Let’s start with some good news… Mark has passed the theory part of his car driving test. His progress towards the actual driving test appears to be good, and hopefully he will be taking it sometime in June but he has to fit it in around his end-of-year exams at university.
Other family news is that Andy has taken this week off and is going up to Northumberland with his girlfriend and her family for a few days break. On Saturday he fitted the replacement differential to his BMW and did a few other mechanical bits that needed doing. He’s now proclaimed himself happy with it from that point of view, so next is a further clean up of the interior and then get the bodywork sorted. On Friday Suzie had her meeting with the investigating officer that’s looking into the grievance that was logged against her by Angela Fitzjohn. There are witness interviews to be carried out and statements to be taken, but, at this stage it looks like the case against Suzie will be thrown out on the basis of “no case to answer” as Suzie was correctly following laid down procedures. The new UNISON union representative that’s handling Suzie’s case is then looking at the union taking out a case against both the DCC management and Angela for failure to comply with and follow agreed procedures (gross misconduct issues) – that should be interesting!
Well I’ve completed my first week working at Telford in my new PM role. First impressions, well the office we’ve been allocated is pretty dismal, no ventilation, air-conditioning that doesn’t work, poorly lit and virtually no natural daylight. At least it is carpeted and the desks are new. It’s a basement office, no wireless and very few cable internet connections, which makes it difficult to connect to the world and that in turn will make doing the job that much more difficult as we should use MS Outlook to arrange meetings, communicate by email, etc… I’m currently using the new Blackberry that Trinity have provided but it’s only a poor substitute for real email using the laptop. Last week there were just 8 of us in the office and it got unbearable, but, from today there will be up to 26!
The daily commute from Derby to Telford is bearable. Only 64 miles each way, but, loads of speed limits with speed cameras (GATSO tax collectors) and 20 miles with no dual carriageway or motorway so little opportunity to make descent progress – just trundle along behind (mainly) HGVs. Having tried a number of options I’ve found that patience is the best option and just go with the flow. By starting out early I can get down in 1.25hrs and back at night in 1.50hrs. Fuel consumption isn’t brilliant because of the stop/start nature of a lot of the trip.
The work I’ve been allocated looks like it will be very interesting once it gets underway. It involves moving the contents of the current basement data centre (all racking, servers, blades, comms units, etc..,) into a new purpose built data centre (which is awaiting planning permission at the moment). Up to the completion of the building, including laying it the power and data cabling the builders will be the prime contractor, but, after that Trinity will take over and that will be when my planning ability will be revealed, so here’s hoping I can get it somewhere near right.
Suzie’s hunt for a Caribbean cruise to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary (March next year) has hotted up with her making some approaches to travel agencies for details on specific trips. I’m still not prepared to commit to going until I’ve been confirmed in permanent employment either with Trinity (won’t know until early May) or another employer (not having much joy there though).
Sunday morning I tried, for the 3rd time to get the front brakes on my motorbike working properly – they’d been sticking on. Success, as I finally found the cause and got them sorted. It’s booked in for it’s 16,000 mile service on Thursday/Friday this week so I’m looking forward to picking it up on Saturday morning - not so sure I’ll be looking forward to the bill though as this is the BIG service with valves clearances being checked and all filters and plugs being replaced. On top of that the bike’s insurance is due on the 14th so I’ll have to do some shopping around. I’m looking forward to doing a bit more commuting on the bike after that, might even treat it to a new rear tyre as the current one is 12,500 miles old and well squared off.
I spent some time with Mum & Dad Sunday afternoon, while Suzie was with her parents. Dad was asleep when I got there which allowed Mum and I to chat a while. She was better this weekend than last, but still needs a break so Suzie will be chasing up Social Services again this week to get the assessment that was promised carried out. Mum was amused to recount a conversation with Christine in America; apparently her eldest (Wayne Jnr) went away for a few days with some mates, then phoned home to say that they were having a good time and had decided to stay away for a few days more and that he’d be home in 3 days time but could Chris make sure that the trousers he’d got with him were washed and ready for him to wear the night they returned. Chris says that she now understands the meaning of “what goes around, comes around” because that is what she was like at that age. Me, I’m making no comment…
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