Just before lunch today my boss came into the office and dropped a couple of power cables into my lap. "That's the first installment" he said.
It turned out I was due for a slight computer upgrade, or rather my computer was due for a new monitor. It seems one 24-inch monitor isn't enough for the CAD work I'm doing so I've now got two of them! At 1920x1200 resolution, between two monitors I now have 4,608,000 pixels on my desktop!
More pixels than I know what to do with in fact.
Wednesday 28 January 2009
Tuesday 20 January 2009
Cycling home... by night!
Yes that's right. At this time of year my cycle ride home is in the dark.
This wouldn't be so bad if it wasn't for the fact that country bridleways have no streetlights. In order to see where I'm going I use a powerful LED front light; one that works very well if it has charged batteries in it, as I found out last night. Today's ride home, with new batteries, was slightly less suicidal. Granted there was still the unexpected sensation of cycling sideways over mud, but at least I could see the track ahead in clear detail.
Temperatures have been down near the freezing point for the last couple of days, but that's not been a problem thanks to the decent set of cycling kit I've invested in over the last few years, complete with gloves.
The best thing about the route I now cycle to work is that the last couple of miles are on roads, which is not only faster and with fewer pedestrians and dogs to dodge, but it also does a nice job of removing the mud from my tyres by the time I'm home so I can tuck Gertie away for the night in a corner of my flat without making a mess.
Now to go and change out of these ridiculous cycling clothes. You can't see them so you'll have to use your imagination.
This wouldn't be so bad if it wasn't for the fact that country bridleways have no streetlights. In order to see where I'm going I use a powerful LED front light; one that works very well if it has charged batteries in it, as I found out last night. Today's ride home, with new batteries, was slightly less suicidal. Granted there was still the unexpected sensation of cycling sideways over mud, but at least I could see the track ahead in clear detail.
Temperatures have been down near the freezing point for the last couple of days, but that's not been a problem thanks to the decent set of cycling kit I've invested in over the last few years, complete with gloves.
The best thing about the route I now cycle to work is that the last couple of miles are on roads, which is not only faster and with fewer pedestrians and dogs to dodge, but it also does a nice job of removing the mud from my tyres by the time I'm home so I can tuck Gertie away for the night in a corner of my flat without making a mess.
Now to go and change out of these ridiculous cycling clothes. You can't see them so you'll have to use your imagination.
Monday 19 January 2009
Cycling to work
I'm feeling quite good today because for the first time in ages I have cycled in to work!
My ride to work is for the most part very pleasant because it's off road along bridleways and through the countryside. Today was a bit on the damp side, although not actually raining, but the run in to work was easy and comfortable. Gertie, my mountain bike with which I have an ongoing love-hate relationship, handles the ride nicely.
I've found it's so easy to lapse back into the routine of using the car to get to work, especially when it's cold, but that way madness lies. It's more expensive, more stressful, and I feel as though I'm much more likely to have an accident if I drive, especially since there are so many people who can't keep to their side of the bladdy road on these narrow country lanes!! Did I mention stress?
There's also the health argument, and of course I've been unaware of just how unfit I have become as a result of leaving the bike at home for the last couple of months.
So, here's to lots more cycling in the months to come.
My ride to work is for the most part very pleasant because it's off road along bridleways and through the countryside. Today was a bit on the damp side, although not actually raining, but the run in to work was easy and comfortable. Gertie, my mountain bike with which I have an ongoing love-hate relationship, handles the ride nicely.
I've found it's so easy to lapse back into the routine of using the car to get to work, especially when it's cold, but that way madness lies. It's more expensive, more stressful, and I feel as though I'm much more likely to have an accident if I drive, especially since there are so many people who can't keep to their side of the bladdy road on these narrow country lanes!! Did I mention stress?
There's also the health argument, and of course I've been unaware of just how unfit I have become as a result of leaving the bike at home for the last couple of months.
So, here's to lots more cycling in the months to come.
Thursday 15 January 2009
Commute from hell
Well today's drive to work was what I would describe as the rural commute from hell.
Leaving home in time to be at work by 9am I set off along the nice collection of country back lanes that I use to get to work, and which usually provide me with sanctuary from the joys of modern motoring, by which I mean congestion of course.
My first problem was an enormous dustbin lorry in East Hagbourne, a village with a main thoroughfare that is approximately 1.1 bin lorries wide. Mr lorry had a queue of cars behind him as he trundled down this road at a slower than walking pace, and I had to pull over for several minutes into someone's driveway in order for him and his indignant escort to pass before I could proceed on my way.
No sooner was I free again before I had a tractor pull out onto the road in front of me, leaving me to fall in behind. Now, I have a theory that tractor drivers get nectar points for each mile they do on busy roads; double for A-roads. Perhaps that's just me though. In any case, this guy was probably going for an Argos wristwatch or something because he blocked the road for several miles and no sane individual would dare try to overtake with all the blind bends.
Then finally, the best part, was the temporary lights that had been set up in West Hagbourne for single file traffic down a stretch of road where the footpath was being repaired. The type that have no sensors, and so merely allow the passage of traffic, or lack thereof, in one direction at a time for about half an hour or so before switching.
So the journey took about twice as long as the usual 15 minutes and I was a little bit late for work. I wasn't too bothered because I refuse to let motoring frustrate me these days whatever happens. I also had a CD of The Harbour Lights to listen to.
Perhaps these are all omens that I should be making the effort to cycle to work again. Actually I don't believe in such things, but I do miss riding my bike in the mornings.
I shall make the effort! Just not tomorrow because I'm taking Rosie to see Mamma Mia in London in the evening so I need to be home from work early.
Leaving home in time to be at work by 9am I set off along the nice collection of country back lanes that I use to get to work, and which usually provide me with sanctuary from the joys of modern motoring, by which I mean congestion of course.
My first problem was an enormous dustbin lorry in East Hagbourne, a village with a main thoroughfare that is approximately 1.1 bin lorries wide. Mr lorry had a queue of cars behind him as he trundled down this road at a slower than walking pace, and I had to pull over for several minutes into someone's driveway in order for him and his indignant escort to pass before I could proceed on my way.
No sooner was I free again before I had a tractor pull out onto the road in front of me, leaving me to fall in behind. Now, I have a theory that tractor drivers get nectar points for each mile they do on busy roads; double for A-roads. Perhaps that's just me though. In any case, this guy was probably going for an Argos wristwatch or something because he blocked the road for several miles and no sane individual would dare try to overtake with all the blind bends.
Then finally, the best part, was the temporary lights that had been set up in West Hagbourne for single file traffic down a stretch of road where the footpath was being repaired. The type that have no sensors, and so merely allow the passage of traffic, or lack thereof, in one direction at a time for about half an hour or so before switching.
So the journey took about twice as long as the usual 15 minutes and I was a little bit late for work. I wasn't too bothered because I refuse to let motoring frustrate me these days whatever happens. I also had a CD of The Harbour Lights to listen to.
Perhaps these are all omens that I should be making the effort to cycle to work again. Actually I don't believe in such things, but I do miss riding my bike in the mornings.
I shall make the effort! Just not tomorrow because I'm taking Rosie to see Mamma Mia in London in the evening so I need to be home from work early.
Tuesday 6 January 2009
Great News!
Well today brings an excellent bit of news.
Rosie has just told me that she has been posted to Oxford for her F1 training. This means that we will be able to move in together this summer.
Woohoo!
Rosie has just told me that she has been posted to Oxford for her F1 training. This means that we will be able to move in together this summer.
Woohoo!
A Happy New Year
Well here's wishing everybody a happy new year!
As seems to be becoming tradition Rosie and I spent the new year at a gliding club on a hill in Shropshire called the Long Mynd. This time was special though because, in a break with every time we've done this in the past, I didn't become horribly ill at any point by catching the dreaded man flu.
The weather was also very gentle with us, and we experienced what I would describe as the most spectacular weather phenomenon I have ever seen. There was practically no wind at all and everywhere was covered by a standing mist except the hilltops and this made for some absolutely stunning views.
(View of the mist filling the valley from the club house)
Of course as the Midland Gliding Club is on the top of the Long Mynd we were able to do some winch launching on new years eve and get some absolutely stunning views flying above the clouds, which of course is quite a rare experience in gliders anyway, but this time was spectacular.
(Rosie flying in the front seat of the K-21)
Rosie and I haven't been flying much recently but thankfully Dave, a friend of ours and a qualified instructor, was happy to sit in the back seat for each of us so we could go up, take in the view, and try to remember what all the dials and levers do.
(Possibly the most amazing view I've ever had from a glider!)
The scene from 1,000ft above the airfield was absolutely breathtaking and I could have stayed up there all evening. As it was we only had 5 minutes or so before Sir Issac Newton and his stupid laws demanded that we returned to the airfield.
(Preparing to land on the Long Mynd)
I was also pleasantly surprise that each time I go back to flying after a few months I seem to feel less out of practice, and I was very satisfied with my landing. Long Mynd is an interesting airfield to land on because, as someone once put it "If you had to pick a field for a forced landing, it's not the one you'd choose!". There's a video of my landing somewhere, which I will get around to uploading sometime soon.
(The sun setting on the last day of 2008)
So yes, some fun flying, but also a visit to the RAF museum at Cosford, a trip into Shrewsbury and lots of socialising with friends in the club bar. Quite an enjoyable little holiday!
Here's wishing everyone a happy new year and all the best for 2009!
As seems to be becoming tradition Rosie and I spent the new year at a gliding club on a hill in Shropshire called the Long Mynd. This time was special though because, in a break with every time we've done this in the past, I didn't become horribly ill at any point by catching the dreaded man flu.
The weather was also very gentle with us, and we experienced what I would describe as the most spectacular weather phenomenon I have ever seen. There was practically no wind at all and everywhere was covered by a standing mist except the hilltops and this made for some absolutely stunning views.
Of course as the Midland Gliding Club is on the top of the Long Mynd we were able to do some winch launching on new years eve and get some absolutely stunning views flying above the clouds, which of course is quite a rare experience in gliders anyway, but this time was spectacular.
Rosie and I haven't been flying much recently but thankfully Dave, a friend of ours and a qualified instructor, was happy to sit in the back seat for each of us so we could go up, take in the view, and try to remember what all the dials and levers do.
The scene from 1,000ft above the airfield was absolutely breathtaking and I could have stayed up there all evening. As it was we only had 5 minutes or so before Sir Issac Newton and his stupid laws demanded that we returned to the airfield.
I was also pleasantly surprise that each time I go back to flying after a few months I seem to feel less out of practice, and I was very satisfied with my landing. Long Mynd is an interesting airfield to land on because, as someone once put it "If you had to pick a field for a forced landing, it's not the one you'd choose!". There's a video of my landing somewhere, which I will get around to uploading sometime soon.
So yes, some fun flying, but also a visit to the RAF museum at Cosford, a trip into Shrewsbury and lots of socialising with friends in the club bar. Quite an enjoyable little holiday!
Here's wishing everyone a happy new year and all the best for 2009!
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