Busy at Kilmorey Mausoleum - for a change!

I hope you have all had a good Christmas, and wish you a Happy New Year, whatever you get up to!

I thought that I would get a few more entries in my blog, before the New Year, and at last I have got a bit of free time to spare.

I don't believe it! I actually made it to the Mausoleum about a week ago, and the weather actually allowed me to get some work done on Saturday and last Tuesday.
There was quite a lot of outstanding work to be done, and I spent the two days clearing up many wheel barrow loads of leaves off the paths, and 'feeding' the large composter to just over three quarters full now.

Have also left a large mound of leaves by the leaf composter, and I wonder if it will all fit in?
As usual three robins kept me company, by following me around the Mausoleum grounds, cleverly picking up the small worms and insects disturbed as I was leaf raking.

 

Also the meadow in front of the Mausoleum is undergoing management, and will soon be in the process of replanting in places. And the local foxes have been doing their best to dig up and excavate parts of the meadow as well!

A blue tarpaulin has been fitted to the Mausoleum roof, covering up a leaking skylight, and just about managed to stay on, despite the recent gales we have been having, though some bricks on the tarpaulin did get blown off! hopefully a permanent skylight repair will be carried out this time - eventually? I've updated the Kilmorey website, and more information can be found by visiting it.

So it has been a busy couple of days for me, and I felt quite weary after the cycle home, but it's

good physical exercise, and more fulfilling than a workout at the local gym! 

B.A. Or my Life?!... The first Chapter - The Interview.

Chapter One continued.      The Interview.....

The long delayed next part of my story is at last here! I'm sure that you've all been waiting out there with expectation and excitement?! Maybe that's going too far? Just perhaps, a yawn? "Oh no, not another lot of waffle published on yet another a blog to read!"

Well, here's my latest lot of waffle to peruse, for what it's worth, set way back in 1979! I'm amazed to think that thirty years have passed now, since these events happened in an ever dimmer and more distant past.

From the security gate; that short asphalt pathway I was walking along, by the raised brick plant beds, was potentially the path to a career in aviation, and I didn't have a clue at that time where it would lead!
Since I hated suits, and didn't possess one and also disliked the traditional collar and tie look; at the time, I must have looked a bit like a German 'U Boat' officer extra from a wartime film, but without the peaked cap! with my thin white polar necked white sweater borrowed from my brother's wardrobe back then, and a dark blue jacket and trousers, and black shoes. The look I suppose, was meant to be smart casual, but at least I looked a bit different and memorable from the typical M&S suited 'interviewee fodder'. 

At the entrance, I saw the sign saying "Comet House" by the glass fronted heavy double doors. Taking a deep breath, and with a light tingling feeling in my stomach, there was no turning back now.
I opened one of the doors  and noticed a pay office counter, a bit like one found in a bank on my right, and also noticed a sign for interviews that were being conducted on the first floor. In front of me were some steps that I went up, winding round to the first floor corridor. The floors were pale greyish green polished lino, and there was a noticeable odour around of the typical office floor polish used. It reminded me a bit of school!
I still was a bit early for the interview, and looking along the corridor I could see the small office that was being used for the interviews. The glass paned door opened and I met the interviewer. He greeted me, shook my hand, and ushered me into the office. It was the typical plain small office layout, with a filing cabinet on one side, a desk in the middle and two chairs, and a large window looking out onto the access road and the main entrance, and in the distance, the West Engineering Base Technical Block D  (TBD) hangars and apron.
He introduced himself as Mr. Tutt from Personnel and Recruiting; a balding man in his late forties or maybe early fifties dressed in a typical corporate grey suit with dark tie. He seemed pleased that I was on time, and maybe a little bit early for the interview. Also came across as an amiable and possibly quite shrewd type of interviewer, trying to put me at ease.

When we sat down, I noticed through the window behind him in the distance, the white and  green Boeing 707 that I had looked at earlier, and it helped me my concentrate my mind and forget my feeling of nerves!
Looking business like, I took out a notepad and pen from my black holdall, with some pre-prepared questions to ask. Whether this impressed him at all, I don't know?!
During the interview, in which time seemed to fly by, and it may have been up to an hour? he asked me about my interests and achievements, and about me going gliding at the Dunstable Gliding Club. One of the questions I remember concerning this, was that if some friends turned up in a car, asking me to go gliding with them, and I knew I had to study for exam that was coming along in the next day or two; what would I do? Would I drop the books and go off for a day's gliding, or would I refuse their offer and put the exam studying first. He laboured the point a bit, and I knew what he was implying!! Anyway, I said the right thing which seemed to satisfy Mr. Tutt.
He also asked me if I had any relatives working in the airline, and I told him about my father working over at Catering at the Central Area at Heathrow, and an old friend of his who worked on Concordes.
About my qualifications, he seemed more than satisfied with my exam results, and continuing on, he asked me some technical questions; such as how an aircraft wing works, and provides lift and demonstrate it with some paper provided on the desk. I just about managed to convince him with my then very basic knowledge of aerodynamics! A much simpler task for me, was when he asked me to identify several airliner types from pictures provided - easy stuff now!
Other things I seem to remember, since I wanted to be trained in avionics, was a question about how to wire a domestic three pin plug, and calculating the wattage of a one bar electrical fire with the figures provided, and the size of fuse in amps, to fit in the plug.

We chatted a bit about the apprenticeship, and the job opportunities provided, and he suggested that working on aircraft in the hangars, on big maintenance checks at the engineering base, was the best place to get a good 'grounding' of experience; even though I told him that I wanted to work over on the Central Area in the Tech units, doing short checks and turnaround work on aircraft. Little did I know that he was right, and I would end up doing what he suggested in future years!

Now it was my turn to ask questions, and I enquired about pay and conditions, annual leave holiday entitlements that would be expected during training. The type of course I would be on and the training involved.
I think he seemed quite pleased with the way the interview was progressing, and I was relieved when it was coming to the end!
We got up and shook hands, and he told me that I would be notified fairly soon if I had got the job of apprentice avionic technician, but he seemed to give the impression that I had a good chance.

Leaving the office, I felt happy that it was all over, and had gone quite well. Retracing my steps, I found myself outside Comet House again, and decided that I would visit the perimeter area; this time to the other side of the Dunlop building near Hatton Cross, and see what aircraft were around at the airport.

Comet House was quite a large sprawling brick and concrete rectangular office building, built in the late 1950's, which housed the B.A. pay offices and some other administration offices, such as aircraft scheduling at LHR for both B.A and other airlines. I was to find out more about this, when I decided to look for another job many years later.
It was disused by the late 1990's and demolished along with Speedbird House in the spring of 2000. Now the large ugly run-down area is just used for storing building materials, and has been a rubble strewn building site ever since, at the entrance to the engineering base - criss crossed with large galvanised steel mesh fences and coils of razor wire, it looks more like the former boundary to East Berlin during the communist days! Such is so called progress! and sums up what has been recently happening to British Airways.

Walking along by the perimeter fence, towards the long evergreen hedge near the landing lights by runway 28 Left I, could see some of the airport 'action', with aircraft coming and going on their regular daily schedules. Once again, the distinctive smell of burnt jet aviation fuel Jet A-1 was filling my senses, with the background distant 'whine' of jet engines. One aircraft I remember that stood out from the usual visitors that afternoon, was a white, orange and silver scheme Martinair DC-9 (a Dutch charter airline), not a common visitor and most probably operating on a KLM flight, taxying out from Terminal 2 in front of the 'Echo' Stands. In those days, aircraft parking stands were designated in a logical alphabetical order, followed by a stand number.
It was nice to see something a bit different that day, and for some strange reason, the tune of 'Street Life' by the Crusaders, which was in the record charts and being played a lot on the radio at the time, was 'going around' in my head, whilst I was walking along.

Time to go back, and the occasional B.A. Trident jet thundered over my head, leaving a semi-transparent greyish black billowing trail in the air, of exhaust smoke from the three rear mounted Rolls Royce Spey engines, as I passed by the line of runway landing lights . Aeroplanes were certainly more dramatic back then, with their noise and exhaust emissions!

But there were many fewer airliners in those days, with a lot less aircraft movements (take-offs and landings) during the day, and virtually no night flights, compared to today.

Arriving home in the late afternoon sun, it was time for an early dinner since I was starving! and I had macaroni cheese in the (sounds posh in those days!) house extension used as a conservatory.
It's a strange fact that as I type this blog, more memories 'flood back' than I had ever expected!


I put away the holdall, and the stuff I had taken with me for the interview, and tomorrow was just another day, back to the normal routine and school life eventually!

Stay around for the next episode of "B.A. or my Life?!" You never know, you might even find it slightly interesting?!

Unexpected Oxford Street views.

You can see some unusual things in London, and Oxford Street at times! I thought that I would share a couple of things that I saw recently.

About a couple of months ago, I saw a giant Fiat 500 model for one day only; about the size of a two storey house, from the window of a double decker bus I was travelling on.
For a publicity stunt, it was placed on a building site near the Marble Arch end of Oxford St.  P.R. executives think up some strange things!







On another occasion, the traffic in Oxford St. was held up by cavalry for a change! - Royal Dragoons I think. Makes a change from the convoys of buses jams!

You never quite know what to expect in Oxford Street....















The next part of "B.A. or my Life?!" will be coming soon, or even eventually!! - Part 2 "The Interview".

Return form the real world 'wilderness' - and the end of the DIY decorating hell!

Yes, I'm sure that some of you out there, must of almost given up of seeing any more of my blog entries by now!

After being exiled from the 'electronic world' for most of the time, by the real world 'Do It Yourself Hell' of trying to repaint and repair the back of my house, in some of the most unpleasant weather I have experienced in October and November; finally today, I have just about finished, putting the scaffold tower away, and tidying up things in the gusting strong breeze this morning.

Just have to finish painting the garden side door - yet another job to do that was noticed last week, when moving the scaffold tower to the final position.

So five weeks later to the day, the job is done - only five times longer than expected!!! Due to many unexpected and sometimes difficult repairs encountered. Such as having to completely replace the kitchen doorstep, and rebuild the bottom of the surrounding door frame, whilst in the middle of repairing one of the bedroom windows!

At least it's all done now - eventually, and the front of the house is now waiting for it's turn sometime next year?!

Also a good excuse for being lazy and too tired in the evenings, after a day's work of decorating, to 'slave' away at the blog?!

Normal service will be restored eventually.......

It looks like it is going to be a busy time for me over the next week or so, with plenty of work to be done to the outside of the house. So no spare time to waste on things like this Blog! Hope the weather behaves itself, unlike this morning where it has been drizzling; as I now have to sand down and repaint the upstairs windows, gutters and downpipes.
Not a very exciting job, and more like and endurance test!

Have a good week out there, whatever you get up to!

Oh Dear! It's Party Political Conference time again.

I know that it's 'yawn a minute' time at the moment, regarding politics, but I'm sure that there's some Blog readers out there who follow the current news sometimes.

It's that time of year where the main U.K. political parties try their best to look ridiculous, or 'bore the pants' off all but the most die hard and committed political party supporters.
In the past, they have ranged from ludicrous Conservative style 'Nazi party' rallies; to a 'Stalinist style' Labour 'squeaky clean' stage managed 'peoples democratic committee' meeting, where elderly party supporters in Brighton can be arrested under the police state 'Prevention of Terrorism Acts' for wearing the wrong type of T shirt!!! Truth can actually be stranger than fiction!

Yes, I know that some people should be arrested for fashion crimes, with some of the naff T shirt and tracksuit designs that can be seen around! but it goes to show how stupid politics has, or is becoming.

It's funny that a couple of years ago, all three political parties were in a public spending bidding match, seeing who would spend the most money on pubic spending, without any mention of how it was going all going to be funded, and no mention of tax rises! A scene a bit like supermarket price cutting wars.
And yet now, it's all changed to spending cuts and large tax rises for the average person.

Starting off the party season, was the Liberal Democrats who were 'all at sea' with their economic policies, with also no consultation with their party members concerning new policy decisions; when Vince Cable 'absent mindedly professor style' announced the new tax on £1 million pound home sales.

With party leader Nick Clegg looking foolish trying to defend the 'back of a fag packet' calculated tax policy. "That's another fine mess you've got me into!"

What they don't seem to realise is that a large number of homes in Central London and other large cities are priced at £1 million plus, because of stupid long term government low interest rate policies, which caused the housing price speculation problem in the first place!
They  looked even more foolish when they had to retract their defence of the new flawed tax policies! More like "A fresh muddle for Britain!"

At the Labour Party conference, like a bunch of 'Chumps'; it descended into a bit of a farce, with the beleaguered and tired looking P.M. Gordon Brown (a bit like his policies) was doing an impression of a horizontal bungee jumper! when he tried to storm out of a  BBC T.V. interview, after being asked some awkward questions, whilst forgetting that he was still attached to a microphone lead!

His haggard and crumpled look at times, almost makes you feel sorry for him? - or maybe not!

With his list of unfunded 'wish list' public spending priorities that will make us go bankrupt even faster, throwing more taxpayers money down a bottomless black hole of public spending. And also admitting to the 'C' world! The political swear sword of 'Cuts', and how they would have to make them despite all their spending promises. How stupid do these politicians think we are?!

Also Peter Mandelson, Lord of all the government departments he can see, was also caught out by another four letter 'C' word as well, during the conference, after apparently swearing at a woman News International executive on the 'phone; when the Sun 'tabloid rag' newspaper made its announcement about changing political allegiances.

Being evasive and slippery when interviewed about this, he said that he used the word "Chump" rather than "C---t". So who's a right "Chump" then?! 
 









And finally, the party season ends with the 'Tory Taxing Toffs', who appear to offer nothing much else but tax rises and tightening of belts. A bit like a Churchill speech during the war, with "Blood, Sweat, Toil and Tears", but without the great oratory and leadership! We seemed to have entered into a 'financial World War' now, according to the Conservatives, and you can be sure that they will look after their own kind, with their policies! 

'Chameleon Cameron' the Conservative party leader, changes political party policies, as quickly as opinion polls change. One minute he's red, and copying New Labour, then he's green with environmental policies, and the next he's turned true Tory Blue! with tired old right wing policies.










The party will be over soon - thank goodness! Everyone will just have to nurse their 'financial hangovers' now. And will the last person leaving, please turn the lights off in Britain! Before the predicted power cuts and shortages start.

B.A. Or my Life?!... The first Chapter - In the Beginning.

Chapter One.      In the Beginning.....

As promised so many times now, at last! some might say; this is the the first chapter of my (sort of) autobiography or musings about aviation, and my time in involved in this 'curious' airline world.

Okay, okay, I know "In the Beginning...." is not the most original title, but it's good enough for my purposes, and we have to start somewhere?! in the 'tangled' and meandering, digressive memories of my mind.

From a very young age, I had always wanted to be a pilot. Not just some typical short term fad or fantasy, but a long term deep fascination with aeronautical things. First I wanted to be a military pilot, enthralled by past designs and high speed performance of the latest fighter jets.
By the mid. 1970's, I had 'matured' enough to realize that due to serious defence spending cuts, and harsh economic times (sounds a bit like today again?!) that being in the military wouldn't quite be the experience that was promised by the slick recruitment adverts! Plus I was starting to get the typical rebellious young teenage feelings about 'authority', and the thought of having to do lots of 'square bashing' military training, parades, and all the other nonsense involved with flight officer training; with the delights of also having to polish everything that didn't move, for good measure for inspection! helped put me off. That all had to be endured, before I would even get near an aeroplane!
Also the minor fact that my eyesight wouldn't be good enough, to pass the strict medical tests required for fighter pilots, would be just a slight problem!
A brief spell of almost a year attending the Air Training Corps, in my spare time in the weekday evenings, also confirmed my view about the Royal Air Force!

So I gradually got more and more interested in civil aviation and passenger jets, and would spend large parts of my spare time hanging around the local airport, and other airports and airfields around the south east of England, soaking up the atmosphere, and seeing airliners from all over the world arrive and depart. I wanted desperately to be part of it all!
By 1978, I had made the decision to become an airline pilot, or at least do something else interesting in the airline industry; and surprise, surprise, the careers officer at school was absolutely useless, and didn't have a clue! The careers office advice was that I should consider being a teacher! Really great advice eh?, since I hated secondary school, and did my best to do the bare minimum of work whilst I was there! And couldn't wait to escape school and it's daily dull routine. The aviation life seemed so exciting by comparison! Little did I know what to really expect!
I was also told that I had good artistic talent by the art teacher, and should consider going to art college. I pondered with this idea for a while, but decided that I would make better money working in the airline industry; especially with the current economic crisis at the time.

With the background of the 'Winter of Discontent', sudden strikes, and the final throes of a Jim Callaghan (Sunny Jim) Labour government collapse; things sounded grim in those days, but I remember that they were also sometimes exciting times of great change. In youth culture terms, it was the end of Punk, and the birth of New Wave, and a whole lot of new sounds and groups on the scene, such as Blondie, Roxy Music, The Boomtown Rats, Squeeze, XTC, X-Ray Specs and electronic pop, The Buggles . These were to be the background sountracks, of my life and memories of this period of the 1970's.
Back to the school stuff unfortunately! First I had to make an effort, and pass my O'Level exams; since those unemployment queues were getting ever longer, and my prospect of getting a good job were getting slimmer. I finally got down to doing several years of study, which I should have been doing, compressed into about six months of intensive work, in preparation for the forthcoming examinations. I had been 'optimistically' been entered for ten O' Level exams!

At the same time, I also got some information about aircraft engineering apprenticeships both at British Airways (B.A.) and British Caledonian (BCAL). But because my father had fairly recently got a job at British Airways, it would be my preferred choice; since I had some idea of what to expect. And if I got accepted by British Caledonian, it would mean that I would have to find some where to live near Gatwick Airport, and Heathrow was almost 'just down the road' for me! 
My first enquiry though, was for B.A. airline pilot training at Hamble. After a chat about requirements to get accepted, I was told that I would most probably meet the academic standards, but I would have to wear glasses to meet the eyesight standards; which was not too much of a problem, but they had a queue of applicants to chose from, with A1 or close to perfect eyesight, so there's not much point in applying!
Feeling a bit fed up afterwards, I decided that, 'If I couldn't fly them, at least I could fix them!"
And this then spurred me on to apply to B.A. first, for an engineering apprenticeship.
Just as well I didn't get accepted for pilot training, since I found out by 1982, the Hamble flight training centre had closed down due to serious cost cutting, and the airline pilot students on the course found themselves without a job. The economic crisis was biting, and B.A. found that they had too many pilots, so why train any more? It looked like I had a lucky escape, and was extremely fortunate this time!

I filled out the apprenticeship application forms, sent them off, and then waited expectantly for some time. Then I think it was at the beginning of 1979, I got a letter back asking me to attend aptitude tests at the Trident Club near Northolt. It has long since gone, being a B.A. social club at the time with a wonderful view of the runway, and a few of the aircraft parked on the aprons at R.A.F Northolt aerodrome. So a little bit of time was taken looking at the airfield view!
Being really surprised, how many hundreds of other youngsters had also turned up there, I realized that I would have a lot of competition in store! I also found that the aptitude tests were far more difficult than I expected, and about half a day was spent in the large examination venue. I think we were given some refreshments whilst we were there, and I also remember meeting someone else from my school in the same year, nicknamed "Gibbles" who also wanted a job in the airline game. Afterwards, we both went to Heathrow, and ended up in the viewing terrace cafeteria, swapping our experiences of the tests, over a can or two of shandy, and what we thought some of the answers could have been to the more difficult questions; whilst B.A. Tridents and the occasional Lockheed Tristar went past in front of us, seen through the panoramic glass windows.

Months went by, and I was now more concerned with final studying in May at home, for the O' Level exams in the summer. I got a bit concerned after the exams had finished, that there was no news regarding my job application, so I contacted B.A. again. Their response was that my application had somehow got lost in the system (most probably fallen behind a filing cabinet in an office, knowing B.A.!)
I couldn't apply for the BCAL apprenticeship scheme now, since they only had only a small number of apprentice jobs available, and they were filled by now. I had also missed my chance to join the 1979 B.A. intake of apprentices; but after telling them that I had passed nine O' Levels in the end, I was told to re-apply for the Spring 1980 intake, and it would be a formality. The only problem was that by 1980, I was at the upper age limit of 17 and three quarter years old eligibility, and I would just about be young enough to start training under the rules of the apprenticeship! I also only had twice the number of qualifications required for the job as well.  
I should have known that this was a preview of how chaotic things were going to be, regarding my career with British Airways!
At last I got my letter from B.A. in the summer of 1979, informing me that I had been accepted for an interview for the prospective apprenticeship job. 

The distinctive odours of burnt kerosene ( jet aviation fuel) and the slight whiff of burnt rubber from landing aircraft tyres, were some of the first sensory 'experiences', as the 'aviation mad' youngster was getting close to London Heathrow airport.
Then followed up by the steady warm breeze felt on the face - it's almost always windy at the airport! and the mechanical, sometimes ghostly whine of aircraft turboprop engines, and early turbojet and turbofans ; the sounds drifting back and forth in the distance, with the wind blowing.
On that memorable August day in 1979, I arrived by train at Hatton Cross underground station, carrying a black holdall with supporting information required for the job interview, about myself and my achievements. Still feeling and looking new, the station had that relatively fresh smell, of a building only opened about a year before. I remember on that morning, that it was quite a sunny day, with white broken clouds in the blue expansive sky.
Feeling a bit apprehensive prior to the interview at the British Airways Engineering East base, I still had plenty of spare time before the interview appointment. So I crossed over the main road and walked to the right of the Dunlop Aviation Tyres building; instinctively towards Barclays Bank, passed the Hatton Cross roundabout, and along the perimeter to the West Base Technical Block D hangars apron area.
There wasn't much road traffic about, since it was long after the morning rush hour.

What attracted me that morning, was the sight of a gleaming immaculate looking executive jet conversion, of an early Boeing B.707-100 series, resplendent in dark green and white paint, parked up amongst the British built Trident jets, outside the hangars. It was Cayman Islands registered (VR-CAN), and I thought that "I wouldn't mind flying in one of those!"
'Lugging' the black holdall bag along by the local landmark of a row of small conifer trees, whilst walking past several B.A. Tridents, waiting 'patiently' for their eventual next flights, parked along by the perimeter road fence; I realised that it was time to make my way to the interview venue, and just about had enough time to do it.

Striding along the quite wide pavement to the East Base main entrance, I noticed the large red brick office block of Comet House on my right, seeing office staff looking busy at their desks through the ground floor windows; and it almost felt intimidating, the vast size of this organisation that I might be joining!

With the interview invitation letter in one hand, I approached the security gate box, at the main entrance to the East Base, and was met by a friendly elderly B.A. security man, dressed in an official looking black uniform, and wearing a military style white peaked cap. He must have seen it so many times before - a nervous looking job applicant, waiting to be interviewed! He directed me to the entrance of Comet House, just opposite the security gate and I then walked along a narrow path, following the sign to the interview rooms.

That's all for the moment! The next part will be "The Interview.....", which will be published eventually!
I'm sure that you all 'bloggers' out there can hardly wait?! Or maybe not!!!

Winter around the corner.

You know that winter is around the corner, when the central heating system has to be checked and then serviced on a cold day. Yesterday I had to service my central heating, when I found that the water pressure was low on the boiler gauge. Had to do the usual 'top up' the system procedure. 

As usual, I had to bleed the excess air out in my bedroom radiator, after a long spell of not being used - why does it always seem to be the same radiator most of the time? noticing the black, not very nice looking, rusty smelling stuff that was coming out of the radiator drain valve, and into the plastic bowl, with the excess air also coming out under pressure.
When all the air had gone, and cleaner looking water was coming out of the radiator, it was time to shut the valve off, and tighten it up. Then clean up the dirty coloured drips of water that had bypassed the bowl, and onto the carpet.

Afterwards switch on the central heating! Look, no leaks, and the radiators all warmed up quite quickly, with the boiler system pressure gauge holding up. So success! and hopefully a warm house during the winter? We'll see!

Another pre- winter chore done, and yes, the first instalment of "B.A. or my Life?!...." is almost ready for publishing on the blog. Still a bit more typing to do. It will be definitely coming along soon.........
Hope that it's worth the wait?

Revolting RMT members?

Yesterday I noticed, or rather heard first in the distance, a cacophony of horns and whistles; whilst walking towards Hounslow Bus Station. When I got closer, I was faced by a small 'sea' of fluorescent jacketed protesters, assaulting the eyes with their 'glowing' presence on the pavement! presumably bus workers or drivers, waving green and red RMT union flags.

I assume that they are unhappy with their latest round of pay and conditions negotiations, or maybe they enjoy a quick demo. for a change, to break the usual routine?!

I wonder perhaps, if there will be a bus strike coming along soon? It looks like 'the good old days' of the 1970's are returning again, with plenty of strikes to keep everyone entertained.



Don't worry, I haven't forgotten about the first chapter of "B.A. or my Life?" It will be coming soon!

It's just that I had to share this colourful event, with any people reading this blog, whilst I remembered it. The memory can go when you get older!!

Plumbing Pleasure - or the depths?

Just to let the curious know, that the washing machine cold water isolation valve replacement went successfully today without flooding the kitchen! For a change, it's been one of those days where everything goes all right, and without any problems. They do occur sometimes! Thanks to Wickes the DIY store for having the valve in stock, though the only down side is that you have to purchase a pack of two; even though only one replacement is required.
That's another peculiarity of life today, that you seem to have to purchase replacement things in pairs? for of course double the cost! I think I did remember a time in the past, when you could purchase hardware items singly, but that sales idea seems to be lost in the past now?

Anyway, the main thing is that the job is done now, and didn't take too long to do, and with a minimal amount of water leaking out when the isolation valve was fitted. So 'washing machine heaven' has been restored!

The first chapter of B.A. or my life? is coming soon....... so watch this space - it must be better than watching DIY paint dry? I hope!!!!

Another Tuesday, and another day at London City Airport.

Had some welcome time away from the computer and the 'blogging world'! Another Birthday has rolled past, and it makes me wonder where the year has gone?!
When you get past a certain age, Birthdays just seem to be a reminder of how much older you are getting, though naturally I try to make the best of the day, and usually go out for a meal and at least a few drinks as well!!

Another Tuesday, and typically unplanned and not predicted; having to do some plumbing in the afternoon, to a washing machine cold water isolation valve. Ended up wasting an afternoon trying to replace the broken plastic lever on it, finally having to remove the old valve which is beyond repair, and fitting a blanking plug in its place. At least no water leaks under the kitchen sink so far!!!! And the cold water can be turned on again.
So tomorrow will be another 'exciting' day? Having to get a replacement isolation valve from some where and then fitting it under the sink (without any new water leaks) - life can be so exciting and interesting sometimes? or maybe not!
Also trying to catch up with many other things that have been neglected due to being away this weekend.

As promised a long time ago, I will be adding some aviation related things, and talking about my experiences - I promise!! I know that there might be some people out there waiting extremely patiently?! for me to 'waffle' on about aircraft, airlines and my life with them - it will be all coming along soon......
     
At least last Friday and the weekend was better! After threatening to visit London City Airport (LCY) many times in the past this year, at last I made it on Friday! with some wonderful summer type weather, and took some really nice pictures there into the early evening, in the bright warm sun (for a change).

British Airways line up at LCY, with the brand
new A.318 Airbus awaiting more crew training flights for the day. The A.318 will be used on trans-Atlantic flights soon from LCY, via Ireland.
Quite a gamble for B.A. If there are enough wealthy customers around still in the City?!

Soon to disappear VLM Fokker 50, just about to land; and the airline to be taken over by City Jet. Yet another casualty of the economic recession to the benefit of City Jet!

Executive jet aircraft operations are one business that still seems to be booming! 
With this French Falcon 50ex rapidly speeding off into the warm evening sky - bound for Paris Le Bourget.

Finally, a typical sunny evening departure view from London City, with the stalwarts of the airport, the British Aerospace BAe.146's, which are now slowly coming to the end of their economic lives. This aircraft type made flying in passenger jet aircraft from this short runway airport, economically viable in the past.







An evening out in London as well!

Also made it out into town, for another nice belated Birthday evening meal for two on Saturday, at a restaurant near the Houses of Parliament in Westminster. A very nice evening out, and a walk along the South Bank by the Thames in the mild evening breeze.

Colourful illuminated evening view from Hungerford Bridge, looking towards the South Bank.

                               And not forgetting the Houses of Parliament by night, with the moon above!

No Brain? No Brainer! Dislikes and likes of this week!

This American term of 'No brainer' has come back to 'haunt' us again on the airwaves! Used now by the supposedly well educated media journalists, and now some respected financial commentators and economists; it's another bad grammar and meaningless supposed English expression, 'coined' on the other side of the Atlantic.

I suppose that it must sound fashionable and up to date, for some un-informed people?

I think that it's meant to mean, 'It's clear', 'It's obvious', or 'perfectly / plainly clear or obvious'. Or even a 'simple decision' or 'simple choice'. All these expressions make sense in the context that they are used - 'No brainer' doesn't in proper English!

'No brainer' gives the impression that you have no brain! Or even one brain cell remaining maybe, to see that it's a stupid expression; and if you have no brain, medically you're dead!!! 
That's the logical conclusion of it all.....

I'm sure that Americans, and people that use the expression without thinking will disagree!

Changing the subject completely.......
The main thing I liked this week, was this tune I heard on a Channel 4 trailer for the T.V. programme 'Cutting Edge'. I have heard it before, but made the effort to track it down. It's a haunting sounding Indie rock track called Allies by the Blue States, and I like it a lot at the moment. In fact it's quite brilliant!!! Thanks to Channel 4 for bringing it to my attention.

Some might find the video disturbing, but somehow appeals to my dark sense of irony! And it sums up perfectly (in an American context) about the boring work routine for most people in modern office life and the futility of it, and the slender thread of life. Also how how some random choices and events can affect which slender thread of life that you take.
Fortunately, I took the first choice!
That's enough of my deep? thoughts for now! 

Hope you enjoy the tune and find the video thought provoking.....
 

A busy weekend - Kilmorey Mausoleum open day, and cycling in London.

I hope anyone out there in the blogging world that's reading this had a good weekend!
I had a busy time over the weekend, first helping out at the Kilmorey Mausoleum open day, which was very successful and quite hectic! since I was also the 'official' photographer as well.

We just managed to get the banner and bunting up in time, as the visitors started to turn up!

The visitors were keen to explore the grounds, and visit the Mausoleum.

























Interesting lens flare effect, due to the bright sunshine for a change!



Managed to also get out to the east end of London, and do some cycling around Rotherhithe, Bemondsey, Shad Thames and Tower Bridge. Took some interesting pictures as well, and here are a few:                  

After a bike ride through the crowds around the Tower Bridge area and the London Assembly Building, it was nice to stop off at the Angel pub by the river near Rotherhithe, and have a rest and a nice drink!













Then back to the routine at home this week, and adding more to this Blog! That reminds me, must do some shopping soon - such is life!......

It's the weekend again!

It's time to have a break from the computer and typing away at this blog, for a few days.

If there's anybody out there who actually bothers to read this stuff; have a good weekend as well, whatever you decide to do, and may the sun shine on you!

That's it, time to disappear for a while....... You never know, i might even return with some more daft thoughts to entertain you?

HTML Hell?

I wonder if any other Bloggers out there in the 'Blog World' experienced this yesterday morning?
When trying to type out yesterday's blog entry in the compose page, I noticed that strange things were happening with the post being published! The background went orange, with text going small and trying to be in at least two different fonts at the same time?! This led to a new unreadable odd font - most probably some people reading this blog at the time would think, "Thank goodness! I don't have to read this rambling rubbish anymore!!" 

Looking at the HTML text in the editor, and using my fleeting knowledge of HTML code, I could see that it was garbled and adding unwanted code instructions - Weird I thought..... I must have  offended the computer 'god' this time with my blog entries, or is there a 'ghost in the machine?!'
I tried to re-type the blog, but with no success.

Anyway, after leaving the computer for some time, when I returned in the afternoon and had to type the blog yet again! this time everything was normal and the latest post was published normally, though I've had waste over an hour and a half to re-do the entry!

Such are the frustrations of computers and the digital world at times! Spooky isn't it?

CRB Checks - not for me!

Bubbling away over the past week and being hotly debated, is the Criminal Records Bureau and the CRB checks.

It's all in the name - Criminal. The state automatically assumes that you're a criminal adult around children, unless proved otherwise!

Looking at the 'swanky' new website, another new expensive empire that has to be paid for, created for grey suited career civil servants. With the past history of government data bases; data getting lost or incorrectly accessed and abused, lack of data security, and no controls of how much it all costs when contracted out - who has much faith left in the 'Big Brother State'?!

As a volunteer myself, who occasionally comes in contact with children on Open days; If I was forced to undergo a CRB check to continue on volunteering, I would quit straight away out of principle, and for the cost to the charitable organisation that would have to carry out the CRB check.

All over Britain, it would most probably lead to the collapse of volunteers doing voluntary work out of principle, or because of the fees charged for the criminal checks.

Could this be New Labour's equivalent of the 'Dangerous Dogs Act'? Which brought the previous Conservative government so much ridicule! Rapidly followed by the 'Identity Card Act' for 'naff' legislation and law making! They must have spent too much time reading '1984' by George Orwell, and seeing if they can make it happen in real life!

Possibly a symptom of too much Labour political 'Whipping' of back bench MP's, to get the ill judged legislation through the house (forcing Member's of Parliament through veiled threats and bribes, to tow the party political line). I knew (political) S&M deviant practices would creep back into the blog again sometime!!!

Now would you allow 'plastic politicians', with their 'plastic' smiles and 'clammy' handshakes, hang around schools and children during the 'Hustings' - without a CRB check? According to the letter of the 'flawed' law, all MP's should have a CRB check as well, especially since a lot of their political decisions and daft new laws appear criminal!!!

So to appear politically unbiased, here's a few examples:

A rather apt and unfortunate picture for New Labour taken by the press! Of the 'Great Dictator Gordon' back to school - he needs it to re-learn what 'Boom and Bust' really means in economics!
Also lecturing the pupils on how he has improved on history, regarding state control and being 'Brother Number 1!'

Or New Conservative, new plastic tailor's dummy look for David Cameron! More like a dodgy back street car salesman, trying to peddle dubious political policies, (with sawdust in the gearbox) to unsuspecting children!

And not forgetting.... Er. What's his name? That other one of the Liberal Democrats.... Had to do a 'Google' to remember his name! Ahh... It's Nick Clegg - the quiet one!

I can just imagine the conversation: "Mummy told me not to speak to strange politicians!"

Some people would say, "Good idea this CRB check, get all those 'pervs' and 'child abusers' onto a data base and monitor them". Just one minor point, is from independent government research, the majority of child abusers exist in families and friends of the children being abused!

The main reason why a tiny minority of people, in jobs that are involved with children carry out child abuse; is that from the 1970's onwards with politically inspired budget cuts, people working with children and vulnerable people, have been treated as unimportant to society, in low pay, poor promotion prospect jobs, which tend to attract the wrong people for the wrong reasons.  
And lax reference checks have been carried out, due to desperation at times to fill unattractive vacant job posts.

Now what crazy half baked politically inspired legislation will be coming along next?!

Loser Lehmans through the Looking Glass.....

Noticing in the news, it's one year ago today that Lehman Bros. of Wall St. went bust - or was allowed to go bust by the US Government as a warning to other 'naughty' bankers.

After the 'Greed is Good' or 'God', the old revered and venerated saying in Wall Street, over the past couple of decades.

A sorry tale and parable of the 'Emperor's new clothes' in a banking guise; where arrogance, avarice, stupidity, and 'winning the lottery' style banking payouts, by bankers playing a lottery or casino type banking game all ended in tears!..... For the ordinary person and taxpayers in the U.S. and now the world.

With thanks to vault 45.com for the picture.

A financial 'pass the parcel' game of CDO's, MBS and SIV's, etc. etc. and other esoteric investment packages went on, which even they didn't understand! And the implications if they went wrong.
I think their MBA's are pretty worthless as well now!
Unfortunately, the money 'music' stopped and Lehmans were left holding the toxic parcel of debt! which is also slowly poisoning the other financial players in the room.

As the 'sage of Omaha' once said, "Derivatives and other complex financial packages are  weapons of mass financial destruction", or words to that effect.... "And when the financial tide goes out, we'll see which bathers are swimming without any trunks on!!"
In Lehman's case they were completely stark naked, and someone had also stolen their clothes and their Speedo's (for good measure) left on the beach!

Beware of false booms from prophets - I wonder if that includes me?!
Is this the end of 'Casino banking' or capitalism?

Okay, I know that you're thinking, "So how does this affect the average Joe or Joanna Blogs in the street?" Well if you have a house, watch the prices fall, and if you still have a job, watch out! The unemployed queues at the job centre are eagerly looking for new recruits!
All you can do is laugh at the stupidity of it all, and in the face of adversity.

Fetish young Fun?! Or GI Gimp?!

Noticed in Argos recently, a hideous looking boxed toy dressing up set called:"GI Joe and the rise of Cobra - or some such nonsense?!"
Disturbingly funny, what grabbed my attention strangely enough, whilst I was waiting in a short queue, was the grotesque, most likely Chinese made plastic 'tat' in the large garish box, which looked like a Gimp mask and attire from a fetishist day dream!

The horrible black 'sweaty' looking PVC style face mask, styled by someone (or maybe a focus group?) who seems to be influenced by Gimp rubber and plastic gear; or is having a knowing 'laugh' at the expense of innocent primary school age kids! with illustrations of fetish looking mask clad characters on the box, seemed to reinforce the view, "That they start fetish deviants young these days!!!" With all those nasty plastic crap weapons included - or maybe they're 'torture' implements for the knowledgeable?! I wonder what these toy designers are on? and what S&M are they influenced by?!!!

See what I mean!......

My thoughts also were, "What parents would buy that perverse ugly looking stuff for their young kids?" Wouldn't they be a bit worried seeing innocent young 'Darren' or 'Wayne' running about, clad in garb that would be fashionable in the local chapter of the fetish and S&M club?!" The whole scene sounds so ridiculously funny to me!

Showing my age and sounding 'prehistoric' now. Whatever happened to boys playing with Action Man (if you could afford them back then in the mists of time), with the rugged sticking out chin, eagle eyes and real gripping hands! Armed with a clean living 'manly' (in those days) lifestyle?!
Or girls playing with normal dolls. Not the eye assaulting, optical nerve and taste damaging! 'dripping' with glowing pink accessories, Barbie dolls we have today.

Also reminded me about talking to some American compatriots, whilst I worked for a U.S. company a long time ago. They told me about GI Joe and their childhood memories of the plastic moulded figure, dressed in what looked like D-Day infantry man uniform - most probably made in Hong Kong or Taiwan back then.

The poor unsuspecting GI Joes were quite often used for target practice by kids in the back yard, and 'filled full of lead', blown away to 'Kingdom Come', with an air rifle in Clint Eastwood style, whilst muttering, "Make my day Punk!..." For even more realism, a parent's Magnum could be employed, that would really finish off the job. That's what I call real childhood fun?! 

Anyway, that's definitely enough of my outrageous thoughts for now - I promise!! It's just that I have a dark sense of humour that's currently getting the better of me!

Now where did I put those plastic handcuffs?.... I can't seem to find them!........

And please don't get me started on inflatable rubber sheep, and who designs and manufactures them! It would make me roll around on the floor laughing for the rest of the day!

Taking things for granted.

All right! I know that I'm starting to write recent entries, as if I'm turning into a bit of a 'David Attenborough' - with hushed almost reverential tones describing wildlife! I promise to stop!
I suppose I'm more like a 'Rolf Harris' type regarding wildlife, without the beard and 'dodgy' singing and hit record singles! I'm not sure if that's a compliment or not?!! 

Anyway, back to what I was going to say.... We can be very complacent these days, and take things for granted, such as water supplies; and I was reminded about that fact, by driving past a major emergency repair to a local water main yesterday. It was a large repair effort just about finished, and explains why I had virtually no water pressure and running hot water at my house for one day last week.
I've experienced it a few times before in the past, and just have to get the trickle of water from the tap to eventually fill the electric kettle up, to provide me with some hot water to have a wash in the morning. It's just a bit of an inconvenience for me, but I'm reminded that a lot of people around the world have to make do with this, or less, every day for their washing and drinking purposes.

One typical observation though, is that when you haven't got much water to use in the basin, that's always when you find out that the plastic sink plug just doesn't quite fit properly, leading to the water leaking away faster than expected! So you really have to rush things with the wash! 
At least it stops you from spending too long in the bathroom!

The only thing that gets to me, is that we pay more and more water charges each year to private companies, for less water pressure, quality and service (apart from emergency repairs). I wonder if that's true free market economics at work? that the Conservative government introduced, when their policies created private water company 'monopolies' many years ago!
It makes you think!.......

Robins and routines.

The usual routine of life this week, and nothing too exciting happening. I suppose that applies to most people in their working lives. Though a good way to break out of the routine is to do something creative, and that's what I hope to do!

I feed a robin in the garden most days, and he was around as usual today, making rustling sounds whilst 'lurking' in the vine branches above where I put the food out for the birds.  
It reminded me about a couple of months ago, when I was feeding two cheeky young robins, squabbling amongst each other in front of me, about who would get to the food first.
The 'pecking' order though, is the parent bird first, who chases away the two youngsters! Has his fill of the food, and then allows the two 'argumentative' youngsters to feed next. Once they decide who is next!

They were fluffy scruffy looking 'balls' of brown and cream feathers! with the adult feathers just starting to grow though, and amazingly curious about things and myself.

One even stood still long enough, for me to take a picture of the juvenile bird!

Just hope that they make it through to next year.

Note: No mobile 'phone cameras were abused (used) in the making of this blog!

Autumn's suddenly arrived.

I had a pleasant few days away from the computer this weekend.
Makes a change not tapping away at the keys! Anyway, continuing on the 'ramblings'; I've noticed how the 'fleeting' summer has passed us by now, and that Autumn has suddenly arrived upon us. With leaves starting to fall from the trees, and being blown around in circles by sudden strong autumnal feeling gusts of wind, whilst I was walking in Richmond along Duck's Walk.

Watch out, Autumn's about!

Stand up Comedians and deliver!

This should be read with the song of Adam & The Ants playing in the background - it's going around in my head as I type this!
I was listening to the radio last night whilst cooking, and heard a comedy programme with four stand up (so-called) comedians from the Edinburgh Festival. I don't know, to me they sounded like second rate comedians with scripts written by third rate script writers! I listened to the complete show, amazed by the fact that there was nothing funny to laugh at! Maybe that was the ironic concept idea of the show, and it was way above me?!!
As usual, at least one of the stand up comedians has to resort to woeful strumming of their guitar; singing a supposed comic song, because they have run out of jokes or the typical dire ironic stories to tell.

Arrgh!!!! It's so cringe making to listen to, that it makes me want to gnaw the leg off an Okapi...(sorry that's a metaphorical protected species!) Anyway, you get the idea of the usual comedy stereotype acts that stand up comedians resort to.
Oh yes,  with thanks to Douglas Adams for the Okapi idea; a man who's writing and scripts were funny most of the time, and 'took the mick' out of 'worthy' science fiction in his day!
Back in the late 1970's, I remember stand up comedians when they first appeared - they weren't that funny back then, and it's about time they were put to rest now, with their tired political stance and ironic so-called jokes.... R.I.P.

Now what happened to "That was the day that was" series of shows? That was a very slick and 'bitingly' funny political satire series all recorded live on stage - must dust it off if I can find it in the comedy graveyard, take it down to the lab and put the 'electrodes' on it, flicking the switch; seeing if it comes to life again. Well, that's what most T.V. schedulers have to resort to eventually!

At least my meal was tasty - unlike the stand up comedy....

Pet dislikes for today!

I heard the term 'Staycation' today, yet again on the radio! The use of it has been 'creeping' in over the past couple of months; a lazy word used by even lazier journalists! Another ugly and meaningless 'Americanese' expression (I'm almost getting as bad as them using made up jargon!) - if you break the word down into it's parts.
It could easily be replaced by 'Staying at home' or  'Holiday in England' or whatever part of Britain you wish to spend your time in.  

Another bad and potentially meaningless expression is 'Clear blue water', used by just as lazy political journalists, and will most probably make it's unwanted return soon, when the 'Beleaguered' Brown has to announce a general election, most probably by next spring onwards.
Apparently it's meant to mean large political or policy differences. And don't get me started on 'Real terms spending' and economics!

There, that's my rant over, and I'm feeling a lot better now! Must be therapeutic!!!

Oh, I almost forgot; and finally, the nasty American habit of using euphanisms, to sanitise their unpleasant habits of oppression and torture of prisoners - sorry, ' Battlefield combatants' and 'Insurgents'! I must use their terms correctly! Not forgetting their cool water sports activity of 'Waterboarding', (Water Torture to you and me). It sounds to me, so much jolly fun and entertainment, having water sports in the warm blue Caribbean waters off the 'resort' of Guantanamo Bay - sorry, prison or concentration camp!

A modified version of the Beach Boys song comes to mind, "We're all going Waterboarding.... In the USA!"

Plus there's 'Extraordinary Rendition', and 'Redaction' of documents. The list could go on and on....

Or maybe I have got it all wrong?!......

Wartime reminiscences like dreams from the past.

Today is the 70th aniversary of the start of the Second World War for Britain. One of the most momentous periods in the last century, for both good and ill; which changed world politics, countries, economics, and the balance of power regarding which countries were military super powers.

Funnily enough, my Dad was talking to me a couple of days ago, about the Prime Minister Neville Chamberlin's declaration of War speech on the radio, and how he remembered at the time, hearing it in his sister's dress making shop!

With thanks to the BBC website for the Neville Chamberlin picture.

He said that it all seems like a dream now, but still has vivid memories of that time.
Soon after, he volunteered to be an ARP messenger runner and air raid lookout at the beginning of the 'Phoney War' period - the quiet spell prior to the German air attacks on Britain.
There were plenty more memories after he joined the army later on, but that's another story!!!

My Dad's conclusion to it all, was that have we and the politicians learned anything from it? They are still making the same mistakes, wars are still being fought for no really good valid reasons, and innocent people still get hurt or killed. Politicians are too ready to send young men, and now women these days to war, and don't use diplomacy properly.
Just look at the current legacy of Iraq, Afghanistan and the Middle East in general - It's nothing to be proud about.

Finally I asked him, "Could you imagine back then what it would be like today - 70 years on?"
He replied, " I couldn't have dreamed what it's like now. But we are no happier today, despite having everything."
"Despite the War, and having much less and a simpler life, I think we were far happier back then...."

It's a funny old world isn't it?!

Photo wanderings around London in July/ August.

I like to take unusual and quirky photographs when I wander around London, and there are plenty of opportunities, as I explore the streets. Here's a few recent ones.

This art installation was noticed in South East London on the side of a council tower block, whilst walking along the Deptford Wharf riverside path.

Hand tags, using a pot of paint for a change! By a bus stop in Southwark Park Road.

Three wooden carved bears wait patiently for something to happen! near Waterloo Station and the Waterloo Road.

                                        A distinctive wall mural over the Cubana Bar, nearby the Waterloo Road.

 

Interesting geometric bridge design and form, for the bridges over Sandell Street SE1.

On one Saturday, found some time to go on the Woolwich Ferry, which runs every few minutes between Silvertown (North Woolwich) and South Woolwich. It's quite an experience, and is free! At least something is still free to use these days in London!

It was meant to be closed down around 2005, but the service was saved due to popular public support. The experience is a bit like a mini car ferry crossing the Channel, but takes only about five minutes to complete the trip across the Thames!

A view from the Ferry, across the typically 'murky' tidal Thames, just downstream from the Thames Barrier. The Barrier, the Dome and the dominating Canary Wharf skyline on the Isle of Dogs , can be seen in the distance.

Motorbike Maintenance afternoon.... And no art of 'Zen' required!

A good excuse to do some work on the motorbike this afternoon in the garage, with the crazy changeable weather of sudden sunshine and heavy showers we have been having locally.

After being told by the MOT tester about a month ago, that the motorbike brakes were just about adequate to pass the test, I decided to adjust them when I got an opportunity. The rain bouncing off the garage roof and dark grey skies, provided a good opportunity for indoor work!

Being a typical Honda, they require very little maintenance! (a good excuse for neglect!!) And it's surprising how you can get used to riding a motorbike with wear in both front and rear brakes. It's been ages since I have adjusted motorbike brakes; and after a quick check of the settings in the manual, the brake and cable adjusters were set up in about half an hour.
Now the brakes feel a lot sharper, and I have to remember to adjust them a bit more often!

An oil change and chain adjust and lubrication are next on the agenda, in about 200 miles time.
Honda motorbike engines seem to have the ability to survive few oil changes as well. 
So watch this motorbike maintenance space - If you're still awake by then!............