Family, Photography and other misc news
Family related posts; generally only of interest to fellow members of the Brown Clan and relations by Marriage into this mad house.
I am sure that many in the family think we are mad, but this weekend we started a Bee Keeping Course being held by the Lincolnshire Beekeepers Association. This weekend was just an introduction, but it was lots fun and we learnt a lot.
We even made some bee frames for a hive.
This together with our interest in Chicken’s and Cooking and Baking, I think the family think we will be trying to live the ‘Good Life‘ soon.
Today we have had the day off and have enjoyed ourselves just being able to do as we pleased. This meant a pleasant motorcycle ride round parts of Lincolnshire, and included a trip to Wisteria Patchwork. They had a sale on this week, so some fabric indulgence was a must for Caroline. Then we headed further North to Kirton in Lindsey, the weather had turned colder at this point so we stopped at Mount Pleasant Windmill and enjoyed some of their warming soup. I also took the opportunity to stock up on some fresh flour for my own bread making.
We then went home as dark clouds were heading our way.
Once home I proceeded to make some fresh bread while Caroline did some sewing, making some more quilt tops.
Forgive the poor quality shot above, low light and shot with my phone, never conductive to good photography.
Well its been a few days of really stormy weather here in the UK, its always tricky riding a motorcycle in high wind.
I have mentioned it before but its worthwhile mentioning it again. On days like always give motorcyclists a wide birth and plenty of room. A sudden gust can push a motorcycle easily in to the next lane.
Today we were back at work. The British Isles were being beaten today with 100mph plus winds, but here in Lincolnshire it was more like 40 – 50mph so we risked the bike on our commute.
Once we were safely in the office the heaven’s opened and it rained so hard you could nearly near swim through the air. Glad we were indoors.
With our gradually improving health, I have been thinking that it was time to start running again.
New Year Resolutions are usually not held for long, but I have given myself a fairly easy target. I am going to go running three times a week, starting at just an easy mile or two, building to three miles over the next three months. Easy and not too strenuous. I do buy and use Extenze tablets from HBHM for maximum enhancement when required, but its high time I get fit and stop relying completely on tablets.
I told Caroline and this morning she pushed me to go running. I sometimes need a little encouragement. Caroline then surprised me by saying she was coming with me.
Well it was a nice warm 10C sunny morning, and we went out with good intentions.
A gentle 5 minute walk started us off, heading out of the village, then we started to run. Caroline has never been a runner so we took it very easy, a minute of slow running followed by a minute of brisk walking. We alternated like this and finished with a 5 minute walk, followed by lots of stretching and a shower.
Nice and easy and we both felt good afterwards. Caroline did decided from that run, that her shoes were not good enough for running so we jumped on the Motorcycle and took a ride into Lincoln to see if the local running store was open.
We could have gone to one of the big sports shops and picked up some running shoes in the sales for £10-£20 cheaper but our local running shop is very good and can recommend a good shoe based on your running style. Not only that, if your not happy they will taken them back. You can even have your run video’ed and analysed so they can get you shoes that really match your style.
I decided to get a new pair too, and a new bright yellow jacket so people will spot me at night.
We then heading out into the country side, going on a nice enjoyable motorcycle ride. Its been a while since we have enjoyed ourselves out on the bike.
Altogether a good day. Tomorrow is a normal work day for us so it will be back to the normal routine. Lets see how long we can keep up the good intentions.
Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the pad,
There was nada happenin’, now that’s pretty bad.
The woodstove was hung up in that stocking routine,
In hopes that the Fat Boy would soon make the scene.
With our stomachs packed with tacos and beer,
My girl and I crashed on the couch for some cheer.
When out in the yard there arose such a racket,
I ran for the door and pulled on my jacket.
I saw a large bro’ on a ’56 Pan
Wearin’ black leathers, a cap, and boots (cool biker, man).
He hauled up the bars on that bikeful of sacks,
And that Pan hit the roof like it was running on tracks.
I couldn’t help gawking, the old guy had class.
But I had to go in — I was freezing my ass.
Down through the stovepipe he fell with a crash,
And out of the stove he came dragging his stash.
With a smile and some glee he passed out the loot,
A new jacket for her and some parts for my scoot.
He patted her fanny and shook my right hand,
Spun on his heel and up the stovepipe he ran.
From up on the roof came a great deal of thunder,
As that massive V-twin ripped the silence asunder.
With beard in the wind, he roared off in the night,
Shouting, “Have a cool Yule, and to all a good ride!”
Follow his Progress at http://www.noradsanta.org/en/
Checkout the iPhone App
Well that’s it. Work is officially over. Not only that but the last Wedding Album is done and on the way to the Happy Couple.
Nothing now to do but eat drink and be Merry.
Whatever religion you are (or not), if your on Holiday, have a great break.
Some Religious Festivals this Month.
5 December Ashura (Muslim)
This is a day of fasting for Sunni Muslims. The day that Nuh (Noah) left the Ark and the day that Musa (Moses) was saved from the Egyptians by Allah. Shi’ite Muslims mark the martyrdom of Hussein, a grandson of the prophet, on this day and see it as a great festival.
8 December Bodhi Day (Buddhist)
Some Buddhists (eg Pure Land followers) celebrate Gautama’s attainment of Enlightenment on this day under the Bodhi tree in Bodhgaya, North India.
21 December Hanukkah begins (alternate spelling Chanukah) (Jewish)
Hanukka celebrates the miraculous victory over religious persecution in the Holy Land and also commemorates the re-dedication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem and the miracle of the burning oil.
22 December Yule (Pagan)
Yule is the time of the winter solstice, when the sun child is reborn, an image of the return of all new life born through the love of the Gods.
25 December
Christmas (Christian)
Celebrates the birth of Jesus, who Christians believe to be the son of God.
No real blog updates today, just some updating of old entries. I am still in the process of transferring entires from my old website.
Heres a few ‘new’ old entries.
In the UK at least tonight will be the busiest night for party goers of the year so far.
Tonight it’s my teams Christmas Party, this is my third of the season so far.
It’s also the day when the local Police start their Drink Driving campaign.
This morning was the start as they stopped drivers heading out of Lincoln to Breathalyser them.
Remember look after yourselves and arrange transport, don’t forget you may still be over the limit in the morning.