Author Archives: james

And on the subject of “old stuff”…

…something even older. We’ve been moving books around recently (it’s quite possible my own collection runs into the thousands) and I found these, I think all actually written before I was born, though these particular ones appear to have been … Continue reading

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Recently rediscovered…

…at the back of a cupboard, the Casio fx-550 calculator that got me through my O- and A-Levels. I think this replaced a Texas Instruments TI-30 that eventually died. I think it must be close to forty years old, though … Continue reading

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It really has been a poor summer

This photo was taken on 16th August, still summertime by all accounts. But late in the evening a thick fog settled in the valley below us and gradually crept up to envelope us. Surprising to think it can be so … Continue reading

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Surely the BBC is better than this?

This is a still from a video on the BBC News site about Ruth Bader Ginsberg lying in state. Somehow I expected better of the BBC. I’m shocked that such poor English made it to the website without someone spotting … Continue reading

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Swimming, 5th October 2020

I really struggled for energy today. Swimming felt so difficult and speed was very hard to find. I stuck with it though, and managed to improve on my result from Friday by swimming one extra rep before I had to … Continue reading

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Veg plot 2020, #49

Today I have transplanted my coriander, land cress, red chard and chervil into mushroom trays. The remaining plants I put into what is going to be the “winter salad bed” in the polytunnel. I don’t think they’ll survive a hard … Continue reading

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Veg plot 2020, #48

The hideous weather meant that I’ve mostly done indoors jobs today, but I did make time to get out to the greenhouse for a while. I evicted a number of snails (I think they’ve been getting in through the vents … Continue reading

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Veg plot 2020, #47

[2nd October] Had another pick of the chiles this afternoon. Some of the leaves on the plants are showing signs of turning yellow so I’m not sure how much more ripe the remaining ones will get. I’m hoping I’ll be … Continue reading

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Swimming, 2nd October 2020

Bonkers trip to the pool today. Driving through one of the local villages I discovered the road blocked by a Polish articulated lorry. I think the driver had stopped to try to find someone who could give him directions. I’d … Continue reading

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Swimming, 1st October 2020

We had to stand outside the sports centre and wait until the posted start time of the session to be let in today. They’ve changed the arrangements slightly because they weren’t getting enough time to clean between sessions. I’m glad … Continue reading

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