+01:00

First support tonight was provided by a Swedish lass performing under the moniker Foreign Slippers.K and I leave the others at the back and push forward for the better view/atmosphere.Maybe it was because of the increased proximity, or maybe it was a predisposition to like anyone who walks on stage with a hat of twigs and birds, but whilst those at the back seemed distinctly unmoved, K and I were

1 i zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13558407530891673133noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6658597.post-14235298847103965322009-04-29T20:44:00.000+01:002009-05-05T13:58:21.590+01:00

This afternoon a phone call from my neighbour brings the news that she's interrupted three young lads (she reckons all of about 12 year's old) relieving my porch roof of its remaining lead.Just when I thought it had quietened down and it was worth getting the already missing strip replaced...Toerags.Still my neighbour should be honoured for her ongoing vigilance and intervention. Verily a

1 i zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13558407530891673133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6658597.post-41238668614608012882009-04-29T13:48:00.001+01:002009-05-05T13:43:31.368+01:00

A conversation from this evening, between myself and Stuart:S: "It's amazing what people put on Facebook isn't it?"L: "I don't know I don't use Facebook."S: "Apparently Quentin* can't decide whether to have a glass of water or go to the loo."L: "And there we have the reason I don't do Facebook"And yes the irony of such intellectual snobbery on a blog full of waffle is not lost on me.Hey I find

1 i zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13558407530891673133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6658597.post-34782198887831475382009-04-27T13:29:00.004+01:002009-05-05T13:42:49.331+01:00

Today Google is commemorating someone's birthday in a very appropriate manner.

1 i zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13558407530891673133noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6658597.post-54532594972931121982009-04-25T14:04:00.001+01:002009-05-05T13:42:20.329+01:00

Geek Night redux: this time joined by G and L to watch selected highlight episodes from the three series of Black Books.And a fine evening it was too (though I think I put too much apricot and honey in the tagine and it was a bit over-sweet). Somehow it seemed wrong to watch this pinnacle of British sit-com genius without at least a little bit of red wine. Risking a migraine I succumbed - man I

1 i zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13558407530891673133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6658597.post-2147471318999121412009-04-24T14:14:00.002+01:002009-05-05T13:41:34.459+01:00

K Snr from the Dog Collars and Rabbit Corpses household has been working far too hard on her uni work. Final year pressures have brought dissertation deadlines, assignments and final exam preparations. Together with the usual busy nature of diaries, it's been far too long since the three of us caught up. A birthday day meal seems like an excellent excuse.Chinese transpires to be the intersection

1 i zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13558407530891673133noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6658597.post-8660304017188068322009-04-21T18:45:00.001+01:002009-04-30T14:04:08.629+01:00

I’m not quite sure whether it was wise to say yes, but this afternoon finds me in London for a meeting to try and pull ideas together for the Greenbelt communion.I think M and I are closing in on something like a plan, if anything the challenge is to whittle down the bounty of ideas to something solid and coherent, but the very prospect of trying to come up with something that at least some of

1 i zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13558407530891673133noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6658597.post-10922304099169354752009-04-21T10:13:00.001+01:002009-05-01T14:35:38.458+01:00

In an out of character moment of spontaneity, my father suddenly suggests a morning excursion to a section of the North Downs Way, which is potentially mobility scooter friendly.My mother loves bluebells and the woods are resplendent in their spring finery. The views out towards the south downs are magnificent against blue skies and bright sunshine. It's a wonderful and pleasantly argument free

1 i zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13558407530891673133noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6658597.post-50793141119037870822009-04-20T18:41:00.001+01:002009-04-30T13:55:19.166+01:00

To balance out taking Dad walking last year it’s time for a mother and daughter long weekend. Mum felt that a west end show was more than her energy levels could handle, so we’ve settled for going through wardrobes, painting nails, decanting perfume, shopping, being ladies that lunch, looking at clothes catalogues, giggling, chatting and generally just loving being in each other’s company.My

1 i zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13558407530891673133noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6658597.post-2392406408211205072009-04-17T18:33:00.000+01:002009-04-27T18:35:36.770+01:00

I don’t like early mornings. My brain just doesn’t function well first thing.So if you absolutely insist on having meetings at remote locations at 8am, could you like actually have the meeting? Only it’s bad enough to have forced my self out of bed at an unearthly hour, but to discover it was done unnecessarily can really take the shine off my whole day.

1 i zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13558407530891673133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6658597.post-20950733040960062082009-04-16T18:36:00.000+01:002009-04-27T18:40:58.247+01:00

John Updike is one of those authors that you feel you should probably have read something by. So a few months ago, before he died as it turned out, we put him on our book group reading list.I didn’t totally dislike Rabbit Run, but ploughing through it was at times slightly more of a chore than a pleasure.It took a while for me to feel engaged and even by the end I found the eponymous Rabbit’s

1 i zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13558407530891673133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6658597.post-59287208670401643822009-04-15T17:59:00.000+01:002009-04-27T14:02:25.475+01:00

Why do some people find it so hard to be honest and straight-down-the-line?Of late I’ve seemed to have instance after instance of people deliberately saying one thing and doing another and boy does deception and devious manipulation push my buttons.I just don’t know what enables someone to do that. I think maybe I was born without that capacity. In my world, working as part of a team means that

1 i zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13558407530891673133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6658597.post-42345870425227320902009-04-14T18:02:00.003+01:002009-04-27T14:01:18.863+01:00

I woke up at 5am this morning with the first symptoms of a migraine.On auto-pilot I reach for the migraine meds, swallow one tablet and place a special super-wafer in my mouth to dissolve.I reset the alarm to allow the maximum possible sleep that will still see me make my 8.30am meeting and turn over and try to relax.Happily sleep comes, until 90 minutes later, when I wake suddenly, in that

1 i zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13558407530891673133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6658597.post-78456189177785272009-04-12T18:27:00.002+01:002009-04-27T18:33:29.632+01:00

I had pondered about maybe going to church this morning (well it is Easter and it has been a while since I darkened the step of an ecclesiastical enterprise…and when I say a while I mean years); but whilst Christ may have risen this glorious morning, 1iz didn’t quite manage it.Which is rather pathetic isn’t it?On the compensatory side I won’t be eating any chocolate eggs either.Also, on the

1 i zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13558407530891673133noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6658597.post-52907677757950154692009-04-11T13:33:00.001+01:002009-04-27T14:02:57.310+01:00

I like a drink as much as the next person (possibly a little more if it's rose flavoured liquer), but whilst I can get "quite pissed", I never seem to cross that boundary into utterly drunk.I can only recall two occasions when alcohol has been the likely cause of being sick, only one occasion when I had a hangover (hideous experience - I mean really why would you drink if that happened everytime?

1 i zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13558407530891673133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6658597.post-4317669091180667362009-04-04T13:15:00.000+01:002009-04-27T13:29:16.804+01:00

I used to not mind driving long distances. I can recall making plans with friends for holidays to far flung parts of the UK and quite happily offering to drive.These days it's a chore and just an extra reason to prefer public transport wherever feasible.Of course some likes and dislikes remain unaltered by the passing years; I have never been what one might call a morning person and I strongly

1 i zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13558407530891673133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6658597.post-46295944014893408502009-04-02T17:49:00.001+01:002009-04-14T17:59:32.726+01:00

Tonight at Book Group we discussed And Then There Were None. I think it's the first Agatha Christie that I've ever read and I have to say I enjoyed it more than I expected to.I'm not entirely sure that it merits being the seventh most popular book of all time, but lets put it this way, if I was stuck in a hotel and out of reading material I might now look a little more favourably on the Agatha

1 i zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13558407530891673133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6658597.post-65619388090970080022009-03-31T13:45:00.001+01:002009-04-14T17:45:27.379+01:00

I know, I'm not the most reliable blogger of late and maybe my powers of observation aren't what they once were, but how long has the "Monetise" tab been a standard addition to the Blogger editing page?Now I've never been too convinced that blogs contain much of value to justify the addition of advertising (in fact you could probably stop that sentence part way through), but more than that, it's

1 i zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13558407530891673133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6658597.post-47570538790202641492009-03-30T14:19:00.001+01:002009-04-14T17:35:31.427+01:00

On Friday I worked with Tony, Jon, Chris, Debbie, Oli, Ronnie, Matt, Mike and Andy. This morning I find I'm working with Anthony, Jonathan, Christopher, Deborah, Oliver, Ronald, Matthew, Michael and Andrew.A rather unforeseen side effect of our company's switch of email systems, has been the reformalisation of our names in the address book.One of my colleagues, Dave (or David as of today), is

1 i zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13558407530891673133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6658597.post-88173711105112757402009-03-29T17:26:00.001+01:002009-04-14T20:29:37.043+01:00

Despite an early start, despite a bit of tension re keys and a detour via Sheffield, despite an all day meeting on a Saturday, sometimes I remember why I do this mad festival thing.The people are great and it is a total pleasure to work with them.Well most of them......most of the time.But hey, today was one of the good days. We caught up with progress to date, we planned and plotted and found a

1 i zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13558407530891673133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6658597.post-79017731065126152662009-03-23T13:48:00.003Z2009-04-14T17:25:52.289+01:00

I appreciate that losing the power to the kitchen over the weekend in the course of some electrical work at the office, is one of those things that happens.However, on behalf of those of us who spent the morning in meetings, perhaps a note on the fridge might have been more useful than an email?As it was, I headed straight to the kitchen once the meeting finished, heated my lunch, happily ate it

1 i zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13558407530891673133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6658597.post-3250054674797830622009-03-22T14:19:00.001Z2009-04-14T17:25:01.817+01:00

I can't remember the last time I wore earrings. In fact I can't even recall how you spell the word - earing? earring? ear-ring? Must be at least 10 years.But the other week a pair of amazing peacock feather ear errrr adornments, with matching necklace caught my eye and got me wondering.And so I found myself in the bathroom, needle in hand, reopening the hole in my left ear, which, unlike the

1 i zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13558407530891673133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6658597.post-65214725412727727052009-03-21T14:03:00.001Z2009-04-14T17:16:56.334+01:00

After an easy afternoon of recovery, it's time for another night out.This time in Didsbury, where G, A and myself bid farewell to K as she moves back north.I wisely stuck to the vodka, giving a wide berth to floral based alcohol experiments; still did the trick though. Ah, the joys of binge drinking for the normally temperate.Top night, much laughter.

1 i zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13558407530891673133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6658597.post-36954304446481431072009-03-21T13:45:00.001Z2009-04-14T17:15:33.361+01:00

I'd been looking forward to last night for a while, a long awaited visit from "the one from Bolton, who leads us astray".Work continues to be manic and my plans for a prompt getaway were thwarted by my boss popping down for a chat. My text to G explaining that I'll not be home until 7.30pm now, receives the wonderful reply "so I won't have to go down the sorry I'm late line then...". So many

1 i zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13558407530891673133noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6658597.post-27549191755424955542009-03-20T17:17:00.002Z2009-04-14T17:23:21.030+01:00

Earlier this week I had the pleasure of the second rehab workshop for my back.Over a year on from sustaining the injury, regular chiropractor sessions and dutiful completion of daily exercises have seemingly done the trick and problems are rare and easily fixed (hmm those exercises are supposed to be daily you say?), so now we’re working on properly sorting out the underlying problems rather than

1 i zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13558407530891673133noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6658597.post-8727305505124606752009-03-19T13:54:00.000Z2009-03-23T14:02:02.466Z

It wasn't uniformly liked, but neither did it attract the vitriole of the last book.Personally I enjoy Crace's writing, but I can relate to opinions that it was a little dull in parts and felt a little distant and unengaged.I have a feeling though that it's a story that will stay with me for a while and it certainly chimed for me as a technical bod, regarding the nightmare of what happens if your

1 i zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13558407530891673133noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6658597.post-5367270225454221872009-03-12T13:39:00.002Z2009-03-23T13:45:49.489Z

This afternoon's management meeting somehow transformed into a health and safety pro-forma top trumps game.Surely it shouldn't be this hard?And if it really must, then can someone else be the person who has to brief the staff? Please?

1 i zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13558407530891673133noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6658597.post-6701605702695392009-03-11T13:30:00.001Z2009-03-23T13:47:34.644Z

Really, the pattern of meeting in London on the evening of every second Tuesday of the month, followed by a meeting first thing in the morning in Kendal every second Wednesday of the month (having first called in at the Warrington office), is just not funny.I was almost too tired to appreciate the cows at Low Sizergh...Yet again the meeting comprised one Kendal local and numerous folk from the

1 i zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13558407530891673133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6658597.post-5343453037761829112009-03-07T13:20:00.000Z2009-03-23T13:21:57.906Z

Well let's just say, I was glad I hadn't travelled far...Post meeting beers and curry were very enjoyable however, which is some compensation.

1 i zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13558407530891673133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6658597.post-73859399867737205652009-03-05T13:11:00.000Z2009-03-23T13:18:49.136Z

I don't think I can recall a book group choice being so universally hated.Jonathan Livingstone Seagull was fairly painful (trite, new-age hippy tosh), but Illusions - Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah had more than one of us screaming at the parchment; begging the amoral, individualistic, egotistical nonsense to end.Do yourselves a favour - avoid like the plague.

1 i zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13558407530891673133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6658597.post-51378169882436154822009-03-04T13:32:00.003Z2009-03-23T13:19:44.092Z

One of things I love about living where I do, is the diversity.As I arrived home tonight and put the car in the garage, I enjoyed two separate conversations with neighbours.At the garage a catch up and general pleasantries with my conservative Muslim neighbour.A minute later, at my front door, another neighbour asking me if I'd keep an eye on his place as he was off for a couple of days looking

1 i zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13558407530891673133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6658597.post-4868978017460379222009-03-02T14:07:00.002Z2009-03-18T14:14:46.797Z

After a mix-up at the weekend, Stuart and I have rearranged our PrOps Mtg location scouting for a quick lunchtime dash today.It seems to tick most of the boxes.Hardly the Ritz, but good enough...heck there's even a dedicated camp-fire area...maybe we've found a new home?Stuart seems impressed.Though slightly less impressed with my intimate knowledge of the s_ewer_age arrangements of a

1 i zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13558407530891673133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6658597.post-91461340685856619792009-02-28T13:40:00.001Z2009-03-18T14:15:08.673Z

At some point in the pub a few weeks back a group of us book people discovered two joint loves.First, a shared appreciation of that fine British sitcom that is the IT Crowd.Second, a shared delight in raising our spirits and deflecting morose contemplation of our depressing lives, by taking the piss out of geek-boy G.Putting the two together, an idea was born which came to fruition tonight. Geek

1 i zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13558407530891673133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6658597.post-81401071810519901542009-02-25T14:01:00.000Z2009-03-06T14:09:35.397Z

With no let up from recent pressures, I'm straight into running a training course for our client for the next two days.It's a course that myself and a colleague normally give to internal gr@duates and technici@ns, or more experienced eng1neers who are new to the industry.I'm coming to this one a little blind, my colleague has done the arrangements.Apparently we might have up to thirteen delegates

1 i zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13558407530891673133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6658597.post-71515884099879752312009-02-24T13:45:00.000Z2009-03-06T14:01:44.418Z

Work days have been 13 hours plus of late, which with 2 hours commuting on top, leaves not much time for anything other than sleeping and eating.The chief reason for this was manic preparation for today's major meeting. I can't really go into the reasons why, but suffice to say several rabbits needed magicking from hats at short notice.It's not often you come home from a day feeling distinctly

1 i zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13558407530891673133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6658597.post-16173889622518678012009-02-21T13:36:00.000Z2009-03-06T13:44:13.399Z

If you have to have meetings on a Saturday after a long week of ..well meetings, best to have it with lovely people with lunch provided by the wonderful K of a the Dog Collars and Rabbit Corpses household.As you know, I'm not a big fan of her lasagne, but I made an effort to be polite... ;-)

1 i zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13558407530891673133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6658597.post-33497090089865551852009-02-20T13:40:00.001Z2009-03-05T14:14:09.664Z

Timebandit is back visiting, this time for tomorrow's FOM meeting.A group visit to the Punjab is a joy - some of my favouritest people in the world and an amazing aubergine dish I'd never tried before, but will definitely be re-ordering in the future.One of our favourite waiters left the restaurant some years back. Having seen him around and about since, I figured the new beard represented a

1 i zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13558407530891673133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6658597.post-72827100959267293522009-02-19T14:07:00.000Z2009-03-05T14:13:25.385Z

This week's book group choice is a real classic.Without cheating, who can identify the book from the following quote?"Mr ****, it was the footprints of a gigantic hound!"Answers on a postcard shaped comment...

1 i zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13558407530891673133noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6658597.post-63362230853686769642009-02-16T13:41:00.001Z2009-03-05T14:06:59.358Z

I can't help thinking my team have been holding back information back from me.Their tales of woe and please for sympathy would suggest that when they're dispatch up to the wilds of Cumbria for site visits, they spend long days in the freezing cold making the most of the daylight.More recently, following urging from me to at least get somewhere warm for a break, confessions have started to come

1 i zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13558407530891673133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6658597.post-54937982907147734672009-02-15T13:49:00.001Z2009-03-05T13:41:10.499Z

The long anticipated girlie weekend finally transpired.Passng swiftly over the fact that all four of us were free on Valentine's weekend, it was a joy to spend time with these lovelies.After Friday night putting the world to rights at Caroline's, we ventured to the shops to do what girls do best on a spare Saturday, ie shop, chat, drink coffee, chat, eat Nandos and chat.Caroline bought the

1 i zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13558407530891673133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6658597.post-80937999182063864342009-02-13T22:07:00.002Z2009-02-16T22:14:52.823Z

There must be many things to consider when electronically tagging a convicted felon.Have you got the right person?Is the tag operational?Is it secured properly to the perpetrator’s leg?Does it happen to be a false, removable limb?The party in question claims "I didn't break my curfew once". Although I can't help but note that the past tense suggests he's only brought this all to light after the

1 i zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13558407530891673133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6658597.post-51758598966717840002009-02-11T22:14:00.000Z2009-02-16T22:15:58.320Z

In the course of 24hours my travel has been as follows:Manchester – Warrington – Manchester – London – Manchester – Warrington – Kendal – Warrington – Manchester.I knoweth not if I cometh or goeth.

1 i zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13558407530891673133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6658597.post-23784674775080214872009-02-10T13:16:00.002Z2009-02-16T22:02:30.963Z

In the blue skyed sunshine of Manchester it's hard to remember that other parts of the country have and are suffering decidedly more wintery conditions and that therefore the decision to pre-empt further extreme weather conditions by reducing the Manchester to London train service is possibly a justifiable, even wise, decision.The upshot for today is that one train per hour is cancelled, an extra

1 i zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13558407530891673133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6658597.post-2502432742908171372009-02-09T23:48:00.000Z2009-02-16T21:47:19.246Z

Letting people go is never going to be easy.We've done all we can to put this off, but until the regul@tor and our main client work out the funding issues...We remind ourselves that this is the risk people take when they take the extra money and go contract, but...Week after week we pour over backlog graphs and resource schedules, but amongst the numbers and lines, I see people and livelihoods

1 i zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13558407530891673133noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6658597.post-7947018659341205982009-02-09T14:08:00.002Z2009-02-09T14:25:18.427Z

From Spread These Wings1. Put your iTunes, Windows Media Player, etc. on shuffle (and if you use the latter, take a moment to pause and reflect on the error of your ways - 1iz).2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.3. Write the song name down, whatever it is, no cheating...4. Share your answers via your blog (and if you fancy throwing in some you tube links...). My iPod

1 i zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13558407530891673133noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6658597.post-25135494443754237872009-02-08T13:41:00.002Z2009-02-09T14:18:29.858Z

In the interest of full disclosure, I should probably admit that as well as the rather magnificent shoes purchased yesterday, I may also have found a rather splendid pair of biker boots in the Kurt Geiger sale, that were in need of a good home.In my defence I would like it noted that:a. they were in the sale reduced from £130 to £40 (bargain!).b. I've been looking for a decent pair of biker boots

1 i zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13558407530891673133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6658597.post-54179372527886770342009-02-07T14:07:00.000Z2009-02-09T14:12:23.607Z

A Greenbelt Volunteer curry tonight at the Shahenshah. It was one of those unfortunate situations where the order people arrived in meant that the two 'groups' of volunteers represented were separated in the seating arrangements.It would have been nice to chat with some of the people I didn't know, but on the other hand it's never a hardship to spend an evening with the lovely Festival Operations

1 i zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13558407530891673133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6658597.post-50460557546801325072009-02-07T13:13:00.002Z2009-02-09T13:40:26.489Z

The late and very great Kirsty MacColl understood the need to match the footwear to the moment.Bette Midler apparently once claimed that if you "give a girl the right shoes and she can conquer the world".That may be overstating things a little, but with a difficult work week ahead (for reasons I won't go in to here) these little beauties should see me through.

1 i zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13558407530891673133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6658597.post-22568972884609794152009-02-06T14:12:00.001Z2009-02-09T14:17:47.710Z

P&S have the day off and after an afternoon playing in the snow on Cannock Chase, they head to the snowless north for an evening with yours truly.The Cedar Tree was always one of our favourite restaurants and tonight the food is gloriously fresh and tasty and I remember why.And isn't fattoush just the best salad in the world? Even saying the word is a pleasure for the mouth.

1 i zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13558407530891673133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6658597.post-39391052118377812092009-02-05T13:32:00.000Z2009-02-09T13:36:55.418Z

Book group tonight and some more poetry.I think I have a mental block when it comes to poetry; I believe on a fundamental level that I don't enjoy it and experiences to the contrary seem unable to dint that worldview.I left reading the Carol Ann Duffy collection to the last moment, finding any excuse to pick up other reading instead.Once I did finally submit, I loved every page.Learning curve of

1 i zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13558407530891673133noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6658597.post-77697703662247636472009-02-01T18:37:00.001Z2009-02-05T18:46:34.404Z

After a little sleep the four of us head to Greenwich for an early lunch. Pizza Express with some of the loveliest ladies in my world - top times.After J heads home, E and I show G around Greenwich, a quick troll towards the observatory and around the market. Efforts to convince her to buy a silly wooly hat fail, but she does find a lovely dress.As we walk over to the riverfront the rejection of

1 i zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13558407530891673133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6658597.post-73738401831099797712009-01-31T18:22:00.001Z2009-02-05T18:46:51.436Z

You know those conversations that you have with good friends, over a drink and some grub, sat around the kitchen table, putting the world to rights? Well Greenbelt's Table group is a small collection of folk from different parts of the organsiation who attempt to replicate that effect once a month through most of the year.We discuss, dream, plot, laugh and generally provide a space where thoughts

1 i zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13558407530891673133noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6658597.post-57070907672504890352009-01-30T18:10:00.002Z2009-02-05T18:22:14.027Z

One of the visits that moved me most in my time in the West Bank, was the Crow's Nest Children's Playground outside Beit Sahour.In a district encircled by an imprisoning wall, increasingly overcrowded and with little open space of any kind, a simple playground provided a small glimpse of hope and positivity.Since our return, we've been exploring ways of raising money to provide a proper toilet

1 i zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13558407530891673133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6658597.post-19410253829721344062009-01-29T13:30:00.000Z2009-02-05T17:57:53.003Z

Hat tip to Sarah Contrary.

1 i zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13558407530891673133noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6658597.post-951125450523594692009-01-26T13:51:00.000Z2009-02-05T18:08:42.251Z

Seeing as how the BBC won't show it...The truth makes no claim of impartiality. Do we then chose comfort over truth?Better surely we change the reality and thus change the story; and whilst we fail to do that, let us at least attend to the wounds of those who continue to bear the brunt.Donate on-line at www.dec.org.uk or phone 0370 60 60 900.

1 i zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13558407530891673133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6658597.post-43293462251941516582009-01-22T19:03:00.001Z2009-02-05T18:09:50.443Z

A massive migraine attack has taken out much of my week and hence I didn't finish this week's book Love on the Dole by Walter Greenwood.What I have read has me drawn in though, a fascinating insight into a time and place that now seems in many ways so remote, but in others ways the underlying cycles of a neighbourhood crippled by poverty still ring eerily true to those of us familiar with the

1 i zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13558407530891673133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6658597.post-45580012258563451372009-01-18T02:57:00.001Z2009-01-25T03:25:13.907Z

Back to London for the second time in a week (God bless the newly improved West Coast Mainline and the final end to tortuously slow Sunday journeys).Two events bring me south.Firstly on Saturday the Palestinian trip folk have a reunion at MW's house. A time to regather, discuss our post-trip experiences/actions and plan for what we do next.The events in Gaza have obviously effected all of us

1 i zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13558407530891673133noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6658597.post-49138625222533007682009-01-13T02:40:00.000Z2009-01-25T02:57:28.140Z

With little time for preparation I had to rather throw together the opening thought for this evening's festival meeting in London.Once in a blue moon however, an idea just descends instantaneously.Whether thoughts about how art reveals truths, challenges us to look at things in different ways, managed to transfer from my head (where they made sense) to the wise souls gathered is hard to judge. I

1 i zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13558407530891673133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6658597.post-23649330714820297822009-01-11T02:35:00.000Z2009-01-25T02:40:27.121Z

After a week of work meetings it's a relief to make it to the weekend...even if ironically my Saturday is to be taken up by a Greenbelt Venue Management team meeting. Definitely more pleasant than the work variety however, and the team seem to be forming well and have good plans for the future.There's a lot to be done however and it's great that I'm now joined in 'line managing' the team by G,

1 i zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13558407530891673133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6658597.post-71891240895461343802009-01-08T02:33:00.000Z2009-01-25T02:35:04.502Z

Angela Carter's collection of Fairytales is an unusual book. None of us at Book Group had waded through the full tome and I suspect it's best sampled in chunks rather than one monster read.I find the tales from around the globe fascinating. Common archetypes and themes intrigue and gruesome story lines remind us that fairy tale endings are always of the Disney variety.Definitely worth a read.

1 i zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13558407530891673133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6658597.post-63321675123195471722009-01-07T02:28:00.001Z2009-01-25T02:32:40.746Z

My job regularly takes me here and there and presently quite often to Cumbria. As we head up the M6 theres a point where the Lancashire plains give way to the majesty of the hill country. The light shining on the summits has more than once caused me to consider bunking off whatever meeting I have scheduled and fishing the walking boots out of the boot.Today, however, with the peaks shrouding in

1 i zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13558407530891673133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6658597.post-51069228668052163932009-01-06T02:24:00.001Z2009-01-25T02:27:58.086Z

It takes about two days for my glow of feeling on top of things due to working between Christmas and New Year to disappear.Two days and a heap of incoming queries, meetings and emails.There is a vague light at the end of the tunnel, that I'm choosing to believe is the long-awaited cavalry, just a shame that these days the cavalry require numerous hand-over meetings that temporarily only add to

1 i zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13558407530891673133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6658597.post-18977197737100230722009-01-04T02:12:00.000Z2009-01-25T02:23:43.624Z

Recovered (/sobered-up) after an excellent NYE, I head to the Black Country for a couple of days with the much missed P&S. Curry eating, frosty country walks, ice-cream parlour exploration and very fine company - a very good way to start the new year.Determined to get better at keeping in touch with folk, I take a long detour on the way home and find myself in Llangollen. I didn't manage to catch

1 i zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13558407530891673133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6658597.post-63174502181764874032009-01-01T13:52:00.001Z2009-01-16T14:01:32.386Z

After a somewhat surreal Christmas and a workload that found me back in the office this week, a proper night-off for a party at the hosts-with-the-mosts was just what I needed.I drank far too much bubbly, ate far too much spectactular grub (got to love a friendship ring that includes people endeavouring to out chef each other) and generaly had a fine old time.Taxi home around 3am (or was it 4am?)

1 i zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13558407530891673133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6658597.post-27844636814038479632008-12-31T14:14:00.004Z2009-01-16T14:03:57.726Z

As the news rolls in and in from Gaza, I’m finding it increasingly hard to read the stories without tears welling up (and this from the girl that didn’t so much as flinch when Bambi’s mother bought it).This piece on the BBC documents the reactions of West Bank Palestinians as they too watch the events unfurl.Violence breeds violence; be it the direct aggressions of belligerent incursions,

1 i zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13558407530891673133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6658597.post-25300332950217787662008-12-29T13:44:00.000Z2009-01-15T13:51:30.790Z

One of the following surreal incidents did not form part of my Christmas day, can you guess which?Having my father suggest we didn't take our presents over to where we were spending Christmas day, but instead save them for Boxing Day on the basis "we'll only have to bring them back hereWatching my brother dress-up as Noel Edmunds (fake beard and hideous shirt etc) and lead a game of Deal or No

1 i zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13558407530891673133noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6658597.post-12126572502978297942008-12-28T13:24:00.001Z2008-12-29T13:29:46.444Z

Christmas passed pleasantly enough (a couple of days at my parents and then my brother and sister in-law did the honours for Christmas day), but I spent most of the short break, trying to ignore feelings of utter exhaustion and vague flu-like achings.Is it just celebrities that get to enjoy a nice week or two at the Priory due to exhaustion?Hey-ho, back to work tomorrow…a mountain of urgent stuff

1 i zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13558407530891673133noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6658597.post-8975845513166340282008-12-25T13:37:00.000Z2008-12-29T13:46:16.861Z

As I look back at 2008, undoubtedly the thing that had the greatest impact on me, was my journey to the West Bank.Our time spent in Bethlehem brings a new nuance to all thoughts of the nativity story.Fittingly some of my fellow travellers have pieced together some bits of audio recorded on our trip, and with photos added and a narration by the lovely Paul, a podcast has been created.Enhanced

1 i zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13558407530891673133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6658597.post-1838345323995431272008-12-23T13:09:00.001Z2008-12-29T13:24:39.541Z

There are two sorts of people who notoriously tend to use the network of cut-through paths that link -up our little estate and the vast waste ground beyond, robbing scallies capitalising on the quick get-away created, or hardy dog-walkers.Fortunately the caller at my door today proved to be from the former not the latter.“Ooh I’m glad I’ve caught you in” she said “I have a parcel for you”.It

1 i zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13558407530891673133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6658597.post-89862205266780035322008-12-20T13:20:00.000Z2008-12-29T13:24:25.908Z

It wasn’t my fault.It called to me across the shop floor.And after all, I do have the shoes to match…

1 i zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13558407530891673133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6658597.post-88513005551603828542008-12-15T13:17:00.000Z2008-12-18T14:21:11.198Z

A supposed friend recently referred to me as "1iz - the person Russell Brand goes to for appropriateness training", but this is a little unfair I do know we have to sometimes draw the line somewhere.It may just be that the criteria that I prioritise don't always align with social mores.But standards are important, and it's on just such a matter that I now feel compelled to speak out.It may come

1 i zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13558407530891673133noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6658597.post-21895959916090413062008-12-11T13:14:00.000Z2008-12-29T13:19:53.537Z

The Book Group enjoyed a rather fine meal this evening at the ever wonderful That Cafe (we also vaguely attempted to discuss Carl Hiaasen's Basketcase).Lots of yummy food, but sadly work pressures meant I had to drive and so no drinking for yours truly. Bah humbug!The venison was heavenly however, and my dessert of "toffee, hazel nut cream meringue with chocolate sauce" was unimaginably glorious

1 i zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13558407530891673133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6658597.post-79284224923915497272008-12-05T23:53:00.001Z2008-12-15T00:01:31.130Z

Moss from the IT crowd "reboots". Genius.

1 i zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13558407530891673133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6658597.post-18941419941950167602008-12-03T23:46:00.000Z2008-12-14T23:53:20.528Z

Work is incredibly hectic at present, with 13 hour days far from unusual.An external training course (complete with exams to be passed) can't be postponed again, so there's nothing for it but to take a three days out. Always interesting to listen to the internal head of a given subject tell an external party what we do. We were fascinated.Lot's to get sorted when I get back to the home office it

1 i zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13558407530891673133noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6658597.post-12952788081308536742008-11-29T23:42:00.000Z2008-12-14T23:45:57.011Z

With H's birthday to celebrate, I join the Dog Collars and Rabbit Corpse household at the Punjab restaurant for a curry.We're in a state of shock, when we discover that last year's redecoration has now been supplemented with new chairs and tables.All very smart, but excuse me, where was the memo?

1 i zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13558407530891673133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6658597.post-60409027305499985372008-10-30T00:17:00.002Z2008-11-18T00:21:28.270Z

Well I did warn you.My thoughts about it all are still very jumbled, but writing about it has helped a little.My head will continue to spin as I try to work out what to do with everything I brought home with me, but fair reader, you will be spared any further pain...normal service will now be resumed.New shoes. Curry. Gigs. That kind of nonsense.

1 i zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13558407530891673133noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6658597.post-73268835681478188972008-10-29T12:45:00.002Z2008-11-04T14:16:53.048Z

Writing a blog is a funny old business; I'm sure there's as many different reasons for the enterprise as there are bloggers. My reasons have general been centred around a desire to write for my own personal pleasure and purposes (a journal in a format that works for me), with a side order of allowing/acknowledging an audience of friends and associates in the realm of keeping in touch with a

1 i zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13558407530891673133noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6658597.post-13556162131322227802008-10-25T00:14:00.001+01:002008-11-19T00:09:24.840Z

Security at Tel Aviv airport is much as we’d prepared for, intensive, polite, but invasive and somewhat intimidating.We’d been warned they’d likely pull out one of the younger, smaller looking members of our group for questioning and check their answers matched our group leader’s.That’s the trouble with such blunt profiling, they pull B, the actor.On the plane I wish I could sleep, but as ever it

1 i zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13558407530891673133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6658597.post-78436586666349118112008-10-25T00:10:00.001+01:002008-11-19T00:07:07.079Z

After seven amazing days in this land, it’s time to pack our bags and start our journey home.En route to Tel Aviv we pass by the ruins of Megiddo, more famously known as Armageddon, supposed site of the final battle. Besides a motorway junction and a large prison there’s not a great deal to see from the road.There is however, a drive-thru McDonald’s. I leave readers to make their own jokes about

1 i zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13558407530891673133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6658597.post-11924839573026346532008-10-24T23:53:00.003+01:002008-11-27T18:07:26.470Z

First visit of the day is the Mount of Beatitudes, where a local pastor leads our meditation as we perch on rocks in the beautiful grounds of an impressive church, ruled by angry nuns.Then to the Church of the Apostles where we picnic looking out over the lake. It might have been more fitting to have lunched at Mensa Christi, where Jesus shared the spoils of the disciples catch, however large

1 i zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13558407530891673133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6658597.post-51293415808880930962008-10-23T23:49:00.001+01:002008-11-17T23:53:12.120Z

Before we leave Nazareth a chance for a bit of sight-seeing including, below the Church of the Annunciation, the remains of what is historically regarded to be Mary’s home. With not one, but two vacuum cleaners in evidence one can only conclude that she was very house proud...

1 i zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13558407530891673133noreply@blogger.com0