Nearly Done

2016 is almost over. For many no doubt it has been exciting and full of joy, for others it might have brought more than a fair share of sadness and upsetting times.

Certainly there seems to have been a high number of headlines and surprises. Celebrity deaths, surprise election results and referendums. Need I go on? It will only be with the benefit of another 12 months that we will be in a position to judge whether 2017 was any worse or better. Here's hoping.

Happy New Year everyone.

Frosty

First real frost (in these parts) of this winter but what a beautiful day.

Compliments Of The Season

To everyone in Blog-land, Happy Christmas.

Nativity Coin

The UK Royal Mint have issued their first ever Nativity coin, as a beautiful limited issue £20 piece. What better way to mark the season, some might argue, especially when the mount card is autographed by the designer Bishop of St Asaph, Wales, Gregory Cameron.

More Homes?

The Get Reading newspaper is reporting the Ministry of Justice intend to sell the historic Reading Prison for housing.

Just what this over crowded part of the UK needs, I don't think. What we really need is additional quality leisure facilities and art spaces and for the government to encourage an even distribution of the population across the UK. Yes that might even mean moving jobs away from this area or better yet creating new well paid ones elsewhere. A tall order I know but south-east England is choked.

Anyway read the article here.

It's True What They Say

My little car is poorly. Apparently the Coil Pack is at fault and it will cost me £440 (AU$750, US$560) to get me back on the road. A lot of money just before Christmas but then again, as the saying goes, you can't take it with you.

Spot The Difference

What a difference a week makes...

 Last weekend










Now with added garden LOL

A Bit Chilly

On arriving at the office this morning, this is the temperature my car had been reporting.

Winter has barely begun, I suspect colder temperatures are on their way...

Prison Break

Today ll and I had the opportunity to tour HM Prison Reading, an old Victorian era gaol that only ceased receiving "guests" a couple of years back. Life must have been grim for those sent here that's for sure. Apparently toilets were only installed in the cells in 1990. It's long term fate is unknown but for the moment it is home to an art exhibition themed on prison life. Below are a sample of images of the prison including, the cell door (on loan from the museum at the Courts of Justice in Nottingham, fact fans) of Reading's most famous inmate, Prisoner C.3.3. Care to guess who I refer to LOL?

Now With Added Drugs

My BP still hasn't reduced sufficiently. Now I get more medication and apparently some really interesting possible side effects...

Made In Britain

Well the chair is from the big blue and yellow Swedish shop and the patriotic cushion probably came from China (via American owned supermarket ASDA) but at least we know she a) has great taste, and b) is a thoroughly British type of Collie LOL.

Remembrance Sunday

1605

Celebrating over 400 years of religious intolerance. Have a great Guy Fawkes Night everyone; enjoy the fireworks but stay safe.

Code Breakers

The second series of Australia's The Code is currently screening on BBC Four. Watching it on catch-up, hope it's as thrilling as the first run.

All Saints Day

Enough said LOL.

Holy Brook

Been out today with LL exploring the ancient Holy Brook river that runs all the way to the site of Reading Abbey. Autumn colours were beautiful as well.

Plastic Bricks

Finally got to visit Legoland in Windsor today after all these years. In fact the last time I stood in the grounds it was something completely different: Windsor Safari Park. Showing my age aren't  I LOL?

Considering how much I loved Lego as a child and to an extent still do, you might well ask why on God's green Earth it has taken me so long? To be honest I don't really know the answer. Anyway enough of that, here is a (brief) pictorial tour:

Roman

Brading Roman Villa, Isle of Wight. Well worth a visit (and not too expensive either). Visit their page.

On The Go

Nearly 8 months old and so full of so much energy!

More Pills

Love the new diet LOL...

Gorgeous

From Australia's Perth Mint. Think it speaks for itself, don't you agree?

Lift Off

I think someone nearby has had some fun modifying their car, possibly inspired by a repeat episode of Top Gear on TV channel Dave...

Could have been worse I guess. They might have seen the road version of Red Dwarf's Starbug from a few years ago. Glad to see in the new series currently airing, Starbug is back to it's former glory. And the series (XI) isn't too bad either.

Dirty Old Man?

Today (Monday) saw me back at the doctor's surgery for more blood pressure tests.

The nurse told me my BP hasn't shifted much since taking the higher level dose. She insisted (again) that I saw the duty GP straight away. While he's increased again my Meds, he did in all seriousness suggest my high blood pressure might be because it was a female nurse performing the test. Gigedy.

Confused?

Not sure quite what the deal is with regards my Fig. All year it hasn't done a great deal of anything and now it is Autumn it seems to be forming fruit. What's going on LOL?

Excited Or Sad, You Decide

I've just pre-ordered the 3CD box set, Before The Dawn by the lovely Kate Bush.  Am I understandibly excited or just plain sad, beyond hope so to speak LOL?

To be released late November, this is a recording of her live shows from a couple of years ago that I didn't get to see. Due to not having a spare £400. All the cheaper seats having been snapped up it seems in a nano-second or pre-sold.

More

Just had my Meds tripled, my BP hasn't come down anywhere near as much as my GP wants. Get to go back for more tests next week. Ho hum.

Fiver

Here it is, at long last I have got my mits of one of those lovely new Polymer £5 notes. Wonderful isn't it?

A Bit Tatty

I'm still waiting to get my hands on one of the new Polymer £5 notes, which came into circulation last week. The old paper ones are looking a tad shabby now...

The Aussies have used Polymer for years and their notes are next to indestructible dontchaknow.

Awesome Performance

Let's take a look at the final Paralympics medal table, courtesy of the BBC News website. I think it's fair to say our sports women and men have once again done us all proud.

50 Today

Later today Team GB's Paralympians are expected to win their 50th gold medal. Overall we are currently second on the medal table with 108, behind China on a massive 191 medals. As of today Great Britain has won 31 bronze, 28 silver and 49 gold. An incredible achievement from our talented sports stars.

Not Summer

The UK's Met Office seem to have fallen in line with other similar weather forecasting bodies and have started declaring the beginning of a given month to also be start of a season, rather than using an equinox or solstice.

For example Autumn officially began on 1st September, and not later this month. How come then the weather has been so glorious, with temperatures yesterday in the UK in excess of 30 degrees Celsius? Feels more like Summer than the "official" Summer did.

Do you think maybe Mother Nature didn't get that particular memo LOL?

Come Into My Parlour...

Following my recent post regards Spiders, I found this splendid specimen in the garden today and just had to share an image or two with you all LOL.

BP

Seems my blood pressure is extremely high. My GP has been brilliant and has acted very promptly, starting me on medication with immediate effect. Probably for life but then again I want that to be a long time.

What Spider Are You?

I found these two around the house this weekend. Don't they look great? But I really don't know what varieties they are, does anyone have a clue? Suggestions appreciated.

Coming Second

Let's face it Great Britain was never going to out perform a power house such as the USA, were we? But to beat the likes of China and be placed second on the medals table is a mighty achievement. Well done to all Team GB's Olympic stars.

BBC News medals table:

Who's A Lucky Boy!

Well actually having been left feeling like a like a second class citizen by my mobile phone company, I felt I had no choice but to find a better deal.

Love a new gadget LOL.

Update Required?

I'm really not sure about this new product from Microsoft. Maybe I need to download an update LOL..?

Fifty And Five

I've not mentioned the 2016 Olympics so far, you might have noticed. To be honest I've not had time to watch even the TV highlights. Having said that it is time to mark the milestone for Team GB, having already exceeded their medal target of 48 for the games. As of this morning we have won fifty medals: a fantastic achievement by our sports people. And we still have five days of competition ahead of us, so hopes are high for our talented women and men who proudly represent this country in the coming events.

Oh and did I mention Great Britain are in second position on the medal table? Unheard of LOL!

Unfair Use?

Apparently my mobile (or cell, US folks) phone company believes that an Unlimited Data plan actually means a limit of 3.5GB per month. This is despite offering plans capped at 5GB and 10GB, for a lesser fee. How does that work?

Beach

Scorchio LOL.

Tin

Some will be aware I'm quite partial to Yorkshire Tea AND limited edition tins. A weird combination I know. Add to that mix The Gruffalo, what's not to like LOL?