Sunday 24th November 2019 to Saturday 30th November 2019

Sunday 24th November 2019
Up early.  Missus off to York shopping.  18 hours of decorating fun with a bit of a dog walk and a stop for fish and chips in the middle.


Monday 25th November 2019 
Up early did some snagging and touching up the bits I'd missed but generally speaking not a bad job done.

Yes I know - a similiar colour to the old one.

Sunday 16th November 2019 to Saturday 23rd November 2019

Saturday 16th November 2019
Up at the crack of dawn.  Dog walked.  Off to Burton to WW to find out what the crack is with the new plans only to find out it's a weigh-only group.  Humphf.  Not coming back at 10.30 thank you very much.  Got home Piccy B for me and the missus. All good.  Fell asleep on Sofa - what a lightweight I am!

Sunday 17th November 2019
Up early.  Dog walked etc.   Didn't do a great deal.  Took missus to Derby got a coffee spoon.  All good.   Another kip on sofa.  Very uneventful!!

Monday 18th November 2019 
Didn't do much - work and dog walking - the usual!

Tuesday 19th November 2019 
Same again barman!

Wednesday 20th November 2019
Up early.  Dog walked, papers fetched.  Into doctors for a 7am appointment - only problem is the doctor has forgetten.  Got to work late, dropped some stuff off then went to Nottingham for a photo shoot in Mapperley.   Interesting.  Nice old Premier Kit in the basement too.

Parish Council Meeting - things are getting interesting in our Parish is all I'll say!!

Thursday 21st November 2019 
Up early. Dog walked. Into work for just after 7am.   Reasons to be cheerful - 2 stone and a bit lighter than I was on 10th November 2018

Friday 22nd November 2019
The usual.  Work early doors, got away about 4.30.   Dog walks.   Fitted a 2" SSD drive into a computer for my dad.  I need to find out what size drives he has got in his existing PC when I get a moment.

Saturday 23rd November 2019 
Up early.  Dog walked.  Papers fetched.  Didn't do much until lunchtime.  Went to Bustlers to meet the Doar brothers.  Drank 4 bottles of zero alcohol beer and had a very nice burger.

Then went to watch DCFC beat Preston North End who think they are a bit special but aren't.

Then night time meant going to Paula and Darren's for tea and then over to Hartington to see the excellent Thunder Hammer.   A top night,.

Saturday 9th November 2019 to Friday 15th November 2019

Saturday 9th November 2019 
Up early dog walked, papers fetched.  Phil came back from gritting about 8am so went and fetched a Piccy B for everyone.  Dog walked and then off to rehearsal at Swad.  All good stuff.

Love the look of the Crystal Beat - all good

Bad night for little pooch with ruddy fireworks going off left right and centre  - she survived though.  Watched more succession - bloody grand!

Sunday 10th November 2019
Up early dog walked.  Took the parasol down.  Did a bit of epoxy fixing on me boots and one of Phil's all good.  Setup my crafting box for making rigs and did lucky 7 traces so I can swap out hook snoods as and when .  Walked our pooch and then off to remembrance Sunday.

Always a sombre ceremony that puts things into perspective.   After the ceremony we had a quick bit to eat and then off to Nottingham - Lucy has managed to lose a coat (well we suspect someone has pinched it while she was in the library) so Janette has got her a new one.  We didn't stop too long - boss went to Tesco Express with her and got some bits and bobs then we went back home and took both dogs for a bit of a walk (not too far). 

Monday 11th November 2019 
Up early - dog walked, papers fetched.  Into work early as there is a big WW announcement today and I wanted to be ahead of the game if I could be.  Got home walked dogs in the rain all good stuff.   Watched Watchmen - it's no less bonkers than last week.  Went to bed a bit before 10pm all good.

Tuesday 12th November 2019 
Woke up mega early as usual but didn't get out of bed until 5pm as I knew I was going to be late back from work then an alcohol-free pub quiz later.   Such is life.  Late getting away from work as had a rehearsal to do with the works banned.   All good - only doing one track this year to keep it simple.

Another day, another warehouse...

Pub quiz - I think we came fourth but am kicking myself at being just off with a couple of answers.  Never mind. 

Wednesday 13th November 2019
Up at 5.25 - am just about getting the time right so I can get me papers from WH Smiths at 6.10/6.15 most mornings.  All good stuff.  Into work in plenty of time and car juiced up ready for taking Lucy to a concert tomorrow night.  Dad's taxi gone ruddy mad.

Thursday 14th November 2019 
Work then took Lucy to Manchester to see a band called Half Alive at some funny club in Manchester.  Back at 1am absolutely knackered - lucky with the weather asd it was threatening to snow!

Friday 15th November 2019 
Up early.  Dog walked.  Into work proper tired.  Coming home I got a phone call - band dropped out at last minute can we cover.    So rang everyone got the okay - gig on.

Not my picture - that's why it's suffering from out-of-focusness!

  

Satruday 2nd November 2019 to Friday 7th November 2019

Saturday 2nd November 2019 
Up early.  Excited ahead of the England v South Africa Rugby World Cup final only to be disappointed at being out muscled and out-played in every department.  Was the Derby match going to be exactly the same?  No we did Middlesbrough 2-0 with both goals coming from Tom Lawrence one of the two embarassments crashing while drink driving.   Neat thing was that I found a little short cut to my £5 car park which was neat.   One day they will sort out the inner ring road - at the minute no-one is ever in the right lane as they come over the fly-over, myself included!  Listed some bits and bobs on eBay

2nd Nov 2019 - DCFC 2 - 0 Middlesbrough zilch. 

Pair of Sabian 13" fusion hats listed on eBay

13" Sabian fusion hi hat bottom - clanging manhole cover

Sunday 3rd November 2019 
Up early.  Dog walked.  Then had to wait for Phil to get up to take him to pick his van up and then over to me mum and dad's.  Back home, walked the dogs,  mowed the lawns for what I hope will be the last time (you never know).  Bought some bits and bobs on eBay a couple of Z rod things for mounting splashes on and a LCD unit for an Alesis D4 to replace the one that has lost it's backlighting.

Replacement LCD project coming up soon £17 better than buying a whole new unit (I hope!)

Z Rod for splash cymbals - the idea is to mount two splashes using a multiclamp which should give them enough clearance I reckon. 

Monday 4th November 2019
Up early.  Dog walked.  Back Home.  Dog walked.  Watched the new episode of Watchmen - proper weird.  Watched some more Succession - it's so mad it's addictive.  Went for a 2.5 mile walk on me own - good stuff.

Tuesday 5th November 2019 
Walks in morning but none at night with it being bonfire night.  Watched more Succession am going to be sad when I get to the end it's bonkers but great.  Listened to Stewart Lee on "A Good Read" - going to have to go and see him live I reckon! Walked 2.5 miles again on me own.

Wednesday 6th November 2019
The usual with work except for chauffeuring the boss about a bit.   All good.   Got home took small pooch a walk, took big lad a walk but didn't do my walk on me own.   On way back home after dropping boss off in Nottingham I listened to an interview with Bob Igors (the bloke credited with turning around Disney) fascinating and made me thinkl of Succession - takeovers and what have you , you see?).

Instead I fitted a new display in the D4 as the back lighting had gone in the old one - only cost me £17 so chuffed to bits with that.  Am going to use it to trigger bass drum and snare samples live is my thinking (might also put a cowbell on there somewhere).

Inside the D4 - have taken ribbon cable of the display unit which is at a right angle to main circuit board.  Had to remove the hot glue using nail polish remover to weaken it and then a bit of persuasion with a small screwdriver - all good!

The end result - D4 back to full effectiveness (I am assuming it will still trigger the sounds else I've chucked £17 down the drain!). 

Thursday 7th November 2019
Am stopping late at work so when I got up at 4.45 and it was tipping it down I went back to bed for half an hour!  Still raining like hell when I took the hound out but hey ho.  Into work for 7.30. All good.  Did a couple of songs with the Works Band and then got home for about 6.30.  Took big lad a walk.  Did a bit more work on making sure the D4's display is secure with the broken clip all good stuff.   Watched another episode of Succession - bloody greaty then watched a bit of Taylor Hawkins on BBC Iplayer - interesting - seems a nice bloke.


Friday 8th November 2019
Up at 5.20 - I think I need to aim for 5.25 ideally for getting papers at the right time but it was okay.  Into the office for 7.15 all good.

October 2019

October 2019

Have got out of the habit of maintaining the blog - need to get back on it.

Friday 4th October 2019 - went to see StillMarillion at Nottingham Rescue Room - bloody great!

Saturday 4th October - DCFC 2-0 Luton - rubbish

Bought a 20" Sabian China for £70 - a right bargain

Saw a white Pheasant in the distance (see below)

Although you can't tell on this picture there is a white pheasant on the wall

Saturday19th October 2019 - played at Dixies Arms, Bagthorpe with new bass player Graham - top gig!

Can't remember which games this was but am sure it was rubbish!

Friday 25th October - Me and Jonny Bigland after his DC/DC gig at the Winking Man, Upper Hulme. 

Friday 25th October - went to Winking Man to watch Jonny Bigland's band floods everywhere we turned round and found another route in after seeing the car abandoned in the middle of it with it's hazards on!

Saturday 26th October - rehearsal with the rack - looks ace!

Sunday 27th October 2019 - did some community work then took missus to uttox then did Pad's lawn and hedges 

Hedge on one side at the back. 

Hedge on t'other side at the back. 

Other stuff - tried out with a band from Derby but it wasn't working for me so when the opportunity to join a band with former members of Breaking Poynt came up I sort of jumped at it after a bit of thinking anyway.   

September 2019

Friday 13th September 2019

Went to watch Derby draw 1-1 with Cardiff City.   Dismal stuff.  Went to pub with Dan after match and drank a coke!  Am all over this One Year, No Beer think like a cheap suit!


Saturday 14th September 2019

Up at the crack of dawn.  Dog walked, papers.   Went to Nottingham to fetch Lucy.  All good.

Got home had brunch.  Went to rehearsal auditions at Church Greasley.   Got a new bass player.  All good.

Dad's taxi in operation at 1am, fetched Phil back from a pub at Alton.

Sunday 15th September 2019
Up at 6.30, dog walked, took Phil to get his van back from Alton.   Came back did not very much other than tidy Phil's shed up.   Need to do a bit more when time permits.   Lotty for a couple of hours with the missus got as load of beans, raspberries, cabbages, courgettes, all sorts.  Got a bed and a half cleared.  Got two sets of onions in the ground for next year.

Monday 16th September 2019 
Up at 5:40.  Dog walked, papers fetched into office for 7.25 all on rails as always.  Back home for 5pm then straight up to Wyaston for a Neighbourhood watch thing where I was tasked with doing coffees and teas - I bet some folks had some dodgy cups of tea.  Anyway, all got done, back home for just gone 10pm,  got some stuff ready for the morning and straight off to bed.

Tuesday 17th September 2019
Up at 5.14.   The usual then loaded up and took Lucy back to Nottingham.  Proper knackered but such is life.  Got mesen a bacon butty from MacDs on the way into work. 

Monday 5th August 2019 to Sunday 11th August 2019

Monday 5th August 2019
Up early on account of going to bed early.   Need to catch up on sleep really.  Into the office early again which is good, good, good.  Really busy day.  Left at 3.55 and got home much earlier than if I leave it to a bit after 4pm so need to keep doing that really.   Got home - put roofbox on the motor - had tea - took the hounds on the one mile loop.   Did a load of juggling stuff from the little shed ready for going camping at the weekend.    Got back watched DCFC beat Huddersfield Town on their own patch - Tom Lawrence has a great game with two goals and he put a shift in too - lot of folks aren't keen on him but he did good yesterday.  First game with new manager and I thought they looked very good - a really useful three points to start the campaign off!

Small hound watching DCFC trounce the Huddersfield Town

Tuesday 6th August 2019
Up early'ish.  Took the pup out to get papers and what have you.  We have an event on at work so parking about a mile away - took the bike so I could get me ass ready for a 20 miler on Thursday - have done next to naff-all cycling this year so am hoping I can do a bit of short distance preparation in advance of Thursday!   All good stuff.


What happened to rest of August!!

MSR has shut down so have to fetch papers in ruddy car.   Not good.

Been to see DCFC three times I think and they have been rubbish every time.   Two draws and a defeat. 

Sold a drum kit, bought a drum kit. 

Been on five day camping trip before we got just too sick of the damn wind.

Pearl (never had a Pearl before) Crystal Beat Rock Kit 12" RT, 14" FT, 16" FT, 22" BD

Monday 29th July 2019 to Sunday 4th August 2019

Monday 29th July 2019 to Sunday 4th August 2019 

As usual am so busy am not keeping this up to date.

Done lots of bits and bobs.

Have tidied up the coalhouse shed and now we have the small freezer in there, which had to be moved out of the utility room to make way for an enormous LG fridge/freezer.  The old Liebherr one has now had to go as well but at present is sat at the front of the house.

Thursday, went over to me Dad's to sort his computer out - it probably needs replacing - it's still running on Windows XP! 

Saturday fetched brekko from up town for me and the missus - went down reasonably well.  Did a rehearsal in Church Greasley with Revamp which was very enjoyable three or four hours focusing on about three or four song.  Perfectionists I reckon.

Sunday took a load more stuff to the recycling centre in the morning.  Went to Lotty and brought back loads of broad beans, runner beans, french beans (all the beans then), courgettes, peas and raspberries.

Monday 22nd July 2019 to Sunday 28th July 2019

Monday 22nd July 2019
Up at 5.15 - Phil was downstairs before me think he must be working down West Midlands sort of end to be up that early. Dog walked, papers fetched, into office for 7.30 after getting some petrol on the way.  All good stuff!!

Friday 26th July 2019
Crikey.  Busy week.  Got home from work.  Got on bus to Derby. Over to Derbys vs Notts 20:20

Then to The Tap on the way back for a rack of sleep and cheese.  Hmm.  Then somewhere else for a pint of something Drake then last bus home and back for 1.30ish??

Saturday 27th July 2019
Woke up. Slight hangover. Took Lucy up town. Rehearsal.  All good.  What a wet, crappy day

Sunday 28th July 2019
Up early doors well 7.30ish anyway.  Got not fone today.  Never stopped raining.

Monday 15th July 2019 to Sunday 21st July 2019

Monday 15th July 2019
Up before 5am, shower, shave etc.   Down to lotty to water with la pooch and then on into Ashbourne to get papers.  Into the office for 7.15.  All good stuff.  Busy day ahead then going to see Jaws with Lucy at Derby Odeon Luxe - Ace!!

Got home, quit tea, tooks dogs out for a walk, then off to Derby for Jaws - what a film, never seen it on the big screen.  Absolutely ace.   Only downer was being robbed at £4.30 for a diet coke for Lucy but made up for it by stopping at McDs on the way home and got a black coffee for me and a McFlurry for Lucy for £2.48 so with my 2-for-1 tickets for Jaws it was a good night out all told!

Tuesday 16th July 2019
Up early.  Dog walked, papers fetched, lotty watered, picked some raspberries for me porridge at work too.  Pumped tyres up on the car as one of those warning lights keeps coming on (wonder how they worked).  Into office for 7.20am - everything firing along nicely.  Got home from work.  Tea then walked the big lad, then sold the Tama.  Have I made a good decision to sell it?  It feels like a no you were stupid but at the same time at least I have a bit of space back which has to be a good thing.  It's gone to Leicester - a nice couple bought it for the chap's birthday (born on same day as Phil - what's the chances?). 

Last picture of the Tama StarClassic Dark Cherry Fade thing of beauty 

Wednesday 17th July 2019 
Up late - 5.40!   Jeepers.  Still got to work a bit early at 7.20 but everything a bit of a rush today.  Haven't watered down the lotty - hopefully yesterdays watering will hold it in good stead!

Friday 19th July 2019
Phil's birthday.  He was gone at crack of dawn but Happy Birthday none the less wee lad!   Went out for a meal with Darren and Paula at the Coach and Horses, Fenny Bentley in the evening - very nice! 

Saturday 20th July 2019
Up early as always - fetched papers etc.  Took Lucy up town.  Did a bit in the greenhouse,  put the roof bars back on the car.  Went to an evening do for Phil's boss' son's wedding at night time.  A good do but very late getting back so was very tired. 

Sunday 21st July 2019
Up a bit later than usual - 6:30ish.  To be expected I suppose.  Took the hound out then did a bit of weeding (no one noticed!).   Mowed the front and back at ours.    Went to the Cross for a carvery lunch.   It was alreet. 

Went to Lotty for a couple of hours.  Sorted me brassicas out which were a bit restricted so put some bigger netting over em and now they are okay.   Borrowed Pads mower and mowed round which was needed.   Missus Siddall did loads of fruit picking - lots of goose gogs and raspberries.  We've not done very well for Strawberries this year so am going to ask my neighbour how he got on growing them in guttering - I think the advantage of this is that it keeps the slugs out. 

Raspberries have done great in this container.  

Courgettes, gooseberries, raspberries and not in picture - peas all harvested. 

Managed to avoid seeing the actual result of the Open and sat down to watch highlights at 8pm.  What a disappointment - why can't someone teach Lee Westwood how to ruddy putt.  Does my head in!   So didn't bother watching to end as it was obvious that Lowry was going to win it.     Horrific conditions and course not set up for birdies on final day in my view made it less of a spectacle than it might have been - on saying that he shot an awesome round on day three so a very worthy winner.

Monday 8th July to Sunday 14th July 2019

Monday 8th July 2019 

The usual thing of work and walks and what have you.  Listed a bike on eBay for me day - am hoping it fell into the maximum final value fee of £1 mullarky. 

Tuesday 9th July to Friday 12th July 2019

Just the usual thing of getting up early, walking the dog, going to work, coming home, walking the dog some more. 

Thursday 11th July 2019
Remembered that after work I went up and cut Pads' hedge to make sure Green Bin went out full!   Only just managed it by 9pm 

Saturday 13th July 2019 

Lucy's birthday!! Up early to take her to work on her birthday, bless her. Went and bagged up the hedge trimmings we couldn't get into the green bin, mowed front and back lawn and did a bit of tidying up on the hedges.

Put the Gazebo up and did her a BBQ for tea, all went swimmingly. 

Have been messing about trying to get a bass drum logo done - 

Sunday 14th July 2019

Up early, down the lotty, a tubfull of raspberries.  Watered it all, desperately need to do something with me brassicas but have got a Cricket World Cup to watch. Clean BBQ and Firepit, put the BBQ away - all good!   After New Zealand's innings I whizzed to the lotty on me bike to get some peas - I got back in time for the first over of the England Innings - might have missed one or two balls but that's all.   Any road after finishing all square we beat the Kiwis on a countback of boundaries - mad!

Monday 1st July 2019 to Sunday 7th July 2019

Monday 1st July 2019

Up early but knackered.  Took dog a short walk.  Into office in good time, dealing with the massive list of emails. Crikey blimey.   Got home, tea, took dogs a walk, did a load of watering, the usual.   Got some more plants potted up.  All good stuff. 

Tuesday 2nd July 2019

Same again.  Dog walks, work, more walks.  Watering etc.etc. Missus and Lucy went to see  Grace's boyfriend in a play thing at the Town Hall so I did a load of gardening - got sweet peas in, got sunflowers in and few other plants.  All good stuff.  

Wednesday 3rd July 2019 

The usual! Up early Dog walked paper fetched, busy day in the office.   Back home, dogs walked, cycled to lotty to water - all good stuff. 

Thursday 4th July 2019 

Up early again.  Dog walked and into the office.  All good.

Friday 6th July 2019
The usual plus a gig at night time!

Mapex Saturn kit in use oh yes, yes, yes

Saturday 7th July 2019
Not sure what I did - a bit of lotty, a bit of dog walking etc. etc.

Sunday 8th July 2019
Up early, over to Rowsley for a car boot, then popped over to see me mum and dad.    Listed the Mapex and the Tama Starclassic on eBay need to make some space!!  Went to Matlock with Lucy but it was a nuthouse so we didn't stop.  Did a bit more at the lotty.  All good stuff.

This is the Tama - beautiful kit only being sold to make some space - must be mad!!

Sunday 23rd June 2019 to Saturday 29th June 2019

Sunday 23rd June 2019
Up early, down to lotty,  double watered everything.  Back home watered everything.  Loaded car off to Wales.  Took about 4 hours so a nice steady run.   Settled into cottage all good stuff.  Chucked it down with rain over night.

Monday 24th June 2019
Up at 5.30.  Dog walked.  Back to bed.  Went out on a tour- Benllech, Beaumaris and Amlwch.

Tuesday 25th June 2019
Up early. Valley car boot.  Bought nowt.  Played Bull Bay Golf course at twilight rate, 10pts front nine, 23 pts on back nine all good stuff!!

Wednesday 26th June 2019
Up at 6.30 (lie in) .  Dog walked.  Brekko then off to Rhoscolyn - beautiful spot.

Sunset on the beach.

Thursday 27th June 2019
Missus going out day.  After breakfast took the pooch for an away day.  We went to Ynys Y Fydlan which is a lovely walk from a remote car park.   Picked up a load of plastic from the beach and while doing so the dog decides to roll in some stinky muck.   I should have chucked her in the sea but didn't think of that at the time.   Got back cleaned her up with a bucket and a cloth.  Bloomin hound.  Went a walk to the end of the headland with the dog and a fishing rod.  When I got there I thought 

Friday 28th June 2019
Going home day.  Grumpy.  Took dog for a last walk on the beach. Set off about 11.30, back home for 4pm ish I think.  Such is life.

Saturday 29th June 2019
Wedding anniversary - survived not initially having a card!  Rehearsal with the band - went okay worked out some misunderstandings on endings which was grand.   BBQ when I got back - worked a treat - everyone happy.

Sunday 30th June 2019
Up early.  Dog walked etc.   Went to Birmingham to see Lynyrd Skynyrd and Quo.   It was supposed to be Phil's present but he was too busy so we ended up taking his mate Lewis.  It was alright I suppose.   Got home very late perfect preparation for going back to work.

Monday 17th June 2019 to Sunday 23rd June 2019

Monday 17th June 2019
Up at 5.10.   All the usual business, slow dog walk and into the office for 5.30  Everything sort of on rails.  Crap day at work loads of unplanned stuff.  Back home, tea then small dog walk.  Then up to Pads to cut front hedge - 1hr 45mins to hack it back - not a classy cut but tidier.

Then out to walk big lad only went for a mile or so as I was knackered.

Watched an episode of "What we do in the dark" and an episode of "Year of the Rabbit" which was ace.   Bed about 10.30, knackered but couldn't sleep.


Tuesday 18th June 2019
Up at 5.20 - didn't sleep well.   Dog walked, papers fetched.  Set off for work without me wallet so had to go back.  Got to top of bypass and found out road was closed so had to re-route through Belper.  Still got in on time. Missus gone to see Westlife or Boyzone or somesuch in Nottingham so took Lucy out to tea.  Weather turned bad after work.  Managed to walk big lad in the rain but that was about all got done.

Wednesday 19th June 2019
Up early.  Dog walked, papers fetched.  Another busy day in the office.  Went straight to Lotty and strimmed it to death after getting an inspection complaint email from Lotty Committee.   Next door neighbour was there too - she'd had the same email!   Did a bit of weeding too so that was nice.

Then went home for tea.   Then took Big Lad and Lily for a walk with Lucy - quick mile round then onto strimming and mowing at home.  Have got three more days to get everything that should be in the lotty into the lotty.   No pressure!

Thursday 20th June 2019
Up early.  Dog walked, papers fetched, into office for 7.20am.  Back from work.  Had to take big lad for a walk first.  By time I got back it started to ruddy rain.  Never mind.    Watched the rest of What we do in the Shadows - it was ace!

Friday 21st June 2019
Didn't wake up until 5:40, knackered!   Dog walked papers fetched.   Into office on time though so no great problem.   Went to WW in the morning - 2.5lbs off so a bit better - on hols next week tho so it will probably go back on!