Monday 27th May 2019 to Sunday 2nd June 2019

Monday 27th May 2019 
Up super early, took dog out and got papers.  Got things ready and then set off for Wembley.  Drove down after picking up the others from Ilkeston.  Not too bad getting in and parked up on someone's drive in Wembley.  Then got on underground and went into Camden Town to get something to eat.  Back in almost perfect time - got a coffee and sat in me seat 5 rows up on the halfway line for 2.40pm   Shame about the result - Derby played well and I don't think anyone would have begrudged us winning but we cocked up twice in defence and paid a high price for it.  Villa will be back down next year - don't doubt that.

Back home for 9.40, bed for 10.30

Tuesday 28th May 2019
Up early dog walked, papers fetched, back in the office for 7.30 all good stuff.   After work walked Lily for a mile round the big field loop and then took the big lad out for 2.5 miles down to the lotty and back.

Did a quick bit of weeding, watering and got in a couple of short rows of radishes and beetroot (bit late but hey I'm playing catchup).   Watched a bit of Chernobyll on Sky - interesting.

Wednesday 29th May 2019
Up a bit late at 5.30 after waking initially at 3am and thinking I'd got ages.  Still got into the office in plenty good time after walking the dog and fetching papers as always. By time I got back from Work it was proper persisting it down however,  I got just enough of a window in the weather to take Lily and Big Lad a decent walk so not all bad.  Missus S got a new sofa which seems to have freaked the dog out as she proceeded to howl from 10pm to 11pm.   I was proper jiggered after trying to work out what was up with - gave her dog biscuits, took her a walk, got half her toys out of her box.  Dogs.

Thursday 30th May 2019.
Up early considering.  Dog walked, papers fetched into office for 7.20am.   After work took pooch out and then big lad.   Went down to lotty, watered everything and then weeded a bed.   All good.  Got home watched two episodes of Cherobyll.  Now I am very, very tired.

Friday 31st May 2019 
Up earlyish - 5:22am, dog walked.   Took big lad to lotty and did a bit, watered beans and peas etc. All good stuff. More Chernobyl.

Saturday 1st June 2019
Solar reading 16305.91.   Dog walk, coffee, slimming club - 2lbs on - better than I'd hoped for so not displeased with that.   Nipped down to lotty and got some Growmore and Blood and Bone fertiliser bought. Revamp Rehearsal - all good - tried the new kit out and it sounded awesome - loving it although the floor tom needs a little bit more damping.  Back home for about 6pm and chippy tea - all good stuff.

Tama StarClassic - if Carlsberg did drums etc.etc. 

Sunday 2nd June 2019
Up early.  Down to lotty to do a bit.  got there and found that ruddy pigeons had attacked the goodseberry bush - need to get it netted at start of May next year so played  catch up to start with.   such is life.

Set off a bit after 8am to see Lucy and have breakfast in Nottingham.  £20 in Wetherspoon's for the three of us - not bad.  Then walked into town, on the way saw the Peregrine Falcon that lives on one of the tall buildings there - what a sight to see one in flight - couldn't get a picture of that wasn't quick enough but saw him/her perched on side of the building.

There is a WebCam here :-  https://www.nottinghamshirewildlife.org/peregrine-cam

You can see he/she looking out at the end of the ledge! 

Went down to Primarnia and then stoofd in the middle of Nottingham watching the cricket on the big screen - ace!

Back home for about 1pm but weather against us - did a little bit in greenhouse and then nipped to lotty with big lad later and did some weeding so about ready for the brassicas going in (late) and sweetcorn I think.

Monday 20th May to Sunday 26th May 2019

Monday 20th May 2019
Up at crack of dawn as always.  Dog walked, papers fetched, into the office.  After work walked big lad round three miles the usual. Watched Game of Thrones final episode - bit of a damp squib really.  Went down lotty with the wee dog - not sure what I went for?   Saw a whopping great helicopter come past.

Took big lad a walk after - the usual three mile walk.



Tuesday 21st May 2019 
The usual.  Got home from work on time for a change.  Took small dog to lottie - did a sort of temporary fix for the broken gatepost on the plot.  Weeded the onion patch.  Later on when I took big lad out I saw a cracking way of doing onions - you put a sheet of material on the ground with holes for the onions and therefore no weeding - remember for next year - in fact might even do a bit this year using an old compost bag for the cover with holes cut out in it.  2.7 miles with Big Lad down Mayfield and what have you.

Big Lad, Mayfield Walk - 2.7 miles not a bad stroll

Wednesday 22nd May 2019 
Up at the crack of dawn.  Papers, dog walked.   Dropped tomatoes off at Dougs on way to work so a bit later than usual into the office but still in for 7:30am.  All good.  After tea went up to lotty.  Did a little bit more fixing on the gate post and then got two pea rows sorted.  Back home for 7.15 then off out with Big Lad.   Decided we would go up to Mount Pleasant farm through the fields then back down the back of the cemetary and what have you.  Not the best walk I've done with him - he managed to jump into a load of mud but the views were good along the way.  Hey ho.

Some view!

Thursday 23rd May 2019
All the usual, up dead early, papers, dogs etc.  Busy day in the office then off to SW group - 4.5lbs off (the same 4.5lbs that went on last Saturday - can't quite work that out?).   At the minute I'm all off track but have a cunning plan to start in June.   After work we went down to lotty with the peas that I've been growing in gutters for a month or two.  We got those into the ground and then back home for 7.30ish.  Took the big lad a shortened walk due to having stubbed me toe during a 2 mile walk at lunchtime.  Very bruised it is too.  Never mind.   Started watching a film called Super 8 I think - very good elements of Close Encounters, Goonies and a number of other films - will watch ending at some point!  Watched a bit of question time and then off to bed.

Friday 24th May 2019
Almost didn't get up in time this morning - 5.14am.   Did all the usual.  Have put me runner beans out this morning to start hardening them up.   Will put them back in the greenhouse tonight and then perhaps get them in the ground tomorrow. After work went to Nottingham to see a band called William the Conqueror supported by a band from Ilkeston called Those Howling Sounds.  A good night got in at 1.30am a little bit tipsy it has to be said.

Saturday 25th May 2019
Up early.  Papers fetched.  Little hungover.  Did tons of potting in the Greenhouse which I need to be getting sorted out for Tomatoes soon.  Delivered the runner beans and french beans down to the lotty. Took Mr H's birthday present over.  Took big lad another walk.

Sunday 26th May 2019 
Went to Lotty early doors, got bean row up and runner beans in.

Only had an hour and a half as Missus wanted to go to Alstonefield Car Boot - it pi$$ed it down on us!  Such is life.   Over to Ratcliffe for a family do in the afternoon - good fun.  Got home about 7.30 took big lad out.

May 2019

What have I been up to?  Loads.  Have walked ruddy miles with various dawgs.  Been to see Derby win their last few games then lose to Leeds at home with a dismal performance only to play an absolute blinder at Leeds when I was stuck in a Parish Council Meeting.  From a work perspective I have never been busier but managed to deliver an impassioned presentation on plastic pollution and what people can do to reduce/reuse/recycle etc. 

Sunday 12th May 2019
Done a first gig with ReVamp went well all things considered (especially when we only started three months earlier!).   Sunday afternoon 5:30 kick off how wierd is that!?!

First Gig - Roebuck Inn, Burton - used a one up two down kit in a tight space - wrong kit for the job!

Used Mapex Saturn V, 12" rack, 14 and 16" floors, 22" bass drum, Sabian cymbals - all good stuff 

Friday 17th May 2019
Work then went to see a band Dogs on Bees?? at Empire Club very good.  Drank a little bit too much, nothing new there!

Saturday 18th May 2019
Rehearsal with Revamp. Dog walks etc.

This is the Remo kit I picked up for under £90 fantastic value and sounds really good. 

We went for a meal at the Royal Oak which was very nice.  While was there I made the mistake of putting a last minute low bid in on a Tama Starclassic Birch/Bubinga and won it.  Never mind!

Sunday 19th May 2019
Up at 4:30.  Drove down to Swindon, well just outside of Swindon at a place called Ashton Keynes, pretty as anything - got back home for 11.30 and started cleaning it up and checking it out.   It's as pretty as anything.  Tama Starclassic Birch/Bubinga 5 piece with weird snare stand (might have to get rid of the snare!)

I took the batter RIMs off the rack toms and move the shell rounds so badges face front - looks amazing.

From different angles it appears different colours but always drop dead gorgeous.

The kit is a Tama Starclassic Performer Birch/Bubinga hybrid with 3 plies of bubinga on the inside and 4 plies of birth on the outside - it tunes as easy as you like and looks stunning.  The bubinga apparently adds low end to the Birch's projection.  Not read a bad word about them. 

I think the 08G means made in 2008 - could be wrong. 

Am going to give them all a damn good cleaning - look at that grain.

After lunch started to get ready for the Derby County Play Off Final general ticket sale at 2pm.   Only had 6692 people in front of me, only waited for an hour but just managed to get a ticket and a really good one at that.  Well pleased.   While waiting in queue for an hour I sorted petrol strimmer and stuff out ready for a session at the lotty.  Once ticket was sorted out we were off down there to get grass sorted out and pull out some shitty nettles (bloody things).

March/April 2019

March 2019
Joined a band for a bit.  Loads of walks, a few DCFC pride park games.  All good stff.

April 2019
Left a band but still sticking with ReVamp

7th April 2019
Car boot first thing, over to me mum's for her birthday in the morning.  Auditioned for a band in the afternoon.

8th April 2019
Work.  Rehearsal with a band in the evening.  Didn't go particularly well and have had some nagging concerns with this band.

9th April 2019 
Left that band still in ReVamp though.

Did all the mowing after work. All good.  Need to get a little strimmer though. 

 
10th April 2019 
At work early after walking the dog.  Env Focus Meeting in the morning, normal work in the afternoon.  Then visited a group.  Then Ripley Police HQ for a NW meeting, back home for 9.30.  Meanwhile Phil had been busy.


Wee Phil is like my dad, really good at making stuff.  When I was at primary school I had a chess set but lost the rook from it.  My Dad machined me a replacement.   Wee Phil, my lad is the same - he can make stuff and he's save me some money with a handy iPad stand made from bits of a £20 kit I bought in Christmas 2018.  Anyway, the base of a snare stand, a tom holder and a bit of plate steel and off you go.  Have not mentioned it but it should be apparent that usefulness skipped a generation for me!

February 2019

1st February 2019 - Dry January is done and over.   Went to Derby to see an ace Marillion tribute called StillMarillion at the Flowerpot.  Grand night and few sherberts partaken.  Got the bus in good time and got home.

Rest of weekend and following week was good until Saturday!!

Saturday 9th February 2019
Got bass drum sorted on the Remo kit.
Went to Coach and Horses at Fenny Bentley for food and beer happened.  Not good but hey ho.

Sunday 10th February 2019 
Lots of walking.  All good stuff.  Over to me mum and dad's for tea.  Not got no lotty done this weekend which is very, very poor.

Monday 11th February 2019
Audition with band at Langley Mill called Medicine Train - nailed it.  They are seeing other drummers later in the week but fairly confident

Friday 15th February 2019
Confirmation of getting the gig with Medicine Train

Saturday 16th February 2019 
Took big lad a big walk down Snelston then over the river and back to Mayfield

Then we went for something to eat at the Coach and Horses, Fenny Bentley with Paula and Darren which was nice.


Sunday 17th February 2019 
Took the daughter back to that Nottingham - big brekko, bit of shopping, I sit down in the big shops now - proper old man stuff - bloody love it!!

Wednesday 20th February 2019
Bought an ipad secondhand for £75 - it will do a job, might not be the latest thing but have got an app in mind for managing set lists etc.


Saturday 23rd February 2019
Rehearsal with Sam's band in Greasley - good fun it will work.

Sunday 24th February 2019
Took big lad a long walk through meadow down to Ashbourne Cemetery then along flood barrier to back of Rose and Crown then up into Mayfield and along river then back home for Brunch.

Did an hour or so down the lotty - departing stuff from Shed 7.  Found a 30 years old Big Lix set list in the shed!

Did a load of planting stuff then off to Miners Arms at Carsington for tea with mum, dad and uncle michael - all good stuff.

Monday 25th February 2019 
Up early, dog walked, papers fetched.  Car loaded up with stuff for rehearsal tonight at Langley Mill.

January 2018

Been very, very busy indeed.  Hence nothing posted much.  Went to see Holmes & Watson with Phil at the Odeon Luxe on the Metro Centre, Derby - very enjoyable and much better than the reviews.

Went to see a band called Genesis Visible Touch who do Genesis material from the Phil Collins era and they were superb.  

Bought a drum kit for under a hundred quid  - it needs a bit of work doing to it but it sounds cracking.

Got me bloody tax return sorted out. 

Taxied Lucy to and from Nottingham two or three times in January too!  All good stuff. 

Monday 10th December 2018 to Sunday 16th December 2018

Monday 10th December 2018
Up at 4 o'clock, taking Lucy back to Nottingham Uni first thing.  So got papers and dog walked early then dropped Lucy off at her digs at 6.50,  into work at  7:30am everything running on rails(ish).  Review at work, could have been better could have been worse.  Never mind.  Rehearsal after work sounding something like.  Back home a bit after 7pm.  Tea, dog walks, bed. Knackered.

Tuesday 11th December 2018
Up early doors.  Dog walkeds, papers fetched.  Into office nice and early.  All good stuff.

Wednesday 12th December 2018 
The usual, papers in for a change.  Nothing really to report.

Thursday 13th December 2018
Up early, dog walked, papers fetched.   All the usual stuff.  Rehearsal after work - lots of singers really going to be good shames it's for just three songs but hey-ho.  Went to Mark's group at Hilltop on way home as not going to group on Saturday morning after going to the Izaak Walton on Friday Night - very poor scheduling by Missus Siddall.  any road 2lbs off.

Friday 14th December 2018
Woke up late - 5:50am all a rush but even this late on the poxy papers haven't arrived.  Into work on time.  I pondered having a bacon buttie all the way to work and in the end argued myself out of it.  I am having stone award for xmas whether I like it or not!

Monday 3rd December 2018 to Sunday 9th December 2018

Monday 3rd December 2018
Woke up super early but made me self stay in bed until 5:10 so all good stuff.  Into office for just after 7am.  Big walk, delivered Village Newsletters.  Did a bit in the attic. all good.

Tuesday 4th December 2018
Up early, the usual, car scraped, dog walked, papers fetched.  Work early doors.  Out of work late again.  Such is life.    A bit in the attic, usual big walk (2miles and a bit).  Dog had three mini-evening walks.

Wednesday 5th December 2018 
Up early.  Pi$$ing it down with rain.  Dog walked in her coat.  Papers not in.  Came home got ready for work, went and fetched papers.  Into office for 7.25, going to leave early as am going Xmas Party tonight for first time in many years.   Found a drum tab for Shoot to Thrill so going to learn it to be bob on.  Works do at the Roundhouse, Derby so left at 3.30pm, on bus at 5:30, first pint in the Brunswick at 6:15!  Ace.  Going to have a bad head in the morning but heydily hodily.   Cracking entertainment and good company.  Thoroughly enjoyed it apart from the food!!

Thursday 6th December 2018
Got up about 20 minutes later than normal.  Not feeling as bad as I might have - two pints of orange squash before bed does the trick!  Papers fetched, wee dog walked and into the office for 7.30 how ace am I?  No rehearsal again tonight so that's good.


Friday 7th December 2018 
Not much to report.  Work early, left early.  Collected Lucy from her digs at Nottingham Trent and brought her home using a cunning new route that missed Derby out altogether. All good.

Saturday 8th December 2018
Bloody wind howled all night so gave up and got up at 4am.    Such is life.  Little dog got many walks! Went to group, scraped another half pound loss.  Did a bit of police volunteering as they are doing a recruitment drive on the market place.  Ashbourne Market is almost dead so very little footfall unfortunately.   Did a bit up in the drum-attic. All good stuff.   Went to bed at 7pm cause I was knackered.   Lots of flashing lights for the second time in a fortnight would find out another tragic fatality in the morning.

Sunday 9th December 2018
It turned out the  flashing lights were there because a poor girl was stuck in her car at the ford had got swept away and drowned.  Absolutely horrible.   Cast a shadow for the whole day.  I think the people in the hi-viz in the field were level with where the car was carried downstream to.   The ford is forty foot in front of the red fire service vehicle on the right of the picture. 

In afternoon I went up the attic to get Xmas lights down.   Phil borrowed an industrial ladder from a mate and we got the solar panels cleaned, the  upstairs windows cleaned and got the Xmas lights up.  Xmas pub quiz up at the Shoulder,  Osmaston.   Bed a bit late and a bit drunk.  I am stupid.

Monday 26th November 2018 to Sunday 2nd December 2018

Monday 26th November 2018
Woke up at 3:45am didn't get up until 4:30 though.  Taking Lucy back to UNI before work at 7.30 so early, early start.  Will be in bed for 9pm I reckon tonight!  Best laid plans and all that.  Got back home in good time.  Walked dog.  Did a bit up in the attic in prep for Friday's guest appearence and Sunday's rehearsal with new band. Went on the big loop walk which I've clocked and is 2.15 miles which is not bad I supposed.   Bed for 10.15.  Never mind.

Tuesday 27th November 2018
Up at 5.20, woke about 4am which seems to be the norm at present. Never mind.  The usual and at my desk for 7am.  All good stuff.  Did some drum stuff when got home - All the Young Dudes and Ziggy Stardust in the bag,  Some might say as well.  Excellent.  Bed at 10.15 again.

Wednesday 28th November 2018
Out of bed about 5.20 again. Dog walked, papers fetched, into office for 7.20 all good.  Got home tea and that.  Did a bit of practice in the attic - All the Young Dudes, Ziggy, Rock n Roll Damnation etc.   Did the two mile walk round.  Bed about 10.30 after watching a bit of Vic and Bob madness.

Thursday 29th November 2018 
Up at 5:30, into office for 7.30 after having to head back home twice, first for phone and then for wallet.  What a ruddy eejit.

Friday 30th November 2018 
Busy at work then Big Lix Reunion gig for Charity.  Which was alright but has left my ears ringing like hell.

Saturday 1st December 2018
Hell's teeth December already.  Last day of Times subscription - got sick of it ramming Remain, Remain down my neck all the time.   Dog walk with Bruno and Lil - Lily got mucked up to high heaven so showered when we got back which she didn't like - no sirreee.

Sunday 2nd December 2018 
Up early Dog walk etc.  Emptied Phil's shed to get pressure watcher which was then not needed.  Hmphfh.   Emptied Marigold's Shed to get seat covers for Phil's van.   Went to Miner's Arms at Carsington for lunch with Mum and Dad which was very nice.   Dog walk with Bruno and Lil up to Cemetery and back as it was too wet for field.

Monday 19th November 2018 to Sunday 25th 2018

Monday 19th November 2018
Bad night's sleep - work getting into my dreams again.  Such is life.  Got up at 4.30, got ready for work, took dog out, got the papers.  On the road to Nottingham for 6am all running on rails, into the office for 7.30.  Happy days.  Got home from work about 5pm.  Didn't get any drumming done due to Phil going to bed early but did get my 2 mile walk in.   Nothing on TV getting my interest at the moment.  Went bed at 9:30 - rock and roll or what!

Tuesday 20th November 2018
Running out of November at a rate of knots!  Up at 5am into work a bit earlier than normal as the Vintage Nickel Sparkle Tama is being picked up today so thought I would move it across to the car for convenience.   Work Band Practice after work -turning into some long days at the moment. Watched a terrible poor film called Corbyn Nash - ye gods it was poor!    Didn't do big walk as weather was too inclement but took the pup out again.  Bed for 9.30, leccy blanket one hundred percent on!

Wednesday 21st November 2018 
Woke up at 4am couldn't get back to sleep proper so in office for 7am.  Such is life.  Busy but less stressful day at work back home for just gone 5pm.  Parish Council meeting at 7.30, didn't finish until 10pm!   Crikey.  Back home dog walk and off to bed.

Thursday 22nd November 2018 
Up before 5am.  Dog walked and papers fetched by 6am and into the office at 6.50am.  Madness.  Back home.  Tea, big loop walk.  Couple of episodes of tat on TV (Instinct).  Bed

Friday 23rd November 2018
Up at 5.15.  Dog walk. papers not in, got to office for 7.10am Everything on rails. Lucy home from Uni so we watched Three Billboards again - superb film that was robbed at the Oscars by the Fishman film.  Also had a good walk round and took down the lamppost poppies which needed doing.  In bed for 9.30!!

Saturday 24th November 2018
Up at 7am!  Plenty of sleep caught up on.  Dog walk, papers  fetched.  Went to group 3.5lbs off. Good. Big walk with Lily and Bruno and the missus. All good.  Did an hour or so down on the lotty.

Sunday 25th November 2018 
Up early. Dog walked.  Watched Have I Got News.   Got more garden furniture into the greenhouse so that's good. Went Uttox with bosskat and didn't really buy much.  Big walk with Lily and Bruno and bosskat again.  Did a bit up in the attic preping for gig next Friday with Big Lix.   Went up to pub for two pints of Old Peculier - what a beer that is!!   And so to bed - taking Lucy back to Uni first thing in morning.