What do you get a mother for Christmas?

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

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

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?

Read the rest of this entry »

Snow!

December 18th, 2010

As I was asleep in bed,
The little snow fairies came,
They danced in the air,
Bringing snowflakes falling everywhere.

I woke up next morning and guess what I saw,
What the little snow fairies had made,
On the way to the pool (to train of course),
My dad we’re not going to get there,
How disappointed I was but I still got to play in the snow.

So if you look out your window,
And see a land of white,
You’ll know that the snow fairies came.

California here I come

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

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

December 12th, 2010

The Wragby Road Trio

December 4th, 2010

Train Services Affected By The Snow

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

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

Uppandown

December 1st, 2010

Muttering under his breath, Jack shoved away his plate, the food untouched, “For Christ’’s sake, Charlie, not again, didn’t you learn the last time?” His chair scraping the tiled floor of the dining hall, he scrambled to his feet. He’d catch his eye, he might stop him making a fool of himself even now.

“MARSHALL!” A parade-ground voice bellowed at him from somewhere to his left, its echo reverberating around the hall. “Sit down when the governor’s speaking, you ignorant shit.”

Looking even more harassed than usual, the governor glanced at Jack over the top of his half-moon glasses and, recognising his orderly, gave him a quick smile. “Yes, Mr Marshall, let’s do as the Chief says, shall we, there’s a good chap.” Then, returning to his prepared speech, he tried to look stern. “Now, men,” he said, “I’m taking this spate of Read the rest of this entry »

East of Wragby

November 29th, 2010

Crossing the line means entering no mans land. Its a place where few dare go. It means you are either brave or stupid. A frozen wasteland with little sign of life. I can imagine the line of the trench, the lookout peering out uncomfortably through a gap in his scarf. Watching for nothing. Thanked by no one. The imagination plays tricks in these conditions, especially when you can’t feel your feet. You are almost looking for signs of blood circulation as much as movement out in the fields. Who is going to venture out in this weather?

In November 2010 the snow line divided the county into those who lived to the east of Wragby and those to the clear lands of the west. It was a short lived notoriety for the Lincolnshire market town but one that its residents would remember for days afterwards.

The line soon moved further west leaving Wragby temporarily buried under the snow. Whether everyone coped or not  play no part in this narrative.

A chink in life’s curtain

November 28th, 2010

It’s a comfortable old day. Snow was falling as we walked home late last night and there is an inch or so on the ground this morning. Plenty to fuel a snowball fight and enough to make sure that the golf was cancelled.

I have been out and chopped some wood for kindling and then to the garage to buy some coal and logs. It would be better to buy it in bulk at the beginning of the winter rather than in dribs and drabs but we only light the fire occasionally at weekends so we never seem to get round to sorting it out.

This morning I also bought another bird feeder. One that takes fat balls. I makes me feel good looking after my little feathered friends in this way.

Now I am sat on my own in the house, doing a bit of pottering. Today this mostly means laying down a few words. The foundations of legacy. The kids will get two things from me. Firstly they will inherit some of my genes and the effect of having lived with me for eighteen years. Then they will have my writing. None of the other worldly wealth stuff matters, not that there is much of it anyway.

I’m half thinking of having a bit of a snooze but I will have to go and pick up hannah from town shortly so there isn’t really time.

The murmur of conversation floats

November 25th, 2010

The murmur of conversation floats around the hotel lounge as I wait for her to arrive. Quite relaxed, I am slumped in a chair with a pot of tea on the table in front of me. Business conversations carry on whilst my mind drifts.

This is a state of suspension I enjoy. Others continue with purposeful intent but I care not. Not whether the deal is done, the offer accepted or the idea has life. The machinations, the process, the exhortations and driving ambitions pass by in limbo.

The attendant sees to my every need, sure in the knowledge that she has my credit card held safely, out of minds eye and harms way. I imagine an infinite stay. The rows of teapots stretching to the horizon, empty, await collection. Biscuit crumbs add to the careless feel of the place.

I debate whether to order a beer but objections are raised from within. Not conscience, merely common sense. This clarity of lack of purpose needs no assistance.  Even the tea is only a prop.

3rd Law Part 8 – Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

November 20th, 2010

3rd Law Part 7

The concert had its good bits and some bits where the violins strained a bit – everyone is tired on a Friday night, but these occasions are the whole point of playing an instrument. I didn’t get to bed until nearly midnight but the body still wakes up early so here I am again, streaming.

There are three sounds I hear. One is the gas ring hissing away on the cooker. It’s too early to put the central heating on – it would wake Anne up. Instead I use the cooker.

The second sound is the clock and the third is the keyboard with me tapping away at it. I notice that I seem to do a lot of typos these days. Typographical errors as was in the days of the typewriter. Maybe it is only this morning because I am still a bit tired.

I will go back to bed when I take the tea up. That second doze is a good one. The typewriter would have made a much bigger noise of course. A real clacking. My iPad makes no noise at all. I probably switched off the keyboard sounds. Stealth typing. I don’t use the iPad for writing stuff that needs speed of finger and thought. Or should that be thought and finger?

Sounds almost like the name of a pub aimed at literary types. It almost certainly has book lined walls and maybe even uses remaindered pulp fiction as beer mats. There is some poetry in there somewhere, a statement. Your book was crappy so I’m just going to use it to stop my glass marking the table. Bathos? Is that the right word. Certainly a deep disappointment.

Perhaps not. The author probably just got paid a fee for churning it out to a recipe that some bimbo (male or female – I’ve just retargeted the definition on the fly to avoid accusations of sexism) thinks they find interesting or suitably mind numbing on the beach, or both if that is possible.

Have you noticed that my paragraphs are quite short. A lot shorter probably than in that bimbo’s book. I suspect it is all to do with the font size I use in Word. It makes words look bigger on the screen so I may artificially be shortening the paragraphs although I’m not sure that there is an international standard for paragraph length. It would be difficult because different countries have different average word lengths.

I said that in quite an authoritative manner though I’m not at all sure as to the veracity of the statement (good word veracity – slipped it in to see what you think). Authoritative is also a good word though I won’t labour the point. The Germans I know for a fact have some really long words. The Welsh are also known for them but in actual fact that is based on just a single village name in North Wales. Anglesey to be more specific. Anglesey isn’t the long word, its the place where the village is. I’m not going to reproduce the long word here. It would make this paragraph too long.

Carriage return sorry “enter”. “Carriage return” is dated. Readers of this stream of words should not be confused into thinking that this is a product of the 20th, or even the 19th centuries. When did they invent the typewriter? Who invented the typewriter come to think of it? I could find out but I’m not really that interested. Ditto the refrigerator.

Due to the sheer professionalism with which I approach the writing of this stuff you probably will not have noticed that I am now using Word2007. It has a lot more features than my previous version, Word2003, well it seems to, but the problem is that I am still learning it. It took me a while to find the “strikethrough” icon for example. But I’m starting to bore you here. Shakespeare didn’t leave comments in his margins informing readers that he had deliberated over his font size or the size of his quill.

My hand writing is terrible by the way. I would have been useless with a quill. Ink spots and crossings out everywhere.
For the technically minded amongst you I have written 698 words in roughly 45 minutes. I don’t know exactly because I haven’t yet worked out where to look for the statistics on this new Word package. I only know my approximate editing time because I looked up when I started tweeting this morning.

Enthusiasm is grinding to a halt now in any case as the body reminds me that it is still a tad tired and wants to take a cup of tea up to bed. Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

3rd law part 9