Monday, 28 February 2011
Spending cuts hit Helen Lay Centre
Mother has had some communications with the Helen Lay Centre, and it's bad news. Government spending cuts mean that the centre will close at the end of June, which is at the end of the second of Dad's proposed 3 week stay. What will happen after that? I don't know but it doesn't look good. Mum is at full stretch right now and if she doesn't get respite I fear it'll be the start of end of her. With everyone else out at work I'm at a loss as to what the solution is right now, but one thing is sure, it's no good asking social services to help.
Family
This last weekend John & Angie came up from Colchester to stay with Mum & Dad. John had his mind to demolish the shed ready for a replacement, and we'd organised a skip to be delivered on Friday so that when John arrived he and I got stuck in with Angie keeping the cups of tea coming and binning some of the smaller bits that had to go in the skip. John took the lead and I was his labourer (physical labour is something I'm not used to these days). The short of it was that the shed was demolished, site cleared and prepared ready for a concrete base. Loads of stuff went into the recycle bins but most went into the skip. It was hard work but an enjoyable change from computer key presses which passes as "work" in my world.
On top of that little lot (which took all the afternoon daylight hours) I managed my share of the household chores, washed Sue's car,and mine, and the motorbike, as well as a trip to Pinxton taking the in-laws to buy a replacement mobility scooter for father-in-law - that'll be delivered next Saturday.
Sunday for me was a ride-out with the guys to Brimington sheds. Iffy damp weather tried it's best to put a dampener on proceedings but it was still enjoyable and it turned out that those from "up north" had missed a nice dry day, while those of us from Derby and further south missed out on a serious dousing as the heavens opened and it lashed it down. So light drizzle and rain meant we got off lightly.
On top of that little lot (which took all the afternoon daylight hours) I managed my share of the household chores, washed Sue's car,and mine, and the motorbike, as well as a trip to Pinxton taking the in-laws to buy a replacement mobility scooter for father-in-law - that'll be delivered next Saturday.
Sunday for me was a ride-out with the guys to Brimington sheds. Iffy damp weather tried it's best to put a dampener on proceedings but it was still enjoyable and it turned out that those from "up north" had missed a nice dry day, while those of us from Derby and further south missed out on a serious dousing as the heavens opened and it lashed it down. So light drizzle and rain meant we got off lightly.
Catch-up
Oh dear, I've been neglecting the blog again. Too much to do and not enough time to do it. It's been a mad year so far, especially at work, where I'm spending most of my time as a "Test Analyst" which mainly involves getting thrown in at the deep end and having to work it out for myself. And then the management wonder why there is an increasing number of "incidents" in the production environment. An "employee survey" across the globe of FIS employees has informed the management that satisfaction scores in Leicester are the lowest for all FIS offices, at half the global average of 64%, while another of the offices is the UK topped the satisfaction sutvey with an 86% score. It sent out a powerful message and today our MD walked and the replacement took up the reigns.
Additionally, we've had the usual round of annual performance reviews. Except this year we had to use a new system and nobody had been trained on how to use it, including the reveiwing managers. The best bit is that it has absolutely no bearing on the annual pay review or individual rewards packages, so basically it's a waste of time. Aren't they all?
Anyway, we are seeing some changes supposedly to improve efficiency. Like replacing the kettles in the kitchen with a wall mounted urn. As the water is always hot it means less time spent waiting around in the kitchen. A small but significant measure because it points towards the way the new MD is thinking.
Additionally, we've had the usual round of annual performance reviews. Except this year we had to use a new system and nobody had been trained on how to use it, including the reveiwing managers. The best bit is that it has absolutely no bearing on the annual pay review or individual rewards packages, so basically it's a waste of time. Aren't they all?
Anyway, we are seeing some changes supposedly to improve efficiency. Like replacing the kettles in the kitchen with a wall mounted urn. As the water is always hot it means less time spent waiting around in the kitchen. A small but significant measure because it points towards the way the new MD is thinking.
Sunday, 9 January 2011
Well done Jack Straw
Headline White girls are 'easy meat' for Pakistani men: Jack Straw under fire for making 'offensive' remarks on sex abuse cases. Read more at The Mail
Now I'm not a racist (see my family website to understand) but I fully believe that Jack Straw should be commended for the accuracy of his comments and powers of observation. Instead, he gets lambasted by the press for his open, honest and professional remarks based on information which he is privy to and supported by recent court cases.
I live with my family in Derby and we see this type of sexual predatory stalking by the young Pakistani males of white females across the city and in local news articles all the time. And they use intimidation as their main tool, especially if the female at the focus of thier attentions is escorted or with anybody. The recent convictions are just the tip of the iceberg.
The press should get their facts right and stop jumping on the wrong side of the news bandwagon and support Jack Straw - more needs to be done and the police supported. Why? Because most of the time as soon as they make any arrests the young males scream the race card and get let off.
Now I'm not a racist (see my family website to understand) but I fully believe that Jack Straw should be commended for the accuracy of his comments and powers of observation. Instead, he gets lambasted by the press for his open, honest and professional remarks based on information which he is privy to and supported by recent court cases.
I live with my family in Derby and we see this type of sexual predatory stalking by the young Pakistani males of white females across the city and in local news articles all the time. And they use intimidation as their main tool, especially if the female at the focus of thier attentions is escorted or with anybody. The recent convictions are just the tip of the iceberg.
The press should get their facts right and stop jumping on the wrong side of the news bandwagon and support Jack Straw - more needs to be done and the police supported. Why? Because most of the time as soon as they make any arrests the young males scream the race card and get let off.
Tuesday, 28 December 2010
Mark collects his Mazda
Yes, Mark has upgraded from his first car, a 1.2 Fiat Punto to a 1.6 Mazda 3 TS. Age wise he has gone from a 1999 "banger" which was run on a shoe string to a 2004 car that is much more in keeping with both his job and the need to make regular trips to visit his girlfriend in Slough.
Mark collects his Mazda from Sunwin, Derby.
The Punto had 82,000+ recorded miles, this Mazda has covered less than 33,000 and has a full 12 months (Mazda backed) warranty, so here's hoping it does him good service over the next few years without costing a fortune along the way.
Mark collects his Mazda from Sunwin, Derby.
The Punto had 82,000+ recorded miles, this Mazda has covered less than 33,000 and has a full 12 months (Mazda backed) warranty, so here's hoping it does him good service over the next few years without costing a fortune along the way.
Tuesday, 21 December 2010
Parents become old people
Parents - usually nice to have and nice to know. But, they become old people and the same doesn't always apply. Like young kids they become demanding. And they don't just want it, they want it now!
Now I remember that all the way through my formative years we worked on the basis that there were 4 Sundays in a month. These were then allocated on the basis of one for a visit to Dad's mum, one at home, then one at mum's parents and one at home. If there were 5 sundays in the month then that was an extra at home Sunday.
But now our parents are old people, and yes, we still love them but even though we get to see them at least once a week, usually twice and often more frequently than that... it's never enough. They still want to "see more of us". They claim they don't get out. Now for my dad that is true, he does nothing because of his advanced MS, he can't, but mother walks the dog most days, gets into town and round the supermarkets to do her shopping. Likewise Sue's mum, while her dad is transported to an old folks "club" twice a week and every now and then his mate Tony takes him to The Legion for a night out. In the better weather he gets about on a mobility scooter but with sub zero temperatures currently bing the norm, then he's staying in more as we'd expect. Except he doesn't. He wants to be out.
So where does that leave us? Running around after the old folks. Doing the shopping that they forget because they won't write themselves a list but which we won't do unless it's on a list (see the irony there - they won't write a list for themselves but they will for us). Popping in and out, lots of short visits simply because if we just go for a few hours once a week then they say "we never see anything of you".
I love my parents but I'm not so keen on old people.
Now I remember that all the way through my formative years we worked on the basis that there were 4 Sundays in a month. These were then allocated on the basis of one for a visit to Dad's mum, one at home, then one at mum's parents and one at home. If there were 5 sundays in the month then that was an extra at home Sunday.
But now our parents are old people, and yes, we still love them but even though we get to see them at least once a week, usually twice and often more frequently than that... it's never enough. They still want to "see more of us". They claim they don't get out. Now for my dad that is true, he does nothing because of his advanced MS, he can't, but mother walks the dog most days, gets into town and round the supermarkets to do her shopping. Likewise Sue's mum, while her dad is transported to an old folks "club" twice a week and every now and then his mate Tony takes him to The Legion for a night out. In the better weather he gets about on a mobility scooter but with sub zero temperatures currently bing the norm, then he's staying in more as we'd expect. Except he doesn't. He wants to be out.
So where does that leave us? Running around after the old folks. Doing the shopping that they forget because they won't write themselves a list but which we won't do unless it's on a list (see the irony there - they won't write a list for themselves but they will for us). Popping in and out, lots of short visits simply because if we just go for a few hours once a week then they say "we never see anything of you".
I love my parents but I'm not so keen on old people.
The banger is going!
Mark needs a reliable car and the Punto is past it's best. It has served him well and been really quite cheap to run but recent events have highlighted it's age. So while his car was off the road waiting on Andy's time to fix it and then the phased repair after the first fix failed to provide the permanent solution, "Dad's Taxi" gets hooked into conveying him around the dealers and car retailers in the local area. After several of weeks searching, initially without any idea as to what he really wanted and all the time mindful that he didn't want to blow all his savings, we finally found the solution.
Late on Sunday afternoon we dropped in on the local Mazda dealership, and after being advised that all the ones in the price bracket we were looking had been sold and leaving our details for then to "get back to us" we took a walk round a corner plot to see a lovely looking example of a 7 year old Mazda 3 TS at half the price we'd set as the upper limit of his budget. We persuade a salesman who obviously wants to be getting off home, to give Mark a test drive. The smile across his face when he returns tells me all I need to know. So, we agree that subject to an inspection by his bigger brother Andy, and the go ahead from him, we are seriously interested.
Andy has seen it, driven it, inspected it and on Tuesday after Christmas Mark will own a low mileage Mazda 3 1.6 TS in a rather nice metallic blue, complete with a 1 year Mazda backed warranty and home start, breakdown and recovery. What a nice way to end the year.
Late on Sunday afternoon we dropped in on the local Mazda dealership, and after being advised that all the ones in the price bracket we were looking had been sold and leaving our details for then to "get back to us" we took a walk round a corner plot to see a lovely looking example of a 7 year old Mazda 3 TS at half the price we'd set as the upper limit of his budget. We persuade a salesman who obviously wants to be getting off home, to give Mark a test drive. The smile across his face when he returns tells me all I need to know. So, we agree that subject to an inspection by his bigger brother Andy, and the go ahead from him, we are seriously interested.
Andy has seen it, driven it, inspected it and on Tuesday after Christmas Mark will own a low mileage Mazda 3 1.6 TS in a rather nice metallic blue, complete with a 1 year Mazda backed warranty and home start, breakdown and recovery. What a nice way to end the year.
Exensive time of year
Yes, Christmas is upon us and it's traditionally an expensive time of year, but boy, this year takes the biscuit.
First the washing machine decides it wants to be a shopping trolley (i.e. have a mind of it's own) and not wash/dry what's put in it to the program selected on the dial.
Second breakdown was Mark's car. On the main, narrow and twisty road up through Castle Donington on his way to work it stops, having over heated. Due to the sub-zero temperatures it soon cools down without any coolant being added and he gets to work. And later, he drives it home. The water pump is leaking a pretty flow so that's the obvious culprit, and is duly replaced only for a second leak to then be found at the union of the block to the heater matrix part of the system - an elbow piece of plastic with a temperature sensor is having a hard time and leaking coolant at a rate of knots, so a new one is purchased and fitted. Job done, the banger lives again and at least he can get to work.
Next up, the boiler decides to follow suit so we get the local man in who diagnoses the fault and we then have to wait 10 days for the bit to come and for him to fit it, a ten minute job, an expensive ten minute job, but as always he sticks with his quote so we are just happy to get hot radiators when we turn up the thermostat.
Then yesterday Sue gets her car out to drive to work, only to find it's pulling to the left. that might be because the near side front tyre has a damned great big nail through it. That's one new tyre then.
So when I get home to insurance renewal notices for (i) my car insurance, and (ii) the home contents and building insurance I'm not well pleased. All due by the end of the year, they bring the tally for December to £1,600.
And I still have to find £300 from somewhere for a replacement exhaust for the motorbike - so that'll be on hold until February (at least).
First the washing machine decides it wants to be a shopping trolley (i.e. have a mind of it's own) and not wash/dry what's put in it to the program selected on the dial.
Second breakdown was Mark's car. On the main, narrow and twisty road up through Castle Donington on his way to work it stops, having over heated. Due to the sub-zero temperatures it soon cools down without any coolant being added and he gets to work. And later, he drives it home. The water pump is leaking a pretty flow so that's the obvious culprit, and is duly replaced only for a second leak to then be found at the union of the block to the heater matrix part of the system - an elbow piece of plastic with a temperature sensor is having a hard time and leaking coolant at a rate of knots, so a new one is purchased and fitted. Job done, the banger lives again and at least he can get to work.
Next up, the boiler decides to follow suit so we get the local man in who diagnoses the fault and we then have to wait 10 days for the bit to come and for him to fit it, a ten minute job, an expensive ten minute job, but as always he sticks with his quote so we are just happy to get hot radiators when we turn up the thermostat.
Then yesterday Sue gets her car out to drive to work, only to find it's pulling to the left. that might be because the near side front tyre has a damned great big nail through it. That's one new tyre then.
So when I get home to insurance renewal notices for (i) my car insurance, and (ii) the home contents and building insurance I'm not well pleased. All due by the end of the year, they bring the tally for December to £1,600.
And I still have to find £300 from somewhere for a replacement exhaust for the motorbike - so that'll be on hold until February (at least).
Monday, 29 November 2010
Infamy
The old line, "Infamy, Infamy, they've all got it in for me..."
This time my 15 seconds of fame is in Issue 155 of The Riders Digest, where both me and my web site get a mention. Despite that, it's an excellent read and justifies it's place as the only magazine subscription that I currently have (now nearing the end of my 2nd year).
This time my 15 seconds of fame is in Issue 155 of The Riders Digest, where both me and my web site get a mention. Despite that, it's an excellent read and justifies it's place as the only magazine subscription that I currently have (now nearing the end of my 2nd year).
From the weekend
Mother nature decided that she wanted a nice new white coat so we got a dusting of snow, roughly 3 inches worth came down over Friday night and we (like much of the UK) awoke to a blanket covering everything in sight. Now that is bad news where we are as it takes very little to make getting home in the car very difficult, if not impossible. We are at the top of a slope/hill on one of the highest bits of ground inside the Derby City boundary, but we are about 400 metres from the bus route (which gets gritted by the council) and most of that is in shade so the effects of the sun don't get through to assist any thaw. So, out with the broom and shovel. One elderly neighbour gave up a spare snow shovel, which made things easier, and another supplied some salt (that may appear generous but he is self employed so couldn't spare time to shovel snow and dearly wanted to be able to get his van back up to his house, one door up from ours).
So I spent a good part of Saturday morning clearing The Close of snow and laying down salt/grit, just in time for the delivery of our new washing machine (ordered on the internet and delivered from Manchester) which I then had to install. Old machine got stuck outside by the back door, and it will sit there until the weather improves - which could be a long time. Then it was out to do the weekly shop. Then back to do the ironing (my part of the weekend's chores). With a mug of vegetable soup for lunch somewhere in the middle and a quick trip to check on Mum & Dad, Sue and I were glad to put our feet up and spend an evening alone in front of the TV.
Sunday morning, no more snow had fallen so I took myself off to clear Mum & Dad's drive of snow and put down some of the salt/grit I'd got left over from Saturday. I know Dad can't get out and Mum doesn't go out much when the weather is bad like this, but the carers provided by social services, along with the nurses and doctors that regularly call to check on Dad means that I like to keep their drive clear if I can. Anyway, I got it done and called in after work tonight to check on them again and Mum said that everyone had remarked how nice it was that the drive was not slippery and that they felt safe as a result of my efforts, so that's reward enough.
Mum is well. Dad was better at the weekend but wasn't so good again tonight. He still hasn't shaken off the cold and chesty catargh that has palgued him for the last several weeks. Both are now starting to get used to my new tactics of little but often - instead of just seeing them once a week I now try and pop in at least 3 time a week, each time being short and sweet.
Oh, and while I'm on I might as well comment on how much better the VW Passat is in these poor weather conditions when compared to the Mercedes. So far I'm much more impressed with the Passat than I ever was with the Merc. Let's hope it stays that way.
So I spent a good part of Saturday morning clearing The Close of snow and laying down salt/grit, just in time for the delivery of our new washing machine (ordered on the internet and delivered from Manchester) which I then had to install. Old machine got stuck outside by the back door, and it will sit there until the weather improves - which could be a long time. Then it was out to do the weekly shop. Then back to do the ironing (my part of the weekend's chores). With a mug of vegetable soup for lunch somewhere in the middle and a quick trip to check on Mum & Dad, Sue and I were glad to put our feet up and spend an evening alone in front of the TV.
Sunday morning, no more snow had fallen so I took myself off to clear Mum & Dad's drive of snow and put down some of the salt/grit I'd got left over from Saturday. I know Dad can't get out and Mum doesn't go out much when the weather is bad like this, but the carers provided by social services, along with the nurses and doctors that regularly call to check on Dad means that I like to keep their drive clear if I can. Anyway, I got it done and called in after work tonight to check on them again and Mum said that everyone had remarked how nice it was that the drive was not slippery and that they felt safe as a result of my efforts, so that's reward enough.
Mum is well. Dad was better at the weekend but wasn't so good again tonight. He still hasn't shaken off the cold and chesty catargh that has palgued him for the last several weeks. Both are now starting to get used to my new tactics of little but often - instead of just seeing them once a week I now try and pop in at least 3 time a week, each time being short and sweet.
Oh, and while I'm on I might as well comment on how much better the VW Passat is in these poor weather conditions when compared to the Mercedes. So far I'm much more impressed with the Passat than I ever was with the Merc. Let's hope it stays that way.
Tuesday, 23 November 2010
What's around the corner?
It was with great sadness that I learnt on Saturday of the death of Jenny Adcock - wife to Steve - from cancer on Friday. I met Steve and Jenny through the UK Deauville forum, regularly riding out with them after meeting up with them in Rennesse, Holland at DmD in 2006. Steve had only retired a month ago so it is all the more painful that Jenny won't be there with him after all their years of marriage.
The last time I saw Jenny was on the BBC Radio Derby ride for Children in Need appeal from Claycross back to the Radio Derby offices. As usual she was her cheerful, smiling, happy self. She was having a few health problems but that was nothing new and it did nothing to change her happy, bouncy demeanour. She posed with Pudsy bear for photographs and if she and Steve knew anything then, they said nothing. On Monday 15th November she went into hospital as aranged, on Friday 19th she was another victim claimed by cancer.
Right now all out thoughts and prayers are with and for Steve in this time of great loss and sadness. I just hope that Jenny has left him with enough happy memories to see him through these difficult times as I know that she will be dearly missed.
The last time I saw Jenny was on the BBC Radio Derby ride for Children in Need appeal from Claycross back to the Radio Derby offices. As usual she was her cheerful, smiling, happy self. She was having a few health problems but that was nothing new and it did nothing to change her happy, bouncy demeanour. She posed with Pudsy bear for photographs and if she and Steve knew anything then, they said nothing. On Monday 15th November she went into hospital as aranged, on Friday 19th she was another victim claimed by cancer.
Right now all out thoughts and prayers are with and for Steve in this time of great loss and sadness. I just hope that Jenny has left him with enough happy memories to see him through these difficult times as I know that she will be dearly missed.
Family matters
Angie & John came up and stayed with Mum and Dad at the weekend, popping in to see us on Saturday evening for an hour. It's was real nice to see Angie as she's not stopped by the last few visits, but, with her hand as badly damaged as it is I'm not now surprised. What's more, I'm amazed that she continues to work but like she says, it's her right hand that's damaged and she is left handed.
Earlier in the month John emailed me some pictures of his new home, which he acquired on the cheap and which he has had to put some effort into to get it habitable before winter gets here. But he's done it and the pictures (before and after) take some seeing to believe. Fully rewired and replumbed inside, it now needs just a little cosmetic work on the inside to finish it off, but he's well pleased and has every right ot be so. What's more, we are all pleased for him as his last few years have been spent in cold and draughty accomodation so this is a definite turn for the better. However, I still hope we don't get the severe winter the UK Met Office have predicted - mind you, they didn't predict the summer right so why should we expect them to do better with winter?
Earlier in the month John emailed me some pictures of his new home, which he acquired on the cheap and which he has had to put some effort into to get it habitable before winter gets here. But he's done it and the pictures (before and after) take some seeing to believe. Fully rewired and replumbed inside, it now needs just a little cosmetic work on the inside to finish it off, but he's well pleased and has every right ot be so. What's more, we are all pleased for him as his last few years have been spent in cold and draughty accomodation so this is a definite turn for the better. However, I still hope we don't get the severe winter the UK Met Office have predicted - mind you, they didn't predict the summer right so why should we expect them to do better with winter?
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