Today its the 4 December, only 17 days to the true new year and only 22 days and the biggest con since the South Sea Bubble will be over. Millions of children across the non-Christian world would have worked under near slave conditions to produce cheap rubbish for 'not-well-off' Europeans and North Americans to spend money they have probably borrowed from loan sharks or at best near legal loan sharks like Wonga and which they will spend months paying off, so keeping them in the poverty trap.
Right, I feel much better now having got that out of my system.
Watched a fascinating programme the other day on the way JC has been portrayed in painting and sculpture over the last two centuries. He has been through more transformations than Dr Who, from a typical Greek fair haired boy, (short hair cut) to a European Jew with long dark hair and a beard. Pity the fakers who produced the so-called Turin Shroud didn't do their research beforehand. Can someone explain what God was up to for the 6billion plus years that our world had been spinning around Sol, and the first MEN who could read and write came along, some half a million years plus that homo-sapian had first stood up and not straight away fallen over.
On religion, I did feel sad for those men and women who seem to think its alright to be led by men in frocks rather than women in frocks. If I was a women, and an Anglican Christian, I'd tell the 'men-in-frocks-lovers' where to go ......... but then the actual 'boss' of the Church of England is a women !!!!!!!!!!!
Good job November is over, it was a lousy time for Argyle. At least December started with both the English men and women duffing up the All-Blacks. Sorry any colonial readers but when it comes to rugby, like you , I'm biased.
Well that's all for now folks .....................
About Me
- modelleroo9
- South-West of England, United Kingdom
- I am a retired cartographer and have recently completed a degree course as a mature student reading History. My main hobby is narrow gauge railway modelling.
Tuesday 4 December 2012
Thursday 1 November 2012
Autumn arrives
So the clocks have gone back and Autumn has arrived with a vengeance. Argyle, having started to do well have suffered two defeats, admittedly both away games. After the hectic summer we had its nice to settle back into a normal period of life. The wood turning is going well, but I must concentrate on my 'chisel action'. Problem when I watch my teacher working she makes it look to easy. Talking about woodturning, I had a look to see if I could get some recycled plastic planks to work with. Yes its out there but large orders only. Is it any wonder its hard to use recycled material when you can only buy in large amounts.
had a great visit to Coldharbour Mill near Tiverton the other weekend. It was one of the rare days when they 'steamed' their steam engines. Well worth a visit.
had a great visit to Coldharbour Mill near Tiverton the other weekend. It was one of the rare days when they 'steamed' their steam engines. Well worth a visit.
Friday 28 September 2012
Post Olympic and Paralympics Depression!!!
Well, its all over. What many people call the greatest show on Earth has come to an end once again until it reappears in Rio in 2016. For the Olympics Mrs M and I were merely spectators, usually at home, sometimes in our caravan and best of all on Kingston-on-Thames bridge to watch the Cycle Road Time Trials and for 3 magical hours in the Velodrome, even if we did only see Ed Clancy win bronze. (tears).
Whilst we were up in London we travelled during the Games to just outside the complex to collect our Games Makers uniforms. Good job Mrs M is good with a sewing needle, she had to take 5ins off the bottom of my trousers. Otherwise the uniform was quite good. Just had a look on EBay. It's amazing what people are willing to bid for a games maker Watch. My hasn't been off my wrist since our first day on duty, other than when I shower!, although it is meant to be shower proof.
Mrs M and I were part of the 'meeters and greaters' team at Eton Manor, the wheel chair tennis venue. The six days we spent there were (showing my age) absolutely FAB. Tiring, hot, aching feet, but ggggrrrrrrrrrrrreeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaattttttttttttttttttttttttt. We wouldn't have missed it for the world.
Yes there were hitches both within the Park and on the buses and Underground getting there. I think I should contact Boris to discuss how he should be getting TFL to improve the trains and stations fro wheelchair users.
But all things consdered, it is clear that the Para' games has come a long way. Pity the folk in the good old US of A weren't able to have the same TV coverage that Channel 4 put out. Considering you had so little to base your coverage on WELL DONE CHANNEL 4. It was good to see Russian paralympians doing so well, especially as according to the old Soviet Union, there were no disabled people in the Union when the Games should have been held there in 1980 - it was held in Holland instead.
A further interesting point is that Papa G' thought that amputees and the blind and such like had no place in the Games. Can't work that one out myself, so even the great can and do get it wrong sometimes. I always wondering what Joseph Kennedy (JF' s father) thought in may 1945 when Britain ended up on the winning side. In 1940, when he was US Ambassador to the UK, he told Roosevelt that the UK was about to go under. Perhaps it was the Irish blood in him.
Well, its all over. What many people call the greatest show on Earth has come to an end once again until it reappears in Rio in 2016. For the Olympics Mrs M and I were merely spectators, usually at home, sometimes in our caravan and best of all on Kingston-on-Thames bridge to watch the Cycle Road Time Trials and for 3 magical hours in the Velodrome, even if we did only see Ed Clancy win bronze. (tears).
Whilst we were up in London we travelled during the Games to just outside the complex to collect our Games Makers uniforms. Good job Mrs M is good with a sewing needle, she had to take 5ins off the bottom of my trousers. Otherwise the uniform was quite good. Just had a look on EBay. It's amazing what people are willing to bid for a games maker Watch. My hasn't been off my wrist since our first day on duty, other than when I shower!, although it is meant to be shower proof.
Mrs M and I were part of the 'meeters and greaters' team at Eton Manor, the wheel chair tennis venue. The six days we spent there were (showing my age) absolutely FAB. Tiring, hot, aching feet, but ggggrrrrrrrrrrrreeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaattttttttttttttttttttttttt. We wouldn't have missed it for the world.
Yes there were hitches both within the Park and on the buses and Underground getting there. I think I should contact Boris to discuss how he should be getting TFL to improve the trains and stations fro wheelchair users.
But all things consdered, it is clear that the Para' games has come a long way. Pity the folk in the good old US of A weren't able to have the same TV coverage that Channel 4 put out. Considering you had so little to base your coverage on WELL DONE CHANNEL 4. It was good to see Russian paralympians doing so well, especially as according to the old Soviet Union, there were no disabled people in the Union when the Games should have been held there in 1980 - it was held in Holland instead.
A further interesting point is that Papa G' thought that amputees and the blind and such like had no place in the Games. Can't work that one out myself, so even the great can and do get it wrong sometimes. I always wondering what Joseph Kennedy (JF' s father) thought in may 1945 when Britain ended up on the winning side. In 1940, when he was US Ambassador to the UK, he told Roosevelt that the UK was about to go under. Perhaps it was the Irish blood in him.
Friday 24 August 2012
Being Hurt
Why is that there are times in your life when someone close to you, who up to that point in time you had totally trusted, turns against you. Even though its clear that he or she has been influenced by someone else, someone who is clearly jealous of your freindship, their actions still cut deeply into you. I know that we cannot always be perfect and I know life does not stand still, but .......
Sunday 19 August 2012
Catching-Up AGAIN
It's nearly three months since I last blogged so it's time I caught up. Since I last wrote Wiggo has won leTour and now Chris Froome is having a serious go at the Vuelta.
Mrs M and I had a good day at Wimbledon, we had Centre Court tickets, and since then we have been up to London to watch the Olympic Road Time Trial and a session in the Velodrome. We've also collected our Paralympic Games Maker uniforms ready for the far more important Paralympics. Wasn't that a super play about Poppa, pity it wasn't the full two hours. Just shows how things have changed since the 1940's. Mind you we still get people not knowing how to cope with Mrs M, after all surely a broken back is contagious!
Not a good start by Argyle, surely it must get better.
Our very nice neighbour Mer' died recently of the Big C. Why is it always the nice one's that depart leaving the nasty ones behind. Mer' was very special because he asked for nothing of anybody, nor did he impose. Perhaps it's something to do with surviving a North Korean POW camp.
Mrs M and I had a good day at Wimbledon, we had Centre Court tickets, and since then we have been up to London to watch the Olympic Road Time Trial and a session in the Velodrome. We've also collected our Paralympic Games Maker uniforms ready for the far more important Paralympics. Wasn't that a super play about Poppa, pity it wasn't the full two hours. Just shows how things have changed since the 1940's. Mind you we still get people not knowing how to cope with Mrs M, after all surely a broken back is contagious!
Not a good start by Argyle, surely it must get better.
Our very nice neighbour Mer' died recently of the Big C. Why is it always the nice one's that depart leaving the nasty ones behind. Mer' was very special because he asked for nothing of anybody, nor did he impose. Perhaps it's something to do with surviving a North Korean POW camp.
Monday 28 May 2012
Well Done Team Sky - Professional Cycle Racing Team
Well done all of the Team Sky riders in the Giro. A super team effort.
Marks for the Giro organisers varies from 10 for the last Mountain top stage to 0 for some of the finising routes for most of Sprint stages. Seems someone thought that a Sprint finish without a crash would be boring.
Many Italian Railways were shown but no trains, until they got to Tirano, then we saw a train crossing the main square - no, sorry that was a Swiss train. See video. But what a route through the town. No barriers, lights etc, just bells and horns ............
Marks for the Giro organisers varies from 10 for the last Mountain top stage to 0 for some of the finising routes for most of Sprint stages. Seems someone thought that a Sprint finish without a crash would be boring.
Many Italian Railways were shown but no trains, until they got to Tirano, then we saw a train crossing the main square - no, sorry that was a Swiss train. See video. But what a route through the town. No barriers, lights etc, just bells and horns ............
Monday 21 May 2012
Quiet Week
This has been quite a quiet week, a bit like the calm before the storm. Mind you the weather hasn't been very exciting, has it! Had a good shop at ISCA Woodcrafts at Tredegar House, Newport. I am sure other woodturners think the same as me, in that inspiration for a nice project comes form the wood to be found at places like ISCA.
We've been keeping a close eye on Mark Cavendish in the Giro. Seems he can at last survive in the mountains. For instance on Sunday, in appalling weather whilst he may have finished third from last for the stage he was in a group of 58 riders. Proves to me that he is a far better rider than Cippolini, who whilst a great sprinter, gave up as soon as he saw a hill sign!!
Good luck to Jeremy Hunt who has gone home to catch a child birth. He's been the main man in getting Sky to front on the sprint stages.
Don't people take photos with strange things today. Saw a number of people taking pictures of the torch relay with their I.tablets, strange, surly a nice little digital camera is far handier!!!
We've been keeping a close eye on Mark Cavendish in the Giro. Seems he can at last survive in the mountains. For instance on Sunday, in appalling weather whilst he may have finished third from last for the stage he was in a group of 58 riders. Proves to me that he is a far better rider than Cippolini, who whilst a great sprinter, gave up as soon as he saw a hill sign!!
Good luck to Jeremy Hunt who has gone home to catch a child birth. He's been the main man in getting Sky to front on the sprint stages.
Don't people take photos with strange things today. Saw a number of people taking pictures of the torch relay with their I.tablets, strange, surly a nice little digital camera is far handier!!!
Wednesday 9 May 2012
Croydon Trams
Whilst in London I had the chance to leave Mrs M at the Olympic Park for a few hours. So a long walk back to the exit gate, through the Westfield Centre, onto the DLR and then transfer to the District Line, change at Earls Court for a train to Wimbledon, change platforms and straight on top a tram. Nice line as far as Croydon on former railway line and then interesting section through he streets of Croydon including past the site of the fire destroyed Reeves shop, change trams and then onto Elmers End, off the tram and onto a 'south-eastern' train to London Bridge, onto the Jubilee Line back to Stratford and then another long walk.
Stratford Station Platforms
There has been a great fuss by the powers that be about how the 2012 London Paralympic Games will be the most accessible games ever! Trouble is, it seems that most of these wise and wonderful people have no idea what so-ever what being disabled means.
The Olympic Park is served by a number of railway lines and below I have listed the platforms we used this last week:
The Underground - Central Line westbound - acceptable - simple bunny-hop.
eastbound - 30-40cms step up with gap - assistance required.
Jubilee Line - new platforms both okay
DLR - new platforms - excellent
Overground to Highbury and Islington - Impossible to get on without a ramp although with help it is possible to get off at Stratford. We caused our return train to be late because of the time it took the conductor to find the ramp, get it out of the on-board cupboard, put it in place, then put it back into the cupboard! A good example of the practice being far more complicated than the theory.
We did use a bus in Highbury and the driver was excellent in 'launching' the ramp out of the rear door, first attempt too far from pavement , so moved bus and repeated the exercise. He then kept a check on where we wanted to get off.
General Comment on the Central Line platforms. Bearing in mind that the dimensions of the trains have been more or less the same for the past 75 years how come the heights of the platforms vary so much, some you step up, some you step down, some are fairly level but maybe at only one end.
CONCLUSION
There are only two parts of the London Public Transport System that I feel is fully wheelchair accessable and therefore is the only parts fully accessable to all, able and disable and I therefore award first-equal prize to the Docklands Light Railway and the Croydon Trams
The Olympic Park is served by a number of railway lines and below I have listed the platforms we used this last week:
The Underground - Central Line westbound - acceptable - simple bunny-hop.
eastbound - 30-40cms step up with gap - assistance required.
Jubilee Line - new platforms both okay
DLR - new platforms - excellent
Overground to Highbury and Islington - Impossible to get on without a ramp although with help it is possible to get off at Stratford. We caused our return train to be late because of the time it took the conductor to find the ramp, get it out of the on-board cupboard, put it in place, then put it back into the cupboard! A good example of the practice being far more complicated than the theory.
We did use a bus in Highbury and the driver was excellent in 'launching' the ramp out of the rear door, first attempt too far from pavement , so moved bus and repeated the exercise. He then kept a check on where we wanted to get off.
General Comment on the Central Line platforms. Bearing in mind that the dimensions of the trains have been more or less the same for the past 75 years how come the heights of the platforms vary so much, some you step up, some you step down, some are fairly level but maybe at only one end.
CONCLUSION
There are only two parts of the London Public Transport System that I feel is fully wheelchair accessable and therefore is the only parts fully accessable to all, able and disable and I therefore award first-equal prize to the Docklands Light Railway and the Croydon Trams
Our days at the Olympic Park
Over the next few days I will enter up on this Blog some of my experineces of being a 'wheelchair companion' at the Olympic Park. I am going to endeavour to get word of the Sassy Spinners blog to both Boris and Seb. Maybe then they will stop going on about how acceccisble the Park is and how easy it is for wheelchair users to get there and use the facilities. Best to say that it doesn't come up to scratch to say the least. But more of this to come. Plus I'll write about my trip to the Croydon Trams, great fun.
Wednesday 18 April 2012
Docklands Light Railway and Egger
Last Monday I had a vacant time slot from 6.00pm to 8.00pm during which I had the opportunity of spending two hours on the Docklands Light Railway. Mrs M had a Paralympic Games Maker training session at Canary Wharf leaving me twiddling my thumbs for two hours. I spent most of that time sat in the front/near front of the driverless DLR trains. From Canary Wharf I was able to fit in journeys to Lewisham, Stratford and Woolwich. What I found really interesting is the way the tracks have been fitted into the existing landscape including using old industrial lines. Yes I know this seems a bit trivial but it makes me happy.
Thanks to a fellow member of the 009 Society my little 009 loco Egger has returned to work. Due to mechanical problems it has been little more than a museum piece for some twenty years. It is now some 43 years old and has been given a second wind. The photo shows it drawing past the Engine Shed siding on it's new home line the Yate Rocks Tramway.
Monday 26 March 2012
baddy thumb!
Just back from the local 'Minor Injuries' Unit where I had my left thumb looked at. Yesterday whilst sawing some logs I managed to cut my left thumb knuckle with my bow-saw. As I take blood thinners, the problem was to get the cut to form a scab. I have now got what are termed 'paper stitches' holding it together. Mrs M thinks I am a right plonker! Daft really as she's known that of me for nigh on 25 years!
Well Argyle are hanging on. I still think they'll do it and stay up just. I've been making some 'french-knitting dollies' for Mrs M to sell at a craft fair in the local medieval town.
takes me back to my childhood when we used to make them out of cotton reels. They were wood then.
Back out to enjoy the sun now.
Well Argyle are hanging on. I still think they'll do it and stay up just. I've been making some 'french-knitting dollies' for Mrs M to sell at a craft fair in the local medieval town.
takes me back to my childhood when we used to make them out of cotton reels. They were wood then.
Back out to enjoy the sun now.
Tuesday 6 March 2012
Some Woody Things
Thought I'd show off some of woodturning handiwork. Great thing about a Blog is that you can blow your own trumpet. I know there are better turners out there including Mary A. but I'm proud of my work to date. Yes I have had some failures but then Rome wasn't built in a day, was it?
This last piece was turned in Wellingtonia, a member of the Sequoia family of giant redwoods. Looks lovely but I found it difficult to get a smooth finish. The platter measures 29 cms in diameter.
Monday 27 February 2012
New Lathe Set Up
Finally got the new lathe set up on Sunday and produced my first piece on it. To get it in the Engine Shed meant taking out the largest bench and discarding a lot of stuff. But the new Axminster 1000 is much better than the old 'baby' Axminster, which is very good for beginners and small work. Question is, do I keep it for small pieces. After all, all of the extras fit both. Ponder that one.
The Welsh part of me, (I am 25% pure Pembrokeshire), was pleased with the Rugby result on Saturday. Trouble is the 60% English in me (Middlesex, Lancashire and Yorkshire, plus five generstions living in Plymouth) was disappointed. Did Strettle touch down, yes I think he did. But did the Welsh winger with the English name move the ball after the touch down and before an official could see, the jury of my ancestors are still out on that one!!
Pity Argyle couldn't win, but I expect it was a grim battle by both sides determined not to lose.
I think they'll stay up but it's going to be mighty close.
Argyle under the old regime were certainly like Greece living beyond their means. About time people in authority/control listened to the words of Wilkins Micawber. Having said that, no wonder so many people bought Saab cars, for say £20,000 you got a £25,000 car, the management never seemed to have realised that to exist they need to make a profit or at least not a loss!!
The Welsh part of me, (I am 25% pure Pembrokeshire), was pleased with the Rugby result on Saturday. Trouble is the 60% English in me (Middlesex, Lancashire and Yorkshire, plus five generstions living in Plymouth) was disappointed. Did Strettle touch down, yes I think he did. But did the Welsh winger with the English name move the ball after the touch down and before an official could see, the jury of my ancestors are still out on that one!!
Pity Argyle couldn't win, but I expect it was a grim battle by both sides determined not to lose.
I think they'll stay up but it's going to be mighty close.
Argyle under the old regime were certainly like Greece living beyond their means. About time people in authority/control listened to the words of Wilkins Micawber. Having said that, no wonder so many people bought Saab cars, for say £20,000 you got a £25,000 car, the management never seemed to have realised that to exist they need to make a profit or at least not a loss!!
Monday 20 February 2012
Saturday 4 Feb 2012 - my local model railway club Annual Exhibition. Decided to walk up to Church Hall, no need to drive, trouble was at 7.30am it was still minus 4C. Good day apart from unhappy traders. Question are the traders, for which the exhibitions are their livelyhood more important than the layouts, which are just a hobby?. Can the traders do without the modellers and can the modellers do without the traders?!!
Walked home after the exhibition in freezing snow!!
Saturday 18 Feb 2012 - helped out on the 009 Society Sales Stand at the model show at Shepton Mallett. Great day, but a bit tired at the end.
Sunday 19 Feb 2012 - went with Mrs M to Curzon Cinema in Clevedon to hand over her grand-fathers 1935 9.5mm film projector to their guardianship.
See Curzon Cinema at http://www.curzon.org.uk/
Monday 20 Feb 2012 - typing in red because red-letter day - my new Axminster Wood Lathe arrived and our friend JIm helped me set it up. Too heavy for one person to lift.
Will write again on my new toy.
Walked home after the exhibition in freezing snow!!
Saturday 18 Feb 2012 - helped out on the 009 Society Sales Stand at the model show at Shepton Mallett. Great day, but a bit tired at the end.
Sunday 19 Feb 2012 - went with Mrs M to Curzon Cinema in Clevedon to hand over her grand-fathers 1935 9.5mm film projector to their guardianship.
See Curzon Cinema at http://www.curzon.org.uk/
Monday 20 Feb 2012 - typing in red because red-letter day - my new Axminster Wood Lathe arrived and our friend JIm helped me set it up. Too heavy for one person to lift.
Will write again on my new toy.
Friday 3 February 2012
Super Gluten Free Website
Just found this website The Gluten Free Student Cookbook, whilst looking for gluten free Flapjack recipe, using of course Gluten Free Oats.
http://www.glutenfreestudentcookbook.co.uk/
This is a great site both for students and former students.
Just taken Flapjacks out of the oven and waiting impationatly for them to cool.
http://www.glutenfreestudentcookbook.co.uk/
This is a great site both for students and former students.
Just taken Flapjacks out of the oven and waiting impationatly for them to cool.
Sunday 22 January 2012
Visit to the Bristol Heart Institute
Yesterday we went to visit our dear neighbour Merve the Swerve in the BHI. He has just had a triple heart bye-pass operation. Very strange but also exciting going back to the BHI after having spent 5 weeks there just over two years ago.
Did I mention that I have ordered a new lathe, bigger and better than my present one. Trouble is Mrs M will expect bigger and better items of woodcraft from me!!
Well done Argyle, a point against Crawley was good. Just keep it up and the Club up. Molly is still putting on weight after her op'.
Did I mention that I have ordered a new lathe, bigger and better than my present one. Trouble is Mrs M will expect bigger and better items of woodcraft from me!!
Well done Argyle, a point against Crawley was good. Just keep it up and the Club up. Molly is still putting on weight after her op'.
Tuesday 17 January 2012
SWOONS Open day
Had a good day at Ilton near Taunton last Saturday where I exhibited Yate Rocks Tramway. Layout was well received by the visitors, both 'general public' and '009 nuts'. Worst memories of the day, forgetting to tell Mrs M I was safely there, too busy once I got there!!!, and coming back up the M5 in failing light and having cars without headlights coming up behind you .... perhaps the drivers thought by not putting their headlights on they would save fuel and money, but what price can you put on your life.
Monday, Mrs M and had a good day out, buying nice material for her and some nice wood for me. Also got some kindling from English Willow Baskets near Taunton. Saw there super range of willow coffins. Whilst some people may find this a bit macarbe, lets face it one thing that is certain in life is death! And I want my funeral and burial to be as green as possible.
Monday, Mrs M and had a good day out, buying nice material for her and some nice wood for me. Also got some kindling from English Willow Baskets near Taunton. Saw there super range of willow coffins. Whilst some people may find this a bit macarbe, lets face it one thing that is certain in life is death! And I want my funeral and burial to be as green as possible.
Monday 2 January 2012
New layout
Just changed my blog layout, all part of the new calender year!
Comments would be appreciated.
Comments would be appreciated.
Sunday 1 January 2012
Christmas by the sea
No, not a place but a great way of spending Christmas if like me and Mrs M you don't find Christmas a very good experience. Went back to south-east Devon again. It's a really nice part of the world. Plus there's Axminster with Axminster Tools and now a super restaurant that serves Gluten Free pizza's and pasta. So any coeliacs reading this head for Axminster and visit Whitty's.
Produced a nice piece of woodturning in 'spalted beech', though I know Mary will find fault with it .... but I am still a beginner and she's been at for years. Did get some nice wood at Axminster Tools and the owner of the CL we stayed at let me have some of their fire logs which were well seasoned apple, lime and ash.
Posting this on what the Gregorian Calender says is new years day. Rubbish, New Years day is always on the 21/22 December when the Sun starts coming back north after it's visit to the Tropic of Capricorn. And why do the Chinese, the Muslims and the Jews celebrate a wrong date named after a Roman Catholic Pope? After all it's still Metal rabbit 4709, 1433AH and 5772 respectively with new years day all over the place and not on December 21 or January 1!!!!!
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