August | 2009 | Life since the office

Halifax, Calderdale

So, I’ve been in Halifax, the original home of Fauzia Qureshi, for three days doing a CSC (web front end to the Service Desk) installation for RMS at a customer site. My hotel, The White Swan, was ok, good food (most of the time – bit too much salt in my meal on Tuesday night, but last nights was good), and friendly staff. I went out for a bit of a wander and took some pics.

: The White Swan, where they take your keys and park your vehicle for you. Sweet.

: The New and Improved Freda modelling a Halifax car park

13 August, 2009 | Categories: Travels | Leave a comment

Time to fix Freda, the ‘passion wagon’

I left for Weymouth at 9.30 last night, the gearbox fell into ‘get home safely’ mode before I’d even made it to the A30. Justification for the trip, if I needed any, which I didn’t. This has been going on too long. But after numerous conversations with Dunnings Autos of Weymouth I’m fairly confident that this could be it. No more driving down motorways with the engine doing 3000 revs, whilst the van barely touches 50 (mph).

Anyway, I have to drive to Halifax tonight, so I need the van on the road at a reasonable time today. Given that work can’t start on it until it’s cold, I thought the best bet would be to reduce the drive required this morning.

I made it to Granby at 11ish and found a quiet road on the industrial estate to sleep on. Can’t see an cctv, but when I needed a piss I drove out of the estate anyway – never piss on your own doorstep. After that it was all plain sailing until the seagulls kicked off at 5.30 this morning.

So, I awoke in the car park of Magnet on Granby industrial estate. As it happens Dunnings is just over the road in a slightly run down looking workshop.

When the Dunnings boys turned up I handed over the keys and went for a walk. I headed down to the sea, eventually walking back along the Rodwell Trail. See photos.

: Check out the guy/gal swimming about just in front of one of the boats – this is 9am

: Portland

: Henry VIII had that castle built, apparently. No, I can’t remember what it’s called. Google it.

: A slightly blurred view of the path now running along the route of the old Weymouth to Portland railway line

: Rodwell station

The Dunnings lads try to big up the work on the car, try to reassure me – to be fair they seem knowledgeable and are easy to talk to. When I drive away things feel good. I keep driving and there is no sign of the dreaded hold light and the speedo is working (which it hadn’t done for a month. Or two). By the time I get to Bristol I’m just about convinced, although there seems to be a large hole in my pocket.

I pop into the RMS office on my way through, then continue to North. The area approaching Halifax is a fascinating blend of green and industrial; towns (Elland) embedded in the hills. Halifax has a one way system to get lost in, but quiet roads. Ellie, on reception at the White Swan, is nice, and my room is…ok.

10 August, 2009 | Categories: Travels | Leave a comment

At home with the family

After Mum’s trip to the dentist she has some help to hang out the washing…

: Not sure what he’s doing in this pic, but that’s my underwear damn you!

: The little man passing some washing to Granny

: My close up wildlife shots could be better. I need stiller subjects!

: Cabbage White.

8 August, 2009 | Categories: Travels | Leave a comment

Wooly

Paul Temple dropped in for tea on Wednesday, and mentioned that he and a load of lads from Nantwich would be in Woolacombe from today until the middle of the week. So myself and Dave (who popped over for tea yesterday, after picking up his ‘new’ Toyota Emina) decided to get over there to join in the fun.

We went in Dave’s new machine (maybe a bit smarter than my Freda, Toyota seem to have given a bit more thought to things, but Dave’s is not converted), arrived in good time, booked into the the usual camp site (Woolacombe Sands – “We’ve been coming here for years, we’re good lads, you won’t hear a thing from us…”), top gallery, great view, and then headed down the beach. Paul said he’d be here by 4pm.

Paul and co arrive by 6, by which time I’ve been in the water for over an hour, walked back to the camp site, woken Dave up and we’ve both had showers. We meet Paul in The Electric bar a little while later.

Unfortunately I don’t have any photos of the ensuing evening, but Rich, Dave (another Dave), Paul (another Paul) and Chris get a meal with us, provide great conversation and get drunk. In the end myself and Dave leave them to it (with a couple of students from Bournemouth) and walk back to the camp site in the dark. We sleep on a double mattress in Dave’s vehicle. Thankfully I only have to get up for the toilet once, given that Dave is next to the door.