Skywatch Friday (46)

Late afternoon in London's Docklands

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Ecobuild 2011

Ecobuild is the construction industry's annual exposition featuring all things ecological and environmental. Unfortunately today was the last day, so you've missed this year's event... but there is always next year.

It's a good chance to see the latest developments in materials and products, take in some free lectures or seminars and generally exhaust yourself walking several miles round the exhibition halls.

This year it moved from its old home at Earls Court to London's Excel Centre. I thought maybe it would be easier to navigate with less chance of me getting lost. Not the case... I still walked in circles a few times and must have covered several miles.

As usual there were a lot of stands which didn't visually make much impression and there were a few which stood out.

On my way out I was rather taken with the larger than life statues of the dockworkers with the redundant cranes on the dock in the background.

Deadline Day

The last week or so I've been working to a deadline. Today. This means that everyday has been devoted to the same job - and the work has been extremely focussed. I feel like I've run a marathon at the end of every day - with a finishing line and a man with a stopwatch!

Occasional Tourist

New post - From Farringdon to Kings Cross

I don't like Mondays

Still in Bristol

Sunday, I was still in Bristol for the Christening. Gorgeous church with a lovely lady vicar who was very accommodating to the small horde of small children enjoying the proceedings. The gargoyle in the church was a bit scary though!

Journey back up the M4 wasn't quite as nice as the journey down - mostly because it rained quite a lot. Finally got home in the early evening.

Trip to Bristol

Despite listening to my SatNav and driving through London I made pretty good time down to Bristol. This creepy chap was one of a flock of ravens who shared my lunch with me. Said the raven, nevermore. The good thing was, once I left London behind the weather improved and it was quite a nice journey down. I had a little detour when the SatNav fell off the dashboard 20 miles before I had to leave the motorway and I had to stop stick it back on.

I saw this pretty little pub, which was on a road which took me ironically back to the same junction I'd left from (even though I thought I was heading south).


I stayed in a very nice Holiday Inn (after almost stopping at the wrong Holiday Inn very close by). I was most fascinated by the double hinged door on the bathroom which could bend all the way back and separate the toilet from the rest of the bathroom.

Skywatch Friday (45)

Sunset

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Strange places kittens sit (254)

Casper on top of the fish tank (not allowed due to kitten weight
transferring down and weakening the glass)

Tinker on top of the cooker (not allowed as my nearly-mother-in law
stores stuff up there to be out of kitten reach!)

Kittens at play

Regular readers will know that my kittens are infinitely resourceful. Here they have knocked a rug off the radiator over one of their play tunnels to make a den.

Philosophy (4)

After yesterday's post which was not very positive and my ongoing struggle with various MS symptoms this thought seemed appropriate.

Things at work aren't getting any easier. They haven't replaced the guy who left at the beginning of the year (and doesn't look like they're going to any time soon).

Staff numbers have been dropping ever since the recession began to batter the Construction Industry in late 2008. Workload doesn't decrease somehow - and everyone works long hours (or in my case takes work home).

With pay cut about a year ago and no raises or bonuses since 2008 morale is at an all time low.

Double dip recession? I never noticed it go away. You just have to take advice from a drinks coaster - just carry on.

Out and about in Woolwich

I don't much go to Woolwich. If I want the shops I usually go to Greenwich Shopping Park by Asdas. I was surprised to see the building site that used to be General Gordon Square. Let's face it - General Gordon Square always had an air of neglect hanging over it, so mostly improvement could only be for the better. 


The removal of the one way bus route round the Square though hasn't really helped anyone (except possibly the town planners) as the stops are now further away from where they are useful.

I was only in Woolwich for my contact lenses follow up - glad to hear that 1) my prescription hasn't changed and 2) my eyes are physically healthy. Whilst I was there I decided to see how my lungs are doing - in my foolish youth I used to smoke. I was delighted to find when I blew into the little tube my output was 105% (the average is apparently 80%) and my lungs are six years younger than me! I'm not sure how accurate this is, though, as a trained singer I know how to control my breath!

Idle paws

Some time ago our kitchen drawer broke (just a little) then the kittens (well Tinker) discovered that he could jump into the broken drawer.  This broke the drawer even more and he had a route to either sit in the not quite so broken drawer, or into the kitchen cupboard where he could help himself to packets of people food and things that go 'rustle' (very popular with our cats).

Then his partner in crime (yes, I suspect Casper on this one) has now  worked out how to open the bread-bin. Whilst I was out (for fifteen minutes!) this bread massacre took place in the kitchen.

A temporary solution of butterfly clips has been put in place to 'lock' the bread-bin. The worst thing is - whilst the croissants were popular they didn't even like the waffles.

Skywatch Friday (44)

One of the days it didn't rain this week

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Artistic fish

It is an established fact that my goldfish are quite clever. They've been at it again. They've carefully picked up pieces of the new gravel (which comes in two colours; pink or green) and arranged it on their castle. Clever and artistic!

Another kitten moment

My kittens are gorgeous but they can be little devils!

Cold snap

Particularly cold today. Time to revert to slippers in the office. Yes, it does amuse my colleagues to see me shuffle around in my pink fluffy slippers... but better that than freezing feet! As you can see I keep a pair of shoes handy too!

Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day. Time to express your love for your nearest and dearest (though you do it every day) - cards, chocolates and other gifts.

Being a Monday there is no romantic night out for us, just take-away in front of the TV and work tomorrow.

Kitten thoughts

If you could read Tinker's thoughts!