R & R

To take our minds off the possibility of me being made redundant again, Sue & I took time off to go to London last Thursday to take in a show and spend 2 days in our capital city. I've never been a friend of London, or any big cities for that matter, but I really enjoyed this trip. London is now much more car free with pedestrian areas predominating and the Congestion Charge keeping vehicle numbers down - result being fewer cars with access to even fewer streets.

We walked miles. Oxford Street disappoints, being all cheap and down market. Everywhere else is nice and clean with a mysterious absence of pigeons fouling and pestering for feed. Trafalgar Square is a really nice place to be, as are most of the streets. Convent Garden - I loved it with it's market stalls and cafes.

We saw the show "We Will Rock You" based on the music of Queen. Fabulous, funny, full of music and wit with great lighting and a humorous story line (Simon Cowell is responsible for the dead of Rock & Roll!). Other than that well... we had a nice meal out, just the 2 of us. We walked miles in the glorious (and un-seasonally warm) sunshine under clear skies. We took a boat trip down to Greenwich and back - a 2 hour trip, well worth the fare. And we walked miles (again). Stayed at the Strand Palace Hotel, and had an enormous full English breakfast - which was just as well as we walked.....

We needed the break and today's news that I've still got a job made it even better.

How many more times

I shouldn't complain but it is getting a bit tiresome. Late January 2008 I got made redundant when the company I worked for went to the wall. Two weeks later I'm working only to get made redundant again late June after 4.5 months work. That lead to 7 months job hunting before I secured my current job... less pay, longer commute and unfamiliar teritory as it's more systems and test analyst than business analyst - which is what I am/was. But ever grateful I'd got a job.

Then 3 months in, on the last day of my probation period, I got a "your job is at risk" interview and letter. One week later I advised (in writing) that I'm no longer at risk. Last Tuesday the "your job is at risk" interview and letter was repeated. Today I got another letter to say that (again) I'm no longer at risk.

Doesn't exactly fill one with confidence for long term prospects and leaves one wondering - how many more times....?

Saturday - UBG Ride-out

Used Bike Guide is to motorbikes what Parker’s Guide is to cars – a magazine and a guide to secondhand prices for both the trade and and non-trade alike. So when a few months ago I picked up a copy and read their summary of the Deauville I was so incensed that I knocked off an email to the editor. The result was a ride-out yesterday with fellow Deauville riders, as well as a couple of FJRs and Tigers. Derby to Malock Bath for us all to meet up, then on to Ladybower Reservoir for a photo opportunity then ride up Snake Pass to eat at the Café in Glossop. Leaving there in smaller groups, going their own ways, the largest group accompanied me back down the A6 through Buxton, Bakewell and Matlock to Derby where we said our farewells. A great day’s riding in very good company.



This picture is from the stop at Ladybower Reservoir and mine is the 3rd bike from the right with the helmet on the seat, next to Pat's FJR.

Mum

With Dad away and both getting respite, it's been a good day for Mum. Andy picked up the Alhambra and took it to work, put it through the MoT which it failed - on a broken rear spring. I'd picked up a replacement at the weekend because we knew of the problem, so after Andy fitted it the tester gave it a pass, recommending new wiper blades to finish off the job.

Andy then put it through the valet shop, inside and out so when he delivered it back Muum rang to say it looked like new. She sounded fresher than at the weekend, but admitted she had been a bit down during the day - cheered up when Andy delivered the Alhambra back.