where art collides philosoperontap

Up early and down to see Fenella Beach and the breakwater. Went in the car but only because I don’t have any warm clothing and this is the Isle of Man we are talking about. Swung by Shoprite to purchase some Manx dry cure streaky bacon, chestnut mushrooms and crusty rolls for the purpose of breaking the fast.

Feeling good this morning. This isn’t necessarily the same story for Ann and Sue who stayed up on the wine until 2.30am. Couldn’t do it myself but there again I am the older sibling:)

It was a good funeral yesterday. John Chester was a very popular guy and the crem was full to overflowing. Back to Peel Golf Club afterwards and left there at around 5pm swinging by the Whitehouse pub en route home. Dad and I walked down Rheast Lane and came across the plaque featured in the image below – Philip Christian Clothworker. I googled him and he was the benefactor who funded the foundation of the Peel clothworkers school. Inneresting.

Now at Ronaldsway International with Ann waiting for our delayed EZY852 to Gatwick. Featured image is peeps queuing for an earlier also delayed flight to Liverpool. Young couple sat opposite on way to Canada for their honeymoon. Sweet. He is an Everton fan, fwiw. Liverpool beat Chelsea 2 1 away last night, again fwiw.

funky shirt r us

Life is really about funky shirts. I’m up, breakfasted on bacon sandwich, packed and ready to rock and roll down to London. Dress code is shorts, custom made funky shirt and deck shoes together with jacket as unfortunately I am going to a funeral tomorrow. I have other clothes to change into but that will wait until tomorrow. The jacket wouldn’t have gone in my Osprey laptop bag.

The rest of the family is out of the house apart from Joe who was working last night and goodness only knows what time he got in. I’ll be driving to Newark this morning and parking the car there. There are lots more train options from Newark than from Lincoln. This is especially the case when I return on Saturday.

As yesterday today is a slightly misty start but the forecast is hot hot hot. Wow. We just aren’t used to this us Brits Irish. Dunno if I told you but a copy of mam’s birth certificate arrived yesterday from Ireland. Just mine and mam and dad’s wedding certificate need now for me to be able to progress with my application for an Irish Passport. I will also be registering all four kids as Irish citizens of foreign birth. You never know when it will come in handy especially when it comes to avoiding having to have a visa for European travel, getting in the right queue for passport control etc.

Joe is now up and about, upstairs at least. I’ve been informed of his unavailability to provide a lift via Facebook. Fair enough. He is off to Newcastle himself today. Taking some of his stuff back in advance for the new term. Anne has gone to her saxophone lesson and I am left wondering which keys to take.

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Bloke sat across the aisle with a humongous watch. Not sure I understand. Looks like a salesman. Another guy just walked off and dropped some papers on the floor marked CONFIDENTIAL. Picked them up, put them on his table and headed into the next coach. Can’t be bothered to go over for a read. I’m on a video conference call anyway:) The Macbook is telling me there is low bandwidth but by and large the video is coming through ok. Impressive considering there is only 2Mbps symmetrical between the whole train.

Wearing my Bose headphones for the first time in anger. The people on the conf call told me they could hear stuff in the background on the train that I was unaware of because of the headphones. Good eh? Dipped out in the interest of a smooth meeting. Was one rearranged from yesterday and I wasn’t really available this morning.

Hope you like the featured image. It’s me wearing my Bose phones on the train. The funky pattern goes well with my (handmade) shirt, I think. It should come as no surprise to you to learn that I have the domain name hawaiianshirt.co. Not done anything with it but you never know…

If you have a funky shirt shot you’d like to share do get in touch:)

ham sandwich and the living is easy

Whilst I do like the gentle change from Summer to Autumn I am also quite happy to take another week of perfect Summer weather as appears to be happening right now. This morning is a cooler start but the day ahead is promising to warm up again.

Joe has just played me the acoustic version of the next Pylons single. V cool. The boys have been in session at Alex’s folks farmhouse. It’s meant Joe has been using the Micra. Not normally an issue but Anne’s Citroen has been in the garage being MOT’d and it’s taking longer than normal. She has had to learn to drive my car.

So I am now sat in the office waiting for a conference call/video to start.

I can see a pirate flag flying in the allotments behind the house. Just between the branches of the trees at the bottom of the garden. Fair play. Allotments with attitude. The left hand side of the bottom of the garden is already looking a lot better since we cleared it yesterday. Anne wants to paint the fence the same =grey as in the front. It’s somewhat rotten in parts but never mind.

Anne has a great eye for getting things to look nice. Visitors to our house for the first time often complement it. I have learnt by and large to accept change when she instigates it. It isn’t always a practical change but I guarantee it will look nice.

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It’s been a very relaxing morning sat at my laptop. Anne has been busy around the house and in the garden. She’s a lovely girl. John is at school and Joe is back at the farm Pyloning so it is almost as if it’s just the two of us left. In two years time it will be thus.

It’s quite a strange feeling really. The clock is being wound back 25 years. The main difference is that we would both have been out at work then and now we are both in the house. Anne has a routine that gets her out of the house for much of the time and I still seem to find myself away quite often.

Earlier this week, having been travelling for a month, I did find it somewhat difficult to settle into things back at home. Felt as if I should have been on a train or plane. Tomorrow I will be on both train and plane again heading to the Isle of Man.

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Very nice home made chicken and sweetcorn soup and a ham sandwich. Eaten out on the patio in front of the conservatory. Taking advantage of the fact that the weather still allows it. Nuff said.

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The random key word for this post is ham sandwich. See this post for a guide to the perfect bacon sandwich.

made it through to another week

Breezy day today. Anne is off out to do her usual volunteering at Eastgate School and I have the doors open to the garden. It’s my first day back proper today and I have a few things to sort out. All quiet here.

Dad called using Facebook Messenger earlier. Had a nice 11 minute chat with him. It’s good that at the age of 82 he can learn new things and communicate over the internet. Also it’s Hannah’s first day at work at Colt today. V exciting. She has already been in a few times but this is it for real. Feels strange mind you. She is at the start of the journey and here I am throttling back.

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Warmed up by lunchtime. I’ve been out and hacked the ivy away from the workshop roof. Even put the cuttings in the green bin because that’s what Anne would have wanted. Refilled the bird feeder though I imagine there is plenty of nosh around for them at this time of year.

The earth continues to spin on its axis.

Anne is off out on the lash tonight with the Friends of William Farr so going to have to think of something for me and John to eat. Joe is out at a Pylons songwriting session of indeterminate length. Da dum dum de dah…

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Now sat in the back garden drinking the jasmine tea I bought in Hong Kong. It’s a balmy afternoon with a very gentle breeze.

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Falafel and potato wedges for tea. V nice fair play. Thanks to Anne. Watched some TV – Sink The Bismark and University Challenge followed by some David Attenborough.

or early autumn

Probably both. It’s a great time of year.

Nice tea and pudding down at Helen and Stefs last night. They are fundraising for Rosie to go on a school trip to South Africa in 2018. Met someone who had recently finished the Coast to Coast in 15 days. Good to compare notes.

Afterwards to the Taphouse and Kitchen for a couple of beers with Nige. Joe was working there. Was fairly busy.

Had been a wet day all round. We’re now waiting on a quote from Phil for a new flat roof and some work on the gutters. Needs sorting. Today is looking much nicer than yesterday on the weather front and the week ahead is looking great. Hottest September day for 55 years in prospect on Tuesday apparently. Wow.

Just had a bacon sandwich for breakfast. Anne having banana pancake with mixed fruit compote. All home made. She is a dab hand. Bacon at home is usually much better than that of a hotel. They cook it on a tray in the oven. Rubbish really.

Today’s lunch is spit roast pork in smoked sea salt rub. Traditionally a winner since earlier this year.

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Have moved operations into the garden. Lovely autumnal smell to the morning. Grass is still very wet but I’m sure it will dry as the day goes on. I have a job to do today – the ivy needs removing from the outside of the brick shed/workshop. Needs to have dried out or I will get soaked.

I’m happy to move on to autumn now. It’s a season I love. Especially Sundays. Relaxed. Cooking a nice meal. I like putting effort into the Sunday meal. Not always a roast. Can be a pie or casserole. After today’s pork, which we are having at lunchtime which is unusual for us but Joe starts his shift at the Taphouse mid afternoon, we are going to see the open day at Lincoln Castle workshops followed by blackberry picking. Good times.

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Spit roast on. Started to clear the ivy but unfortunately the bbq gets in the way and it’s a tad dangerous. The ivy will have to wait until later. Also Joe now been called in to work for 1pm which unfortunately blows away the family lunch. Work eh?

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Sat in the back garden enjoying the late sun. There is a bit of tidying to do but for the moment I am content to just sit here. I’m waiting for the temperature to settle on 180 degrees centigrade on the bbq after which I am free to do other stuff. The veg is largely prepared. The spuds and carrots are going in the drip tray under the pork but it is too soon right now. Courgettes will be sliced and cooked on the bbq griddle once the meat is done and resting. The birds are happy. You sense it. Seeds blow on the breeze. There are still insects a plenty. I can see a bee working its way round the flowers. Washing is drying quickly this morning. Strange how it can be relaxing just sat here watching the washing on the line gently sway in the wind.

spider & garden rain shots

Good kip, although I was awake when a certain offspring came in at 03.40 hrs. Those were the days. It is raining out which may not bode well for John’s top of the table cricket match v Brigg this pm. The weather is forecast to improve – let’s hope it does so in time for a game of cricket.

Olympian Georgie Twigg is visiting Lincoln Hockey Club at the Lindum Sports Ground this morning. It’s just down the road from us and her folks also live nearby.

Thinking I might stroll into town this morning. Looking at buying a pair of noise cancelling headphones. Having been travelling quite a bit over the summer and noticed how loud trains and planes are. I think these headphones will make a bit difference to comfort levels.

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It’s been chucking it down all day (see vid below) and the news is that the cricket is rained off and the season is officially over for another year. It was a good cricket season although interrupted by the GCSEs.

Phil came around to look at the leaking flat roof. Needs renewing and the gutters need sorting out too. It was quite handy that he came when the sky was emptying itself on the house because he could easily see everything that needed doing.

Spent much of the morning looking for my birth certificate. I need it as part of the process of establishing my Irish citizenship. Ended up having to chuck half the filing cabinet, a job that was years overdue. Still didn’t find it though so have ordered a replacement online together with mam and dad’s marriage cert and mam’s Irish birth cert. Feel quite good about this.

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Downtown and bought the Bose QC35 noise canceling headphones. Expensive but brilliant sound and noise cancelling performance. Perfect for train and plane. I don’t think the in ear headphones are good for you. I wanted the black ones  and will have to wait until Tuesday to pick them up.

Back via Tesco to pick up a joint of pork for tomorrow’s slow spit roast BBQ lunch and a bottle of sherry for gravy use.

Out to Helen and Stef’s tonight for a fundraiser for Rosie to go on a school trip somewhere.

impressive city

Good UKNOF35 session yesterday. These are great networking events and from a LONAP perspective very useful ways to engage with members. Few pints and a curry afterwards then relatively early to bed.

Heading back sarf today.

After the initial “no cars available” at the airport Uber has proved to be very handy in Glasgow. I took one last night after the meeting to just drop my bag off at the hotel before going back to the social. The driver had a very broad and totally incomprehensible mix of Indian and Glaswegian accent. I recognised one word in ten so ended up just nodding knowingly when he said something:)

The pink jacket proved to be a hit. Either that or people were indulging me. I only wore it at the welcome social. Didn’t seem to make sense to wear it to the meeting itself as it would probably have got crumpled.

I’m now at the airport waiting for my flight. It’s  busy airport and seems to have good facilities. No lounge access for me though. Not with a £75 Flybe ticket. It’s not worth me paying to sit in a lounge for the short while I’ll be here.

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Home now. Always nice to get home. The news is Anne’s car is in for its MOT and needs quite a bit doing. Debating whether to get rid of both it and the micra and invest in something newer that will serve her for years to come.

The weather has been great here in Lincoln and promises to improve next week which is good as I will be at home until Thursday.

whisky, curry and Glasgow rain

Arrived in Glasgow mid afternoon yesterday for UKNOF 35 and made my way to the very comfortable Hilton on Williams Street. Cold was in full flow so had a little kip before heading out to the welcome reception hosted by the Lord Provost at Glasgow City Chambers.

Turns out it wasn’t the Lord Provost but a deputy, the excellent Josephine Docherty. Apaz the Lord Provost has so many drinks receptions she has to host that she has around 12 sidekicks that fill in for her, stunt doubles etc. I think my jacket caught her eye as I was the first person she spoke to:)

Afterwards we queued for what must have been an hour to get into Mother India Cafe. Food was good but probably not worth an hour’s queuing when there were other perfectly good joints available. Mark Fordyce turned up late and avoided having to queue!

After the curry we ended up at a pub called Ben Nevis where we drank extremely good and amazingly cheap malt whisky and listened to a very entertaining set of musicians banging out some folk tunes.

This morning the weather has changed and it is chucking it down. Of course muggins ere didn’t bring a coat. I’ll ask the concierge if I can borrow an umbrella. I was looking forward to walking to the UKNOF venue. It’s just over a mile away.

Pics and vids for your delight and delectation:

Me ‘n Josephine Docherty

This lot joined the queue behind us and got in earlier as they were a smaller party!

we all fall down

Full of coughs and sneezes spreading diseases this morning. Urgh. Toasted bacon sandwich with brown sauce. Starve a fever feed a cold. My glass of milk didn’t taste like milk. I didn’t complain. Who would I complain to?

Off to Glasgie today. Flybe BE554 at 12.55 from East Midlands Airport. Hour and a half or so to get there so let’s say I need to leave here at 10ish to be on the safe side. I’ve booked valet parking. Somehow it was the same price as the long term car park, or within a nadges whisker.

I wouldn’t say East Midlands was the nicest airport to use. We were last there two summers ago and it was a building site. Hopefully the work will have finished. Also you have to pay to just drop someone off or pick them up. Never heard of that before.

Tonight we have a reception at Glasgow Civic Centre with the Lord Provost. Debating whether to wear my new pink linen jacket. Will have to decide before I set off. Probably won’t as it will get creased and grubby. Not even sure what to take to wear seeing as I’ve spent the last ten days in hot climes wearing shorts and Hawaiian shirts. Problems problems.

Taking jacket…

pics later

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Now sharing my lurgy with the unfortunate passengers on BE554. I’m in seat 17B. Fortunately there aren’t many on board so not only are fewer others going to be infected than might otherwise be the case but I have an aisle seat with no-one next to me.

Bloke has just walked past me to get his bag from the overhead locker. He dumped his bag well before where he is seated. This annoys me. Had it been a full flight he might have taken someone else’s space.

Listening to my fave sounds but I’ve heard them so much over the last week or three due to much travelling I may have to come up with a new playlist.

The arrival at the East Midlands Airport meet and greet parking was non optimal. First of all you were kept waiting for a few minutes at the barrier. When someone eventually answered the communicator (or whatever it’s called) I went to the specified parking spot and on into the office. They had my return time completely wrong – a week on Friday in fact. Bit odd I thought as their system definitely had me down for this coming friday as evidenced by the confirmation email. Turns out it was a Mrs S Davies booked to come back next week. Ah well.

Anyway I’m now on the plane, as you know, and waiting for the trolley dollies to come and deliver me a San Pelegrino Limonata and a Twix. Feeding the cold again.

Booked to go home for a funeral next Friday. One of mam and dad’s oldest friends on the isle of Man, John Chester, died quite suddenly last Saturday. We are all saddened. He was a lovely guy. Fortunately I am already in London for my monthly 121 with Rich on the Thursday so it is a relatively easy hop. Having to fly EasyJet from Gatwick as BA from LCY was going to be £270 at this short notice. Ah well. Ann and Sue also coming over. Coming back on the Saturday.

Got quite a few trips coming up. Glasgow, London, IoM, London, London, Hampton Court, London, Antwerp, Madrid, Krakow.

I do declare we are flying over the Lake District. Ah yes I remember it well. Not with massive fondness mind you:) Not long until Glasgow Town now. Not sure I’ve ever been.

Been to Durham Town. No plans to go back. Not because I didn’t like Durham. I liked Durham a lot. It’s just that Hannah ain’t there no more. It will be trips to London now not Durham. There’s always Newcastle to see Joe of course and in a couple of years time to see John wherever he ends up.

Flying up the West Coast you do get to recognise features on the map. Must be nearly in Scotland by now. It’s certainly getting cloudier. I’ve only brought shorts for this trip. She’ll be right:)

The nose is pointing gently down. We are clearly beginning a gradual descent to ensure the comfort and safety of the passengers which is the airline’s priority at all times. Getting a bit bumpy as we approach the white fluffy stuff though.

Has any good writing ever been done through the haze of a head cold?

I quite like the idea of being able to fly a plane.

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Arrived 10 mins early. Good. No Ubers available so jumped in a taxi. Bad. Taxi card machine not working. Badder. Now in my room popping flu pills. Pink linen jacket hanging in the wardrobe…

good to be home

Pretty good flight back to London. 12 hours and must have slept for 7 of them. Watched the new version of Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy which used up a couple of hours at the front end. Now back in London and the BA Lounge at T5 waiting for our next connection.

Nice to have my SIM plugged in and normal connectivity regained. It was a very good visit to China.

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Tuesday morning 06.00. Not bad kip though did wake up a couple of times in the night. Will try and get some exercise today. Also looking forward to taking Anne a cup of tea at around 6.30. Not had a cup of tea in bed now for 11 days:).

Need to spend this morning taking stock as I’ve effectively been away for 3 weeks and am off to Glasgow tomorrow. Also need to unpack properly.

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I must say it’s nice to be home. Sat back at my desk in the conservatory, doors wide open into the garden. Need to tidy the office u a bit as it’s been taken over by the kids whilst I’ve been away!

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Walked into the Bail with Joe to go to the bank then an ice cream in the castle. It’s Lincoln University graduation week so lots going on. They were all in the cathedral when we were in the castle. Refreshing lager shandy on the way home then Joe and I went back to the Morning Star for early doors to meet trumpeter Jeff Brown.

Bit of a restless sleep as the cold caught on the Hong Kong – London flight is now taking full effect.