Tuesday 3rd February 2009
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Footpath To 'The Mound'...
Footpath To 'The Mound', Ancient Monument, Morley, Derbyshire
Originally uploaded by Geraldine Curtis
IN BRIEF
01.02.09
Nice day spent with my parents. Lucy helped with the cooking. I made sure my pianola was still in working order and Graham caught up with the latest gadgets my dad was in the process of making.
We set off home after Sunday lunch. It was so cold that we soon caught up with snow flurries. Around Birmingham we swapped over as Graham was finding it increasingly difficult to keep his eyes open.
Once safely home, the snow began falling - it was good to be back at base.
02.02.09
Surprisingly little snow fell over night and while much of the rest of the UK was at a stand still, here there was no reason not to go to work.
Unfortunately, because of the snow we were missing quite a few learners at Jewellery Class. Those who were there enjoyed using the ring mandrels my dad had made for me out of wood and produced some superb rings.
03.02.09
More snow over night. The sun was out by the time I got up, so I spent a very happy (and cold) hour taking some photos first thing.
The postman delivered my new camera (Canon IXUS 980) and later, just before I left a grumpy DHL man delivered the new shiny 24 inch all singing all dancing iMac. (Dare I say the fault has now cured itself...)
The car park at Alfreton was extremely snowy and icy when I arrived at just gone 12. It was no surprise then that only 4 students made it to class to take part Tea Bag Folding. Funnily enough though, the snow had all turned to harmless slush by the time I left two hours later.
04.02.09
Still lots of snow around, but luckily no new falls as today was a full day. Graham worked from home, so that he could keep an eye on the copying over of all the data from the old to the new computer. (Thanks Graham)
I left at 11.30am, just as the chaps arrived to fit a new front door and panel, and headed down to Maston's Brewery in Burton to spend a happy hour making earrings with some of the employees during their lunch hour.
05.02.09
More snow today, so an evening out looked in jeopardy until later. Lots to catch up with, Graham still at home keeping an eye on some teething troubles with the new computer. I decided to nip down and have my hair cut before we went out. First, they were really busy - when I'd assumed that everyone would have stayed at home today and secondly my usual hairdresser was no where to be seen - always a sign to fill me with panic. Writing about it now, I know my hair is beginning to return to its longer length, but as I sat there, I could see that the length she started at one side was getting shorter and shorter as she made it to the other side. May have to look for a new hair dress next time (definately...!)
Off early to Leicester to make sure we arrived in time, we collected Lucy and walked very gingerly to Nandos down the road for tea. Then we collected the car from outside Lucy's flat and drove the remaining mile and a half to The DeMontfort Hall. (the pavements were inches deep in snow) The short journey from the car park to the theatre proved impossible for me in the shoes I had chosen to wear. While I collapsed in fits of giggles trying to keep upright, Graham and Lucy attempted to steer me in the general direction of the main door. Unfortunately, the trip from the car park proved to be more entertaining than the act we had paid £32 each to see. Michel Le Grand chose to play (and sing) some of his lesser well known melodies and the wait to see Alison Moyet seemed interminable. To have listened to the deep rich full tones of Alison for the whole two hours would have made a memorable evening, but as it was the few songs that she was allowed to sing left us all wanting more...
Trip to Salisbury...
Saturday 31st January 2009
Left by 9.30am and made good time, stopping off for a cup of coffee with Graham's mum in East Grafton. Another 30 minutes on and we were at last with Robert. One of his house mates was outside hoovering out her car which was full of glass after some idiot had tried to steal it by smashing the passenger window a few days earlier.
After seeing his room we left on foot to walk into the centre of Salisbury some 10 minutes away. Robert chose us a quiet restaurant where we had a leisurely meal spent catching up with all his and our news. Next we had a trip round the shops which included a bead shop and the local market. Robert and Graham found an old fashioned tool shop where Graham brought me something I have been wanting for ages - a ring mandrel (on my list of best presents)
Left by 9.30am and made good time, stopping off for a cup of coffee with Graham's mum in East Grafton. Another 30 minutes on and we were at last with Robert. One of his house mates was outside hoovering out her car which was full of glass after some idiot had tried to steal it by smashing the passenger window a few days earlier.
After seeing his room we left on foot to walk into the centre of Salisbury some 10 minutes away. Robert chose us a quiet restaurant where we had a leisurely meal spent catching up with all his and our news. Next we had a trip round the shops which included a bead shop and the local market. Robert and Graham found an old fashioned tool shop where Graham brought me something I have been wanting for ages - a ring mandrel (on my list of best presents)
Unusual Water Feature...
From there it was a short distance to the Cathedral which is in the middle of a large amount of restoration. The weather, although still was extremely cold and dull. Inside, happily, there were interesting things to photograph. They have a new font which is also a water feature. Although modern it is very beautiful and fits in perfectly with the ethereal atmosphere - perhaps because of the spectacular reflection that it captures.
So Near And Yet So Far...
We were just about to visit the room where the Magna Carter is kept when the doors shut (the room is closed at 4.30pm) - if only we'd know . With our viewing of the cathedral at an end, we retraced our steps via Waitrose, back to Robert's house and had tea and cakes. All too soon it was time to begin our journey back to my parents around 6.30pm.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
IN BRIEF
26.01.09
Second phone call to Matlock (first on 5.01.09) to ask why I haven't been paid. Long rigmarole of why my claim had been closed down. I now have to wait for them to reinstate me and give me a new payroll number. At the time I was hopeful this could be sorted without too many more 'tears', but nearly a month on and no further forward.
Jewellery Class in the afternoon went really well - we made a pendant using wire and beads. Back home to website duties.
27.01.09
Long chat in the morning to Chris about new initiatives for the website. Told of approach from someone in Gloucestershire with an idea of how to 'take' knitting into schools. Sounds good...
Card Class at Alfreton, tried the technique of masking in rubber stamping, but on the whole they didn't 'get it' which was disappointing.
Phoned Alpine Windows to get a quote for a new front door, they will send someone tomorrow morning.
28.01.09
Chap from Alpine Windows came and gave me a quote - the price was agreed and deposit handed over. I've seen this chap every January for the past three years, so it's like seeing an old mate. He's a motorbike enthusiastic (something I remember, but he doesn't) and so we have the same conversation about his bike and all Graham's bikes. He now has a Triumph - used to have an Aprilia. His wife also rides a motorbike - which is surprising as she works as a risk assessor...
29.01.09
Surveyor for the door was meant to come around 9.00am, but turned up at 10.00am (he did ring to say he was running late). Again, he was very chatty and told me all about his poorly tooth (I'll spare you the details).
He eventually left at 11.00am and I was free to first collect Graham's pills from the doctors and then drive part way into Nottingham, pick up the tram and meet Lucy for shopping etc.
Catching the tram was brilliant - free parking and then for £2.70 return you get a 'smooth' ride into the centre. We had lunch at BHS - which seemed slightly odd, but I loved my turkey carvery with all the trimming for only £6.00. Lucy had a huge portion of fish and chips £4.50. Then we walked through the Broadmarsh Centre to the entrance of Nottingham Caves.
I remember visiting the caves with Graham when we first moved up to Derby. We went on the motorbike and the caves were only open on the third Sunday of the month for a couple of hours. I don't think they've changed much (?!), but they are interesting if a little lacking in the area you can visit.
After that, it was off to the Bead Shop to buy supplies for my workshop next week and then back on the tram and home. It would have been so easy, but some 'idiot' (who gesticulated that he was unable to hear or speak) decided he wasn't going to pay his fare, so the tram was stopped and he was encouraged to leave. 5 minutes passed and then 10 and then the police arrived and we all gave a huge sigh of relief that we could now continue our journey. Except by this time having been overtaken by a number of trams, we had now lost our place in the sequence of things and the tram was taken out of service and we had to get off and wait for the next overcrowded tram.
You never know whether to feel sorry for chaps like this one. One lady on the tram had remarked: "He's just playing up for attention" and how right she was - as he wound down the police car window and made to wave to his adoring fans - and we stood there in the freezing cold...
30.01.09
No Craft Class as it's now cancelled for the foreseeable future.
Lots to do on the website and as we are planning to visit my parents tonight, lots of packing to do too.
Collected Lucy from the train about 4.00pm, quick trip to Morrisons for provisions and then off at 6.30pm, arriving at 8.30pm.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Excursion To The Major Oak, Sherwood Forest
Saturday 24th January 2009
Today was to be our last 'girlie' day before Graham arrived back home. So we tried to think of an interesting place to visit. I suggested Edwinstowe in Sherwood Forest. There's a craft centre with tea rooms and opposite, paths into the woods.
It was quite late by the time we started out and we did think of having lunch at The Bottle Kiln - but fate decreed we should travel to Edwinstowe first - OK it was more like the girls who took the last parking space while I was trying to be polite to an old couple coming out, grrrh!
Lunch was lovely, if a little late. Carrot soup and a bacon baguette and straight after we followed the path into Sherwood Forest.
Today was to be our last 'girlie' day before Graham arrived back home. So we tried to think of an interesting place to visit. I suggested Edwinstowe in Sherwood Forest. There's a craft centre with tea rooms and opposite, paths into the woods.
It was quite late by the time we started out and we did think of having lunch at The Bottle Kiln - but fate decreed we should travel to Edwinstowe first - OK it was more like the girls who took the last parking space while I was trying to be polite to an old couple coming out, grrrh!
Lunch was lovely, if a little late. Carrot soup and a bacon baguette and straight after we followed the path into Sherwood Forest.
Last Light At Major Oak
I was very glad of my furry boots as we walked through the woods to the Visitor's Centre and then round to view The Major Oak.
A magnificent sight no matter what season or temperature.
A magnificent sight no matter what season or temperature.
Having Fun With Photography... Waving
On the way back the sun took pity on us and came out to try and warm us up - but it was too late and our pace quickened as we neared the the 'soon to be warm' car.
I also got the photograph I was after: Theme of the week on the Nottingham Flickr group was "Photographer In The Shot, But Not The Subject." I thought I made an excellent attempt, but sadly didn't get chosen to choose the next theme...humph...
To end our day out, we stopped off at Worksop to make the most of the hour's shopping time we had left, but to say it was desolate and deserted is an understatement ... perhaps it was the cold...
I also got the photograph I was after: Theme of the week on the Nottingham Flickr group was "Photographer In The Shot, But Not The Subject." I thought I made an excellent attempt, but sadly didn't get chosen to choose the next theme...humph...
To end our day out, we stopped off at Worksop to make the most of the hour's shopping time we had left, but to say it was desolate and deserted is an understatement ... perhaps it was the cold...
Wednesday, February 04, 2009
IN BRIEF
19.01.09
Phoned oil company to sort out the bill. Invoice didn't show the credit that was owed to us. (It's a long story)
Jewellery Class in the afternoon was extra large including the Thursday students. Very busy but just enough helpers. Made wire coils and threaded them on organza to form a necklace.
20.01.09
Piano lesson in the morning
Card Making, Alfreton -covered the basics of Rubber Stamping and made a pop-up card. Went down very well.
Two piano lessons.
21.01.09
Not a particularly memorable day, except having left the computer for a while in the middle of working on the website, I returned to find it had developed a fault. Attached the the cursor was a block of small lines which alternated from horizontal to vertical depending what you were doing. These lines also 'shadowed' all the icons on the left hand side of the screen. Worst of all was when you pressed Apple & F and then the whole page was covered with a grey haze. Tried all the basics like restarting the computer, but all the lines returned immediately it was switched on.
22.01.09
Asked Graham about the computer when he rang in the morning. He said it sounds serious and has advised I ask Lucy to check prices for a new one ... gulp...
On a lighter note, I received an email from an assistant producer of Blue Peter - Could I find them someone to go on the show to demonstrate knitting to children? After some consultation, a couple of names were recommended, the person contacted and the rest we'll have to wait and see...
23.01.09
Off to teach Crafts this morning, but with only one student and two helpers (makes a change) it's obvious that we have to call it 'a day'. I try not to think about the consequences. I've been teaching this class for the last 7 (?) years and we've always managed to scrap through before. So now I'm down £100 a week, £400 a month. On the upside I should have at least 16 hours a week of my life back...
Phoned Gordon Harwood's to ask advice about the fault on the computer. Apparently it's in the logic board (?), would take five days to mend and cost at least £200...
At 9.30pm, we (Lucy and I) made the decision to phone up and order the new computer. Apple have offices throughout the world so you can order 24 hours a day. Lucy did the ordering and spoke to someone in America where it was only half past 4...
Tuesday, February 03, 2009
Trip To Belper
Saturday 17th January 2009
Hermione wasn't brilliant today, but as Lucy had requested a day out, we went, but not very far. First stop was Belper and a short walk to East Mill to take a photo. The light always seems to be coming from the wrong direction when I take this angle and the sun decided to stay in, but OK for what I wanted.
Hermione wasn't brilliant today, but as Lucy had requested a day out, we went, but not very far. First stop was Belper and a short walk to East Mill to take a photo. The light always seems to be coming from the wrong direction when I take this angle and the sun decided to stay in, but OK for what I wanted.
Derwentside
Back along the main street, we diverted to explore this lovely old building. What ever it was, it is now a well known antiques centre. Inside was just as interesting, full of charm and quaint relics. It even had a lift - can you have antique lifts?
More Exploring...
Opposite the Antiques Centre was Thornton's abandoned toffee factory. Next stop was somewhere for lunch and then a quick visit to the factory shops. (Don't bother)
As dusk fell we journeyed on to Matlock and had a very cold walk round the only shops still open, charity shops - there were loads. When it was completely dark, I decided that the last photo of the day would be the illuminated County Offices from where I get paid (or not, as you'll hear about). It looked very impressive all lit up, but incredibly steep to walk to.
The highlight of our day was stopping off in Matlock Bath on the way home for fish and chips, delicious...
As dusk fell we journeyed on to Matlock and had a very cold walk round the only shops still open, charity shops - there were loads. When it was completely dark, I decided that the last photo of the day would be the illuminated County Offices from where I get paid (or not, as you'll hear about). It looked very impressive all lit up, but incredibly steep to walk to.
The highlight of our day was stopping off in Matlock Bath on the way home for fish and chips, delicious...
IN BRIEF
12.01.09
Mixed morning. Have 'lost' one of my adult piano students, reasons range from work commitments to lack of time. It's a shame, but if someone has to make up excuses it's always best to make a clean break, remain on amicable terms and offer to 'leave the door open' should she feel the need to return.
Next workshop at Marston's is 4th February, so needed to send a write-up of what we'll be doing - earrings.
Jewellery Lesson went well. Found a project in a magazine I bought on Saturday, which exactly fitted the request of one of the students, earrings using a cross-over technique. (Images on Derby Learn)
13.01.09
Card Making in Alfreton, this week: Découpage
Two piano lessons and catch up on the website. Must remember to enter Sophie for her Grade 1 piano exam. It's the one thing that's really easy on the internet...
14.01.09
Catch up day. I've been putting off sorting out a login problem (off, out, in) for the Derbyshire County Council website, so that I can put up my lessons and the student's work. I've been intending to do this since November 2008... and today I actually phoned up and found the person I needed to speak to wasn't there... There was someone else to help me and she duly sent user name and password by the end of the day... aren't humans wonderful...
15.01.09
Catch up day again. Sent email to QVC, "Where is the refund that was promised before 12.01.09?" By return a very polite email informed me that the refund had been made last week... aren't QVC wonderful...
Second and last Thursday Jewellery Class. From next week, I have to amalgamate both classes to run on a Monday - not so wonderful.
16.01.09
First Craft class of the year/term, as heating now fixed at the Centre. Prospect that it will close, only one, possibly two students will be attending. We sewed on card and I joined in as little else to do. Aren't crafts wonderful, they transport you to a land where nothing can reach you and everything is achievable... (within the time span of the class)
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