Catching up!
1 year ago
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Another week flies by
Fattygayed.
Just returned from a week in London. Popped over there to do a bit of work stuff and renew my passport. Would have stayed for less than a week (dogs are the problem) but there are fewer flights at this time of year. And, for some strange reason, our winter flights take off ridiculously early. Going there, 10am; coming back, 7am. This meant I had to drop the dogs off at the kennel a day early in order to be at the airport by 8am (9.30 would have been okay but I like to get there early). Which meant I had to get up at 5am. As it turned out, I got up at 4, left the house at 5.30 (I thought it might be foggy as well as dark) and arrived at the airport at 7.20. I then killed a couple of hours by sitting in the car playing I-Spy, watching the sunrise, noshing a couple of sarnies I'd knocked-up the previous night, swigging coffee from my battered Thermos and attempting to get some kip (failed miserably). Amazing how slowly time drags by in that sort of situation.
Anyways..., arrived Stansted at mid-day (French time) or 11am (UK time), hopped on a coach and arrived at Victoria around 1.30. As Georgie was working (Covent Garden), I thought it'd be a wizard wheeze to meet her after work. This meant I had to kill four hours. Having just finished reading 'Tinker, Tailor' on the plane, I decided to see the film. Tracked it down in Leicester Square, watched it, met Georgie after work and together we ambled off to Putney.
The following day I had to report at the passport office at 10.45am (Ecclestone Square, Victoria). Arrived there early (as usual), killed some time at the caff opposite, reported bang on time, presented documents and photos expecting to be issued with a new passport there and then. Wrong. Had to come back at 3pm to collect. More time to kill. Had arranged to see Georgie for lunch at 1.45 (after her dental appt.) outside the National Portrait Gallery. Arrived there at 1.40. She still hadn't arrived by 2.15. Then remembered I had a mobile phone in my rucksack. Rang her up. Asked where she was and if she had a problem. "No," she said, "all's fine. I'll be there at 1.45." This confused me 'til I suddenly realised I was still on French time. Doh! Half an hour later we went up to the best bar in London (top floor of NPG) and were told we could only enter at lunchtime if we were eating. Well bugger that, so we had a lunchtime drink in the National Gallery restaurant instead. Then Georgie went back to work, I killed an afternoon by picking up my passport and wandering around Covent Garden being a Christmassy tourist, taking a few snaps and downing a couple of halves. Rendezvoused with Georgie after work, ambled across Waterloo Bridge, strolled around the Christmassy riverside hutshops and a bookshop under the Festival Hall (Foyles?), took a few more snaps and eventually headed for home (well, Putney) via Waterloo.
The following day (Friday) was workday at Quadrangle by Tower Bridge (see Quadrangle.com). Saw the big tower thing being built by London Bridge station - couldn't see the top though as it was hidden in mist. Didn't get it all done so went in again on Monday after a very lazy week-end doing nothing (well, did a bit of shopping in Putney with Georgie on Saturday - always rather jolly).
Then, Monday soirée, saw Bob Dylan and Mark Knopfler at Hammersmith Odeon (now called the Apollo?) as the guest of the Quadrangle boss (an old mate from way back). Despite my mate reckoning Knopfler was uninspiring (just 'going through the motions' and 'painting by numbers'), I thought he was pretty good, in a laid back sorta way.
But the main event was Dylan. And on his last night of the European tour. Just to be there was a thrill. Hadn't seen him since his famous gig at Earls Court many moons ago. He's older now, of course, and his voice has changed. Some say he sounded bad to start with and he's even worse now. Some say his voice has gone completely. Some say he never had one to start with. But, as Dylan said recently "I now have the voice I always wanted." It's somewhere between gravel and a drain. Like an old blues singer. Rough. Suits me fine. And his band - brilliant! Trouble was, I didn't recognise half the songs 'til about halfway through. Thought they must have been new. But then realised they weren't. Just new interpretations of old faves. But the main thing was, he looked like he was enjoying himself. Ended as usual with 'Forever Young'. A great night.
Tuesday, killed time shopping. Early night. Cab Wednesday 3.30am, flight 7.10, delayed due to technical malfunction, swapped planes, took off late (8.15ish?), arrived Limoges 11ish (10 UK time), picked up dogs, drove home via supermarché, walked dogs up the Lightning Tree (they loved being back in the old routine), lit kitchen stove, knocked up egg and chips, watched Chelsea v some German team, fell asleep on the sofa before the match ended, woken by phone call from Georgie, yes got back okay thanks, went to bed.
Just returned from a week in London. Popped over there to do a bit of work stuff and renew my passport. Would have stayed for less than a week (dogs are the problem) but there are fewer flights at this time of year. And, for some strange reason, our winter flights take off ridiculously early. Going there, 10am; coming back, 7am. This meant I had to drop the dogs off at the kennel a day early in order to be at the airport by 8am (9.30 would have been okay but I like to get there early). Which meant I had to get up at 5am. As it turned out, I got up at 4, left the house at 5.30 (I thought it might be foggy as well as dark) and arrived at the airport at 7.20. I then killed a couple of hours by sitting in the car playing I-Spy, watching the sunrise, noshing a couple of sarnies I'd knocked-up the previous night, swigging coffee from my battered Thermos and attempting to get some kip (failed miserably). Amazing how slowly time drags by in that sort of situation.
Anyways..., arrived Stansted at mid-day (French time) or 11am (UK time), hopped on a coach and arrived at Victoria around 1.30. As Georgie was working (Covent Garden), I thought it'd be a wizard wheeze to meet her after work. This meant I had to kill four hours. Having just finished reading 'Tinker, Tailor' on the plane, I decided to see the film. Tracked it down in Leicester Square, watched it, met Georgie after work and together we ambled off to Putney.
The following day I had to report at the passport office at 10.45am (Ecclestone Square, Victoria). Arrived there early (as usual), killed some time at the caff opposite, reported bang on time, presented documents and photos expecting to be issued with a new passport there and then. Wrong. Had to come back at 3pm to collect. More time to kill. Had arranged to see Georgie for lunch at 1.45 (after her dental appt.) outside the National Portrait Gallery. Arrived there at 1.40. She still hadn't arrived by 2.15. Then remembered I had a mobile phone in my rucksack. Rang her up. Asked where she was and if she had a problem. "No," she said, "all's fine. I'll be there at 1.45." This confused me 'til I suddenly realised I was still on French time. Doh! Half an hour later we went up to the best bar in London (top floor of NPG) and were told we could only enter at lunchtime if we were eating. Well bugger that, so we had a lunchtime drink in the National Gallery restaurant instead. Then Georgie went back to work, I killed an afternoon by picking up my passport and wandering around Covent Garden being a Christmassy tourist, taking a few snaps and downing a couple of halves. Rendezvoused with Georgie after work, ambled across Waterloo Bridge, strolled around the Christmassy riverside hutshops and a bookshop under the Festival Hall (Foyles?), took a few more snaps and eventually headed for home (well, Putney) via Waterloo.
The following day (Friday) was workday at Quadrangle by Tower Bridge (see Quadrangle.com). Saw the big tower thing being built by London Bridge station - couldn't see the top though as it was hidden in mist. Didn't get it all done so went in again on Monday after a very lazy week-end doing nothing (well, did a bit of shopping in Putney with Georgie on Saturday - always rather jolly).
Then, Monday soirée, saw Bob Dylan and Mark Knopfler at Hammersmith Odeon (now called the Apollo?) as the guest of the Quadrangle boss (an old mate from way back). Despite my mate reckoning Knopfler was uninspiring (just 'going through the motions' and 'painting by numbers'), I thought he was pretty good, in a laid back sorta way.
But the main event was Dylan. And on his last night of the European tour. Just to be there was a thrill. Hadn't seen him since his famous gig at Earls Court many moons ago. He's older now, of course, and his voice has changed. Some say he sounded bad to start with and he's even worse now. Some say his voice has gone completely. Some say he never had one to start with. But, as Dylan said recently "I now have the voice I always wanted." It's somewhere between gravel and a drain. Like an old blues singer. Rough. Suits me fine. And his band - brilliant! Trouble was, I didn't recognise half the songs 'til about halfway through. Thought they must have been new. But then realised they weren't. Just new interpretations of old faves. But the main thing was, he looked like he was enjoying himself. Ended as usual with 'Forever Young'. A great night.
Tuesday, killed time shopping. Early night. Cab Wednesday 3.30am, flight 7.10, delayed due to technical malfunction, swapped planes, took off late (8.15ish?), arrived Limoges 11ish (10 UK time), picked up dogs, drove home via supermarché, walked dogs up the Lightning Tree (they loved being back in the old routine), lit kitchen stove, knocked up egg and chips, watched Chelsea v some German team, fell asleep on the sofa before the match ended, woken by phone call from Georgie, yes got back okay thanks, went to bed.
Monday, November 14, 2011
Soleil
Rather splendid sunrise ce matin. Reminded moi of that saying 'red sky at night, shepherds' delight; red sky in the morning, barn on fire.' Actually, this could be a warning that the weather's about to change. Which is a shame because it's been absolutely brilliant lately. 21 degrees a couple of days ago (11.11.11). Quite amazing for mid November. Flung the windows open and aired the duvet. Been quite warm at night too. Very clear with a full moon. Marvellous stuff. Clouded over a bit now though. Maybe winter's about to arrive. Mind you, I've been saying that for weeks.
Jardin
When Georgie was over here a couple of weeks ago, we bought a whole load of plants and shrubs from three local jardineries (is that what they're called?). She then spent most of the week weeding the flower bed down the side wall and planting the new stuff. As she didn't get around to taking any photos as a reminder of where the new additions were planted, I've been asked to do so. Trouble is, I don't know which plants are new and which aren't. So I've snapped the lot. And here they are...
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Never enough time
Haven't blogged for a whole month. Don't know why. Been distracted by other things I suppose. Like building a website (not that I'm computer literate). And Georgie coming over for one of her ten day visits (she went back a couple of days ago). And sorting out all this pension nonsense (with Georgie's help of course - couldn't have done it on my own). And doing a tax return (nightmare for anyone as disorganised as moi). And getting a plumber to sort out the leaking hot water tank (easier said than done - they all seemed to be too busy). And getting Jock to the vet to clear up his gammy ear (seemed to be blocked with matted fur - vet said it was puss and gave me some tablets and stuff to squirt down his lug'ole - again, easier said than done; Westies can be hugely stubborn, uncooperative and downright aggressive sometimes, even to their owner - luckily Georgie was here for the ten day 'squirting' period). Then there are the numerous everyday chores like getting the wood in, lighting fires, cooking, washing up, clothes washing, shopping and dogwalking. All takes time. And even though I'm sort of retired, time is something I rarely seem to have.
Anyways..., have just returned from the vet. Had to take Jock there to check that his (attempted) medication had worked. Although there's been an improvement, the vet gave me some more pills and said I had to continue the 'squirting' for another week, only this time to make sure the stuff's squirted deep into his ear (again, easier said than done - shall have to bribe the brute with bigger sausages). Bit of a problem there as I have to go to Londres next Wednesday for a week. Hopefully his ear will be okay by then.
Am going to Londres to do a day's 'creative consulting' with one of my long-standing clients. I presume this will involve a headbanging session with a few directors in order to plan next year's promotional strategy etc. Should be fun. Then, on the Monday soir, he's very kindly taking me to see Bob Dylan and Mark Knopfler at Hammersmith Odeon(?). Should be more fun. Really looking forward to it.
Er..., what else has happened? Not a lot, but to state the glaringly obvious, the days are getting shorter and the mornings and nights are becoming chillier. Not yet cold though. Been remarkably warm for the time of year. Wind still gently blowing from the south. Am expecting it to change soon though. Had snow last November. Could be the same again this year.
Right, better stop this rabbiting and get back to doing my website. It's not quite finished yet, there are still a few more things to add. Don't know why I'm doing it really. Maybe because I've always fancied having one and if I don't do it now, I probably never will.
In the unlikely event of anyone being interested, it's at http://imagineer.yolasite.com
Anyways..., have just returned from the vet. Had to take Jock there to check that his (attempted) medication had worked. Although there's been an improvement, the vet gave me some more pills and said I had to continue the 'squirting' for another week, only this time to make sure the stuff's squirted deep into his ear (again, easier said than done - shall have to bribe the brute with bigger sausages). Bit of a problem there as I have to go to Londres next Wednesday for a week. Hopefully his ear will be okay by then.
Am going to Londres to do a day's 'creative consulting' with one of my long-standing clients. I presume this will involve a headbanging session with a few directors in order to plan next year's promotional strategy etc. Should be fun. Then, on the Monday soir, he's very kindly taking me to see Bob Dylan and Mark Knopfler at Hammersmith Odeon(?). Should be more fun. Really looking forward to it.
Er..., what else has happened? Not a lot, but to state the glaringly obvious, the days are getting shorter and the mornings and nights are becoming chillier. Not yet cold though. Been remarkably warm for the time of year. Wind still gently blowing from the south. Am expecting it to change soon though. Had snow last November. Could be the same again this year.
Right, better stop this rabbiting and get back to doing my website. It's not quite finished yet, there are still a few more things to add. Don't know why I'm doing it really. Maybe because I've always fancied having one and if I don't do it now, I probably never will.
In the unlikely event of anyone being interested, it's at http://imagineer.yolasite.com
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