Well thats just how it has been, the weather primarily but also my general health which I hope will improve when the NHS people have completed their investigations - enough said for now.
So much has happened but where do I start? Happily, with family news. which is that our eldest son Andrew and his partner Emma produced an addition to the family towards the end of 2025, so now they have Ada and Ivy (and Millie the dog) and we now have 3 little granddaughters who are such a joy.
I ordered a small screen for the Z650RS and fitted it but riding it was no different to the bike being naked. Ordered and fitted a larger screen but it deflected the wind blast straight up under the front of my helmet when I want it over the helmet so I worked out a temporary solution (not very pretty) to tilt it forward. Better, but I'm still not happy with it.... work in progress.
On the subject of 2 wheels, Sue & I have both acquired new ebikes over the winter period. Her previous bike a Leader Fox, City Park got damaged in a fall while we were out riding and the PAS sensor got damaged. Contacted the maker in the Czech Republic and determined what bits we needed but they won't supply because of Brexit so she now has a Raleigh Motus. My bike was one I built 5 years ago and while doing winter maintenance ready for this spring/summer riding I found there to be too much play in the rear wheel bearings and the wheel had a decidedly wonky wobble. Invstigation showed the wheel to be a sealed unit with no way to replace the bearings and it wasn't worth replacing the wheel so I now have an Engwe P275SE in the shed awaiting some better weather.
Final bit of news for this post - Mrs C (otherwise known as SWMBO) is going to join me in retirement from early April and plans are afoot to get some travelling done starting with a Danube river cruise and then a family holiday on Majorca and some motoring/touring of Europe.
Showing posts with label Me. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Me. Show all posts
Friday, 6 March 2026
Sunday, 10 September 2017
All change - cars
Mrs C decided that she wanted to change her car in August and finally found a Kia Sportage KZ3 1.7 CRDi that she liked and decided to buy. First off she intended to trade her Peugeot 207cc against the Kia, but we finally decided that a much more sensible financial solution was for her to trade in my Mazda6 and for me to pay her the difference between it and the Peugeot which had only 29,100 miles on its odometer while my Mazda6 had 104,500 miles under its wheels.
And so the deal was done. Sue is loving her new SUV while I am having fun in what was her, but is now my, Peugeot 207cc. All my mates rib me about me driving a "hair dresser's" car but I've found that a cloth cap fits the bill and generates amusement as Dave and I found when we were caught up on a drive down to Nuneaton by a couple of young ladies in another steel roof convertible (we were both driving roof down).
So the Mazda has gone and is sorely missed but the Peugeot is proving to be good fun and generates smiles, which is more important.
And so the deal was done. Sue is loving her new SUV while I am having fun in what was her, but is now my, Peugeot 207cc. All my mates rib me about me driving a "hair dresser's" car but I've found that a cloth cap fits the bill and generates amusement as Dave and I found when we were caught up on a drive down to Nuneaton by a couple of young ladies in another steel roof convertible (we were both driving roof down).
So the Mazda has gone and is sorely missed but the Peugeot is proving to be good fun and generates smiles, which is more important.
Tuesday, 14 June 2016
Driving for a living
Well I have now been driving for a living for a little over 6 months and it is going well. So far I have driven virtually new cars from a Fiat 500 to a VW Sharan 2.0 TDi. The new Vauxhall Zafiras are an eye opener, so much better than the previous model, with the 1.4 twin turbo being a gas guzzler (at 34mpg) and the 1.6 CTDi being a much better bet at 48mpg while delivering roughly the same performance on the road. I'm not impressed with the lower powered versions of the Ford Fiesta but the ones delivering over 100bhp seem to move well enough.
Getting away from the cars, the mini buses are my favourites. Vauxhall Vivaro 9 seaters in basic format are disappointing as they don't have cruise control, pasking sensors or air con and even if up-spec'd to include those features their interiors ar all rubber mats and very workman like while the equivalent Ford Tourneo is a much nicer place to be with a decent stereo, carpets and better noise deadening.
Moving up to the 12, 15 and 17 seaters - most I have driven have been based on the new Ford Transit. Most have air con and the larger engined ones producing 125bhp are pokey enough for most situations and have a lovely gearbox. Handling is better on the ones with twin wheels on the rear axle but even without they are comfortable enough. I'm told that fuel consumption is roughly 27mpg but they do have a thirst for the AdBlue additive. The only feature I'm not impressed with is the anti-stall which regularly does exactly the opposite, cutting in and stalling in the most inappropriate places (often roundabouts).
And then there is the VW Crafter that is roughly 6 years old and is nearing 100,000 miles. It has had a rough old life and the driving experience reveals it's age. While the engine is strong the gearbox harks back to another age. Think Dennis 'crash' gearboxs and you're not far from the experience, which isn't a nice one. It has a low 'crawler' first gear and should normally pull from stationary in 2nd gear, but I have found it safer to use 1st and then short shift into 2nd for best results. It's a rattly old bus and frequently needs attention to keep it on the road (it is by far the least reliable bus on the fleet) but I do have a bit of a soft spot for it despite everything.
While the 9 seaters can be driven without a digital tachograph (Driver Card) anything bigger requires one. Obtaining one was straight forward, quick and painless. Getting used to using one is a bit hit and miss. A couple of times I have left it in the minibus at the end of the job and had to make a trip to fetch it back and return it to my wallet. And of course, you have to observe driving hours rules which can be a pain. Still, it adds a bit of spice and interest to those longer trips. Day trips to central London in the 9 seater is quicker on the dreary motorways but urban driving has to be done outside the bus lanes and is therefore a pain. In the bigger minibuses the motorway sections are a drag at 100kmph / 62mph but urban driving using bus lanes is a boon, except for those that are marked 'local buses' which for me are a no go area.
Jobs have been pretty plentiful with February through to May being good but I'm never going to get rich doing it. June has been a bit quiet but July and August are looking as if they will be very quiet with jobs few and far between - only time will tell but June and July together aren't looking as good as May was, hence no blog posts since April as I was kept pretty busy. Still, at least I get more "me time", which I will cover in a later post.
Getting away from the cars, the mini buses are my favourites. Vauxhall Vivaro 9 seaters in basic format are disappointing as they don't have cruise control, pasking sensors or air con and even if up-spec'd to include those features their interiors ar all rubber mats and very workman like while the equivalent Ford Tourneo is a much nicer place to be with a decent stereo, carpets and better noise deadening.
Moving up to the 12, 15 and 17 seaters - most I have driven have been based on the new Ford Transit. Most have air con and the larger engined ones producing 125bhp are pokey enough for most situations and have a lovely gearbox. Handling is better on the ones with twin wheels on the rear axle but even without they are comfortable enough. I'm told that fuel consumption is roughly 27mpg but they do have a thirst for the AdBlue additive. The only feature I'm not impressed with is the anti-stall which regularly does exactly the opposite, cutting in and stalling in the most inappropriate places (often roundabouts).
And then there is the VW Crafter that is roughly 6 years old and is nearing 100,000 miles. It has had a rough old life and the driving experience reveals it's age. While the engine is strong the gearbox harks back to another age. Think Dennis 'crash' gearboxs and you're not far from the experience, which isn't a nice one. It has a low 'crawler' first gear and should normally pull from stationary in 2nd gear, but I have found it safer to use 1st and then short shift into 2nd for best results. It's a rattly old bus and frequently needs attention to keep it on the road (it is by far the least reliable bus on the fleet) but I do have a bit of a soft spot for it despite everything.
While the 9 seaters can be driven without a digital tachograph (Driver Card) anything bigger requires one. Obtaining one was straight forward, quick and painless. Getting used to using one is a bit hit and miss. A couple of times I have left it in the minibus at the end of the job and had to make a trip to fetch it back and return it to my wallet. And of course, you have to observe driving hours rules which can be a pain. Still, it adds a bit of spice and interest to those longer trips. Day trips to central London in the 9 seater is quicker on the dreary motorways but urban driving has to be done outside the bus lanes and is therefore a pain. In the bigger minibuses the motorway sections are a drag at 100kmph / 62mph but urban driving using bus lanes is a boon, except for those that are marked 'local buses' which for me are a no go area.
Jobs have been pretty plentiful with February through to May being good but I'm never going to get rich doing it. June has been a bit quiet but July and August are looking as if they will be very quiet with jobs few and far between - only time will tell but June and July together aren't looking as good as May was, hence no blog posts since April as I was kept pretty busy. Still, at least I get more "me time", which I will cover in a later post.
Thursday, 7 April 2016
Whisky
Up to now I have steered clear of detailing or expanding on my fondness for whisky, which extends to whiskey and bourbon. What's the difference I hear you ask? Well whisky (without the 'e') is produce of Scotland while whiskey (with the 'e') is produced anywhere outside of Scotland while bourbon is distilled from rye not barley.
Dalwhinnie 15yo and Aberlour 10yo
One thing I will make clear - I am not a whisky snob! I simply enjoy whisky, some more than others. All Scotch whisky has to have been aged in the cask for a minimum of 3 years and after the oil industry whicky production and sales are Scotlands biggest cash earner.
On the left, Auchentoshan American Oak - interestingly, no years aged data.
The pictures above show some of the brands currently on my shelves and which will be on the receiving end of my attentions over the next few months.
Dalwhinnie 15yo and Aberlour 10yoOne thing I will make clear - I am not a whisky snob! I simply enjoy whisky, some more than others. All Scotch whisky has to have been aged in the cask for a minimum of 3 years and after the oil industry whicky production and sales are Scotlands biggest cash earner.
On the left, Auchentoshan American Oak - interestingly, no years aged data.The pictures above show some of the brands currently on my shelves and which will be on the receiving end of my attentions over the next few months.
End of March, another milestone
How cool is this? Suzie treated me to a week in Pitlochry with the family in a rented bungalow which we used as a base for walking, touring, distillery visits and plenty of good eating to celebrate my 60th birthday.
Back home she then treats me to a birthday meal with friends and family, after which we go back home for the final celebration, birthday cake and champagne. On the top of the cake is a picture of me taken while tasting the whisky in the Blair Athol Bells whisky distillery in Pitlochry...
My photo on top of my birthday cake - that's cool!
Time to cut my birthday cake and share with friends and family...
This birthday was totally unlike my 50th birthday - I did not want to be 50, I was a bear with a sore head for the 6 months up to my birthday. Suzie treating me to a Fly-Drive dream holiday on the west coast of the USA did sweeten it and of course, I survived, thoroughly enjoying our trip across the west side of America (Pheonix to San Francisco the long way round). However, I didn't have any issues with being 60 and enjoyed every minute of the week with the family and the time with our friends.
Back home she then treats me to a birthday meal with friends and family, after which we go back home for the final celebration, birthday cake and champagne. On the top of the cake is a picture of me taken while tasting the whisky in the Blair Athol Bells whisky distillery in Pitlochry...
My photo on top of my birthday cake - that's cool!Time to cut my birthday cake and share with friends and family...
This birthday was totally unlike my 50th birthday - I did not want to be 50, I was a bear with a sore head for the 6 months up to my birthday. Suzie treating me to a Fly-Drive dream holiday on the west coast of the USA did sweeten it and of course, I survived, thoroughly enjoying our trip across the west side of America (Pheonix to San Francisco the long way round). However, I didn't have any issues with being 60 and enjoyed every minute of the week with the family and the time with our friends.
Thursday, 18 February 2016
Shed electrics - update
Three months after of successful running the power to the shed died. With the cable buried under the new path there was no way I was going to dig it up to investigate.
The result was a proper security power cable getting buried across the garden and a visit from an electrician to connect the two ends so that (for a change) it was all done properly.
And it works!
The result was a proper security power cable getting buried across the garden and a visit from an electrician to connect the two ends so that (for a change) it was all done properly.
And it works!
First ride
Monday saw me get the bike out of the shed and off for a first ride since early November last year. My destination was an office in Manchester to deliver some papers. The outbound ride was mostly up the A52 / A523 on the route that does Ashbourne, Leek, Macclesfield, Stockport. As a result of not setting out on schedule I was left with a blast back via the M6 / A500 / A50. Boring! But what a chilly ride and a bright clear day resulting in a massive grin and an hour of trying to get warm on returning home.
My drives
A couple of pictures of what I've been driving:
One of my regular drives which I refer to as 'Big Bus' - A12UOD is a 17 seater VW Crafter
Another of my drives - a 15 seater Ford Transit
The VW Crafter is one of several vehicles owned by the University, all identified by their 'private' number plates. The rest are on short term lease by manufacturers (or their main dealers). A12UOD is 5 years old and has done 84k miles. The engine is strong, the gearbox is a rough old dog and it is prone to electrical failures, mostly down to faulty diagnostics reporting faults that do not exist. The Fords (I've driven several) have lovely gearboxes but the engines are weak and lacking the BHP of the VW which means that driving requires a whole load of gear changes. The VW also has a tow hitch which results in interesting reverses to park up the bus at the end of the day, ploughing the university verges where reversed in (as can be seen in the photo).
One thing that is taking some getting used to is driving on the digital tachograph. Getting the damned thing in the unit is a trial as it never wants to accept the card. Then the unit location, very low down, makes it very difficult to see what it says you are doing. Then remembering to to switch to rest period, sticking to driving hours and remembering to remove the card at the end of a shift. But I am getting there and staying inside the law.
Then there are the cars, the small stuff. Ford Fiestas, Focuses, Kugas and S-Maxes, Vauxhall Zafiras and Vivaro 9 seater minibuses with the most recent addition being a Fiat 500. The Vauxhalls are a pleasant surprise and way better than the models that preceeded them. All of the cars listed have their quirks but the one thing they have in common is factory fitted GPS satelite navigation which is virtually incomprehsible to use. Why? Because it is incorporated into the sound system (a mixture of AM/FM/DAB) and buttons have a dual use for the 2 seperate functions that results in making changing radio channel a time consuming hit and miss affair. My solution is to use those units for sounds only and use my personal sat nav for navigation as it is a purpose built tool and not a dual purpose piece of electrickery. I like the manual Kuga but not so keen on the automatic one, so overall the Vauxhalls get my vote over the Fords which (on past experiences) surprises me.
One of my regular drives which I refer to as 'Big Bus' - A12UOD is a 17 seater VW Crafter
Another of my drives - a 15 seater Ford Transit
The VW Crafter is one of several vehicles owned by the University, all identified by their 'private' number plates. The rest are on short term lease by manufacturers (or their main dealers). A12UOD is 5 years old and has done 84k miles. The engine is strong, the gearbox is a rough old dog and it is prone to electrical failures, mostly down to faulty diagnostics reporting faults that do not exist. The Fords (I've driven several) have lovely gearboxes but the engines are weak and lacking the BHP of the VW which means that driving requires a whole load of gear changes. The VW also has a tow hitch which results in interesting reverses to park up the bus at the end of the day, ploughing the university verges where reversed in (as can be seen in the photo).
One thing that is taking some getting used to is driving on the digital tachograph. Getting the damned thing in the unit is a trial as it never wants to accept the card. Then the unit location, very low down, makes it very difficult to see what it says you are doing. Then remembering to to switch to rest period, sticking to driving hours and remembering to remove the card at the end of a shift. But I am getting there and staying inside the law.
Then there are the cars, the small stuff. Ford Fiestas, Focuses, Kugas and S-Maxes, Vauxhall Zafiras and Vivaro 9 seater minibuses with the most recent addition being a Fiat 500. The Vauxhalls are a pleasant surprise and way better than the models that preceeded them. All of the cars listed have their quirks but the one thing they have in common is factory fitted GPS satelite navigation which is virtually incomprehsible to use. Why? Because it is incorporated into the sound system (a mixture of AM/FM/DAB) and buttons have a dual use for the 2 seperate functions that results in making changing radio channel a time consuming hit and miss affair. My solution is to use those units for sounds only and use my personal sat nav for navigation as it is a purpose built tool and not a dual purpose piece of electrickery. I like the manual Kuga but not so keen on the automatic one, so overall the Vauxhalls get my vote over the Fords which (on past experiences) surprises me.
So far, so good
Well so far 2016 has been quite good to me in my new driving job. Ferrying students to sports events including volleyball, netball, basketball, 6-a-side FutSal and football (11-a-side), dodgeball to name a few. Then there have been educational events where I've taken students to venues where they have been having off-site learning or providing younger college students with educational experiences that are aimed at bringing them into Derby University. Then there has been University Open Days and Graduation days where we just shuttle back and forth between locations across Derby. This semester I've taken on a regular Tuesday night run from the University picking up young riders (mostly female, the lads prefer to drive themselves) and taking them out to an Equestrian centre near Etwall for 2 hours with the horses before I do the return run, dropping them off on the way.
Airport runs are a big feature in my working life which involves fetching and carrying UoD staff between their home locations to various airport locations. So far Birmingham International Airport, London Heathrow and Manchester have been the most frequently visited, but already booked are London Stanstead, Liverpool and East Midlands Airport. These runs can be the most informative as the staff usually like to converse for a portion of the ride - 2.5 to 3 hours in the case of LHR. These conversations often revolve around travel and that has made me realise just how well travelled Sue & I are considering that our travels have all been self funded and not been paid for business trips like those the UoD staff are experiencing. One suggestion has been that I create a travel blog and record our travels. Some trips have appeared in this blog and some on my website so I can understand the suggestion to put them all in one place. Makes sense but time is the issue, decision deferred....
Airport runs are a big feature in my working life which involves fetching and carrying UoD staff between their home locations to various airport locations. So far Birmingham International Airport, London Heathrow and Manchester have been the most frequently visited, but already booked are London Stanstead, Liverpool and East Midlands Airport. These runs can be the most informative as the staff usually like to converse for a portion of the ride - 2.5 to 3 hours in the case of LHR. These conversations often revolve around travel and that has made me realise just how well travelled Sue & I are considering that our travels have all been self funded and not been paid for business trips like those the UoD staff are experiencing. One suggestion has been that I create a travel blog and record our travels. Some trips have appeared in this blog and some on my website so I can understand the suggestion to put them all in one place. Makes sense but time is the issue, decision deferred....
Wednesday, 30 December 2015
Something different
Walking out of my Business Analyst role at UoD was made all that much easier by walking straight into a casual driving job right there, ferrying lecturers, students and important people about between the various campus locations, other universities and doing airport runs (so far just collections from Heathrow and Birmingham).
And I am enjoying it. There is no routine, jobs are offered by email for me to accept or decline. There is no stress, all I have to do is turn up at the pre-booked time, check over and sign out the vehicle and drive. I love the longer runs because I get to just hang around waiting for the return run which is frequently when the match/game has been played or the plane has landed, and then drive back. Simples. I am free to fill my time in between outbound and return runs as I please, and I get days without work, so more "me time". OK, so I'm not earning at anywhere near the same level but importantly, I am happier and have time to work out what I want to do longer term.
And I am enjoying it. There is no routine, jobs are offered by email for me to accept or decline. There is no stress, all I have to do is turn up at the pre-booked time, check over and sign out the vehicle and drive. I love the longer runs because I get to just hang around waiting for the return run which is frequently when the match/game has been played or the plane has landed, and then drive back. Simples. I am free to fill my time in between outbound and return runs as I please, and I get days without work, so more "me time". OK, so I'm not earning at anywhere near the same level but importantly, I am happier and have time to work out what I want to do longer term.
Tuesday, 10 November 2015
That didn't last long
Got so fed up with the hostile working environment that I quit on 30th October, so...
Started.: 30th September
Finished: 30th October
Yes, I just quit, with immediate effect and walked out. Never done it before and no desire to do it again but it had to be done.
C'est la vie!
Started.: 30th September
Finished: 30th October
Yes, I just quit, with immediate effect and walked out. Never done it before and no desire to do it again but it had to be done.
C'est la vie!
Thursday, 22 October 2015
Re-employed - 3 weeks in...
Well that was a hectic few weeks. My stats this time around:
Jobs applied for . . . : 54
1st round interviews: 12
2nd round interviews: 02
One job offer: Senior Business Analyst quickly revised to Principal Business Analyst
Made redundant 11th August
Commenced employment 30th September
So that's 7 weeks unemployed drawing job seekers allowance of £73.10 per week. Now my commute is just under 6 miles each way and flexible hours on a 37hr week. But big expectations and short timescales to deliver in, and a need to bring about a real culture change.
No preasure there then!
Jobs applied for . . . : 54
1st round interviews: 12
2nd round interviews: 02
One job offer: Senior Business Analyst quickly revised to Principal Business Analyst
Made redundant 11th August
Commenced employment 30th September
So that's 7 weeks unemployed drawing job seekers allowance of £73.10 per week. Now my commute is just under 6 miles each way and flexible hours on a 37hr week. But big expectations and short timescales to deliver in, and a need to bring about a real culture change.
No preasure there then!
Tuesday, 15 September 2015
Nearly there...
So the guys from Bestcrete have been and done their thing, poured, stamped, coloured and sealed the 3 phase creation of drive, patio and garden path is now complete and all that remains is the bit that I will term 'landscaping'. Basically a flower garden to the right of the path and building up the level of the soil on the left and then either seeding it with grass seed or the laying of turf. So this last weekend we got started on it and this is the current state of play...
Path poured, pattern imprinted, coloured and sealed...
The new path blends almost seamlessly into the patio just as we wished....
View from patio to back door and the start of the path...
Flowerbed on the right planted out with an initial selection of flora.
Environmental maste management system in place, away from the back door.
View from the side access.
Path poured, pattern imprinted, coloured and sealed...The new path blends almost seamlessly into the patio just as we wished....
View from patio to back door and the start of the path...Flowerbed on the right planted out with an initial selection of flora.
Environmental maste management system in place, away from the back door. View from the side access.Thursday, 3 September 2015
Next stage in the process
The guys from Bestcrete were back again this morning to do the final preparations before the concrete pour, and this is how it looks now....
Shuttering in place for the final lay, colouring and pattern imprinting...
The hard stuff goes down on Saturday, weather permitting.
Shuttering in place for the final lay, colouring and pattern imprinting...The hard stuff goes down on Saturday, weather permitting.
Wednesday, 2 September 2015
Shed - the final phase commences
The old shed base has gone along with all evidence it ever existed. The power supply to the new shed is now in place and laid, protected, in the hardcore to be peranently covered by the concrete top coat while in the shed it goes into a proper distribution box with RCD protection.
Anyway, here is a picture of the current view from our guests bedroom...
Hardcore down awaiting the final lay, colouring and pattern imprinting...
Anyway, here is a picture of the current view from our guests bedroom...
Hardcore down awaiting the final lay, colouring and pattern imprinting...Unemployed - 3 weeks in...
Time for an update on my search for a new job, so what have I been up to in my first 3 weeks unemployed?
Well so far I have applied for 33 advertised job vacancies. This has resulted in 2 duplicate applications, 6 rejections after first interview, 2 jobs where I was advised there would be no interview as I didn't have the skills they were looking for (but were not in the job advert), 1 vacancy already filled, 1 no contact and 2 put on hold (no budget approved for post).
So I am now waiting to hear if I will be getting a 2nd interview on 2 roles where I have done a 1st interview, one of which is doubtful and the other is hopeful. The remaining 17 roles are WIP (work in progress) whichbasically means I have applied and I am waiting to hear. Why don't I chase them up? Simply because there are no contact details supplied during the application process so no way for me to follow-up.
Yesterday was my 3rd JSA sign-on. Last Thursday I had to additionally attend a National Careers Service "course" - really a group session aimed at advising job seekers how to write a CV and covering letter. Sothat was 2 hours of my time wasted attending and another hour in travel time but, if I don't jump through these loops they stop the JSA payments of £73.10 a week and they put you straight onto daily sign-on. No, the Gestapo didn't disband after the end of WW2.
Oh, and I forgot to mention, my ex-employer managed to screw up my final payment so I am over £2k down on what was agreed. I've been promised that the adjustment to correct this will be in my account before the weekend, but as they had 20 days to get it right the first time around I don't hold out much hope of them getting it right in 3 days.
Well so far I have applied for 33 advertised job vacancies. This has resulted in 2 duplicate applications, 6 rejections after first interview, 2 jobs where I was advised there would be no interview as I didn't have the skills they were looking for (but were not in the job advert), 1 vacancy already filled, 1 no contact and 2 put on hold (no budget approved for post).
So I am now waiting to hear if I will be getting a 2nd interview on 2 roles where I have done a 1st interview, one of which is doubtful and the other is hopeful. The remaining 17 roles are WIP (work in progress) whichbasically means I have applied and I am waiting to hear. Why don't I chase them up? Simply because there are no contact details supplied during the application process so no way for me to follow-up.
Yesterday was my 3rd JSA sign-on. Last Thursday I had to additionally attend a National Careers Service "course" - really a group session aimed at advising job seekers how to write a CV and covering letter. Sothat was 2 hours of my time wasted attending and another hour in travel time but, if I don't jump through these loops they stop the JSA payments of £73.10 a week and they put you straight onto daily sign-on. No, the Gestapo didn't disband after the end of WW2.
Oh, and I forgot to mention, my ex-employer managed to screw up my final payment so I am over £2k down on what was agreed. I've been promised that the adjustment to correct this will be in my account before the weekend, but as they had 20 days to get it right the first time around I don't hold out much hope of them getting it right in 3 days.
Tuesday, 18 August 2015
Here we go again...
Tuesday 11th August was my last day at Capita, yes, I have been made redundant again. That's the 5th time in my career/job history. This time I saw it coming so I actually got my CV together and out there some weeks before the day. That pulled in a few interviews which at least gave me some interview practice (if nothing else). One did lead to a 2nd interview but that's now scheduled for 26th August so plenty of time to get some more lined up just in case that one doesn't deliver. In the meantime I also have to do a series of on-line tests for this job too. I'll do that tomorrow so wish me luck.
Yesterday was my first appointment with Job Seekers to get my JSA claim verified, then bugger me, today was my first "signing on" day. That's the way it happens sometimes.
Yesterday was my first appointment with Job Seekers to get my JSA claim verified, then bugger me, today was my first "signing on" day. That's the way it happens sometimes.
Tuesday, 4 August 2015
Shed electrics
Nearly completed. Distribution /comsumer box with RCD breaker installed. Security light mounted and security system wired and dialled in. Twin power points/sockets above the bench and lighting in the form of two energy saving (low power draw) 11W (75W equivalent to regular bulbs) mounted in the high ceiling and a four foot 5H tube mouted in the eaves above the bench.
All the above is still running off a temporary power extension from the house but that will soon be addressed with a buried permanent power supply.
Another task that has progressed is the sorting and boxing into cartons of those little things like screws, nuts, bolts, washers, nails and other miscellenia. Last on the list will be the acquisition of a meaty vice and (possibly also) a bench drill.
All the above is still running off a temporary power extension from the house but that will soon be addressed with a buried permanent power supply.
Another task that has progressed is the sorting and boxing into cartons of those little things like screws, nuts, bolts, washers, nails and other miscellenia. Last on the list will be the acquisition of a meaty vice and (possibly also) a bench drill.
Monday, 13 July 2015
Shed - it's coming along 2
The decision taken was to build my own bech, greatly assisted by finding a suitable 'kitchen' worktop to use as the worktop for the bench, and for the princely sum of £5. So with the additional purchase of £10 worth of M10 bolts and some carefull design and planning I now have a work bench with back splash custom built to fill the available gap between some purpose built shelving that I made and the racking that I purchased for the back of the shed (I worked out that I couldn't build it for what it cost to buy).
So next step is to put in some lightling, power points and PIR based security system (the latter because lately there has been a spate of burglaries from garden sheds locally) and run the power up to the shed from the old one, before that is demolished and the path laid to the new one. That should keep me busy for a few days but as I have just been advised that I am to be made redundant I should have the time on my hands to do it.
So next step is to put in some lightling, power points and PIR based security system (the latter because lately there has been a spate of burglaries from garden sheds locally) and run the power up to the shed from the old one, before that is demolished and the path laid to the new one. That should keep me busy for a few days but as I have just been advised that I am to be made redundant I should have the time on my hands to do it.
Tuesday, 5 May 2015
Bank Holiday Monday day out
Ahead of our trip to Canada we thought it would be a good idea to have a day out in an MPV as we will be spending 2 weeks touring in one in Canada. So when better than a Bank Holiday weekend. Nero (the dog) isn't coming to Canada but he loves trips out. Having rained hard during the night we got up to a gloriously sunny day, so this is a summary of what we got up to...
Starting out everyone comes to us to load up
It's a short drive of about 20 miles to Bradgate Park in Leicestershire which was to be our first stop-off.
Up on the walk in the park, view left
Up on the walk in the park, view right
Stepping out
Some of the local park inhabitants
Looking down
Our way up
Getting closer
Still on our way up
Having made it to the top, there is only one way, and that's down...
Looking down
Walk completed we headed off to the Bradgate Arms, Cropston, Leicestershire for a lunch in their beer garden, sitting and supping in the sunshine, after which we stopped by at the Great Central Railway steam preservation society rail station at Rothley.
Proof we were here
Magnificence in steam
Magnificence in steam (again)
Some scallywags spotted having a good time
Period posters
And having seen the upline depart, coming in on the down line
Close up
The Rothley signal box
A family at rest
Some bored ladies - happy but there's only so much interest they can fein
Restored carriages
This BSA A7 turned up while we were at Rothley
One of two Ariel's at Rothley
The other Ariel
Proof that there were two Ariels at Rothley
A modern Triumph turned up just before we left
Riding with the Triumph was this Yamaha 750 Virago
Parked up together
From Rothley we drove the short distance to the Mount Saint Bernard Abbey which is situated in Charnwood Forest, Leicestershire.
View left
and view right - The Abbey
Nero lets his master rest (again)
The Abbey from above taken as we walked in the grounds
After the abbey visit we headed for home after a very enjoyable day blessed with sunshine, good company and lots of points of interest. The day was unplanned, we'd just set off with an idea to walk in Bradgate Park but how fortunate were we? If Canada is as successful as this day out we are in for a treat at the end of June.
Postscript: A few hours after getting home it rained it continued through the night and today is dark, grey and overcast with wind speeds rising. We had a window of good weather which we took full advantage of. A brilliant day out!
Starting out everyone comes to us to load up It's a short drive of about 20 miles to Bradgate Park in Leicestershire which was to be our first stop-off.
Up on the walk in the park, view left 
Up on the walk in the park, view right 
Stepping out 
Some of the local park inhabitants 
Looking down 
Our way up 
Getting closer 
Still on our way up Having made it to the top, there is only one way, and that's down...
Looking down Walk completed we headed off to the Bradgate Arms, Cropston, Leicestershire for a lunch in their beer garden, sitting and supping in the sunshine, after which we stopped by at the Great Central Railway steam preservation society rail station at Rothley.
Proof we were here 
Magnificence in steam 
Magnificence in steam (again) 
Some scallywags spotted having a good time 
Period posters 
And having seen the upline depart, coming in on the down line 
Close up
The Rothley signal box 
A family at rest 
Some bored ladies - happy but there's only so much interest they can fein 
Restored carriages 
This BSA A7 turned up while we were at Rothley 
One of two Ariel's at Rothley 
The other Ariel 
Proof that there were two Ariels at Rothley 
A modern Triumph turned up just before we left 
Riding with the Triumph was this Yamaha 750 Virago 
Parked up together From Rothley we drove the short distance to the Mount Saint Bernard Abbey which is situated in Charnwood Forest, Leicestershire.
View left 
and view right - The Abbey 
Nero lets his master rest (again) 
The Abbey from above taken as we walked in the grounds After the abbey visit we headed for home after a very enjoyable day blessed with sunshine, good company and lots of points of interest. The day was unplanned, we'd just set off with an idea to walk in Bradgate Park but how fortunate were we? If Canada is as successful as this day out we are in for a treat at the end of June.
Postscript: A few hours after getting home it rained it continued through the night and today is dark, grey and overcast with wind speeds rising. We had a window of good weather which we took full advantage of. A brilliant day out!
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