We left home just after 10.30 on Easter Saturday, courtesy of Philip, our Driver (all part of the Emirates service!). It’s been a while since we (well, Philip) tackled the M6, and given that it was a bank holiday weekend, the traffic, although busy, moved along at speed without any hitches. We therefore arrived at …
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Author:Steve Palmer
I got into blogging quite late in life, not publishing my first post until 2004 - well into my 40s! My lifelong love of technology and communication (in all its forms), together with a fondness for the art of writing seemed to be the perfect combination to contribute a few words to the online community. But I'm no Samuel Pepys! If you're looking for deep and meaningful comments on a variety of subjects, then you've arrived at the wrong site! I only pen for pleasure! On average, my posts appear about twice per month, covering family & friends, cinema visits, eating out, holiday experiences and techy stuff. Oh, and as this is my hobby, there are no sponsored links nor adverts here – it's all done with love!
I hope you find it enjoyable, interesting and occasionally, even helpful!
Lent Boy 2018: How Did I Do?
WARNING! Please read responsibly. This Blog contains large amounts of smugness! So, that’s my ‘Lent thing’ over for 2018. What began in 2010 as a small challenge, has now grown into a much bigger event! Some of you have asked how I got on, so here’s a short summary. Thanks to all my friends and …
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Passport to SOMEWHERE
It was a day-out with a difference today, with our good friends, David and Valerie. The location was known only to them, and all we were told was: “Be ready for 8am, wear outdoor clothes and bring your Wellingtons. Oh.. and your passports”. The reason? To celebrate Ann’s Birthday and mine (well in advance). Lovely …
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Monday & Tuesday Classes
Auto cross-posted from my WordPress Tech Blog: We’re taking a break! See below for re-start dates… – Monday Laptop Class: 23rd April 2018 @9.30am– Tuesday Laptop Class: 24th April @9.30am– Tuesday Tablet Class: 24th April @ 1pm Steve PalmerI got into blogging quite late in life, not publishing my first post until 2004 – well …
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Laptop Coaching: The Action Centre
Auto cross-posted from my WordPress Tech Blog: Today, we discussed the information shown in Windows 10 ‘Action Centre’. Steve PalmerI got into blogging quite late in life, not publishing my first post until 2004 – well into my 40s! My lifelong love of technology and communication (in all its forms), together with a fondness for …
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Gambles Reunited for Ann’s Birthday Celebrations
Well, I think that’s a first (not sure why though!) – the Gambles family reunited here for Ann’s Birthday!! Denis, Roger, Jane, Oliver and Bev batting for the Gambles, whilst Lee and I were in the other corner! A little like that odd tradition where the person whose birthday it is, provides cakes, Ann provided …
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Tablet Coaching: The Play Store
Auto cross-posted from my WordPress Tech Blog: Today we discussed how to gain access to, and get the most from, the Google Play Store. Steve PalmerI got into blogging quite late in life, not publishing my first post until 2004 – well into my 40s! My lifelong love of technology and communication (in all its …
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Laptop Coaching: One-to-Ones
Auto cross-posted from my WordPress Tech Blog: Today we concentrated on one-to-one activities, helping those who had specific issues with their Laptop. Steve PalmerI got into blogging quite late in life, not publishing my first post until 2004 – well into my 40s! My lifelong love of technology and communication (in all its forms), together …
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Laptop Coaching: One-to-Ones
Auto cross-posted from my WordPress Tech Blog: Today, we extended the duration to a double lesson and spent time working 1-to-1 with the Class on a range of laptop-related topics. Steve PalmerI got into blogging quite late in life, not publishing my first post until 2004 – well into my 40s! My lifelong love of …
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Rock me Amadeus!
It was down to the Capital this afternoon to catch the National Theatre’s 2018 production of Amadeus. But before all that, we headed for the Royal Academy to see the time-limited ‘Charles I: King and Collector’ exhibition. Wow! This was impressive! It featured a collection of around 100 works of art (classical sculptures, Baroque paintings, …
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Tablet Coaching: Core Apps
Auto cross-posted from my WordPress Tech Blog: Today, in the Group’s first double lesson, we looked at two Android Core Apps:- We also looked at how to configure a Tablet for printing to a home-printer. Steve PalmerI got into blogging quite late in life, not publishing my first post until 2004 – well into my 40s! …
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Laptop Coaching: Word Processing (Part 3)
Auto cross-posted from my WordPress Tech Blog: Following on from last week’s lesson, today we concluded the ‘word processing Lessons. We discussed:- We concluded the Lesson with the group (in pairs) designing a poster for a lost pet! Steve PalmerI got into blogging quite late in life, not publishing my first post until 2004 – …
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Laptop Coaching: Core Apps
Auto cross-posted from my WordPress Tech Blog:  Today, we gave the Group their first look at pre-installed ‘Apps’. Specifically, we discussed:- Steve PalmerI got into blogging quite late in life, not publishing my first post until 2004 – well into my 40s! My lifelong love of technology and communication (in all its forms), together …
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Remember the 60s?
It’s getting to that point where many of our social circle are reaching a ‘certain’ age (although some have past it, and some feel past it!) Guilty on both counts! 😁😁 Tonight was another of those events, with John C (below, not facing the camera!) reaching that milestone where a Public Library (if there …
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Moggy Birthday – Biscuit at 13!
Biscuit turned 13 today and by my calculation that makes her about 68 in human years. Our previous two Persians (Mumsy and Bubsy) made it to almost 15 and 14 years old respectively, but were both unwell in their final years. I therefore expect, going forward, we’ll be making more trips to and from the …
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Janet +1
We enjoyed a fantastic evening in the company of Jo, Carol (and the star of the evening) Janet – who’s now one full day into retirement – hence tonight’s celebration! We picked everyone up around 7.15 and headed off to The Palmichael – we haven’t been there for a year-or-so and it was good to …
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Film: Three Billboards outside Ebbing, Missouri
That’s a record! Off to the local Odeon again tonight – that’s two visits in a row! Tonight, we saw the award-winning movie: Three Billboards outside Ebbing, Missouri. Ann had always wanted to see it, but we missed it the first time around. For me, the motivation was more about a bucket-load of ‘40% off’ …
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Carmen conquers Kettering
No, not our home town’s answer to Debbie does Dallas, but a first for us – Live Opera in Kettering! We caught the live screening of the 2018 production of Carmen streamed all the way from the Royal Opera House in London. It was also being seen in another 1056 cinemas across 29 countries. Wow! …
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Tablet Coaching: Screen Layout & Looking after your Tablet
Auto cross-posted from my WordPress Tech Blog: After last week’s lesson, where we explored the outside of a typical Tablet, today we turned our attention to explaining the screen layout and the meaning of the standard icons. We also spent time discussing how to keep a typical Tablet in tip-top condition. Steve PalmerI got into …
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Laptop Coaching: Word Processing (Part 2)
Auto cross-posted from my WordPress Tech Blog: After last week’s Lesson: Word Processing (Part 1), today, somewhat predictably, we covered ‘Word Processing (Part 2)’. This included:- ..and much, much more Steve PalmerI got into blogging quite late in life, not publishing my first post until 2004 – well into my 40s! My lifelong love of …
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Laptop Coaching: Screen Layout (Part 2)
Auto cross-posted from my WordPress Tech Blog: Today, we continued our tour of the Windows 10 Desktop, specifically looking at the layout and functionality of the ‘System Tray’. Steve PalmerI got into blogging quite late in life, not publishing my first post until 2004 – well into my 40s! My lifelong love of technology and …
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Laptop Coaching: A Brief History of Windows
Auto cross-posted from my WordPress Tech Blog: Today we gave the group an introduction to Windows 10, including:- Steve PalmerI got into blogging quite late in life, not publishing my first post until 2004 – well into my 40s! My lifelong love of technology and communication (in all its forms), together with a fondness for …
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A Bunch of Amateurs
The Stratford Players desperately need King Lear to be a success or it will be their last ever production, and their theatre will be demolished for redevelopment. Maybe a big box office star can help? Enter from stage-left, one Jefferson Steele: Hollywood action hero, currently between his film-franchises and encouraged to play his very first …
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The Logo Movie
Today, the BBC proudly announced a new logo for Doctor Who – as you can see, they even made a movie about it! (Read the detail HERE). And, unusually, given that Whovians don’t like ANY change to their beloved programme, it was received pretty favourably – with one fan going totally OTT and tweeting… “THE …
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Tablet Coaching: Lesson Plans & Tablet External Tour
Auto cross-posted from my WordPress Tech Blog: After last week’s introductory lesson, we spent today discussing the group’s Lesson Plans and giving the Group a tour of the outside of their Tablet (sockets, switches etc). Steve PalmerI got into blogging quite late in life, not publishing my first post until 2004 – well into my …
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Laptop Coaching: Word Processing (Part 1)
Auto cross-posted from my WordPress Tech Blog: Today we began the first of three lessons covering the essentials of word-processing. Guess what? Part two next week! Steve PalmerI got into blogging quite late in life, not publishing my first post until 2004 – well into my 40s! My lifelong love of technology and communication (in …
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Laptop Coaching: Keyboard and Tiles
Auto cross-posted from my WordPress Tech Blog: Following-on from last week’s initial Lesson, today, we discussed more about a typical Laptop keyboard. We also looked at the Windows 10 ‘Tiles’ layout and how to customise the look. Steve PalmerI got into blogging quite late in life, not publishing my first post until 2004 – well …
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Lunch with Chris and Pete
Jo and Janet picked us up at midday and we headed over to Pete and Chris’s. We haven’t been over to theirs for quite a while and it was good to catch up. A glass of Prosecco each welcomed us before we tucked into the main event. Lunch, as always was first class – with …
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Tech Alert (No. 877)
Warning: This Blog contains a serious amount of techy nerdiness, and (more scarily) me attempting some DIY. It’s not for the faint-hearted, so if you are easily shocked, please click HERE to exit! OK, so I’ve had my new whizzy Amp, sorry ‘AV Receiver’ for just about 12 months now, and recently re-cabled it all …
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SPECS and the City (not!)
They say you always remember your first time! Mine was on the road between Catford and Lewisham back in the late 70s at 10.47 – a Sunday I think – and it was over in a flash. Dad was horrified, Mum was angry mortified – and I was very embarrassed having been caught in the …
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