Tuesday, 25 May 2010
Mercedes need build quality
While all is well with my Honda Deauville the same cannot be said of my Mercedes. Andy has just done a service which (as one would expect of a car with 100,000 miles under it's wheels is a major service. What I didn't expect was to have to replace both front springs as they had both snapped in an identical place, just short of one full turn from the top end. What with that, a full set of filters and fluids, the near-side track rod arm and f/o/s driving lamp the parts bill alone is looking like it will be close to £300 (at mates rates) or over £530 at full retial. I'm very glad Andy is in the motor trade and has his Senior Technician ticket - it's saving me cash and making the Mercedes just about affordable. I still think that it's time for a change though....
Peace and quiet
It's nice now and then to get some peace and quiet, and right now Sue & I are enjoying just that. Andy is away on a course at BWM in Bracknell, learning the latest petrol engine diagnostics for the current BMW model range. Mark is busy revising for, and sitting his degree exam finals - he sat the first today and is very pleased with his performance, which bodes well.
And in just a couple of weeks Sue & I will be in Portugal on a one week holiday to the Algarve - that should be good. Well we arelooking forward to it anyway.
And in just a couple of weeks Sue & I will be in Portugal on a one week holiday to the Algarve - that should be good. Well we arelooking forward to it anyway.
Exercise is good for you!
That's the popular saying. Well I'm not so sure....
Lunchtime today I took a 10 minute walk to the local ATM hole in the wall. By the time I'd got back to the office I'd got a lovely great big (and painfull) blister on my right foot.
So, exercise is good for you? I'm not convinced.
Lunchtime today I took a 10 minute walk to the local ATM hole in the wall. By the time I'd got back to the office I'd got a lovely great big (and painfull) blister on my right foot.
So, exercise is good for you? I'm not convinced.
Bike MoT
As I'm on the subject of MoT (see Police Crackdown) I have to say that for the 4th year on the trot, whithout any special preparation, the Deauville sailed straight through it's MoT on Saturday. So that's it given it's fitness certificate for another year. It doesn't stop the expense though. New tyres will be required in a couple of months (the front has been on there for nearly 15,000 miles) and the exhaust is looking decidedly rough, though serviceable, so I'll be keeping an eye out for a bargain replacement.
Coming up at the end of the month, Sunday 30th May, I'll be leading out a group of riders for a tour of the Derbyshire Peak District taking in Snake Pass. Again this is the 4th time round so this year we are heading round the route in an anti-clockwise direction, taking the Snake Pass to Glossop rather down from it. Should be fun if the weather is good, and still enjoyable if it's not so kind to us.
Coming up at the end of the month, Sunday 30th May, I'll be leading out a group of riders for a tour of the Derbyshire Peak District taking in Snake Pass. Again this is the 4th time round so this year we are heading round the route in an anti-clockwise direction, taking the Snake Pass to Glossop rather down from it. Should be fun if the weather is good, and still enjoyable if it's not so kind to us.
Police crackdown
Last night on the local BBC news, East Midlands Today, they ran a piece on a police crackdown by Leicestershire Constabulary on drivers using mobile phones and hand held devices while driving. The camera crew filmed several drivers while the commentary said what the driver had been done for and whether they'd been cautioned, fined and gained points on their license. It closed with a lady who had been done for using a mobile phone while driving and who had routinely had a vehicle check that revealed her car had no MoT. I thought she looked familiar, but when I saw the car and registration I knew who she was. Wife of my ex-employer Mr John Mills, it was Elizabeth Mills.
Made me smile! John put ZEDA into Voluntary Creditor Liquidation at the end of January 2008 making me and all staff redundant. Small compensation, but, it made me smile! I wonder if he's well enough connected to get it squashed?
Made me smile! John put ZEDA into Voluntary Creditor Liquidation at the end of January 2008 making me and all staff redundant. Small compensation, but, it made me smile! I wonder if he's well enough connected to get it squashed?
Saturday, 8 May 2010
Mum's birthday
Hot on the heels of Angie's birthday a couple of weeks ago, tomorrow is Mum's birthday - her 75th. Happy birthday for tomorrow Mum, and yes, your new hair do does look smart, a nice change.
Mercedes build quality
I continue to be highly disappointed with the build quality of my C class Sport Coupe. Returning from a trip into town with Andy last Saturday there was a noise from the steering as I reversed back onto the drive. Andy took it to work on Monday to find the lower track arm has a lot of play and BOTH front suspension springs have snapped. With a service due shortly we've decided that Andy will do it next weekend replacing the bits identified as faulty. On top of that the o/s/f driving lamp has been smashed by a stone so will be replaced at the same time. Fortunately, Andy has already set aside some part used tyres and brought home from work, so they won't add to the cost of this service.
Having said that - the car really comes into it's own on the motorways and long distance drives, but I don't do the amount of driving that I used to so once this service is out the way it might well be time for a change. Might just keep Andy happy and get a BMW.
Having said that - the car really comes into it's own on the motorways and long distance drives, but I don't do the amount of driving that I used to so once this service is out the way it might well be time for a change. Might just keep Andy happy and get a BMW.
Election week
It's been a mad, mad week for Suzie especially, with loads of work and some very long days to make the election happen in Derby. Still, it's all over and as a result we have a Tory MP for Oakwood while the other 2 Derby seats went to Labour and just as the National Government is going to be a coalition because no one party has the majority, so it is in Derby City Council. We made sure that everyone locally in the family voted - that's both sets of parents and us and our boys. The televised national debates with the 3 main party leaders seemed to add a level of interest not previously seen and the turn-out was the best seen for years, which can only be good - at least people are getting out there and making the effort and using their vote.
So who will be in number 10 Downing Street? As long as it's not Gordon Brown I really don't care!
So who will be in number 10 Downing Street? As long as it's not Gordon Brown I really don't care!
Friday, 23 April 2010
Happy birthday sis
April 24th is Angies birthday - so happy birthday sis! Hope you have a good day and if it hasn't arrived then the card is in the post.
Quick update
Things just seem so hectic ALL the time. Mark returns to Uni after the next Bank Holiday weekend for the last few weeks before his finals. So far he's stayed on track for a 1st class degree in Maths, let's hope it stays that way.
Andy got certificated Wednesday to work on car air conditioning systems - from July it's law so Stratstone put him up for the qualification. At the moment he has a back problem gained when trying to change a tyre at work using the supplied, but faulty, tyre changer. So now he is under doctor's orders and is on light duties at work.
Suzie is busy organising the elections - local and general. Monday she had to go to London to proof read the ballot papers being used across Derby - it was a long day with me picking her up at the railway station at 21:30.
Last week was a good week for me - every day I used the bike to commute. This week the frosts have returned and I refuse to ride at below 4 degrees C, so it's back to the car. But I'm lucky, at least I'm in work - the unemployment figures released this week say there are 2.5m unemployed. The bike is as good as ever, the car is in need of some sorting and a service, but that will have to wait until after payday (28th).
On a slightly more serious note - I found out this evening that Chris has got Glandular Fever. Get well soon sis and I hope Wayne and the boys are looking after you.
Andy got certificated Wednesday to work on car air conditioning systems - from July it's law so Stratstone put him up for the qualification. At the moment he has a back problem gained when trying to change a tyre at work using the supplied, but faulty, tyre changer. So now he is under doctor's orders and is on light duties at work.
Suzie is busy organising the elections - local and general. Monday she had to go to London to proof read the ballot papers being used across Derby - it was a long day with me picking her up at the railway station at 21:30.
Last week was a good week for me - every day I used the bike to commute. This week the frosts have returned and I refuse to ride at below 4 degrees C, so it's back to the car. But I'm lucky, at least I'm in work - the unemployment figures released this week say there are 2.5m unemployed. The bike is as good as ever, the car is in need of some sorting and a service, but that will have to wait until after payday (28th).
On a slightly more serious note - I found out this evening that Chris has got Glandular Fever. Get well soon sis and I hope Wayne and the boys are looking after you.
Wednesday, 31 March 2010
Murder Mystery - Our 1st One
A weekend away on a Murder Mystery hotel stay in Scarborough – and I lived to tell the tale. Suzie’s birthday treat to the pair of us, and she got a ride in a powerful speedboat as a highlight of the weekend.
It didn’t quite start off as planned though. Suzie pre-booked a taxi to pick us up at 07:15 and despite repetaed phone calls we ended up in a mad cap dash in my car to get to the coach pick-up point in time leaving the car in a local (expensive) city car park – which is why we had booked a cab in the first place. Mark answered the door to the cab when it finally arrived at 08:00 some 15 minutes after the coach left Derby. So if you are looking for a reputable taxi firm in Derby then I can highly recommend that you DON’T use Swift Cabs.
On the coach we met up with the rest of our group, friends of Suzie, mostly from her work – the group comprised Suzie & I, Dave & Rona, Scot & Darren, Sharon & Laura, and last but not least Cherry & Tal. After wending our way through Heanor, Chesterfield and Sheffield we met up and swapped some passengers at Wooley Edge services on the M1 between J38 – J39. Then it was non-stop to Scarborough to be dropped off for a wander along the front, a pose by the donkeys then the speedboat ride which was voted a hit by the 8 that went onboard (Sharon & I passed on the chance). This was followed by the obligatory fish & chip lunch and some shopping for those things you never knew you wanted. Then back to the coach to be taken the short ride to the hotel.
Suzie's birthday treat"
Rooms are best described as comfortable, but not exactly modern. Quaint and traditional are also apt descriptions – the Esplanade is not decrepid but it has seen better days and would benefit from some capital expenditure. The views from the windows were fabulous and it is in a great location for those that don’t mind a short walk to get anywhere and want a nice quiet night’s sleep. Our coach provided most of the occupants of the hotel for the duration of our stay so it wasn’t exactly crowded.
The Murder Mystery was simply an aspect of the stay, and the meal around which it unravelled was good without being spectacular. In my view the MM was not that well organised and tasks sprung on us hadn’t been thought through (i.e. write a poem but no pens or paper were available).
Sunday morning started with a hearty breakfast, then the thespians wrapped up the MM without any reference to evidence, clues or tangible quotes. A sojourn along the front, then up one of the many steep walkways/streets to the church on the top of the hill, round to view the north shore, then back into the shopping centre for a light lunch before returning to the coach for the trip home. All in all – very enjoyable with a good group of folks who didn’t rub each other up the wrong way as they all set out to enjoy Suzie’s birthday weekend. Nice.
It didn’t quite start off as planned though. Suzie pre-booked a taxi to pick us up at 07:15 and despite repetaed phone calls we ended up in a mad cap dash in my car to get to the coach pick-up point in time leaving the car in a local (expensive) city car park – which is why we had booked a cab in the first place. Mark answered the door to the cab when it finally arrived at 08:00 some 15 minutes after the coach left Derby. So if you are looking for a reputable taxi firm in Derby then I can highly recommend that you DON’T use Swift Cabs.
On the coach we met up with the rest of our group, friends of Suzie, mostly from her work – the group comprised Suzie & I, Dave & Rona, Scot & Darren, Sharon & Laura, and last but not least Cherry & Tal. After wending our way through Heanor, Chesterfield and Sheffield we met up and swapped some passengers at Wooley Edge services on the M1 between J38 – J39. Then it was non-stop to Scarborough to be dropped off for a wander along the front, a pose by the donkeys then the speedboat ride which was voted a hit by the 8 that went onboard (Sharon & I passed on the chance). This was followed by the obligatory fish & chip lunch and some shopping for those things you never knew you wanted. Then back to the coach to be taken the short ride to the hotel.
Suzie's birthday treat"
Rooms are best described as comfortable, but not exactly modern. Quaint and traditional are also apt descriptions – the Esplanade is not decrepid but it has seen better days and would benefit from some capital expenditure. The views from the windows were fabulous and it is in a great location for those that don’t mind a short walk to get anywhere and want a nice quiet night’s sleep. Our coach provided most of the occupants of the hotel for the duration of our stay so it wasn’t exactly crowded.
The Murder Mystery was simply an aspect of the stay, and the meal around which it unravelled was good without being spectacular. In my view the MM was not that well organised and tasks sprung on us hadn’t been thought through (i.e. write a poem but no pens or paper were available).
Sunday morning started with a hearty breakfast, then the thespians wrapped up the MM without any reference to evidence, clues or tangible quotes. A sojourn along the front, then up one of the many steep walkways/streets to the church on the top of the hill, round to view the north shore, then back into the shopping centre for a light lunch before returning to the coach for the trip home. All in all – very enjoyable with a good group of folks who didn’t rub each other up the wrong way as they all set out to enjoy Suzie’s birthday weekend. Nice.
Saturday, 20 March 2010
Busy, busy, busy....
I hadn't realised how long it was since I last posted - it's amazing how quickly time passes when you are busy, and we have all been busy....
Mark turned 21 at the beginning of March - with a family meal out on his (mid-week) birthday and another with girlfriends (his and Andy's), 3 out of 4 grandparents, Angie & John, Janice & Des, Suzie & I, the Saturday after his birthday. He’s managed to spend some time with his young lady while she was back from Manchester Uni for “half term”, and fitted in some stints at work on top of his studies.
Andy bought a neighbours rather knackered Astra to rebuild and sell on, which kept him busy for a couple of weeks. And he's done a couple of turns chauffeuring for his boss at work.
Dad has been in the Helen Lay Centre for the last 2 weeks so I spent last Sunday with mother, took her out for a drive, a meal in Leamington Spa and then spent a couple of hours with dad before heading home. Andy took her down again today, along with a new wheel chair because they don’t have enough to go round all the inmates on respite.
With all the redundancies made at my work’s last year those of us still employed there are finding life a bit busy. On a sad note, none of those that were shown the door have yet found employment. It’s a tough world out there in the job market right now so no complaints about being a bit busy.
Today, Suzie & I spent this morning shopping in Derby for our birthday presents to each to other as we both have a birthday before the end of the month, as well as our wedding anniversary. And next weekend we are away on a "murder mystery" weekend.
Mark turned 21 at the beginning of March - with a family meal out on his (mid-week) birthday and another with girlfriends (his and Andy's), 3 out of 4 grandparents, Angie & John, Janice & Des, Suzie & I, the Saturday after his birthday. He’s managed to spend some time with his young lady while she was back from Manchester Uni for “half term”, and fitted in some stints at work on top of his studies.
Andy bought a neighbours rather knackered Astra to rebuild and sell on, which kept him busy for a couple of weeks. And he's done a couple of turns chauffeuring for his boss at work.
Dad has been in the Helen Lay Centre for the last 2 weeks so I spent last Sunday with mother, took her out for a drive, a meal in Leamington Spa and then spent a couple of hours with dad before heading home. Andy took her down again today, along with a new wheel chair because they don’t have enough to go round all the inmates on respite.
With all the redundancies made at my work’s last year those of us still employed there are finding life a bit busy. On a sad note, none of those that were shown the door have yet found employment. It’s a tough world out there in the job market right now so no complaints about being a bit busy.
Today, Suzie & I spent this morning shopping in Derby for our birthday presents to each to other as we both have a birthday before the end of the month, as well as our wedding anniversary. And next weekend we are away on a "murder mystery" weekend.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)