where art collides philosoperontap

Watering the wildflower meadow. Breakfast has been taken and I am accompanying THG in her tour of the garden. I’m off to London for one night only and figured I’d give the ground a bit of a soaking before heading out. Not leaving the house until eleven anyway and it is not yet eight thirty. Only a little bit of packing to do, it being a one nighter.

I do need to be “smart casual” for this trip which poses small challenges as I normally only wear shorts and t shirt. Not insurmountable and not nearly as challenging as next week’s dress code, of which I daresay you will find out more in due course.

We are planning to meet a customer for dinner tonight but said person has pulled out at the last minute due to having to go on an overseas trip so it is being reorganised. I’m still going to town as I prepaid the hotel room and have a fixed advanced ticket for the train down. I rarely prepay for hotel rooms because of this very eventuality but on this occasion the dinner was set up at short notice and hotel rooms in London were exorbitant so I figured I was on safe ground.

Usually I book a fixed train down and a flexible one coming back which is the case on this occasion. I can decide in the morning whether to catch an earlyish train or take in an art gallery or two before heading back nowf.

Early morning slot in the conservatory for the first time this year. A ginger cat was sitting on the table outside for a while until distracted by something in the garden. It looked at me but showed no fear. Used to people. The birds are chirping away happily. The lawn needs a cut. Need to be up early today anyway as taking THG to the Boultham Park Run and then nipping to B&Q before picking her up again. On the way home we will stop at Fosters to buy a chichen.

In the conservatory window there is a tallish white lantern containing a white candle perhaps three inches in diameter, two and a half maybe. The candle is very much leaning to one side. Where it stands it gets the full glare of the sun so over time it has softened and drooped. It does appear to have been lit in the past though I can’t for the life of me remember us doing that. Must have been stood there for some time.

Slooking like a lovely day ahead. Sun, sun, sun. Swat we like. Not always but today is good. Will need to water the garden which I might go out and do before taking THG a cuppa a bit later. Does need to warm up a little first.

It a was Tuesday felt like a Monday. Doesn’t seem quite right that does it? Being punished for having a bank holiday on the Monday by making Tuesday feel like a Monday. Not that Mondays feel any different to Tuesdays really 🙂 Some people don’t like Mondays.

Saw a large herd of cows crossing the road yesterday. Traffic must have been stopped for between five and ten minutes. Then I got to the Park Hospital. Just before the turning there was a long queue of traffic backing up from some distant lights at a junction. When I eventually turned into the drive leading to the hospital there was a long queue of cars going the other way. Workers heading home. Must have been a factory emptying out at 4pm.

The doc said the other hip needed sorting out but he is waiting for the first to finish mending. Bone growth to cement the titanium job that now sits atop my femur.

En route the screenwash ran out. I’ve refilled it this morning from two separate containers, one of which is now empty but the other still has some in. THG’s car needs a wash. It is covered in the sticky crap that falls from the trees at this time of year. 

I am now in the shed. I’ve watered some of the garden, especially the wildflower meadow in front of the deck, and the hosepipe remains in place for me to finish the job this evening.

Today I’m going to empty some of the drawers I haven’t looked in for perhaps years to sort some clothing out. I am loth to chuck things 🙂 However I have two full under the bed drawers that are going to be chucked almost in their entirety. Old conference tshirts, jumpers I haven’t worn in donkeys, shirts that are two sizes too small. Some of the stuff is being kept. I’ve realised that under the bed is where I’ve been stuffing shorts at the end of the summer to keep them out of  the way over the winter. Also got rid of a box full of ties I haven’t worn in decades.

Sbeen a good bank holiday weekend. Today is the actual holiday so I plan on taking life easy. That isn’t to say I’m not going to do any jobs. Today is the day the irrigation system is set up. Probably 🙂 

Sat now, alone in da kitch, waiting for our house guests to appear. I’ve had a shower and am dressed and ready for the day. THG brought the first cup of tea at six thirty ish, it being her turn, but there is a cafetiere of cawfee in front of me and I think I’ll avail myself of a small cupfull.

I am minded to just have toast for breakfast. We’ve eaten and drunk a lot this weekend. There is a nice multigrain sourdough for me to slice and pop into my new long slot toaster. After a couple of adjustments I am optimistic that today the setting will finally be just right for my favoured level of browning.

…

Later, guests gone, strolled to survey the shed. It is cold this morning so have the panel heater on a low level. THG has headed out into the city to run a few errands. These include the purchase of dishwasher tablets as our machine is full but the box where we keep the tablets is empty. The alternative would be to remove all the dishes and wash them by hand. That point of desperation has not yet been reached. We still have some clean plates in the cupboard anyway.

Didn’t make it to Doddington Hall gardens yesterday. The weather wasn’t particularly nice. I was going to say shite but it wasn’t that bad. Just cold with the occasional raindrop falling on my head. Certainly not conducive to a pleasant walk around the gardens. Instead went to the International Bomber Command Memorial. I am now a “friend” of said memorial. I like the idea of dropping by every now and again to peruse the exhibits. Twas very full. A constant stream of people queueing at the desk to pay their entry charge. The caff was also rammed. No spare tables so we went elsewhere.

Did you know that Lincoln Cathedral is actually in the parish of St Mary Magdalene which is the church just through the arches between Minster Yard and Castle Hill. Nipped in yesterday and had a nice chat with the folks in there. They typically get 15 to 20 worshippers in for Sunday Service. It isn’t the most accessible of churches as the Bail is often closed off for events.

When we lived in Greetwell Gate we were notionally within the parish of the cathedral but now we know it was St Mary Magdalene. Extends as far as the Peacock at the end of Greetwell Gate I believe.

They didn’t have a hymn list on the board as a printed order of service is handily provided. They do also hand out hymn books which is a practice abandoned at St Peter’s since covid times.

There is however a list of incumbents that I herewith provide for your information and interest.

ST MARY MAGDALENE LINCOLN INCUMBENTS

VICAR

? Geoffrey de Whicham – Chaplain
1250 Godred- [previously chaplain]
RECTOR
1275 John de North Leverton
1293 William de Blighburgh
1305 William de Harpeswelle
capalanus
? John de Bolun alias Bohun
1322 Richard de Hilletoft
1340 Ranulfus de Harrington
? John Branspath – qui obit 1376
? John de Searle
1384 Walter de Windesore
1403 Robert de Hoggesthorpe
1406 William Skaytt
1422 Robert Gylman
1453 John Walpole
1456 William Kirksgarth
1461 John Sharpe
1468 John Waltham
1484 William Skelton
1492 Henry Farley
1520 Thomas Willson
1522 Nicholas Bayte
1527 John Cook, Walter Ireland, Robert Kelsey
1529 Christopher Massinberd
1551 Robert Arnold
1552 Bartholomew Warde
1558 Robert Taylor
1560 Edward Parker
1564 Richard Halliwell
1565 William Mann
1570 Jeremias Loveday
1583 Christopher Diggles
1608 Peter Walter
1623 John Crispe
1665 Walter Powell
1712 Anthony Reid – qui obit 1714
1714 Johannes Crisp
1721 Nathan Drake – qui obit 1752
1753 Thomas Sympson – qui obit 1786
1792 George Jepso
1797 William Gray
1826 S. Martin
1829 Richard Garvey, Snr
1862 Henry Woollaston Hutton
1876 William Barber Lightfoot
1878 Peter Llewellyn
1879 George Tyson Harvey
1894 William Neville Usher
1901 Henry Leigh Bennett
1904 Arthur Roland Maddison
1907 Cecil Edward Bolam
1926 Charles Harold Scott
1940 Euclid Curry Butterworth
1945 Cyril Theodore Henry Dams
1952 Hugh Frank Riches
1967 David Nigel Griffiths
1973 Victor Read
[Priest-in-Charge: St Mary Magdalene w. St Paul-in-the-Bail]
1973 John Benson Bayley
[Priest-in-Charge 1973-75]
1975 The Benefice of The Lincoln Minster Group is created [Rector: Lincoln Minster Group 1975]
2003 Edward Michael Crispin Bowes-Smith [Priest-in-Charge: Lincoln Minster Group]
2012 The Benefice of The Lincoln Minster Group is dissolved
VICAR
2014 Matthew Alexander Whitehead
2018 Adrian Paul Smith
2021 Hugh William Fawcett Jones [Priest-in-Charge]

We are sat quietly in the kitchen. The shopping list has been compiled and mention has been made of the upcoming Lincoln Jazz Festival at Lincoln Cathedral on 4 – 6 July. Feels strange that the jazz is not being played in dimly lit nightclubs but hey… Also I am concerned about the acoustics at the Cathedral but am prepared to give it a go (again) because of the nature of the entertainment. If anyone else is going/thinking about it lemme now.

Outside it has cooled down a bit from the searing and unseasonal temperatures of yesterday (when all my troubles seemed so far away) although it is still set to reach twenty degrees which should be considered to be very pleasant.

In my mind I do have an outside job to do which is to sort out the log pile. Lots of kindling to be chopped and logs to be split ready for winter. Not that we use the open fire much. In order to properly do this job I have decided to purchayse a splitting axe.  The felling axe we currently have doesn’t cut it, so to speak. Probably needs sharpening. The real plan is to have all the kit ready for when our John comes home for a few days in the summer. Nowt like a good log pile.

The irrigation system for the greenhouse will also be put in place today together with a Waitrose shop and a birthday cake needs baking for that special person’s birthday. All is in hand.

Although it is a Friday (I’m told) it feels like a Saturday. The absence of the park run provides the clue here. I do have a conference call to do this pm. I only do calls that I like nowadays so no dramas there. Probs take a look at how my upcoming dinner signups are doing. I throw a dinner in London every now and then for industry pals. They are great nights. If you’ve never been invited, sorry 🙂

Ok thassitfornow. Going on a garden inspection with THG. Ciao bebes.

…

Gonna try to avoid looking at the family tree stuff for much of today. You get sucked in. It is a real modern day detective story trying to piece together the parts.

Another stunner of a day in prospect. Early to the shed with a cup of tea and the doors are open wide allowing the empire of The Head Gardener to permeate its innermost cervices. For crevices there are in this shed. Whilst the basic design is rectangular the shed has many nooks and crannies occasioned by the disorderly positioning of the furniture.

A busy day ahead. Ordinarily I’d suggest that it was going to be too hot to play golf but I have booked a buggy, in particular as this is my first outing of the season post hip hop. That and the other hip is still giving me gyp. I will therefore be golfing at a level of comfort that will allow me to focus completely on my game. Apart from the fact that I can’t easily bend down enough to insert a tee into the ground and my swing will be v restricted. I expect it will improve the golf 🙂 

There are other “chores” to be done. Meat to buy from Fosters. Leg of lamb, or shoulder, for the bbq rotisserie on Sunday. Also need to see if Morrisons garage has been resupplied with propane, just in case, and drop some HP laserjet cartridges off at the Post Office for recycling. My printer had been throwing a few software wobbles but seems to have settled down which is good because I’d have been cross if I’d have had to throw a set of nearly full ink cartridges. They ain’t cheap.

I am also tempted to finally buy a toaster. Been dithering over this one for months. Kind of settled on a Dualit long slot job on the basis that they are a quality brand. The ability to take sourdough is importante to me.

Last night I finished booking most of the travel for our jaunt to Italy next March. Haven’t booked the return flight from Naples yet as I baulked at the evening takeoff. However most  the airlines flying from Napoli to the UK seem to have the same issue so I’m just going to have to crack on. Might get a car to pick us up from LHR Friday evening rather than spend another night in London.

You might have noticed a short pause there whilst I booked the flights. Used Avios as I want to be able to easily cancel/amend the trip seeing as the rugby dates haven’t yet been confirmed. We are basing our dates on what the travel companies are assuming. Presumably they are in the know.

Don’t normally bother flying business class in Europe but seeing as it is a Friday evening I figured we might as well enjoy a drop of fine Amarone or whatever plonk BA dish out on these flights.

The beef stock turned out ok btw. I think. Won’t really find out until it is used in culinary anger. Does make a difference using home made stock compared with the stuff you buy in shops. Got to figure out where to store it now. A good few litres. Some in garage fridge and some in freezer.

Another stunner of a day in prospect. Early to the shed with a cup of tea and the doors are open wide allowing the empire of The Head Gardener to permeate its innermost cervices. For crevices there are in this shed. Whist the basic design is rectangular the shed has many nooks and crannies occasioned by the disorderly position of the furniture.

A busy day ahead. Ordinarily I’d suggest that it was going to be too hot to play golf but I have booked a buggy, in particular as this is my first outing of the season post hip hop. That and the other hip is still giving me gyp. I will therefore be golfing at a level of comfort that will allow me to focus completely on my game. Apart from the fact that I can’t easily bend down enough to insert a tee into the ground and my swing will be v restricted. I expect it will improve the golf 🙂 

There are other “chores” to be done. Meat to buy from Fosters. Leg of lamb, or shoulder, for the bbq rotisserie on Sunday. Also need to see if Morrisons garage has been resupplied with propane, just in case, and drop some HP laserjet cartridges off at the Post Office for recycling. My printer had been throwing a few software wobbles but seems to have settled down which is good because I’d have been cross if I’d have had to throw a set of nearly full ink cartridges. They ain’t cheap.

I am also tempted to finally buy a toaster. Been dithering over this one for months. Kind of settled on a Dualit long slot job on the basis that they are a quality brand. The ability to take sourdough is importante to me.

Last night I finished booking most of the travel for our jaunt to Italy next March. Haven’t booked the return flight from Naples yet as I baulked at the evening takeoff. However most  the airlines flying from Napoli to the UK seem to have the same issue so I’m just going to have to crack on. Might get a car to pick us up from LHR Friday evening rather than spend another night in London.

You might have noticed a short pause there whilst I booked the flights. Used Avios as I want to be able to easily cancel/amend the trip seeing as the rugby dates haven’t yet been confirmed. We are basing our dates on what the travel companies are assuming. Presumably they are in the know.

Don’t normally bother flying business class in Europe but seeing as it is a Friday evening I figured we might as well enjoy a drop of fine Amarone or whatever plonk BA dish out on these flights.

The beef stock turned out ok btw. I think. Won’t really find out until it is used in culinary anger. Does make a difference using home made stock compared with the stuff you buy in shops. Got to figure out where to store it now. A good few litres. Some in garage fridge and some in freezer.

Great to wake up in the shire. A window is open and the sound of birdsong fills the kitchen. All is good. Sgonna be a warmun. Perfect spring day.

The plan is to get some admin done and settle back in to a routine. One or two jobs including fixing the toilet roll holder in the shower room. Also need to catchup posting to philosopherontap. Must be a good month since I’ve done so. Not looked.

2,404 pics and vids backed up to NAS in no time whatsoever really. I’ll then back up to my tertiary backup online which will probs take a bit longer. Rewind, backup to Amazon has been ongoing so only 150 or so files to do which has happened almost in the time it’s taken me to write this.

For reference, today is a Tuesday. I know that this info is of use to some people. Some info is more useful than others. For example Thursday is when the lads play golf and this week I am going to see how I get on with a few holes. Will be a hotun.

This morning we leave the confines of the hotel and set the navigation computer on a bearing north. Not that we’ve particularly kept to said confines although a couple early nights after long days on the tourist trail have been had.

It must be said I am looking forward to getting home after essentially a month away with occasional visits to the shire to do the laundry and power nap. We are very much coming to the best part of the year. Spring is in full flow. What changes will there be to see in the garden?

Some of the sycamores will be becoming more established and need removing. The wildflower meadow had shown no signs of renewed life before we left home but there may be some green shoots there when we get home. Lots of leaves still though. We also want to plant a couple of rows of peachy and pink dahlias for reasons that will become apparent.

Our lawn is gradually being consumed by non grass planting. THG is talking about a new veg plot in front of the kitchen. Makes sense doesn’t it? “I’ll just nip out for some runner beans. Back in ten seconds.” This doesn’t mean to say we won’t have a lawn. Just one of a shrinking variety. The bugs have helped here. The lawn was somewhat devastated over the winter. Problem is you need ot work on a lawn.

…

Just been down for breakfast. Didn’t quite hobble quickly enough to the lift before the door closed and I guess the woman in the white top didn’t notice me as she was staring into her phone. So I called the lift and when it opened a very similar looking woman in a white top came out saying “third floor, yes this is what I want”. I thought they were the same woman. Odd I thought. Hey…

Then when I was getting some orange juice a member of staff showed a  woman the location of the vegan section at the buffet. The women in the white top! Funny what you notice innit.

In the car park a joiner was shaving a piece of two be two with what looked to be an electric plane. Then he carefully picked up the shavings and put them in the back of his van. V tidy I thought. He walked into the hotel carrying the slightly smaller two be two. Couple of minutes later he came back out with the same bit of wood. No idea what’s going on ere. Then back into the hotel he went, with the wood.

After that, out he came and picked out a piece of flat plywood from his van which he proceeded to cut to size on a workbench. That’s where I left him. The van had “Crown” written on the side.

Checking out shortly. More in due course I daresay.

…

Karen, KAREN. The whole crowd joined in. One of the marathon runners had arranged to meet Karen just where we were standing. Karen did not show. Poor man. He had just run 12 miles to get to her and there she was not.

Think of the disappointment. What’s the back story? Did Karen choose the moment to leave him? Was she held up? Was she involved in an accident on her way there and there is no way of getting the message to him.

It was a moment of drama that passed by and has now disappeared into the aether, forever. We will never find out how the story ended. Karen, Karen, Karen, Karen, Karen.

…

Bridge ECML-10, Holloway. Passed under it to get back to the hotel from Highgate Cemetery. We were waiting in a queue of traffic. Funny what you notice innit. Just googled it whilst sat on the train waiting to depart. Blow me down we are about to go over Bridge ECML-10. It’s on the East Coast Main Line. How cool is that? Obvious when you think about it. Had originally got it down as ECMI not ECML.

Meanwhile, sat as I am in seat E8 on the 10.06, a train has just pulled in next to us on platform 8. The door marked “CREW USE ONLY” Has a symbol beneath it: Golden Spanner 2023 IC225 Fleet. I asked a member of staff but she had no idea and suggested I googled it which I did.

Another result. The Golden Spanner is awarded by “Modern Railways”. The 2023 awards had a record 450 attendees. Wots not to like. Was a hot ticket with after-lunch speaker John Smith, CEO of GB Railfreight, sharing his reflections on train maintenance.

I unashamedly suggest you check it out here https://www.modernrailways.com/…/record-attendance-2023…

My actual reserved seat is E6 btw but we’ve spread out onto the table for 4 and am in an unreserved seat. If the carriage fills up I’ll go back to my originally allocated place obvs.

You can google Bridge ECMI-10, Holloway if you want more deets.

This year btw is the 200th anniversary of the founding of the railways in the UK but I guess you already knew that.

Another snippet of information gleaned on the train is that the old diesel stock pictured is destined for use in the main timetable as of December 2025. They are slower and less efficient than the new Azumas and haul nine carriages instead of the now standard five. They are being reduced to seven carriages for the December timetable change in order to make them more economical to run.

Wonderful what you can find on tinterweb innit.

…

Back in the shire. Sycamores had invaded the wildflower meadow so I took the mower to them. None of the flowers are coming through yet. Just sycamore and the odd weed. Don’t mind the odd weed. I may scatter some more seed just to “add body”. Got a load left in the box and been thinking about where I might sow it anyway. I also have a spot in the corner in mind.

Also mowed the lawn, fwiw.

Friday. A perfect day to leave the Isle of Man for pastures fresh. Here the weather is back to normal. We, windy and a miserable ten degrees. London is showing cloudy but dry reaching the giddy heights of sixteen degrees. 

Lovely breakfast round at the Fletchers to finish off the trip then off to the Aeroporto which is where we are now. It must be said that the check-in process was pure joy compared with the experience on the mainland, LHR T5 First wing excepted.

Sat here now in the departure lounge looking across to King Bills. A bleak and windswept spot for a school, chosen no doubt to toughen up the boys and prepare them for life in the Indian Civil Service, or wherever their chosen life destination took them.

Noticed also a jet terminal with words like Dubai on display giving us a clue as to the type of destination for private charters. The Isle of Man is after all a tax haven and financial centre. I do have a Manx social security number fwiw.

Travel update. 45 min delay due to crew rotation. After they started boarding! Waiting for a crew from an incoming flight. They must have known before boarding began, surelement. Three quarters of an hour is bearable. We need to be at Sophies restaurant in Soho for five thirty which means hotel for 4pm ish latest. Elizabeth Line to Farringdon then either bus, tube or taxi. See how it goze.

Ironically I think the original time for this flight was 12.05. At least that’s what I had in my calendar. I think I must have clicked to accept the time change to the earlier slot without updating the calendar entry. Now it’s back to more or less what it originally was.

Overheard conversation about instagram followers. Don’t really use it although I do have an account. Worradinosaur.

…

Finally boarded t’plane. Looking forward to my cup of tea and Cramel wafer bar (if it is the will of Allah). Who knows, Loganair being a Scottish airline we might get some neeps and tatties or a spot of haggis. I’d settlke for the ham sandwich THG made me. She is however several rows back in the Emergency Exit back row.

Girl sat next to me playing kandy krush on her device – not sure if that is the right spelling but woteva. I know I sbeld woteva rite. I have with me as entertainment on this flight my copy of Dick Winters’ autobiography “Beyond Band of Brothers”. I’ve read it a few times but it is the archetypal boys own story. Adventure, excitement where the goodies win. I only ready books where the goodies win. Life is too short…

Looks a bit grey out there. Forecast is nice though. A day in Peel. Whenever we come to the island we always stay in Peel. When mam and dad were alive it was a no brainer but the tradition continues. You can spend all you time in Peel when visiting the Isle of Man. We do like to mix it up: Port Erin, the Sound, Niarbyl, Laxey etc but Peel is the kid. 

…

Went out for breakfast. Effin cold out there. Saw THG at the end of her run and joined her for a cuppa at the Peel Beach Kiosk. Also had a bacon roll which was quite good fair play. Did the job anyway. Spilled brown sauce on my clean out of the suitcase trousers. Sigh.

Saw a gull on the beach with a dodgy leg. Looked broken. I wonder whether these birds recover from such injuries. Back in the cottage now. We’ve used Island Escapes on a number of occasions and can thoroughly recommend them.

Bit of chill time before heading to the pool at around eleven.

…

Bit of drama this afternoon at the breakwater. Had meandered there via Fenella Beach for a drink date with THG on her return from her ascent of Peel Hill. Whilst I was waiting a fishing boat came in and began to offload its catch of crabs and prawns. I was filming the crane action when a bag full of crabs and prawns caught the edge of the quay and fell back down.

Could have been a disaster but adjusting my viewing position showed that most of the catch had fortunately been rescued. Only half a dozen or so plastic crates were to be seen floating in the harbour. After a short while a lorry with a large crane rocked up and lifted the errant bag out of the water and onto the quayside. Phew.

Had a hot choc with THG before we made our own ways home, she via her fave shop and meself via Fenella Beach again.

Out with the gang in Doolish last night. Two single bus fares in from Peel @ 2.30 each or simlar for a ten mile trip. Left the return trip open as we figured we might grab a cab, the buses only going once an hour. Fortunately Paul offered a lift. Result. It wasn’t long before we hit the hay. The sea air tires you out for the first couple of days. Beer probably contributed to the fatigue.

Today we are off out on a bit of a jaunt. Laxey, The Victory Cafe at the Bungalow, bit of retail therapy in Douglas (Doolish) and a visit to the Knox exhibition at the Manx Museum. Pics will follow. Otherwise it is a gentle start. Bacon sarnie, glass of milk. THG has gone for a run. Up Peel Hill and back or somewhere like that. Worrawoman.

The other news is that I worked out how to put the washing machine on. Had to stare at the manual. This is after doing a bit of troubleshooting on the dryer yesterday. Ie shut the machine door. I have enough togs to last the trip but we figured we might as well make use of the facilities while we are here.

…

Sat in the “front room” of the cottage in Charles Street watching the occasional passer by stroll by. Weather has been great yet again. Bloke just came out of his house opposite with a dog in tow. Didn’t bother locking the door. This is the Isle of Man. I guess there could still be someone in the house.

Will the flying fishes ever play again? Where the dawn rode up like thunder outer China ‘crost the bay. The news, which I don’t like listening to at the best of times, is not good from Mandalay. The romantic image of the place has been shattered by an earthquake. Shaken out of a dream. A dream that almost certainly never matched reality anyway.

This morning I had gran o’la and berries with yo and a whole grapefruit which needed eating as Joe and I bought it last weekend on our walk to Tesco. Well Joe did the actual shopping while I finished a pot of tea in the caff.

This weekend I have determined that the walk should take me to Lincoln’s Historic Bailgate area where there are other cafes frequented by locals and tourists alike. THG has said she will meet me there after church tomorrow. I don’t have a favourite cafe so not sure where we will end up. Perhaps the one in the cathedral. 

The Cathedral Visitor Centre is a click from our place so two km there and back, the return leg being very gradually downhill. Doable especially with a break for a cuppa at the halfway stage. Will find out soon enough. Tomorrow.

Some of you will have noticed that I’ve just joined a Facebook group for brick lovers. Fans of the baked clay. This feels very complementary to my growing collection of books that include Wood Recognition (or something like that), the History of Railway Signalling and The Adjustable Spanner.  I must have a clear out of the bookcase in the shed so that I can keep all these worthy tomes in one place. “The Religious Census of 1851” will sit well in the collection as will “The Methodist Church in West Wales between 1737 and 1754” or similar.

It is quite exciting to see that the AGM of The Carmarthenshire Antiquarian Society happens to be on the weekend that I am in Llanllwni in April. How cool is that? Perfect timing. I just joined the society this month. They are also putting on a lecture “The Rise and Fall of  A Gentry Family: The Lewis Family of Pantyrhaidd, Conwil”. Conwil Elfed is on my list of places to visit, or more precisely Cwm Duad, which is just up the road. We lived in a farmhouse called Tir Shimau before Benjamin Davies moved on to own a woollen mill. Another objective in that part of the shire is to find out in which church our Ben was a preacher. Plenty to be getting on with.

Today’s news is that the woolly socks have been consigned to the back of the cupboard until next autumn. We are now into cotton socks plus a few bamboo ones thrown in for good measure. I have noticed that the pair I have on today, a black and burgundy design, has a hole in the left sock. This could be a hole in the right sock as they are interchangeable but a hole it definitely is. Shame really but in our throwaway society this pair of socks will no longer be on my list of socks to wear when the weather warms up. I daresay THG will repurpose them. 

This morning I’m doing some finishing off work for next week’s event in Antwerp. I had occasion to call the local printer but their voice messages are in Flemish and despite being a man of the world didn’t really get it. Pressed #1 and got put through to music on hold. Have emailed the guy. Waited a reasonable amount of time for a response and rang again. This time I pressed #2 and someone answered. The bloke I’m trying to get hold of isn’t in today! I got his mobile number and have now called and messaged.

Excited to report that the memory stick with all the scanned in editions of The Carmarthenshire Antiquarian Society publications since T0 on it arrived whilst I was in London. Unfortunately the Maesnoni stuff I want is in earlier as yet unscanned editions.

Sign in Antonio’s Barbers shop. No public toilets. Sorry for the inconvenience.

1.2km 32 min round trip including stopping at the lights in each direction and for a chat with neighbour Dale. Paused the clock when I was in getting my hairdo 🙂 Nice and short now. Couldn’t do a thing with it before.

Photos include a blue tit calling out other blue tits across the back gardens, the early emergence of apple blossom and a bloke running whilst juggling three clubs across the road from the barbers.