In the never ending pursuit of finding poor shops in Cambridge, yesterday brought up a new candidate Marks and Spencer. Of course I was already frustrated as I had already been into another store, only to be able to browse (as English law dictates that shops can only sell goods for 6hrs maximum, shops often open early - but can't sell you anything !).So, here's the carnage...Having to pay a deposit for a shopping trolleyI remember this...
A rather busy week this week. Too many late nights (involving nightclubs and alcohol)- I've vowed to be good for another year..OxfordTuesday I ended up in Oxford for a meeting for work. I'm not a great one for socialising at work (as I usually am too busy, rather then just being plain ignorant). However, I had already finished my slides on the train down and I arrived a little late so ended up meeting up with the group for dinner.Of course, a couple of glasses of wine later and I ended up being dragged (well not really !) out...
This blog comes from a winebar in Newcastle. Now of course many people would think of bars in Newcastle as being full of 50 year old men, drinking Newcastle Brown Ale and smoking like a chimney. Well actually there are some fairly nice bars here. Although I did find it funny that I actually had to ask a policeman where a decent one was. It's strange but in the city centre there are actually proper banks (as opposed to banks that are now bars like most of the UK).I did laugh as I stepped off the train earlier. Within about 10...
.. on the the booked train to Newcastle. Of course I hadn't figured that my morning would be plagued with mishaps (some good and some bad). Day wasn't off to a good start when I realised I didn't have any cash to pay for the taxi to the train station. However, that problem was solved when I called to book the cab and they indicated I could pay the driver. I called at 8:11 and the office told be it would be about 10-15mins (the usual time).Decided...
Today has been a hectic day. Firstly, dealing with the new house (picking out flooring, kitchens, etc.) then estate agents, solicitors, etc. Then lots of ongoing work and yet another long day.Thankfully a short week with travel to various parts of the UK (Oxford, then Newcastl...
I've always been a fan of these cakes- not by any means fantastic quality- but there is something about the taste of them. Actually, when I was a child my parents would always buy me a box for Xmas. I have fond(ant) memories of waking up at 6AM, opening each present until I got to the box that was obviously French Fancies. Each year, after finishing present opening, I'd sit and scoff at least half the box (actually more like a box) and...
Ode to Train BluesTo the guy attempting to run a coffee bar at Cambridge Station... When the price of something is £1.90, why would you charge someone £2.00 for it ? Then make some stupid remark when questioned about it ?To the 7 Dutch (Belgian ?) people on the 8:45 express train from Cambridge to Kings Cross (first destination carriage)... I'd like to personally thank you for making my journey as unpleasant as possible by holding a conversation...
You may recall the last posting on broken machines here. Well, one week later (okay 6 days and 21 hours) this is an up to date picture of said machine...I really would like to think it hasn't been broken for the whole week. Then again, it is Easter School holidays and it wouldn't at all surprise me if the (likely) single person who can fix the machine in the whole South East of England is on holiday in Spain with his kids ! (he of course...
Dinner at Vietnamese restaurant in Cambridge. I like the food in this place, although the noodles/soup isn't quite as appealing since I started to make it at home myself (of course my own home recipe has the magic ingredient of blood from cut fingers trying to chop beef into fine slices). The only trouble is that the atmosphere is absolutely awful. I can't quite put my finger (excuse pun) on it. The best description I can come up with is that during your visit as you eat you feel you are a British tourist (from some lousy village...
Every morning on my way to work I pass this scene. I've tried to capture it with the iPhone - but the quality isn't that good. Anyways, this pic is courtesy of my pocket Leica - this won't win any photography competitions, but if you click on the pic you can see the large number of rabbits if you look close enough.Actually, I tried to take some pictures earlier enroute in the grounds of the local hospital. However, I decided that might...
Continuing with the theme of Easter weekend being the worst holiday weekend, today was as uneventful as the whole of the weekend thus far. This post comes courtesy of MarsEdit (finally managed to sort out an offline blog tool).I just created my to-do / project list and as usual there is far too much to get done in the following week and things to chase so I'm expecting it to be a hellish week full of late nights.Broadband BluesArrived back home at noon to be met by the guy who arrived to 'fix' (term used loosely) my broadband....
The world has officially decided to go crazy. I recall speaking to someone who I had studied with a few years ago who told me that the last time she was up in Glasgow they had security tags on bottles of whisky. When she told me the area of Glasgow, I wasn't too surprised. Also given the high value of bottles of Scotch, coupled by the fact that I'd be willing to bet that your average common thief likes a tipple, it didn't surprise me.However,...
Heading home from London today I saw this - it makes carrying a decent camera (rather than the iPhone) around with me all the time worth it. British service at its best ! Great idea to have a customer service telephone on the platform (in lieu of trolleys). However, it does help if you actually connect the cabling up !I was considering missing my train and heading over to the bookmakers on Pentonville Road and betting £1000 on the 'phone...
A quick post from London from a crowded Starbucks in Knightsbridge.London is so busy today - the busiest I've seen it for years. I guess I'm not used to being here on a Bank Holiday weekend. It's crazy. Of course the usual protestors (fur trade etc.) are out in full force. I do find in the shops the staff are very eager to sell you things (for a change). Been looking at furniture and people are offering me a discount before I even ask (changed day...
Cambridge Station Car ParkLondon abound today. Of course the usual stress that involves parking at Cambridge Station Car Park (or is that Taxi Rank, Cycle Shop, or anything else random they decide to put into it). I'm actually surprised they don't have some horrid car boot sale/market at weekends there (since people seem to like that thing). As usual the Mensa genius level test that involves purchasing a ticket for parking failed two thirds...
Today I had to visit one of the company offices in the UK (Maidenhead). Thankfully with the improved transport system in the UK nowadays it is possible to get there at a reasonable time via public transport (albeit via 4 journeys). Anyways, door-door in just over 2 hours - with the added benefit of being able to catch up on e-mail during the journey.During the wait for the train at Cambridge station, it occurred to me just how soul destroying a daily commute would be (even though I did it in the past for school and also University)....
I've never been a fan of smoking (save from when I'm very drunk where for some reason cigarettes and Gin & Tonic - two things I hate - seem to be a good idea to try). Therefore I am highly supportive of the ban on smoking in public places. Actually, being very against a devolved Scotland I am highly sceptical of anything the Scottish Executive does. However I give them full credit for what is easily the health initiative of this century - banning smoking in public places. It really boils down to consideration for other people...
Craig (not) the Estate AgentSo, 10 sets of people to view the house this weekend. Strangest mix of people (well it is Cambridge) - religion, academics, medics. Living near Addenbrookes Hospital (one of the largest in the UK) has its benefits in terms of pulling in a certain mix of people- namely young doctors (I got bored with discussions of oral medicine).I have decided that an estate agent is not my future profession (for one thing I am too honest). However, it's interesting how as you show people around (and hear their comments)...
House SellingNot content with the status quo, the house is on the market again. The result - me being in a stinking mood at the thought of estate agents, people viewing the house, and having to be tidy.House went on the market Monday, had 4 viewings tonight. 2 sets of people turned up early (irritating). Thankfully nobody said anything bad about the place - well at least not in English. Two sets of people spoke another language other than English - so likely they were saying something like "these Scottish people, they live in...
