December 28, 2010
December 26, 2010
year end
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.
December 25, 2010
What do you get a mother for Christmas?
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.
December 19, 2010
Hairdo conversations
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
December 18, 2010
random favourite tweets
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?
Snow!
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.
December 14, 2010
California here I come
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
December 12, 2010
After the snow
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.
December 4, 2010
December 3, 2010
Train Services Affected By The Snow
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
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
December 1, 2010
Uppandown
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 (more…)
November 29, 2010
East of Wragby
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.
November 28, 2010
A chink in life’s curtain
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.