No-one could accuse the writers of Doctor Who of patronising their audience! Any episode that suggests Googling ‘Bootstrap Paradox’ (try looking here) in its opening scene is certainly NOT underestimating the intelligence of Whovians!! So, in short, tonight’s adventure: Before the Flood, penned once again by Toby Whithouse, was one to get you thinking. It …
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Holiday in Northumberland – Day 7 (of 7): Bamburgh Castle
Our last full day here, and with the weather looking dry and bright (ish!), we decided to head for Bamburgh Castle. Actually, the weather just got better and better! By the time we arrived, this big yellow thing had appeared in the sky, turning it into the perfect day for looking round the outside of …
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Holiday in Northumberland – Day 6 (of 7): Night Sky Safari
Today’s highlight is going to be our visit to the Kielder Observatory tonight. All we need is a change in the weather to make the most of the clear skies! Well, as luck would have it, the local forecast, was the best it’s been all week – hardly a heatwave, but good enough. Looking at …
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Holiday in Northumberland – Day 5 (of 7): Alnwick and Hot Stones
Day 5, and it’s all a bit dull out there! So we thought we’d stay local today – and visit Alnwick, as we haven’t wandered round here for nearly 20 years. Perfectly on cue, as soon as we parked, it started to rain. First priority therefore, was a coffee-stop at the White Swan. The White …
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Holiday in Northumberland – Day 4 (of 7): Edinburgh
I think it rained all night here! Looking at the forecast, it looks as though it’ll be dry in Edinburgh during our journey there by train – and then rain, rain and even more rain just as we arrive! Welcome to Scotland!Last time we were here was in August 2008 for The Fringe (it’s a …
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Holiday in Northumberland – Day 3 (of 7): The Coastal Cruise
Up ‘late’ again today! 8am!!!! Unheard of for us, but a good sign that we’re chilling-out. Today was the day that we’d planned to ‘do’ the coastal route from Amble up to Bamburgh. The weather forecast suggested some rain, so we took the chance. What-a-mistaka-ta-maka!! First stop was Amble – one of those little coastal …
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Holiday in Northumberland – Day 2 (of 7): iPlayer, Gym, Rothbury and Cragside
A very lazy day for us today! We didn’t get up until around 8am and that was followed by a very unhurried breakfast round the kitchen table. Then it was a question of priorities – I downloaded and watched last night’s episode of Doctor Who whilst Ann got ready for the Gym (there’s a free …
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Doctor Who – Series 9, Episode 3
We we’re away in Northumberland, so I used the cottage’s free wi-fi to download last night’s episode. This week’s offering, entitled ‘Under the Lake’ was penned by Toby Whithouse, a veteran writer for ‘new-Who’, but probably better known for his excellent BBC 3 series Being Human. For me, I’d say this was a slow-burner, as …
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Holiday in Northumberland – Day 1 (of 7): Arrival
It’s just before 4pm, and after a six-hour drive (stopping off at Morpeth for their food and drink Festival), here we are – our home for the next seven days – Breamish Valley Cottages. Affectionately called ‘Craggy’, it’s one of a small number of holiday cottages in the village of Powburn, near Morpeth, that’s so …
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V is for…
Volunteer! For a few months now, I’ve been assisting the Salvation Army in nearby Rothwell passing on my computer skills. I learned recently that I’d been nominated for an award at the Annual Awards from Northamptonshire Community Foundation. So, Ann and I drove over to The Derngate Theatre , not knowing quite what to expect. …
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Family Lunch in Billingborough
We drove to The Fortescue Arms in Billingborough today for lunch with Denis. He was in fine form and, as normal, did the menu justice!
Three-monthly catch-up: Ian and Mags
I drove over the Stratford and headed for Ian’s for 6.30. From there we drove into town and met up with Mags at the rather splendid Edward Moon in Chapel Street. Apparently, it’s been here for many years, but we’d not got around to trying it until now. I’m glad we did though – probably …
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Doctor Who – Series 9, Episode 2
Another cracking good episode (I watched it on iPlayer, whilst we were away on my Birthday Weekend). More talk than action (just!) this week – and a pivotal storyline for those interested in the Who history. There were plenty of references directly and indirectly to the iconic storyline in Tom Baker’s days, Genisis of the …
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Birthday Weekend 2015 – Corby/Harrogate/York
Saturday Celebrations began with a lie-in until the ridiculously late hour of 7.45! Then, we headed out for a bit of retail therapy, descending on the rejuvenated Corby assisted by a greasy-spoon breakfast. After a short walk around the shops, we headed home. Tom and Julie had left a pressy for me, and not long …
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Shard Day
Down to London today, courtesy of that other smooth operator (see what I did there!), East Midland Trains, for my second visit to The Shard. I took on the Tower back in April 2013 when I met up with Peter J – we were both fascinated by, at the time, this ground-breaking construction (that had …
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Computer Coaching: Colourful Words
Auto cross-posted from my WordPress Blog: Today, we looked at how to add a splash of colour to word-processed documents. Filed under: Delivery, Salvation Army, Skills Development, Volunteer, Writing
Computer Coaching:
Auto cross-posted from my WordPress Blog: Today we looked at how to copy a selection of files from a USB stick to your Laptop. Filed under: Delivery, Salvation Army, Skills Development, Volunteer
Doctor Who – Series 9, Episode 1
So, here we are – it’s back on our screens, and with the BBC’s marketing machine on full-throttle leading up to tonight to ensure everyone knew it was on – I missed it! Well, I missed it live as we had friends round. So, I’ll be watching courtesy of the Sky Box on Sunday. Showrunner, Steven …
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Curry Night Catchup
It’s that time of year where we start to count the weekends until the end of the year and begin to catch-up with those friends/neighbours who we’ve not seen so much of. Ideally, it would be a great to do it all in one single get-together, but trying to fix a date that suits everyone, …
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Computer Coaching: The Essentials of Word Processing (Part 1)
Auto cross-posted from my WordPress Blog: Today, we looked at a range of generic skills needed when using ANY word-processing programs. Filed under: Salvation Army, Skills Development, Volunteer, Writing
Tablets: Play Store
Auto cross-posted from my WordPress Blog: It was a small class this afternoon, so I had a real opportunity to carry out some one-to-one coaching, and I concentrated on Google’s Play Store. Filed under: 1-to-1 coaching, Salvation Army, Skills Development, Volunteer
Computer Coaching: USB Sticks
Auto cross-posted from my WordPress Blog: Today, we looked at how to transfer data from a USB stick to a PC. Filed under: Salvation Army, Skills Development, Volunteer
5ive go to… Liverpool
It’s that time of year, when a few of us Trainers get together for a weekend of culture, food, drink and whatever else comes our way! In previous years we’d been to Stratford-upon-Avon (2012), Bath (2013) and Birmingham (2014). This year it’s Liverpool and a ‘Staycity Serviced Apartment’. Coming along for the experience this time around …
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Computer Coaching: Managing and Filing your Data (Part 2)
Auto cross-posted from my WordPress Blog: Today, we continued to look at understanding how to ‘file’ data according to your personal requirements. This included looking at disk labelling. Filed under: Delivery, Design, Salvation Army, Skills Development, Staff Development, Volunteer
Computer Coaching: FAQs
Auto cross-posted from my WordPress Blog: Today, we had an open session for the class, dealing with their individual queries and questions. Filed under: Delivery, Salvation Army, Skills Development, Volunteer
Computer Coaching: Managing and Filing your Data
Auto cross-posted from my WordPress Blog: Today we looked at how to manage data on your PC. This included copying, moving and renaming files; creating and renaming folders. Filed under: Delivery, Salvation Army, Skills Development, Volunteer
An Unexpected BBQ
We don’t normally do ‘spontaneous’, but this afternoon was a very enjoyable exception! Tom and Julie invited us round for an afternoon, ‘first sitting’ BBQ in advance of their son, Lewis (and his legions of loyal followers) arriving later for the gentlest of invasions – and also food! Lewis was DJing at the local Aqua …
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XKR and a Spitfire
It was off to Gill and Chris’ tonight in Northampton – that’s TWICE we’ve been out in the XKR this week, and I think that’s a record! Abi was there too and it was good to catchup with news of her new job. The evening got off to a great start (for me!, anyway), when …
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How English!
We tottered off to Cranford Hall this afternoon, where they hosted local Craft Fair. Only £.50 each to get in – how very English! There was plenty of stalls plying their wares – Ann ended up with a scarf, and I bought some special cream called Sparklebright that you put onto glass and it stops …
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Gambles in The Feathers
A family day today, as Ann and I blew the dust of the XKR and drove down to Roger, Jane and Oliver’s for lunch and to catch-up with Denis, who had been staying over. A very reasonable 28.8mpg on the way down including some lead-footed ‘magic moments’ to check that the car still accelerated as …
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