Monday 18th December 2017 to Sunday 24th December 2017

Monday 18th December 2017 
Cripes it's almost Christmas, where has the year gone?  Up early.  Dog walked, papers fetched. Work, home.   Watched "Fantastic Creatures and Where to Find Them" film which was quite good.

Tuesday 19th December 2017
The usual.  Watched Central Intelligence Agency film which I've seen before but was alright. Janette's brother gone into hospital so had to sort out tea for the boy.   Lucy did herself a jacket potato bless her.

Wednesday 20th December 2017
Up early.   Dog walked, papers fetched.  Dropped a card off for Doug and Heather - took a bit of finding in the dark.  Into office for about 7.40am.  All good, bid on a new drum kit and lost - really pleased about it too - what was I thinking.  Got home and got working on fancy dress (well did a bit and Lucy did a lot!)

Thursday 21st December 2017
Fancy Dress day.  Up early, dog walked, papers fetched.  Loading up car with stuff.   Going as the Fab Four (because there's four blokes in our team, it's the 50th Anniversary of Sgt Pepper and I'm nearly fifty etc.etc.).   If the stars are aligned etc.etc.

Friday 22nd December 2017

Last day at work before packing up.  Good stuff.

Saturday 23rd December 2017

God knows what I did. Put lights up did some stuff in attic probably.  Muchos clearing up 

Sunday 24th December 2017

Bit more of the same up in the attic getting stuff down for Christmas Day. etc.etc. 

Monday 11th December 2017 to Sunday 17th December 2017

Monday 11th December 2017
Back to the land of work.  No hassle driving to work just went a bit steadier.

Tuesday 12th December 2017
Yikes proper cold. -7 at Clifton, -6 parked up in Ashbourne to fetch papers.  Little dog is in her coat so it's all good.

Wednesday 13th December 2017

Up early.  Dog walked papers fetched.  Sorted missus car tyre pressure warning (bloody thing). 

Friday 15th December 2017

Got the missus and Lucy tickets for Bastille in Sheffield - row C no less!

Last gig in Ashbourne for Breaking Poynt.  All good stuff. 

Saturday 16th December 2017

Spent most of day mucking about trying to work out how could fit missus and drums in car and in end missus didn't go!  Never mind, got Xmas lights up - they go for absolutely miles!  Ace.  Last Breaking Poynt gig ever never mind.  All got done saw some old friends which was great. 

Monday 4th December 2017 to Sunday 10th December 2017

Monday 4th December 2017
Up early.  Dog walked, papers fetched into office in very good time.  Chasing about sort of a day.  Such is life.   Back home a little after 5pm.  Dog walked then up in the attic returning it to it's status as proper Drum attic.

Tuesday 5th December 2017
Over laid, didn't get up until 5:50 so a bit of a rush, into the office for about 7.45 though so not end of the world!!   Wee Phil not very well so he came home before lunch time.

Beauty and the Beasty

A kiss from the Pup

Wednesday 6th December 2017
Back with a bullet today.  Up super early and into office for 7.30.  Good stuff.   Got home, tea then dog walked - raining so a nice short one. Did a bit up in the attic.  Working out the tricky bit of ZZ Top

Tennis ball riser cuts down on vibrations going through floor.

Thursday 7th December 2017
No idea what I did. 

Friday 8th December 2017
Same again barman.   Had a drink or two as it was the weekend after all.  Nearly bought a DW kit - glad I didn't because bad news was on its way.

Saturday 9th December 2017
Got a letter from inland revenue - I owe a fair chunk of unpaid tax it would appear -fancy sending that a fortnight before Xmas - our souls.  Did a bit up in the attic.  Went to see JBs band at Rocester Football Club.  Good support band in Devilz Jukebox I thought

Saw Raymondo, found out we're playing a party there next week!! All good stuff - we had concerns about the 20cm of snow predicted for midnight but of course it never appeared.


Sunday 10th December 2017
Dog walk, bit of snow about, nothing like forecast.  Got some Christmas Lights up outside after making a fake Christmas tree for some of em to go on.   All good.

Monday 27th November 2017 to Sunday 3rd December 2017

Monday 27th November 2017
Up early, waited for everyone to wake up, shave and shower then down for breakie about 8:15.  Missus went shopping then we drove back up to the shire.  All good stuff.  Did a bit of tinkering up in the attic.  Still work to be done.

Tuesday 28th November 2017
Up at 5:30, dog walked papers fetched, into office for 7.30.  All good stuff

Wednesday 29th November 2017
Bit of tinkering about.

Thursday 30th November 2017 
No idea what I was doing.  Very poor.  Did some work on the tennis ball drum floor in the attic to reduce noise coming down through the floor.

Friday 1st December 2017
Up early, the usual.  Got a load of stuff done at work, picked Lucy up on the way home.  Got some wood from Homebase and then finished off screwing the floor together.   Got the balls down fastened to sheets of card.  Carpet over top of floor.  Got electronic kit back on top of it.

Saturday 2nd December 2017
Up early.  Dog walked papers fetched, the usual.   Missus gone to Burton so I did a bit more up in the attic, did a bit of drum practice too (although not enough!).   Put new rim onto bass drum it's an improvement but still not quite ideal.

Practice with new band at 3pm finished by 5:30

Over to Darley Dale by 7pm, just in time for whisky tasting, parked at Two Dales.   Got away about midnight, I think, walked back over to Whitworth Road and slept at Mum and Dad's for first time in thirty years I think!

Woke up about 4:30, walked back to Two Dales and got car drove back to Bohain, good job too as alarm wasn't set right. Did a couple of jobs then back home for about 6:30, read papers and what have you all good. 

Sunday 3rd December 2017
As mentioned above back home for 6:30.  Lots of coffee.  Did some jobs in greenhouse, got a load of daffodil and assorted bulbs into ground all good stuff.  Took dog on what turned out to be a big walk! Missus back at 4:30, quick tea then up to the Shoulder of Mutton for pub quiz.  We came second to last but at least not last!!!  Ha ha!  So to bed, asleep in about ten seconds.

Monday 20th November 2017 to Sunday 26th November 2017

Monday 20th November 2017
Still a bit of a shadow from Carl's funeral but perking up a bit now.  Up early dog walked, papers fetched.  Busy but quiet day in the office.  Picked up a Big Dog straight cymbal stand for not very much on way home from just north of Lichfield didn't take too long.   After faffing about with fitting new snares on the really old Premier 2000 snare drum for hours I gave it to Phil and he did it in five minutes but still don't know what he actually did!

Tuesday 21st November 2017
Busy and long day at work then off to Pride Park for the footie.   Parked in Intu which worked brilliantly.  25 minute walk to stadium I think and straight through traffic on way home.  People parking on Pride Park must be wappy.  Anyway, DCFC beat QPR 2-0 but it should have been about 5-0 Derby keep trying to walk the ball into the back of the net instead of just blasting the ball in like they should be doing.  Never mind it's 3 points.  Got home about 10:50 in bed for 11:20 after a coffee.

Wednesday 22nd November 2017
Up late - 5:56am!!!  Yikes consequently everything a little bit behind.  Nay matter.  Busy day then collected Defibrillator leaflets what I done for the Parish Council.  Parish Council meeting at 7.30 done by about 8.30 - world record!

Thursday 23rd November 2017
Up at 5.30 so a bit better.   Got bus from car park as well so at me desk a bit earlier than yesterday.


Friday 24th November 2017
Busy day at work, got home, had tea then had to go back to work to sort something out.  Fortunately I just got to work before 8pm so missed the A38 getting closed for roadworks so that was good.  Back home for 10pm all good stuff.

Saturday 25th November 2017
Up early as usual.  Bit of snow down, dog walked and what have you.  Golf cancelled at 9:30 as course closed.  Pottered about doing a bit of this and a bit of that.

Sunday 26th November 2017
Up early.  Nipped up town to get some money, grabbed a paper for Missus Sid, off to that London about 8:45.  Made decent enough time all things considered.  Parked up and onto the underground headed for Covent Garden.

Back and checked into the hotel about 3pm, walk down the road to J J Moons for dinner/tea whatever.   Back to hotel for half an hour then off to the Albert Hall for Phil Collins - all good stuff.

Seats - I think we were about 40 foot from where Phil Collins sat

Think it was about a 15 piece band - Leland Sklar on bass,
Darryl Stuermer on guitar, his 16 year old son on drums!!!

The Royal Albert Hall - what a venue!

In action

I still think this chap in front of us is a politician

After show we walked down to South Kensinton, passed all the mueseums etc, took circle line to Paddington then Bakerloo back to hotel at Wembley Central - all like clockwork - Phil in charge of navigation, bed a bit after midnight

Monday 13th November 2017 to Sunday 19th November 2017

Monday 13th November 2017
Trying to finalise a leaflet for Parish Council went to get a proof from Ashbourne Secretarial and Printing Services - looking good.

Tuesday 14th November 2017
New starter in my team so a different sort of a day!
Have bought a bass drum hoop to replace the horrible purple one - it's a bit battered and needs a lot of sanding.  such is life

Wednesday 15th November 2017
Up early.  Dog walked papers fetched, Lucy woken at 6am.  Doing an induction at work.  Got away at 4.15 got to okay final proof of leaflet - it's now been okayed for print run.  Tea then spent a load of time looking for Lucy's exam results.  Watched another episode of Angelby.

Thursday 16th November 2017
Up early (5.10am).  Dog walked, papers fetched, into office for 7.20am

Friday 17th November 2017
Funny day, up early, walk all the usual mullarky.  Mad rush at work.  Carl Summerell's funeral at Bramcote Crematorium.  Very Sad. He had an ace Dr Who themed coffin which he would have loved.  Met up with Bill and Craig who was in the band with (only Roger Van Driver was absent due to work committments) and talked about the old days - there were damn good times and damn funny ones too!

Saturday 18th November 2017
The usual. Dog walking.  Papers.  Faffing about in Greenhouse.  Couple of hours at the lotty.  Golf at lunchtime.

Sunday 19th November 2017
More of the same but with a bit of drum mucking about in too.  Car washing and other jobs at the homestead.  Missus gone off footballing with Lucy.  All good stuff and so to bed,.

Monday 6th November 2017 to Sunday 12th November 2017

Monday 6th November 2017
Up early,  proper cold minus 2 outside fortunately Phil was told he was on gritting duties so I put a cover on the windscreen which saved me a bit of time.

 Into office for 7.30, busy day.   Got home about 5pm - Phil borrowed stepladders on Sunday to get gritter lorries windscreens clean but not brought it back so couldn't go into the Drumattic. Ruddy pain.  Phil brought me a bit of tube home though so have been able to sort a cymbal arm I've had waiting in readiness.  Discovered series 2 of Jordskatt on the ITV Encore so got another batch of crazy Scandi drama to watch!

Tuesday 7th November 2017
Up dead early.  Dog walked, papers fetched into office for 7.40

Phil brought stepladders back so got back up in Drumattic for an hour although only did a tiny bit of playing - practicing Sweet Emotion by Aerosmith.


Wednesday 8th November 2017
Hell's teeth, another frost!    Watched a bit more Jodsckatt then realised I've caught up with it - thought it was the full series on demand.  Bugger.   Watched a bit more crazy Angelby too.  Proper mad that is.

Thursday 9th November 2017
Up at 5.10, first into car park at Work, which was nice.  Picked Lucy up from school at 5pm all good stuff.  Did nowt but watch concert videos and take dog out for walks (again).

Friday 10th November 2017
Count Arthur Strong tickets available today at 10am.   Trying to make mind up whether to go for Derby or Buxton - Derby is on a Sunday so less chance of a gig - think I'm going to give there a try 10 minutes closer too.  Got Tix for Buxton all good stuff.

Saturday 11th November 2017
The usual, papers, pottering in Greenhouse.  We sorted the bird feeders out. Then golf at 12:20.  Played abysmally to start off with but made up for it with a two on the 9th after a 180 yard uphill five wood and a 2 foot putt.   The two was worth a whole £4.30 but at least I got me entry fee back and 70p to spend.  Whoop

Sent a picture of the bird-feeders off to Doug. 

Sunday 12th November 2017
No idea what I did but did get down to lotty for a couple of hours.  Took bean row down on number 7, got all the spuds pulled out of the ground - found from me dad I need to cover em up so frost don't get to them - never mind been a mild week so hopefully

Went a walk with Lucy and pooch to get pictures of trees.  Good stuff.

Over to me mum and dad's for tea.   Stopped at Rowsley Retail Park on way - very cold and I had dog so stood outside 4 shops then decided to head back for  the car!!  Very nice tea and then back home for 7pm.  Bit tired.

Monday 30th October 2017 to Sunday 5th November 2017

Monday 30th October 2017
Back at work - short break that was.

Did a bit in the drum attic.


Tuesday 31st October 2017
Back at work.   Did a bit in the drum attic when got home - didn't go down well with the boss of the house.

Friday 3rd November 2017
Work then gig at The Olde Royal Oak, Burton.  Poorly attended - put it down to bonfire night.

Saturday 4th November 2017
4 hours sleep then up with the dog, papers fetched and then off to Belper for dog's haircut.   She was not impressed but she's nice and tidy, now.

Rehearsal with new band at Horsley Woodhouse at noon - I was a bit knackered to be honest but it was okay.  First time I've had the kit set up in the full 2-up, 2-down format and liked it all though it's a bit of a reach round to the right. 

Found I'd got a foam insert for one of the Evans EQ bass drum heads I had left over so I've adapted it to be like one of the Remo Muffle O-rings on the big 18" floor tom - looks a bit amateur on picture above but have sorted it out since. 

Set off home at 3.13pm and found Derby were already 2-0 down to poxy Reading.  Crikey blimey O'Riley.  In the evening went to a birthday/bonfire do at Beresford Dale which was okay.  Was ready for bed by time got home. 

Sunday 5th November 2017
Did some drum related jobs.  Sorted out the o-ring on the 18" floor tom - it needs tuning against the 16 when I have time but it will do the job nicely I reckon. Sorted out the cowbell post that I found had fallen to bits since last gig - got a locking nut on it now so shouldn't be a problem going forward.   Cleaned all the fishing rods to get the saltwater off them - did the reels last week.   Missus went off with Lucy for football at lunchtime - they came back and got a 3-3 draw with Becka Rippon getting a hat-trick.   Good stuff.

Got Phil to drop me off down the lotty with the dog.  We did a little bit of tidying up and got red cabbages, onions, spuds, last courgette, last couple of butternut squashes and a punnet of raspberries (in November??)

One of the last few hauls from the lotty - note yellow Raspberries - they are a thing apparently!

Sarpo mira spuds drying in Shed 13 - very blight resistant it would appear

All good stuff went to bed a bit early as was utterly knackered!

Monday 23rd October 2017 to Sunday 29th October 2017

Monday 23rd October 2017
Road trip par excellence, up at 3:10am, on road for 3.15am back home for 6.30am  all good stuff.  At office for 7.40am as usual.    Back home for 5pm.  Doing a computer fixee job at 6.30.    Bed for 9.30pm

Tuesday 24th October 2017
Up at 4am couldn't sleep.  Cleaning shower room ready for decorating.   Work for 7:30am.  Got home about 5pm.  Got the decorating head on and give it some in the shower room.

Wednesday 25th October 2017
Can't believe it's pay day again so soon. Amazeballs.  Up early.  Did some patching up in the shower room but in reality it needs another coat in a lot of places so that's tonight's job.  Busy day in the office, all good.  Then took me dad, cousin and cousin-in-law to Thornbridge Brewery for a tour and it was reet good.   £7.50 and I thought great value for two pints of expensive beer, glasses and all sorts.    Reet good.  Back home for 8.45pm and into decorating mode again.   Slapped another coat on the bits that were a bit naff and I think it will do for now.   Lesson to be learned is not to use old paint.

Thursday 26th October 2017
Up and about at 5am.  Shave, shower get ready.  Bins all emptied etc.etc.  Into the office for 7am - cooking on gas. Missus has sent me a photo she took while walking dog on Church Bay beach only a blooming seal!  Apparently RSPCA had been out to it the previous day which is what the blue spray is all about.  She said it waddled off to the sea so hopefully found it's mother.

Finished work at 3pm and drove to Wales - took ruddy ages queuing all over the place.  If you set off at 3pm avoid Stoke is what I've learned - will do Congleton way next time I reckon.   Went fishing in the evening with Lucy's best mate's family - I chaperoned em to the mum catching two dogfish and poor old Chum (Jack) catching nowt.   Oh dear, never mind.

Friday 27th October 2017
How's this for odd!   Drove all that way to Wales and then drove back to Conwy (well as passenger) the following day to play at Conwy Golf Club with the Chester Golfing Society that Paul is a member of.  Cracking fun, played great first 8 holes with a birdie and a couple of pars then played wrong ball on 9th and it was downhill pretty much from there!  Never mind gorgeous course in great nick.

Pictures don't really give you an idea of how big the hill in the background is

Think this was where my round went to bits - had played wrong ball and got a 2 shot penalty

In the background is an amazing hill that has cliffs and all sorts going on

Is there anywhere prettier than Church Bay?  Don't think so.

Saturday 28th October 2017
Drove back home - wouldn't have minded an extra day but not to be.  Stopped at Newborough Forest on the way back.

Newborough Forest - ace place 

Llanddwyn Island in the background.

Sunday 29th October 2017
Ruddy clocks gone back so first thing was to change all the analogue clocks. Then set about finishing the painting off in the shower room so, a little bit of extra on the walls here and there and then painted the wood work including painting the little cupboardy thing that sits under the sink which came out grand.

Monday 16th October 2017 to Sunday 22nd October 2017

Can't remember much of the week apart from being really busy.  Upgrading the drumattic computer to have Cubase Elements 9 on it for £40 and getting a load of brilliant drum sounds and doing a fair bit of tinkering up there.

Thursday 19th October 2017
Set off down south to take Lucy for her Falmouth University Campus Tour.  First part of journey was getting to Somerset to stay over in a Travelodge.  Chucked it down with rain and into storm Brian for most of journey so never got to 70mph - 3hrs 40minutes.   Didn't sleep too well due to wind blowing a hooley - Lucy didn't sleep too well due to me having a damn good snore when I did nod off!!



Friday 20th October 2017
Woke up in Somerset.  On the road and in Falmouth about 3 hours later after a quest to find food that was somewhat frustrating but we go some in the end.  In Falmouth about 11:30, two hours until tour so we went down to the town to have a look around.

Somerset Travelodge Sun after the Storm

Falmouth Town

Marina

Big boat

Another big boat

Falmouth Maze sorry, Falmouth University

Falmouth Town Tribute to Zep

More of the maze.

Finished by 2:30 on the road, 300 miles to home done with one stop and a hold up on the M42 for half an hour due to some poxy coach breaking down in the inside lane.  Eejit.

Back home in a bit over 6 hours around 9pm. And so to bed...

Saturday 21st October 2017
Up early, dog walked, car set up for travel (again!),  Paddys do at lunchtime then off to Wales.  Arrived in the middle of storm Brian and it never let up all night.

Sunday 22nd October 2017
Weather calmed a little overnight and became quite nice by end of the day.  We had a trip to Trearddur bay.

Church Bay - bit of a surf on

Small dog, she don't care

Borthwen - load of oyster catchers in flight

Trearddur Bay - waves hitting rocks out to see - don't want to bring a boat in here when there's a surf on