Monday 26th February 2018 to Sunday 3rd March 2018

Monday 26th February 2018
Up early.  Got the dog togged up against the cold.   Got the papers and into work nice and early.  Back home for about 5pm all good stuff.  Did a bit up in the drum attic, enjoyed me self.   Watched new episode of Strike which was quite good.

Tuesday 27th February 2018
Up early.   Dog walked  no papers to be fetched into office for 7.43 after being turned back on A52 and having to go via Belper.  Never mind.  Got car filled up at Ambergate on way back in.   Done a load of last minute birthday present shopping.   Took Lucy to get her mum some stuff.  Phil made a special trip to Waterhouses Shop to get her ladyship a card too!!  All good. 
Missus a bit grumpety with me so only did a quick session in the Drumattic.    Computer gone dicky again.     Got the little hoover to see if it was dust inside it causing the problem (has been in the past - fan gets stuck) but no charge in fan.

Wednesday 28th February 2018
Up early.  No papers again.  Into office in good time. Funny day in the office when I came down at 4.15 most of the company had gone home - such is the power of snow.  Took a few pictures on way home.

Looking toward Idridgehay

Had tea then did a bit up in the drumattic - hoovered the computer out - it made no difference so went and got some screwdrivers and reset the graphics card - that seemed to sort it.  Happy days.  Did about half a dozen tunes, all good fun.   Started watching the Manchurian Candidate which is a proper wierd film so far.

Thursday 1st March 2018
Up early - 5.10ish.  Dog walked, no papers to fetch.  Went up about 6.15 and got them when they'd got in.   Took me just over an hour to get into work due to crappy weather.  Never mind at me desk for 7.40 so all good stuff

A52 Derby Road

Clover Nook Industrial Estate, Somercotes

Got home okay, bit easier than going.  Dog walked.  Tea at the Okeover Arms, Mappleton - interesting getting there but we got both ways fine.  Bit of shopping at Aldi, missus happy with that, I think.

Watched end of the Manchurian Candidate - I think it was an okay sort of a film? 

Friday 2nd March 2018
We are supposed to have a gig tonight - weather depending in Ripley.  Will know by late morning, the bass player has got to come up from Leicester so hope the right decision is taken - weather depending!   Got into the office early enough.   Roads nice and empty again, A52 a bit drifty so drove steady - didn't take much longer. 

Phil out and about gritting, ploughing and digging folks out I think.   Ruddy weather's even getting on his nerves I think!

Anyroad a gig at The George, Ripley - one guitarist pulled out but we did it anyway and it all went much better than the previous one even as a three piece.   Also tried out rack tom on a snare stand rather than hanging off a cymbal stand and much preferred it.  Also tried out the new holy cymbal and it was proper china-esque and picked it up for a song.  Excellebnt.

Saturday 3rd March 2019
Up early, dog walked, papers in the shop and fetched home for a ruddy change!   Took Lucy to Scarthin Books so she could do part of her art project.  Which was to do a poster for a shop in this case a book shop and then get feedback on it from the owner.

After Scarthin Books nipped over to me mum and dad's to see them and did a couple of lil jobs while was there.  Then back to Ashbourne and then Saturday afternoon me and Lucy went to see Three Billboards outside Ebbing, Missouri which was brilliant and should have won all the Oscars but didn't. Never mind. 

Sunday 4th March 2018 
Up early.  Dog walked.  Got Phil a load of egg trays out of the attic once he'd got up.  I need to remember to start chitting potatoes.    Did a bit in the drumattic while Lucy at 5-a-side football training at the leisure centre.   Then over to Uttoxeter to get a new bulb for the outside light - got a 100w LED equivalent that's as bright as anything.  Watched another Oscar nominee called Get Out on Now TV - it was very good I have to say but not Three Billboards good.   After Tea watched 'Baby Driver' which was absolutely great.   Top film.  Bed about 10pm and soon to the land of nod.   Seem to be overdosing on Films at the moment but with the crappy weather we've had what's the alternative!

Monday 19th February 2018 to Sunday 25th February 2018

Monday 19th February 2018
Worse say of cold yet.  Fed up with it to say least. Woke up mega early got up at 5.10am into office about 7.30.  All good I suppose. Did a few good things. Left work at 3.30 cause I'd had enough by then.  Did a bit in the drum attic. Trying a new idea for mounting the 12" rack Tom.  It's a Yamaha SS650 snare stand which is a bit lightweight but I don't have a lot of confidence in mounting the Mapex Tom from a cymbal stand twice now I've seen it start to fall whereas with this idea all the weight is supported pretty much from below - the one question mark is whether it's high enough but I think it should be.  Watched episode 5 of The Level - top program that.

Tuesday 20th February 2018 
Up early.  Did a bit in the house then woke Lucy up at 5:50.  Fetched papers, got into the office for 7.30, did a bit with secateurs on the way in.  Picked up Lucy from school at 5pm.   Then all systems go packing a snare drum I've sold on eBay.  Ace.    Watched Blade Runner for first time last night (think it will be the last thought it was a bit of a nothing film to be honest,  certainly no Smoky and the Bandit.


Wednesday 21st February 2018
Up really early same as every day.  Dog walked, papers fetched, into the office for just gone 7.30.   Got Parcel all labelled up and over to the Warehouse to go Parcelforce 24 service.   Going to see DCFC vs dirty, dirty Leeds later all being well.    So left work 5 minutes early.  Got home, took pooch for a walk then off to the footie, at Tin Town bus stop at 5:10 took a picture of timetable for future reference!

So caught the 5.15pm bus at about 5.20pm.  Got to Derby about 6.10 and as Rich Doar was running late went to the Alex for a swift but expensive beer (bad choice there Mr Siddall) never mind then over to Costco for BBQ Chicken Pizza and a coffee (surprisingly good coffee!).  Then to Pride Park just getting to seats for 7.45 kick off.

2-2 was a disappointing result for Derby, both Leeds goals were soft - first one came from a player totally unmarked in middle of box on his own, second came from a bit of bad luck with Derby players pretty much going in wrong direction.  Derby came back twice though and scramble a point two minutes into stoppage time - had chances to make it an easy victory in first half that weren't taken.  Bus home was at 11:09pm so had time to kill.  Walked in to town to the Standing Order and had a cider.  Then bus home, walked from Tin Town, got in at midnight, took the dog out for a walk.  All good stuff.    

Thursday 22nd February 2018

Up at 5.15 after a funny night's sleep.  Dog walked, papers fetched and into the office for 7.35'ish.  Watched Blade Runner which was alright 

Friday 23rd February 2018 

'Normal' day in the office.  Went to Winking Man for a meal and to see a band called Styx and Stone or something like that.  They were alreet.  Got home late. 

Saturday 24th February 2018 

Up early.  Usual sort of stuff.  Dog walking.  A bit of golf.  Got a two on the 9th so that was nice - might get me stake money back!  

Watched Lost in Translation which was a cracking film. 

Sunday 25th February 2018

Up early.  Dog walked the usual.   Went to lotty really early and chopped all the raspberry canes down like you're supposed to in Feb,   took bean row down on number 13 that ought to have been down months ago.  Anyway, did a bit.   Got home and did a bit of re-insulating the green house. Mum came over about 11:30 then we was off to footie about 12:30.  They got a bit hammered by Buxton truth be told and were short of numbers especially when one player got ill and another came off due to issues.    Never mind/.  

Monday 12th February 2018 to Sunday 18th February 2018

Monday 12th February 2018
Up early.  Decided I didn't need a shower as had had a bath on Sunday (Squeeze lyrics, anyone?).  So thought I should be a bit early with thing but rose from bed at  5:30, took dog out, spent ages scraping motor. Papers and then into office early doors. Practice up in the attic worked on the UFO shoot shoot transition into Thin Lizzy's version of Bob Seger's Rosalie

Tuesday 13th February 2018
The usual - up early dog walked, good day in the office back for tea-time.  Dog walk and practice up in the attic worked on Bad Co.'s Honey Child, Jailbreak and Waiting for an Alibi by Thin Lizzy then Dirty White Boy by Foreigner - all tickety boo and worth spending a bit of time on. 

Wednesday 14th February 2018 
Up early,  dog walked papers fetched,  work done and dusted back home for about 5pm. Tea and dog walk.  Then up in t'attic corked on Gary Moore Walking by Myself and Oh Pretty Woman endings - all good stuff.

Thursday 15th February 2018
A rude awakening at 4:30.  Phil van won't start can I take him to work.  No need we got it going so back to bed for half an hour.   Full of ruddy cold.  Did a bit of research into drum mapping in Cubase and got the problem where sometimes the hi-tom triggers a cymbal on some preset kits in groove agent sorted by mapping the inbound midi note to a different outbound one.  Also mapped rimshot to sidestick for La Grange intro.  Worked on ZZ Top's Waiting for the the bus into Jesus just left Chicago and what have you.

Friday 16th February 2018 
Went to bed early last night so woke up at 4 o'bloody'clock.  Never mind not getting up until 5pm then dog walked and into the office all nice and early - proper cold -3 celcius when I took pooch out.  Into work nice and early - legs getting a bit achy - could be a bad sign.

Not allowed to go in the drum attic tonight so might work on getting more practice material sorted out.

Saturday 17th February 2018
Well, started off miserable enough.  Chucking down with rain and full of cold what a perfect combination.  But... played golf for first time since before Xmas, started off hideously with an 8 on the first hole but by third hole everything was okay again. Had opportunities of various degrees of difficulty for two on three of the par threes which was nice.   Might be playing next Saturday as well.

Sunday 18th February 2018
Still feeling super rough.  Up at 5am same as Saturday.  Dog walked.  Read me book.  Lucy football at Etwall at noon.   Played well and got a 3-1 victory which was nice for them.   Got home up in attic and took some pictures of a snare drum I've had an not used for a number of years to list on eBay.  Took Lucy to see "The Shape of Water" which she wanted to see.  It wasn't too bad.   Only 20 people or so in the cinema on third day of release doesn't sound very good!

Monday 5th February 2018 to Sunday 11 February 2018

Monday 5th February 2018
Up early,dog walked, papers fetched.  Into office nice and early too.  Home for about 5pm'ish.   Got a drum kit photographed and listed on eBay (£1 maximum final fees offer!). Did some more drum mapping.

Tuesday 6th February 2018
The usual.  Picked up Lucy on way home.   More drum mapping.

Wednesday 7th February 2018
Up early, dog walked, papers fetched.  Had a quick peek at the Ashbourne News Telegraph - quite a bit of rage about the Town Hall. Hee hee.

Waitin for the bus - need to remember 4 e &

Thursday 8th February 2018
Up early the usual.  Funny day at work taken up doing what I shouldn't be doing but that is how life goes sometimes.   Home for 5pm (didn't have to pick Lucy up on way home).  Tea then dog walked then more drum mapping.  It's harder than it looks you know.

Need to write this one out proper - Shoot Shoot UFO 

Friday 9th February 2018
Up super early, shave showered and walking dog early doors - bit of a fail as papers hadn't arrived at shop so needed an extra trip.  That said, Lucy wanted getting up at 6am and that was achieved.   Into office in good time - got some juice on the way.  Watched a ton of Gracepoint the American version of Broadchurch on Now TV - weird that you know the plot but its that little bit different!

Saturday 10th February 2018
Up early, dog walked,  Papers fetched. Did more drum mapping. Found a light for my music stand. Gig at Breaston. Not as good as I hoped. Oh well.

Sunday 11th February 2018
Up early.  Walked dog. Moped about a bit feeling sorry for myself.   Did a bit in the attic, sorting out my recording kit.   I am going to record the old Premier Project One snare and list it as they go for big money on eBay from time to time.

Lunch at the Cross and then watched Chips on Now TV which I have to admit I did quite enjoy even thought it was a bit of a  bubble gum film, sometimes that's all that's needed

Finished off in the Attic had a think about the fill from "La Grange" which is a triplet thing beginning on the hihat on the beat and then the two other triplets on the snare and then toms - I've been playing hi-hat with right-hand and doubles on the snare and then toms with the left hand - it's too fast to play consistently at 162 bpm so spent some time relearning to play it single-stick,  playing  hihat with right hand first time and then left hand alternatively - it seems to work although may take some time to get used to playing it that way!

Monday 29th January 2018 to Sunday 4th Febraury 2018

Monday 29th January 2018
Up early, dog walked, papers fetched, work.  Paul from Ashbourne Footie came and sorted out the lights that had caputted and only got slightly zapped once in the process!!  All good stuff.

Tuesday 30th January 2018
Day off work, taking Lucy up to Leeds Uni.   Set off about 10:30 got there in plenty of time.  Lucy chatting away to someone from London called Sasha and then off into her interview.  Got done for 3.30 and set off home, made the mistake of going through Sheffield to get to me mum and dads on way back which added an hour but such is life!

Wednesday 31st January 2018
Up early, the usual into work in good time.  Enjoying walking in from car park a mile away and it's getting lighter every day.   Parish Council meeting at 7:30 have inherited updating the website.  Such is life.  Back home by 9pm all good stuff.  Bed early.

Thursday 1st February 2018
Up at 5am - can't help it anymore.  Dog walked, papers late but fetched on a second pass.   A Blood Blue Super Moon - can't tell the difference to be honest.   First in the car park, walked into work for 7.30am all good.


Friday 2nd February 2018
The usual.  Stopped up late, watched Star Trek reboot from 2009 with cameo from Leonard Nimoy before he died.  Very enjoyable.  Really late to bed though!

Saturday 3rd February 2018
Up early, papers fetched, dog walked.  No golf.   Rehearsal at 2pm not on me mettle need to do a tone of research really.  Did some song mapping.   Watched the next Star Trek reboot film which had no cameo from Leonard Nimoy.  Still enjoyable

Sunday 4th February 2018
Up early, the usual.  Did a bit in attic, did a bit in greenhouse.  Took el pooch a big walk through the very muddy meadow. 

Snowdrops - first sign of Spring approaching?

Small dog in a big muddy field

Ford at Doles Farm

Gave her a shower when we got back all good stuff.  Over to Rowsley for late lunch with mum and dad it were alreet!  Back home - started doing homework

Monday 22nd January 2018 to Sunday 28th January 2018

Monday 22nd January 2018
Woke up with this stomach ache crap still there.  Dog walked, papers fetched, first car in the car park at 7.15am.  Thought I might have to go home at lunchtime but stuck it out.   Right pain in the stomach it is!  Never mind, didn't bother with tea as it seems to come in waves after any food.   Never mind, back in the groove at work , watched a bit of telly, bed about 10.15.

Tuesday 23rd January 2018
Up a bit later at 5.20.  Dog walked and papers fetched with rain absolutely piling down this morning - little dog had her coat on though so it could have been worse.  Second car in car park at 7.20 into office about 7.35 all good stuff.  Watched "Stand by Me" - what a great film that is.

Wednesday 24th January 2018
Up dead early, the usual into the office for early doors.   Lucy and bosskat visiting Manchester Uni for an interview and a shopping trip.  All went well, train trips and what have you.  Lucy visited some odd shop at Afflecks apparently.   Back home watched "Stand by Me" again with Lucy - superb!!  Have seen this film probably almost into single figures - last night was the first time that I noticed that Corey Feldman's character has a burnt ear even though it's mentioned twice in the script!

Thursday 25th January 2018
Up at 4:59!!   Went to bed at 9pm last night as have been feeling knackered but the side-effect of that is waking up earlier and earlier!   Never mind, got stuff ready took the little pooch on a longer than usual walk as she's not been doing her business, all sorted today.   Good stuff.   Into the office for 7.30 with me new heavy shoes on (which I got for £25 in the sales, whoop!).

Friday 26th January 2017
No idea what happened couldn't have been of great importance.

Saturday 27th January 2017
Golf cancelled due to rain, popped over to see mum and dad, sorted out some internet credit card  stuff for em. 

Sunday 28th January 2017
Did a bit in the greenhouse sorting it out.  Lucy playing football at Etwall at 1:30.  They lost 2-0 this week with just enough players and no subs.  Had loads of chances but not to be.

Monday 15th January 2018 to Sunday 21st January 2018

Monday 15th January 2018
Up early.  Dog walked, papers fetched.  Showered by the light of a torch as bloody light in shower has kaput.   Work for 7.40am.  Fetched a new bulb at lunchtime.  Left work 4.15, back home in good time, tea and then fitted bulb - still doesn't work - going to have to take light to bits tomorrow.  Replaced the black Evans hydraulics with clear Evans G2 heads on the new Mapex kit.  Starting to sound something like but it don't half take some tuning.

Did a bit in the attic - have put a 16" and 13" Vintage Nickle Tom up there - need to get some boxes for em pronto.  I now have the 12" and 18" Rock toms to do and then am going to sell them as a shell pack with spare heads and cases available for an additional £100 I reckon.

Tuesday 16th January 2018
Up at 5.13.  Dog walked, fetched papers.   Got Lucy up at 6am.  Back home for about 5pm.  Had Tea, walked dog, then lazed about on sofa watching Murder in Paradise or whatever it's called!  Then a documentary about Bad Company for the second time.   Great band.    In bed for 10pm with leccy blanket on.

Wednesday 17th January 2018
Up at 5.10 although woke up an hour earlier when Phil went out.   Dog walked, papers fetched, waiting for car park gates to open at 7.15am in Alfreton.  All good stuff.

Thursday 18th January 2018
Work as normal.  Away at 4pm.   On road to Falmouth for 5.45, after Satnav taking us through various parts of Birmingham on the way we finally got to accommodation near St Austell a few minutes before midnight.

Friday 19th January 2018
Up early, shaved and showered.   Breakfast a short while after 7am at the Travellodge - brilliant value for £8.25 everyone fuelled for the day ahead.  At Falmouth Uni for 9am, then sitting around waiting while Lucy had her interview.  Down into Falmouth for a walk-round - pee'd it down with rain so got in car and set off on the six hour trip back home.

A Falmouth record shop with Marillion's Clutching at Straws Album which had its 30th anniversary last year!!

Still Christmas in Falmouth!

Got home in time for second half of Derby match which somehow due to excellent goal keeping managed to be a 0-0 draw.

Saturday 20th January 2018
Up early, papers fetched.   Dog walked.  Golf cancelled due to crap weather.  Got tummy ache so didn't do a lot.  That said, I did manage to sew up a broken drum case with 8lb fishing line that should sort it.   Chippy tea but tummy ache not helped.  Bed earlyish.  In night tummy ache worsened so sort of slept on sofa, had intended to go gritting with the boy  but there was no chance of that happening.

Sunday 21st January 2018
Up early.  Didn't do anything other than a few dog walks.  Tidied up the attic a bit so could get down to the far end and play drums if I felt like it but I didn't feel like it.  Found a couple of bits I need in order to sell the Superstar EFX Rock kit so that's good.   Fell asleep on sofa and went to bed early.

Monday 8th January 2018 to Sunday 14th January 2018

Monday 8th January 2018
Busy at work, n'er mind.  Got in early.  Did a bit of secateuring along the way to improve the walk in for pedestrians.  Back home for about 5pm.  Not much else to report.    Here's a picture of the new kit I am not sure about suspending Toms from cymbal stands but apparently it's the modern way to have Virgin Bass drums.   It's a Mapex Saturn V with walnut/maple shells and all sorts of fancy dancy features to maximise resonance - I hate the heads that are on it so they'll have to be swapped out so have ordered some black Evans Hydraulics.

The Saturn V with Evans Hydraulics should sound like the video here:- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_X-gs1ZNu4    Gives you an idea of how boomy the bass drum is as well!  Fast forward the video to near the end - I think his dad comes along gives him a look and he has top stop!  Ace.  Watched the end of The Tunnel series 3 on Now TV looks like no future series as one of the main characters died.

Tuesday 9th January 2018 
Busy day at t'office then back home, quick tea then took Lucy and Gracey Bill to cinema at Uttoxeter.   Mooched about shops while we waited and had a coffee in the most sterile and charmless KFC I've ever been in (only been in two in my life but this one was devoid of any kind of atmosphere).   Watched Inside No.9 on BBC2 - it was superb!

Wednesday 10th January 2018
funny old day, up at 5am, dog walked papers fetched.  Picked Lucy up after school - did nowt again - need to get back up in the attic and do a bit really.  Never mind - made Missus watch No.9 - don't think she appreciated it then watched the last two episodes of True Detective Series 1 again - awesome!

Thursday 11th January 2018
Up a bit later as water switched off over night.  Took pooch up town about 5:30 got papers, got into work for 7.40 still though.  Took Lucy to see the new Star Wards film - £15 for two tickets - robbery - good fun film though - very loud!

Friday 12th January 2018
Finally got some black Evan hydraulics for the new kit - put em on don't like em.  Thought it might be down to the room so will see how we get on with them in rehearsal.  Cancelled golf for tomorrow.

Saturday 13th January 2018
Up early dog walked, papers fetched.  poking about getting things ready for rehearsal - always feel underprepared.   Never mind.   Didn't do a particularly brilliant job at rehearsal although used Tama Rhythmwatch metronome for getting counts in bob-on and it was great - need a long lead and something to mount it on and then we're away!  Watched "Suicide Squad" on Now TV - what a load of tat that is!

Sunday 14th January 2017
Woke up at crack of dawn - 5am.  Got some 2-part epoxy resin and glued down a bit of wood in the shower room that has been a pain in the arse for bloody ages.   Got me tax return done.   12:30 took Lucy to football with the small dog and they only won 2-0 - right good game much improved on last year and apparently the only side to keep a clean sheet against Hilton Rovers this season which is nice but by crikey it was cold.  Got back about 4pm, put the central heating on!!   By 7:30 after much snoring on the setee I thought it time for bed, so took el pooch out and then off to bedski.

Monday 1st January 2018 to Sunday 7th January 2018

Monday 1st January 2018
Went to bed at 2am, up again at 5:30am.  Took dog out early doors to see if I could find any of the gear we lost previous night.   Didn't but Phil did later!   When everyone up and missus had tidied up and I'd loaded up we had a last walk on the beach.

Tuesday 2nd January 2018
Back to the grindstone.   Up early.  Dog walked, paper fetched.  Into the office for 7:50 after walking in from car park.   Home about 5pm, steady sort of a day and got me Xmas present to mesen - a Mapex Black Panther snare drum no less. Second hand of course but at a reasonable price.

Wednesday 3rd January 2018
Up early, sh*tty weather.  Dog walked, papers fetched.  Bought another drum kit.  Yikes.  Saw Craig Blundell playing and raving about Mapex Saturn V drums with Walnut/Maple hybrid shells - found one on eBay second hand for almost £1000 less than new price, bought one.  Mad!  2.5 hours driving down to Solihull to collect it.

Thursday 4th January 2018
Up really early.  Dog walked, got stuff ready, woke Lucy up at 6am, took dog second walk and fetched papers into office for 7.40.  All good stuff.


Friday 5th January 2018
All busyness, all the time can't remember what I done!

Saturday 6th January 2018
Golf cancelled early doors, took dog a walk, got papers, did a bit up in the attic.  Got all the Xmas decs downs and lights hung up to dry. Did a bit in the garden, tidied the greenhouse up a little bit.  Watched Serenity with him out of Castle on Now TV - getting me money's worth.

Sunday 7th January 2018 
Not much to report.  Took Lucy to footie practice and picked her up.  Did a bit trying to get bass drum right - it booms a bit.  Watched Guardians of the Galaxy II on Now TV.

Monday 25th December 2017 to Sunday 31st December 2017

Monday 25th December 2017
T'was Christmas so usual madness and stress, very enjoyable day to be fair.

Tuesday 26th December 2017
Went gritting with Phil early doors - loads of laughs as none of his lorries would work so he had to go out with a snow plough on which cut down his options.

 Coming down from Xmas fun, took dog walk with the missus, missus took next door's dog too.

Wednesday 27th December 2017
Prepping for going away.   Rehearsal with Blackstar in the afternoon

Thursday 28th December 2017
Off to Wales, still light and quite mild at 4:55

Friday 29th December 2017
Bit of shopping with missus in preparation -

Saturday 30th December 2017
Crack of dawn (6am) fishing with Darren on Cafe beach - too rough.  Gave it up as a bad job when it got light.

Sunday 31st December 2017

Hell's teeth I'm 50! Not having that. 18 years old with 32 years experience then.  

Missus did a brunch for exveryone - Paula and Darren went in afternoon weather too windy.  

Phil and Dan - battleships tournament

Never mind.  Got some top gifts, Andrew arrived in Afternoon.   Bit of a do attended by missus, mesen, Lucy and Phil, our Andrew, Vic, Linda, Jill, Paul and little Dougie.  Phil's mates Dan and Lucy too.