Journal Entries
Mitching
Posted Mar 12, 2012
I had the day off today. I have a pile of paperwork that needs doing, not to mention a load of little jobs around the house, so of course I took the opportunity to go out and enjoy the sunshine.
It really was a glorious day, the first this year that needed no coat nor even a jumper. I strolled over the hill and down to the beach, where I got a cup of coffee and sat reading the paper. There wasn't a cloud to be seen, but a slight haze meant that there was no visible join between sea and sky, just a field of intense blue. Once I'd finished the paper (Torquay managed a late comeback to earn another valuable point in their rare quest for promotion) I walked up the coast path, even enjoying the ridiulously steep climb on the way, and into the village. A stop at the village shop secured items for tonight's meal, not to mention an ice cream to enjoy on the last leg of the walk. As I headed back towards home the top road was shimmering in the heat.
When I arrived back I was a bit tired and it was too warm indoors, so I made a pot of tea and sat outside eating biscuits and watching the birds. Perfect.
Now it's evening, the neglected paperwork is sitting on the table glowering accusingly at me and the whole place is a tip. What the hell, I haven't posted an h2g2 journal entry since last summer...
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Latest reply: Mar 12, 2012
A Midsummer Night's Gleam
Posted Jun 22, 2011
I'd forgotten about this in all the excitement of today's news, but up till then it was the best thing to happen all day...
As I was walking along the lane on my way home shortly before midnight tonight, I spotted a tiny green glint low down in the hedge. I tried to examine it using my torch but I couldn't get in close enough amongst the foliage to see what it was, so I pressed on. About 200 yards further on I rounded a bend next to a lovely old house called Great Coombe and was met by a remarkable sight. It looked for all the world as if someone had planted a number of little green LEDs either side of the road. This time I was able to get close to one by the gate of the house and could pick out an insect - yes, they were glow worms. I've never seen any before in my life and I was utterly enchanted.
In view of the good news when I got home and logged on to my computer, I've now decided that seeing glow worms must be a good omen, so I hope to spot some more soon! Well, superstitions have to start somewhere...
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Latest reply: Jun 22, 2011
Naughty Naughtie
Posted Dec 6, 2010
I've got to mention James Naughtie's little slip-up on Today just before the 8 o'clock news this morning. Well, "Jeremy Hunt the Culture Secretary" is an accident waiting to happen really!
The whole thing was improved no end by the supposed 'coughing fit' that followed the spoonerism - shades of "do shut up, Aggers".
Alas, some miseryguts complained apparently, so I won't be surprised if the incident is excised from the iPlayer.
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Latest reply: Dec 6, 2010
He lives in a house, a very small house, in the country
Posted Sep 30, 2010
I've just moved into my new abode at last. It's a lovely little place deep in the South Hams countryside. Basically, once you reach the back of beyond, take the road towards the middle of nowhere, turn left down a lane which has grass growing down the middle and eventually you come to one of those tiny forgotten hamlets in which this part of the world abounds. There you'll find my little place nestling within the bounds of my brother's palatial residence.
My brother informs me that it used to be a pigsty. Everyone seems to find that funny...
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Latest reply: Sep 30, 2010
Tragic Events
Posted Jun 2, 2010
People know how much I love Dartmouth, my home town. Well, last week I had the dubious fortune to have a 'front seat' view of a disastrous fire, probably the worst destruction to befall the town since a Luftwaffe raid in (I think) 1942. Several ancient buildings were destroyed or severely damaged (although the BBC describes them as Tudor, historians believe that the lower floors are rather earlier and were then extended upwards and outwards) and quite a number of people lost their homes or their livelihoods.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/devon/10189310.stm
My workplace is the flat-roofed building with the bow window visible in the video on the above link - so you can see that were within about 30 feet of the affected buildings. Those shots were taken at nightfall, by the way, probably about 8 hours after the fire started and well past its height. We had to close but weren't asked to leave the building ourselves.
The following day we opened but had to trade from our rear fire exit - very strange! The only good news is that we have been able to offer jobs to several people who lost their workplace in the blaze.
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Latest reply: Jun 2, 2010
parrferris
Researcher U168284
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