Lee, Ann and I drove over to Stratford-upon-Avon tonight to see Second Thoughts’ production of Calendar Girls. After a slow drive there because of congestion on the A14, on arrival it wasn’t the warmest of nights, and so not an ideal evening to ask the cast to dis-robe! Second Thoughts always punches above its weight, and …
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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!
HSL Project – Friday
Fifteen rolls of wallpaper, more white paint than you can shake a brush at, plus 47 tea-bags later, Honor and Karen from Paint-Pals are 99% finished. Everything looks fab and once the radiators, lights and alarm panel are re-fitted next week, we’ll be totally sorted! Some ‘before’ and ‘after’ shots next week. Nice one ladies …
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HSL Project – Wednesday
Apart from Monday, where, due to my enthusiasm for getting all the ‘little’ pre-jobs sorted, I had decorators, electricians and plumbers literally tripping over each other, the re-decoration of the Hall, Stairs and Landing is back on track and going well. Honor and Karen from Paint Pals are doing a fab job with most of …
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HSL Project – Monday
This week sees the Hall, Stairs and Landing getting a major makeover. In order to ensure the most professional of results, I’m NOT going anywhere near the wallpaper, paint, electrics or plumbing – I tend to play to my strengths, so I’m looking after teas and coffees! Steve PalmerI got into blogging quite late in …
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Doctor Who – 50th Year Anniversary Episode
(But I would say that wouldn’t I?) After the mega-hype of the past few weeks, unless you’ve been on another planet (except Gallifrey), you can’t fail to have experienced the ‘buzz’ via every possible means, shouting about tonight’s episode. And yes, I got caught up in it all (and enjoyed every moment of it!) The …
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Bath time – Day 7 (final day)
It’s our final day in Bath today – and ironically, the brightest, sunniest and warmest day of our break so far! Our plan was to cover a few more sights, including the American Museum at Claverton Manor and Castle Combe, but things didn’t quite work out that way! First of all, we drove all the …
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Bath Time – Day 6
Today, Ann and I switched to ‘full tourist mode’. Lee stayed behind to catch-up with daytime TV, whilst we headed for Bath town centre. After the obligatory visit to M and S for some foody-essentials, we then took a slow stroll around the town taking in the sights. After a pit-stop at Jolly’s department store, …
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Bath Time – Day 5
The Thermae Spa in Bath Today was another wet day, but for all the RIGHT reasons. We drove into Bath and headed for the Thermae Spa (after a brief visit to M and S). We came here a few years ago, and just like last time, even for a confirmed NON-swimming-pool addict like me, it …
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Bath Time – Day 4
After yesterday’s downpour which seemed to last most of the afternoon, it was good to see the sun shining today. On today’s itinerary, it’s Tetbury and Cirencester. The day is very much Lee’s, as these two towns are very much ‘old stomping ground’ for her. Cirencester in the freezing Sun After the statutory late breakfast, …
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Bath Time – Day 3
Another lazy breakfast followed by a check on the weather forecast that indicated that unless we managed to buy an ark, the morning was going to be a better choice than the afternoon for being outside. So, it was off to Wells and to begin, a visit to its famous Cathedral. Scenes inside and outside …
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Bath Time – Day 2
The View from the Kitchen A lazy lie-in this morning! A rare treat meaning we didn’t have breakfast until 9am!! – A unusual event – and wonderful in equal measure! We’re not sure what to do with ourselves today. It looks cold and foggy outside so that sounds like a perfect day to attempt to …
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Bath Time – Day 1
Phew! Here we are then at The Coach House in Batheaston. It’s 5.30 and we should have been here by 4! Just our luck that this was the day when (according to the local news) a 48-wheeled monstrosity of a transporter also decided to also make its journey along the M4 and off at the …
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TV: The Revolution will be Televised
This programme is worth a look – ‘The Revolution will be Televised’ – showing on BBC3 on Thursday nights. Not one to watch with Granny, as the language can be a bit ‘fruity’, but the sheer balls of these two guys in doing what they do, makes it worth watching, even if some of it …
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Doctor Who – Before He Was Famous
BBC2 HD is a showing a wonderful homage to William Hartnell in the role of Doctor Who next Thursday at 9.00pm. Penned by Who-fanatic/actor/star of League of Gentlemen/Sherlock script-writer and all-round nice person, Mark Gatiss, the programme shows the lead-up to the commissioning of Doctor Who in 1963 and is entitled: An Adventure in Time …
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Doctor Who – NOT ‘The Day of the Doctor’
Come on, who’s getting bored with all this ‘The Day of the Doctor’ stuff? Well, not me for one! But for temporary relief for those who are, how about The NIGHT of the Doctor – a mini-episode that’s just popped up on the web courtesy of the BBC! Billed as a prequel, it probably is …
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Windows Wednesday
I spent an enjoyable day with my old (well, not so old) friend Tim C, helping him to sort out a few headaches with his sparkly new Samsung/Windows 8 laptop. Having only Windows 7 PCs here, it made me realise the steep learning curve that users are going through making the switch from ‘7’ to …
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Time Travelling – for real!
In spite of my near-obsession with Doctor Who, I was transported back in time today without the need for the TARDIS! How? By looking at some up-to-date photographs of the house where I grew up with Mum, Dad and my Brother. The two-bedroom semi is up for sale for 190k and Neil had found them …
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Malware Monday Morning
I spent this morning over at Paul and Sue J’s helping them to rid themselves of a rather nasty piece of malware on one of their PCs. Whilst I was there, we attempted to get their XP PC to ‘talk to’ their Windows 8 over the network. Whilst the malware exercise went well, the latter …
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Doctor Who – Second Official BBC TV Trailer
Click HERE #SaveTheDay 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 the art of writing seemed to be the perfect combination to contribute a few words …
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Doctor Who – Transmission Time
At last, the time has been confirmed for transmission! – 7.50pm. 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 the art of writing seemed to be …
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John Lewis Christmas Advert (2013)
…and here it is – the NEW John Lewis Christmas TV Ad for 2013 – ‘The Bear and the Hare’. The commercial uses a unique animation style that combines traditional 2D hand-drawn, stop frame, and 3D model made sets. The story is set to a cover of Keane’s ‘Somewhere Only We Know’ performed by Lily …
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Wi-Fi Range Extenders
Those with technophobia, should look away now! If you live in a house where certain parts of it don’t receive a very good wireless signal from your router (because of thick walls or just physical distance), then there’s a good cost-effective solution available. Called a ‘range extender’, these bits of tech, ‘do exactly what they …
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Wallpaper sorted!
In what what seemed like a few gazillion hours searching the internet, and as a result, enough samples in the post to cripple the postman, we eventually tracked down what we’d been searching for: “Lucia Wallpaper in Gold with a Textured Vinyl finish” Wallpapering begins in a few weeks – a big job needing 18 …
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Doctor Who: 50th Anniversary
Not an official BBC trailer, but hints that it is – a very good production, if you like ALL your Doctors in one place! #SaveTheDay #SaveTheCopyright 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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Doctor Who: 50th Anniversary – The Official BBC Trailer
The official trailer released a few weeks ago – now being shown on BBC TV at every opportunity! #SaveTheDay #SaveTheTrailer #GettingBoredNow 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 …
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Doctor Who: 50th Anniversary – For Non-Who Fans
This video released recently by BBC Worldwide, helps to explain what all the 50th-Anniversary-fuss is about. Sort of! #SaveTheDay #SaveSomeAspirin 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 …
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Doctor Who: 50th Anniversary Cinema Trailer
A nice clip for those who want to try and understand the whole ‘Doctor Who thang’ [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmsKrx_kGMM] #SaveTheDay #SaveForLater 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 …
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Who Needs the HS2?
Who needs the HS2? Our investment here is in ‘the HSL’ (Hall, Stairs and Landing!) The project started today with our textured ceilings being ‘flattened’. Next on the list is to re-site the burglar alarm panel, then paint, then wallpaper, change the lighting (to LEDs) and finally source some new wall decorations/pictures. Unlike the HS2, …
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Wibbly Wobbly, Timey, Wimey Stuff!
Doctor Who fans: Don’t blink!Non-Doctor Who fans – look away now! 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 the art of writing seemed to be …
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Chimichanga’s – The Return of the Tormented Tortilla
After last week’s visit to Kettering’s latest eatery, Chimichanga’s, that left Ann and I slightly underwhelmed, I was still looking forward to going there tonight with good friends Ian and Mags to see if things had ‘moved up a notch’. When we arrived just before 7.30, the same very warm welcome awaited us, and we …
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