Norton Yer Life

Birthday Treat(s)!!

2012-01-22T21:33:00.001Z

Had a great day on Saturday - my 62nd birthday. (And I repeat for Tim Harrisons benefit - 62 not 82!!)

Belper Town were at home to Newcastle Town and The Duchess and I decided that, as part of the celebration, we would sponsor the match ball. It's the third season in a row that we've sponsored the ball and so we have our third memento:

As Club Secretary David Laughlin was escorting us to the Boardroom for pre-match coffee, we were introduced to Team manager Peter Duffield who wished me a "Happy Birthday" and suggested I should be receiving gifts on my birthday! I suggested 3 points would be the perfect present and he promised to see what he could do.

Boy! Did he deliver! Belper Town 3 - 1 Newcastle Town was the final score but it wasn't just the score, it was the nature of the overall performance which was the bonus. Belper had a "shaky" spell of about 20 minutes but stuck to the task and played some nice football.

I didn't take the cameras (I'm allowed a day off on my birthday aren't I?) but the ever reliable Mr Harrison published the following "bumper bundle!"

http://www.flickr.com/photos/timharrisonphotography/sets/72157628978212101/

Coffee and a "finger buffet" in the boardroom at half time was excellent and having treated some of the regular fans/mates to a complimentary drink after the game, we headed to George's Fish & Chip Cafe in Belper before driving back up to Sheffield.

Oh - and by the way -, The Duchess won the Goalden Goal prize of £25! That's the second game in a row that she has won it but "off stage" cries of "Fix!" were ignored!!

It's been a bit of an "eating week" actually. On Thursday and Friday, we had visitors to the plant at work and we fed them when they arrived at lunchtime, then dinner on Thursday evening. On Friday we had lunch at the Bowshaw (but only a sandwich - not the Carvery!) before our guests departed by train from the Midland Station. Then on Friday evening, The Duchess and I dined out at TGI Friday as my "official" birthday dinner." With all this eating out, I'll never manage to get some weight off!!

Monday and Tuesday was spent in training for our new computer system which it is hoped will be going "live" at the end of January. There's another day next week - we've spent the odd hour or two playing with the test system to familiarise ourelves - and then it's basically "New Systems Go!"

The week has certainly flown but another notable event occurred this week. We got our annual Mortgage Statement. It's a lovely feeling to know the mortgage has one year and 5 months to run and the balance is now down to a very manageable level. Nice to know we could pay it off as a lump sum if we really wanted to!

There is also an important significance in the 62nd birthday landmark. Almost all of our long service employees at work (like me) are in a Final Salary pension scheme which has a stipulation that says if retirement is taken before the age of 62, the pension will be reduced by around 4% for every "pre-62" year. However, when the grand old age of 62 is reached, there is no loss of benefit. All that is forfeited could be a little bit of added pension due to any potential pay rises between 62 and 65. It's a nice feeling to know that if I really wanted to, I could retire within a month!

Anyway - the cameras have had very little use this week and with Belper Town having no game next Saturday, it might be a while before I have any pictures to post. Our son is coming over on Wednesday for business meetings with clients on Thursday and Friday, then a day with his best mate on Saturday before flying back home on Sunday. Which reminds me - I do have a pic to show you.....

He has to get back because they are buying another apartment in Rotterdam. There is work to be done on it but this is the view from the balcony -

"Jealous" doesn't begin to describe it!!

;-) See Y'All!

Best of Sunday

2012-01-17T20:47:00.003Z

Pictures from our afternoon at Redmires.

Have to say I'm quite pleased with these, especially the three shot sequence of the two black-headed gulls apparently "shadowing" each other. Actually, there was a slice of bread on the grass by the edge of the dam. The gulls were interested but none had the courage to land and get at it because it was just too close to the people watching from the nearby fence!

Lovely afternoon. Really enjoyed it.

My Weekend....

2012-01-15T20:38:00.000Z

As already advised, Saturday we went to Ford for a wander by the small fishing pond. Twas nice!

The half frozen pond (Note - nobody fishing!!)

"Lunch by the Lake!"

"Wish that flippin' blackbird would clear off. I'm hungry!"

"If I get behind this branch, that bloke with the camera can't see me."

And this afternoon, we nipped up to what has become one of our favourite spots - Redmires Dam, on the outskirts of Sheffield. I've never seen the top dam so full. We had bit of a wander and although it was very cold, it was really relaxing.

I took the cameras of course and got some nice shots of seagulls in flight. Those are the next editing job. We also saw a couple of water voles and a grouse (besides me!) but I couldn't get a really good shot of him as he was a bit too far away. Anyway, I'll show you the landscape, birds and voles when I get a minute!

I did forget to mention that in the last week, I have offered my services as Registrar for the Sheffield & District Junior Sunday League, Under-10 section. The previous Registrar resigned and I volunteered (with some encouragement from the Duchess - but don't worry, the arm she twisted up my back is almost healed now!)

It was something of a baptism of fire! Two nights of heavy frost resulted in a flood of e-mails from the various teams telling me that games were postponed. All have to be updated on the Junior League website and although that's no major task, it got to the point where I was only very reluctantly checking e-mails in case another pile had arrived! Actually, I'm very fortunate in that The Duchess has been involved with the Junior League for years (and years) and so I have the very best teacher.

Next week will be very busy. Monday and Tuesday I'll be in training sessions on the new sales order processing and invoicing system we're introducing at work. Two days a week for the next three weeks actually. Thursday and Friday, we have visitors from India at the plant and I will be hosting, chauffering and (hopefully) selling them summat!

Next Saturday is my 62nd birthday. The Duchess and I are also sponsoring the match ball at the Belper home game v Newcastle Town and the best birthday present would be three points please! Incidentally, did you know that January 21st was also Benny Hill's birthday? Many people believe there's a certain serendipity in that fact!

So - time to post might be limited but we'll see. For now.

See Yer!

I Spoke Too Soon!

2012-01-14T19:28:00.001Z

Belper's game was postponed due to a frozen pitch so we went to Wards Garden Centre at Coal Aston for a cuppa and a bun then drove down to Ford, near Eckington and I took a few pics of the frozen pond - and a couple of birds of course.

I'll post the best tomorrow maybe.

Oh - and by the way - before any smart Alec thinks of it - the pictures posted earlier today truly are of my respective grandfathers - they are not actually pictures of me when I was younger! (OK Tim?!)

Among My Souvenirs

2012-01-14T10:38:00.001Z

Looking through some old photos I inherited from my mum, I came across these pictures of my respective grandfathers.

This is my Grandad Joe Powell. (My mum's dad.) Not sure what the uniform is but I don't think it's military or there would probably have been a cap or some sort of badges on his jacket. Maybe a doorman or porter at a hotel or something?

And this is my dad's father Harold (2nd from right.) A very old picture showing the process of melting and pouring steel into small ingots. I don't know where it was taken but it's a little piece of history!

So - some investigation is needed, as well as restoration of the images - although that might be a job for somone more skilled than me in the dark arts of Photoshop! Hmmm. Wonder if my son is reading this?

Not a lot else to say about my week. It's been one of those "sleep, work, eat, sleep" weeks generally.

Football today and we're at home to Kidsgrove. They have a similar record to Belper Town so far this season - both teams on the same number of points but their far superior goal difference puts them two places ahead of us in the table. It'll be a tough one. Kidsgrove hammered Brigg Town 4-0 on Tuesday this week so their confidence will be sky high. That, unfortunately, is not true of the Belper team who seem to have lost almost all of their confidence, especially at home. Anxiety among the fans seems to lead to anxiety on the pitch and it seems it's a bit of a vicious circle.

Anyway - we'll see what happens. Right now, it's a beautiful morning and the garden is full of birds so I'm going to see if I can get some halfway decent shots of them.

Laters!

Lens Cup

2012-01-10T12:34:00.001Z

Just thought I'd show you one of my Christmas presents. It's a thermos cup in the form of a 70 - 200mm Canon lens.

Novelty! (keeps the tea warm as well!)

On Sunday we decided to have a drive out to Rowsley (between Bakewell and Matlock and pronounced Rowsley - as in "row your boat", or Rowsley as in "row = argument" depending on your preference). We've passed through the place many times on our way to Belper and back so thought it would be a good idea to park up and have a little "explore."

There's the "Peak Outlet Park" (or whatever it's called) just on the outskirts of course but we gave that a miss and looked at the village itself.

It's only a small village but well worth a look. There is a working flour mill where you can actually buy bags of their flour. There's also a cafe, craft shop, very well stocked gift/toy/book shop and toilets, we spent a good hour and a half having a wander around. I took the camera of course and might post a couple of pics if I get the time.

Right now - lunchtime is coming to an end so it's back to the grind.

A Week of Two Halves.

2012-01-08T10:24:00.004Z

The week started on a great note - a Monday off work and a 1-0 win at Ilkeston. That really made Tuesday's return to work much more bearable.

You've seen my pictures of the goal - here's Snapper Harrison's album of the whole game....

http://www.flickr.com/photos/timharrisonphotography/sets/72157628702373953/

It was a real team effort - and in some ways a classic "smash and grab". Ilkeston pressing for a goal when Belper hit them on the break with a breakaway goal in the 89th minute. Best time to score that!!

However.... we were all brought down to earth again yesterday when Coalville visited Christchurch Meadows and inflicted a 0-2 defeat on the Nailers. Hard to take when you consider Coalville have won 1, drawn 1 and lost 6 of the last 8 games.

Belper applied all the pressure in the first 20 minutes but when they couldn't score, you could see the Coalville players growing in confidence. Second half was fairly even until two late but very good long range strikes took the game away from the home side. In the end, in my opinion, Coalville worked harder than Belper Town and probably deserved the win.

Tim Harrisons album is here.....

http://joeywinson.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=3394

I put the camera away with about 15 minutes to go so missed the goals but the nearest Belper came to a goal was in the first 20 minutes when a miscued clearance from a Coalville defender came back off the crossbar.

Yesterday games was the first of 5 consecutive home fixtures for the Nailers and the worry is that the home form this season is poor! We'll have to wait and see.

Not much else happened this week - busy with work most of the time. By the way - don't think I told you I have a new work laptop:

Toshiba Portege. Nice machine! The old Sony Vaio finally gave up the ghost. This new one is very light and is ideal for use on my travels.

Nowt else to tell you really. So I'll concentrate on The Archers.

More follows ASAP.

All You Need To See!!!

2012-01-03T14:48:00.001Z

Ilkeston Town 0-1 Belper Town!!!

Jordan Turner chases a through ball

It's neck and neck

Jordan edges ahead

Defender makes a last ditch attempt to stop him

But Jordan stays on his feet

Then dummies the keeper

Skips around him

ands slots the ball

into the empty net

right in front

of the Belper fans

Think he enjoyed that!

I'll do a better description of a fantastic day later but for now....

COME ON YOU NAILERS!!!!!!

Oh Well - That's About That Then.

2012-01-02T10:29:00.001Z

One more day before it's back to work.

Belper Town away at Ilkeston this afternoon. A 45 minute run according to various routefinders. Doubt we'll get much there but you never know. (Although I think, deep down, I do!)

Not a lot happened since my last post although we had a run out into Derbyshire t'other day (Burbage Moor, Ladybower, High Peak Garden Centre, Calver) and then went to Carbuton Lakes for an hour yesterday. Birdwatching and stuff as usual.

I said before - dunno where the last two weeks have gone. Most depressing thing is that apart from a few lovely days out, I've spent the majority of the break sitting on my backside trying to find something worth watching on telly. Didn't get any of the tasks I'd planned sorted. Slacker!!

Anyway - here's one of the best pictures (in my opinion of course) from the last couple of days. Still working on the rest.

Dunno yet if I'll bother taking the cameras to footy today. Might enjoy just watching a game although when I look at my recent "football image" efforts, I could probably do with the practice!

Right - that'll do for now. Going to sort a couple of things out for work tomorrow. More follows ASAP.

WHOOOOOSH!!!!

2011-12-30T20:25:00.002Z

That's the sound of the last week and a bit flying by!! So - here's a catch up.

As reported in the last entry - I went to Sheffield to complete my Christmas shopping and it nearly worked. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday basically confirmed how poor the facilities are in the centre of my home town. A couple of years ago, a grandiose plan to rebuild one of the main shopping areas was unveiled. Going by the name of Sevenstone, the idea was to demolish just about everything around The Moor and relocate the main markets to the bottom of The Moor.

Compulsory Purchase Orders were set up and everything from about halfway down, on the left hand side, was demolished. Then the recession hit. Plans were shelved until quite recently when a revised and reduced plan was accepted by the Council Planners. I believe building starts in 2013 but The Moor has gone from a bustling, busy shopping centre to a selection of "bargain" stores and it was announced a couple of weeks ago that Argos, Jonathan James (shoes) and LJ Jewellers are closing, leaving at least three more shop windows which will be filled with artistic displays mounted by local students and charitable organisations. (You can't buy anything in these "ghost stores" but the Council reckon it's better than having empty windows with "To Let" boards.)

Anyway - Chesterfield came to the rescue. I've said before that it is way better than Sheffield!

A relaxed Christmas came and went - nice pressies as ever but the nicest bit was the fact that we shared it with our son and daughter in law.

On Boxing Day, Belper Town played Sheffield FC and although I invited our son and his wife to come down to the Meadows, they suddenly remembered an "urgent appointment" and had to decline. Unfortunately, Belper were beaten 3-1 but the score doesn't truly reflect the game. Having taken the lead in the first half, Belper let Sheffield back in through a couple of defensive errors. In the closing moments, Belper hit the post and had another effort cleared off the line. I put the camera away before the end and missed the third goal but Tim Harrison did it again. Here's his excellent album:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/timharrisonphotography/sets/72157628591551137/

Tuesday morning, Mark and D set off back to Rotterdam because they had an appointment on Wednesday morning to sign the papers for the new apartment they are about to move into.

We decided to try to cheer ourselves up by walking down through "The Ravine", a footpath through part of Graves Park to the local shopping centre at Woodseats. It was cold, but dry (and best of all, downhill all then way!) and I took a few shots.

Fungal growth on a fallen tree

Sure it's late December??!!

After another fruitless search for a bathroom floor covering we both liked at a local store, (Pyramid Carpets), we caught the bus back up the hill for a cuppa and feet up!

Another good afternoon on Wednesday. We drove out to Blacktoft Sands, an RSPB reserve near Goole. It was blowing an absolute gale so we didn't see much apart from a couple of swans out on the open water. The waves were like the North Sea! However, we were treated to the delightful sight of Marsh Harriers riding the wind over the reedbeds. A first for us but even though I had the big lens at full extension, they were just a little too far away to get a really decent shot. Here's the best of the day:

Marsh Harrier

Beautifully marked Pheasant skulking in the grass by the hide

Lapwings battling the wind

Bobbing up and down like this!!

Lovely old church over the other side of the Reserve.

One of the best things about the day was the fact that when we got back to the car, windswept but relaxed, enjoying a cuppa, it started to rain! Not often we get that lucky. Usually, the rain hits when we're "between cover!"

Fish and Chip supper rounded off a smashing day.

Thursday - because of the awful weather, we never strayed further than Sainsbury's for bread and milk, until early evening when we went to the Bowshaw Carvery for dinner.

Friday - Sheffield Market first thing, supermarket done before lunch and like a fool, whilst the Duchess was battling through Morrisons, I put the car through the car wash which is why, 10 minutes after we arrived home, it started raining and it really ain't stopped since!

That's where we are now. The next football event is Ilkeston v Belper on Monday. Last day before back to work on Tuesday.

As I said at the start of this novelette - where'd it go??!!

Finally, if I don't get a chance before tomorrow night - just hope anyone who has taken the time to read this has a really good 2012. "Happy New Year!"

Baubles to the Lot of Yer!!!!

2011-12-21T21:10:00.003Z

The tree is up thanks to The Duchess - and it looks really good! All her own work of course. My sole contribution is to fetch the stuff down from the loft!

It's starting to feel like Christmas. (Isn't there a song in there somewhere?) Work is done until 3rd Jan, the tree and trimmings are up, the turkey is ordered and I am panicking about Christmas pressies!

Thats not strictly true actually. I've got a few bits and pieces already for the Duchess and I'll pick up her main present tomorrow. (Reserved it online just now!) At least she'll have some parcels to open on Christmas Day so some of the pressure is off!

Tomorrow my son and I are invited to share a buffet lunch at our divisional headquarters (my son designed our company websites, had a hand in some of the office refurbishment they've recently had done and he's now working on one of their product catalogues.) He needs to meet with my boss to fine tune a couple of things and after lunch, I'll be back "down Sheffield" to do stage 2 of the shopping. (Next year - I'm gonna have it all done by the end of October. Mind - I said that last year and the year before....)

Right - next instalment follows ASAP but for now...

Joyeux Noel mes amis!

Back by Popular Demand.....

2011-12-19T21:25:00.000Z

...Well, that's not strictly true.... it's really because my reader - Snapper Harrison - keeps nagging at me to update the blog!

It's a real bits and pieces effort this time (stuff as I think of it basically!) but here goes..

Had a long weekend a bit ago - think I mentioned it - and me and The Duchess went down to Sheffield market on the Friday. After getting the meat for the weekend, we decided to have a sandwich and a cuppa at one of the very good stalls in the meat and fish market. Bacon and egg sarnie and a cuppa - can't beat it. As we waited for the food, I spotted this notice in the corner of the table.... made me giggle!

Someone obviously spotted the second letter is a 'U' and not and 'O' but that just makes the rest of the mis-spelling even funnier!

During the last week or so we've also spent a couple of hours looking around the shops for Christmas pressies. Now, my son's brother in law is a "push bike fanatic." Tamas is Hungarian, married to a Dutch girl and with an English brother in law (our son of course!) Proper United Nations job when they have a family dinner!

I digress. Tamas also has a collection of old bicycles, including folding bikes, and when in a store called "Stone The Crows" in Sheffield, we saw these which we thought might interest him:

Pics aren't the sharpest - taken on my iPhone and with an unsteady hand but the models in the upper picture actually work with moving pedals and a chain driven rear wheel. (Snapper might like these an all come to think!)

Other stuff - well - footy and Belper actually won a game last Saturday! OK, Shepshed Dynamo were next to bottom of the league but the "Current Form" charts showed they were two places ahead of us over the last 6 games. It was a reasonably comfortable 3-1 win in the end but for me, the encouraging fact is that although Belper had gone ahead then allowed Shepshed back into it, the lads knuckled down, got stuck in and two Jon Froggat goals sorted it out. Jon's first goals in a while and hopefully, that will set him off on a "scoring run."

My pics from the game aren't edited and sorted yet but as ever - 'Arrison Strikes Again! - see here for a very good view of the action.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/timharrisonphotography/sets/72157628467501409/

Oh Aye - and while we're talking football, Belper went out of the Derbyshire Senior Cup on the previous Tuesday. Lost 9-3 which sounds awful until you know that there were several first team members in the Derby side and to score 3 against them is something to be proud of - and by all accounts the Belper lads gave as good as they got! Snapper was there too of course:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/timharrisonphotography/sets/72157628421071721/

Finally on tne footy front - did anyone see the tweet that has been circulating recently.....

Ronaldo sez "God sent me to show people how to play football."

Messi sez "I didn't send anybody."

So - aside from the ramblings above, the very best part of the last few days is the safe arrival of our son and daughter in law who have come over from their home in Rotterdam to join us for Christmas. Great to see them of course but as ever, they have a busy schedule because a part of the trip involves Mark visiting clients in Sheffield. And he has to catch up with his best mate whilst he's here of course and then there's the shopping!

Any road up. There ain't a lot else to tell y'all. The only excursion the camera has had was to Belper last Saturday and as I said - I'm not through editing those pictures yet. I'll maybe get some time over the next few days. I've saved some days vacation and actually finish work tomorrow night (Tuesday) until Tuesday January 3rd. Mind you - I haven't really started Christmas shopping yet so the second half of the week will be a bit hectic!!

I'll let you know how I get on!

TTFN!

A Wasted Journey!

2011-12-11T15:57:00.001Z

Not my Norwegian trip - that went well!

No - the Duches and I decided to make the relatively short drive (56 minutes) through the Peak Distict to New Mills to watch Belper Town yesterday. Unfortunately, just as we arrived we were told the game was off! Cancelled by the match referee about a quarter of an hour before we got there.

The pitch actually looked playable although there was deep mud and waterlogging in one goalmouth. I did also hear that the ref tried to roll a ball in the centre circle but it was so wet, it wouldn't roll. So maybe the postponement was justified but what got to me was the fact that according to the chat at the ground, the pitch was exactly the same earlier in the morning when a local ref declared it fit!

Anyway a disgruntled bus load of supporters headed back to Belper whilst the Duchess and I decided to find somewhere on the way back home to sit and look at the snow and maybe take some pictures. We eventually stopped on the A6 - just through Buxton and whilst the Duchess mashed the tea, I took a few shots. Here's about the best of them.

And finally - the Lesser Spotted Monarch Charter in flight....

Back to football and since my last post, Belper have lost two more games. The Kidsgrove game mentioned in the last entry resulted in a 0-2 defeat and on the following Tuesday, Belper lost again to high-flying Grantham Town - again 0-2. Snapper went to Kidsgrove and his pics are here....

http://www.flickr.com/photos/timharrisonphotography/sets/72157628271479597/

.....but he didn't got to Grantham -(neither did we - I got back from Norway about 8:30 on Tuesday evening but we wouldn't have made the trek anyway!)

Next week we meet Shepshed - one of the two teams in the "relegation zone" and one of only half a dozen or so teams below us in the league table so it's a real 6-pointer as they say! (Although I dunno why - it's still only 3 points for a win innit?!)

Anyway - the rest of my week was spent playing catch up after the trip, which as I said, was a success. Even so, I did book Friday and Monday off (9th and 12th December) so I'm currently on a long weekend. I will have to do a couple of hours work during my break but that can wait until the X Factor final is on TV tonight!

For now - that's that - Ciao bambinos!

Another "catch-up"

2011-12-03T10:48:00.001Z

Been another hectic week and a bit. Here's the highlights (and lowlights as far as footy is concerned!)

Friday - The Duchess did the supermarket run in the morning and as soon as I got home (early finish) Friday afternoon, we drove out into Derbyshire - on the assumption that the clear blue sky and bright sunshine of the morning would continue into the afternoon - it didn't by the way but we still had a good afternoon.

Came back via Fox House and sat at the top of Froggatt Edge, supping a cuppa and watching a rainstorm gathering. The sunset was bright yellow and the sky very dramatic.

Think it might rain?

This house fascinates me - think it's called White Lodge

It's up a gated track with a "Private Keep Out" notice!

Saturday - Belper Town were at home to Carlton Town. Lost 0-2 unfortunately although the scoreline isn't perhaps a true reflection of the game. Having conceded a late goal, Belper were pressing for an equaliser when Carlton scored a second on the break.

Tim Harrison's album is here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/timharrisonphotography/sets/72157628173868257/

Another excellent set. I took some and whilst they are an improvement on recent weeks, they are'nt to Tim's standard! I seem to be having lots of focusing issues lately - particularly at football matches. Anyway - we'll persevere. After all practice makes perfect doesn't it?

Monday came and went as Monday's do then on Tuesday - Belper suffered another home defeat. This time, we lost 1-2 to Sutton Coldfield. A very disappointing result and I don't know what the answer is to the clubs current poor run of form. We started slowly again - conceded an early goal again and didn't really start playing until about 60 minutes had passed. Then we snatched an equaliser but conceded a late goal - again - again!

Here's Tim's pics:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/timharrisonphotography/sets/72157628217189297/

He's a great bloke and a good mate (I'd like to think) but his consistency as far as footy pics is concerned is getting very annoying!! (Only joking Tim - just jealous is all - keep up the good work!)

Today we're at Kidsgrove and the team really does need a result. The Duchess and I aren't going - I'm off to Norway for a couple of days on Sunday so most of Saturday is spent in preparation for my meetings.

Not much else to report from last week apart from Thursday when the Duchess and I met up at Meadowhall after work and went to TGI Friday for a meal. It ain't cheap but it's good grub!

Talking of grub - she's preparing a full English right now for breakfast/lunch so I'll close this and go eat.

I'm back from Norway on Tuesday evening and back in the office Wednesday so I'll report then! (Hopefully)

"Ser deg senere" ( Norwegian for "See You Later" I believe!)

Buddy Marvellous!!

2011-11-24T14:33:00.001Z

Quick post to tell you about a new experience (for me anyway!)

Last night we went to Sheffield's Lyceum Theatre to see the Buddy Holly story - a musical, obviously.

Now, bear in mind that I have been to the theatre only twice in my life. Once as an "enforced" school trip (Macbeth - part of my English Literature O Level course) and once to see a pantomime (Oh yes I did!).

Never seen a musical or a play (I know - philistine!) except on telly and to be honest - I was a bit sceptical about what we might see. BUT - it was an absolutely fabulous evening. Thoroughly enjoyed it! It's only on in Sheffield for this week and it's really worth a look.

The cast are not household names and I half expected it to be a bit "Amateur Dramitics" but it was very well presented and I was surprised to see the cast actually playing the instruments. I'd half expected them to "mime" the guitar playing to backing tracks but they are all talented musicians in their own right.

Buddy Holly died in 1959 and as we left the theatre we were speculating on which of today's stars will still be having their music played in 60 years time.... not many, if any at all.

Oh - and Belper Town won away at Goole on Tuesday - 3-0 and according to the match report, deserved the win. Snapper Harrison didn't go and neither did I so there's no pictures to link. Good that the losing streak has ended but another tough game beckons on Saturday - Carlton Town at home. There'll be pictures of that one I promise you!

Finally for now - just to fetch me back down from the two "highs" detailed above, the Duchess called me to say I've got a letter from the tax man who says I owe him £309. Amazing innit. You can never seem to get a pound in front. We've just been awarded a 3% pay rise, effective first of November and since today is pay day - that's hopefully gone in the bank - on the same day I get a bill for £309.

Better close this now - I'm at work waiting for some info to let me progress a job I'm doing - better gerron wi it then.

See yer!

Ups and Downs (the downs are mainly football!)

2011-11-20T10:02:00.001Z

As ever - football first.

Went to see Belper v Stamford Saturday 12th and unfortunately, Belper were edged out 2-3 in a very entertaining game. The Duchess didn't make it due to the cold she picked up from somewhere or other? Snappers pics are here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/timharrisonphotography/sets/72157627991215777/

Then, on Tuesday - another defeat - this time in the league cup against Worksop Town, although 1-3 after extra time is a bit flattering to Worksop. A dodgy extra time penalty and an offside-looking goal sealed it. I didn't bother with the camera - but Tim Harrison did - and this is a cracking set:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/timharrisonphotography/sets/72157628018154375/

Unfortunately, Belper were beaten again yesterday. This time 0-3 and to be honest, this one is a little more concerning because the opposition, Market Drayton, haven't had a great season and were close to the bottom of the league. Snapper couldn't make it so there are no pics but maybe that's just as well!

That's 4 defeats on the spin now and some folk are getting a bit twitchy!

Instead of making the trip to Market Drayton, the Duchess and I caught a bus into the centre of Sheffield, then another out to one of our old stomping grounds at Fulwood. The plan was to walk down from the Forge Dam through the Porter valley and get a bus back up to Norton from "somewhere."

Anyway - in the end, we walked all the way down through Endcliffe Park and down Ecclesall Road back into Sheffield and got on a bus at the bottom of London Road. When we got home, I used Google Earth to measure how far we'd walked . It turned out to be just around 4.1/2 miles! Not bad for a couple of couch potatoes! And it does explain why my legs don't seem to want to work this morning! Enjoyed it though - but I don't think we'll repeat the feat this afternoon!

It was a really beautiful day and I got some more nice "Autumn Colours" shots. It's the first time I've used the camera since last Sunday when I messed around for an hour in the garden, looking at dew on spiders webs.

It's been a busy week at work. My right hand man has been selected for jury service and our third team member was on vacation until Wednesday morning. She's back now of course but our juror colleague has been selected to hear a murder trial which will probably last for 2 weeks or so!

Anyway - there's not a lot else to tell so here's a couple of yesterday's shots - I like these!

Wire Mill Dam

The River Porter

Robin

And there's an album here:

http://nortoner09.jalbum.net/2011%2011%2019%20Porter%20Valley/

If you wanna look.

Right - gotta go - lunchtime - see yer later!

What IS The World Coming To?

2011-11-17T20:43:00.001Z

Just a quick note....

This baffles and saddens me.....

In her capacity as a Junior Sunday League Registrar, the Duchess has just received notice of an FA Disciplinary case in which a young player from the Junior League (and not a player from one of the older age groups) is charged with assaulting a referee! No details can be repeated here of course but if it's true, how can that be allowed to happen?

D'you blame parents, team manager, the kid?

I dunno - as I said - just makes me feel very sad.

I'll update you with footy action since my last post in a bit. For some reason, I don't particularly feel like it right now!

Promised Whirlow/Redmires Album.....

2011-11-10T17:18:00.000Z

...is here:

http://nortoner09.jalbum.net/2011%2011%2006%20Whirlow%20and%20Redmires/

It really was a super day.

Before this awful cold broke, I had booked Thursday and Friday of this week off work as "floating day" holidays.

This morning, in my first venture outside since Monday, I accompanied the Duchess to the optician's for a check up. Good news is that her eyes are "healthy" and there is no prescription change from her last examination.

After that, we went down to the Meadowhall Retail Park (not the Mall), specifically to Hobbycraft, because she needed some bits and pieces to start making christmas cards. We actually bumped into some old friends and me and Mr. B had a good owd natter while the ladies compared notes on card-making. Before we knew it, we'd been in there nearly two hours. (The only time I've ever really enjoyed Hobbycraft to be honest!!!! Just joking Duchess!)

We decided to have lunch at the big Morrisons supermarket by the Parkway and when we were through, drove the short distance to Catcliffe Flash, a small dam near Brinsworth. There's a lay-by where you can sit and watch the waterfowl. (And there's always a pair of binoculars and a "bird book" in the car!)

It wasn't the greatest of days weather-wise but we enjoyed an hour and saw Shovellers, Pochard, Wigeon and three Herons as well as the more usual Mallard, Coot and Black Headed Gulls. A family of 5 swans was there too.

Unfortunately, I didn't have the camera with me but the visit made our minds up about what to do with tomorrow's day off! No matter what the weather - it's up early, get the supermarket run done, then drive to Potteric Carr, just off the A1, for a spot more bird watching and photography!

We are now waiting for a bloke to call with a new iPhone for me. I have a 3GS and the case has cracked. I reported it to Orange yesterday (I pay Orange Care Insurance) and they'll bring me a replacement this evening between 6 and 10 pm!

I'm feeling better generally - still got a hacking chesty cough (it wasn't this bad when I smoked for Gawd's sake!) but it's easing. Another good nights sleep tonight and that should see it sorted - although the Duchess isn't showing any major signs of having caught it but I think she will - don't you?!

Right steak is cooking so I'll go and tuck in for the benefit of my health. (They say you should feed a cold don't they?)

See Yer Later!

Poorly sick - and suffering!

2011-11-08T21:08:00.002Z

Started with what seemed just a bit of a head cold on Friday mid-morning but it's developed into something really nasty. Coughing, Sneezing, sore throat, headache - probably man flu.

So - gave work a miss today because I only got about an hours sleep last night and feel really shocking. I plan to try to get into see the doctor tomorrow cos I think I've pulled a muscle in my rib area with the coughing and stuff.

Anyway - on Saturday, Belper's trip to Curzon Ashton proved as difficult as expected and the lads came away having lost 2-1 to a good Curzon side. Tim was there and recorded the action:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/timharrisonphotography/sets/72157628064279584/

and there's another good set from Mossley Smiffy - his firsat sight of Belper this season:

http://mossleysmiffy.jalbum.net/CurzonAshtonBelperTownFAT05Nov11/

On Sunday - before this pig of a cold really kicked in - we made the short trip to Whirlow Park in Sheffield. This was where we held our wedding reception many moons ago (in fact, it will be 40 years ago on May 20th 2012!) and it was interesting to have a look all these years later. It's changed a lot of course but a couple of locations in the gardens brought back memories!!

1972 - and a mere slip of a lad! (need a haircut tho!)

2011 - and it's a different bench!

There's a lovely walk down through the woods (and as it's downhill - I loved it!) Got some nice shots of the autumn colours, saw a flock of Mandarin ducks and generally enjoyed the warm sunshine.

I like this sort of shot - light through leaves

Mandarins - getting frisky!

Then on to Redmires Dam where we saw another "first" for us. There were Crossbills in the conifer tree tops. An unusual visitor for our part of the world. I managed to sneak a couple of shots the best of which is this one - edited and cropped of course - pushing the 500mm telephoto to the limit!

Also got some nice pics of gulls in flight - in fact - I think I'll knock up an album of the day. I'll post it ASAP.

Monday - went in to the office but only managed until lunchtime when I had to come home (having infected everyone of course!). Spent the majority of the afternoon asleep and feeling sorry for myself.

Right - I'm tired again now - took some paracetomol an hour or so ago and think they are "kicking in". We'll see how I feel in the morning.

Must get fit for Saturday - Belper Town at home to Stamford. Looking forward to that.

Going to bed now - I'll work on the "Whirlow/Redmires" album tomorrow maybe. We'll see.

Time for a Catch Up I Think!

2011-11-04T18:16:00.005Z

Been a busy couple of weeks - hence no time to post.

Football first. Belper have played three games since I last posted. Drawn one, lost one (and how!) and won one.

Loughborough 2 - 2 Belper Town - didn't go - was in Brazil - but here's Snapper's pictures:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/timharrisonphotography/sets/72157627859387581/

Belper Town 1 - 5 Hucknall (First home game in ages!) Again here's Tims pictures:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/timharrisonphotography/sets/72157627884704379/

and I took my camera to this one too:

http://nortoner09.jalbum.net/2011%2010%2029%20BTFC%201-5%20Hucknall/

and finally, last Tuesday night - Quorn 1 - 2 Belper Town. Tim's pictures are here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/timharrisonphotography/sets/72157628037562152/

Again, I took my camera but to be honest - had a bit of a 'mare and with only a few half decent shots, didn't create an album so you'll have to be content with the Maestro Tim Harrison's effort. (That's no hardship mind - they're very good - again....)

Next round of the FA Trophy tomorrow - away at Curzon Ashton. That will be tough. They are riding high in the Northern Section of our league. The Duchess and I can't make it unfortunately but Snapper has promised text updates so we can keep up with what's happening. (Good mate is Tim - he also writes a very interesting blog - link on the right - "The Cycling Photographer." Have a look - it's as good as his pictures!)

The week before last, a colleague and I made our first trip to Brazil. We had been asked by a customer there if we could go to see them to talk about possible supply contracts for 2012. The visit went very well and will hopefully bring us US$1 million of new business next year.

Now, I've been dragging my bag around the world since 1985 but I've never experienced a customer visit like this one.

We flew Monday evening from Heathrow and arrived in Rio de Janeiro at 6:15 a.m. (12 hours later!) We were collected from the airport and taken to a hotel overlooking Copacabana beach where they left us to rest. "Pick you up 7:30 tomorrow morning." we were told. After a shower and breakfast, we had a stroll along the "promenade" - it got a bit warm (30 C at 11 in the morning!) so we went back to the hotel for a nap then another short stroll in the afternoon. Had dinner at a small restaurant about 100 yards from the hotel then went back to our rooms and I was in bed and asleep by 8:30 pm!

Wednesday morning we were collected (after the most spectacular sunrise I've ever seen)

and driven to the plant in a small town called Sumidouro, up in the mountains. The drive took 3 hours and some of the scenery was spectacular.

Good discussions with this family firm and after showing us their factory, we were also shown around 2 of the 4 farms they own in the area. They told us that back in January 2011, Brazil suffered major flooding in which 1200 people were killed. Their factory had 8 feet of water in parts of it. They are recovering now and relocating a lot of their operation to drier places in the town!

On the way back to Rio, we were treated to a "Brazilian Barbecue." This takes place in a restaurant. Waiters bring 3 feet long skewers with various cuts of meat on them (beef, chicken, lamb, pork, sausage etc etc) to the table and slice pieces off onto your plate depending what your preference is! It's the only meal I've ever eaten where the plate filled up as I ate rather than clearing!

Dropped back to the hotel at 10:15 pm and we were told "We'll collect you at 10 a.m. tomorrow to do the tourist thing!"

Thursday - we went to the world famous "Christ The Redeemer Statue" (The Christ as its known locally) which towers over Rio de Janeiro and then took the cable car rides to the top of Sugarloaf mountain. Both were very busy but some of the views are truly breathtaking!

On the way back to the hotel, we stopped for something to eat - another Brazilian Barbecue would you believe - before being dropped at the hotel about 4:15 pm. We were told a driver would collect us at 8:30 pm to take us to the airport to check in for the flight home at 1:35 a.m. Friday morning.

One of the most amazing things about the trip was the fact that they paid for everything - the hotel, the touristy bits, dinner - the lot. Another first for me on my travels!

I didn't take the big camera - we were travelling light with just carry on bags - but I had the Duchess Ixus in my pocket and I've made an album;

http://nortoner09.jalbum.net/2011%2010%2025%20Brazil/

If I haven't bored the pants off you and you are still with me - have a look!

Obrigado muchachos

Another Win for Belper!

2011-10-23T10:48:00.001+01:00

Just a quick note!

Belper Town progressed through another round of the FA Trophy with a 1-0 win at Barton Rovers.

Not a great game by all accounts but a win is a win as they say and the reward is a further £2,200 to be added to the £2,000 which was the payout for winning the Prelim round.

We didn't go - we were wandering around Chesterfield getting some last bits and pieces for my trip but the ever-reliable Mr Harrison was there and recorded the action:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/timharrisonphotography/sets/72157627956862616/

Have a look - they are well worth viewing!

Belper's next fixture is an away game on Tuesday evening at Loughborough. The Duchess doesn't fancy making the trip while I'm away but I'm sure someone will keep her informed!

Nowt else to tell you just now. We're hoping to find time to nip out this afternoon, perhaps to Carburton Lakes, just for an hour, if packing and getting my stuff together allows time!

See yer in a week or so!

Another Good Week..

2011-10-22T11:11:00.001+01:00

....Footy-wise anyway.

As indicated in the last blog entry, on Tuesday evening we made the short trip to Sheffield FC to watch Belper Town in the League Cup. Both sides made changes and rested "key" players but Belper came away with a very good 2-1 win. Some of the Nailers football was absolutely tremendous - pass and move stuff, one touch, played at pace and we were 2-0 up inside 20 minutes!

The Sheffield FC web site has comment from theirr manager who suggests they aren't bothered by the defeat in what was, to them, a "nothing" game. Whatever...... Here's Tim's pics:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/timharrisonphotography/sets/72157627807935831/

Excellent as ever Tim! I took my camera and got some decent shots but simply haven't had the time to make an album and post it on t'net! However - here's a few - just to prove I did take my cameras!

"OK lads, Here's the plan!"

Lee Whittington's diving header....

...hits the back of the net for 1-0 to Belper

Rushy pops in the 2nd (too quick for me - but he's obviously delighted!!)

Sheffield had just pulled one back and Mozza wants to know how long left.

That was certainly the highlight of the week. We've nipped out after tea a couple of evenings looking at possible vinyl flooring and paint for the bathroom but it's proving a bit difficult to find what's "just right." The search wil be suspended for a week anyway since I'm off on my travels again on Monday. Maybe inspiration will strike during the journey - we'll see.

As for Belper Town - they are away today at Barton Rovers in the 2nd Round of the FA Trophy. Need to win that one because there's decent money on offer for the winners. Barton are at the same level as Belper but they are based down near Luton so it's a fair old trek. Too far for us actually. According to various route finders and sat navs, it's about 125 miles from Nortoner Towers and a 2 hour 15 minute journey at least. That's not really so bad I guess it's just that it's another 125 mile and 2.1/4 hours to get back after the match! A bit too much when I'm getting ready for a trip!

That's about it really - pretty mundane I guess but what can I say - that's how it is sometimes.

I'm not taking the laptop to Brazil - we're travelling light with just carry on bags but I hope to have the little Ixus camera with me and will post anything worth looking at when I get back.

For now... "COME ON YOU NAILERS!!!!"

Sunday Already! Where'd The Weekend go?

2011-10-16T11:46:00.000+01:00

and also - where did the last week and a half go!

Anyway - with time whizzing by - here's what's been happening in my world since I last updated the blog from the USA.

Got back in one piece although the flights from Pittsburgh to Toronto and Toronto to Heathrow were both an hour late which meant we missed the 8 a.m. Saturday morning shuttle flight up to Manchester. "No problem" they said - "We'll put you on the next one! At 5:15 this afternoon!"

We didn't fancy sitting around Heathrow all day so after exploring options, we managed to catch a National Express bus to Sheffield. Due at Meadowhall at 2:25 pm, it actually got there around 2:40 pm. The Duchess picked us up and after dropping my colleague off at his home in Stocksbridge, we got back to Nortoner Towers at around 3:30 pm.

Belper Town were in action at Carlton (again!) and as we were driving home, I sent a text to Snapper Harrison to ask for an update on the score. We were losing 2-1 but there followed an avalanche of messages advising it's 2-2. No - 3-2 to Carlton. Hang on. It's 3-3! Scrub that - it's 4-3 to Carlton. It isn't - we've equalised again. 4-4! Then the best news - Belper made it 5-4 which was the final score eventually. How Snapper managed to keep texting and snapping I still don't know but his album from the game is here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/timharrisonphotography/sets/72157627726242433/

Who says blokes can't multitask??!!!

Actually, during my absence, the Nailers had won another game, beating Goole FC 2-0 at the Meadows. Snapper captured that one too......

http://www.flickr.com/photos/timharrisonphotography/sets/72157627701219897/

Yesterday we decided to make the short trip to Brigg Town to watch Belper in action. Because of my USA trip and other assorted reasons, I hadn't seen the previous 4 games (all won incidentally) and was really missing the footy. In fact, the only game I'd seen under the new management team was at Carlton when we lost 3-2! Some of my friends at Belper reminded me of this fact on arrival at Brigg and I was categorically warned that if the team went 2 goals down, I was to be ejected from the ground.

I was therefore concerned when Brigg scored on 7 minutes! But it was fine in the end. Belper scored twice to make it 2-1 and five wins on the bounce! I took my camera but put it away part way through the first half as I was busy chatting away with other fans. Snapper stuck to the task and the game is recorded here......

http://www.flickr.com/photos/timharrisonphotography/sets/72157627779655775/

So you're up to date on the footy front. It's Sheffield FC next in the League Cup on Tuesday night and we'll be there. It's only a mile down the road from Nortoner Towers. It'll be tough. They made some good signings in the summer and have been in the top two pretty much all season. We'll see.

Other matters - last week, as soon as I got back from the trip, workmen arrived to rip out our bath and replace it with a large shower cubicle. It'll mean no more hour long Radox soaks but it's more practical all round and something we perhaps should have looked at a while ago. Anyway - the work is now done and we just need to decorate and that's that. (Although this morning, we found a small leak from the side of the cubicle so I'll call them tomorrow.)

The remainder of the last week has been spent in catching up with paperwork and putting the finishing touches to the next business trip. A week on Monday (24th) we're off to Brazil. It's another hectic one and the schedule is.....

Monday - National Express bus to Heathrow to catch a 9:15 pm flight to Rio de Janeiro. It's a 12 hour direct flight and we arrive early Tuesday morning. The client is sending a driver to meet us and take us to a hotel to rest up, having flown all night. Wednesday morning the driver will collect us and take us to the clients plant, 3 hours drive from Rio. He will then bring us back to the hotel in the evening. We have to be at the airpoort at 10 pm Rio time on Thursday night to check in for the flight home which leaves at 1:35 in the morning, Friday! Again - the driver will collect us and take us to the airport. (They are really looking after us!)

We get back to Heathrow at 4 pm Friday afternoon and have booked on the 7 pm shuttle up to Manchester where the Duchess will be waiting to bring us home. It's going to be tiring, especially at my age but there is a consolation of sorts. The hotel in Rio overlooks Copacabana beach. It's a dirty job etc., etc............

;-)

To close - a few shots from the USA trip:

Four Points Hotel, Toronto - Coronation Street on the telly!

Holiday Inn Express, Toronto - those planes land mighty close to the hotel next door!

The River side Suite, Radisson Grand Rapids - the bedroom....

.....the lounge/dining area from the kitchen.....

... and again...

...and an iPhone dock so the phone could be charged whilst listening to my tunes (It's Lorrie Morgan, singing "Dear Me" if you're interested.)....

... they even provided a spectacular sunrise over the Grand River..

The colours were just starting to show. The USA in the autumn really is spectacular.

Rented Toyota Camry - nice motor!

Right - really gotta go. Grab a sandwich then down to Pyramid Carpets to try and select a floor covering for the bathroom. We're going with vinyl rather than carpet but we've already had a quick look and there's hundreds to choose from so it won't be easy.

After that - hacking and chopping in the garden while the weather is behaving itself. Before I know where I am - it'll be Monday and back to work. Ho Hum!

Greetings from Grand Rapids Michigan

2011-10-05T15:34:00.003+01:00

Where it's just coming up to 10:30 a.m. and we're preparing for our next appointment. It's a 15 minute drive from the hotel.

We'll meet the client, take him to lunch then drive 5 hours south into Ohio for tomorrow's appointment.

It's a nice rental car. Toyota Camry with all the bells and whistles. Should be good driving that 500 to 600 miles over the next couple of days!

It's a glorious day here. Sunny and pleasantly warm. The sunrise was spectacular and since I'm in a room on the 7th floor facing due east, I managed to get a few good shots which I'll post when I next get time.

I've actually been upgraded - at no extra cost - to the Riverside Suite which consists of two rooms - a "lounge" with a kitchen area and dining table and a 42" Samsung TV and DVD player. In the bedroom there's another 42" telly and by the (huge) bed is an iPod dock where I can recharge the iPhone and listen to my tunes as I do this.

Pity it's only for one night!

I'll post the pics later - when I've downloaded them from the Ixus but I've been busy enjoying the decadence of this fantastic room and so haven't had a chance to sort them out!

Right - time to pack away the laptop, head downstairs to check out and on to the next stop. It's all leading toward coming home Friday night - thats the thought to keep in your head on trips like this!

See yer later!

Sunset at 17,000 ft

2011-10-04T13:18:00.002+01:00

Flying down from Sudbury to Toronto last evening on a Dash 8 aircraft with only a dozen people on board, I managed to get this shot of the sun going down....

Not the greatest shot I've ever taken but not bad if you ignore the engine at the top of the shot!

Taken with the Duchess' Canon Ixus. The more I use that little camera the more impressed I am!

Anyway - it's 8:15 a.m. Canadian time. Breakfast now then the client collects us from the hotel at 10:30. Meeting at theirs, take them to lunch then fly to Grand Rapids Michigan for the US leg of the trip.

More follows if possible.

Day 2 of the trip..

2011-10-02T16:08:00.003+01:00

Only the 2nd full day but its been interesting so far!

Left Sheffield on the 11:27 train with 1st Class rail tickets though to Heathrow Terminal 3. Sounds brilliant and the ride down to London was great but what no one told us is that leg two of the journey involved a one hour ride on a packed London Underground to get to the airport. Not a great experience when you're lugging a suitcase!

Anyway - got to check in and we were told the flight to Toronto had a 2-hour delay so we'd fly at 8 pm not 6pm. Terrific! So we bummed around the Duty Free area and grabbed a sandwich. The Duchess was keeping me updated with the score from Belper's away fixture at Rainworth (Belper won 2-0 incidentally.)

Eventually boarded the plane and away we went.The flight was pretty good - packed but they served reasonable food and only 7 hours 50 minutes to Toronto!

Arrived in Toronto at around 11:20 pm (4:20 a.m. Sunday morning UK time) and by the time we'd cleared immigration and got the bags, it was close to 11:45 pm. Called the hotel to ask for the shuttle bus to pick us up. "Certainly sir. He's actually just left the airport but if you stand at bus stop S5 outside, we'll send him straight back to collect you."

Now, bear in mind the temperature was around 28 or 29 C when we left the UK but only around 6 or 7 with wind chill making it feel about 2 or 3 C outside the airport here. Anyway - when we'd been standing outside the airport for 40 minutes, freezing our wotsits off, I called the hotel again. "He's just left sir. Be with you any minute!" By now we'd been joined by 4 other people who said they'd been given the "He's just left the airport. When he gets to the hotel, we'll send him to collect you" story too.

I should tell you at this point that the bus ride to the hotel is no longer than 5 to 10 minutes depending on traffic and the 3 traffic lights that have to be negotiated. I reckon the desk clerk had forgotten to send him to collect us. So - by the time we'd checked in, I'd set up the laptop and sorted myself out, it was gone 1:30 a.m. Canadian time.

Slept well enough but woke early. A 5-hour time difference doen't half mess with your head and the body clock! Caught up with the football results and reports from Saturday and also the Fans Forum after the Belper win at Rainworth. Also had a good look at Snapper Harrison's album from the game before breakfast. They're here if you wanna look too. (It's worth the effort - good pics as ever!)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/timharrisonphotography/sets/72157627674297423/

The Duchess skyped me at around 8:30, then shower, breakfast and you're totally up to date.

Check out is at noon and it's back to the airport for a short flight to Sudbury Ontario and dinner with our client there. The customer is actually a bloke from Sheffield who moved out here about 15 or 16 years ago. He's never lost his Sheffield accent and it's a nice relaxed visit and a good way to start a tour.

At the moment, the telly is on and would you believe - they're showing Coronation Street! Its apparently from about a year and a half ago but its just cool to listen to the English accents - and unusually for telly over here, there isn't an ad break every 5 minutes!

Right - gonna see if I can download a podcast of the Archers Omnibus (can't access BBC iPlayer here) so I can keep up to date with the every day story of country folk.

So - see yer later. Oh - and I've brought the Duchess Ixus camera and will post pics at the first opportunity.

Playing catch up... again. Sorry folks - I've been busy

2011-09-30T16:34:00.000+01:00

Last Saturday - we went to watch Belper at Carlton and although the team lost 3-2 - it was as a result of a controversial penalty given by an inept referee in the last minute of added time.

Tim Harrisons pics are here..........

http://www.flickr.com/photos/timharrisonphotography/sets/72157627622976249/

and my very belated (only finished editing Wednesday night!) is here:

http://nortoner09.jalbum.net/2011%2009%2024%20Carlton%203-2%20BTFC/

Talking of Wednesday night, the new managers second game in charge was also at Carlton, on Wednesday evening, this time in the League Cup. Snapper was there again (dedication or wot??!!) and recorded events here: (Belper won 4-2 by the way - with a Jon Froggatt hat trick the main feature)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/timharrisonphotography/sets/72157627781659818/

We didn't go - too far on a work night. Besides, we might have got lost again as we did on Saturday when a journey of an alleged 58 minutes took us over an hour and a half.

What else this week - not a lot apart from a brilliant sunset on Tuesday evening. We walked up to the local park to watch it. Pics might follow if I get time. Also took pictures of the new fork lift truck we had delivered at work but you're not really that bothered are you?

Anyway - gotta go cos I'm off on a trip to Canada and USA starting tomorrow with a train at 11:27 a.m. to Heathrow. Then fly to Toronto. The rest of the week is....

Sunday - fly up to Sudbury Ontario.

Monday meet client, fly back to Toronto.

Tuesday meet client, fly on to Grand Rapids Michigan, collect a rental car.

Wednesday visit client, drive 5 hours south to Belle Center Ohio.

Thursday meet the client, then drive 5 hours to Bentleyville Pennsylvania.

Friday visit client then fly Pittsburgh to Toronto to Heathrow to Manchester arriving at 9 a.m. on Saturday morning October 8th on which date I understand, Belper Town are away at Carlton (for the 3rd time in a month!) in the FA Trophy.

So - shan't make Rainworth away tomorrow - but the Duchess and our mate Joey are going. Pity that, we have a couple of mates at Rainworth and it would've been nice to hook up but work comes first I guess (well for the next 3 years or so anyway!)

Nowt else to say really. I'l try to post from the road next week - all the hotels have free Wifi and there aren't any really late arrivals so for now - see yer!

Change of Plan!

2011-09-24T10:49:00.006+01:00

It's a lovely day so we've decided we WILL go to Carlton to see Belper Town.

I guess it won't be easy - Carlton are a tough proposition at home - won 3 and lost 1 this season so far and with Belper Town undergoing a period of change, if we can come away with a point, that would be encouraging.

There's no offical word on the Belper Town club web site about "ins and outs" since Tommy Taylor resigned but we hear Mark Camm has returned to Rainworth - the club he played for last season. Still to hear what happens to Taylor's "European" signings, Jaoquin Ortuno and Konstantinou (the Greek/Cypriot who signed just before Taylor's last home game in charge.)

We'll see - if nowt else it's an afternoon out and gets me out of tidying the garden!

Fingers crossed!

It's Been An Interesting Week!

2011-09-22T13:52:00.001+01:00

To say the least!

Last Saturday, Belper Town lost again at Sutton Coldfield, leaving the team in 17th place, just one point above the relegation places and although reports say it was a better performance, the fans were generally not happy. Tim Harrisons album is here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/timharrisonphotography/sets/72157627694906702/

Anyway, on Sunday, Tommy Taylor resigned after just 3 months in charge and to be honest, it was probably for the best. The results weren't right but just as importantly, some of the fare offered up by what are essentially good players has been very poor.

So - debate raged on the Belper Town FC Fans Forum with all sorts of accusations and insults flying back and forth between the "pro-Tommy" and "anti-Tommy" lobbies. It got a bit lively on there I can tell you with ex-manager Andy Carney putting in is two-penorth as did assistant manager and striker Jon Froggatt who gave the board, club and fans a real tongue lashing!

Upshot is a new manager - Peter Duffield - was appointed mid-week and so essentially, the season starts again in many respects. He has vast experience at this level and took Retford Town to promotion from the division Belper are in so - hope springs eternal as they say.

Duffield's reign starts on Saturday at Carlton Town. That can be a tough place to go but the Duchess and I won't be making the journey so we'll have to rely on text updates from friends various!

More routine matters......

Thursday last week was a gloriously sunny day so the Duchess and I nipped down to Chatsworh Park late afternoon and had a wander by the river. Managed to get some nice shots of the deer on the far side of the river and had an interesting chat with a guy who was fly-fishing. Turns out he's a fishing coach and gave me his card - in case I ever fancy switching from coarse fishing to fly fishing.

Peter Lax - fly fishing coach - I have his number should you need it

After that, we drove on to Matlock Bath and enjoyed fish and chips before strolling back to the car.

We were fortunate in that the guy on the car park at Chatsworth was just packing up so declined our offer to pay the £2 parking fee and when we got to Matlock Bath, a chap was just leaving the car park and passed on his ticket which was valid until 10 pm and so covered our stay nicely. Eee! Ah luv it when ah get summat for nowt tha nose!

Friday - afternoon nap (I know - at my age - but I didn't feel well OK?) after the supermarket run.

Saturday - quick trip by bus into Chesterfield. The Duchess had won £25 on her premium bonds and so we treated ourselves to a new phone for the house. (And Sheffield Wednesday won - so not a bad day at all really.)

Sunday - apart from a short visit to Wards Garden Centre at Coal Aston, we didn't go out. Weather was very mixed and in fact, it absolutely threw it down at one point. We had Roast Pork for dinner/tea and added apple sauce using apples collected that very day from our own tree in the garden. We've had a massive crop this year. Don't know the poundage the Duchess has gathered over the last week or two but we've filled 4 or 5 Morrisons carrier bags and given some to the neighbours. And there's still dozens of apples on the tree. We'll be eating apple sauce and apple pies until next autumn but I'm not complaining!

Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday - have passed in a bit of a blur to be honest and have consisted of the routine work/home/sleep pattern. With the nights "drawing in" it's starting to limit after work activities. In fact - no serious photography has been done since Chatsworth apart from on Tuesday afternoon when I went to our sister company at Dronfield to photograph some electric hammer tools so they can be added to the product range display on the company website.

The only other thing of note this week is a decision to remove our bath and replace it with a shower cubicle. After getting a reasonable quote from a reliable company, the work starts on October 10th.

Trips to Canada and USA (commencing 1st October, back in Sheffield on 8th October) and Brazil (week of 24th October) are now in place and unfortunately this means I shall miss Belper Town's next 3 home games. Hopefully, by then the new manager will have turned things around. We shall see!

Finally - I leave you for now with the best one line gag I've heard in a while....

Rolf Harris has been ill for some weeks. Doctors don't know what it is yet!

Bye!

You Know The Guy Who Said "Things Can Only Get Better"?

2011-09-15T09:33:00.000+01:00

Well - he was talking through his backside!

The performance from Belper Town FC last Saturday was truly awful. About the worst I've seen in 5 or 6 years of watching the Nailers. We lost 3-0 to Grantham Town and as a contest - the game was over at half time.

In some ways it's not surprising that we lost. The managers starting line up included 5 defenders, one midfield player and 4 forwards. OK - we had certainly lost the services of one midfield player and looked like losing another two so his options were maybe limited but when the substitutes included 2 "natural" midfield players, the selection was to say the least, baffling.

The team had no shape and following on from the below par performance the previous week when we were dumped out of the FA Cup by a team from a level below us, there was great discontent among the Belper fans. The Fans Forum has a huge debate about whether the manager should go now before it's too late!

Anyway - I put the camera away after the first goal went in and so have only a few snaps from the match but Snapper Harrison stuck to the task and the whole sorry episode is revealed here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/timharrisonphotography/collections/72157627070852857/

To console ourselves, we dined at George's fish & chip restaurant in Belper before heading back to Sheffield.

Then on Tuesday evening - my other team, Sheffield Wednesday, got a 5-1 stuffing from Stevenage Borough! Stevenage Borough for goodness sake! It's not so long ago that they were playing just above Belper Towns level!

That's football I guess and the unpredictability is one of the reasons we keep going back I suppose but it makes for a disappointing and miserable week. Still, my "Grumpy Northerner" tag at Belper is fully justified this week for a change!

Belper's next game is at Sutton Coldfield on Saturday. They have been in the top three all season and so I fear the worst. We shan't be there. I don't intend wasting any more diesel on long trips to watch "football" of the standard of the last 2 games.

I am also in the midst of organising a business trip to the USA and Canada so will miss the home games on October 1st and 4th and another trip - this time to Brazil scheduled for late October - could mean I miss the home game after that on October 29th. Could be 1st November when I next see the Nailers. Not sure yet.

Other stuff happening this week? Not a lot really. The company I work for is on a plant maintenance shutdown week and I am pretty much on my own in the office answering phones and checking e-mails etc. Not strenuous and I do get to leave a little earlier than usual at around three o'clock so it's not all bad.

The camera has been out this week of course but I've bored you enough for today and so I'll post a couple of pictures maybe tomorrow or this weekend.

See Yer!

A Trip to "The Dams"

2011-09-10T10:51:00.002+01:00

Friday evening - after tea - had a drive up to Ladybower and Derwent. It was a "muggy" evening but I got some nice shots of the late evening sun (well I like 'em anyway!). Here's the "opening shot"

I love the light at this time of day and you can see why photographers call the hour after sunrise and the hour before sunset "the golden hours!"

There's a few more here if you're interested.....

http://nortoner09.jalbum.net/2011%2009%2009%20Derwent%20Dam/

Off to watch Belper v Grantham this afternoon - apparently we've signed a Greek striker in the last week and lost midfielder Rubens Wiggins-Thomas to another club. "C'est la vie!" as they say!

My Sentiments Entirely....

2011-09-07T08:20:00.001+01:00

The Duchess had a wander around Chesterfield t'other day and sent me a text to say that in their shop window, the Co-op were offering Father Christmases (Christmasi?) for sale. In September! Anyway - coincidentally, this cartoon appeared in the Metro newspaper and I just had to share it.....

Sums up the way I feel about Christmas in September! It'll be here soon enough! (And by the way - how can you tell when it's Boxing Day? ....... Easter eggs go on sale!)

Weird Sunset Last Night...

2011-09-06T15:15:00.000+01:00

..as can be seen from these two pics.... not the best I've taken but this was the sky just before the rain came...

A rose in our garden is much easier on the eye!!

And we had a visit from what I think is a young Robin - but I need to check this out with the RSPB forum I think.

One more thing - if you wanna look at my pictures from the FA Cup defeat last Saturday - they are here...

http://nortoner09.jalbum.net/2011%2009%2003%20Deeping%20Rgrs%202-1%20BTFC/

Pity it was such a poor result cos I reckon this is one of my best ever "footy" albums!

Anyway - Saturday to look forward to - and a visit from Grantham Town which is always a pleasure (NOT!) They aren't having a great season either so I'm hopeful. We shall have to wait and see......

Talking of Flying Things....

2011-09-04T11:23:00.001+01:00

Friday afternoon we went to Bakewell and were delighted to get some shots of the Red Arrows who were displaying at Chatsworth. Not the best view but exhilerating nonetheless. It was their first public display since the tragic death of one of their number and it was nice to hear they flew the "Diamond 9" formation with one corner missing as a tribute. They also "drew" a heart in the sky and apparently, the only unmarried pilot flew a single stroke of red smoke through the heart. Fish and chips by the river on a warm evening finished the day.

Not the best shot of the "Heart" but hope you get the idea! (Click on the pic for "big")

It's been a busy week "photographically" and I am still sorting pictures from the week but in summary:

Sunday - Carburton Lakes - managed to get parked and got some very nice shots of birds on the feeding pots.

It's a lovely spot.

Great Tit

Chaffinch

There's some bugs too!!

Monday - Bank Holiday Monday and a day off. Belper 3-1 Ilkeston was the best part of the day although there was some deep debate about HOW we won 3-1! It could (should?) have been 4-2 to Ilkeston at half time and although the team rode their luck a bit, the way Belper closed out the game after the penalty which made it 3-1 was impressive. I didn't take the camera but Snapper Harrison was there and his excellent record of the match is here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/timharrisonphotography/sets/72157627431215457/

Tuesday - a second day off and a visit to the Old Moor RSPB reserve at Wath-on-Dearne. Arrived about 10:45 and spent a good four hours wandering around. More bird photos were taken but I'm still editing them. Overwhelmed with a photo editing backlog is perhaps the best way to describe the current situation! For now - here's a couple of the best shots.

Greenshank - a very "elegant" bird

Common Sandpiper - not THAT common - only the second time I've seen one

Wednesday - Quick trip to Meadowhall after tea. Went for a new sweater, came back with a pair of shoes. As you do.

Thursday - work, home, tea, telly, bed.

Friday - Supposed to get a visit from a plumber/bathroom designer to talk about remodelling our bathroom. Unfortunately, they called to cancel on Friday morning and the appointment is rescheduled for Thursday next week. At least they guy let us know he couldn't make it. The first plumber we approached made an appointment for the previous week but he never showed. No explanation or contact from the bloke so if that's the level of his service, we maybe had a lucky escape. The company we're now talking to installed our new central heating boiler last year and did an excellent job. Didn't realise they did bathroom design and refitting and hopefully, we'll get a similar service on the bathroom. So we took a trip to Bakewell and got the Arrows shots above (plus some more shots of birds but you don't need to see those!)

Saturday - They say save the best for last but this week - the worst comes last. Yesterday, we went to watch Belper Town get knocked out of the FA Cup at the first hurdle for the third successive year and to a team from a lower level also for the third year in a row. Pictures to follow but it's extremely annoying to make a 180 mile round trip, using almost half a tank of diesel and taking 5 hours total driving time to see a team lacking in confidence, passion and who appear to have no idea what system they are supposed to be playing. Deeping Rangers seemed to want it more than us. Very disappointing. Tim Harrisons album has just been posted - have a look..,..

http://www.flickr.com/photos/timharrisonphotography/sets/72157627464710585/

As I said, mine will follow but for now, that's it. Laters

The hedges didn't all get cut last Sunday!

2011-08-28T11:12:00.000+01:00

The weather was so nice we compromised and took a drive out to Carburton Lakes to see if we could get some more pictures of birds. Unfortunately, due to some inconsiderate "car parkers" there wasn't any room on the little layby that gives the best views of the lake and the birds so we drove on a little further, planning maybe to call in at Clumber Park. That plan failed too. Clumber was open only to attendees at an open air concert being staged last weekend.

We ended up at the Dukeries Garden Centre which has an "attachment" in the shape of the Harley Centre. First time we've been and it was impressive (but we passed on the expensive cuppa in the cafe!) There's a farm shop, craft shop, a museum and a cafe as well as the huge garden centre. It's all part of the Welbeck Estates and obviously recently developed, or at least, "done up."

A very handsome courtyard - the Harley Centre

And beautiful water lilies in a pond in the courtyard

Got back home, and cut one of the hedges before relaxing in front of the telly and prepared for work on Monday.

The rest of the week passed quickly. Belper were away at Lincoln Utd on Tuesday evening but an hour and a half drive down there was simply too far after a day at work. We missed a good 2nd half performance by the Nailers, coming back from one goal down to equalise in the 5th minute of injury time and earn a point.

Unfortunately, the team lost at 3rd from bottom Romulus yesterday so it hasn't been a great week for the lads. Still, early days I guess - new manager - several new players and the manager did say "Give me 6 games to see where we are."

As I said - I've booked Monday (tomorrow) off so we can go to watch Belper play local rivals Ilkeston. Should be interesting and a decent crowd. Ilkeston apparently have a large support (about 450 at their home game yesterday) so it should be a good atmosphere. I think I might leave the cameras at home tomorrow - have a go at just watching a game for a change!

Nothing else to report this week, apart from a couple of "grumbles" about the way the BBC News is reported but I won't bore you with all the detail. Suffice to say - when the stock market drops by around 4% then it's the main headline but when it recovers the losses over 3 days - it's not even mentioned. Another drop later in the week and we're suddenly in "double-dip recession" territory. To quote Private Fraser in Dad's Army "we're all doomed!" Seems "Bad news is the only news" is the maxim. Meh!

Oh - one more thing - it wouldn't be a Nortoner blog without a "flying thing" pic so here's this week's effort:

Ha ha - see yer!

A Week of Two Halves...

2011-08-21T10:54:00.002+01:00

Tuesday - saw Belper Town throw away a 2-0 lead to draw 2-2 with Brigg Town. It wasn't a defeat but it felt like one.

Saturday - saw Belper beat the league leaders, Rainworth 1-0. Rainworth had the only 100% record in the division. (OK - it was 2 wins from 2 games but it was still the only 100% record!)

Tim Harrisons pics from the Brigg game are here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/timharrisonphotography/sets/72157627456843484/

and mine...

http://nortoner09.jalbum.net/2011%2008%2016%20BTFC%202-2%20Brigg/

Tims pictures from yesterdays game are here....

http://www.flickr.com/photos/timharrisonphotography/sets/72157627481815752/

I haven't got around to editing mine from yesterday yet but they can't match Tim's brilliant effort so I might not bother anyway!

My other photographic effort revolved around birds in the back garden (again - yes I know - yet more flippin' birds - but I find them a fasciniating subject!)

Got a nice shot of a Dunnock on a feeder. Unusual this - they generally spend their time scurrying around on the ground - in and out of the hedge bottoms - so to see one in a feeder is different.

And a young Greenfinch (or could be a female - I'm not that good at i.d.!)

Mind you - this fella sat there stuffing his/her face and let me get within about 10 feet of him/her before he/she left his/her perch so if I didn't get a decent snap it'd be time to sell the gear!

And on the way back from Belper yesterday, we stopped off in Bakewell for a bag of chips. The Goosanders are still on the river - looks like they've taken up permanent residence!

Think this fella's washing his hair!

Not a lot else to report this week. The hedges didn't get cut last Sunday so that is today's task. Must get stuck into them. They look a real mess.

Archers Omnibus first, then lunch and unless I can find a half decent excuse its gardening this afternoon. Still - I can listen to the Test Match on the portable radio while I'm doing it but it would have been nice to have a little run out into Derbyshire while the weather's fine.

Still I've booked Monday 29th August off (it's a Bank Holiday but we don't take it at work) and I've also booked Tuesday 30th too so a very long weekend will be nice! On the Monday, Belper are at home to Ilkeston - local derby so we can't miss that - and on the Tuesday, we're hoping to spend the day at the RSPB reserve at Wath-on-Dearne - Old Moor, it's called. Hope the weather holds.

Next week - Belper are away at Lincoln on Tuesday and away at Romulus on Saturday so the Bank Holiday Monday game is probably the next football we'll see. Nothing else planned so we'll have to see what happens.

For now - that's that - See Yer!

Look Into My Eyes......

2011-08-14T11:18:00.000+01:00

Taken at the Norton Show yesterday.

We've lived at Nortoner Towers for some 13.1/2 years now and we've never been to this annual event. There was showjumping, dog training displays, cheerleaders, a band performing in a marquee, car boot sale amongst other things

It wasn't bad although to be brutally honest - it wasn't worth the 3 quid admission fee!

More pictures here....

http://nortoner09.jalbum.net/2011%2008%2013%20Norton%20Show/

Not a lot else happened this week. I did take some pictures of the swans on the canal at the back of our steelworks. They have 4 cygnets left, having started with 7. I'm a bit surprised they lost another 2 because I thought the 6 youngsters they had when I last saw them looked fairly well established.

Hard to believe that's a shot taken in the industrial east end of Sheffield isn't it? The canal is quite clean these days actually. Twenty years ago, we used to joke about whether you'd die from poisoning or drowning first if you jumped in! It's full of fish too now!

Big ones....

And little ones..

The EvoStik League season started yesterday but we decided the long trip down to Newcastle-Under-Lyme to watch Belper Town's first competitive game under new manager Tommy Taylor was a bit of a trek , hence our visit to the Norton Show.

Belper lost 2-0 and comment from supporters on the BTFC Fans Forum suggests a real "game of 2 halves" with Belper missing chances in the first half but being generally outplayed in the second. You can see a report on the game on Tim Harrison's blog ("Cycling Photographer" link on the right) and Tims pictures are here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/timharrisonphotography/sets/72157627300388471/

Next game is Tuesday evening at home to Brigg Town. We'll be there and hope for a win!

Anyway - that'll have to do for now.It's a fine, dry day so I'd better get organised and tackle the garden.

Tarra for now.

Locked Out

2011-08-09T13:39:00.001+01:00

Interesting comment on a BBC blog about a current disagreement between "the media" and Football League clubs over reporting access and restrictions...... and money, of course.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/gordonfarquhar/2011/08/locked_out.html

And Whilst I'm at It..

2011-08-08T20:28:00.000+01:00

Promised pics of Robin and Blackbirds....

"Oi! This washing pole could do wiv a lick of paint!"

(We can identify it as "our" Robin by the black stripe under its eye)

A female blackbird feeding her youngster - though I reckon it's big enough to feed itself!!
Kids eh?

Check out the Snapper Blog....

2011-08-08T17:46:00.006+01:00

Tim Harrison (Photographer to the Stars) has resurrected his blog. Check it out....

Link on the right... Cycling Photographer .... Or

http://cyclesandcameras.blogspot.com/

Enjoy!

Not A Lot To Report.....

2011-08-08T10:26:00.000+01:00

...hence no bloggage until now.

Couldn't really think of anything to say. However, for anyone who is interested....

Monday - Belper Town lost 4-1 to a Derby County XI in a pre-season friendly. Tim Harrison's pics are here -

http://www.flickr.com/photos/timharrisonphotography/collections/72157627070852857/

(Mine aren't processed yet and in any case - I spent most of the second half in photographic hints and tips discussion with Darlo who now has a Canon EOS 500D to play with! So I missed at least 2 goals)

Friday - day off work - ill! Suffered severe stomach cramps and vomiting over Thursday night and so took a half day off to recover. Early evening - went to PC World in Chessy to get a 1Tb WD portable external hard drive. Bargain at £69. (My 750 Gb is getting a bit full!)

Saturday - Belper Town 0-5 Matlock in the last of the pre season games. For some reason, (maybe still getting over bellyache!) couldn't really be arsed so put the camera away at half time and just watched the match. Interesting "Q&A" session with the new manager and supporters in the club house afterwards.

Tim Harrison saw the game through as ever and his pics are here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/timharrisonphotography/sets/72157627250418953/

Not a lot else has happened. Got some excellent pictures of a robin and some blackbirds in our back garden. I'll, post 'em as soon (or rather if) I get around to it.

Cheers

Lots going on this week....

2011-07-31T11:29:00.000+01:00

Wednesday evening - trip to Retford Utd to watch Belper Town lose 1-0!

Pictures:

http://nortoner09.jalbum.net/20110727%20Retford%201-0%20BTFC/

Real pressure on this one! Tim Snapper Harrison missed the game so mine are the only BTFC pictures! Not my best set but at least the game is recorded.

Thursday - after a hectic work day and our evening meal - we had a little drive "up the dams" - Ladybower and Derwent for those who don't know. We actually stayed out later than planned because as we parked up near Upper Howden dam, the Duchess spotted some buzzards enjoying the thermals coming off the hills. They were about a quarter mile away but the big lens brought them a little closer. Turns out it was probably a mother teaching her fledgling how to hunt. Fascinating - and we watched with the camera and the binoculars for a good 20 minutes before heading back.

Earlier in the day, I spotted a family of swans on the canal at the back of our steelworks! Turns out the blokes in the plant have been feeding them for a few weeks and they are now almost tame! (The swans that is - not the blokes!)

Even earlier than this - as I was getting my breakfast cuppa at 6 a.m., spotted a juvenile goldfinch on the feeders in the garden - through the kitchen window - and me half asleep so its not a great shot but still nice!

Friday - after work (early finish day!) we did the supermarket run and then nipped down to the fishing tackle shop to pick up some bits and pieces for the fishing match I was taking part in on Saturday. Rounded the day off with dinner at the Bowshaw Carvery. Very nice!

Saturday - a grand day at the fishing match, Although I actually finished around 13th of 16 entrants (not my most prestigious attempt then!) It's a nice little fishery - Side Farm Fisheries at Thurcroft - and it's only a 40 minute drive from home. I caught about a dozen fish - although only one of any note - and to be honest - when I pulled in a couple of small perch, I debated whether to throw the fish back and weigh in the maggot - which was almost as big!

Back home mid afternoon while Belper Town were beating Long Eaton Utd in a pre-season game. Snapper Harrison recorded the game:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/timharrisonphotography/collections/72157627070852857/

Grand album yet again Mr. H!

More bird-spotting in the late afternoon, again in the back garden and again, a new "spot" for us - this time - a treecreeper! See how well camoflaged he is in the big old apple tree at the top of the garden.

Here's a couple more:

Finally for now - in a week when I took alot of pictures - I wanted to show you this one - yet another "first" - this time a butterfly in our garden -

It's called a Gatekeeper or Hedge Brown and Yorkshire/Lancashire is about the northern extent of its territory. There were 5 of them in the garden and I have to say, I reckon this is my "shot of the week."

Right - enough for now - gonna grab a sandwich then get the lawnmower and hedge trimmers out before the weather breaks (as it will do tomorrow apparently.)

See yer!

Another Chance Encounter....

2011-07-26T21:09:00.001+01:00

This time at Bakewell.

After the game on Saturday we came back via Bakewell - not the shortest route but it was a pleasant enough evening and we didn't have to be anywhere in particular.

Strolling by the river we spotted a flock of Goosanders:

There were probably 10 or a dozen of them and whilst not an endangerded species or anything (as far as I'm aware), I have only seen them once before - many years ago on a Scottish holiday. Interesting that they were that close to a town. I didn't have the big telephoto lens with me so the pics above were shot with the 18 to 200mm telephoto - and I've "fiddled" a bit in PSE 8

OK - ornithology lecture over - back to sleep guys.

It Was Good To Go To Footy Again!

2011-07-24T21:05:00.000+01:00

South Normanton Athletic v Belper Town to be precise. Pre-season friendly which Belper won 2-1. It's the first footy I've "photo'd" in a while but the results aren't bad!

First of all - the official pics from "Snapper" Tim Harrison:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/timharrisonphotography/sets/72157627267020446/

And my album is here:

http://nortoner09.jalbum.net/2011%2007%2023%20SNAFC%201-2%20BTFC/

Tim's pics are to his usual high standard but I'm quite pleased with my effort. Made a couple of adjustments to my usual settings and mostly, the experiments came off! Mind you if you can't take reasonable pictures on a sunny July Saturday..............

Good game this. It was encouraging to see Belper Town retaining possession of the ball and also stringing some nice passing sequences together. South Normanton are about 3 leagues below Belper Town so you'd probably expect a bigger win than 2-1. However they are a good side and gave the Belper lads an excellent workout. Encouraging signs for the new season!

The Duchess and I both agreed that we'd missed the footy but more than that - we've missed the friends we'd made at the Club. Dave Laughlin, Snapper, Nigel, Hugh, Rich, to name but a few, so it's more of less decided that we'll have season tickets again!

It was much the same with our holiday. After 18 years of the same vacation, we wondered if a change might be necessary especially as its our 40th wedding anniversary next year and so we should perhaps do something special. As we were driving around Lincolnshire in the 2nd week of the holiday, we both agreed that we'd miss Horncastle, Elmhirst Lakes and the fishing so we have booked again for next year.

We're going a week later than usual because the "special" holiday we're hoping to fit in is a few days in Holland with our son and daughter-in-law in the Spring. Thats the plan anyway!

OK - another weekend has flown by - must be having fun then eh?

See yer later.

A Chance Encounter....

2011-07-22T16:13:00.000+01:00

Whilst out and about on hols, we drove down a long straight road from Brothertoft to Coningsby. There are Level crossing type boards which say "Stop when the lights flash." The lights were flashing so we stopped and saw this -

A fighter plane landing at RAF Coningsby!

I publish these "warts and all" - the Duchess was nursing the camera as we were heading back to Horncastle. No time to change the settings and the smudges are raindrops on the car windscreen which I haven't tried to edit out.

Not my greatest photographic achievement but I reckon they're not bad given the circumstances! Anyway - I like them!

Still working on the pics!

2011-07-20T20:28:00.003+01:00

It's been a busy week - as all first weeks back after holiday are - and I am still working on pictures editing.

But I had to tell you - the main event of the week so far is the launching of our new website ...

http://www.bedfordsteels.co.uk/

Have a look. I think it's brilliant. But I'm biased - it was designed and created by my sons company in Holland "Everybody Can Design" - link on the right to see more of their work. And if you need help with your company's image - their rates are very reasonable!

Promise holidays pictures soon. Honest!

Looking forward to footy at the weekend. South Normanton v Belper Town in a pre-season friendly. I'll take the cameras and might get some photos!

Laters

Back Home - It's Still Pouring - But At Least I Caught The Sun!

2011-07-17T16:55:00.002+01:00

Whilst the Duchess caught all the fish.....

Summary:

Saturday 2nd July - Arrived at our destination around 3:30 pm - unloaded the car - fished the evening. Hot day!

Sunday- Fished just about all day - very warm again!

Monday - had a drive down to Boston, spot of lunch - back to Elmhirst then fished for the evening - very warm for a third day.

Tuesday - fished until late afternoon then took a drive down to Freiston Shore (RSPB reserve near Boston) for a spot of bird-watching (and photographing with the new big lens.) Need to get used to restrictions of f6.3 max aperture at 500mm when the light is less than perfect!

Wednesday - Forecast was heavy showers so we skipped the fishing and went out and about. Lunch at Rachels Cafe at Hagworthingham - we had a full English Breakfast! Drove out to the car terrace at Huttoft and got some "big sky" pictures (there's a surprise!) Back via Chapel St Leonards. We've never been there before but enjoyed a wander around, a cuppa and a scone then an ice-cream before heading back to Elmhirst for a sandwich. Evening was spent by the River Whitham at Kirkstead Bridge - taking "evening light" pictures of birds etc. - erm - it never rained on us by the way.....

Thursday - Day trip out to Kings Lynn - never been before but really enjoyed the town. As we arrived, the heavens opened so we sat in the car for about 20 minutes before wandering around this very old and historic town. Excellent shopping centre and I bought a new tripod to hopefully complete the "Photography Kit".... although a Canon EOS 1D Mark IV would really complete the set! We dined out at the Red Lion at Revesby - about 20 minutes from Elmhirst. It was OK - a huge plateful of food but doubt we'll rush back - the Duchess cooks a better steak than the ones we had at the pub - and it's cheaper!

Friday - Another day off from fishing! - The weather was awful so after a quick trip to the shops in Horncastle, we generally twiddled our thumbs in the lodge. After tea - another trip to Huttoft - more pics of clouds and the wind farms off the Skeggy coast.

Saturday - Fished all day - apart from nipping to the supermarket for supplies. Spotted a 1959 Austin on the car park (the "Baby Austin") Pics on the Duchess' Ixus and I gotta download those yet!

Sunday - got organised for a trip back to Sheffield. Our associate company in Dronfield had 100th Anniversary Celebrations and Open Days planned for the week of 11th July and representatives from my best customer were arriving at Manchester airport Sunday evening. I collected them and delivered them to the hotel in Sheffield.

Monday July 11th - met up with the guests at the Open Day Plant Tour which went very well. I took loads of pictures of the guests and some of the plant in operation before heading back down to Horncastle in the late afternoon. (A colleague dropped my customers off at the airport!)

Tuesday - Fishing until tea time - then after tea - back to Freiston Shore for more bird-watching and photographing. We had a couple of lucky dips on the £161 million Euromillions - and won!!...... £6.40 to be precise!

Wednesday - Rachels Cafe for brunch (Full English again - excellent) then a short wander around Spilsby and Wainfleet. Back mid-afternoon - and I had a snooze before we went fishing in the evening.

Thursday - fishing all day - and after a nip down to the chippy in the square at Horncastle - fishing all evening too. A lovely day - much warmer!

Friday - last day of holiday and rain promised for the evening so we had our last fishing session, puttng the gear away at about 6 pm, ready for loading the car Saturday morning.

Saturday - an unusual, but very pleasant, end to the holiday! Having spent the last 18 "annual holidays" at the same place, we have got to know the owners - Ann and Danny Hogan who actually originate from Sheffield. They don't live on site but we usually see Ann a couple of times during our stay.

Anyway - Friday, as we're packing the gear away - one of the site wardens popped in and told us that Ann had asked that we don't "dash off" on Saturday morning as she planned to drop by about 10 a.m. to see us. She arrived as promised and at noon, we were still sitting there having a good old natter and "catching up." The couple of hours passed very quickly and since it was absolutley bouncing with rain - we were happy to sit inside until it eased!

As she left - Ann told us to get organised and one Friday - after the "summer rush" was over - pop down for a weekend - fishing if we wanted to - just chilling if we don't. The offer is "on the house" so we're seriously considering taking her up on it. Nice that innit?

So - I now have somewhere around 1400 photos to edit, sort, delete etc,. I'll post them over the next week or two.

And - work tomorrow - Ho Hum......

It's Absolutely Pouring Down.......

2011-07-07T21:31:00.000+01:00

So we had a day out today.
First time visit to Kings Lynn - what a smashing town!
Wandered around, had some lunch, then this evening, dined at the Red Lion at Revesby where I was served the biggest mixed grill I've ever seen.
Didn't fish today, or yesterday, but might have a dabble tomorrow.
For now (cos it's a pain in the bum typing on the iPhone) that'll have to do.
Taken lotsa pics and we still have another week or so on hols.

I'll post some when we get back but until then- see yer later!

We're on our hols

2011-07-02T22:45:00.000+01:00

Posting from my iPhone
Just to see if I can, basically.

Had a short fishing session this evening and caught a few

Weather glorious but now it's bedtime.

Night!

Then I Thought.... Go On... Why Not?

2011-06-29T18:29:00.000+01:00

After all - you can't take it with you and it IS only money....

Presenting - One Sigma 150-500mm Zoom Telephoto Lens.

Its a beauty and is under field test now - photgraphing birds in our back garden!

Results follow!

England (or South Africa 'B'?) v Sri Lanka

2011-06-28T21:34:00.000+01:00

Just watched England (?) coast to an easy victory against Sri Lanka in a One Day International game.

Look at the "England" line up:

Cook - born in England

Kieswetter - born South Africa

Trott - born South Africa

Pietersen - born South Africa

Morgan - born Ireland

Bell - born in England

Bresnan - born in England

Broad - born in England

Swann - born in England

Anderson - born in England (well - Lancashire so he's nearly a foreigner)

Dernbach - born South Africa

Five of the eleven are not English! No wonder youngsters don't want to play cricket - what chance of progression is there if we fill the side with players who obviously aren't good enough to make their own National squads?

Even the bloody coach comes from Zimbabwe!

I Forgot About These!!

2011-06-26T17:25:00.000+01:00

A week or so ago, I took some pictures in our hot rolling mill at work. Got some fairly dramatic images one of which is to be incorporated into the new website we're having built.

Our company was founded in 1792 and there has been a rolling mill on the present site since the late 19th century. When I started at the company, back in 1971, there were about 22 rolling mills similar to ours in the Sheffield/Rotherham area but the steel strikes in the early 1980's closed most of them. We survive because we have a unique product, the process of manufacture of which was originally invented at our company.

Anyway - enough of the sales pitch - here's a couple of the photos:

My son's company in Holland has designed the new website and when it's up and running, I'll give you the link.

Back to photo editing now.....

Not a lot to Report This Week

2011-06-26T10:09:00.001+01:00

Another quiet week with the only real happening of note a visit to the hospital for a "Kidney Stone Check-up" on Thursday. Good news is there is no evidence of further stones and I have been discharged from the hospital back to my GP. We celebrated by dining at the Bowshaw Carvery - as good as ever!

Saturday - used the bus pass and the X17 "limited stop" bus sevice to get to Chesterfield for a wander around the shops and market. I'm not a regular visitor to Chessy but I was pleasantly surprised to find a very nice shopping centre and an excellent market. Sadly, it emphasises once again what a dump my own city, Sheffield, has become.

Whilst there I bought a USB memory stick - 4Gb - and the Duchess bought a new charger for her iPhone - so she has one upstairs and one downstairs now - is that just a little TOO decadent?!?

I also found a branch of London Camera Exchange in the town centre and lusted after a new lens - a Sigma 150mm to 500mm which is on sale at Jessops at £849.95 and Jacobs at £849.00. Ron Harrison Cameras in Sheffield want £849 too.

London Camera Exchange price is £799. A good price on the face of it but with a holiday coming up and no room in my camera bag - it's not an option just now.

Pity - would have been perfect for our visits to RSPB sites and also great for cricket pics. Still - never mind. Maybe later!

I've not used the camera much this week - but still have several hundred pictures to edit so I'll get on with that (Still haven't finished Edale, Rutland Water, Bempton etc!)

Since its such a great weather forecast for today, this afternoon will be spent in the garden, cutting the grass and generally tidying up before the holiday. Right now - it's listening to the Archers Omnibus and editing photos!

I'll gerron wi it then.

I know I promised pictures but I've been busy.. again!

2011-06-19T11:04:00.000+01:00

Only major events this week have been....

Friday evening - went to Currys and bought a new microwave oven

Saturday - went to Sheffield and bought a new card reader and a frying pan.

Wot an exciting life we lead.....

Work has been busy but only because my colleague has gone off on honeymoon so I'm covering his job as well.

In the absence of any other astonishing news, here's a few pics from recent photographic excursions....

Apples already on the tree in our garden...

Razorbills at Bempton - "Find yer own flippin' perch"

The cliffs at Bempton.

Kittiwakes with chicks

One of Bempton's most famous residents - the Puffins

And another - The Gannets (and look at the size of the chick in the centre nest!)

Gannet in flight - majestic!

Boats at North Landing

Overlooking North Landing

"Dancing Fountains" - Sheffields Peace Gardens

Norton Sunset - last Friday

That's all for now - I promise I'll try to work on a couple of albums - Edale - Rutland Water - Bempton/Filey/North Landing.... but there's a heck of a lot of photos and not a lot of spare time just now...

Busy, Busy, Busy

2011-06-12T13:44:00.000+01:00

That's why I haven't posted.

Been one of those weeks - gets to Friday and you wonder "Where'd it go?"

In summary...

Tuesday evening - took the Duchess to her League Meeting

Wednesday evening - nipped down to Meadowhall to look for a gift for a mate who's getting married.

Thursday - can't honestly remember!

Friday took a day off and went to Bempton cliffs - album of seabird pics follows (along with the promised Edale and Rutland Water images.... honestly!)

Saturday - nipped down to the Town Hall to see my work colleague get married. On the way back to Nortoner Towers, called at John Lewis and bought a nice frame, selected a photo from the ones I took at the wedding, edited it then nipped down to Sainsbury's to get it printed. Mounted it in the frame and presented the happy couple with the finished result at the evening "do".

One o'clock Sunday morning we got home! We had a grand evening but it was way past my bedtime when we got back!

Lie in this morning and since it is now absolutely pouring with rain, I'm editing and sorting out pictures and albums....

More follows...... at some point!

"I shouldn't have been prosecuted cos it wasn't just me!" - Local MP

2011-06-06T13:23:00.000+01:00

From the Sheffield Star:

Disgraced former Barnsley MP Eric Illsley was paid more than £6,500 in the 4 weeks that he clung on to his seat after admitting fiddling his expenses.

Illsley, who was jailed for a year in February for making fraudulent expenses claims worth £14,500, admitted his guilt on January 11th but refused to resign his parliamentary seat until February 8th - 2 days before he was sent to prison.

During that period he claimed £6,766 in expenses including £2,253 for photocopier hire.

Details of his claims were released by the expenses watchdog in charge of the tough new system of parliamentary allowances introduced in the wake of last year's scandal. They said Illsley had still been entitled to claim because he was an MP until he resigned. There is no provision in the law to claw the cash back.

Last month The Star revealed Illsley claimed almost £2,000 in taxpayer-funded allowances in the two months before he admitted fraud.

The £1,965 he received in November and December included more than £1,000 for hiring a photocopier and £48.53 for renting a mobile phone.

Illsley was jailed for a year after admitting three counts of expense fraud relating to his second home in London. He was released after 3 months and is now serving the rest of his sentence under a home detention curfew.

On his release from jail he said he should never have been prosecuted, claiming he was not alone in making his expenses claims.

"What a lot of people don't know is that only a handful of MPs were ever investigated." he said. " Anyone thinking 'he's a wrong 'un' is not aware that lots of other MPS were in the same situation."

So not only does this arrogant liar and cheat hang on to his job for another month (and therefore get another months salary after pleading guilty), but he is let out after 3 months and then has the cheek to say - "I shouldn't be prosecuted cos it wasn't just me." I also wonder what the hell he was photocopying btw - you can buy a bloody machine for what he spent on renting them!

So next time a car thief gets taken to court can he plead immunity because he isn't the only one who nicks cars.

Every day, you come across someone who confirms that "Tosser" is spelled with a double "S".

We just met today's candidiate.

Decided to make more than one album -

2011-06-05T20:45:00.002+01:00

Here's the first - after the rain on Bank Holiday Monday...

http://nortoner09.jalbum.net/2011%2005%2030%20Redmires/

and our day at Fairburn Ings.....

http://nortoner09.jalbum.net/2011%2005%2031%20Fairburn%20Ings/

and Wednesday evening at Bakewell...

http://nortoner09.jalbum.net/2011%2006%2001%20Bakewell/

Right - still working on Thursday at Edale and Friday at Rutland Water - but I don't want to bore you (or give you too much of a good thing maybe?) so I'll post those two albums a little later.

If you looked at these three albums - Thanks for looking!

A Hectic (But Very Enjoyable) week

2011-06-05T12:05:00.000+01:00

After the Bank Holiday Monday rain eventually stopped, and after shooting a few pics of "residue rain drops" around the garden, we ventured out to Redmires Dam, a quiet spot just 20 minutes or so from Nortoner Towers. Got some more "big sky" shots (there's a surprise!) and took a few pics of alpacas at a small farm at Ringinglow.

Still trying to get a "great" shot of the bullfinch!

An old friend made a rare appearance - Great Spotted Woodpecker

Big Redmires Sky!

Alpaca at Ringinglow

Sheffield City Centre in the background!

Tuesday - took a trip to Fairburn Ings, near Knottingley for a wander around the RSPB Reserve. Didn't see as much (in terms of birdlife) as at some other reserves but it was a pleasant enough day.

We walked about 3.1/2 miles altogether. Not a dramatic distance by some standards but for a lady with an artifical hip and an old giffer who is so out of shape it ain't funny, it wasn't a bad effort! Stopped off at Meadowhall on the way back for something to eat and got home in time for Britain's Got Talent (the show which proves, on an annual basis - that we have very little talent in fact!)

Wednesday - something different - a train ride to Barnsley (the free National Travel Pass comes in very handy!) and a look around the town centre and the fabulous market they have there.

On the way to the station - Sheffield's tallest building. The 32-storey City Lofts

Turn thru 180 degrees and you see this - which I think I prefer!

Ventured back to Sheffield on the 2:01 p.m. train (which was packed generally with younger folk who almost all got off at Meadowhall. Maybe something good on at the cinema!) and had a short wander around Sheffield (I bought a new Canoscan 9000 film scanner cos my present one has died) then back home for a cuppa. Out to Bakewell about 5 pm-ish for Fish and Chips before getting back home to see BGT.

Fisherman and his catch at Bakewell - he put the fish back to live to fight another day!

Thursday - highlight of the week. The Duchess' birthday and at about 9:15 a.m., our son phoned to wish her Happy Birthday. As she was talking to him, there was a knock on the back door. She went to answer it and was gobsmacked to see him and his wife standing there! They had driven over from Holland on Wednesday and stayed overnight at a hotel. I knew they were going to make a surprise visit and managed to keep the secret very well I thought!

In the afternoon we went to Hathersage and Edale

Edale Parish Church

We didn't venture all the way up there! But it looks beautiful!

Came back via Mam Tor where we watched some hang gliders (crazy people!) and then Calver bridge

The river at Calver - needs some water - as low as I've ever seen it

For the Duchess' birthday dinner, we met up with the family and an old friend at TGI Friday. A cracking day all round apart from the fact that on the way back from dinner, I developed a sore throat which over Friday and Saturday, matured into a full blown head cold with laryngitis thrown in as well! But you know me - not one to complain.......

Friday - Our son had a business meeting in the morning and they wanted to go to The Trafford Centre in the afternoon so we went our separate ways. The Duchess and I drove down to Rutland Water, near Stamford,

An absolutely fabulous day - weather wise

and after a good wander around, we drove back home "across country" rather than back up the A1, stopping off at George's Fish and Chip Restaurant in Belper for tea!

Saturday - after the supermarket run in the morning, I got stuck into the hedges and what passes for a lawn at the back of the house. Caught most of the second half of England v Switzerland and have to say - if those are our best eleven players, we are in deep do-do's!

Sunday - just waved our son and daughter-in-law off as they start the long drive back to Rotterdam. Missed the start of the Archers Omnibus so will have to listen later today via iPlayer. I also have to tackle the front garden... if it doesn't rain.

And I've decided as I was typing this that, since we crammed so much into my week off, I'll put together a "Spring Bank Holiday Album" and post a link later today (hopefully) but for now:

Tarra

It's Bank Holiday Monday.....

2011-05-30T10:12:00.000+01:00

... how can you tell?

S'easy! (Views from our bedroom window!)

A week off next week!

2011-05-29T10:58:00.000+01:00

So been very busy getting everything sorted before the break.

Wednesday - went to the Under-15s Presentation Night as planned. Another local referee did the honours. Uriah Rennie this time. He's had major surgery on his knee but hopes to be back reffing soon. (Although to be fair - after he described - in detail - the surgery he's had, I was surprised he was even walking!)

Thursday/Friday - Busy days at work. Head down, stuck in time!

Saturday - not the best of days weather wise but after lunch, we decided to have a drive out to the High Peak Garden Centre at Bamford to get a cup of tea and a scone. Bought some bits for the garden and came back via Hucklow.

Spent an hour or so watching the gliders (on a VERY windy day - I was surprised they were up there!) and took a few pics:

http://nortoner09.jalbum.net/2011%2005%2028%20Derbyshire%20afternoon%20out/

When we got back - took a few shots of a pair of bullfinches on the feeders in the garden. They aren't the best - taken through the bedroom window and at the full extension of a 300mm zoom lens. (That's two of my excuses anyway!)

Hopefully better efforts will follow of these rare visitors to our garden.

Finally, what a fantastic performance by Barcelona last night. I actually watched a recording this morning and after the first 10 minutes, there was only ever going to be one winner. I liked Mark Lawrenson's comment on the radio - during the game when it was still 0-0 and United were coming under increasing pressure. He said "It's like sitting in your house watching the clouds start to build - you know sooner or later - its going to pour down on you."

Anyway - that'll do for now. Got to start thinking about the week off and making the most of it. It's the Duchess' birthday on Thursday (June 2nd) and we want to try and cram in some "days out" although the forecast ain't great! We'll see.

I'll let you know how it went!

Howard Webb - Top Bloke!

2011-05-25T12:58:00.000+01:00

Monday night -, accompanied The Duchess to the Sheffield & District Junior Sunday League Under-10s Presentation Night at Barnsley Metrodome. And a good night was had by all - or so it seemed to me!!

Trophies were presented by Howard Webb - a really nice guy!

Our son had heard Webb would be doing the honours and asked if I would mind getting him to sign an autograph addressed to his mate Yuri. Thing is - Yuri is a Dutchman and our lad wanted to "wind him up" since Howard is not totally forgiven, by some people anyway, in Holland for the World Cup Final defeat!

He obliged .....

Howard saw the joke! After I'd texted the above photo to our lad - I got a reply:

"Oh that's Awesome! Please tell him he's made a Yorkshireman away from home very very happy!"

After the presentation - I showed Mr Webb the text and he said "Brilliant! Tell him to keep fighting the England cause over there!"

As I said - really nice bloke - arrived at about 8 pm and presented somewhere in the region of 400 to 500 trophies and hung around afterwards chatting to the players and parents and signing autographs.

He tries to do at least one of the Presentation Nights every year (well he is a "local lad" - comes from Rotherham) and this year, the Junior League presented him with a commemorative trophy to mark his 2010 World Cup Final performance:

I didn't take the big camera. The League have an "official" photographer, who is a pro, and I didn't want to tread on his toes! (Had a lively debate with him re Canon v Nikon tho - he's a Nikon man - and not for budging!!) Aside from that, although I knew there would be dozens of parents taking pics of the kids, there could well be CRB issues if I'd started firing off at all angles!

However, took The Duchess' Canon Ixus - but I don't know what I did wrong because most of the shots are rubbish. But here's a couple anyway...

BTW - These blokes are one of the Management Teams from one of the winning teams - we don't really have Under-10s that big in our local league!

There's another Presentation Night tonight - this time the Under-15s. Me and The Duchess will attend again and I'll report ASAP!

Back in One Piece..

2011-05-22T11:03:00.000+01:00

Got back from the trip Wednesday. Landed at Heathrow 25 minutes late at 12:45 pm after a flight of 8.1/2 hours, from Dallas.

Got back to Sheffield around 7:30 pm and back in the office Thursday.

Anyway - here's a couple more pics from the trip.

1985 Honda Goldwing at the hotel where we stayed near Boston.

The bike was way better equipped than the Hyundai Accent we had rented!

There was a cock-up with the booking at the last hotel on the trip so they moved us to another place and they paid for the rooms. A free night in an upgraded room and they even threw in a pitcher of Bud Light as an apology!

The hotel was called the Fairfield Inn and Suites

and its a pity we were only there for one night.... the rooms had a bedroom, a living area with sofa and coffee table. There were two TVs and a CD player/stereo system! Very Nice!

View from tthe room doorway

The "Living Area"

After a visit to our parent company, we headed for home on Tuesday afternoon.....

Flying down to Dallas Fort Worth and the long flight home!

Friday afternoon, we went down to Horncastle to pay the balance of our holiday bill - Elmhirst Lakes again - 2 weeks fishing - can't wait. We had fish and chips at the restaurant in the square and then a steady drive home.

Saturday was spent cutting grass and generally tidying the back garden. Hedges next.....

Not much else to say, although I shall be watching what speculation and conjecture I put on here because it would appear that some readers interpret passing comment as gospel truth. Remember - they say you should believe none of what you hear and only half of what you see!!!

Later.... perhaps!

The Trip So Far...

2011-05-15T21:07:00.003+01:00

Saturday May 7th - picked up colleague from his home 7:15 pm and drove down to Heathrow. Roadworks and a wrong turn (my mistake!) meant we arrived at the hotel at midnight instead of 10:15 pm.

Sunday - Breakfast at the hotel (£33 for the pair of us!!!! Robbing Southern b's!) Noon flight to Toronto and then a short flight to Sudbury Ontario, arriving 8:30 pm (1:30 a.m. Monday UK time!) Dinner (a burger) and bed!

Monday - client visit - went well - then fly back to Toronto. Met next morning's customer for dinner at the Keg (Steakhouse/Pub type chain - but very good!)

Tuesday - Awoke early to a glorious sunrise

Client picked us up from hotel, we had lunch then meeting at their place then flight to Boston. Flight delayed 2 hours. Picked up hire car and arrived at hotel just before 11pm. Grabbed a quick bite at the local Sports Bar. Bed at midnight!

But the most important news of the day was the appointment of a new manager at Belper Town FC. The job has gone to Tommy Taylor, an ex-professional, with almost 1,000 senior games to his credit! Interesting choice and he'll have last seasons top scorer, Jon Froggatt as player/assistant manager.

Wednesday - Drove around to clients office - good meeting. He declined lunch so we grabbed a sandwich and headed back to Logan airport, dropped off the car - Hyundai Accent - don't ever buy or rent one! It cornered like a boat and had wind-up windows. Odd that. Wind up windows but one of the best radios I've ever seen and a plug in for an MP3 player!

Our flight was delayed due to thunderstorms over Grand Rapids but we eventually got there and in a small regional jet (60-seater), landed as the sky flashed and banged to the left of the aircraft! Picked up a hire car (Jetta - much betta!)

and drove to the hotel where it started raining heavily as we got out of the car on the car park! The kitchen was closed (well - it was 11 pm) so we ordered takeaway. Fast food dinner at midnight again!

Thursday - good meeting, lunch then a 5 hour drive to Bellefontaine Ohio (the temperature guage read 91 F at one point - at 4:48 pm it was still 89 F!)

where we checked into the Super 8 Motel. Arrived at 8 pm. and dined at McDonalds..... nuff said.

Friday - really good meeting at the clients place. The firm is run by a husband and wife team - two of the nicest people I know - and they always make us welcome. Because we were staying in the same hotel for a second night, we spent the whole day with them. This included a tour of the local area - including the shortest street in the world (Guinness book verified!) and the world's first concrete street - both in Bellefontaine Ohio. The shortest street is slightly longer than your average family car!

Saturday morning - left for our drive to the Pittsburgh area around 10:15 a.m and arrived at this hotel (Washington - Pennsylvania not DC) around 2:45 pm. The open road...

Chilled out for the afternoon and ate a late dinner at the Outback restaurant - Chicken and Ribs - lovely!) Heavy thunderstorms overnight flooded parts of the local area but we're OK here.

Sunday - up late. Continental breakfast and then a short drive to the local shopping mall where I picked up a couple of cds from Walmart. Looked for an anniversary present for the Duchess but nothing worthy was found. It's our 39th Wedding Anniversary on 20th May - 2 days after I get back. We had a sandwich for lunch then headed back to the hotel.

Chat via Skype with the Duchess - marvellous invention that! She's been at Under-11 and Under-15 Cup Finals most of the day and was relaxing at home after a tiring day.

Tomorrow we check out of the hotel and drive to Monongahela (about an hour away) for a meeting with a client. Straight from there to Pittsburgh airport, drop the car then fly to Springdale Arkansas via Memphis to meet up with the boss at our Corporate Headquarters on Tuesday.

Tuesday evening it's Springdale/Dallas/Heathrow, arriving in London at noon Wednesday. Pick up car from hotel and drive north to God's County and a proper cup of tea.

Back in the office Thursday. Read this lot again and you'll see why I haven't posted - we've never stopped until now!

Anyway, I gotta go... Oh BTW - pictures from the Duchess' little Canon Ixus camera - pleased with them!

See Y'all y'hear!

Och Aye The Noo - Shalom - Tha Nose.....

2011-05-05T12:37:00.001+01:00

Bank Holiday Monday - we decided to have a walk up to the local park because they were holding a "Highland Fling". Lovely day (although I have to say the only "Highland" thing about it was a pipe band and some highland cattle!)

Anyway - there am I - taking pictures of the pipers (wearing the t-shirt my son brought me back from Israel)

When one of the pipers (pic on left) approaches me and points at the camera - or so I thought. Maybe he didn't want me taking pictures??!

He then sez "Shalom" (in a Yorkshire accent) and starts translating the Hebrew word on the shirt!

Five minutes later, he brings another of the pipers across and introduces him as Professor McNulty (below right) from Sheffield University. He wanted the Prof to confirm his translation. (Despite the fact we know it says "Goldstar" because it's repeated in English at the top of the logo!)

Could only happen to me - In Graves Park, Sheffield, talking about Hebrew translation to a Scot and a Yorkshireman.... hence "Och Aye The Noo..... Shalom..... Tha Nose!" Surreal!

It was a good afternoon, although a very strong wind made it chilly but we spent a good couple of hours looking at Birds of Prey, Highland Cattle and Shire Horses. There were stalls selling a wide variety of foods and also a fairground for the kids to enjoy. Generally, a pleasant way to spend an afternoon.

I'm working on an album because I got some nice shots of Owls and Falcons as well as the Highland Cattle.

Like these:

Post it ASAP but things are a but hectic just now. On Sunday, I head off to Canada and the USA to do a tour of some of the more important customers. It's also a "training exercise" for my colleague who will take over my duties when I retire (sometine over the next 18 months to 2 years!)

I'll try to post "from the road" as often as possible but we're cramming in a fair bit in over the 10 days we're away.

For now - "Haste Ye Back" (oh and errrr - Shalom!)

Bluebell Wood

2011-05-01T11:43:00.000+01:00

We had a wander around the bluebell wood yesterday. We spent a lovely hour or so wandering through woodland that we didn't even know existed! And my neighbour was right - it was delightful!

Afterwards, since it was such a nice afternoon, we drove out to the High Peak Garden Centre at Bamford for a cuppa and a scone before heading back home to listen to Radio Sheffield commentary on the Owls and the Blades. Both teams drew their respective games and that means the Blades are relegated to League One. As someone on Radio Sheffield said - looking forward to at least 2 Sheffield derbies next season... "It's a pity that one of the biggest derbies in the country will take place on the third tier of English football next season."

Oh well - here's hoping it's Wednesday first and United second at the end of next season! It's ridiculous that a city the size of Sheffield doesn't have at least one team playing at the top level.

Then - after a teatime sandwich - it was out into the garden to mow what masquerades as a lawn at the back of the house! I actually came in at around 8:30 pm, having spent 2.1/2 hours on the task.

Today will see something similar. The Archers Omnibus has just finished and when I've done this, we'll have a bite and see where we get to this afternoon. Home to Roast Pork and all the trimmings then another couple of hours tackling the front garden. (And I haven't even started on the hedges!!)

Also - whilst listening to the Archers this morning, I finally managed to sort out a "Cromford Canal Album" - It's here if you wanna look!

http://nortoner09.jalbum.net/2011%2004%2020%20Cromford%20Canal/

Sorry once again for the delay in posting this but I hope you enjoy it!

Anyway - for now..... "Tot straks!"

Saturday - and no footy to watch!

2011-04-30T11:27:00.000+01:00

What to do instead?

Well - we're thinking about nipping out to the Bluebell Wood for a look. Our neighbours recommended it as worth a visit. They were there yesterday and reckon the bluebells are at their best right now. Anyway - we'll see because the grass wants cutting again, the hedges need a trim and there's lotsa dandelions to dispose of on the Nortoner Towers Estate!

Belper Town's season finished on Easter Monday with a 3-5 home defeat to Leek Town. Pity Andy Carney couldn't go out on a win but it was an exciting game. What the Sun would call "an 8-goal thriller". Albums are here:

As ever - Tim Harrison's first....

http://www.timharrisonphotography.com/NailersAction/LkTwnH1011/index.html

And mine - (actually complimented by Mr Harrison as one of my best of the season!!)

http://nortoner09.jalbum.net/2011%2004%2025%20BTFC%203-5%20Leek/

Pity it took me all season to get it right!!

Not done much else apart from work this week. We were given the option of taking yesterday off to watch the Royal Wedding or going into work and taking a day later in the year. Since we finish early on Fridays anyway - it made sense to me to work in the morning and have a full day later on.

Still editing the pictures of our day out at Cromford - I promise I'll get some on here soon - but I've taken a heck of a lot of pictures in the last week or two and I'm still sorting through them.

Here's a couple to be going on with....

Threatening sky at Glapwell - last Saturday - the rain never came although we found out when we got back to Sheffield that there had been heavy thunderstorms with rain and hail!

Glapwell again - pre-match warm up - Jon Froggatt decided Matt Plant needed to cool down rather than warm up!

Apple blossom on our tree at Nortoner Towers.

Nowt else to tell you - but I'll do more later. Eggs and Bacon now - then Bluebell Wood, then cutting grass - so I'm not sure when I'll do more and it will definitely be later!

Cheers!

Will somebody please slow down the clock!

2011-04-25T10:57:00.001+01:00

A week since my last post! Sorry - that's not "more frequently" as I promised.

Anyway - still busy editing pictures and I'll post a couple of albums maybe this evening. (hopefully!)

It's been a busy week. We decided on Tuesday that I'd book Wednesday afternoon off work and maybe go to watch Belper Town at Market Drayton but after thinking about it and after a text exchange with my mate Tim Harrison, we decided not to go. It's a 2 hour trip from Nortoner Towers and it would have been close to midnight when we got home. With work on Thursday morning that might have been a bit too much at my age!.

Tim went of course - and recorded a fantastic 4-2 win for the mighty Nailers!! See his album here:

http://www.timharrisonphotography.com/NailersAction/MrktDrytnTwnA1011/index.html

Still took Wednesday afternoon off and went to the Cromford Canal (more good advice from Mr Harrison!) and had a grand couple of hours wandering around, enjoying the sunshine. It's a lovely spot - as you'll see from the pictures when I've finished editing them! For reasons unknown, almost all of the pics I took are badly overexposed and a lot of adjustment is needed in Photoshop before they are good enough to put on here.

Saturday meant a trip to watch Belper Town at Glapwell. A ground where we've never won apparently! Anyway - that was put right as Belper emerged 3-0 winners. Tim's album is here:

http://www.timharrisonphotography.com/NailersAction/GlpwllA1011/index.html

Needless to say - I'm still editing mine! (Because it's been a very busy weekend)

Sunday - up early and a long drive to Folkestone to meet up with our son and daughter-in-law. They drove down from Rotterdam, through the Channel Tunnel and we met up for a few hours (including Fish and Chips of course) There were one or two items which our son wanted to get back to Holland and so we decided a day out would be perfect. We've done it before and it makes for a long day but it's great to see them! Easter eggs were handed over (they are back on the diet Tuesday I believe!) and they brought us a bag of small gifts from their recent holiday in Israel.

It was a beautiful day and we got back about 8:00 pm last night. As you can see - the tide was out!

Today - off to Belper this afternoon to see the final game of the season and the final game of Andy Carney's tenure as team manager. The new Chairman was at Glapwell and also the new "Executive Director of Sport" - or so the whisper around the ground said. Dunno who this guy is - there has been no official announcement from the Club so we'll wait and see.

The new manager is yet to be appointed. Applications have to be in by 30th April apparently.

Who knows - the changes might be a bit too much for us. The Duchess and I have to decide where we'll be watching our footie next season. It will be a great pity if one of the main attractions of Belper Town for us - the "friendly" atmosphere - is lost but we'll see.

Now it's time for bacon and eggs and then off to Belper to say "Goodbye" to a top bloke, Andy Carney.

I Took A Blogging Break....

2011-04-19T21:18:00.003+01:00

.... but I'm back with a re-design - see how it goes - not sure if it's improved the blog at all. Anyway - to tell you what's been happening....

The real highlight is a win on the Bluebell Wood Children's Hospice Lottery! A couple of weeks ago, totally unexpectedly, a nice cheque for £1,000 dropped on my doormat. That's our annual fishing holiday paid for then! (I could have bought a new lens, tripod, etc., etc., but felt it made more sense to pay the balance of our holiday!) The Lottery is about £4.50 per month... why not join and help the Hospice in it's incredible work? Maybe you could win a grand!

The site link is here:
http://www.bluebellwood.org/

As for football. Well, Belper Town's season continues to fizzle out. A 5-1 win over Market Drayton at home proved to be a bit of a false dawn. Pictures are here (Snapper's)
http://www.timharrisonphotography.com/NailersAction/MDTH1011/index.html

and here: (Mine)
http://nortoner09.jalbum.net/2011%2004%2002%20BTFC%205-1%20Market%20Drayton/

The team then lost in the Presidents Cup Final - rather too easily as it happened - our only strike on goal was the penalty kick that made it 3-1 to Lancaster City. A draw with Lincoln United and two defeats "on the road" leaves three games to play.

You can see all Snappers pictures from the Cup Final, etc on the Belper Town Fans Forum:
http://joeywinson.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=general

Scroll around in there click on the "Photos" threads and catch up!

The new Belper Town Chairman was installed this week and we'll see what the effect is. He certainly sounds enthusiastic and talks a good fight, judging by the press release but we'll see if he can turn the words into action.

We'll be at Glapwell next Saturday for the penultimate game of Belper Town's season and at Belper on Easter Monday to see the last match that Andy Carney will take charge of. Sad day that will be. And we still haven't decided if we'll follow Belper next season. Lets see what happens this summer.

Nowt else really to report - life goes on and I've been busy with the camera. Got some lovely shots of a sunset a couple of weeks ago and submitted one to weather photos at Yorkshire Television . I'm delighted to say they used it as a background during the local weather forecast!

Some other shots from various expeditions - for your delectation.......

The company I work for resides on Effingham Road, hence the local sandwich shop is called the "Effing" Sandwich Shop!

A daffy in our garden

A resident of the Rare Breeds Farm in our local park

Graves Park - just around the corner from Nortoner Towers

Apple blossom in a neighbours garden

Ladybower/Derwent Dams - late afternoon

And there's lots of football pics but I can't be bothered - besides, as I've already said - if you wanna see good footy pics - visit the Belper Town Fans Forum (link above) and click on Snapper Harrison's "Photos" threads - there's loads of good uns there.

As for work - still busy but things have slowed down. Now preparing a trip to Canada and USA for mid-May (had to wait until footy was finished before I shoot off!)

So - I will try to revert to more regular posting but in the meantime - I'd welcome any comment (good or bad but I'll ignore the bad!) about how the new blog layout appears on YOUR screen please!

TTFN

Another mixed week....

2011-03-20T20:35:00.001Z

Football first -

Tuesday

Belper Town 0 - 5 Newcastle Town

Sheffield Wednesday 1 - 4 Peterborough

Saturday (yesterday)

Romulus 2 - 0 Belper Town

Southampton 2 - 0 Sheffield Wednesday.

Tim Harrison's pics from the game at home v Newcastle are here:

http://www.timharrisonphotography.com/NailersAction/NwcstlTwnH1011/index.html

I took my camera and have some reasonable pics but haven't had the time to do much with them this week. Belper knew it would be a struggle after Aaron Pride got sent off and the ref awarded a penalty to Newcastle. He said that Aaron had deliberatly handled the ball to prevent a goal so the letter of the law says he has to go. The fact the ball was hammered at him from close range and he raised his hands to protect his face as he turned his back didn't seem to matter to the ref. Whatever happened to common sense.

Anyway - we didn't go away to Romulus but the match report (link to Belper Town home page on the right) sums up what was apparently a better performance from the side. Still a defeat though and that is now 6 in a row. And next Saturday - Barwell, runaway leaders of the division, visit Belper.....

Highlight of the week was a trip to Scarborough yesterday. A last minute decision after seeing the weather forecast. We had a super day and pictures will follow as soon as I've finished editing them. Here's a couple to be going on with....

South Bay from the cliff top

The Harbour

One of the many boats in the harbour

The lighthouse at the harbour entrance

Altogether, we walked around 3.1/2 miles in all - and enjoyed fish and chips in a small cafe before heading back to the car and home via Flamborough Head. The sunset was spectacular....

The great thing is that Scarborough operates a fantastic Park and Ride scheme. Park your car for free and for a fare of just £1 - hop a bus into town. We, of course, have bus passes so the bus ride was also free!

A cracking day although we were a little surprised by the number of people who'd had a similar idea! The place was busy!

The rest of the week just went by in a blur so there ain't a lot else to tell you. We'll see what next week brings. I will attempt to get an album of our Scarborough day made and linked on here but no promises!

Laters

A Real "Up-And-Down" Week......

2011-03-13T20:29:00.000Z

Began with an "up"

Tuesday:

Belper Town FC 2 - 0 Newcastle Town, Semi-final of the Presidents Cup

Oldham 2 - 3 Sheffield Wednesday. Football League One

Couldn't make the cup semi - got back from dropping visitors at Manchester airport just a bit too late to drive down to Belper. Anyway - Tim Harrison took these pictures of what manager Andy Carney told me later in the week was the best performance by a Belper side this season.

http://www.timharrisonphotography.com/NailersAction/NwcstlUtdH1011/index.html

Then a "down"

Thursday

Belper Town confirm Andy Carney's decision to step down as first team manager at the end of the season. The Duchess and I were (are) massively disappointed so I sent the big man a text and he called me back. We had a good old natter and promised to keep in touch.

Andy is really the remaining "link" the Duchess and I have with Belper Town FC and when he goes, maybe we might too? We got to know him well through our initial interest and friendship with Danny Hudson. Dan's gone, now Andy's going. The Club is looking for a new Chairman.

We might have to see what other non-league options are available. Dunno yet. Whatever happens the Duchess has already categorically refused to go a mile and a half down the road to watch Sheffield FC. She says she doesn't like the club, the people or the atmosphere! Any road up - we'll see.

Another "up"

Friday

Booked the day off because our son was visiting from Holland for the weekend. A very good mate of his is going through a rough patch and so our lad "popped over" for what was, literally, a flying visit. Picked him up from Manchester airport mid-morning. He has also been dieting since 1st January and has lost just under 3 stone. He looks better for it and says he feels better too. It's always good to see him - no matter what shape he's in.

Then "down".

Saturday

Belper Town FC 0 - 2 Grantham, Evostik League One South

Sheffield Wednesday 0 - 1 Notts County. Football League One

Footy results determine the mood yet again! We went to the Belper game and the team did way better than the last time we saw them when Quorn best us 5-1. However, it's still a defeat to a side who have lost one of their last 20, but, sadly, a team the Belper side of two seasons ago would have wiped the floor with.

Nice to see our mate Mossley Smiffy there again. He had his camera and I'll link to his pics as soon as he posts the link but in the meantime, Snapper Harrisons images are here:

http://www.timharrisonphotography.com/NailersAction/GrnthmH1011/index.html

And mine are here:

http://nortoner09.jalbum.net/2011%2003%2012%20BTFC%200-2%20Grantham/

Sunday - well not a lot happened. Took our son back to Manchester airport in the afternoon - the car will know it's own way there by now - did the same return trip on Monday and Tuesday, collecting and delivering our Canadian visitors - then Friday and today, collecting and delivering number one son!

Oh aye - just remembered it's Monday tomorrow..... Bugger!

What a Crappy Weekend....

2011-03-06T19:52:00.001Z

Saturday really was a day to forget....

Belper Town 1 - 5 Quorn FC

Sheffield Wednesday 2 - 4 Plymouth Argyle.

We saw the game at Belper and it was, overall, a pretty poor show. With the exception of 3 or 4 players, the team showed no enthusiasm, endeavour, commitment or spirit.

Bear in mid Quorn had won only 7 games all season before this. It didn't help that early on, skipper Jon Froggatt crashed in a shot which came down off the underside of the bar and bounced up safely into the keepers arms. Something told me then that this wasn't to be our day but I didn't expect the display we got.

One of the very few positives from the game is the performance of Aaron Pride and Cameron Martin who came on a second half subs. Aaron has been warming the bench recently following a 3-match suspension but after the second half yesterday - I don't see how he can be dropped again!

Cameron Martin is a young lad from the Belper reserve side. He worked hard in the second half and tried to keep up with Jon 'Frogba' Froggatt who once again led by example with little or no support.

Aside from Jon, Lee Thompson and Nick Darker are about the only two of the other players who emerged from this disappointing display with any sort of credit.

The contrast between the two teams was interesting - every time a Belper player had the ball, he was immediately pressed, harried and hurried by at least 2 Quorn players. Our boys often stood and watched (seemingly in awe!) whilst the ball was brought under control or headed clear.

The extent of the disappointment was summed up for me by Captain Jon Froggatt as he left the pitch. He said, as he removed the captains armband "Nobody else cares!" A damning indictment.

Disappointment etched on Nailers faces as they left the pitch.

Anyway - if you want to see the action (or lack of it in Belper's case) Tim "Snapper" Harrison's record is here:

http://www.timharrisonphotography.com/NailersAction/QrnH1011/index.html

I took about 150 pictures and have had a quick look through - but to be frank - I really can't be arsed to make an album this week.

That's basically all you're getting this Sunday. Next week is busy - Monday evening I'm to be at Manchester airport to collect two visitors from Canada and I have to return them to the airport by 4:30 pm on Tuesday afternoon. Not much chance of getting back to Sheffield to collect the Duchess and get down to Belper to see the semi-final of the President's Cup - Belper v Newcastle Town. That might not be a bad thing if the team performs as it did on Saturday!

Main highlight of next week comes on Friday when our son arrives at Manchester airport for a brief visit to see a mate who has a bit of a problem. I've booked a day off and will collect him cos that is probably about all we'll see of him before he heads back to Rotterdam on Sunday or Monday.

Thing is - a lousy weekend makes Monday morning even more of a drag although I guess it's a bit sad that a 61-year old bloke has his duck knocked so far off by a couple of football results! But - isn't that what being a footy fan is all about?

'Til next time mes amis......

That Canon Ixus ain't a bad little camera!

2011-03-02T19:57:00.000Z

A few more shots taken at the Boyzone concert. Using 3x to 12x zoom and with flash disabled, the results aren't bad. (Speaking of flash - dunno what some people at the back of the Arena were expecting but flash on small digital cameras and mobile phones is not going to project 250 to 300ft to the stage!!) Anyway.... as I said - I'm quite pleased with these.

This was a really good gig but my ears have only just stopped ringing! It was LOUD!

Not much else happening - the Duchess is at a Junior Football League meeting tonight and we are planning to go to see Belper Town v Quorn FC on Saturday. (Oh - and I put the car through a car wash last evening!)

Aside from that - laters!

The Barbarellas...

2011-02-28T20:14:00.001Z

... one of the support acts at the Boyzone concert last night....

I rest my case!

Taken with the Duchess' Canon Ixus 95 IS (They wouldn't have let me in with the DSLRs!!)