Well, we haven’t done this in a while! It’s fair to say that many of our immediate circle of neighbours have all had significant things to ‘deal with’ these past few months, so tonight was the perfect opportunity to get together.

We played to our strengths, Ann weaving her magic in the kitchen and creating a couple of cheesecakes and me – washing the car!

With our strengths played-to, we picked up Paul and Karen and headed off in the direction of long-time friends, Tom and Julie (Georgina was celebrating her birthday today – and we’d all been invited!).

At the last minute, Trish and John couldn’t make it, but it still felt like a house full with aound 40 people there!

Safe to say, Ann’s cheesecakes went down a storm!

We stayed until around 10.30 leaving everyone else to finish the food and drink! It had been a really good ‘do’ although Eileen – Tom’s Mum – did manage aggravate her her knee along the way resulting in some much needed TLC – and an extended period on the sofa!

I’m tempted to say tonight was a great ‘knees up’ – but that would be sooo corny!

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!

StevePalmerTheBlogger.com

The post Party, Party! appeared first on Steve's Blog.

We headed over to Cineworld at Rushden Lakes this evening to catch the latest cinematic incarnation of ‘The Lion King‘.

Featuring the voice-talents of Donald Glover, Seth Rogen, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Alfre Woodard, Billy Eichner, John Kani, John Oliver and Beyoncé Knowles-Carter (as well as James Earl Jones reprising his role from the original film) the movie is directed by Jon Favreau.

But more about the movie itself a little later!

And what could be better than seeing a movie in a spanking new(ish) cinema? Well, seeing it in 3D… And what could be better than seeing a movie in 3D..?
…seeing it in 4DX of course (whatever that is!).
Everyone knows that 3D is a well-worn tactic for getting people to go to the Cinema, but what about this new fangled ‘4DX’?

This was our first experience of this technology to augment a film, and we roped-in good friends Jo and Janet to share the experience! Ahh! that’s what friends are for!

And after our now familiar routine of plugging-in ‘Robert‘ for some free ‘leccy’, courtesy of Pod-Point, we headed for the special ‘4DX Screen’. Given the promised reality of this ground-breaking multi-sensory experience, I noted they don’t provide sick-bags!

But what about the Film?

Much has already been written about this new release – and it’s only been out for a few days! After all, it was as recent as 1994 that Disney released ‘the all new The Lion King Animated Movie’. So, is the world ready for another remake so soon? Well, if they can do it with SpiderMan, and pull in new audiences, surely something as cuddly as a lion-cub is going to be easy! With visuals touted as ‘hyper-real‘ and ‘photorealistic‘, we’re going into this with high expectations!

And we weren’t to be disappointed! With those two particular adjectives ringing in our ears, and just when you think animation can’t get any more real, along comes this movie, that blurs the lines between ‘real’ and CGI.

OK, I think everyone knows the story, so I won’t re-tell it here. Instead, let me concentrate how it all felt...
Breathtaking is an under-statement – and that would have been our view without the addition of 4DX. With every hair of the lions clearly possessing a life of their own, you have to wonder what the next big jump in screen animation will be like. At times it really was impossible to tell that none of these animals were actually real (apart from the fact they talked!) With the addition of the 4DX effects (strobe lighting, vibrating and pivoting chairs, scents and smoke), it made a brilliant movie totally unforgettable!

Go see!

PS…

Even if the movie doesn’t break records, the weather is heading that way! Up here in Northamptonshire we’ve got it cooler (relatively) than those in the south-east, and across Europe, where temperatures are promising to hit the high 30s!

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!

StevePalmerTheBlogger.com

The post Film: The Lion King appeared first on Steve's Blog.

It’s been a week of experimentation whilst we tried out various Public Chargers for the first time.

First stop (on Tuesday) was Rushden Lakes where there are 7 chargers (5 x 7.2w + 2 x 22w, all shiny new) – and better still, they’re all free! Pity then, that I was guilty of not RTFM, because after plugging-in and going shopping, we returned an hour or so later to find that Robert had not charged at all! I’d forgotten to take the car off ‘off-peak charging only’. Doh!!

Roll on Friday, where, on the way to Bishop’s Stortford, I dropped into Birchanger Green Services (M11, junction 8) in search of their two charging stations. What made these slightly different was that all Ecotricity’s electricity comes from renewable sources, and therefore my conscience was as clear as the Charging Stations’ parking bays! There were three plugs on offer per Charger (although they all looked a bit battle-scarred and un-loved) of which two of the three, in theory, suited the e-Niro.

So, me being me, I chose the biggest plug on show, meaning it was a rapid type (a CCS Combo pushing 50kW, since you asked). These generally aren’t free, but at ‘only’ 30p per kWh, it’s still a cheap way to ‘fill-up’. I plugged-in and the App on my phone – and the Charger’s screen – confirmed the car was charging (after I remembered to switch off off-peak charging!)

40-or-so minutes later, Robert was fully juiced – Mission accomplished!! Around 50 miles had cost me just £4.50!

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!

StevePalmerTheBlogger.com

The post Guilty as Charged! appeared first on Steve's Blog.

Well, after exactly a week of ownership, we may not have saved the planet (yet!), but we’re saving something!

#GoElectric #eNiro

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!

StevePalmerTheBlogger.com

The post We Haven’t Saved the Planet! appeared first on Steve's Blog.

It seemed appropriate that our first major outing in our very first EV would be the Fully Charged Live Show at nearby Silverstone!

After picking up Chris and Mark in Northampton, we headed for this iconic location, where, in addition to plenty of ‘talkie-bits’, there was also an opportunity to test drive the latests EVs and look round at the numerous electricity-related Stands. I’d got my eye on test-driving the Jaguar i-Pace.

Hosted and organised by Red Drarf’s ‘Kryten’ aka actor, Robert Llewellyn, this was a Show for anyone with an interest in electricity and its role in the future of the Motor Industry.

Before going, I had a feeling this might be an event just for sandle-wearing envronmental hippies, but I was totally wrong! I’d go as far as to say, it was pretty ‘mainstream’ judging by the amount (and type) of people there (on both sides of the microphone).

We arrived just after 10 am, and judging by the Car-Park, it was already very busy. In addition to the numerous ICE cars, I was pleasantly surprised to see so many privately-owned Teslas – and even more pleased to NOT see another e-Niro! I’m sure there were going to be some – but ours was the only one when we arrived. It was truly a ‘rare beast’!

Our first big decision of the day was whether to take the short journey to the Show by Bus or by chauffeured Tesla. Ordinarily, this would have been a no-brainer, but with what seemed like the whole world queuing for Musk’s supercars, we took the free Bus instead!

Ten-minutes later, we’d arrived and we took a quick look round the exhibits inside before our first coffee.

It didn’t take us long to realise that this was no niche-ey event – it was very well supported by us the Public, as well as the very wide range of Exhibitors. From solar roof experts, petrol-to-electric engine conversions, solar-storage batteries the size of your radiators and many (many) home-electric charging companies, it seemed to cater for everyone with an interest in electricity as an energy source!

…and if the exhibits inside weren’t enough to get you interested, then there were plenty of organised presentations arranged throughout the day to discuss and explain in greater detail, electric cars and their impact.

Time for a look around outside… And it didn’t disappoint! Although I did try and book a test-drive of the Jaguar i-Pace, it seemed the rest of mankind had the same idea, so as consolation, I took a closer look at a static model!

After a quick Lunch, we took a look around the specialist exhibits. Some of which were iconic ICE cars converted to run on electricity…

…plus some that were all-electric by design…

So, all-in-all, a GREAT event – and to make it even better, we even managed to get our coveted journey in a Tesla to get us back to the car-park…

…plus a few mementos of our visit…

A very well organised event in every sense! I’m sure I’ll be going again next year.

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!

StevePalmerTheBlogger.com

The post Fully Charged Live 2019 appeared first on Steve's Blog.

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 act. And silly me, for not using any protection!

Now I know what your thinking, but at the time, getting nicked for speeding was a relatively novel event, and the protection of a camera detector was financially out-of-reach for me back then. I must have needed specs, even back then at the tender age of 22, because PC Dixon was so obvious standing at the side of the road with his speed gun!

I don’t mind saying that after being pulled over by the ‘boys-in-blue’ (there were no girls-in-blue in police cars during the late 70s) for doing 52 in a 30, I spent the 29.9 mph return journey home see-sawing between emotions. Emotions of fear (how to tell Mum and Dad) and surprise (that my highly customised first car – an already ageing bright red 848cc mini-van was actually capable of going that fast!).

Fast-forward (sorry, controlled acceleration-forward) 40+ years, and the more things change, the more they stay the same. After a points-free Licence since May 22, 2011, I’d always planned to keep it that way – but Fate had other plans!

I was caught doing 46 in a 40 last December not by one of these new-fangled SPECS (average) speed cameras, but a fixed one in my old stomping-ground – the city of Peterborough.

Ahh, so that’s where the Blog Title came from!

Back to the story! Luckily, I could still remain points-free courtesy of a ‘Speed Awareness Course’. I hadn’t realised that these sort of Courses were such a regular event. When I was sent the list of venues and dates, there was more-or-less two-per-day for the foreseeable future – clearly a popular alternative to three points then!

So, I arrived at the Marriott Hotel in Northampton just after 8am today, and the class was already filling up for the 8.30 kick-off! We were introduced to our Trainers-for-the-day – Stuart and David – and made to feel very welcome. On the stroke of 8.30, the class was full and the 30-or-so of us were probably all thinking the same as me: “What’s today going to be like?”

Well, I’m pleased to say (having spent quite a few years ‘up-front’ as a Trainer) that it was a thoroughly well-run and educational event. Rapport was quickly built with the group – not easy when it’s mandatory… on a Saturday morning… at 8.30! Both Stuart and David treated us like adults (not like naughty children) and quickly tapped in to our driving experience. It certainly was NOT death-by-PowerPoint, instead, we had quite a few individual and group exercises to build on our experiences and help us to improve our driving skills.

The days when these sort of events relied on shock tactics showing mangled cars and mangled people, thankfully, were a thing of the past.

We were offered plenty of ‘tips and tricks’ to help us become more aware of the surroundings when we are driving, and I guess that’s the point of all of this.

Having been behind the wheel since I was 18, I wasn’t sure I was going to learn anything – but I did! And I really do think it will help to calm that lead right foot of mine!
    

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!

StevePalmerTheBlogger.com

The post SPECS and the City (not!) appeared first on Steve's Blog.

After last night’s late-night curry-fest with the Costellos, what could be better than a lie-in this morning? Well nothing actually, but instead, we sped off to Nick and Celina’s to continue with helping them re-model their garden. After a quick faff-around in the kitchen clearing up the final debris, we hit the road early and arrived just before 9.15am.

The four of us soon got stuck in – pruning, digging, dumping, planting and re-planting, stopping only for the short break for a cuppa and then a ‘picnic on the lawn’ around 1pm.

My goodness, we got so much done today, and even though the promised heatwave never really arrived (probably a good thing!), it didn’t stop us making great progress.

It’s fair to say that by the ‘close-of-play’ just after 3, we were all ready to call it a day. And we did, said our farewells and headed home. Fortunately, our navigation around the road closure at Upplingham was a lot more successful than Friday’s near Oundle and we were home by 4.30.

A rewarding day in every sense – I feel a hot bath coming on!

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!

StevePalmerTheBlogger.com

The post Return to Netherfields appeared first on Steve's Blog.

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!

StevePalmerTheBlogger.com

The post The Falcon and Fate! appeared first on Steve's Blog.

This year, we drove up to Matlock to share New Year’s Eve with Ralph and Karen.

We set off from ours just after 1pm and arrived just before 3 – a straightforward, hassle-free journey (and the longest so far in Ann’s new car).

The venue tonight is the Peak Edge Hotel where we’re going to be enjoying a six-course gala dinner.

 

Note the typo above!

 

A crap photo, but it’s the content that counts! …and it all looked pretty yummy!

Ralph gave the Tesla a spin and acted as ‘designated driver’ and we arrived just after 7. As a bonus, there was an electrical charging point for the car (albeit a very slow one, but at least it was free!) just near the entrance.

After being given our glass of bubbly, we headed for the Bar, where it was already pretty busy. Whilst waiting patiently for ‘the nod’ to take our seats at our Table, we noticed how seriously everyone had taken the ‘black tie’ dress code – everyone had scrubbed-up pretty well!

On the stroke of 7.30, ‘the nod’ was given and we headed for our Table. We shared it with another group (of six) where we learned they’d been here before a couple of times (and commented that they hadn’t been good experiences!)

Still, the Tables had been laid out with grreat precision, and to us, the first impressions were good ones. If the event was to be judged by the amount of cutlery on show – we were in for a good time!

…and then the banquet began…

 

 

 

 

 

Entertainment for the evening was shared between the Hotel’s resident DJ and a local Band. The latter was a three-piece group (Drummer, Bass Guitar and Rhythm Guitar) where all three shared vocals. I think we were so impressed with their versatility that we forgot to note their name!

Well, the food turned out to be pretty good, and by the end of the final course, we were all comfortably stuffed. Not so stuffed that we couldn’t grace the dance-floor – if only for a few toons!

…and then before we knew it, the DJ was counting-down (courtesy of iPlayer Radio) to midnight – and 2017 was here!
 

After enjoying every permutation of handshakes and kisses from our Table, we had a final drink and then headed for the car before everyone else had the same idea.

It’s been a great event – a lovely group on our table, a great DJ and versatile Band – and of course, excellent food.

Back at Ralph and Karen’s, we caught a bit of Jool’s Holland’s Hootenanny on TV before crashing out.

New Year’s Day

After a lazy lie-in we spent some time in the morning chatting about our forthcoming holiday to Iceland before setting off to The Plough Inn for our new year’s day lunch.

 

 

Yummy, what a menu! It wasn’t long before we all declared were were officially ‘stuffed’!

The diet definitely starts tomorrow!

We paid the bill and said our goodbyes. By now the weather had really deteriorated – it was cold AND it raining heavily, and that’s how it continued all the way home! Still, we didn’t hit any bottlenecks and we were indoors by 4.30.

It’s been a great way to see in the new year, but we’ve eaten (and drunk) far too much.

Perfect then!!!!
    

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!

StevePalmerTheBlogger.com

The post New Year’s Eve 2016 appeared first on Steve's Blog.

Honestly, we DID have snow here yesterday, but today it’s hard to tell. Just like a hard-earned suntan, snow seems to disappear much faster than it takes to appear!

Today was actually a really nice day weather-wise – I WOULDN’T have predicted that as I tried to free Ann’s car from the snow and ice yesterday. In fact, it was a good day to introduce THE car to a sponge and some elbow-grease for the first time since we picked it up last Sunday.

…and the results were very satisfying for a first wash – it’s got a great paint job and a bit of polish made it look even better!

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!

StevePalmerTheBlogger.com

The post Snow is like a Suntan appeared first on Steve's Blog.

My story began at around 6.45 this morning as I headed off to Peterborough, driving Ann’s car (for the first time). It is still quite snowy around here, and we also had a fresh batch overnight. ‘No problem’ I thought, ‘it’s not THAT much, the main roads are bound to be clear’. Trouble began within five minutes of leaving the house. Snow on its own is fine, rear-wheel drive cars are fine too, and so are hills. However, put them all together (as happened this morning), and the result was a real mess.

As I approached the hill just round the corner from us, I just didn’t give the car enough throttle (my excuse? It was was the first time I’d driven Ann’s new car and the thought of going too fast on a snowy/icy bend – and the consequences didn’t fill me with confidence), the car slowly lost traction, stopped and began sliding back down the hill.

If we’d still had Ann’s little (front-wheel-drive) Fiesta, things would have been different, but the heavy Mercedes with its rear-wheel-drive just couldn’t cope. ESP kicked in reducing the throttle, and even when I turned it off, so I could rev the car freely, the car continued to go nowhere!

Still, surely with all the noise of the wheels spinning, the householders would be out to see what’s going on – not a chance! So I slid the car into a space and returned home. After tucking into porridge, Ann and I revisited the scene. We decided that the only thing to do would be to clear the road of all the snow and ice. Surely with all the noise of shovels, the householders would be out to see what’s going on – err no!

Forty-five minutes later, we’d cleared and gritted the hill (luckily there was a full grit bin nearby). I managed to turn the car around and pointed it back towards home. Two hundred metres later, at the t-junction, the nightmare repeated itself – no traction and the car just slipped and slid. A quick call to our neighbour, David, meant there was now three of us with shovels – David had thoughtfully, also brought some wood to go under the back wheels.

I managed to move it a little further on, but a local Wicks lorry arrived on the scene, completely ignored our plight (thanks!) and headed off into the distance. Five minutes later with his delivery made (or abandoned!) he was heading straight towards our stranded car. I was able to reverse it out of the way, but that now put it into a new position where there was no grip!! ARGHHHHHHH! More shovelling needed!!!

It was now getting light, and the locals were rising. Before long, we had three or four helping to dig us out. Eventually, we made it, but on the final 100 metres of the journey towards Tynan Close, I instinctively stopped to warn a neighbour who was de-icing his car about the state of the roads and then realised that I stopped on ANOTHER ungritted part of the road. Luckily, two neighbours, plus Mick, our resident electrician, were on hand to push the car (with me steering)along the final 20 metres towards home. I just got the car onto our gently sloping drive, got out, and was just about breathe a sigh of relief, when the car started to slip down the drive – and that was with the handbrake ON. ARGHHHHHHH!

Fortunately, it didn’t have much momentum and gently came to a halt in the snow and ice. David and Ann carried on shovelling, and eventually, we got the car on the level – and there it stayed for the rest of the day.

Val invited us round for a steaming hot cup of tea and reflected on the stress of it all. It was now only 8.45, but we both felt like we’d done a day’s work already!!!

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!

StevePalmerTheBlogger.com

The post True Grit appeared first on Steve's Blog.

After almost three years to the day of faithful service, it was time to retire Ann’s ‘Fiesta – ‘Maj’. Now we’re down to one car and with Ann’s new job and position,  we really needed something a little bigger and a better for long drives up-and-down motorways.


Ann’s car on 24 January 2010

And so, on a cold, snowy Sunday morning (and some 46817 miles later), it was time to retire a spotless and much-loved ‘Maj’ (hot magenta colour – geddit!), and part-x it for the Mercedes that Ann had spotted a few weeks’ ago.

Ann’s car on 20 January 2013

I’ll post some photographs of Ann’s new best friend when the weather improves!

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!

StevePalmerTheBlogger.com

The post Ann’s New Car appeared first on Steve's Blog.

There’s cool weather, cold weather, freezing weather and TODAY! When Ann, Lee and I left for Lincoln, Ann’s car was saying it was –8C outside – it certainly felt like it and I don’t think I’ve ever felt so cold. As we drove a few miles through Weekley, the gauge plummeted to –11C. That’s right –11C!!!!! I think that’s the coldest day this year – maybe ever!!

We think the freezing temperature must have scared drivers off the road – they were deserted. Either that, or it was the Rugby on the TV!

The almost deserted roads meant a fast journey to Bev’s and  we arrived in Lincoln in the record time of an hour-and-a-half. On arrival, Denis had arrived just minutes before and we were soon catching-up over tea and home-made cake (Nice cake Bev!). We also met Einstein, Bev’s rabbit, for the first time.

And then it was into town for the main mission – to pick up some new shoes for Ann. It was straight to Ann’s fave shoe shop, and after a quick peruse, the shop shock was two pairs lighter! Mission accomplished!!!!

Then after a quick look round the House of Fraser (almost empty), we headed for Pomodoro E Basilico, where we’d eaten the last time we came to Lincoln. It was amazing value at around £6 for two-courses and it was obviously a well-known fact as within 30 minutes the place was heaving! Unfortunately that meant that although the food was good, the service was a bit sloppy and we seem to wait ages between the starter and the main. When it did arrive, we sent our chips back straightaway because they were undercooked. It seemed that there weren’t enough waiters and the chefs were under pressure. Still, it didn’t affect the get-together and the bill of under £50 for five people including drinks brought a smile to our faces.

Then it was back to Bev’s for another round of tea and cake before heading home. Another hassle-free journey on the roads meant that we were back indoors by 5pm.

A lazy evening followed catching-up with the papers!

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!

StevePalmerTheBlogger.com

The post Lunch with Denis and Bev appeared first on Steve's Blog.

That’s good news! Ann’s Fiesta, aka ‘Madge’, was returned from the repairers today after her little ‘encounter’ with another car in Kettering three weeks’ ago.
Looks like it’s been treated to a new wing, new bonnet, new registration plate and complete new frontal area.

Well, at least it saves having to get the touch-up stick out this weekend!!

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!

StevePalmerTheBlogger.com

The post ‘Madge’ Returns appeared first on Steve's Blog.

10.30am. Ouch! Ann and Lee had a crunch in Ann’s Fiesta at the roundabout joining Windmill Avenue and Deeble Road. They were both shaken and Lee was ambulanced off to Kettering Hospital for an x-ray.  After a thorough check-up, luckily there were no serious after effects, and we were all back home around 2pm. 

Pity about the car though! I recovered the car to Paul’s as I have a feeling that the dents won’t polish out!!

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!

StevePalmerTheBlogger.com

The post Thank Crunchie it’s Sunday appeared first on Steve's Blog.

Image by Steve Palmer (UK) via Flickr

What a glorious day! it has to be the warmest day of the year so far – 23/24 degrees C!

So, after Ann and Lee dropped off the Biscuit and Bon-Bon for their six-weekly spit-and-polish with Patsy, it was time to use this fine weather to give both cars a real good clean. I picked the cats up and then it was all (my) hands to the wash bucket. Actually, I don’t think mine really needed it – but hey, it’s a new toy! I think it’s actually another half inch wider and taller because of all the wax I’ve put on it in last few days!!!

Whilst I was spitting and polishing the cars, Ann and Lee battled with the back garden – I think I chose the more enjoyable option!

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!

StevePalmerTheBlogger.com

The post Cats in… Shorts and Carnuba Wax out! appeared first on Steve's Blog.

After a cold start and a frost overnight, today turned into a gorgeous day! Maybe a little cold, but what a beautiful blue sky!

So, after a quick visit to Asda with Lee for a top-up shop, by way of Central Garage (to get Ann’s alloy replaced), we hit the garden for a massive tidy-up. First to go was the last remaining chiminea. Its twin sister had collapsed last year after we noticed severe cracking all over it (we think due to the severe winter) and it literally feel to pieces one afternoon, whilst in place. The remaining one was going the same way, full of cracks and very brittle, so we put it out of its misery with a vicious hammer-attack, and then popped it into the dustbin (sorry dustmen!).

 
After lunch, it was prune, prune, prune punctuated with regular breaks for the TV and newspapers.

…and then to finish off the day, I gave Ann’s car a thorough going-over including a deep-clean of the three existing alloys to match the new one.

Shiny motor!!!!

By 5pm, we were shattered, so we chilled-out to one of the DVDs Ann had picked up at Asda (for a fiver!) – Robin Hood starring Russell Crowe. We’d seem it in the cinema last year where I rated 3 stars (out of 5).

Spookily, when the film finished, we noticed that on Sky Movies Premiere, they were showing…. Robin Hood (well, at least ours was the Director’s Cut).

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!

StevePalmerTheBlogger.com

The post What a Gorgeous Day! appeared first on Steve's Blog.

Hard to believe, but Ann’s Fiesta – ‘Maj’ celebrates its first birthday today.

It’s been a great little car – a still is. It’s nippy around town, easy to park and great to look at, with its ‘hot magenta’ paint-job (Maj – geddit?) and body-kit.

It’s been worked hard though – almost 15000 miles on the clock already, but you wouldn’t know it – superb condition, apart from a few scuffs on the alloys.

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!

StevePalmerTheBlogger.com

The post ‘Maj’ – 1 Year On appeared first on Steve's Blog.

The first stage of returning the Mondeo to the Lease Company began today.

The paperwork arrived from DVLA now that I’ve de-registered the personal plate. The car gets back the original registration mark from three years ago, so all I need to do, is whip off the existing plates, and put on the new ones.

It wasn’t a difficult task, but it did involve me using a drill (hard to believe, I know – me, doing some physical labour!).

Anyway, it all went very smoothly – no extra holes in the plates, no holes in the ground, and most of all, no holes in me! It’s job done and the new plates are on, well-and-truly!

The next car

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!

StevePalmerTheBlogger.com

The post Licensed to Drill appeared first on Steve's Blog.

We drove down to Worthing to spend the day with Ian and Sharon. On the way there, we took a slight detour via Brighton to locate the premises of a new client, where I’m doing some work in a few weeks’ time.

We got to theirs just after 10 and after a quick coffee or two and a chat made our way to Lansing College where there was a craft fair.

There was quite a range of stalls, varying from table lamps at 300 quid each (eeek!) to pick-n-mix fudge at 2.50 (Guess where I stopped and shopped!!). Afterwards, we stopped for a cream-tea and discussed where to eat tonight. That was an easy decision for us to take – we’re going back to ‘The World’s End’ Pub/Restaurant where we’ve eaten before – famous for its ice-creams. 

We then headed off to Shoreham Airport for a quick snack. The place was busy and it looked warm enough to sit outside. A BIG mistake!!! as we slowly froze to death waiting for our club-sandwiches to turn-up. On the plus-side, it was good to be so close to the aircraft taking-off and landing.

After thawing-out a bit, we jumped back in Ian’s car and headed back to theirs. After taking the smart route of using the back-streets around Worthing to miss out the heavy coast traffic, we were soon back at Ian and Sharon’s. We jumped in the Fiesta and headed back to the B and B, Edwardian Dreams. Time to put  our feet-up until 7pm, when we’ll be heading out again with Ian and Sharon for the evening meal.

As expected, The World’s End was busy, even though we got there quite early. The food was great and the service was too! Our waitress seemed to have a pretty good memory – she never wrote anything down, but remembered all of our individual orders correctly (apart from the ‘two shandys’ that arrived as ‘two lagers’). After desserts and coffee, Sharon was looking tired so, we paid the bill and they dropped us off around 9.45 at the B and B – dirty stop-outs!

It’s been great seeing them both again – we’re back again in October for a longer stay. We’re leaving straight after breakfast tomorrow.

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!

StevePalmerTheBlogger.com

The post Saturday with Ian and Sharon appeared first on Steve's Blog.