Mystery of the disappearing wheelie-bin

The bin was put out on Friday morning, but by lunch-time it was nowhere to be seen. I walked up and down the road inspecting the neighbours' bins to see who had taken it, to no avail. I phoned the council recycling office and reported it missing. This morning a brand new bin appeared in the drive! That's what you call service.

NB Broxtowe Council is controlled by the Lib-Dems!

Photo assignments

I thought I would add a couple of pictures from my photography course assignments. They are taken around central Glasgow. I also include one or two from Moray place at night.

This might be more to your liking, David

This might be an even more appropriate a target to aim for: the Killer Mile at Mow Cop, past Auntie Evelyn's old house on Drumber Lane. The incline is 1 in 3!

Tough Guy Challenge - where were you David?

I don't see your face among the competitors David. And this was just down the street from you too! I'll put your name down for next year's challenge.

The BBC writes. "More than 5,000 competitors from around the world took part in the Tough Guy Challenge over an extreme obstacle course on Sunday in Perton, South Staffordshire. Upon entering the race, competitors are required to sign a disclaimer form that organisers jokingly call the Death Warrant, complete with skull and cross bones.

Event organiser Billy Wilson said he was not surprised that thousands of people continued to pay for the privilege of enduring Tough Guy's blend of mud, freezing lakes, barbed wire and fire."

The course consists of 21 obstacles including fire, mud, barbed wire and flooded tunnels.

Happy birthday, Jonathan

On top of the world in northern Pakistan, 1991.

Happy Birthday Jonathan

Hope that you have a great day with friends.

I bet you are not skiing on Loch Ness today!

Thinking of you.

Love from all at Tyn-y-Waen

Murals

It is the ceiling mural of a smokers lounge. Nice subtle message eh!

















This bathroom is on the tenth floor of a hi-rise building.... Imagine you are at a party... and you have to visit the bathroom... You open the door... Would you risk it or hold it in.

Banning Muslim Women from Appearing in Public in Veils

The BBC reported today that. "A French parliamentary committee has recommended a partial ban on women wearing Islamic face veils. The committee's near 200-page report has proposed a ban in hospitals, schools, government offices and on public transport. It also recommends that anyone showing visible signs of "radical religious practice" should be refused residence cards and citizenship."

Presumably this "visible signs of "radical religious practice" would equally apply to Orthodox Jewish men who wear their hair long, Mormon women with head scarves, and possibly any cleric in religious robes as arguably any religious view is radical (what's the point if it isn't?!)

The net effect of this likely ban is to keep Muslim women off public transport, out of hospital and excluded from all forms of government either as an employee or a petitionner (eg they can't collect any form of social security from government offices).

I'd be interested in others' views.

A first shot in the general election campaign

This version of David Cameron's air-brushed poster has been produced by Unison East Midlands and was published on www.mydavidcameron.com.


The Tory County Council cuts include removing the compensation to traders in Chilwell Road, Beeston, for the disruption caused by the tram-building scheme, and the closure of Bramwell Nursing Home in Chilwell caring for patients with dementia.

Alive but Not Kicking

Mum and I went to see Dad last night and Helen has picked him up from hospital this morning.

I hope that you have a pain free and rapid recovery.

What greater birthday gift than this!

Janet celebrates her birthday at a tea-party with all her six grandchildren: Louisa (11), Thomas (2), Megan (2), John (4), Rhys (2 months) and Daniel (16).
[Sorry they aren't all in uniform!]

My Journey to Work Today

Harsh weather; beautiful scenery.

How much snow did you have?

This morning there was still a good 8 inches of snow on the top of the water butt. It is starting to thaw but may take a while to disappear completely

Portrait of the artists as young men

We went to the Hockney Exhibition at the Nottingham Contemporary Gallery today, so thought we'd better start these two off young.

Christmas and Hogmanay in Strathbungo

Chris and I had a great Christmas and Hogmanay in Glasgow

Snowed in again....let's do some baking!

More snow overnight meant another day at home for us - so we decided to cheer ourselves up by making some chocolate chip cookies. Megan stirred, added the chocolate (well, most of it) and licked the bowl. Then she quality controlled the finished product. Not sure how many will be left by the time Daddy comes home from work.....

John Colin at work and play

John (4) sometimes does his homework seriously, and sometimes plays with his friend Ocea.

Memory of Georgie with John

Frozen Britain

This is what the rest of the UK looks like at the moment. Doesn't look like anywhere has escaped the snow and ice. Glasgow and Renfrewshire was under freezing fog this morning as I drove in. And from the fifth floor of the office I could see over to Glasgow and the haze of smoke hanging over the city from a hundred thousand log and coal fires burning this past week. The hills behind however are magnificent - snow capped mountains as far as the eye can see. Reminded me of the Hindu Kush and Parmirs.

Tommy looking angelic!

Jonny having fun also!

What are you looking at?

Tommy having fun on the ice with Chris in Glasgow at Christmas

This is fun!

My lunchtime run today in Uttoxter

 

What a Day for Travelling!

Going out.

Out.

Coming back.

Heavy Snow Arrives On The Ice

After three weeks of freezing conditions and two weeks of snow on the ground, we now have heavy snow, drifting upto 18 inches and still falling heavily. It is not yet midnight, so I wonder what will face us in the morning..............

Happy Christmas and New Year from Strathbungo

A white Christmas in Strathhbungo with Helen, Joe and the kids. We had a trip to Kelvingrove Museum and Art Gallery and Chris and I had another day at Moorpark House in Ayrshire.

Happy New Year from Tyn-y-Waen

We were fast asleep as the New Year dawned. Very cold but bright here. Had to put mum and dad off due to the terrible ice on the lane, I only managed 100M before spun the Land Rover on a bend.
Double click the photo to make it bigger.

Speak soon.
love

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

It was AMAZING!

A few more presents are opened

 

On their return from Lincoln and Strathbungo, Thomas and John find a few more presents waiting in Beeston.

Happy Birthday Megan

Megan is 2!! This afternoon some friends braved the snowy weather and came up in the snow for tea and birthday cake.