Today I had my last sign-on at my Job Centre Plus office. It will be a week on monday when I start my new job and as that is less than 2 weeks away today was my last visit. Turns out that because I've been unemployed for more than 6 months they will pay me £100 for going back to work. Wow! Still, better than having to shell it out at the moment. The TIS monies that they owed me from 7th Jan was finally paid to me on the 26th. Speedy they are not. Apparently I also qualify for assistance with any special requirements that my new job might impose on me (i.e. industrial boots, clothing or tools) up to a maximum of £100, but, as I don't need anything I get nowt! Sod's law that is.
I'm absolutely bursting to get started, roll on Monday week.
Friday 30 January 2009
Malaga - full account
A full account of our trip is now on My Web Site along with some photos we took.
Thursday 29 January 2009
Malaga break
Andy dropped Suzie & I off at East Midlands Airport on Saturday afternoon ready for the evening flight with Easy Jet. It was a nice smooth flight with only a little turbulence near northern Spain.
Landing in Malaga we got the service bus stop #19 to the bus station in Malaga 12kms away for a €1.10 (each) fare. Arrival at the bus station presents us with our biggest problem – I can’t locate it on the maps I have and while I know where we need to get to without knowing where we are it’s impossible to know which way to head. Eventually we are on our way, and it’s a good 15-20 minute walk to the hotel. We check in, head up to our room, a quick change and head out for a wander and a bite to eat. We pick a Tapas Bar where Sue has shrimps and I have fish, both with bread and beer – local fayre eaten in the local manner (i.e. without using knife and fork). A wander round the immediate vicinity before heading back to the hotel and into bed.
Sunday morning, a hearty breakfast then we are off walking. Past the harbour, following a local landmarks map we head off up to the top of the castle/fortress. The day started cool and breezy but by the time we have walked up to the top (climbed is almost apt) it’s a much warmer day and we are overheating and in need of a drink. We pay the entrance fee and go for a walk around the place, stopping at the café for a beer. Then back down to the promenade and head for a walk along the northern beaches. On the way back we stop for a pizza meal and it starts to rain while we eat, oh well!
Over lunch we decide to hire a car for Monday so we start back to the old quarter where the hotel is to enquire with reception, who point us at the railway station (next door to the bus station). But the prices are too steep (like €65 for a day) so we head back to the hotel to use the web and get a car for €38.65, but we have to pick it up from the airport which means an early start. We close the day out with a fabulous meal at a Chinese restaurant then some beers in a local bar before heading back.
Monday we are up early and down for breakfast at 7:30. That done we are off to the bus station, get the #19 to the airport, get collected by a shuttle bus and pick up a Ford Ka for the day. We head down to Marbella, where we pick up the A376 to Rhonda – 30 miles of fabulous tarmac and views. Parking in Rhonda is underground and Rhonda is lovely, picturesque and buzzing. We wander around for ages before finding a bar for lunch, then back to the car and we head off through El Burgo, Yunquera, Alozaina and Coin to Mijas, which is so pretty it deserves far longer than the ½ - ¾ hour we spend wandering around. Back on the road we head down to Benalmádena, Torremolinos and back to Malaga Airport to return the car. We’ve done 150 miles in the Ka with loads of stops for photos. Bus back to town and a beer in the bar we found last night.
Phil & Suzie in Rhonda, Andalusia
Tuesday morning, breakfast and pack. Dump the case in the Left Luggage with the hotel and we head of for the cathedral (which is closed) and the Picasso Museum (which isn’t) followed by some more promenading on the beach before some serious window shopping to keep Suzie happy. At 4pm after picking up the case we start the return journey for home.
The return journey is uneventful and Andy collects us from EMA. We’ve had a fabulous time, escaping the English Winter Blues we have walked miles (sore legs and feet will mend) and have returned with cash in our pocket, hundreds of photographs and loads of memories and stories to tell. Brilliant!
Landing in Malaga we got the service bus stop #19 to the bus station in Malaga 12kms away for a €1.10 (each) fare. Arrival at the bus station presents us with our biggest problem – I can’t locate it on the maps I have and while I know where we need to get to without knowing where we are it’s impossible to know which way to head. Eventually we are on our way, and it’s a good 15-20 minute walk to the hotel. We check in, head up to our room, a quick change and head out for a wander and a bite to eat. We pick a Tapas Bar where Sue has shrimps and I have fish, both with bread and beer – local fayre eaten in the local manner (i.e. without using knife and fork). A wander round the immediate vicinity before heading back to the hotel and into bed.
Sunday morning, a hearty breakfast then we are off walking. Past the harbour, following a local landmarks map we head off up to the top of the castle/fortress. The day started cool and breezy but by the time we have walked up to the top (climbed is almost apt) it’s a much warmer day and we are overheating and in need of a drink. We pay the entrance fee and go for a walk around the place, stopping at the café for a beer. Then back down to the promenade and head for a walk along the northern beaches. On the way back we stop for a pizza meal and it starts to rain while we eat, oh well!
Over lunch we decide to hire a car for Monday so we start back to the old quarter where the hotel is to enquire with reception, who point us at the railway station (next door to the bus station). But the prices are too steep (like €65 for a day) so we head back to the hotel to use the web and get a car for €38.65, but we have to pick it up from the airport which means an early start. We close the day out with a fabulous meal at a Chinese restaurant then some beers in a local bar before heading back.
Monday we are up early and down for breakfast at 7:30. That done we are off to the bus station, get the #19 to the airport, get collected by a shuttle bus and pick up a Ford Ka for the day. We head down to Marbella, where we pick up the A376 to Rhonda – 30 miles of fabulous tarmac and views. Parking in Rhonda is underground and Rhonda is lovely, picturesque and buzzing. We wander around for ages before finding a bar for lunch, then back to the car and we head off through El Burgo, Yunquera, Alozaina and Coin to Mijas, which is so pretty it deserves far longer than the ½ - ¾ hour we spend wandering around. Back on the road we head down to Benalmádena, Torremolinos and back to Malaga Airport to return the car. We’ve done 150 miles in the Ka with loads of stops for photos. Bus back to town and a beer in the bar we found last night.
Phil & Suzie in Rhonda, Andalusia
Tuesday morning, breakfast and pack. Dump the case in the Left Luggage with the hotel and we head of for the cathedral (which is closed) and the Picasso Museum (which isn’t) followed by some more promenading on the beach before some serious window shopping to keep Suzie happy. At 4pm after picking up the case we start the return journey for home.
The return journey is uneventful and Andy collects us from EMA. We’ve had a fabulous time, escaping the English Winter Blues we have walked miles (sore legs and feet will mend) and have returned with cash in our pocket, hundreds of photographs and loads of memories and stories to tell. Brilliant!
Friday 23 January 2009
The past week
While the world around me inaugurates a new president, celebrates 1.92m unemployed in England and finally get the statistics they need to prove the UK is in recession, I’ve been quietly busy doing what I can to help mum, the in-laws, and trying to get things sorted at home in time for Susie & I having a few days away starting tomorrow afternoon – Malaga here we come.
So what’s been cracking off? Walk the dog for mum on a couple of evenings when she’s wanted to stay with dad, who’s been up and down all week. Diagnose a flat battery on the in-laws’ car due to the rear hatch door being left ajar and the courtesy light being on for 4-5 days, putting a charger on it and making sure that all was OK after 24 hours charging. Then mum couldn’t turn the key in the ignition of her car -- don’t know what the problem was but it turned for me. Mark’s scooter was booked for an MoT, but I had to take it in for him as he was doing exams, only it wouldn’t start. With the help of a friend who also owns a 400 Burgman we diagnose a loose carburettor, loose connection on the auto choke. It duly passed the rescheduled MoT the next day (Thursday) and I spent that afternoon giving it a good washing down and polishing so it should be good for a while now.
Today has been spent getting cameras charged, SD cards cleared, digital photographs filed, tagged, sorted and backed up. Then researching things to do in Malaga and getting ready for tomorrow. Laundry has been brought up to date. Just got the packing to do now.
So what’s been cracking off? Walk the dog for mum on a couple of evenings when she’s wanted to stay with dad, who’s been up and down all week. Diagnose a flat battery on the in-laws’ car due to the rear hatch door being left ajar and the courtesy light being on for 4-5 days, putting a charger on it and making sure that all was OK after 24 hours charging. Then mum couldn’t turn the key in the ignition of her car -- don’t know what the problem was but it turned for me. Mark’s scooter was booked for an MoT, but I had to take it in for him as he was doing exams, only it wouldn’t start. With the help of a friend who also owns a 400 Burgman we diagnose a loose carburettor, loose connection on the auto choke. It duly passed the rescheduled MoT the next day (Thursday) and I spent that afternoon giving it a good washing down and polishing so it should be good for a while now.
Today has been spent getting cameras charged, SD cards cleared, digital photographs filed, tagged, sorted and backed up. Then researching things to do in Malaga and getting ready for tomorrow. Laundry has been brought up to date. Just got the packing to do now.
Tuesday 20 January 2009
Britain on the edge of bankruptcy
Iain Martin says the Prime Minister hasn't 'saved the world' and now faces disgrace in the history books, read it here in… The Telegraph and here in This Is Money
Thursday 15 January 2009
Time to relax
After the trauma of the last few months and the pressure of trying to secure a job in order to protect our way of life and standard of living, Suzie and I have decided to take a City Break. So on the 24th we will be off to spend a few days in Malaga, leaving the house in the hands of the two boys and the cat.
Basically this is my way of saying “thank you” to Suzie for seeing us through the last 7 months and having faith in my ability to find another job. I’m an advocate of PMA (Positive Mental Attitude) but sometimes it has proved just a bit too much to stay positive, and Suzie has seen us through those times.
Now all I have to do is work out how we can celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary later in the year because having just started an new job, I can’t see my new employer being too chuffed with me wanting time off just weeks after starting with them. This is going to be a tough one.
Basically this is my way of saying “thank you” to Suzie for seeing us through the last 7 months and having faith in my ability to find another job. I’m an advocate of PMA (Positive Mental Attitude) but sometimes it has proved just a bit too much to stay positive, and Suzie has seen us through those times.
Now all I have to do is work out how we can celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary later in the year because having just started an new job, I can’t see my new employer being too chuffed with me wanting time off just weeks after starting with them. This is going to be a tough one.
Exam time
Yesterday Mark had his first exam that counts towards his final degree. Seem slike the paper was a stinker and towards the end his tutor came in and stated that there was an error in the first question. Mark subsequently found an error in Q2, but, came out of the exam rather dejected.
So how the hell are students supposed to get a top grade pass if the examining board can’t be bothered to proof read the question paper before printing it?
So how the hell are students supposed to get a top grade pass if the examining board can’t be bothered to proof read the question paper before printing it?
Dad is home
I popped in to see mum yesterday afternoon on my way back from a trip to the dentist, and got there to find an ambulance on the drive and the paramedics in the process of moving dad off the stretcher onto his usual reclining chair.
Mum is over the moon that dad is now back home, but, I quite concerned that his chest is still rattling and that he’ll soon tire her out. No denying that the rest has done her good though.
Mum is over the moon that dad is now back home, but, I quite concerned that his chest is still rattling and that he’ll soon tire her out. No denying that the rest has done her good though.
Sunday 11 January 2009
Life goes on
With my need to focus on getting a job removed it just remains for me to thank everybody who has supported me through my extended period of unemployment. Suzie has been fabulous, as have her work colleagues at Derby City Council. Then there's the family, guys and gals on the Deauville UK web site, former work colleagues at Zeda and our neighbours. And complete strangers who read this blog. I thank you all for your encouragement and support.
But life goes on and while I've been ensconsed in my focused, one track world, things have been happening. Dad has been in the City hospital, and would have been sent home on 2 occasions had it not been for the fact that they can't get his temperature to stabalise. Mum has benefitted from the unexpected and extended respite and has today joined us for Sunday dinner, with us and both of her grandsons. I've striped off most of the wallpaper from the hall in readiness for some redecorating. Suzie's car has had it's annual mot and service -- Andy doing the latter. Mark has entertained us with his guitar playing and we have seen a bit more of both girlfriends as they relax between university semestas. Suzie had a couple of days of work this week with "bird flu" which in reality is a head cold.
But life goes on and while I've been ensconsed in my focused, one track world, things have been happening. Dad has been in the City hospital, and would have been sent home on 2 occasions had it not been for the fact that they can't get his temperature to stabalise. Mum has benefitted from the unexpected and extended respite and has today joined us for Sunday dinner, with us and both of her grandsons. I've striped off most of the wallpaper from the hall in readiness for some redecorating. Suzie's car has had it's annual mot and service -- Andy doing the latter. Mark has entertained us with his guitar playing and we have seen a bit more of both girlfriends as they relax between university semestas. Suzie had a couple of days of work this week with "bird flu" which in reality is a head cold.
Saturday 10 January 2009
The final stats
This morning the postman delivered the Contract of Employment for my new job, which makes it all the more real, as in I DO HAVE A JOB!
The final stats that show the effort involved in getting that all important Job Offer / Contract of Employment are:-
• I registered with 96 web sites / recruitment agencies
• I posted a copy of my CV on each of those site
• On the main job search sites I updated my CV at the start of each new month
• I applied for 255 jobs either on-line or by email (with CV and covering letter)
• I applied for 7 jobs by obtaining an application form and posting it back (none of these resulted in an interview)
• I attended 1 full and 2 half day assessment events
• Did 5 presentations
I sat through:-
• 5 telephone interviews
• 21 competency interviews
• 6 “traditional” job interviews
• Had 5 interviews cancelled at the 11th hour when the job was “put on hold”
Out of these:-
• The full assessment day had women on the judging panel (2 out of 5)
• Only 1 interview was conducted by an all female panel (of 2).
My performance at interview:-
• No feedback at all from 1 potential employer
• At 6 interviews I “came 2nd”
• 4 times I was told than no suitable candidates were selected
• The most common reason given for not being selected was that I came over as “too nervous”
• It took me 196 days to go from being made redundant to getting a job offer.
My success came from Lisa Irving (Senior Account Manager) at Omni Resource Management Solutions, call her on 0161 929 2385; email her on lisa.irving@omnirms.com or visit their web site Omni Resourcing
One last observation, the job I landed was the one with the all female interview panel.
The final stats that show the effort involved in getting that all important Job Offer / Contract of Employment are:-
• I registered with 96 web sites / recruitment agencies
• I posted a copy of my CV on each of those site
• On the main job search sites I updated my CV at the start of each new month
• I applied for 255 jobs either on-line or by email (with CV and covering letter)
• I applied for 7 jobs by obtaining an application form and posting it back (none of these resulted in an interview)
• I attended 1 full and 2 half day assessment events
• Did 5 presentations
I sat through:-
• 5 telephone interviews
• 21 competency interviews
• 6 “traditional” job interviews
• Had 5 interviews cancelled at the 11th hour when the job was “put on hold”
Out of these:-
• The full assessment day had women on the judging panel (2 out of 5)
• Only 1 interview was conducted by an all female panel (of 2).
My performance at interview:-
• No feedback at all from 1 potential employer
• At 6 interviews I “came 2nd”
• 4 times I was told than no suitable candidates were selected
• The most common reason given for not being selected was that I came over as “too nervous”
• It took me 196 days to go from being made redundant to getting a job offer.
My success came from Lisa Irving (Senior Account Manager) at Omni Resource Management Solutions, call her on 0161 929 2385; email her on lisa.irving@omnirms.com or visit their web site Omni Resourcing
One last observation, the job I landed was the one with the all female interview panel.
Friday 9 January 2009
Success at last!
It’s been a busy week with 2 interviews on Tuesday, 1 on Wednesday and another on Thursday. Both on Tuesday were OK, Wednesday’s was poor and Thursday’s was my best ever interview. With those all done I still had interviews lined up, one on Saturday afternoon, another Monday afternoon and a 2nd round interview on Tuesday as a result of Thursday’s excellent performance. But the good news is that I have had, and accepted a verbal job offer as a result of Tuesday morning’s interview in Leicester.
I can’t believe it. I was with mother at the City hospital visiting dad on Thursday afternoon when I took a call from Lisa at the agency (Omni) who had got me the interview in the first place. She opened with “I’ve got the feedback on your interview…” and on hearing that I replied “I did well, they liked me, but there’s no job offer.” I nearly fell over when she said “Nearly right, you did well, they liked you and they want to offer you the job at a salary of….!” I asked Lisa to pause, wait while I sat down and repeat what she’d said slowly, which she did (bless her).
When I got home there was an email from Lisa waiting for me, 2 forms to be printed off and completed and then faxed/posted to my new employer. I don’t have fax at home so Sue took them with her to work and sent them first thing this morning, and by 9:30 I had an email receipt for the faxed documents. Then later a phone call from Lisa to confirm my start date to be 9th February and to say that the contract for my employment would be sent tonight so I should have it by lunchtime Monday.
So now I have a job to look forward to and a start date, and a bit of spare time when I don’t have to keep searching for a job. Sounds like I have the perfect excuse to spend some time out on the motorbike. Hopefully 2008 is dead and buried, taking with it the worst ever year of my life and at any time in the 25 years of our marriage.
I can’t believe it. I was with mother at the City hospital visiting dad on Thursday afternoon when I took a call from Lisa at the agency (Omni) who had got me the interview in the first place. She opened with “I’ve got the feedback on your interview…” and on hearing that I replied “I did well, they liked me, but there’s no job offer.” I nearly fell over when she said “Nearly right, you did well, they liked you and they want to offer you the job at a salary of….!” I asked Lisa to pause, wait while I sat down and repeat what she’d said slowly, which she did (bless her).
When I got home there was an email from Lisa waiting for me, 2 forms to be printed off and completed and then faxed/posted to my new employer. I don’t have fax at home so Sue took them with her to work and sent them first thing this morning, and by 9:30 I had an email receipt for the faxed documents. Then later a phone call from Lisa to confirm my start date to be 9th February and to say that the contract for my employment would be sent tonight so I should have it by lunchtime Monday.
So now I have a job to look forward to and a start date, and a bit of spare time when I don’t have to keep searching for a job. Sounds like I have the perfect excuse to spend some time out on the motorbike. Hopefully 2008 is dead and buried, taking with it the worst ever year of my life and at any time in the 25 years of our marriage.
Sunday 4 January 2009
New Year Honours list
Sammy Miller, one of motorcycling’s quiet men has been included in the Queen’s New Year Honours list, recognising his services to motorcycling heritage, Someone connected to Motorcycles getting something out of the honours system is long overdue, but, won’t herald an opening of the floodgates and the system will continue to reward fat cats that bleed the system and the economy and not the quiet men like Sammy that just get on and do the real hard work in the background.
MCN press release .
Congratulations to Sammy Miller on your OBE.
MCN press release .
Congratulations to Sammy Miller on your OBE.
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