Travelling to work by Bus for the past week or so has given me the opportunity to catch up with some reading.
I bought a couple of books in February to read on holiday in Rome.
One was The Day Watch by Sergei Lukyanenko, a sequel to The Night Watch.
This is the second book in a different take on the struggle of supernatural good vs evil. The author is Russian so it is set in Moscow. As with the first book, it was an excellent read. I'm pleased to discover that there's another two books in the "Tetralogy" - I must get hold of them. I'm not sure if they're out in this country yet (they are Russian translations).
I finished this one whilst on holiday, then moved onto The Malice Box by Martin Langfield.
This one looked promising at first, but a few chapters into it I discovered that it's about treasure hunt around New York, relating to a spiritual quest based on the Kabbalah. Interesting insights into the Architecture of New York on the way around "The Path". Unfortunately I found the spiritual mysticism somewhat tedious early on in the book, and this has continued up to the last chapter. Just about finished it now, thanks to the bus journey to work, but it's taken me a good few months to get through it, since I'd lost interest at an early stage.
The main character has his own blog so that you can follow the sights on his journey of spiritual/supernatural enlightenment, and the subsequent awakening of his powers with which to combat evil as he treks around New York.
Glad that I've finished that one now. I can get back to reading some of the easy-reading children's books that I got for my Birthday in May, but were interrupted by the much inferior, but over-hyped, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.
No more reading on the bus next week.
The Volkswagen Dealer called me at 18:00 today to tell me that the car has been repaired! (Looks like the 3-week possible wait was a worse case scenario).
The part arrived from Germany this morning, and they've fitted and tested it today.
I'll have to trek over to Bootle (using my all-week bus ticket) and pick up the car tomorrow morning.
Friday 31 August 2007
Saturday 25 August 2007
Police in Force
Standing in my local Chinese Takeaway on Allerton Road, waiting for my order to arrive I noticed a police motorbike and a police car go past.
Nothing unusual in this on a Saturday night, since they appeared to be heading in the direction of Allerton Police station.
Then another police car went past, followed by a police CCTV equipped "riot" van full of policemen, then another similar van, and another, another police car, and a police motorbike. No sirens, but all had blue lights flashing.
I picked up my order and went outside. The police vehicles had turned at the roundabout that's in front of the local Library and Police Station, and had gathered in a long line on the opposite side of the dual carriageway.
There are 3 bars on that side of the road, in this order - Yates's, The "New York" bar and Mezz.
The police vehicles had gathered in a long line outside of these bars.
Several policemen had left the vans and entered the "New York" bar. These policemen were all wearing traditional flat peaked caps and white shirts.
The occupants of the police cars were all out of their cars and standing guard, looking up and down the street and across the road, whilst this took place. They were wearing heavy flak jackets and "SWAT" style police baseball caps. I don't know if they were armed, but their flak jackets seemed to be full of equipment (could have been batons, handcuffs, radio etc). If they were armed then weapons weren't drawn.
I walked a short way down the road, heading back home, whilst keeping an eye on what was going on. I noticed that they also had 2 police "trials" motorbikes waiting, with riders revving them, in the car park next to the Yates's bar. Looked like they were prepared for a possible off-road chase.
I reached a point on my side of the road between the "Pod" bar and "Crichtons" bar, and paused for another look. Another police van, car and motorbike arrived and parked up. Whatever was going on they definitely weren't taking any chances.
The 2 bars on my side of the road have tables outside, so that smokers driven outside by the recent Government smoking ban can sit down and have a drink too.
At this point one of the smokers piped up with a piece of Scouse wit.
"Somebody's lit a ciggie in the New York!"
Both bars on my side of the road erupted in laughter, causing the chaps in the flak jackets on the opposite side of the road to "meerkat" in our direction.
As I headed home I noticed the policeman from the vans leaving the "New York" bar. It didn't look like they'd made an arrest.
A lady came up to me and asked if there'd be another shooting. Another shooting? She told me that there'd been an incident on Penny Lane last night.
We looked this up when I got home. The news says that 2 doormen were shot at a night-club on Penny Lane last night, so the police activity could have been related to this. (Having had a meal at the Alma de Santiago for my Birthday earlier this year, I'd hardly call it a night club, but it does have a sizeable bar.)
Nothing unusual in this on a Saturday night, since they appeared to be heading in the direction of Allerton Police station.
Then another police car went past, followed by a police CCTV equipped "riot" van full of policemen, then another similar van, and another, another police car, and a police motorbike. No sirens, but all had blue lights flashing.
I picked up my order and went outside. The police vehicles had turned at the roundabout that's in front of the local Library and Police Station, and had gathered in a long line on the opposite side of the dual carriageway.
There are 3 bars on that side of the road, in this order - Yates's, The "New York" bar and Mezz.
The police vehicles had gathered in a long line outside of these bars.
Several policemen had left the vans and entered the "New York" bar. These policemen were all wearing traditional flat peaked caps and white shirts.
The occupants of the police cars were all out of their cars and standing guard, looking up and down the street and across the road, whilst this took place. They were wearing heavy flak jackets and "SWAT" style police baseball caps. I don't know if they were armed, but their flak jackets seemed to be full of equipment (could have been batons, handcuffs, radio etc). If they were armed then weapons weren't drawn.
I walked a short way down the road, heading back home, whilst keeping an eye on what was going on. I noticed that they also had 2 police "trials" motorbikes waiting, with riders revving them, in the car park next to the Yates's bar. Looked like they were prepared for a possible off-road chase.
I reached a point on my side of the road between the "Pod" bar and "Crichtons" bar, and paused for another look. Another police van, car and motorbike arrived and parked up. Whatever was going on they definitely weren't taking any chances.
The 2 bars on my side of the road have tables outside, so that smokers driven outside by the recent Government smoking ban can sit down and have a drink too.
At this point one of the smokers piped up with a piece of Scouse wit.
"Somebody's lit a ciggie in the New York!"
Both bars on my side of the road erupted in laughter, causing the chaps in the flak jackets on the opposite side of the road to "meerkat" in our direction.
As I headed home I noticed the policeman from the vans leaving the "New York" bar. It didn't look like they'd made an arrest.
A lady came up to me and asked if there'd be another shooting. Another shooting? She told me that there'd been an incident on Penny Lane last night.
We looked this up when I got home. The news says that 2 doormen were shot at a night-club on Penny Lane last night, so the police activity could have been related to this. (Having had a meal at the Alma de Santiago for my Birthday earlier this year, I'd hardly call it a night club, but it does have a sizeable bar.)
Friday 24 August 2007
Frodo's 6th Birthday
It's Frodo's 6th Birthday today.
Here's some other memorable dates that Frodo shares his Birthday with:
I've already mentioned the Eruption of Vesuvius that buried Pompeii and Herculaneum on 24 August 79 AD
Also it's bloggers eight birthday today
I stop here, as I've discovered that good old Wikipedia can produce a far more comprehensive list for 24 August than I ever can.
Scived off work this morning - I'm on the late shift, so I just got in a little later than usual - and we took Frodo and Samwise to the Yellow Sub childrens activity centre.
We called Davy Liver Taxis to get there and back. Both times the taxi arrived within 10 minutes of calling them. They gave my phone a single ring when they were getting near, and we were charged a reasonable price for the journey.
I've already sent this firm an email of praise when they rescued us following Frodo's Birthday Party after South Liverpool Taxi's let us down badly on the outward journey. I doubt that anyone from South Liverpool Taxi's cares, but if they ever come across this blog entry, then they might realise that a quality service generates repeat business, and a piss-poor one doesn't!
We bumped into a few of Frodo's school-chums, who were also spending the moring at Yellow Sub The kids romped on the play equipment whilst Mummy had toast, and worked on the design of her latest novel cover, whilst Daddy tucked into scrambled egg and poached salmon on toasted muffins. "Yum! Yum!!, "Delicioso" (to quote Dora the Explorer).
Home again and we put together a quick Birthday feast for Frodo, Samwise and Grandma Gandalf. I inflated 6 coloured helium balloons, and tied them to the back of Frodo's chair. Had to inflate an extra red one for Samwise.
After we'd munched through the main snacks we lit 6 candles on Frodo's Optimus Prime Transformers Birthday cake. A gentle chorus of "Happy Birthday to you" and Frodo blew all the candles out.
The cake looks a bit like this. Actually it's about half of this size now "Yum! Yum!!, "Delicioso" :)
No it doesn't change into a Mac-Truck when you cut into the icing.
You've probably guessed what Frodo's main present was this year.
3 Transformer "fast action battler" toys. 2 autobots that transform into a car and a truck, and a decepticon that transforms into a tank.
Autobot Jazz
Autobot Ratchet
Decepticon Brawl
Spent a good half hour or so figuring out how to transform them this morning. Once we'd "transformed" them out of the super-tied down security packaging (why are so many toys hellishly "security wrapped" these days? i.e. tied down to the packaging with loads of plastic wiring and hard to see rubber bands) Always a tricky one when their are impatient children waiting.
So that the other child doesn't feel too left out, we've made it a family tradition that the Birthday Boy gives one present to his brother. Frodo gave Samwise a Dr Who Clockwork Robot - or "Tick Tock Robot" as Samwise likes to call them, to add to their growing collection of Dr Who action figures.
We're also busy opening the presents that Frodo got from his Birthday party, one by one each day when I get home Last night's was good - Hot Wheels "Hyper Wheels" Racing Motorbikes. No batteries requires. Pop each motorbike into the slots, crank up the revs with the handle then press a switch and the bikes scoot across the floor.
So there'll be a couple of boys jumping up and down waiting for the next present tonight. (Almost as excited as Dad!)
Here's some other memorable dates that Frodo shares his Birthday with:
I've already mentioned the Eruption of Vesuvius that buried Pompeii and Herculaneum on 24 August 79 AD
Also it's bloggers eight birthday today
I stop here, as I've discovered that good old Wikipedia can produce a far more comprehensive list for 24 August than I ever can.
Scived off work this morning - I'm on the late shift, so I just got in a little later than usual - and we took Frodo and Samwise to the Yellow Sub childrens activity centre.
We called Davy Liver Taxis to get there and back. Both times the taxi arrived within 10 minutes of calling them. They gave my phone a single ring when they were getting near, and we were charged a reasonable price for the journey.
I've already sent this firm an email of praise when they rescued us following Frodo's Birthday Party after South Liverpool Taxi's let us down badly on the outward journey. I doubt that anyone from South Liverpool Taxi's cares, but if they ever come across this blog entry, then they might realise that a quality service generates repeat business, and a piss-poor one doesn't!
We bumped into a few of Frodo's school-chums, who were also spending the moring at Yellow Sub The kids romped on the play equipment whilst Mummy had toast, and worked on the design of her latest novel cover, whilst Daddy tucked into scrambled egg and poached salmon on toasted muffins. "Yum! Yum!!, "Delicioso" (to quote Dora the Explorer).
Home again and we put together a quick Birthday feast for Frodo, Samwise and Grandma Gandalf. I inflated 6 coloured helium balloons, and tied them to the back of Frodo's chair. Had to inflate an extra red one for Samwise.
After we'd munched through the main snacks we lit 6 candles on Frodo's Optimus Prime Transformers Birthday cake. A gentle chorus of "Happy Birthday to you" and Frodo blew all the candles out.
The cake looks a bit like this. Actually it's about half of this size now "Yum! Yum!!, "Delicioso" :)
No it doesn't change into a Mac-Truck when you cut into the icing.
You've probably guessed what Frodo's main present was this year.
3 Transformer "fast action battler" toys. 2 autobots that transform into a car and a truck, and a decepticon that transforms into a tank.
Spent a good half hour or so figuring out how to transform them this morning. Once we'd "transformed" them out of the super-tied down security packaging (why are so many toys hellishly "security wrapped" these days? i.e. tied down to the packaging with loads of plastic wiring and hard to see rubber bands) Always a tricky one when their are impatient children waiting.
So that the other child doesn't feel too left out, we've made it a family tradition that the Birthday Boy gives one present to his brother. Frodo gave Samwise a Dr Who Clockwork Robot - or "Tick Tock Robot" as Samwise likes to call them, to add to their growing collection of Dr Who action figures.
We're also busy opening the presents that Frodo got from his Birthday party, one by one each day when I get home Last night's was good - Hot Wheels "Hyper Wheels" Racing Motorbikes. No batteries requires. Pop each motorbike into the slots, crank up the revs with the handle then press a switch and the bikes scoot across the floor.
So there'll be a couple of boys jumping up and down waiting for the next present tonight. (Almost as excited as Dad!)
Thursday 23 August 2007
Car Breakdown 3
The VW Dealership called me this afternoon.
The service desk lady said that she had some "bad news".
The car (a Volkswagen Touran by the way) needs a new fuel unit - 375 quid to replace, plus 40 quid to diagnose the problem using their test kit.
This, however, wasn't all of the bad news!
The part is on "Back Order" from Germany which means I will have up to a 3 week wait. Aaaargh!
I also checked to see if there was any "good will" with the Warranty (it expired 5 months ago, but it could be a "known fault"), for a possible discount on the repair. The Warranty Manager said "No".
When I asked what the "fuel unit" did I was told that it was an "electrical" component. Sounds very much to me like they're replacing a chip?
Why have they run out of spare parts? Either it's a very rare fault, or a very common one and there's been a rush for parts. Couldn't find anything that indicated this on the Web. I don't think it's related to the Tesco contaminated fuel scare that happened in March, but I'll keep a lookout just in case.
I last topped up the tank at a Shell Filling station in Betwys-y-Coed, and before that it was mainly at Tesco's and occasionally Asda.
It could be just Murphy's Law in operation, since the 3 year Warranty on the car has expired.
So it's "Shanks Pony" and public transport for the next 3 weeks for me. I'll have to get a bus pass for next week, and think about possibly hiring a car for a trip to London at the end of the month.
It's Frodo's actual Birthday tomorrow (although he had his party last Sunday) - so we'll have to get a Taxi to the play centre that we were going to, for an on-the-day treat tomorrow morning.
The service desk lady said that she had some "bad news".
The car (a Volkswagen Touran by the way) needs a new fuel unit - 375 quid to replace, plus 40 quid to diagnose the problem using their test kit.
This, however, wasn't all of the bad news!
The part is on "Back Order" from Germany which means I will have up to a 3 week wait. Aaaargh!
I also checked to see if there was any "good will" with the Warranty (it expired 5 months ago, but it could be a "known fault"), for a possible discount on the repair. The Warranty Manager said "No".
When I asked what the "fuel unit" did I was told that it was an "electrical" component. Sounds very much to me like they're replacing a chip?
Why have they run out of spare parts? Either it's a very rare fault, or a very common one and there's been a rush for parts. Couldn't find anything that indicated this on the Web. I don't think it's related to the Tesco contaminated fuel scare that happened in March, but I'll keep a lookout just in case.
I last topped up the tank at a Shell Filling station in Betwys-y-Coed, and before that it was mainly at Tesco's and occasionally Asda.
It could be just Murphy's Law in operation, since the 3 year Warranty on the car has expired.
So it's "Shanks Pony" and public transport for the next 3 weeks for me. I'll have to get a bus pass for next week, and think about possibly hiring a car for a trip to London at the end of the month.
It's Frodo's actual Birthday tomorrow (although he had his party last Sunday) - so we'll have to get a Taxi to the play centre that we were going to, for an on-the-day treat tomorrow morning.
Wednesday 22 August 2007
Car Breakdown 2
The car breakdown saga continues (see the end of Summer Holiday)
The local Nationwide garage where the car had been towed to by the AA called me on Monday afternoon to say that they had investigated and road tested the car. Their computer diagnostics were showing "no fault" and it was starting and driving OK.
Giving that we're thinking of trading in the car in a couple of months I decided to give it a try and see if the fault had somehow rectified itself, or if it would develop again.
I picked it up on Tuesday morning and drove it out of the garage. Two corners around the block on Penny Lane the car broke down again! Again it wouldn't start.
I walked back to the garage and they sent a mechanic to investigate. He took his computer diagnostic equipment and plugged it in. Again, as with Saturdays AA man, the computer was showing "No Fault" even though the car wouldn't start.
I was advised to take it to the main VW dealer, who would have better diagnostic equipment. So after walking home and picking up my stuff for work, I caught a bus back to the car and called the AA. A very nice man towed me 8 miles or so to the main VW dealership in Bootle.
Although they said that they probably wouldn't get to look at it on the same day, that afternoon they called me, and said that it appeared to be working OK, and their diagnostic equipment was showing "No Fault" (they are charging me 40 quid to run diagnostics on their kit).
I explained the two breakdowns to them, so they've decided to investigate further.
This is the same place that when I took the car in for a brake check, they told me that they'd had all the wheels off the car. None of my hub cap ties had been cut!, so all they'd done was drive it and try the brakes.
Therefore I suspect that at this point they'd just tried to start the car, and had found that it started.
They called me back to get my permission for a mechanic to drive the car home to St Helens and see if the breakdown happens again. I said that they could do this.
Haven't heard from them today, so hopefully he broke down and is now looking for the cause of the problem.
I'll give them a call tomorrow if I haven't heard by then.
I'm now rediscovering the joys of public transport.
The local Nationwide garage where the car had been towed to by the AA called me on Monday afternoon to say that they had investigated and road tested the car. Their computer diagnostics were showing "no fault" and it was starting and driving OK.
Giving that we're thinking of trading in the car in a couple of months I decided to give it a try and see if the fault had somehow rectified itself, or if it would develop again.
I picked it up on Tuesday morning and drove it out of the garage. Two corners around the block on Penny Lane the car broke down again! Again it wouldn't start.
I walked back to the garage and they sent a mechanic to investigate. He took his computer diagnostic equipment and plugged it in. Again, as with Saturdays AA man, the computer was showing "No Fault" even though the car wouldn't start.
I was advised to take it to the main VW dealer, who would have better diagnostic equipment. So after walking home and picking up my stuff for work, I caught a bus back to the car and called the AA. A very nice man towed me 8 miles or so to the main VW dealership in Bootle.
Although they said that they probably wouldn't get to look at it on the same day, that afternoon they called me, and said that it appeared to be working OK, and their diagnostic equipment was showing "No Fault" (they are charging me 40 quid to run diagnostics on their kit).
I explained the two breakdowns to them, so they've decided to investigate further.
This is the same place that when I took the car in for a brake check, they told me that they'd had all the wheels off the car. None of my hub cap ties had been cut!, so all they'd done was drive it and try the brakes.
Therefore I suspect that at this point they'd just tried to start the car, and had found that it started.
They called me back to get my permission for a mechanic to drive the car home to St Helens and see if the breakdown happens again. I said that they could do this.
Haven't heard from them today, so hopefully he broke down and is now looking for the cause of the problem.
I'll give them a call tomorrow if I haven't heard by then.
I'm now rediscovering the joys of public transport.
Monday 20 August 2007
Frodo's 6th Birthday Party
With the car in the garage being repaired (see Summer Holiday) yesterday we had to get a taxi to the venue for Frodo's 6th Birthday Party.
We needed a 5 seater, that could take 3 adults, two children and the the food, balloons and party gift boxes.
I arranged the taxi at about 09:15 on Sunday morning with South Liverpool Cars to pick us up at 13:30 so we could get to the party venue in good time for 14:00. The operator didn't seem too bothered when I confirmed our address and the time back to her. The operator also told me that I should arrange the return journey with the driver.
At 13:35 the taxi hadn't turned up. I called South Liverpool Cars, who took some time to answer. Different operator this time. "Oh you wanted a 'bus' didn't you?", "Errr, there'll be one in 10 minutes".
I called the party venue (the I.M. Marsh Campus of John Moores University) to explain that we could be a little late, and to let the arriving parents and children know this. They told us that due to a double booking they'd had to switch the hall that the party was in at the last minute! Just to the building next door, but enough of a change to add to the confusion. They reckoned that they'd tried to call us about this - but if they hadn't they hadn't left a voicemail or answerphone message.
At 13:50 the taxi still hadn't turned up. I called again. Again a long time to answer. When they did reply I heard them radioing in the background to ask if there was anyone in the area. I was then told that one was on it's way but had gone to a similarly named street in the area - distinct smell of bullshit here.
At 13:55 Novelist Supermum set off to find a Hackney Cab on the high street, just as the South Liverpool Cars taxi arrived.
Bundled 2 children, Grandma, ourselves and all the clobber into the taxi and arrived at 14:05. Asked the driver about arranging the return journey only to be told "The operator shouldn't have told you that, I could be in Manchester or anywhere?". He then offered to give me his private number so I could check if he was in the area when the party finished. I declined and said that I would call his base to arrange the return. Handed him the six quid that they said the journey would cost.
Strongly suspect that he's into doing 'foreigners'. The operators are either aware of this, or don't care.
The hall switch meant that there were a few other late arrivals, so it all turned out OK in the end and the party got underway.
The kids were great, and all got into the swing of the party games with the 2 staff that we'd hired whilst we laid out party food tables, and inflated the baloons with helium (I'd covered up the box containing the canister in case the taxi driver objected to taking it on board).
Once we'd tied 18 or so balloons each to a party gift box we got to watch the party. I had time to shoot quite a bit of video of the activities. Frodo was really enjoying himself, and Samwise did very well, joining in and understanding most of the games.
The games included Grandmas footsteps, Duck and Goose, a tag variation (the 'caught' people have to stop still and pretend to be a toilet, only being released when somebody flushes them), plus the ever-popular parachute games. Cat and mouse - one 'mouse' underneath the parachute, one 'cat' on top and everyone else waves the parachute whilst the cat tries to catch the mouse underneath that is obscured by the waves. Fruit Salad - each child is assigned the name of a fruit. Fruits are called out and if it's your fruit you charge underneath the parachute, and out again. If "Fruit Salad" is called then it's a free for all and everybody goes under the parachute. Finally the washing machine game. Four 'dirty smelly' children sit back to back in the centre of the parachute whilst the others walk around and wrap them up in the parachute. "I'm Smelly" shouted Frodo, volunteering for this one. The parachute is now a washing machine. Everybody else grabs the parachute and runs backwards quickly, pulling the parachute. The four children in the middle are spun around very quickly. Being the birthday boy, Frodo had two goes at this. Samwise also had a go.
The staff said that they were having a good time, and that the children were really good and co-operative. I think that they actually meant this since they let the fun over-run for about 15 minutes, which made up for us being slightly late.
Part way through we stopped for food and drink. For the party we'd bought a Racing Car cake. Everbody sang Happy Birthday and Frodo blew all the candles out. He usually bursts into tears at this point, but seems to be getting over this now.
We finished off by all getting under the parachute and making a 'tent' with Frodo as the tent pole in the middle. A final chorus of "Happy Birthday" and time to go home. Handed out the gift boxes, and slices of cake wrapped in paper napkins.
A few tears from Frodo at the end, because it was all over, but he quickly got over this as he did have a very good time. Everyone else, including the staff, said that they'd thoroughly enjoyed it too. A boy in Frodo's class who has cerebal palsy, and doesn't usually join in much even joined in the parachute games at the end.
We asked the staff at the venue if they had the number of a reliable taxi company for the return journey and they gave us the number of Davy Liver Taxi's. They were excellent. The girl who answered said that the operator wasn't in the room, but suggested possibly sending two taxis. I called again a few minutes later and spoke to the operator who had already sent a single Hackney carriage, which was exactly what we needed.
It turned up about 10 minutes later and we all piled in, with the remains of the stuff we'd bought, plus a few sacks full of presents for Frodo, and a few inflated balloons. We had a fun ride chugging home, with one of the balloons flying out of the taxi window, and the rest filling up the taxi. The taxi driver kindly slowed down, so that we didn't lose the flying balloon. It cost less than a fiver to get back, so I tipped the driver a couple of quid.
Turned out to be a thoroughly enjoyable party in the end. Lesson learned - we're not going to use South Liverpool Cars ever again. Top marks to Davy Liver Taxi's who'll be getting our future business.
Frodo will be opening one present a day until Friday, which is the actual date of his Birthday (also the anniversary of the destruction of Pompeii and Herculaneum). Then he can open the rest. He'll get another Birthday Cake on the day - I've found a Transformers Optimus Prime cake, which I bought this morning, that will go with the theme of his main presents from us.
We needed a 5 seater, that could take 3 adults, two children and the the food, balloons and party gift boxes.
I arranged the taxi at about 09:15 on Sunday morning with South Liverpool Cars to pick us up at 13:30 so we could get to the party venue in good time for 14:00. The operator didn't seem too bothered when I confirmed our address and the time back to her. The operator also told me that I should arrange the return journey with the driver.
At 13:35 the taxi hadn't turned up. I called South Liverpool Cars, who took some time to answer. Different operator this time. "Oh you wanted a 'bus' didn't you?", "Errr, there'll be one in 10 minutes".
I called the party venue (the I.M. Marsh Campus of John Moores University) to explain that we could be a little late, and to let the arriving parents and children know this. They told us that due to a double booking they'd had to switch the hall that the party was in at the last minute! Just to the building next door, but enough of a change to add to the confusion. They reckoned that they'd tried to call us about this - but if they hadn't they hadn't left a voicemail or answerphone message.
At 13:50 the taxi still hadn't turned up. I called again. Again a long time to answer. When they did reply I heard them radioing in the background to ask if there was anyone in the area. I was then told that one was on it's way but had gone to a similarly named street in the area - distinct smell of bullshit here.
At 13:55 Novelist Supermum set off to find a Hackney Cab on the high street, just as the South Liverpool Cars taxi arrived.
Bundled 2 children, Grandma, ourselves and all the clobber into the taxi and arrived at 14:05. Asked the driver about arranging the return journey only to be told "The operator shouldn't have told you that, I could be in Manchester or anywhere?". He then offered to give me his private number so I could check if he was in the area when the party finished. I declined and said that I would call his base to arrange the return. Handed him the six quid that they said the journey would cost.
Strongly suspect that he's into doing 'foreigners'. The operators are either aware of this, or don't care.
The hall switch meant that there were a few other late arrivals, so it all turned out OK in the end and the party got underway.
The kids were great, and all got into the swing of the party games with the 2 staff that we'd hired whilst we laid out party food tables, and inflated the baloons with helium (I'd covered up the box containing the canister in case the taxi driver objected to taking it on board).
Once we'd tied 18 or so balloons each to a party gift box we got to watch the party. I had time to shoot quite a bit of video of the activities. Frodo was really enjoying himself, and Samwise did very well, joining in and understanding most of the games.
The games included Grandmas footsteps, Duck and Goose, a tag variation (the 'caught' people have to stop still and pretend to be a toilet, only being released when somebody flushes them), plus the ever-popular parachute games. Cat and mouse - one 'mouse' underneath the parachute, one 'cat' on top and everyone else waves the parachute whilst the cat tries to catch the mouse underneath that is obscured by the waves. Fruit Salad - each child is assigned the name of a fruit. Fruits are called out and if it's your fruit you charge underneath the parachute, and out again. If "Fruit Salad" is called then it's a free for all and everybody goes under the parachute. Finally the washing machine game. Four 'dirty smelly' children sit back to back in the centre of the parachute whilst the others walk around and wrap them up in the parachute. "I'm Smelly" shouted Frodo, volunteering for this one. The parachute is now a washing machine. Everybody else grabs the parachute and runs backwards quickly, pulling the parachute. The four children in the middle are spun around very quickly. Being the birthday boy, Frodo had two goes at this. Samwise also had a go.
The staff said that they were having a good time, and that the children were really good and co-operative. I think that they actually meant this since they let the fun over-run for about 15 minutes, which made up for us being slightly late.
Part way through we stopped for food and drink. For the party we'd bought a Racing Car cake. Everbody sang Happy Birthday and Frodo blew all the candles out. He usually bursts into tears at this point, but seems to be getting over this now.
We finished off by all getting under the parachute and making a 'tent' with Frodo as the tent pole in the middle. A final chorus of "Happy Birthday" and time to go home. Handed out the gift boxes, and slices of cake wrapped in paper napkins.
A few tears from Frodo at the end, because it was all over, but he quickly got over this as he did have a very good time. Everyone else, including the staff, said that they'd thoroughly enjoyed it too. A boy in Frodo's class who has cerebal palsy, and doesn't usually join in much even joined in the parachute games at the end.
We asked the staff at the venue if they had the number of a reliable taxi company for the return journey and they gave us the number of Davy Liver Taxi's. They were excellent. The girl who answered said that the operator wasn't in the room, but suggested possibly sending two taxis. I called again a few minutes later and spoke to the operator who had already sent a single Hackney carriage, which was exactly what we needed.
It turned up about 10 minutes later and we all piled in, with the remains of the stuff we'd bought, plus a few sacks full of presents for Frodo, and a few inflated balloons. We had a fun ride chugging home, with one of the balloons flying out of the taxi window, and the rest filling up the taxi. The taxi driver kindly slowed down, so that we didn't lose the flying balloon. It cost less than a fiver to get back, so I tipped the driver a couple of quid.
Turned out to be a thoroughly enjoyable party in the end. Lesson learned - we're not going to use South Liverpool Cars ever again. Top marks to Davy Liver Taxi's who'll be getting our future business.
Frodo will be opening one present a day until Friday, which is the actual date of his Birthday (also the anniversary of the destruction of Pompeii and Herculaneum). Then he can open the rest. He'll get another Birthday Cake on the day - I've found a Transformers Optimus Prime cake, which I bought this morning, that will go with the theme of his main presents from us.
Saturday 18 August 2007
Summer Holiday
Saturday - Arrived at the Holiday Cottage in "Ysbyty Ifans"
Sunday - Bright and Sunny today. We drove to Harlech, where we had tea, milk and toasted teacakes in our favourite tea room (soon to be featured in one of Novelist Supermum's stories).
Then down from Harlech to spend the rest of the day on Harlech Beach, which has got to be one of the best beaches in the area.
Great day out.
Monday - Wet morning, but turned bright and sunny in the afternoon.
Went to the Greenwood Forest Adventure Park. An eco-friendly theme park. We all rode the "Green Dragon" roller coaster. To power this first you all walk up a hill and get into a large box car. Everybody's weight takes this car down the hill, and acts as a counter-weight to bring the roller coaster cars up the hill (it also generates electricity for the ride). You then all walk up the hill again and get into the roller coaster cars that are now at the top of the hill. Then off you go at breakneck speed whizzing round the track and down to the bottom.
This was Frodo and Samwise's first roller coaster. Samwise just made the height restriction, and I wasn't sure how he would take it. Luckily they both thought it was great fun, laughing and shrieking all the way to the bottom, and both wanted to go again.
Other attractions were some slides made out of matting that you whizzed down on plastic "tea trays", several rope, chain and log climbs and bridges, some large tubular slides, and "jungle boats" that you had to navigate through the "jungle" yourself by paddling and pulling on overhead ropes.
Great day out.
Tuesday - A rainy day for a drive around Snowdon to the Llanberis Lake Railway
An hour or so's ride on these little chuff chuffs was the higlight of the day. There was a stop at a picnic area, but since the nearby cafe and playground were both shut for repairs it wasn't worth staying.
We ate some of our pic-nic in the little rail carriage. Samwise got into the groove and started dancing to the "clickety clack" sound.
There's a slate museum next to the main station, so we had a quick tour of this since it was free. Then a walk into Llanberis for a look at the start of the mountain railway (have decided to do this on a special trip another year, since it's expensive, and you can't get to the top at present as they're improving the last section - it's a building site at the moment).
Wednesday - A wet start to the day, but turned bright and sunny again as we drove out to the Anglesey Sea Zoo
Had a spot of trouble finding this, due to a very small, almost unnoticeable direction sign that we missed with a lobster on it. We were distracted at the time by the larger sign for the small, but largely named town of llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch
The Sea Zoo was OK, but wasn't very big. For twenty notes I would have been disappointed if we hadn't got to see a diver "maintaining" one of the tanks. All the kids sat at the front while he took his aqualung out and pulled faces at them. They were supposed to ask him questions by writing on a board and holding him up. This quickly deteriorated into asking him to do tricks. This included a forward somersault, backward somersault and a cartwheel.
Outside was a bouncy castle and an adventure play area, so we spent a good hour or two here and had our lunch.
We then went in search of the nearest, and found it just outside the Sea View Centre.
Spent the afternoon throwing stones into the sea with Frodo and Samwise.
Great day out.
Thursday - Another wet day, so we visited Gormenghast aka Penhrhyn Castle Not mediaeval this time, but built in the 1800's from the profits of Welsh slate mines and Jamaican sugar plantations.
Fantastic place to wander around. Magnificent neo-Norman architecture - i.e. like an overdecorated film set, combined with interiors ranging from the Victorian period to the 1930's. Bakelite lamp stands. Water closets - flush toilets with hand pump action, a collection of steam engines, early electric lighting and power, enormous kitchens with vast arrays of copper pans and larders where the carcases of a whole herd of cows could hang, an early fridge in the form of "the ice tower" and the most fantastic arrangement of servant summoning bells - a labelled bell ringing in the servants quarters for every room in the castle.
The weather remained wet, so we had tea and cake in the castle tea rooms before wandering around the stables, the stalls of which now form the gift shop.
There was a walled garden which was worth a visit, particularly for the bog garden, which had some huge foliage in it, due to the heavy rains.
A quick go on the adventure playground in the castle woods before it got too wet, then we had our pic-nic in the car.
Friday - Again a wet start, but bright and sunny later.
Visited the town of Conwy. Here there is a fabulous toyshop where we bought an essential addition to the boys toy castle - a tavern. Every castle needs a pub! We also bought a wizard and a queen figure to add to the castle population.
Another shop in Conwy sells mediaeval weapons and armour. Novelist Supermum bought this sword. I have sword envy.
We found a quiet cove beyond the tourist filled sea front (the so-called smallest house in the UK is here), just outside the town wall. Had our lunch here. Frodo and Samwise indulged in their favourite pastime of throwing stones in the water.
We went for a vertigo-inducing walk around the fortified town walls. Great views, but a bit scary in places, taking two small excited boys above the rooftops balancing on top of a mediaeval wall. There was a safety rail - but the gap was a bit worrying.
Great day out.
Saturday - Packed up and headed home.
Great holiday.
---------------
Frodo's 6th Birthday Party is tomorrow (his Birthday is next Friday, but we're having the party in advance as a lot of his school friends will be on holiday next week).
The party has been booked at a local college campus. 2 of the staff provide the kids with party fun and games. We just provide the food, balloons and party gift bags.
I've bought a cylinder of helium from the local cash and carry to inflate the balloons. The party gift bags are little boxes full of gifts and sweets that we got for a couple of quid each.
Bought the food from Asda this afternoon. Drove out of Asda and whilst putting the car into second gear it stalled in mid gear-change. The engine just cut out completely and I couldn't restart it.
Called the AA and a "very very nice man" did his best to fix it on the spot, but had to tow me to a local repair centre, where they'll take a closer look on Monday. Suspected "cam sensor failure" causing an intermittent fault. They started it again immediately at the garage - but they want to keep it and check it out since the computer chip was reporting "no fault" even when it wouldn't start!
The AA man gave me a lift home with all of my shopping.
We'll have to take a taxi to Frodo's party tomorrow.
Sunday - Bright and Sunny today. We drove to Harlech, where we had tea, milk and toasted teacakes in our favourite tea room (soon to be featured in one of Novelist Supermum's stories).
Then down from Harlech to spend the rest of the day on Harlech Beach, which has got to be one of the best beaches in the area.
Great day out.
Monday - Wet morning, but turned bright and sunny in the afternoon.
Went to the Greenwood Forest Adventure Park. An eco-friendly theme park. We all rode the "Green Dragon" roller coaster. To power this first you all walk up a hill and get into a large box car. Everybody's weight takes this car down the hill, and acts as a counter-weight to bring the roller coaster cars up the hill (it also generates electricity for the ride). You then all walk up the hill again and get into the roller coaster cars that are now at the top of the hill. Then off you go at breakneck speed whizzing round the track and down to the bottom.
This was Frodo and Samwise's first roller coaster. Samwise just made the height restriction, and I wasn't sure how he would take it. Luckily they both thought it was great fun, laughing and shrieking all the way to the bottom, and both wanted to go again.
Other attractions were some slides made out of matting that you whizzed down on plastic "tea trays", several rope, chain and log climbs and bridges, some large tubular slides, and "jungle boats" that you had to navigate through the "jungle" yourself by paddling and pulling on overhead ropes.
Great day out.
Tuesday - A rainy day for a drive around Snowdon to the Llanberis Lake Railway
An hour or so's ride on these little chuff chuffs was the higlight of the day. There was a stop at a picnic area, but since the nearby cafe and playground were both shut for repairs it wasn't worth staying.
We ate some of our pic-nic in the little rail carriage. Samwise got into the groove and started dancing to the "clickety clack" sound.
There's a slate museum next to the main station, so we had a quick tour of this since it was free. Then a walk into Llanberis for a look at the start of the mountain railway (have decided to do this on a special trip another year, since it's expensive, and you can't get to the top at present as they're improving the last section - it's a building site at the moment).
Wednesday - A wet start to the day, but turned bright and sunny again as we drove out to the Anglesey Sea Zoo
Had a spot of trouble finding this, due to a very small, almost unnoticeable direction sign that we missed with a lobster on it. We were distracted at the time by the larger sign for the small, but largely named town of llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch
The Sea Zoo was OK, but wasn't very big. For twenty notes I would have been disappointed if we hadn't got to see a diver "maintaining" one of the tanks. All the kids sat at the front while he took his aqualung out and pulled faces at them. They were supposed to ask him questions by writing on a board and holding him up. This quickly deteriorated into asking him to do tricks. This included a forward somersault, backward somersault and a cartwheel.
Outside was a bouncy castle and an adventure play area, so we spent a good hour or two here and had our lunch.
We then went in search of the nearest, and found it just outside the Sea View Centre.
Spent the afternoon throwing stones into the sea with Frodo and Samwise.
Great day out.
Thursday - Another wet day, so we visited Gormenghast aka Penhrhyn Castle Not mediaeval this time, but built in the 1800's from the profits of Welsh slate mines and Jamaican sugar plantations.
Fantastic place to wander around. Magnificent neo-Norman architecture - i.e. like an overdecorated film set, combined with interiors ranging from the Victorian period to the 1930's. Bakelite lamp stands. Water closets - flush toilets with hand pump action, a collection of steam engines, early electric lighting and power, enormous kitchens with vast arrays of copper pans and larders where the carcases of a whole herd of cows could hang, an early fridge in the form of "the ice tower" and the most fantastic arrangement of servant summoning bells - a labelled bell ringing in the servants quarters for every room in the castle.
The weather remained wet, so we had tea and cake in the castle tea rooms before wandering around the stables, the stalls of which now form the gift shop.
There was a walled garden which was worth a visit, particularly for the bog garden, which had some huge foliage in it, due to the heavy rains.
A quick go on the adventure playground in the castle woods before it got too wet, then we had our pic-nic in the car.
Friday - Again a wet start, but bright and sunny later.
Visited the town of Conwy. Here there is a fabulous toyshop where we bought an essential addition to the boys toy castle - a tavern. Every castle needs a pub! We also bought a wizard and a queen figure to add to the castle population.
Another shop in Conwy sells mediaeval weapons and armour. Novelist Supermum bought this sword. I have sword envy.
We found a quiet cove beyond the tourist filled sea front (the so-called smallest house in the UK is here), just outside the town wall. Had our lunch here. Frodo and Samwise indulged in their favourite pastime of throwing stones in the water.
We went for a vertigo-inducing walk around the fortified town walls. Great views, but a bit scary in places, taking two small excited boys above the rooftops balancing on top of a mediaeval wall. There was a safety rail - but the gap was a bit worrying.
Great day out.
Saturday - Packed up and headed home.
Great holiday.
---------------
Frodo's 6th Birthday Party is tomorrow (his Birthday is next Friday, but we're having the party in advance as a lot of his school friends will be on holiday next week).
The party has been booked at a local college campus. 2 of the staff provide the kids with party fun and games. We just provide the food, balloons and party gift bags.
I've bought a cylinder of helium from the local cash and carry to inflate the balloons. The party gift bags are little boxes full of gifts and sweets that we got for a couple of quid each.
Bought the food from Asda this afternoon. Drove out of Asda and whilst putting the car into second gear it stalled in mid gear-change. The engine just cut out completely and I couldn't restart it.
Called the AA and a "very very nice man" did his best to fix it on the spot, but had to tow me to a local repair centre, where they'll take a closer look on Monday. Suspected "cam sensor failure" causing an intermittent fault. They started it again immediately at the garage - but they want to keep it and check it out since the computer chip was reporting "no fault" even when it wouldn't start!
The AA man gave me a lift home with all of my shopping.
We'll have to take a taxi to Frodo's party tomorrow.
Thursday 9 August 2007
Tooth fairy
Frodo is about to lose his second tooth. It's been loose for about a week, and this morning it looks like it's almost ready to drop out.
The Tooth Fairy that visits our house tends to deliver small toys, rather than money, in exchange for children's milk teeth (she did this the last time).
I've had a word with her, and instead of £2.99 she's going to leave this:
The Tooth Fairy that visits our house tends to deliver small toys, rather than money, in exchange for children's milk teeth (she did this the last time).
I've had a word with her, and instead of £2.99 she's going to leave this:
Tuesday 7 August 2007
Bizarre Building
I went for a walk at lunchtime. I was passing Moorfields station when I came across an empty office building with a hole cut in it. The section that had been cut out of the front of the building was rotating in the hole.
I'd heard about this before, but hadn't been to see it for myself. It's very surreal. Pity it's going to be demolished and taken down next year.
Here's some info on the building/artwork from the BBC.
I'd heard about this before, but hadn't been to see it for myself. It's very surreal. Pity it's going to be demolished and taken down next year.
Here's some info on the building/artwork from the BBC.
Saturday 4 August 2007
I'm a Database Administrator, not a Bricklayer
Today I have been mostly cementing reclaimed bricks back into the spaces which were created in my garden wall when I tore down the old garage/shed.
Wednesday 1 August 2007
Robots in Disguise
Another first for Frodo yesterday. I took him to the cinema for the first time, to see Transformers.
We're very lucky in that we have a local one screen cinema that is a 2 minute walk around the corner from our house. This meant that I could take Frodo straight there when I got back from work.
We decided that to keep his attention he would need to see something with a lot of action, that was easy to follow, and few slow bits, or mushy scenes in between the action - ideally, if possible, with some spaceships. Transformers seemed to fit the bill perfectly.
The only reservation that I had, was that the rating was a 12A. This means that under 12's can see the film, but must be accompanied by an adult. The description was 'Moderate Violence'. We'd decided against Spiderman 3, which had the same rating, when we saw a trailer, since Venom looked a bit scary. The transformers trailer looked a bit wham, bang, pow, crash, wallop, budda budda budda (that's a machine gun sound for those who don't know), but that should be fine for an almost six year old.
It turned out to be the right decision. I think that I enjoyed the film almost as much as Frodo did. I expected the plot to be really trite, but although it was uncomplicated, it turned out to be really well thought out. Perhaps it also helped that I was watching it with a small, very excited boy, which added to the fun.
The opening scenes really grabbed his attention before anything got blown up. The introduction of the Geek, and the girl he'd be trying to get didn't drag on too long before the inevitable "Dad - the car's a robot". I hadn't told him beforehand what was going to happen :-)
The effects were great - the Autobots and Decepticons were really convincing.
The 12A rating was about right, but I think that we made the right decision. One word was used in a comic moment, that I might not have wanted Frodo to repeat, but he didn't pick up on it. Lots of violence and destruction, but a lot less gore than in the average Dr Who episode. It was demonstrated that people were getting hurt, although it was made very clear that the Autobots were trying to prevent this from happening.
Frodo jumped right out of his seat at one unexpected collision. Rather than being scared - he found this hilarious.
He was leaping up and pointing at the screen during the final scenes, pointing out where the bad guys were, and shouting out this information to the good guys.
There was only about 20 people in the cinema, and I'd deliberately chosen a seat towards the back near the aisle, in case Frodo needed to leave for any reason.
We came out of the dark cinema, blinking in the bright sunlight. I grabbed a free poster on the way out, which is now on Frodo's bedroom wall.
On the way home I asked him which cars on the street were going to turn into robots. He said "No they're not!", so I guess that he understands it's all just pretend.
I think that we've solved the problem of what to get him for his Birthday. Just hope that I can figure out how to transform the toys.
Verdict - This film is not just for the kids, and if you like action films it's well worth seeing.
We're very lucky in that we have a local one screen cinema that is a 2 minute walk around the corner from our house. This meant that I could take Frodo straight there when I got back from work.
We decided that to keep his attention he would need to see something with a lot of action, that was easy to follow, and few slow bits, or mushy scenes in between the action - ideally, if possible, with some spaceships. Transformers seemed to fit the bill perfectly.
The only reservation that I had, was that the rating was a 12A. This means that under 12's can see the film, but must be accompanied by an adult. The description was 'Moderate Violence'. We'd decided against Spiderman 3, which had the same rating, when we saw a trailer, since Venom looked a bit scary. The transformers trailer looked a bit wham, bang, pow, crash, wallop, budda budda budda (that's a machine gun sound for those who don't know), but that should be fine for an almost six year old.
It turned out to be the right decision. I think that I enjoyed the film almost as much as Frodo did. I expected the plot to be really trite, but although it was uncomplicated, it turned out to be really well thought out. Perhaps it also helped that I was watching it with a small, very excited boy, which added to the fun.
The opening scenes really grabbed his attention before anything got blown up. The introduction of the Geek, and the girl he'd be trying to get didn't drag on too long before the inevitable "Dad - the car's a robot". I hadn't told him beforehand what was going to happen :-)
The effects were great - the Autobots and Decepticons were really convincing.
The 12A rating was about right, but I think that we made the right decision. One word was used in a comic moment, that I might not have wanted Frodo to repeat, but he didn't pick up on it. Lots of violence and destruction, but a lot less gore than in the average Dr Who episode. It was demonstrated that people were getting hurt, although it was made very clear that the Autobots were trying to prevent this from happening.
Frodo jumped right out of his seat at one unexpected collision. Rather than being scared - he found this hilarious.
He was leaping up and pointing at the screen during the final scenes, pointing out where the bad guys were, and shouting out this information to the good guys.
There was only about 20 people in the cinema, and I'd deliberately chosen a seat towards the back near the aisle, in case Frodo needed to leave for any reason.
We came out of the dark cinema, blinking in the bright sunlight. I grabbed a free poster on the way out, which is now on Frodo's bedroom wall.
On the way home I asked him which cars on the street were going to turn into robots. He said "No they're not!", so I guess that he understands it's all just pretend.
I think that we've solved the problem of what to get him for his Birthday. Just hope that I can figure out how to transform the toys.
Verdict - This film is not just for the kids, and if you like action films it's well worth seeing.
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