tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-253561222024-03-23T18:13:59.325+00:00The Electronic FireflyThis is just a testThe very nice manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13628801735007193872noreply@blogger.comBlogger177125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25356122.post-78117439988766295502007-06-01T18:39:00.000+01:002007-06-01T18:45:04.088+01:00Follow me!!!<div>I have moved!!</div><div> </div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTKWTBV8MJu9xzvxO7IvsfpfB_X8VJe5kuGaMm5QTaNgVkn03P_5e19bTf5CWBNZO1riP5BCe5PaqwWeyRX-8OxnYxdUi668S_pUMMGdT1tDFXOiM45uh0ClTWJPzO0yfPc2IJYw/s1600-h/DSCN0613.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5071153239532649186" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTKWTBV8MJu9xzvxO7IvsfpfB_X8VJe5kuGaMm5QTaNgVkn03P_5e19bTf5CWBNZO1riP5BCe5PaqwWeyRX-8OxnYxdUi668S_pUMMGdT1tDFXOiM45uh0ClTWJPzO0yfPc2IJYw/s320/DSCN0613.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div> </div><div>Follow me by clicking <a href="http://electronic-firefly.blogspot.com"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#cc0000;"><strong>here</strong></span></a> !!!</div><br /><div></div>The very nice manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13628801735007193872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25356122.post-40040896972718867792007-05-31T12:33:00.000+01:002007-05-31T13:36:26.807+01:00The good DeedAn elderly lady from our church needed a lift to Brighton to see her daughter but could not afford the fare. Besides, she needed to take her wheelchair and various other items.<br />So I agreed to drive her down but thought we might as well make the most of it by taking along my mother-in-law as company for the old lady on the long drive and Victoria to keep me company.<br />It all worked out just splendidly and even the weather played along, praise the Lord.<br />Here are some snapshots:<br /><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/523108374/"><img height="375" alt="Brighton - 011" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/237/523108374_13cac4507b.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />Brighton Beach<br /><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/520150105/"><img height="375" alt="Brighton - 002" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/192/520150105_b8806ba8c8.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />Brighton Pier and blue sky<br /><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/523109876/"><img height="375" alt="Brighton - 014" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/204/523109876_06e603714c.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />Me looking at the second pier which went up in flames<br /><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/520153405/"><img height="375" alt="Brighton - 006" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/189/520153405_c57900ec75.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />Hey!! This would make a good picture for framing!<br /><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/520121426/"><img height="375" alt="Brighton - 007" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/195/520121426_3102916558.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />As long as Victoria doesn't get in the way!<br /><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/523109416/"><img height="375" alt="Brighton - 013" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/247/523109416_582d71fba1.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />Let's explore the town<br /><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/523108016/"><img height="500" alt="Brighton - 010" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/201/523108016_24f27ecf59.jpg" width="375" /></a><br />Choices, choices . . .<br /><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/523107454/"><img height="375" alt="Brighton - 016" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/237/523107454_b3c3996af3.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />Time for coffee!<br /><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/520115792/"><img height="375" alt="Brighton - 009" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/214/520115792_3343537382.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />Or a beer in the Sussex pub?<br /><br />All that can be said about Brighton is that the beach is full of stones, the traffic sheer madness, the town pretty boring and there are a gazillion other seaside resorts in Britain which beat Brighton hands down any time.<br />So the advice from this traveller is:<br />Don't be fooled by the nice pictures and unless you have to go there because you are doing a good deed . . . DON'T!!!The very nice manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13628801735007193872noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25356122.post-15516745141756072502007-05-30T08:48:00.000+01:002007-05-30T09:21:33.335+01:00Zoom - zoom - zoomLast weekend we zoomed up to the North of England to visit our friend Carol and whilst we were up there, we visited a small town called Richmond, a village called Gosmont and the seaside town of Whitby.<br />Here are some pictures:<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc0000;">Richmond</span></strong><br /><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/520232468/"><img height="375" alt="Richmond - 004" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/229/520232468_a313ec59c8.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />Carol and Jan in Richmond Market Square<br /><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/520236986/"><img height="375" alt="Richmond - 008" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/217/520236986_c9eef4c6cc.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />Village scene<br /><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/520240370/"><img height="375" alt="Richmond - 011" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/244/520240370_d31a67fdfc.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />Richmond Castle (or is it Richmond Ruins?)<br /><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/520275461/"><img height="375" alt="Richmond - 014" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/193/520275461_ccf8dc515e.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />Looking up . . .<br /><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/520245790/"><img height="375" alt="Richmond - 015" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/233/520245790_b918ca83a8.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />. . . and looking down!!<br /><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/520250180/"><img height="375" alt="Richmond - 018" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/233/520250180_a88cafc6cb.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />Posing??<br /><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc0000;">Gosmont</span></strong><br /><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/520147560/"><img height="375" alt="Gosmont - 003" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/222/520147560_5842b9bd0b.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />Gosmont is one end of the North Yorkshire Steam Railway track<br /><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/520150020/"><img height="375" alt="Gosmont - 006" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/218/520150020_036fbc91af.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />The 9:10 hours train pulling out of Gosmont station<br /><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/520183801/"><img height="375" alt="Gosmont - 007" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/204/520183801_bbc79b772e.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />I love steam trains. They just have that special character.<br /><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/520178307/"><img height="375" alt="Gosmont - 009" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/190/520178307_de435173ab.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />Makes you want to play with your model railway, huh??!!<br /><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc0000;">Whitby</span></strong><br /><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/520193597/"><img height="375" alt="Whitby - 001" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/217/520193597_d86fa1da72.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />The Whale Bones at Whitby<br /><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/520160600/"><img height="375" alt="Whitby - 010" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/199/520160600_b7d96c0c97.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />Is the woman on the phone saying: "Yes, I've come to the end of land! Now what??"<br /><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/520194875/"><img height="375" alt="Whitby - 002" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/212/520194875_16c1ea087e.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />Whitby parking attendant???<br /><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/520164314/"><img height="375" alt="Whitby - 004" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/251/520164314_085a5219a2.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />After the rain<br /><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/520166014/"><img height="375" alt="Whitby - 006" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/193/520166014_d648134e6a.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />View from the top<br /><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/520167338/"><img height="375" alt="Whitby - 008" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/242/520167338_a434a584ca.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />Whitby harbour<br /><br />Next we will be zooming off South to Brighton!The very nice manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13628801735007193872noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25356122.post-13462316513059782582007-05-25T08:47:00.000+01:002007-05-25T09:48:59.241+01:00Answer me this . . .Greetings, friends,<br />One of my friends, an old colleague of mine still working at the unmentionable place for a few weeks yet has asked me what I was doing all day long now that I am not working and why I haven't updated the firefly for such a long time.<br /><br />Well, Gary, here is your answer:<br /><br />Since Jan, my better half, is still working to keep me in the luxury I've got accustomed to, I get up at about 7 a.m. and together with Victoria take the dog for a walk in the park.<br /><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/510618389/"><img height="375" alt="DSCN0488" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/199/510618389_b98ec3ebd4.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />Here we are at the back of the house just leaving<br /><br />Once in the park we let the dog off the lead to have a good run around whilst we chat about loads of things and take some pictures.<br /><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/510634273/"><img height="375" alt="DSCN0495" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/207/510634273_dfb6d93f29.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />Jamie on the loose<br /><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/510614132/"><img height="375" alt="DSCN0503" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/189/510614132_32461dea41.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />Victoria snapping flowers in the field<br /><br />Once we get back home we have breakfast together and after putting some washing on I spend some time on the computer dealing with emails or playing with my new software, Adobe Photoshop Element, which does all manners of photo manipulation.<br /><br />For example, you can turn this<br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/513180206/"><img height="375" alt="york" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/232/513180206_b04eb86123.jpg" width="500" /></a><br /><br />into this<br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/513180114/"><img height="375" alt="York-Art" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/220/513180114_1313f8cabe.jpg" width="500" /></a><br /><br />Then it is time to do some combination of these:<br />Hang some washing out, do some ironing, hoover the house, change the beds, wash the floors, clean the bathrooms, dust the furniture, . . . . .<br /><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/513170198/"><img height="375" alt="DSCN0510" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/222/513170198_24985b2508.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />So, as you can see, a house-man's job is never done!<br /><br />By this time it is lunch-time and Victoria and I have an excursion into town or into Milton Keynes for some coffee and light snack as well as doing the food shopping or I meet with Garry for some pub lunch and a couple of beers.<br /><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/513189457/"><img height="375" alt="Victoria and Olivia at M&S" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/211/513189457_ae2fe8d5af.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />Victoria and Olivia (a friend of hers we happened to meet) at M&S<br /><br />By the time we get back home it is about 2 p.m. and time for a little snooze in front of the telly or some more Internet surfing.<br />Then the dog needs to be taken out again<br /><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/510629341/"><img height="375" alt="DSCN0505" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/229/510629341_0b1cdbc8cb.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />We love our park with its little river<br /><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/510624597/"><img height="375" alt="DSCN0496" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/229/510624597_18cd5b8288.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />and its greenery and with weather like this, who wants to work??<br /><br /><br />By now the kitchen is waiting for me to prepare dinner for the gang and cook up a storm for the hungry hippos!<br /><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/513193260/"><img height="375" alt="food" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/196/513193260_8ba84ca7d8.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />Roasted Asparagus with Feta Cheese and Chilli & Garlic infused Oil<br />The evening is for relaxation!<br /><br />Well, Gary, there you have it! The answer to your question and as you can see I just haven't got time to work!!<br />As for not updating the blog more often . . . I must confess it is just laziness on my part!<br />Sorry, everybody!!The very nice manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13628801735007193872noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25356122.post-48397779527979798452007-05-07T09:38:00.000+01:002007-05-07T10:36:01.169+01:00Jesus and His Followers at the Theme ParkLast Saturday about 25 young people from our church including 4 drivers set off early in the morning to have a fun day out at Alton Towers, Englands main Theme Park followed by a Christian Concert in the evening.<br />It was a great day and we met old friends from other churches in our area which we hadn't seen for some time.<br />Here are the pictures:<br /><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/487939247/"><img height="375" alt="Alton Towers" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/202/487939247_b4d89ef9a8.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />The <strong>Ripsaw</strong> ride<br /><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/487911768/"><img height="375" alt="Alton Towers - Nemesis ride" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/210/487911768_82cf2192ed.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />The <strong>Nemesis</strong> ride<br /><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/487943617/"><img height="385" alt="Alton Towers - Oblivion ride" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/200/487943617_fe9ba21ce1.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />The <strong>Oblivion</strong> ride<br /><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/487949026/"><img height="375" alt="dld" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/205/487949026_7979603f4c.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />Don't look down?? Too late!! Aaaaaaaahhhhh!!!<br /><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/487944269/"><img height="375" alt="Alton Towers" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/205/487944269_eb474182b8.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />The <strong>Enterprise</strong> ride<br /><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/487941771/"><img height="375" alt="Alton Towers" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/206/487941771_b2ae62c326.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />The <strong>Spinball Whizzer</strong> ride<br /><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/487924914/"><img height="375" alt="Alton Towers - Flume ride" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/231/487924914_da016aef03.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />The <strong>Flume</strong> ride<br /><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/487938079/"><img height="500" alt="Alton Towers - Erik and Victoria" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/200/487938079_a5b8f3a510.jpg" width="332" /></a><br />Erik and Victoria on the <strong>Flume</strong> ride<br /><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/487913378/"><img height="375" alt="Alton Towers - Lunch" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/217/487913378_3456996f99.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />Meeting up for lunch<br /><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/487924670/"><img height="375" alt="Alton Towers - Queueing" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/209/487924670_fcc50a4057.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />Queueing for the rides<br /><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/487948971/"><img height="375" alt="Alton Towers" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/207/487948971_18d6b2185a.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />Some of the gang at the <strong>Runaway Mine Train</strong> ride<br /><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/487925282/"><img height="375" alt="Alton Towers - Christian Concert" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/218/487925282_29e8f36a2c.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />At the Christian Concert sponsored by Compassion UK<br /><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/487952831/"><img height="375" alt="Alton Towers - Christian Concert" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/217/487952831_61ea82c20e.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />Slowly filling up<br /><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/487953051/"><img height="375" alt="Alton Towers - Christian Concert" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/195/487953051_f0581d9391.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />Ever seen 6000 people take their shoes off as the band sings:<br />"Take off your shoes, you're standing on holy ground!"?<br /><br />Yup! I <strong>am</strong> grateful to be a Christian, saved by the grace of God!The very nice manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13628801735007193872noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25356122.post-18551661567192889362007-05-04T08:01:00.000+01:002007-05-04T09:01:03.536+01:00Snap-happy in LincolnThere are far too many pretty towns and villages here in Britain and Lincoln is just one more example of this.<br />I had some time on my hands when my wife needed to go to her company's Lincoln office, so I tagged along and took some shots:<br /><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/481181251/"><img height="375" alt="Lincoln - 007" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/211/481181251_932166d66d.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />Go up "Steep Hill" I was told. "It's well worth it!"<br /><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/481181855/"><img height="375" alt="Lincoln - 008" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/232/481181855_ba2c0c7547.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />Half way up (here looking back) I sincerely hoped so!<br /><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/481174506/"><img height="375" alt="Lincoln - 009" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/229/481174506_8bdc56c4ea.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />More climbing needed but nice houses and little shops<br /><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/481201277/"><img height="375" alt="Lincoln - 046" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/231/481201277_70968ea7bb.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />A small chapel with spring flowers<br /><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/481182809/"><img height="375" alt="Lincoln - 010" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/178/481182809_8389d951b5.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />Bailgate with its Tudor houses<br /><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/481177562/"><img height="375" alt="Lincoln - 015" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/220/481177562_c601292ad3.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />Lincoln Cathedral shot from Minster Yard . .<br /><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/481190985/"><img height="375" alt="Lincoln - 023" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/176/481190985_841e589ccf.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />. . and from Pottergate.<br /><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/481187947/"><img height="375" alt="Lincoln - 019" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/184/481187947_4551d4d678.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />From the side it could almost pass as York Minster<br /><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/481193277/"><img height="375" alt="Lincoln - 027" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/196/481193277_48b26b8bfe.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />Opposite the Cathedral is Lincoln Castle with its walls<br /><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/481192695/"><img height="375" alt="Lincoln - 026" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/181/481192695_14047c6cc4.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />There used to be a wall around the city as in York but now only fragments exist like this one here called Newport Arch<br /><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/481192374/"><img height="375" alt="Lincoln - 044" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/209/481192374_beed77a66f.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />Inside the castle I felt the urge to climb up to where the flag was flying and to have a walk on the wall<br /><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/481186680/"><img height="375" alt="Lincoln - 031" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/216/481186680_a4f7b0a750.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />This is the sight from the wall towards the Cathedrale<br /><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/481187116/"><img height="375" alt="Lincoln - 032" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/213/481187116_36418acfb5.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />Walking on top of the wall now with the Tower on the right<br /><br /><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/481186368/"><img height="375" alt="Lincoln - 030" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/194/481186368_00ba553a8c.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />Inside the Castle grounds you find the old jail and a copy of the Magna Carta<br /><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/481194171/"><img height="375" alt="Lincoln - 029" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/184/481194171_5d195a6bc3.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />as well as this odd looking building which is the Lincoln Magistrates Office<br /><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/481197617/"><img height="375" alt="Lincoln - 037" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/172/481197617_1bb1d1ff23.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />As I was takeing the lst picture I heard some odd flapping and thought:<br />"DUCK!!!" . . . . and so it was!!<br /><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/481172726/"><img height="375" alt="Lincoln - 006" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/229/481172726_364e97d24b.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />On my way down to the town centre now, just glancing back<br /><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/481171164/"><img height="375" alt="Lincoln - 003" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/227/481171164_945fa08650.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />Nearly down now and getting more commercial all the time<br /><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/481208583/"><img height="375" alt="Lincoln - 059" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/217/481208583_5f3126d898.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />Lincoln has worked hard to transform the area around High Street and Waterside<br /><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/481210777/"><img height="375" alt="Lincoln - 062" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/227/481210777_3d7389e483.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />This is Waterside Shopping Centre looking towards High Street<br /><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/481206545/"><img height="375" alt="Lincoln - 056" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/230/481206545_2191835cc9.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />Walking towards Brayford Wharf along a small passage<br /><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/481205977/"><img height="375" alt="Lincoln - 055" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/207/481205977_408ba2c1df.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />Brayford Wharf with its many bars on the right<br /><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/483605627/"><img height="400" alt="erikpint" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/191/483605627_f6acae719f.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />Did someone say "BARS"????<br /><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/481194480/"><img height="375" alt="Lincoln - 048" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/169/481194480_4d50d48296.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />Staggering back via High Street<br /><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/481170778/"><img height="375" alt="Lincoln - 002" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/212/481170778_6eb762e701.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />A final glance of the Cathedral and just in time to pick up my wife from work<br /><br />If you ask me which city I preferred - York or Lincoln - I have to give York the edge, as it is flat and does not interfere with the walking after a few pints of beer!!The very nice manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13628801735007193872noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25356122.post-23101285665359706552007-05-02T14:10:00.000+01:002007-05-02T14:51:16.081+01:00A Visit to YorkHaving lived in York for some 7 years I had the opportunity to revisit this beautiful city on a glorious, sunny day.<br />Here are the photos:<br /><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/481253573/"><img height="375" alt="York - 039" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/218/481253573_3b71069de7.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />York Minster (Cathedrale) taken from the Wall around York<br /><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/481243150/"><img height="375" alt="York - 036" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/192/481243150_6de12dc80f.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />View onto the river Ouse from Lendal Bridge<br /><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/481249749/"><img height="375" alt="York - 033" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/187/481249749_bee994cc61.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />The ruins of the old Abbey in York Gardens<br /><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/481245919/"><img height="375" alt="York - 027" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/226/481245919_31021817d6.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />The Minster taken from the front<br /><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/481242641/"><img height="375" alt="York - 022" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/218/481242641_c0fb0e8cb0.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />The Minster from the side<br /><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/481233320/"><img height="375" alt="York - 020" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/177/481233320_181c7db6d8.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />Stonegate shopping street<br /><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/481239759/"><img height="375" alt="York - 017" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/206/481239759_2f688fe0c7.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />View from the Mansion House towards Stonegate and the Minster<br /><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/481240187/"><img height="375" alt="York - 018" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/186/481240187_741141b6fa.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />The Mansion House<br /><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/481238013/"><img height="375" alt="York - 014" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/214/481238013_917c9d05cd.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />Parliament Street - Time to relax<br /><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/481236309/"><img height="375" alt="York - 011" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/171/481236309_e3ae95e7ca.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />The Shambles - An original old street (see the large window ledge where meat was displayed for sale in centuries gone by)<br /><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/481224724/"><img height="375" alt="York - 004" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/193/481224724_b64c1cca03.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />Clifford's Tower - Once a prison<br /><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/481243119/"><img height="375" alt="York - 023" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/230/481243119_0571764adc.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />A house in Minster Yard where children play cricket<br /><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/481246272/"><img height="375" alt="York - 041" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/171/481246272_56aaf502b9.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />River Ouse from Ouse Bridge<br /><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/481238404/"><img height="375" alt="York - 028" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/197/481238404_171b34ab1d.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />Bootham Bar - Entrance to the city through one of its many gates (bars)<br /><br />York is a wonderful city and well worth a visit. If you have never been there, then shame on you.<br />I fell in love with the city the moment I arrived there as a youngster (see my little book at<br /><a href="http://a-german-shepherd.blogspot.com/">http://a-german-shepherd.blogspot.com/</a> )The very nice manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13628801735007193872noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25356122.post-50943352864279859512007-04-22T07:54:00.000+01:002007-04-22T08:44:39.097+01:00The Stewkley WalkSince the weather decided to remain good this weekend, Garry, Christine, Jan and I did another countryside walk - this time around the village of Stewkley in Buckinghamshire.<br />Here are the pictures:<br /><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/467196683/"><img height="375" alt="DSCN0255" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/190/467196683_daab99a987.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />There are 2 pubs in Stewkley. Start at "The Swan Inn".<br /><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/467185758/"><img height="375" alt="DSCN0222" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/201/467185758_b9a10a7417.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />Have a beer in the pub gardens<br /><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/467187366/"><img height="375" alt="DSCN0223" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/190/467187366_07fb81b02d.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />Set off past the chickens on the farm at the bottom of the lane<br /><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/467190464/"><img height="375" alt="DSCN0225" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/184/467190464_78bf89e345.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />Mind the goose<br /><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/467207503/"><img height="375" alt="DSCN0229" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/169/467207503_8a6f55152c.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />Ensure you all wear dark glasses<br /><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/467198224/"><img height="375" alt="DSCN0231" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/200/467198224_8ba90aa700.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />Don't frighten the horses<br /><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/467212259/"><img height="375" alt="DSCN0232" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/214/467212259_e84d9c4134.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />Say 'Hello' to Shaun, the sheep!<br /><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/467200852/"><img height="375" alt="DSCN0233" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/209/467200852_7566b2079b.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />Bridge the gaps<br /><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/467205016/"><img height="375" alt="DSCN0235" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/209/467205016_91d65a5815.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />Admire the view over the rapeseed fields<br /><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/467215867/"><img height="375" alt="DSCN0234" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/185/467215867_a5aa645ef8.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />Blend in with the countryside<br /><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/467220729/"><img height="375" alt="DSCN0242" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/220/467220729_17b25ac70d.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />Stay away from the horns<br /><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/467209694/"><img height="375" alt="DSCN0243" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/226/467209694_0f01236588.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />Single-file back into Stewkley<br /><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/467211410/"><img height="375" alt="DSCN0244" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/195/467211410_ae04b3afc2.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />Stop at the second pub for another beer<br /><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/467212854/"><img height="375" alt="DSCN0245" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/185/467212854_63812cf66b.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />Tiptoe past the Methodist church<br /><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/467218306/"><img height="375" alt="DSCN0249" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/194/467218306_88e8120ef3.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />Along some old houses<br /><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/467228897/"><img height="375" alt="DSCN0248" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/230/467228897_d2c3fa07ed.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />and some newer ones trying to look old<br /><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/467220168/"><img height="375" alt="DSCN0250" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/196/467220168_52c2e7197b.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />A converted and twice extended barn<br /><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/467223786/"><img height="375" alt="DSCN0252" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/171/467223786_27220e9ad8.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />Admire 'St Michael & All Angels' church<br /><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/467225644/"><img height="375" alt="DSCN0254" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/181/467225644_2e58e2da9d.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />and a cottage of beauty!The very nice manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13628801735007193872noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25356122.post-61579719944159076132007-04-19T14:24:00.000+01:002007-04-19T18:55:28.056+01:00Hocus Pocus in FocusFor a few months now we have a brand-new Focus (D.I.Y.-Supermarket) in our town and as I needed some sort of chain to hold our patio doors open with I decided to pay a visit!<br />After all . . . how difficult can it be?!!! Right??<br />I soon located the section with different type of chains. You know the one where you measure how many metres you want, use the conveniently positioned cutter and take it to the cash desk.<br />Well, that's what I did!<br />Here then is the conversation as I approach the woman at the till:<br /><br /><span style="color:#000099;"><span style="color:#cc0000;">"Here you are - 3 metres of chain!"<br /></span>"Right . . tying someone up today, are we?? (Snort, snort)"<br /><span style="color:#cc0000;">"Yeah . . (smiling sweetly - face as if constipated)"</span><br />"I have no code for that! No wait!!! I can look it up in our picture catalogue!! (thumbs through pages with the speed of a stunned slug).<br />This looks a bit like it!" she says grabbing her scan gun and running it over the bar code next to the picture.<br /><span style="color:#000000;">'Blip' goes the till showing a price of £3.59</span><br /><span style="color:#cc0000;">"That's not right! This chain is only £2.99 per metre!"</span><br />(Looks again through the catalogue, thumbs past 'chains')"<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Naah</span>, them are ropes now! See?!! (points at a picture of a rope)"<br /><span style="color:#cc0000;">"Can't you just type in the price??"</span><br />"<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Naaahh</span>, I need a code, see?!!"<br /><span style="color:#cc0000;">"Well, don't look at me!! I don't have a code!"</span><br />(Picks up the microphone) "Jason to till 2 please - till 2 - Jason!!"<br /><span style="color:#000000;">A minute later a tall, skinny, spotty young dude with a bad haircut arrives.</span><br />"Ah, Jason, we need a code for that chain" (points to the chain on the desk)<br /><span style="color:#006600;">"That chain??!!" he replies, pointing at the same chain as if there was more than one anywhere within viewing distance.<br /></span>"Yeah, that chain! Can you go and get us a code?"<br /><span style="color:#000000;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Pimpleface</span> picks up the chain and walks off with it, eventually returning with chain in one hand and cell phone in the other.</span><br /><span style="color:#006600;">"I keyed the code into my phone!" he proudly announces. He presses a few buttons and then reads out: "<span style="font-family:arial;">5-2-3-4-4 6-3-6-1-1 7-7-4-9-8</span>" </span><br /><span style="color:#000000;">Every digit is repeated by the woman behind the till followed by a small 'blip' as she punches the key. </span></span><br /><br /><span style="color:#000099;"><span style="color:#000000;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL-Se6ZpUjxUc3M3pG0Rzfg-_23JfgwJBgUuy4JuM4hMthFLsFqsuDGgbZHvqi_3ZVIRS7k3wNxwOkhFwsj9eaxQ3GRbPs2hXSTDv6C2oKvTq4URuLq8cY8WiSUNIj9OyquMAR9Q/s1600-h/DSCN0221.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5055143973619411970" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL-Se6ZpUjxUc3M3pG0Rzfg-_23JfgwJBgUuy4JuM4hMthFLsFqsuDGgbZHvqi_3ZVIRS7k3wNxwOkhFwsj9eaxQ3GRbPs2hXSTDv6C2oKvTq4URuLq8cY8WiSUNIj9OyquMAR9Q/s320/DSCN0221.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></span></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;"><span style="color:#000000;">'<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Beeeeeeeeeeepp</span>!!' goes the till.</span><br />"<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Naaaahh</span>!! That code is not right!!" she announces, shaking her head in an 'I don't know what to do about this' manner.<br /><span style="color:#000000;">The by now sizable queue of customers waiting to pay at the only till currently open starts to grumble and mutter no doubt wondering which of those two utter nerds to kill first.<br />A third assistant arrives! To open another till?? <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Nooooooo</span>!!! To open the catalogue and scan various items until he finds something worth £2.99<br />He finally comes across it and says: </span><span style="color:#663366;">"'ere! Use that one!"</span><br />She scans it and says: "That's £6.58, please!"<br /><span style="color:#000000;">In my head I am thinking '£2.99 times 3 metres = £8.97!' and reply to her:<br /></span><span style="color:#cc0000;">"£6.58??? How can that even be possible????"</span><br />"<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Oooohhh</span>!! Silly me!!! I forgot to cancel the first incorrect price! Let me start again! (a customer at the back of the queue whines silently) <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Horrayyy</span>!! Now I got it right!! That's £2.99, please!!"</span><br />I have lost the will to argue, fear the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">wrath</span> of the menacing <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">crowds</span> and pay up, my Christian <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">conscience</span> only pricking me slightly for only having paid a third of the correct price.<br />Lord have mercy!!!The very nice manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13628801735007193872noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25356122.post-47649007216402283622007-04-16T09:55:00.001+01:002007-04-16T09:55:46.662+01:00Fun Monday #13 - Inside the Actor's Studio<a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/377486726/"><img height="40" alt="funmonday" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/138/377486726_9cd75f9603_o.jpg" width="100" /></a><br />Today's Fun Monday challenge comes from <a href="http://icecreammama.wordpress.com/"><strong><span style="color:#cc0000;">Bethany at Ice Cream Mama</span></strong></a><br />She writes:<br /><em><span style="color:#000099;">I love the television show </span></em><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inside_the_Actors_Studio" parent_link_icon="maybe" snap_preview_added="spa" text_trigger="true" icon_trigger="false" snap_icon_added="spa"><em><span style="color:#000099;"><strong>Inside the Actor’s Studio</strong></span></em></a><em><span style="color:#000099;">. As host, </span></em><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Lipton" parent_link_icon="maybe" snap_preview_added="spa" text_trigger="true" icon_trigger="false" snap_icon_added="spa" modo="false"><em><span style="color:#000099;"><strong>James Lipton </strong></span></em></a><em><span style="color:#000099;">interviews some of today’s most popular personalities (Tom Hanks, Dave Chappelle, Hugh Laurie, Queen Latifah, to name a few). The show has three parts. The first part consists of a one on one interview in front of a live audience (so much better than a dead one). The final part is a Q & A with audience members asking the questions.<br />The second part is my favorite and is also next week’s Fun Monday challenge.<br />James Lipton presents the audience with ten questions.<br />My challenge to you is to answer these questions.</span></em><br /><br /><strong>Well, here are my answers to those questions:<br /></strong><br />What is your favorite word?<br /><span style="color:#cc0000;">Food (I know . . how shallow . . but I just love food!</span><br /><br />What is your least favorite word?<br /><span style="color:#cc0000;">Hospital (I hate that place and anyone having to go there has my sympathy! </span><br /><br />What turns you on (creatively, spiritually or emotionally)?<br /><span style="color:#cc0000;">God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, passionate people, nature and music! </span><br /><br />What turns you off?<br /><span style="color:#cc0000;">Racism, mindless violence, selfishness, lack of common sense, lack of customer service and drugs! </span><br /><br />What is your favorite curse word?<br /><span style="color:#cc0000;">Smeghead</span><br /><br />What sound or noise do you love?<br /><span style="color:#cc0000;">Laughter, waves crashing onto the beach, music, steam locomotive noise</span><br /><br />What sound or noise do you hate?<br /><span style="color:#cc0000;">Kids screaming, moscitos buzzing in your ear, people arguing!</span><br /><br />What profession, other than your own, would you like to attempt?<br /><span style="color:#cc0000;">Holiday Guide</span><br /><br />What profession would you not like to attempt?<br /><span style="color:#cc0000;">Butcher</span><br /><br />If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?<br /><span style="color:#cc0000;">Because you accepted my son, Jesus Christ, I have accepted you! You are forgiven!</span>The very nice manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13628801735007193872noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25356122.post-15804413388029348212007-04-13T13:10:00.000+01:002007-04-13T14:23:59.782+01:00Dunwich? Where the Hell is that??We are back from our visit to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Beccles</span> in Suffolk and had a very nice and relaxing time indeed.<br />Hayseed Dixie was great fun to watch and listen to as usual but I think one of our gang took the preparation for the gig juuuuust a little too far.<br /><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/457564170/"><img height="375" alt="DSCN0176" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/217/457564170_d75cc6f925.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />Nice one, Andy!!<br /><br />The weather was kind as well, which always helps - especially when (as we did) you are undertaking a five mile round-trip through the beautiful Suffolk countryside.<br />We parked our car at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Dunwich</span> on the Suffolk coast, walked along the beach, past a bird sanctuary, along marsh land, into the obligatory pub, through the forest and over the heath back to the car.<br />Here are some pictures:<br /><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/457582285/"><img height="375" alt="DSCN0181" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/172/457582285_892ccc7188.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />The Gang on the beach<br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/457572538/"><img height="375" alt="DSCN0186" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/252/457572538_b9f3bbf0d7.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />Not a man-made thing in sight<br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/457585583/"><img height="375" alt="DSCN0184" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/232/457585583_28c5fdb8c1.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />Old ruin which doubled up as gun shelter in the war<br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/457589025/"><img height="375" alt="DSCN0191" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/250/457589025_156ee38243.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />Grasses taken from the ground to the sky<br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/457575672/"><img height="375" alt="DSCN0193" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/171/457575672_77eb3dde92.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />This pub used to be a smugglers meeting place. Keith and I each managed to smuggle 2 pints of beer out in our bellies.<br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/457577732/"><img height="375" alt="DSCN0195" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/198/457577732_413e84b713.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />Jan (left) showing Daniel where she is going to bury me in a shallow grave if I don't stop drinking beer at lunchtimes.<br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/457594691/"><img height="375" alt="DSCN0196" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/233/457594691_d0dde75ffe.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />Daniel (very small left) looking for places to bury Jan if she doesn't stop talking nonsense.<br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/457581351/"><img height="375" alt="DSCN0180" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/168/457581351_3f5854c5f1.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />Dunwich heath<br /><br />Back in the kitchen I noticed this sign, drawn by little Rachel.<br />Couldn't resist blogging it!<br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/457565412/"><img height="375" alt="DSCN0178" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/200/457565412_f610577eec.jpg" width="500" /></a><br /><br />So, friends, remember!!! Don't sneeze on the food!!<br />Have a good weekend!The very nice manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13628801735007193872noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25356122.post-59777690393279762582007-04-10T19:53:00.000+01:002007-04-10T20:11:25.794+01:00The long WeekendHello friends,<br />I trust you had a good Easter break and maybe even managed to give Jesus a "thank you" for all He has done for you and me on the cross.<br />We had a nice Sunday morning service here at the local church and then decided to take our dog Jamie and ourselves for a walk.<br /><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/452253233/"><img height="375" alt="DSCN0163" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/198/452253233_aff5301d62.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />Jamie is a Soft-Coated-Wheaten-Terrier<br /><br /><br />Tomorrow Jan and I are off to Suffolk (South-East) to visit Keith & Theresa and to take in the musical delights of <a href="http://the-electronic-firefly.blogspot.com/2006/04/only-card-i-need-is-ace-of-spades.html" target="'_blank"><span style="color:#cc0000;"><strong>Hayseed Dixie</strong></span></a> once more.<br />For this reason blogging will commence again the comming weekend.<br />Keep well and bless you all.The very nice manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13628801735007193872noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25356122.post-31035370033064631662007-04-09T11:08:00.000+01:002007-04-09T11:37:22.927+01:00Fun Monday #12 - Embarrassing Clothes<a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/377486726/"><img height="40" alt="funmonday" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/138/377486726_9cd75f9603_o.jpg" width="100" /></a><br /><span style="color:#000099;">The challenge this week was set by Amy (see "<a href="http://ashleyandaudrey.blogspot.com/" target="'_blank"><strong><span style="color:#990000;">A Family Story</span></strong></a>") to find something in your closet you are keeping for some ungodly reason (the sweatshirt with all the holes, the jeans your kids used as a drawing table with markers, the shirt with the stain you only hope no one notices) take a picture of it and tell us why you are keeping it and how it got that way.</span><br /><br />In my case this means showing you some of my T-shirts . . . and don't even ask me what made me think at the time that these were juuuust the thing to wear!<br /><br /><span style="color:#cc0000;">Cringe-Shirt #1</span><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/452157211/"><img height="375" alt="DSCN0173" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/202/452157211_3b504143bc.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />"Hakuna Matata"??? Yeah, I know it means "Don't worry" but wearing a T-shirt like this, you <strong>should</strong> worry!!<br /><span style="color:#cc0000;"></span><br /><span style="color:#cc0000;">Cringe-Shirt #2</span><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/452139882/"><img height="375" alt="DSCN0171" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/169/452139882_1a3129861f.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />Now, the Hamsters is the name of a really good Rock 'n Blues Band and they never fail to bring the house down. I still like wearing this when I go to their concerts but that is about the only time you get away with it!<br /><span style="color:#cc0000;"></span><br /><span style="color:#cc0000;">Cringe-Shirt #3</span><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/452138384/"><img height="375" alt="DSCN0174" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/199/452138384_3ae229b40b.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />Unbelievably I wore this T-shirt on my 50th birthday in Italy. So on top of being totally un-cool by being part of a holiday tour group I had to stand out wearing this! I just hope the Italians didn't speak much English!<br /><span style="color:#cc0000;"></span><br /><span style="color:#cc0000;">Cringe-Shirt #4</span><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/452156129/"><img height="375" alt="DSCN0172" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/205/452156129_56773ed23b.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />Another great Blues guitarist - Walter Trout from America. Sad thing is . . I still like this T-shirt! What's <strong>wrong </strong>with me??<br /><br />There are other embarrassing clothes but enough for today!!The very nice manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13628801735007193872noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25356122.post-13442099248109073992007-04-07T11:13:00.000+01:002007-04-07T11:39:17.741+01:00I'm walking on Sunshine!Easter weekend is here and for once the weather is utterly brilliant.<br />Yesterday our friends Garry and Christine joined Jan and me in a 6 mile walk through the beautiful countryside.<br />To be able to spend a few hours with good friends just strolling through God's own garden is truly amazing and makes you grateful to be alive.<br />Here are some pictures for you:<br /><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/448358825/"><img height="375" alt="DSCN0157" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/176/448358825_f08998dd7e.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />Walk along the canal . .<br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/448354182/"><img height="375" alt="DSCN0156" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/226/448354182_9e52942dba.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />Mind the swan . .<br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/448317120/"><img height="297" alt="DSCN0126" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/221/448317120_376588e9bb.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />Observe the heron . .<br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/448317041/"><img height="375" alt="DSCN0123" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/178/448317041_63d4acbc46.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />Mind your head . .<br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/448325670/"><img height="375" alt="DSCN0135" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/193/448325670_d2cc5210c0.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />Nice redwood trees . .<br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/448334413/"><img height="361" alt="DSCN0140" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/253/448334413_ec859bad51.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />Don't step on the frog . .<br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/448336065/"><img height="375" alt="DSCN0141" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/173/448336065_a22c532e07.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />(No comment)<br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/448337465/"><img height="375" alt="DSCN0142" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/224/448337465_c117abbe96.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />Curious cows . .<br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/448335928/"><img height="375" alt="DSCN0144" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/243/448335928_9cd9c39644.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />Singel file marching . .<br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/448338894/"><img height="375" alt="DSCN0146" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/253/448338894_86df5ff499.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />The locks . .<br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/448341982/"><img height="375" alt="DSCN0148" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/245/448341982_de2d3fbf41.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />Time for lunch and a beer . .<br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/448344488/"><img height="375" alt="DSCN0150" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/182/448344488_2ac6831cb3.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />(No need for that!!)<br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/448345976/"><img height="375" alt="DSCN0151" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/189/448345976_0ff81f3ee0.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />Canal boats . .<br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/448347336/"><img height="375" alt="DSCN0152" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/180/448347336_deea253a98.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />The girls are slowing down<br /><br />I do love springtime!The very nice manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13628801735007193872noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25356122.post-75089996021802985922007-04-03T12:09:00.000+01:002007-04-03T13:34:42.782+01:00Is it a Bird? Is it a plane??No, it is just <strong><span style="color:#cc0000;">The Electronic Firefly</span></strong> signing on to say that all is well.<br />When I left work a month ago I was under the impression that I would have plenty of time to blog every day but image my shock when exactly the opposite happened.<br />I really do not know how I had time to work!!<br />We have been visited by an Estonian family -Estonia is on the Baltic Sea opposite Finland and to the left of Russia - just in case you wondered.<br />They were nice people and they stayed in our house for a couple of nights. Since I was off work I took them to see a bit of the area around where we live.<br />We visited the Cotswold's, Blenheim Palace and Oxford amongst others.<br />Here are some pictures for you:<br /><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/430144273/"><img height="375" alt="DSCN0032" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/161/430144273_63927f2cde.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />The village green in the village of Evenley<br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/430148105/"><img height="375" alt="DSCN0037" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/145/430148105_223f575aeb.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />Narrow-boats at Clifton<br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/430149963/"><img height="375" alt="DSCN0040" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/172/430149963_4e58920531.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />Town square at Stow-on-the-Wold<br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/430155505/"><img height="375" alt="DSCN0050" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/163/430155505_71c6433753.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />Bourton-on-the-Water<br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/430163391/"><img height="375" alt="DSCN0062" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/172/430163391_b11319cac9.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />Old house in Oxford<br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/430171723/"><img height="375" alt="DSCN0076" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/179/430171723_bb6f0e723c.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />Blenheim Palace<br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/430178622/"><img height="375" alt="DSCN0087" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/130/430178622_b5598ce0d7.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />The Estonian visitors in Bicester<br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/430183340/"><img height="375" alt="DSCN0093" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/151/430183340_92d71ced2d.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />Now that is what I call a Whisky!! OMG!!<br /><br />Apart from the Estonian visiting us I have done lots of little D.I.Y. jobs around the house,<br />such as:<br /><br />Putting up mirrors<br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/444825330/"><img height="375" alt="DSCN0120" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/201/444825330_4ee8e2ab5b.jpg" width="500" /></a><br /><br />Putting up shelves<br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/444830235/"><img height="375" alt="DSCN0122" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/246/444830235_8d4499a3a6.jpg" width="500" /></a><br /><br />Painting the Summerhouse<br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/284936934/"><img height="375" alt="garden014" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/53/284936934_7bbbb7b614.jpg" width="500" /></a><br /><br />So there you have it! I <strong>am</strong> still alive and doing fine!<br />Thanks for all your comments and I will try and blog more often!<br />Blessings!<br />Me.The very nice manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13628801735007193872noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25356122.post-24841985946740035762007-03-20T08:21:00.000+00:002007-03-20T08:33:46.674+00:00Confusion in the HeavensIt's springtime - no wait - autumn - no, it's . . winter - oh, I give up!!<br /><br />Yes, the weather here in good old England has gone bonkers! After nice warm days with plenty of sunshine and daffodils sprouting forth everywhere we suddenly wake up to snow, hail, temperatures struggling to climb and strong winds (and that even without a night on the beers and a vindaloo!).<br />We don't think it's funny, as we have visitors coming today from Estonia and it would have been nice to show them the sights in a warmer climate.<br />Our neighbours are also not laughing, having received an extra entrance to their garden without asking for it, courtesy of a tree snapping off in the wind!<br /><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/427893361/"><img height="350" alt="DSCN0025" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/182/427893361_8f61b6c88d.jpg" width="500" /></a><br /><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/427893067/"><img height="323" alt="DSCN0030" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/155/427893067_67c320d5c2.jpg" width="500" /></a><br /><br />There are always people walking their dogs down there and we can only thank the Lord that nobody got hurt or killed!<br />Talking about the Lord . . . could we please have some warmer weather?!?!<br />Thanks!!The very nice manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13628801735007193872noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25356122.post-78222446610545622522007-03-16T11:20:00.000+00:002007-03-16T12:28:32.317+00:00The Boys are back in town!Yesterday was the Annual General Meeting of our little Share Club which we lovingly called "<strong>The Leesons</strong>" after <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nick_Leeson" target="'_blank"><strong><em><span style="color:#cc0000;">Nick Leeson</span></em></strong></a> who single handed brought down Barings Bank, England's oldest Investment Bank.<br /><br />The Annual General Meeting usually takes place in London and follows the familiar pattern of "<em>meeting in a pub for a drink - and another one - and another one - and . . well you get the picture . . . followed by a meal (usually Indian) and maybe some more drinks</em>".<br /><br />Alas, even though everybody had plenty of notice, most members of the Leeson’s gang showed themselves to be utter nappy-wearing slackers, making excuses and crying like girls as to why they couldn't possibly turn up.<br />For those who <strong>did</strong> show up, I think that we showed them up good and proper, having a good laugh, eat, drink and still do the club justice by actually coming up with the business stuff!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQPY6h6grkBUAqvJELAgRvDP4U1evzxl3djBGhnrwGiZEvbVqETqacWfF-WxIUiCn_eeywNBXbIwoJQW4F7Vse52WW9aDbkwNc-Ls4tdEK0gJpFWW-2hUHmed_mmcON2Dp6qxt9g/s1600-h/volunteer.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5042496701223147474" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQPY6h6grkBUAqvJELAgRvDP4U1evzxl3djBGhnrwGiZEvbVqETqacWfF-WxIUiCn_eeywNBXbIwoJQW4F7Vse52WW9aDbkwNc-Ls4tdEK0gJpFWW-2hUHmed_mmcON2Dp6qxt9g/s320/volunteer.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><p>I can't believe how full I was after all that liquid and food and at the end of the evening my belly and I clambered into a taxi to get the train from Euston.<br />The taxi driver, who strangely resembled the love-child of Al-Fayed, the Harrods Superstore owner and Mike Tyson, the boxer (if that could work!), managed to hurtle me along Marylebone Road and Euston road in his shiny Mercedes, taking the under-path near Euston with such high speed that I turned around to see how close the Paparazzi were so I could yell “I am not Lady Di!!” at them before we would crash into some pillar in a "deja moo (haven't I seen this bullsh*t before)" sequence of events.<br />When we finally came to stop at Euston Station the driver asked me for £12!!! "<em><span style="color:#cc0000;">Twelve Pounds??? Well, you'd better drive on then, since we are still some way off Milton-Keynes, which is where £12 should f*cking take me!!!</span></em>"<br />Three things however convinced me to pay him after all:<br /></p><ol><li>I was about 30 pounds over my ideal fighting weight</li><br /><li>He was morphing more into Mike Tyson rather than Al-Fayed</li><br /><li>He did get me to the station in such short time that if I would stop arguing now, I might just make the earlier train<br /></li></ol><p></p><p>I got myself a ticket from the automatic ticket machine with the slogan:<br />"<strong><span style="color:#000099;">In a hurry?? Try me!</span></strong>" written on it.<br />I <strong>was</strong> in a hurry and I <strong>was</strong> going to try it! After pressing various imaginary keys on the touch screen (my long I.T. education finally paying dividend) and swiping my credit card it did produce my ticket in no time!<br /></p><p>My Virgin Train (you know, like the one that crashed off the rains in the Lake District) was waiting, ready to depart and I no sooner had hopped on, that we were on the move.</p><p></p><p>The temperature inside the train was nicely adjusted to the (always feeling cold) female passengers at a constant 1 Million Degrees Celsius but all the guys were sweating like bomb disposal experts with hiccups!!<br />The air was soon heavy with the smell of what can only be described as "old Sumo wrestler's jog straps", which is not what you want when you feel utterly bloated anyway.<br /></p><p>But when I woke up this morning at 10 o'clock, had myself a toast and coffee and a short walk in the sunshine, all of yesterday's things are just good memories. </p><p></p>The very nice manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13628801735007193872noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25356122.post-62443611895105085682007-03-11T18:55:00.000+00:002007-03-11T19:38:14.285+00:00<a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/377486726/"><img height="40" alt="funmonday" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/138/377486726_9cd75f9603_o.jpg" width="100" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://beccy-peppermint-tea.blogspot.com/" target="'_blank"><strong><span style="color:#993399;">Beccy at Peppermint Tea</span></strong></a> has thrown down the gauntlet for this week's Fun Monday!<br />The challenge is to (and I quote):<br /><br />"<strong><em><span style="color:#009900;">post a recipe that would inspire her to get into the kitchen to chop, cut, grate, boil, steam, roast, chill, freeze and eat, eat, eat.</span></em></strong>"<br /><br />Well, Beccy, get ready to feast your eyes, lick your fingers and drool all over the place!<br />And just for you . . . all my recipes are dead easy and quick to make, yet tasty, tasty, tasty!!<br />Here goes:<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc0000;"><strong>Starter - Roasted Asparagus with Feta</strong></span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJw889ZtngCvFrl7IcohOU4wBlRHDSkPXFqHMI0fb-HYMM441XJTBWEw3hSHEXig1hMIl1iLY822nwZGEGIVihAOUOJlcDob7uURBDLXom2SH-ZMxpF6NVO5YSmAYhxIC-qgNm2w/s1600-h/starter.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5040749731865434018" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJw889ZtngCvFrl7IcohOU4wBlRHDSkPXFqHMI0fb-HYMM441XJTBWEw3hSHEXig1hMIl1iLY822nwZGEGIVihAOUOJlcDob7uURBDLXom2SH-ZMxpF6NVO5YSmAYhxIC-qgNm2w/s320/starter.bmp" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color:#000000;">(3-4 servings - 30 minutes incl. prep time)</span><br /><span style="color:#000000;"><br /></span><span style="color:#000099;">2 lbs fresh crisp asparagus<br />1/4 cup olive oil<br />4 cloves garlic, minced<br />1 teaspoon lemons, zest of<br />1/2 teaspoon dried oregano<br />1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes<br />salt (to taste)<br />fresh ground black pepper (to taste)<br />1-2 tablespoon chopped fresh Italian parsley<br />3-4 ounces crumbled feta cheese<br />1 lemon (juice of, no seeds) </span><span style="color:#000000;"><br /></span><br />Preheat oven to 400F.<br />Heat olive oil, minced garlic, lemon zest, oregano, and red pepper flakes in a small pan over low heat until garlic becomes golden and oil becomes fragrant; remove from heat and allow to cool.<br />Cut off a quarter of the thick end of the asparagus and discard ends.<br />Toss asparagus pieces with infused olive oil and place in a single layer on a baking sheet (one with a side edge).<br />Season asparagus with salt and pepper.<br />Sprinkle asparagus with crumbled feta cheese.<br />Roast at 400F for 15 minutes or until cooked to your liking.<br />Sprinkle with chopped parsley and squeeze the lemons over the asparagus, being careful to catch the seeds.<br />Serve hot.<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc0000;">Main Course - Sour Cream Chicken Casserole</span></strong><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaTdei_IfxbXP3W_Ra5H2otZxfEfVw8Bw09OMtEcP-peyH1hr6B3Lu8AGKQCjqPR1-S2BVlu-vO0yytZj5MZM-uizGXWbGl9dWjhrooUyfHZwO1FuMMAwlFhyzt41lqPqckz7Ybg/s1600-h/main.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5040749946613798834" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaTdei_IfxbXP3W_Ra5H2otZxfEfVw8Bw09OMtEcP-peyH1hr6B3Lu8AGKQCjqPR1-S2BVlu-vO0yytZj5MZM-uizGXWbGl9dWjhrooUyfHZwO1FuMMAwlFhyzt41lqPqckz7Ybg/s320/main.bmp" border="0" /></a><br />(4 servings - 50 min incl. prep time)<br /><br /><span style="color:#000099;">4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, boiled and cubed (<em><span style="color:#cc0000;">I cheat and buy 'already cooked' chicken</span></em>)<br />1 cup sour cream<br />1 (10 3/4 ounce) can cream of chicken soup (mushroom can be substituted)<br />25 Ritz or TUC crackers<br />1/2 cup butter, melted<br />salt and pepper</span><br /><br />Preheat oven to 350 degrees.<br />Boil chicken breast until tender; drain and cube. (<em><span style="color:#cc0000;">unless you bought 'already cooked' chicken</span></em>)<br />Spread evenly over the bottom of a square casserole dish.<br />Salt and pepper to taste.<br />Mix sour cream and chicken soup in a separate bowl.<br />Spread the sour cream and soup mixture over the chicken in the casserole dish.<br />Crush the Ritz or TUC crackers and spread over top of the casserole.<br />Spoon melted butter on top over all.<br />Bake in a 350 degree oven until top is golden brown, approximately 20-30 minutes.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc0000;"><strong>Baileys Yoghurt-Cream Dessert</strong></span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhAYZJ_fHVBLpzAivMMRgVWWH4huaqOEY2P2UxDo9qGecJhIdK2qitSpCzdRgXmkJp7DY6GxekinX7310FooYZK98Ir23cDyiIEL8mcu24UVuo7XzujrKNKwXbbl9XfI8UQSwWmw/s1600-h/dessert.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5040750242966542274" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhAYZJ_fHVBLpzAivMMRgVWWH4huaqOEY2P2UxDo9qGecJhIdK2qitSpCzdRgXmkJp7DY6GxekinX7310FooYZK98Ir23cDyiIEL8mcu24UVuo7XzujrKNKwXbbl9XfI8UQSwWmw/s320/dessert.bmp" border="0" /></a><br />(4 servings - 10 min prep time)<br /><br /><span style="color:#000099;">3/4 cup Greek yogurt<br />3/4 cup double cream (heavy cream)<br />3/8 cup Bailey's Irish Cream<br />1/2 ounce icing sugar<br />4 meringue nests<br />1/2 ounce grated chocolate (or a Flake chocolate bar, crumbled)<br />1/2 ounce cocoa powder (optional)</span><br /><br />Whip the cream until very stiff.<br />Stir the Baileys into the yoghurt with the icing sugar (powdered sugar or confectioners' sugar), then fold in the whipped cream. Refrigerate until it's time to serve.<br />When ready to serve, put one meringue mest into each dessert dish, spoon in as much of the Baileys yoghurt-cream as seems prudent, sprinkle with chocolate, then dust with cocoa powder (using a sieve for neat, even coverage).<br />You will probably have more of the filling than you need, depending on the size of your meringue nests - but better too much than too little!<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc0000;"><em>So, folks, what do you think of these??</em></span></strong>The very nice manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13628801735007193872noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25356122.post-36516911193864038192007-03-10T19:16:00.000+00:002007-03-10T19:19:24.869+00:00Wroom, wroom!!Today we went with son no.2 to pick up his new car.<br />Just couldn't resist to snap a picture and blog it!<br /><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/416653627/"><img height="375" alt="DSCN0006" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/168/416653627_f5414f2811.jpg" width="500" /></a>The very nice manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13628801735007193872noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25356122.post-71617826635654532402007-03-08T08:36:00.000+00:002007-03-08T09:28:13.835+00:00The first Week away from the Pet Shop!Yes, it has been exactly 1 week since the pet shop told me that there weren't going to be any further deliveries of hay and that I needed to go elsewhere to graze!<br />So they captured the pet wasp from the shop window, handed it to me as a leaving present and like the proverbial dragon - pooff! - I was gone!<br />Luckily some kind and considerate person (<em>me</em>) spread the news that I am very fond of the Scottish National Brew and those pet shop boys 'n girls I call my friends came up trumps by slipping me the odd bottle!<br /><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/414446279/"><img style="WIDTH: 444px; HEIGHT: 324px" height="375" alt="DSCN0004" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/131/414446279_a6dba6d80f.jpg" width="500" /></a><br /><br />So . . do I miss the pet shop? Am I yearning to see the dogs, talk to the goats, run after the ferrets, listen to the parrots, sweep up the crap from the cats??<br />Strangely the answer is "<em><span style="color:#990000;"><strong>No!</strong></span></em>"<br />Oh, I know . . gone are the advantages of working at the pet shop, such as the overwhelming feeling of superiority, the appreciation by the animals for the care you provide and the great sense of achievement you get as they lick your hand and waggle their little tails in gratitude for feeding <span style="font-size:78%;">(their egos)</span> them!<br />(<em>Sarcastic mode OFF</em>)<br /><br />Since leaving the pet shop I have had various enquiries from job agencies and even went to a little interview with one of them who think they have just the job for me!<br />It all sounds good but "<strong><em><span style="color:#990000;">Hold your horses!!</span></em></strong>" I don't even know whether that is the type of job I really want to do. I am still in the middle of sorting all my private stuff out, doing all those odd jobs around the house and enjoying the clean fresh air, which anyone who ever worked at a pet shop will appreciate!<br /><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/414438276/"><img style="WIDTH: 442px; HEIGHT: 327px" height="375" alt="DSCN0001" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/172/414438276_d71d6702b7.jpg" width="500" /></a><br /><br />As Jamie and I were doing our morning walk in beautiful sunshine we both seemed to sense that life is good and springtime is coming! Time to open your cage and breathe deep!<br /><br />To all my friends at the pet shop I just need to say:<br />"<em><span style="color:#990000;">I miss you and watch out for the harmless looking scorpion in the corner cage. It stings without warning!</span></em>"<br />Time for breakfast and a <strong>decent</strong> cup of coffee!The very nice manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13628801735007193872noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25356122.post-86768140118764259582007-03-02T18:05:00.000+00:002007-03-02T18:12:16.154+00:00Behold!!! The Cake!!As promised, here is a picture of the cake!<br />Not as you all suspected a chocolate cake but a yummy lemon & cranberry cheesecake - far less calories!!<br />Alas, it is confession time!!<br />My daughter made this cake all by herself so I just cannot claim any credit!<br />It is very nice though and I think it is calling me over right now!!<br />"<em>VNM . . come and eat me</em>"<br />I must follow the call!!<br />See you soon!<br /><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/407964729/"><img height="375" alt="DSCN2523" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/159/407964729_f4e708b746.jpg" width="500" /></a>The very nice manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13628801735007193872noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25356122.post-28310773578131058902007-03-01T11:00:00.000+00:002007-03-01T11:59:30.106+00:00Are you working hard???Today is the first day of my redundancy and like you I am at home working hard.<br /><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/406676902/"><img height="375" alt="DSCN2518" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/175/406676902_ae26b09036.jpg" width="500" /></a><br /><br />It was hard saying goodbye to some of the lovely people in the office, some of whom I have known for 20 years but when you have to go - you have to go!<br />Knowing my liking for Single Malt Whisky I was presented with some very fine specimen of the amber liquid and have already started on one of the bottles last night! It's all my wife's fault! She wanted one, too (Whisky that is!!).<br />I'm off to the kitchen now to bake some sort of cake (pictures might follow!)<br />So, cheerio for now!The very nice manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13628801735007193872noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25356122.post-40561252098046510782007-02-27T08:39:00.000+00:002007-02-27T09:14:50.149+00:00Is this the Way to Amarillo??<div><div>After a very, very nice man stole my Sat <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Nav</span> system last December by <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">smashing</span> my side window and showering the inside of my car with glass, I decided that I would make do with the good old trusted maps from now on.<br />Alas, <strong><em>she who must be obeyed</em></strong> (my wife) had other ideas and insisted that a new Sat <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Nav</span> would help daughter No.2 (who is new to driving) find her way around these blessed Isles!<br />So here in all its beauty is the new device.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgvA1stKQdj4tFZmGy-LvLLb52xjzZGOv0X8duXT3a6u1VvpQB21siS1ZlPiF3pFtaB2Mu-71q8crd5_DemmvVujmQOXk3Wc6GZEO7omKz_HiW7sAidL9Zd3Ztp4w76VXITtgfCQ/s1600-h/Picture1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5036139618492859202" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgvA1stKQdj4tFZmGy-LvLLb52xjzZGOv0X8duXT3a6u1VvpQB21siS1ZlPiF3pFtaB2Mu-71q8crd5_DemmvVujmQOXk3Wc6GZEO7omKz_HiW7sAidL9Zd3Ztp4w76VXITtgfCQ/s320/Picture1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />In other news:<br /><em><span style="color:#3333ff;">An 84 year-old woman has been killed and eight other people seriously hurt in a train crash in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Cumbria</span>, northern England. The investigation is concentrating on a set of points the 1715 GMT London to Glasgow train passed over just before derailing.</span></em><br /><br />The boss of Network Rail has apologised unreservedly after it became apparent that nuts & bolts were missing and shoddy workmanship was to blame for this incident!<br /><br />Well, that makes it all fair and square then!!<br />The fact that the same thing has happened before in London at Potters Bar in 2002 with the loss of 7 lives is neither here nor there I guess.<br />After that accident in 2002 an investigation made recommendations so that <em>'this sort of thing would never happen again!</em>'<br />Yeah, right!! That worked!!<br /><br /><em><span style="color:#3333ff;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Perdita</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Kark</span>, whose father Austen died at Potters Bar, told the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">BBC's</span> World Tonight programme that "it would appear a very, very similar thing has happened in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Cumbria</span>".<br />"Obviously no lesson has been learnt by anybody at all," she added.<br />"It's just a disgrace and it makes me feel sick."<br />The (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">RAIB</span>) report also found evidence that the last scheduled visual inspection of the track on February 18 by the company responsible for the track, Network Rail (NR), did not take place.<br />Rail safety expert Peter Rayner said the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Cumbria</span> derailment looked like a re-run of the 2002 crash. </span></em><br /></div><br /><div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUOQxam8_COZdS7P5PHKWAfDpjMPflADAytchvNDfoeSDBTjHSVZ-rE5xHRfO7m4IESuIF17Qr8_qTcjj-ZdyzMOUR0qXjl8quFXDOY7uEAUJaarCVha_U0foh3PTVqFoVNsdtrQ/s1600-h/ncrash25.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5036139760226779986" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUOQxam8_COZdS7P5PHKWAfDpjMPflADAytchvNDfoeSDBTjHSVZ-rE5xHRfO7m4IESuIF17Qr8_qTcjj-ZdyzMOUR0qXjl8quFXDOY7uEAUJaarCVha_U0foh3PTVqFoVNsdtrQ/s320/ncrash25.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><br /><span style="color:#000000;">So, next time you think of using a metal tube to propel yourself to your destination at 95 mph, you better make sure it isn't in this country!</span><br />So, . . .what's next??<br />Oh, I know!!!<br />Pay rises all round!!</div></div>The very nice manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13628801735007193872noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25356122.post-76559064610868565772007-02-26T09:28:00.000+00:002007-02-26T09:38:21.112+00:00Fun Monday #6<a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/377486726/"><img height="40" alt="funmonday" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/138/377486726_9cd75f9603_o.jpg" width="100" /></a><br /><br />This Monday it is "My Blogging Environment", this can mean any number of things, such as which group of bloggers you hang out with, what weekly events you participate in (like this), what the general tone of the discussions are (no comment), even what platform you use, or in my case, "what does your desk look like?"<br />Well, here is mine:<br /><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59752254@N00/368799758/"><img height="375" alt="DSCN2464" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/136/368799758_cb9c75e735.jpg" width="500" /></a><br /><br />Yes, I know . . it looks veeeery tidy!! This is not always the case!The very nice manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13628801735007193872noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25356122.post-14416768561668994862007-02-23T09:27:00.000+00:002007-02-23T13:39:30.094+00:00Time for a SurveyThe Fly is conducting a survey just for sh*ts & giggles:<br />So <strong>do</strong> partake via comments!<br />Thanks<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc0000;">Survey:</span></strong><br /><ol><li>Do you have (or are you prepared to have) SKYPE installed (it's free!)</li><li>Do you have a Webcam at home?</li><li>Would you be prepared to share your SKYPE name with blog friends and speak to them on Skype? (This could be emailed to them so the SKYPE name would not be seen publically on your blog)</li><li>Would you talk to them via Webcam?</li><li>If you wouldn't do point 3 and/or point 4 above, what are your reservations or reasons?<br /></li></ol><p>I start the ball rolling by saying that I do have SKYPE <strong>and</strong> a Webcam and would be happy to do either/both.</p><p>Over to you!</p><p></p><p>P.S.:</p><p>I am selling a <span style="font-size:78%;">real naff</span> wonderful item on Ebay, so scoot over there via this link below and get your hands on a great item (all for charity!!)</p><p><a href="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Cardigan-Jacket-Make-Jockey-Size-Large_W0QQitemZ260090188107QQihZ016QQcategoryZ313QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem"><strong><span style="color:#cc0000;">Click here!!!</span></strong></a></p>The very nice manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13628801735007193872noreply@blogger.com18