Saturday… Lots of catching up!

Phew, where to start? It has been a couple of weeks since I last “blogged” so there is quite a bit of catching up to do!

The biggest adventure was a 12 day trip out to France with friend Mark, to his house for a working party. We drove over on Monday the fourth via Brittany Ferries. It is a longer crossing than the catamaran (not running since it had a close encounter with a buoy in the harbour at Le Havre!) So we were delighted to find another piece of French motorway had been completed, giving continuous motorway to within about 10 miles of the house. Not counting stops, we completed the journey in just under six hours.

CarIt was a working week so we had trips to the various ‘bricolages’ for wood and components to add a new window to one external wall, change an external door for a more modern one, remove a fireplace and move an internal wall. For some of the work, a neighbour of Mark’s (in France – Ben, a Dutchman) came and assisted, while I did other necessary jobs like mowing the lawns, making coffee, preparing food and so on.

We made good progress getting the window installed, and almost completing the one door, and moving an interior stud partition wall before we flew back, leaving Mark’s car at the airport.

houseIt wasn’t all work, we did go out for a meal or two, and Mark’s wife flew out for the weekend. I did little local exploring in the woods nearby. All went well until the last bit where I lost my bearings, and rounding a corner in a field, came face to face with a ‘Limousin’ cow. I beat a quick retreat, climbed up a bank – and found myself in Mark’s back garden – I had just walked round the house and not seen it!Lintels

After I arrived back on Friday 15th, we had a visit from Martin and Stephanie, friends from University. We met up at Beaulieu, and went out for a meal (thank you Martin!) with a trip to the apple fair at “The Vyne” National Trust House near Basingstoke. They left on Sunday morning, and on Monday I was off to London for a postponed ECP session.

apple_fairThat went smoothly as expected and I was home on Tuesday evening. I did have an appointment at the eye clinic, and my eyes are much better, so I am now using less aggressive eye drops – but still not able to wear contact lenses 🙁

I had a slight “wing mirror” encounter on Friday night, just clipping it as I passed another car on a narrow bridge. This popped the glass out, but it was retained by the heating element wires, so I thought it would click back in. Alas no, there was a part that had dropped out, and when I went to buy the replacement part, I was told I had to buy a complete motor assembly. Ouch! I ordered that on Wednesday and collected it on Thursday, and fitted it that morning. You don’t realise how much you use the external mirrors until one is missing.

TrafalgarThursday saw me driving up to Corsham for a dinner to celebrate the glorious victory of Admiral Lord Nelson at Trafalgar. An excellent evening with many old friends present. On Friday I drove up to see my parents.

However on the way I stopped off to see the people at LeukaemiaCARE. I haven’t done very much with them lately, but I am going back to help on the 24 hour careline, so it was good to drop in and catch up with some new faces and (Meg!) And discuss “stuff” :). So a hello to Tony, Dawn, Nikki, Veronica, Tricia, Meg, Mike, Steve and Becks. And see you all again soon I hope.

HailSo I am at my parents having a break- the weather was lovely this morning – we have just had a hailstorm! I had been hoping to go back to France with Mark on Monday, but last week I was approached by an agency with a possible contract offer. MY CV has been submitted, and interviews are this week. I don’t know if I will be called for interview, but it is worth waiting to see. It will be for about 40 days of work, which will be useful!

I have lots of photos as well – only a sample here – which will be on the Gallery when I have uploaded them.

So on all fronts – Onwards and Upwards!

9 Responses to “Saturday… Lots of catching up!”

  1. Richard on 24 Oct 2010 at 9:09 pm #

    good luck with the contract

    Good job with the condition of your eyes that smoking is banned in the work place, and pubs, and restaurants, and buses, and trains…………well you know the rest

  2. Gillian on 26 Oct 2010 at 9:54 pm #

    More crossing for the contract 😀

    So…….. is there another BT campaign afott to get fibre optic installed in villages – ‘cos we’re not on the list again!

    Still…. spa day tomorrow with Ma-in-law and daughter (revision break!)

    xxx to all

  3. Peter on 27 Oct 2010 at 9:24 am #

    Not heard anything on the contract yet!

    Campaign – it has crossed my mind – we are under the 1000 user limit. I have heard from some of the old campaign team. “Knowing smiles” I think! 🙂

    Peter

  4. Richard on 27 Oct 2010 at 9:47 am #

    I have been approached to organise one here particularly as I organised a seminar / training day which was much appreciated but I am not clear how close the registration scheme is linked to the actual outcome.

    Here much of the village is well spread so as long as BT insist on undergrounding all fibre there will not be very good penetration. In the States I understand that fibre is commonly distributed overhead I have been told that Virgin is considering/testing overhead fibre so we’ll have to see.

    Gillian, tomorrow was today and this is Wednesday 🙂

    Richard

  5. Frances on 28 Oct 2010 at 2:08 pm #

    Sympathies on the wing mirror. They are shockingly expensive to replace. The old Astra had one which would let you think you had popped the glass back, until it dropped out again! For months we had elastic bands round the mirror assembly – very chic.

    Good luck with the interview.
    Frances

  6. Gillian on 28 Oct 2010 at 8:55 pm #

    Sounds like a reunion may be on the cards 😉

    Let me know if you start any campaigns, and I’ll jump on the bandwagon

    xxxxx

  7. Terry on 29 Oct 2010 at 4:18 pm #

    Hi Peter
    Glad to hear you are doing well, the visit to France sounds to have gone well. My fingers etc wil be crossed that you get an interview and sail through it. It seems a time for wing mirror problems James (Gregory) had a similar incident today with a “white van”. Nice to keep in touch.
    Terry

  8. Richard on 29 Oct 2010 at 5:29 pm #

    For some sticky pads provide a little relief from the mirror drop events. There are some that are weather proof and may last longer than elastic bands.

    If you must have elastic band poach some from the postie but remember that they do not last long in the light (or car washes 🙂 )

    Any job news Peter as it is now the end of ‘this week’?

    Have a great weekend

    Richard

  9. Peter on 29 Oct 2010 at 11:46 pm #

    The mirror is now repaired. The glass was intact, as was the mirror housing and chassis, so I thought the glass would just clip back in – but there was a little plastic part missing, so I had to buy a new motor assembly that fitted into the mirror housing, Don’t ask! (Only took a couple of hours to fix – it would be quicker next time – hope there isn’t a ‘next time’.

    Didn’t get invited for interview 🙁 But my details are on file!

    Reunion – could be good! I’m not sure about outcomes for small (<1000 users) exchanges. I don't think even 75% registration will guarantee fibre.

    Terry - good to hear from you! Not heard from Paul, James or Michael. Note to self - must get in touch.

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