Going into the weekend the weather forecasts were all doom and gloom, so needless to say, it wasn’t too bad after all. Saturday brighter and drier than Sunday, Sunday very windy (they forecast 25 mph winds but they were nearer double that) and it was mainly dry, then Monday it was grey and damp getting wetter as the day went on. Needless to say Saturday was domestic chores day, except for a trip to the local bike shop for the annual MOT pilgrimage. Another pass with flying colours. Saturday evening we were out for a meal at the Kings Head in Bonsal with folks from the Deauville Owners UK forum. A very pleasant meal with equally pleasant company.
Sunday morning I was up and out of the house bright and early, off on the bike for the DOUK ride-out through Derbyshire. This was the route that I’d arranged (Allan sorted accommodation and evening meal, Steve the BBQ). Starting from Cromford Mill we rode across to Hartington, up to Longnor, through Buxton, to a photo stop overlooking Fernilee Reservoir, then through Whaley Bridge to Glossop for a lunch break before riding down the Snake Pass to Chatsworth, then Chesterfield for the wonky spire before returning across Wooley Moor to Matlock and a BBQ at the Sycamore Inn. Only ended up doing the last couple of miles in the rain but the high winds did make riding the Peaks and Snake Pass very interesting (as in, a bit of a challenge). Still, everybody got round the 200 miles route unscathed and undamaged, which is the real bonus and everybody appears to have enjoyed themselves, including the first timers.
Mark has his last exam today (Friday 30th May) to end his first year at university. Apparently yesterday’s exam didn’t go too well so we just have to hope that he did well enough to get the grade he’s after. He has a load of driving lessons booked for next week as having passed his driving Theory Test he’s now got a date for the driving test in a week’s time.
Mum & Dad appear to be OK at the moment with no major dramas or crisis over the last week. We are all looking forward to Angie and John coming up for a BBQ in a couple of weekend’s time to celebrate Andy’s 21st birthday.
Friday 30 May 2008
Friday 23 May 2008
Pre-Bank Holiday
Monday to Thursday were all spent working in Telford this week. Fortunately the weather was kind and I managed to use the bike every day. Tomorrow morning it goes in for it's MOT at 9am, so here's fingers crossed! Today I worked from home - well at least for the morning - with laptop and VPN software, wireless home network and a Blackberry Curve you are virtually there in the office with everyone around you, except that you are at home in peace and quiet, music quietly on in the background and able to get more done with fewer interuptions. I tell you, it works for me.
This afternoon I had an appointment with the diabetes nurse at the local clinic, a progress review to see how I was adapting to the new healthier eating regieme and the pills I have to take to stimulate insulin production. That went well. Back home for an hour then off to the local City Hospital, this time it's an Ultrasound Scan and an x-ray (well 2 actually). This is all part of the process to determine the reason for the number of bladder related infections I have had over the last few years, and, checking to make sure that there's no Cancer of the bladder/prostrate. The processes/procedures all appeared to go smoothly and having turned up 20 minutes early for my appointment I was seen straight away and out, all done and dusted, 30 minutes later.
To round the day off I took Suzie and Mark to the local pub for a meal and and pint. The way things have been going just lately I think we deserved it. Tomorrow night Suzie and I are out eating again, in Bonsal with the Deauville owners and then Sunday it's the big ride out to Snake Pass. Weather isn't looking too good right now so I hope it bucks up and changes for the better.
This afternoon I had an appointment with the diabetes nurse at the local clinic, a progress review to see how I was adapting to the new healthier eating regieme and the pills I have to take to stimulate insulin production. That went well. Back home for an hour then off to the local City Hospital, this time it's an Ultrasound Scan and an x-ray (well 2 actually). This is all part of the process to determine the reason for the number of bladder related infections I have had over the last few years, and, checking to make sure that there's no Cancer of the bladder/prostrate. The processes/procedures all appeared to go smoothly and having turned up 20 minutes early for my appointment I was seen straight away and out, all done and dusted, 30 minutes later.
To round the day off I took Suzie and Mark to the local pub for a meal and and pint. The way things have been going just lately I think we deserved it. Tomorrow night Suzie and I are out eating again, in Bonsal with the Deauville owners and then Sunday it's the big ride out to Snake Pass. Weather isn't looking too good right now so I hope it bucks up and changes for the better.
Thursday 22 May 2008
A quick catch up
Had a call from my sister in America a couple of nights back, which reminded me that I’d not been posting frequently enough my news to this blog. The reason she was upset was because Dad had been into hospital and she hadn’t read anything about it. Understandably, she was a bit upset. So here’s trying to put things right….
Dad had been having a few problems with his catheter and to cut a long story short the local doctor/nurse decided he needed to be re-admitted to the local hospital on Sunday night. Usual palaver, first ambulance turns up, doesn’t have the kit to move Dad, so wait for second ambulance and crew. By the time they had taken Dad in and Mum had made sure he was being treated it was 03:00 and mother then has to get a taxi back home, getting in at 03:30 Monday morning. He was put straight onto the antibiotics that have been used in his 3 previous visits and by Tuesday night he’s ready to be discharged, but he’s not delivered back home until 17:00 on Thursday due to the lack of ambulance transport availability. The whole episode gave mother a much needed break and some time to herself. She’s since had a visit (or two) from Social Services and they are still trying to get the pair of them assessed and mother a period of holiday respite from caring for dad.
Other news… Sue has been very busy with the local elections, arranging all the halls, booths and other facilities for the polling stations and then organising the actual count of ballots cast. Lots of long days but in the end it all passed off without any real fuss other than the Labour party losing it’s majority holding on Derby to the Lib Dems. One of her work colleagues dropped down dead the other morning after getting up for work (found dead in the bathroom by her husband when he got home for lunch) and Sue’s at the funeral today.
Mark is home from university doing his revision between taking exams which all finish with his last 2 being on 29th & 30th May. So far he’s quite happy with all but one of the exams that he’s sat, and he thinks that although he didn’t do brilliantly he did enough to get the pass he needs on that paper. I keep badgering him to get some sort of temporary employment to get some money in the bank, but, does he bother? I think we may have to review how we fund him for the coming year.
In the meantime Andy has sorted out the mechanics on his BMW and is now left with the decision to either sell it or commit to doing the bodywork. He’s also starting to think about his long term prospects and thinks that he can do better than being a vehicle technician (all be it a very highly skilled/qualified one) so is weighing up his options. He and his girlfriend are the most excited of us all as our holiday draws nearer – 30th June isn’t that far away. Some where along the line I’ve failed to mention that we had a cold and windy trip to Bruntingthorpe so that Andy could have another driving experience. Having driven a Lotus Elise and Ferrari 360 on previous driving days (at other locations) this time he was up for a Lamborghini Gallardo. And boy, did he enjoy that. Shown (by being driven by an expert driver) the way round the circuit he then got to do his laps at the wheel of the Lambo. Worth the wait, I’m told! That was a Christmas present from his girlfriend but he had to wait for the better weather in March to be able to do it.
This weekend sees me leading a number of bikers on a tour of the Derbyshire Peak district. I’m really looking forward to it having done the route planning and having rece’d the route with fellow event organisers. It’s a demanding route so let us hope there are no mishaps.
Dad had been having a few problems with his catheter and to cut a long story short the local doctor/nurse decided he needed to be re-admitted to the local hospital on Sunday night. Usual palaver, first ambulance turns up, doesn’t have the kit to move Dad, so wait for second ambulance and crew. By the time they had taken Dad in and Mum had made sure he was being treated it was 03:00 and mother then has to get a taxi back home, getting in at 03:30 Monday morning. He was put straight onto the antibiotics that have been used in his 3 previous visits and by Tuesday night he’s ready to be discharged, but he’s not delivered back home until 17:00 on Thursday due to the lack of ambulance transport availability. The whole episode gave mother a much needed break and some time to herself. She’s since had a visit (or two) from Social Services and they are still trying to get the pair of them assessed and mother a period of holiday respite from caring for dad.
Other news… Sue has been very busy with the local elections, arranging all the halls, booths and other facilities for the polling stations and then organising the actual count of ballots cast. Lots of long days but in the end it all passed off without any real fuss other than the Labour party losing it’s majority holding on Derby to the Lib Dems. One of her work colleagues dropped down dead the other morning after getting up for work (found dead in the bathroom by her husband when he got home for lunch) and Sue’s at the funeral today.
Mark is home from university doing his revision between taking exams which all finish with his last 2 being on 29th & 30th May. So far he’s quite happy with all but one of the exams that he’s sat, and he thinks that although he didn’t do brilliantly he did enough to get the pass he needs on that paper. I keep badgering him to get some sort of temporary employment to get some money in the bank, but, does he bother? I think we may have to review how we fund him for the coming year.
In the meantime Andy has sorted out the mechanics on his BMW and is now left with the decision to either sell it or commit to doing the bodywork. He’s also starting to think about his long term prospects and thinks that he can do better than being a vehicle technician (all be it a very highly skilled/qualified one) so is weighing up his options. He and his girlfriend are the most excited of us all as our holiday draws nearer – 30th June isn’t that far away. Some where along the line I’ve failed to mention that we had a cold and windy trip to Bruntingthorpe so that Andy could have another driving experience. Having driven a Lotus Elise and Ferrari 360 on previous driving days (at other locations) this time he was up for a Lamborghini Gallardo. And boy, did he enjoy that. Shown (by being driven by an expert driver) the way round the circuit he then got to do his laps at the wheel of the Lambo. Worth the wait, I’m told! That was a Christmas present from his girlfriend but he had to wait for the better weather in March to be able to do it.
This weekend sees me leading a number of bikers on a tour of the Derbyshire Peak district. I’m really looking forward to it having done the route planning and having rece’d the route with fellow event organisers. It’s a demanding route so let us hope there are no mishaps.
Tuesday 13 May 2008
Work extension
As my 3 month contract draws to a close this Friday, I was somewhat relieved to get an email Monday morning advising me that I would be given a 2nd 3 month contract. Not quite the full time permanent contract I was hoping for, but, it's still positive and will keep the bills paid for another 3 months.
Friday 9 May 2008
A quickie
So here we are, one third of the month has disappeared and I’ve yet to post an item on the blog apart from Happy Birthday Mum! A shocking state of affairs, which must be remedied.
So what’s the news? On the work front I’ve still got no idea if Trinity are going to keep me on after 16th May. I’ve done all the prompting I can, so it’s just a waiting game while somebody makes their mind up.
On the ex-zeda front – I’ve had a couple of emails from former colleagues who are still waiting for news on whether they will get paid their outstanding expenses. They’ve sent EWS (the liquidator) emails and made phone calls – all without much joy. Fortunately I’ve no expenses outstanding but others aren’t so lucky. Good luck folks, I hope you get paid out.
More worryingly for some, they are still without a job 10 weeks after the demise of zeda. I, like them, get contacts from agencies who have picked up my c.v. and are all keen to put it forward – never to be heard of again.
Run out of time, back later.
So what’s the news? On the work front I’ve still got no idea if Trinity are going to keep me on after 16th May. I’ve done all the prompting I can, so it’s just a waiting game while somebody makes their mind up.
On the ex-zeda front – I’ve had a couple of emails from former colleagues who are still waiting for news on whether they will get paid their outstanding expenses. They’ve sent EWS (the liquidator) emails and made phone calls – all without much joy. Fortunately I’ve no expenses outstanding but others aren’t so lucky. Good luck folks, I hope you get paid out.
More worryingly for some, they are still without a job 10 weeks after the demise of zeda. I, like them, get contacts from agencies who have picked up my c.v. and are all keen to put it forward – never to be heard of again.
Run out of time, back later.
Happy Birthday Mum
It's mother's birthday today -- 73 years young! I doubt you'll ever get to read this mother, but....
Happy Birthday Mum!
Happy Birthday Mum!
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