For My Wife...

Happy 40th Birthday to my wonderful wife! 

Thanks for putting up with me and I love you very much xxx

On the Buses in Holbeach

Huge thanks and appreciation to the Lincolnshire Vintage Vehicle Society who brought several of their vintage buses to Holbeach yesterday.

The event was very well attended and several commented on how it had been the best thing to happen in Holbeach for many years. Many remembered the old services run by the Lincolnshire Roadcar Company and a few I met had actually worked for them as drivers.

The society members were very friendly and approachable, not stuffy at all unlike some other groups and societies and it was great to be able to freely explore the beautifully restored vehicles.
I was able to talk about our own bus and our struggles to get her back on the road. I was delighted to find out that they are very interested in it and I'm hoping some professional help may be forthcoming.
A truly fantastic few hours spent photographing and riding on these classic vehicles and I hope LVVS don't leave it too long before coming back to visit us down here in South Lincolnshire.

The Who-Loo

This is superb. It has been named the 'Who-Loo'. It is fully functioning with added sound effects, and the light on top flashes to indicate occupancy! It can be found on the Bristol to Bath Cycleway. British inventiveness at its very best...

Robin Williams

I learnt very late last night of Robin William's passing while listening to LBC. At first, in my half-slumber I thought the announcer had referred to the popular singer, but it soon became shockingly apparent that it was indeed one of my favourite actors, Robin Williams.

It is a reminder, as if we needed reminding, that behind a cheerful, joking face is often a person struggling with the darkest and most crippling forms of depression. I know and work with many people who battle with it, often on a daily basis, and I have personal experience of it. It has no respect for anyone, no matter how famous and gifted, and yet again, it has taken one of our best... Rest In Peace.

Images of World War One

I've had a couple of photos for some years taken during World War One. I have posted them on Twitter hoping someone will be able to shed some light on them. I'd love to know when they were taken and where. If anyone can place them, do please let me know.

A Few Words on Legoland

Last week we visited Legoland. It was the first time I've been and if we hadn't been paying just for our son's admission, we certainly wouldn't have gone at all. If anything, the place made me feel my age. I was ill-equipped for the size of the place, the heat and the queueing. Be prepared to queue - for a long time. Every ride we went on had at least a thirty minute queue. If you have a child with you, as we did, you have no option - you have to wait, and of course look as if you're enjoying it.

Also be prepared to take plenty of money with you. Food and drink is expensive - in many cases three times as much as you would pay elsewhere. The best decision we made was to buy a bottle of drink which you could get refilled for free as much as you wanted. We must have filled it at least twenty times. Take your own lunch if you can. A single burger cost a ridiculous £5.95. OK, it was one of the best I'd ever tasted but it wasn't worth anwhere near the estimated 300-400% mark up. Lower your prices and people buy more - it's simple.

Legoland is vast, but credit should be given to the staff all of whom we encountered were friendly and welcoming. More importantly, they all appeared to enjoy their work. The whole place was spotless and very well maintained, and though Legoland is the size of a small county, there were staff everywhere. 

For anyone, like me, who finds walking in heat a problem, I'd recommend the little train that takes you from the upper level to the lower level (and back again). Be prepared to get wet. Legoland like to spray you with water at every opportunity. I quite enjoyed it, but for anyone who hates surprises, make sure you can duck in good time.

On the day we visited Legoland, many local schools had done the same thing. I wouldn't have said that Legoland is the best place for a school trip. Many rides are out of the question due to the teacher-pupil ratio and areas soon became clogged with luminous school kids and stressed teachers.

Allow plenty of time. We were there from 11am to 7pm and still we hadn't seen everything. You do need two days simply because you'll be spending at least a quarter of it in queues. Legoland is a place for the physically fit, though thankfully there are lots of seats. 

For anyone thinking of visiting, allow plenty of time, take something to eat and be prepared to queue. Despite the walking and queueing, I enjoyed it very much but I cannot recall a time when I felt more exhausted. In fact, my calf muscles are still aching a week after!

They Deserve the Truth

I am really struggling to put into words the shooting down of Malaysian Airlines flight MH70, possibly one of the worst atrocities to affect so many countries since 9/11. There is much media speculation at the moment with the western media firmly blaming Russia for its involvement, and the blame game will no doubt go on for some time to come. Whoever is to blame, like 9/11, this will been a world-changing event and the ramifications will doubtless have a lasting effect. In trying to seek a balanced view of the atrocity, I have seen the most horrific video and images taken by foreign news agencies - most of which simply couldn't be shown here. We clearly have our own very sanitised version of world events. These images will haunt me for a long time to come. What is clear is that this is fast turning into a war of words between Russia and the West. Families are angry. We hear now that the airliner's 'black box' flight recorders have been recovered, and if the intercept audio is to be believed currently being reported in the UK, then these may have have been smuggled away somewhere to hide the truth of what happened. The families demand answers, and rightly so. I simply cannot imagine the agony and pain they are going through. I just hope they find the truth and that those responsible will be brought to justice.