At Last

Temperatures in my little part of England finally exceeded 25 degrees Celsius (around 77 degrees Fahrenheit)- yea! It was a bit of a shock leaving the nice air conditioned office at 3.30 I can tell you. I'm now working in the middle of the office so no outside windows. Wasn't too much of a struggle to stop at ASDA on my home to pick up two litres of Cornish Ice Cream mmm.

Looks like summer might actually be on it's way (about time) although we do have a double public holiday for Her Majesty's Jubilee coming up, so you can bet cool weather and rain can't be far off LOL!

Aveo

Look what I came home with.

Don't have to worry about whether I can get to work now.
















Have you been following the progress of the two giant pandas at Edinburgh zoo? They're on loan from China for 10 years I think and the intention is to breed from them.

Well it occurs to me that giant pandas are not exactly a good advert for Darwinism. I mean are we really meant to accept that evolutionary 'survival of the fittest' would produce a species that can only mate for two days each year? Really?

BST

Last night our clocks went forward an hour, into British Summer Time, bringing with it lighter evenings and the first outing of my short trousers and flip-flops (or thongs as the Aussies would say).

So I spent a good few hours today doing a few chores about the garden, having a bit of a tidy up before planting my first crop of seed potatoes, which should be ready towards early July. I had quite a bit of success last year and a whole lot of fun, finger's crossed for this year. In addition I've sown 5 varieties of Chilli Pepper, which are now in pots on my kitchen window sill waiting to germinate.

Judging by the weather we've had this past week, it looks like we may have a cracking summer in the UK. The flip side of that of course is that due to the lack of rain through winter, we have already been told hose pipe bans will be in place from early April. Oh joy.

Speaking of water, I got home from work on Tuesday to the sound of running water. Seems something nasty has happened to my toilet, which means that until the plumber comes on Wednesday I have to make do with using a bucket to flush. I'm just pleased this happened now, if it was going to happen at all, rather than when GFDU was here. I can just imagine the conversation: " Welcome to England. By they way we're so backward here, we have to use this to flush with." LOL.

Followers to this blog might also like to know I have uploaded images of three more pots to Webshots. You'll need to navigate your way to about page 15 for the latest stuff.

And finally the Royals continue their push for promotion.

24 March Reading 3 - 1 Blackpool

Here's how the top part of the Championship looks at present:

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	F	A	Diff	Pts
1	Southampton	39	23	9	7	72	35	37	78
2	Reading	39	22	7	10	56	34	22	73
3	West Ham	38	19	12	7	59	38	21	69
4	Brighton	39	17	11	11	48	40	8	62
5	Middlesbrough	38	16	13	9	45	42	3	61
6	Birmingham	38	16	12	10	60	41	19	60
7	Blackpool	39	16	12	11	66	56	10	60
8	Cardiff	39	15	15	9	57	50	7	60
9	Hull	38	16	10	12	38	32	6	58
10	Leeds	39	16	9	14	59	57	2	57

Getting Round To Christmas

I know I've been a bit "Blog-lite" of late and haven't posted a great deal. There's no need to send out the search party- I'm still alive (and well), just very busy at work. Ah the joys of employment- long may that continue (at least until I win the Lottery).

Having made a start helping LL yesterday to decorate the tree where he lives, I thought it was about time I did similar here. I've spent today tidying up and then doing my best to make the place look festive, although I think I might have gone a tad overboard, with the lights throughout the house. Another story for another time perhaps.

You might recall last year the tree was treated to blue lighting, this time I have picked mostly reds. What do you think?

I have positioned the tree to the left of the chimney, for ease of pressie delivery LOL.
















No word yet about whether the office will be open over Christmas grrr. I hope it will be: I could do with working Wednesday to Friday that week and saving my leave for next year...



Elsewhere, the Royals have hauled themselves to 10th in the nPower Championship on 30 points from 21 games, after a mixed bag of results:

19 Nov Reading 1 - 2 Cardiff
26 Nov Ipswich 2 - 3 Reading
29 Nov Reading 3 - 2 Peterborough
3 Dec Blackpool 1 - 0 Reading
10 Dec Reading 3 - 0 West Ham

Twenty-6

It's all about the numbers tonight...

• Twenty-Six degrees Celsius (about 79 degrees F) is the forecast temperature for the south of England tomorrow. Can you believe it? The end of September and we are experiencing better weather than in some summers. Go figure. The good weather is expected to last at least until Sunday.
• I'm loving paying tax at the moment (You what?!? I hear you ask). Well my tax bill this month was 40 pence, about $0.60 of anybody's persuasion. Last month was better at a big fat zero. Just adore the tax free allowance. Or will I just get hit with a huge tax bill later LOL?
• The Royals seem to have remembered how to play "the beautiful game" at last. Saturday (24/09) saw them travel to Coventry and gain a vital point from a one-all draw and on Tuesday (27/09) Bristol City were the hosts. Reading came home with all three points, having won by 3 goals to 2. Well done.  
• 33% is the amount my local water company wanted to increase my bill by this week. We've agreed an 11% rise, based on what I am likely to use, not what they want me to spend.

That's all, TTFN.

Cowboys And Buses

My recent life in brief...

• Last night I met a friend at the cinema and we saw Cowboys and Aliens. Absolutely brilliant concept and really well executed. Couldn't quite believe it had such a low certificate mind you. Ford and Craig, almost but not quite a movie dream team.


• Love the new series of "Who Do You Think You Are?"


• College beckons again. Seems like ages since I last had my hands in some clay.


• I've recently found someone really important.


• I have resumed work on the loft hatch cover. I intend to be snug this winter no matter how cold it gets.


• After 8 months out of work, just like buses, two different job offers come along in one go. For the record it's not all about the money but the prospect of having to drive 200 miles (about 320 km) each way at least twice a week sure had something to do with my choice.

Costa

Have discovered this week that one of the office units near work has sub-let space on the ground floor to a Costa Coffee franchise. A couple of us paid a "fact finding" (LOL) trip this lunchtime. A large Latte is only £1.75 (about $2.60 US, $2.80 AU) and taste just great.
 

 


You shouldn't drink near expensive electronic equipment- don't worry this one was empty.















They even tried to ensnare me with the promise breakfast bacon butties. Sneaky don't you think? Given I drive past this unit on my way to the office, I think this might become a regular if I'm not too careful! Mmmm.

Seaside

Friday saw me take a day off from work (so soon?!?) and take LL down to Highcliffe to visit his Grandad. Unexpectedly  he got to spend some quality time with one of his step-cousins (is there such a term?), very noisy and full-on. Later we cut over to Swanage where he is currently spending some time away with his mum.

 

13 Aug Leicester 0 - 2 Reading

Saturday Night Thoughts

A few comments and observations:

• 27 is far too young to die. It sadly didn't come as a surprise to hear Amy Winehouse has been found dead but nevertheless you have to concede that despite her troubles she was extremely talented.
• As of yesterday LL is on summer holidays for around 6 weeks. He's now finished at the Infant school and in September, the start of year 3, will transfer to the Junior school.
• I've been offered a job, after so long looking. All being well I start this coming week. Am feeling excited at the prospect, although starting early once again may come as a shock to my system.
• Still not quite sure what has happened to the summer weather. Downpours one minute, glorious sunshine the next.
• The death toll from Friday's Norwegian bombing and shooting spree now stands at over 90 confirmed. Can't imagine the horror.
• I've heard rumours the rent-a-house round the corner is due to be filled with students again from September, grrrrr. Please can we have some quiet, sensible ones this time?
• Just as I feared, the new series of Torchwood has so far proved to be a poor shadow of it's former self.
• I've been eyeing up Kindles, iPads and similar of late. Is that bad of me?

Today at the park.

A Plot Is Hatched...

I know I have been a bit quiet of late, here's something I have been up to...

Some will know I have an attic room in this house. It's quite nice and roomy although at the moment it is only used as a store, it could easily be used as a bedroom. During summer it's really handy to open wide the window up there and allow the heat from the house a means of escape through the stairway. There's no door and needless to say that last winter, even with the window fully closed, I felt too much heat was escaping by the same route, therefore contributing to rather excessive fuel costs.

This coming 12 months fuel costs are set to rise by between 15 and 20% depending on supplier and the only way to realistically curb this is to use less. Last winter was pretty harsh admittedly but I'm preparing for the worst, particularly when you consider I don't have an income.

To this end I have constructed a light weight cover or hatch to the attic room which can be easily lifted into place in time for the cold. It's not quite completed yet: I'm yet to stain it to match the existing woodwork before adding the insulation.

Here's a couple of work-in-progress images, what do you think?

From below.

There are pictures of me as a baby sat on this carpet.
















Anyway, I'm just doing my bit to save energy.

Ten Pound Challenge

I've been set of the task today of trying to get my weekly shopping for under £10 (about US $16,  AU $15).















You can't get much but here's how I got on:

• 2.27 l (4 pints) fresh semi-skimmed milk, £1.25
• 500 g butter, £2.00
• 925 g apples, £1.61
• 1.02 g bananas, £0.80
• 140 g sliced corned beef, £1.75
• large wholemeal loaf (sliced), £0.47
• 750 g cornflakes, £1.28

The total comes to £9.16, well done me. Dad and SM are due for a visit next week, I may therefore find my larder, freezer and fridge gets depleted but I intend to give this a go again next week.

And elsewhere...

I've had quite a lot of interest in my CV this week, you never know it might lead to a job!

Reading has been announced as one of the venues to be visited by the Olympic torch next year on it's way to the games in "that London." Might have to take LL along for a look-see.

Wonky

Last week at our monthly West Forest Potters Guild meeting, guest Louisa Taylor demonstrated how to throw a pot using an angled bat. That is in effect puts the Potter's Wheel is at an angle of say 10 or 20 degrees, rather than being the usual horizontal.

Once the clay is centred on the bat, the idea is you can then throw a pot in the normal manner. The outcome of this is a) you learn not to rest your hands on the wheel head and b) the finished pot is beautifully thrown but leans at a pleasing angle.

Here's a couple of images of Louisa demonstrating the technique:

A wad of clay (seen on the left) is used to prop one side of the bat, while Louisa throws a cylinder.

Louisa proudly displays her leaning pot.
















And here's my own humble attempt from last night:

My leaning open bowl.












I threw two pots last night which are now drying and hopefully next week I can work on the bases before sending for bisque firing. It's pretty hard work I can tell you: the surface of the bat moves up and down at a disconcerting speed, while the wheel is rotating.

As always, once they are completed I will post some images here and also on Webshots. These will likely be the last pots I work on for some time- the college term ends in a couple of weeks and due to lack of employment (therefore lack of funds) I'm taking a break. Fingers crossed I get to finish on high note.

56

A few comments and thoughts for a Monday afternoon:

• I knew it was going to be tough this time round but job seeking is proving to be harder than I thought. There just doesn't seem to be be many suitable positions out there but I try to remain positive.

• The government is considering an increase to the motorway speed limit to 80mph (about 130kph). Having attended a speed awareness course recently I'm not sure I can agree.

• Some readers will know I have an interest in tracing my family history. It's proving to be a whole lot of fun and quite informative. No connections yet to anyone famous or notorious mind you. I doubt there will be.

• The Royals just about kept their promotions hopes alive on Saturday with a 3-all draw away at Crystal Palace.

• Commercial television in the UK has got it's way and from today product placement will be permitted during certain programmes, together with an increase in the number of adverts per hour. Apparently this is in response to falling advertising revenue. Here's a thought- make better programmes. Audiences figures will rise and then you can charge more for advertisement spots.

• Apparently attempts to move the UK permanently to Central European Time have been shelved. Would have made for lighter evenings but much darker mornings. Oddly reports suggest Spain is now considering moving back an hour to GMT.

• My doctor told me this month I have a "lung age" of 56. Back on the meds for me. :-(

From Planet Skaro Via Your Toy Shop

How cool is this, as mentioned in today's Daily Mail newspaper? It's battery powered dontchaknow.

A real chance to get in touch with your inner Davros* and take over the Universe. Oh to still be working in the toy industry LOL...





*Fictional creator of the DALEKS.

Snow Returns

Wintry weather put in another appearance today in the south of England, bringing airports to a close and causing chaos on road and rail. (Other parts of the UK have had it far harder and for much longer and we shouldn't forget that fact).

I had planned to take LL to see the Fat Man at a nearby garden centre, where he had thoughtfully brought two of his reindeer apparently. That's the Man had brought the reindeer, not LL LOL. Sadly the council hadn't seen fit to grit the roads (including the main A4 Bath Road) overnight, despite having had advance warning from the Met office. Major roads were just about passable early this morning provided drivers were happy to keep speeds below 20 mph (about 32 kph) but you could pretty much forget the minor thoroughfares.

So we had a bit of a play outside instead, before tucking up in the warm. Here's a few images from our day, enjoy.

Both top front teeth are loose. Eating Christmas lunch next week may be interesting.

The birds have stripped most of the berries but this tree still looks lovely.

Racing was cancelled today, due to the course being under snow LOL.

Part time angel.
















I'm just thankful that at present I don't have to worry about commuting to work in these conditions. Unemployment does have certain advantages. Just don't think too hard about the money running out...


Elsewhere only around seven Championship matches went ahead because of the weather. The Royals travelled up to Derby (yesterday) for today's 3pm kick-off. Unfortunately most of the travelling fans (and half of the radio commentary team) got stuck and missed the match entirely. Which is a shame given Reading were finally able to break their recent run of draws with a pretty good effort from the start.

 Derby County 1 - 2 Reading

First Snow

Over night snow finally found it's way to my part of the UK. Just a smattering you understand but enough a create that lovely wintry, nearly Christmas effect. It's still gently failing and more is forecast I believe.

A taste of things to come?











At least I don't have to worry about battling my way to and from the office at present.


Update (1.10pm): Holy Ice-cubes, Batman! It's still trying to snow and the temperature is stuck down at zero. Our Postman has just been round. Still wearing his short trousers!

What's Going On?

In these harsh economic times, the UK government has had a lot to say and has made several announcements they say will put the country back on the straight and narrow. Whether they are right or wrong only time will tell but here are a couple I'd like to comment specifically on:

Apparently the long term unemployed are to be asked to perform volunteer work in the community. In order to continue to receive their unemployment benefit payments those out of work for greater than a year, would be requested (where they are able) to carry out jobs like gardening or litter collection for up to four weeks per year. This won't affect those on long term disability benefit. That doesn't sound too bad does it? Wouldn't the whole of society benefit from this scheme and make the UK a better place?

Elsewhere the funding of Welsh language television channel S4C has been under the spotlight. By S4C's own admission their highest rated programme ("Pobol Y Cwm") for the week ending 17 Oct 2010 received a 'massive' 97,000 viewers. Hardly huge. This channel currently costs the state (and therefore the tax payer) around £100 million per year (about 160 m USD). Hardly seems a fair return on my tax contribution does it?

I really don't think as a nation we can currently support such a luxury as a minority language tv channel. I would rather that money was spent on something we could all benefit from. Perhaps those funds could be better used to support the National Health Service or other parts of our public services? Maybe even create a few jobs and reduce the unemployment level..? 

Just a thought.

Half Full..?

Just look what the nice man from UPS* has delivered today, all the way from the Boston Beer Company. Will definitely enjoy a cool glass of my favourite American lager from one of these. Cheers!

Have a look how my chilli plant is coming along, now in the relative warmth of our heated conservatory; it is most certainly Autumn here so it and the peppers had to come inside. Don't they look great? I'm feeling the urge to start cooking real soon...

Apologies I've not yet posted any pictures from my travels to Webshots. I've been somewhat preoccupied. Promise to do it soon.



16 Oct Reading 0 - 1 Swansea
19 Oct Bristol City 1 - 0 Reading

Bit of a mini-slump in performance going on. The Royals are stuck in 11th place on 16 points.






*Other delivery companies are available.

Nice Butt

Quite a busy day at the office today but when I got home, I thought it would be a really neat idea to fit a new water butt at the front of the house. We've a water meter here, so every little drop helps keep costs down. So here it is, £39 (US$58) of your best "Sankey" brand 100 litre (22 UK gallons) water butt, stand and drain pipe diverting kit. That's butt number 5 on the property by the way. Just so you know.

Just need to wait for the rain now LOL...

Sweep

In the office we currently have a sweep stake for the forthcoming England v Germany match in the World Cup. We've each picked a player we hope will be the first to score on Sunday. German players are excluded since they don't stand a chance. Obviously LOL.

I've picked no 7 Aaron Lennon.

I'll let you know Monday if I'm in the money, although I doubt it very much.