Author Archive

autopilot east

Friday, December 31st, 2010

That Friday I left the office early and set the autopilot for East and home. It was New Year’s Eve and most people were getting into the zone. Party time. The radio played loud music as I drove through the Lincolnshire countryside. The light was disappearing fast and with the mists rising up from the fields the whole place looked like a movie set.

When I got home there was a nerf war going on upstairs. It was a no-go zone if you were over 13 years old. Anne fixed me a cup of tea and I sat down to check my twitter updates. Nobody seemed interested in the nerf war. If it had been another French Revolution it would have been different. Or maybe not (shrugs shoulders)!

I reckoned I had another 15 minutes of typing before it would be time to hit the Morning Star for early doors. I wouldn’t be there long. Just enough time to sink a few beers and then collect the take away curry from Poppadom Express on Monks Road.

We don’t do a big New Years Eve in our house. I think deep down Anne would like to but I can’t take the Auld Lang Syne false bonhomie. Call me a miserable bastard. I don’t mind kissing all the girls though but I can do that at home – guaranteed 🙂

I took the curry order off the kids. Two chicken kormas, two chicken tikka massalas and whatever I wanted. Way back I used to be a vindaloo man or at least madras but I got out of the habit when I stopped going out on the town after rugby on a Saturday. That’s civilisation for you I guess.

I like this clear headed time sat at my laptop. I won’t be productive after the pub. Ernest Hemingway used to drink six bottles of red wine whilst writing but it doesn’t work like that for me. It is completely dark now.

fireside still life

Tuesday, December 28th, 2010

As the perpetual winter raged outside, life indoors by the fire continued in a very relaxed and comfortable manner. No need to go anywhere other than to fetch another load of fuel from behind the back door and to make the occasional pot of tea. Every now and again he would drop off to sleep, waking up after a short while to continue with his book. There was no other world.

My first school – Trefor Davies aged 49

Tuesday, December 28th, 2010

My First School – Eileen Davies nee Rourke

Tuesday, December 28th, 2010

My First School – Alun Davies aged 76

Tuesday, December 28th, 2010

year end

Sunday, December 26th, 2010

The crisp,
quiet ending to a year
that reached crescendo,
celebrated not lamented,
the flickering fire,
log fed, crackles,
fat bellies sprawl
and nothing moves,
a cold induced lock-down
pending new hope.

What do you get a mother for Christmas?

Saturday, December 25th, 2010

What do you get a mother for Christmas? Someone who has room for no more gadgets, whose larder is stocked full for the winter and who has filled most of the wardrobes in their five bedroom house for two with the contents of several clothes shops. Could I give her youth and vitality?  No despite her years she has youth aplenty. Love she dispenses freely without strings. She can have some of this back though it isn’t part of the contract. Praises she has had more of over the years than she could shake her stick at, if she had a stick, and friendship comes naturally. She already shared with me her attitude to life.

All I can think of is a pair of socks and a big hug and thank you for being my mam.

trefs_ma_small

Hairdo conversations

Sunday, December 19th, 2010

Single sided hairdo telephone conversation heard on a train:

Helen has gone back to a bob with a fringe – she’s really blonde
I’m growing mine back
You do look young but I don’t think that is a bad thing.
I think you should go back to your redhead – the desperate housewives redhead.
I love it when it is like that.
It makes me feel more feminine when it is longer

random favourite tweets

Saturday, December 18th, 2010

Chinks in the curtain of the twittershpere:

Some discoveries in woeful depths of knicker drawer – chequebook, Camping & Caravanning Club card. But they won’t fill a stocking

I need the wrapping magic fairies to come visit me!

sounds fun, sorry I could not make it – maybe next year

In other news, I’m heading back to the shire on Saturday. I plan to do a great deal of sleeping.

On Brek show this am: Mablethorpe town council have approached govt to see if they can have Ark Royal when RN’s finished with it. Honestly!

will it fit on the boating lake?:)

Oh no. Lucy’s Lunchbox in #Farnham closed. Scribbled note with no further explanation. No sign of life. Permanent?

(more…)

California here I come

Tuesday, December 14th, 2010

Rarely can
an individual have
chosen so wisely in
heading beyond the extremities of the
english weather;
leaving behind a
build up of snow and
rather slippery ice
is what some might term
savvy
though I might have
overused the
wisdom bit, to fit.

for Rachel

After the snow

Sunday, December 12th, 2010

The worst has arrived.
Not the drifting, car-swallowing, pristine flurrying whiteness
of the Christmas card
nor the cold cosy backdrop to dim lanterned carollers,
woolly scarves and cheeks aglow.
Instead
ugly ice melt pavement rinks,
reappearing dirty greenery,
pitiful frozen survivors
and a long way to go ‘til spring.

train journey south through snowy fields

Sunday, December 12th, 2010

The Wragby Road Trio

Saturday, December 4th, 2010

Train Services Affected By The Snow

Friday, December 3rd, 2010

Description
Poor weather conditions are causing disruption to all East Coast services, particularly in Scotland and the North of England.

Because of the poor weather conditions, East Coast has implemented a revised timetable today. Journey times for East Coast services throughout the route will be extended and may be subject to further delays due to the weather conditions. Passengers are asked not to travel unless absolutely necessary.

Wednesday 1 December
Journey times for East Coast services throughout the route will be extended and may be subject to further delays due to the weather conditions.
An hourly service will operate from Edinburgh to London
A reduced service will operate between Leeds and London King’s Cross
A reduced service will operate between Newcastle and London King’s Cross
A limited service between Glasgow and Edinburgh. Passengers are advised to use ScotRail services
No services will be calling at Dunbar
There are no services going to or from Inverness or Aberdeen today. All services will be terminating at Edinburgh. Passengers are advised not to attempt to travel to destinations north of Edinburgh. There is no onward transport beyond Edinburgh.
Passengers with tickets for cancelled services travelling on Off Peak, Super Off Peak or Advance tickets, may travel on a service two hours before or after the train specified on the original booking.
The adverse weather is expected to last for the rest of the week and services may be subject to further alteration. Further details will be provided when they are made available.
To find out whether this will impact your journey and to get alternative options planned for you, please use the National Rail Enquiries real time Journey Planner or call TrainTracker on 0871 200 49 50.
For the latest rail travel news, why not follow National Rail Enquiries on Twitter,or find us on Facebook.

School closures: Wednesday, 1 December 2010

Friday, December 3rd, 2010

Alford
Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar
John Spendluffe College Primary
Bardney Primary
Barrowby Primary
Bassingham Primary
Binbrook Church of England Primary School
Blyton cum Laughton Church of England Primary
Boston – John Fielding Special School
Branston Junior School
Branston Community Academy
Branston Little Pickles Pre-school
Burgh le Marsh St Peter and St Paul’s Primary
Caistor Yarborough School
Caistor Grammar School
Caistor Church of England and Methodist Primary School
Caistor Montessori School (some services available at Stallingborough site)
Caythorpe Primary School
Cherry Willingham Community School
Cherry Willingham Primary School
Coleby Primary
Colsterworth Church of England Primary School
Coningsby St Michael’s Church of England Primary
Corby Glen Primary
Corringham Church of England Primary School
Digby Church of England Primary
Donington The Thomas Cowley High School
Dunholme St Chad’s Primary and nursery
Dunston St Peter’s Church of England Primary
Faldingworth Primary
Fiskerton Church of England Primary
Frithville Primary
Gainsborough Queen Elizabeth’s High School
White’s Wood Lane Primary School
North County Primary
Parish Church Primary School
Trent Valley Academy
St George’s School
Grantham
Walton Girls High School
Belmont Primary School
Spitalgate Church of England Primary
St Hugh’s C of E Mathematics and Computing College
The Priory Ruskin Academy
The National Junior School
Harrowby Cliff Infant School
Huntingtower Primary School
St Anne’s Primary
Great Limber
Brocklesby Park Primary School
Great Ponton Church of England Primary
Great Steeping Primary
Hackthorn Church of England Primary
Halton Holgate C of E Primary School
Harby Queen Eleanor Primary
Harrowby Infant School
Heckington St Andrews Primary (school trips cancelled too)
Hemswell Cliff Primary School
Holton le Clay Infant, Junior and pre-schools
Horncastle
Community Primary
Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar
St Lawrence Special School
Huttoft Primary
Ingham Primary School
Ingoldsby Primary School
Kirkby on Bain Primary
Lea Frances Olive Anderson Primary School
Leadenham C of E Primary
Leasingham St Andrew’s Primary
Legbourne East Wold Primary
Legsby Primary
Lincoln
The Fortuna Primary School
Yarborough School
Monks Abbey Primary School
St Faith’s Church of England Infant School
St Faith and Saint Martin Junior School
Sincil School
St Peter at Gowts Church of England Primary School
Hartsholme Primary School
St Christopher’s School
University of Lincoln – all campuses closed
Bishop Grosseteste University College
Lancaster School
St Giles Nursery School
The Meadows Primary School and Little Learners
Christ’s Hospital School
Birchwood Junior School
Ermine Primary
Sir Francis Hill Primary School
Manor Leas Junior School
St Peter in Eastgate Infant School
Manor Leas Junior School
Kingsdown Nursery School
Lancaster Infant School
St Peter and St Paul’s Catholic High School
Leslie Manser Primary School
Priory Academy LSST
Our Lady of Lincoln Catholic Primary
St Hugh’s Catholic Primary
Louth
Cordeaux School
Wolds College
Eastfield Infants and Nursery School
Monks Dyke Technology College
Lacey Gardens School
Kidgate Primary
St Michael’s C of E Primary
King Edward the sixth grammar
Mablethorpe Tennyson High School
Market Rasen
De Aston School
Church of England Primary
Martin Mrs Mary King’s School
Marton Primary School
Marsh Chapel Primary School
Metheringham Primary School
Middle Rasen Pre-school – closed until Monday
Morton Trentside Primary School
Navenby Primary
Nettleham Junior School
Nettleton Community Primary School
Newton on Trent Primary
New Leake Primary School
New York Primary
Normanby by Spital Primary
North Hykeham
Ling Moor Primary School
All Saints Primary School
Robert Pattinson School
North Kesteven School
North Kelsey
Kelsey Primary School
North Scarle Primary School
North Somercoates Primary School
Birckbeck School
Osgodby Primary
Partney C of E Primary
Potterhanworth Primary School
Ropsley Church of England Primary
Saltfleetby Primary School
Scamblesby Church of England Primary
Scampton
Pollyplatt Primary
Church of England Primary
Scotter Primary School
Skegness Grammar School
Skellingthorpe St Lawrence Church of England Primary School
Holt Primary School
Sleaford
William Alvey Church of England school
Methodist pre-school
South Hykeham School
Spilsby
Lady Jane Franklin School
Primary School and play group
The Eresby School
Stickney
William Lovell Church of England School
Church of England Primary
Sturton by Stow Primary School
Tattershall Holy Trinity Church of England Primary
Tealby Primary
Tetney Primary School
Theddlethorpe Primary
Thorpe on the Hill St Michael’s Primary – open for emergency childcare only
Toynton All Saints Primary
Waddingham Primary
Waddington
Redwood Primary School
All Saints Primary School
Wainfleet
Magdalen Church of England/Methodist School
Busy Bees nursery
Walcott Primary
Washingborough Primary
Welton
William Farr School
St Mary’s Church of England Primary
Welbourn
Sir William Robertson High School
Church of England Primary
Willoughby St Helena’s Church of England Primary
Willoughton Primary
Witham St Hughes Primary
Woodhall Spa St Andrews Church of England Primary
Bucknall Primary
Wragby Primary School
School closures and cancellations in North and North East Lincolnshire