Had a great Birthday meal at the Royal Orchid in Harpenden. Started with a pint of Pride in the Harpenden Arms, and on to the Orchid. First time in here, but was very nice. Eat all you want menu for £13.50 a head. Bottle of Merlot to accompany meal, and then on to the Oddies for a couple on the way home..

Saw 4 moons of Jupiter through telescope.

This is a pic of Stac Pollaidh used for my Christmas card this year..
Bums, looks like I have to pay money to be able to upload pics, a 100 x 100 pixel image will not do it justice. Can I uplaod pics without paying?

Date:	2005-12-11 21:45
Subject:	Boom Boom club
Security:	Public
Mood:	but not that drunk..
Music:	Budgie

I've been in Gloucester for the weekend, missed the most exciting thing ever to happen in this part of Hertfordshire. Missed getting woken up at 6 by a large bang, missed getting the windows blown out, missed the helicopters flying overhead.. Pretty boring..
Came back via HH, half expecting roadblocks, traffic jams, and detours. Managed to drive less than 1/2 mile from fire, and looked quite impressive through the hedge, flames leaping into the sky, sky pulsating orange and black, plumes of smoke billowing towards the stars, and no traffic at all. One roundabout covered with spectators and TV news cameras. Get home to great views accross the fields, according to my mapping software, 3.72 miles away..

Ah well, a bit of excitement, have had phone calls from people I've not spoken too for ages, asking if were OK, nice to know people care.. Thankfully, no one injured to badly..

Anyone want to come and view it, better hurry up 'cause they're going to try and put it out tonight..

Date:	2005-12-07 00:18
Subject:	Medamnfootstillhurts2
Security:	Public
Mood:	bouncy
Music:	too much to listen to

Wow, just played my 5th match of the season, and won. That's five wins from five games.
Live Journal, not keeping up to date like you kids do.
Just worked out how to download music from Thetradersden.com, Audioarchive.com, Bootcity.com and Dime.com (finally managed to register with Dime after 4 weeks trying).
So far have downloaded 5 man gigs, and 1 Man dvd, some Steve Miller (an ace version of Mercury Blues from 1967), some Jackie Leven, some Grateful Dead and Jerry Garcia, some Zero, some Beach Boys, some Purple, some Raven, some BOC, some Budgie, some... ooh, too many to mention. Got a 6 CD set called SF Nights featuring many ace West coast bands.

Car troubles too. Starter motor went, cost 258 for a new one, service and MOT. Not bad really.

House. Have made an offer on a house near Inverness. 17 miles west of Inverness, 40 m to Ullapool, 50 to Kyle of lochalsh, Cairngorms, and 70ish to John'o'groats. Walking up the hill behind the house, can then walk for nearly 50 miles before hitting a road. Waiting for a response from the seller..

Hopefully my foot will be sorted out so I can walk when I get there. Ankle has been very painful today, about 6 weeks since I was off for a fortnight resting it..

Sorry, no longer listening to TGR, shipping forcast has just been on the radio, radio 4 is closing down, and playing..

Date:	2005-11-02 00:53
Subject:	Medamnfootstillhurts
Security:	Public
Mood:	tired
Music:	Green Ray

Dr says I have an infection in my foot, it's swollen and puffy, it's rashy on top, it's very painfull to walk on. I have some antibiotics (as oposed to unclebiotics!!). I shan't tell you what else they cure, but its an STD (NO I DONT HAVE ANY!).

Just been to see The Green Ray, great night (do a search in a browser for "Help Yourself").. Ken and Richard are in TGR.

Date:	2005-10-31 21:47
Subject:	Medamnfoothurts
Security:	Public
Mood:	exhausted
Music:	None, but I'll find something to blast in a minute

Have spent most of the day sat at a computer, but a freind was leaving, having been made redundant, and I felt it my duty to turn up at his leaving drinks. So I, perhaps foolishly, walked down to the Old Cock for a few beers, and back to Rotho to get the car, perhaps 1.75 miles max. Think I've overdone it, time for a relaxing bath, Dr's appointment at 8:40 tomorrow.

Phew, that was a hectic week.

Tuesday played chess (see previous entry), didn't get to bed till 12:40, when you get up at 7:00 every morning, that's bad news.

Wednesday, saw Walter Trout at The Stables, MK. A very good night, some great old blues standards, mixed with good humour and some good songs of his own. Well worth going to see. Drummer was an exibitionist. Had his snares and toms arranged around him as most drummers (although he seemed to be sitting sideways on), his ride was sat above the bass drum, and he had 5 cymbals as high as his stands would go. For a short drummer, seemed like he had to stand up each time to hit them. Had two to right of centre, two to left of centre and another to his far right, but had a very effective manouvre where he hit the front cymbals with both hands (one to the left, the other to the right), then hitting the rear cymbals by crossing his hands, then uncrossing to the first pair again. He was also a bit of a juggler, doing first a single spin of the stick with one hand, while still playing, and then repeating with the other hand. Also had a very high spinning throw hwich he nearly caught every time, looked bloody silly we he dropped it once.. He did all this juggling at least once in each song, and probably more like a dozen times. Once or twice would have been good, he overdid it. Just waiting for him to go wrong.. I saw Keith Moon do a similar trick with the Who, he struck the snare with both sticks, and let go at the same time sending them spinning into the air, without looking he reached up and caught both and continued playing. A star..

Thursday. Played crib, our first home game for the British Legion B team, I played doubles with gill and lost. The team was 4-0 up at one point, we lost the match 4-5.

Friday. A quiet night in the local, met up with some friends from S. Africa. They work for some Obramovich clone, loaded. He fly's around the world in his own jet plane. Not one of those small lear jets, or similar, he has a 747. The friends are the pilot, co-pilot, and mechanic, and have spent many evenings in their company. They didn't stay long as they were flying back to Cape Town saturday, then on to Brazil, three or four places in the USA, before they fly back to england next week. For their Xmas meal, he's taking staff and family's to Victoria falls for a long weekend. Don't get that sort of treatment from BBSRC.

Saturday. Held a county chess match in the pavilion. County first team and they got stuffed, didn't catch the final result, but it was 9-2 (from 16) at one point. The pavi nearly ran out of beer, there had been a Haloween party the previous night, and they drank it dry.

Sunday. futureofrock's birthday. Finally managed to speak to him in the evening, sound quite happy. Took kev (works with Gill) to a car boot sale with his freind from Cuba. She has 2 young children, and it is difficult getting hold of clothes there, so she was buying loads to take back with her.

Some years ago, I had an operation to remove an inflamed nerve from between my 3rd and 4th toe on my left foot. It has been very painful since saturday, and I fear it will have to be done again. Walking is very painful, causing me to use my heel and big toe only (try it!). Will see a Dr this week.

I've not mentioned work, mainly because nearly all the outdoor work has been done. Just keeping records up to date now, and sorting out what has to be done in the spring.

Just burned my first CD on the new PC. My copy of Fly like an eagle had a nasty mark, which occasionally jumped, burned a new version from the original.

Happy birthday to you,
happy birthday to you,
happy birthday dear futureofrock
happy birthday to you.

Been trying to get hold of him all day, but he's not answering his mobile. Have no home number either.

H A P P Y B I R T H D A Y

Date:	2005-10-26 00:12
Subject:	Passport..
Security:	Public
Mood:	confused

..forgot to mention, had TWO letters today saying that some security firm had tried to deliver my new passport (Mrs Roadie had her's refused becuase her photo's showed her smiling with teeth visable-not allowed, have had to go back to the PO photo booth).

Have arranged to have my passport delivered tomorrow, but have to show my passport as proof of identity. Mine has expired, they are delivering my new one.. Will I be allowed to open it to prove that I am who I am???!!!

Date:	2005-10-25 23:48
Subject:	Chess
Security:	Public
Mood:	bouncy
Music:	Walter Trout tomorrow

Wow, third game of the season, third win. This is unheard of, for me, or any other player in our team..

For those interested, moves were
Roadie-Opposition
1. e4 e6
2. Bc4 Nf6
3. d3 h6
4. a3 d5
5. exd5 Nxd5
6. Nf3 Bd6
7. Bd2 Nd7
8. Nc3 Nxc3
9. Bxc3 Rg8
10.Qe2 Qe7
11.0-0 b6
12.Qe4 Rb8
13.Rfe1 Bb7
14.Qh7(?) Kf8
15.Ne5 Nxe5
16.Bxe5 Bxe5
17.Rxe5 Qf6
18.Rae1 Ke7
19.d4 (thought long and hard about swapping 2 rooks and bishop for Queen and 2 pawns)
..Rh8
20.Qd3 c6
21.Qg3 g6
22.Rxe6+ (a sacrifice forcing)
..fxe6
23.Qc7+ Kf8
24.Qxb8+ Kg7
25.Qxb7+ Qf7
26.Qxc4 Rf8
27.f3 Qf6
28.c3 Qg5
29.Qxe6 Qf6
30.Qd7+ Kh8
31.Re7 Qf4
32.Rh7++

Final position:(starting at a8, ending h1, white lower case, black upper)

5R1K
P2q3r
1P4PP
8
2bp1Q2
p1p2p2
1p4pp
6k1

OK, so I've shown my standard of chess playing. Not too good, may not have been the best moves, but sound and good enough for the opposition.
Team won 3.5-1.5

Date:	2005-10-23 23:18
Subject:	Sunday
Security:	Public
Mood:	pleased
Music:	None, but just watched "Waking the dead"

Today I had planned to play trains all day. I have recently constructed some new baseboards, to a design that can be easily moved to Scotland when we move (sometime in the next ten years). They are modular in format, each being interchangeable with others. Basically, several small lavouts that link to form a much larger one (have a 16 x 8 foot shed and N gauge).

This morning proved to be windless, so was called into work to do some spraying, one of the joys of living on the job. Finished around 1:30, and after mowing the lawns, chopping up sugar beet for Gill to make wine, and a bit of surfing for houses in scotland (plan to move there sometime in the next ten years).

Managed to spend a couple of hours in the shed, layed some track, and planned others. Need to build a raised level and embankment leading up from the base level. The new baseboards are covered in Sundela board, a soft board made from recycled newspapers. It is very easy to pin down track, far better than the chipboard I had previously. Boards are 2 x 4' making them easily moveable (when we move up to Scotland in the next ten years).

There is a little concern about (wish I knew how to insert a freind) "Futureofrock" as he's playing in B'ham tonight, some trouble there tonight..

Date:	2005-10-21 21:48
Subject:	Clive Roberts
Security:	Public
Mood:	sad

Just read on the Manbord http://www.manband-archive.com/manboard/manboard.php that Clive Roberts passed away yesterday. I have seen this man play guitar just the once, with Deke Leonard and Iceberg a few months ago. The man had style, skill and a great on-stage pressence. Why is it that the real stars of "rock and roll" only shine for brief moments.

Sold 1 pint.

Mark G is in Jersey, his son is house sitting. Went to a local beefeater for a meal and some bastard smashed the car window and stole several bunches of keys. Why? Managed to locate a spare set of keys so Martin could get in the house.

Date:	2005-10-15 19:01
Subject:	Chess
Security:	Public
Mood:	content
Music:	Gong - Gong live (on vinyl)

Why are chess palyers so boring. We've held a weekend 5 rounds (game) comeptition in the Pavi this weekend, something I've done for Herts Chess for the last few years. 1st game started at 9:45, I opened the bar at 12:15 and sold 6 pints and some soft drinks and crisps. 2nd game started at 2:00, I opened the bar at 5:00 and sold 6 pints and some soft drinks and crisps and a half pint of lager. 3rd game started at 6:30, I will open the bar at 9:00.

Somerfield supermarket are having a charity collection for a local childrens hospice. They are all dressed as cowboys and indians and have in the first week raised over £2,500. This was their target for the begining of december. The had a staff talk and film about the hospice, and have found out that one of the kiddies filmed has since died. Life isn't fair, but well done summerfield.

Going out into the shed now to play trains until 8:45.

Date:	2005-10-14 21:10
Subject:	Friday
Security:	Public
Mood:	drunk, but not that drunk..
Music:	Lou Reed - American Poet

OK, drilled an experiment today, not too satisfying, as we were two varieties short out of 6. Bad planning or what?

Spent an evening in the local, and met up with Mark on the way to the chipshop. He's now in a band, must try and get them and firegarden to play in the Pav. sometime..

Took passport photo's in post office. £3.50 each for me and Gill. Plus the £40+ for the passports, am paying over £100 to prove that we're british for ten years. Is this a rip off or what? I guess at £10 a year, £5 each, it's not bad, but...

No silly courses today, but filled in my response form saying yesterday was a waste of time and money..

Date:	2005-10-14 00:34
Subject:	Pointless course..
Security:	Public
Mood:	annoyed
Music:	None

I've wasted an afternoon being taught how to lift safely. As a refresher of the same course I did 4 years ago, it was OK, but as a course, was almost word for word identical. When questioning how to lift a 50 kg sack, was told to buy the product in 25 kg sacks. Whilst this is sensible, seed and fertiliser comes either in 500 kg (1/2 tonne) bags (handled with a forklift), or in 50 kg bags. Companies now have to comply with strict recycling rules, and one way of getting around excess waste is to package in larger bags (fert now comes in 600 kgs). No way will seed suppliers increase their wastage by splitting 50 kgs into two 25 kgs. Second point wast when lifting a heavy piece of equipment. Was not allowed to put a rope under it and lift it from waist height, instead had to crouch down and get our hands underneath it. The equipment base was about A3 size and weighed about 70 kg, and for demonstartion purposes, was lifted by 4 people. Due to the smallness of teh thing it was very difficult to get close enough to lift it safely. Someone demonstarted how she packs display boards into a transit. Part of the procedure involved lifting the 8 x 4 sheet at one end and putting it in the van. When asked to comment on the risk level of doing this, I said high because holing an 8 x 4 sheet horizontal at one end seemed to me to be quite a strain on the back. Was told the risk was low.

Better things. Got very up to date with my record keeping. This means I can have friday afternoon off. I finish work at lunchtime on fridays, but normally stay on to update the records.

Have started playing Cribbage again after a long break. Play in a local league for The British Legion Club, and won our first game. Unfortunatly our team lost 6-3, but it was great to meet old freinds again.

Date:	2005-10-12 22:14
Subject:	General
Security:	Public
Mood:	contemplative
Music:	Jon Lord - Beyond the notes

Broadbalk is in for another year. This is the 28th time I've been involved in sowing this experiment in it's 162 years. Feel like I've been here as long as the experiment itself. Probably gone in in the best conditions I've seen since I started. Is this due to global warming? Having said that, we've had some rain today, must be 2 or 3 weeks since it last rained. Doing a lot more good than harm.

Now have only 3 experiments to sow, two on ergot, and a variety and nitrogen experiment. Feel as though we're knocking our heads against a wall at times. Trying to grow crops that yield higher, or need less inputs, while the government pays us to leave fields and margins uncropped and the TV news shows another group of starving people somewhere in the world. I guess that's politics for you..

Still listening to Jon Lord, this is really growing on me. As stated before, very orchestral, almost classical, but with a celtic folky feel, even has Sam Brown singing on track 3 (she's gone up in my estimation!).

I've yet to find out how to add freinds to this live journal thingy, no doubt "Future of rock" will show me next time he's home.

I have to attend a safe lifting course tomorrow, they will take three hours to explain how to lift correctly, again. Too little, too late. In my youth we handled tons of dairy feed, in mid life I handled tons of fertiliser and seeds and sacks of grain. Now we do very little lifting, and find it very difficult to lift 50 kgs. Machinery does it now in the form of a forklift, and our bodies are no longer used to lifting when we need to. Is this progress?

Other "useless" courses attended include "bulb replacement and plug fitting", "safe use of ladders", "ATV (all terrain vehicle) driving". These courses cost lots of money, but my employer is now covered if I have an accident. I've yet to do "tying bootlaces" and "safe use of the toilet roll".

Date:	2005-10-10 23:36
Subject:	First entry
Security:	Public
Mood:	ecstatic
Music:	Jon Lord - Beyond the notes

A good day in general. Marked out Broadbalk ready for drilling. Tomorrow we will sow it. This is an experiment that has been running since 1843, testing various fertiliser regimes. This is the oldest agricultural experiment in the world. What was happening when this experiment first started ? Victoria had recently been crowned queen, Darwin was voyaging on the Beagle around the world and beginning to have theories about evolution etc.

Played chess against Letchworth, second match of the season, and I won my second game of the season. The team won 3.5-1.5.

An e-bay item that I had doubts over arrived after a couple of weeks. The seller had over 1100 sales, but had picked up 15 negatives in the last month. Payment was to a Belarus address, shipping from there to UK. Seller is based in UK. I had received several warnings from previous customers, but once in the sale could not pull out without receiving a strike against my record. All doubts have been proved false, and I now feel bad about ever doubting the sellers reputation. The seller is no longer a registered E-bayer.

The music is great. Don't expect Deep purple. It's virtually a classical piece, lots of flutes and violins and orchestral bits.