Michael's Meanderings

D has been doing some electrical upgrades for me in lieu of rent, so far he's replaced most of the light switches for something more modern, and replaced the original wire-fused main fuse box (which had been really badly installed) the new one has circuit breakers and separate "fuses" for power rings for ground floor, first floor and kitchen, and the garage and shower (also new) on a separate circuit. He's also just replaced one of the kitchen lights. It previously had 4 mini bulbs of 40+watts each and the replacement strip light is brighter and uses less total power.

First weekend in March, on Saturday my Dad drove to collect me so I could visit for the weekend. After arriving he decided that he wasn't feeling up to driving back so I had to!!! I had driven in years (decades) so it was good that I was familiar with the route. Though it's interesting how much more you concentrate on how you get from A to B when you are behind the wheel! The car was very nice to drive, an automatic and with very responsive accelerator and brake. We did get home safely (though one of the wheel trims did come off! And was recovered the following day!)

Went to church with my parents on Sunday, my Mum drove this time. and after lunch my sister took me home.

Tuesday nights juggling have been progressing nicely. I've used use my new camera to video some of the juggling, and the improvement over the weeks is noticeable (I must upload some) It the moment I'm trying to keep the patterns going for a bit longer (i.e. 10 clubs being passed/thrown). We have also been doing patterns with 4 people, the best have been in a cross (+) but also -> with the teacher passing to three of us.

I managed to loose my new Palm TX it was when there was a break in the train lines and I had to get a replacement service bus. Despite contacting lost property I got no result ;-(

Last weekend I spent finally getting around to watching hours of TV I'd recorded over the last 3 month! But mid afternoon it was so nice weather wise that I decided to go for a walk, and tramped through Bedelands Farm, not much growth current but hopefully I'll return and see some transformations. I did take one or two pictures.

So first weekend in February was filkcon, (see prevous post) I got my ECDL certificate and it's now hanging on my kitchen wall. I've also watched Terry Pratchett: A Life with Altzheimer's a two part documentary fly on the wall following Terry for a year.

After my Saturday chiropractor adjusted my back, since it was a nice day, I walked from Hove to Brighton stations (I also wanted to visit one of the shops at Seven Dials), it was an interesting experience, but I don't think I'll be doing it again ;-)

So the third weekend in February I finally fulfilled a promise to my sister and visited her and my brother in law in their house in Somerset. When they moved there over a year ago I said I'd visit, and now finally I have. I hope my next visit isn't quite so long before it occurs.

Some Photos

So I left work on Friday at lunch time from Paddington station to Bath Spa, then to Castle Cary where I was collected by my sister. We went to their "new" home and after dinner saw "Flushed Away" and "Igor" on DVD before going to bed.

Saturday morning and sister and I went off to the Discworld Emporium where we met Bernard and Isobel and after an hour of browsing I bought a post card and a small "fossil". We visited a couple of libraries during the day, but then went next to Glastonbury where we had pizza for lunch. We then caught the special tourist bus to Glastonbury Tor. We walked to the top where we were nearly blown away but it was clear enough to see for miles. We then caught the last bus back to town (just before the car park ticket expired)

We then went to Cheddar Gorge which we drove down and then back again, had a walk around bought some mead and then bought a take out Chinese dinner. After we ate sister and I returned to Glastonbury where we saw the amateur production of "Lord of the Bling - The 21st Annual Glastonbury Pantomime" started at 8pm and finished at 11pm! then back home and bed after a very full day.

Sunday we left at 10am for Wookey Hole where we spent the day. We first joined the tour of the caves. Then we went through the fairy garden and the Dinosaur Valley (including wooden dragon and King Kong) then through the Paper Mill which has only just shut down as a working paper making enterprise. We saw the Wookey Hole Youth Circus perform, all participants under 16 and only been learning for two years. Then lunch after which we did further exploring and found the clown museum, tho old penny arcade, the mirror maze, the cave museum, and the bear museum, an finally exclaimed over a figure of Captain Jack Sparrow.

By this time it was mid afternoon and we wound up the day by visiting Wells, the Bishop's Gardens, The Cathedral and The Crown. The former and latter being used as locations for Hot Fuzz watched later. We also managed to get to the Museum 15 minutes before it closed to see a display on circus in the UK. After a Hot Chocolate at the Crown we went home and a snoozed for a couple of hours (it had been an exhausting two days! When I woke up it was time for dinner, and excellent roast pork and veg, which we ate while watching the aforementioned Hot Fuzz. Unfortunately the DVD was corrupted just 20 minutes from the end ;-( Since I had enjoyed it very much and wanted to know how it turned out I went on-line to get a copy from Amazon!

On Monday I had to get up at the crack of dawn (i.e. my usual work day get up time) as my sister was unable to get a window in her work schedule before my train left! Fortunately one of her work colleges was actually going near the station anyway and was able to give me a lift. This did entail waiting a hour in my sister car and another hour at the station but I did get on the direct train to London from Castle Cary at 9:40 and thence home by 1:30pm

PS Hot Fuzz arrived a few days later and the ending was excellent!