My hundredth blog-diary entry!
Today was a quite flat day, spent most of it in the house, Gill and the boys went to town and did get trousers and shoes. I did some emails, lots of Googlechat with my friend, a fair amount of housework, some paperwork and about an hour in the front garden cutting the hedge (by hand, low carbon method, with very nice freecycled shears) and an hour shredding the twiggy bits ready for a new batch in the compostumbler.
So for a landmark online diary, quite a boring day really. Didn't even get on my bike! Miss my bike when I don't get out on it!
Wednesday, 30 May 2007
Tuesday, 29 May 2007
Tuesday 29th May 07
An odd day... a slow start but at 10ish we decided to go to town and get some shoes for the boys as they're growing out of them, and I need some summer sandals too. Gill wanted to cycle in on her own and I went in with the boys the quiet route, and we went to Out Of This World to pick up the compostables first.
We had agreed to meet up at the fountain in Parliament St at 11.35 but as we arrived, Gill was there and looking flustered and unhappy. She said that she'd just had her bag snatched off the back rack of her bike, and it had £100 in it and various cards and other things...
She said that she wanted to retrace her steps incase it had fallen off, but I wanted to phone the police and check various back alleys where stolen bags are dumped after being rifled through for money. She asked me to take the boys home and she'd retrace her steps home. I tried to phone the police but had no coins to do this (no mobile phone either, as part of my 'low carbon lifestyle') so went to Whittards shop and asked them for help. They phoned the police (non emergency) and I explained what had happened, they said that they'd look out for the bag.
Then the boys and I cycled home, via the Heslington Road Veg shop where Ipicked up some more recycling. When we got back home Gill was there looking relieved and happy... she'd found her bag, in the road outside the Shell Petrol station, with cars driving over it... and everything still in it! The funny thing was (for her anyway!) that on the way up Lawrence St, she passed a black nun from the Poor Clares whom Gill has given her seat to on the bus a couple of times, and the nun greeted her. When Gill found her bag, she thought that the nun must have blessed her. This is the first time Gill has ever expressed any religious sentiment at all, very odd. Maybe she was joking....
Anyway, the bag was safe and we all relaxed. Didn't buy shoes.
I did some gardening, had lunch, did some paperwork and more gardening stuff.
Went to the lottie and did a load of compost heap management, weeding and a bit of earthing up the potatoes I've already put in.
Home for late tea and had yesterday's reheated bulgar wheat with a good tomato, onion, spinach and blue cheese sauce on top... lovely.
Quiet evening, no excitement, just blog, email and sober but happy chat on Googletalk with my friend accross the pond.
We had agreed to meet up at the fountain in Parliament St at 11.35 but as we arrived, Gill was there and looking flustered and unhappy. She said that she'd just had her bag snatched off the back rack of her bike, and it had £100 in it and various cards and other things...
She said that she wanted to retrace her steps incase it had fallen off, but I wanted to phone the police and check various back alleys where stolen bags are dumped after being rifled through for money. She asked me to take the boys home and she'd retrace her steps home. I tried to phone the police but had no coins to do this (no mobile phone either, as part of my 'low carbon lifestyle') so went to Whittards shop and asked them for help. They phoned the police (non emergency) and I explained what had happened, they said that they'd look out for the bag.
Then the boys and I cycled home, via the Heslington Road Veg shop where Ipicked up some more recycling. When we got back home Gill was there looking relieved and happy... she'd found her bag, in the road outside the Shell Petrol station, with cars driving over it... and everything still in it! The funny thing was (for her anyway!) that on the way up Lawrence St, she passed a black nun from the Poor Clares whom Gill has given her seat to on the bus a couple of times, and the nun greeted her. When Gill found her bag, she thought that the nun must have blessed her. This is the first time Gill has ever expressed any religious sentiment at all, very odd. Maybe she was joking....
Anyway, the bag was safe and we all relaxed. Didn't buy shoes.
I did some gardening, had lunch, did some paperwork and more gardening stuff.
Went to the lottie and did a load of compost heap management, weeding and a bit of earthing up the potatoes I've already put in.
Home for late tea and had yesterday's reheated bulgar wheat with a good tomato, onion, spinach and blue cheese sauce on top... lovely.
Quiet evening, no excitement, just blog, email and sober but happy chat on Googletalk with my friend accross the pond.
Monday, 28 May 2007
Bank Holiday Monday 28th May 07
Had a poor night's sleep as still sneezy and blocked sinuses and then the dawn chorus started up and it seemed so loud that I just couldn't ignore it and drift off. Lots on my mind too, doesn't help!
The rain and wind meant that we decided not to go to Poppleton Childrens' Sports Day and get cold and wet, glad that I haven't been bookied for anything outdoor today, as would feel like cancelling.
Had a tranquil day inside, read a NewScientist article to my eldest 'sciency' son about the world's metal resources becoming more scarce and running out... well some of them, possibly within a decade or two. It's a subject that he's interested in and if he 'does' science as a career, he may be involved in dealing with the problem in some way.
Both boys also typed an email to friends who have left York. This is the first 'personal' email that they've sent.
I cooked tea for Gill as she did tea for the boys... she made bread rolls (smelling lovely even through my runny dose) and I did Bulgar wheat and veggie haggis, with leek and onion topping.
Spent ages doing email deleting (only 700 in my inbox now!) and replying and preparing to do my 'paid-for' blog for Community Care. Hope to get an early night.
The rain and wind meant that we decided not to go to Poppleton Childrens' Sports Day and get cold and wet, glad that I haven't been bookied for anything outdoor today, as would feel like cancelling.
Had a tranquil day inside, read a NewScientist article to my eldest 'sciency' son about the world's metal resources becoming more scarce and running out... well some of them, possibly within a decade or two. It's a subject that he's interested in and if he 'does' science as a career, he may be involved in dealing with the problem in some way.
Both boys also typed an email to friends who have left York. This is the first 'personal' email that they've sent.
I cooked tea for Gill as she did tea for the boys... she made bread rolls (smelling lovely even through my runny dose) and I did Bulgar wheat and veggie haggis, with leek and onion topping.
Spent ages doing email deleting (only 700 in my inbox now!) and replying and preparing to do my 'paid-for' blog for Community Care. Hope to get an early night.
Sunday, 27 May 2007
Sunday 27th May 07
A bit of a lie-in, until 9ish, and then whilst eating breakfast, the boys wanted me to watch a DVD they found in the PDSA charity shop yesterday, on Hypnodisc from 'Robot Wars' TV programme. Very exciting!
I felt quite grotty and didn't get up, so watched Countryfile and did a bit of washing up after lighting the stove, then lunch and I lay around and watched the Grand Prix on TV (I don't know why I like this, as it is not something which contributes to sustainability and I don't like cars). Then listened to Gardener's Question Time on the radio, and after that went to bed as feeling well grotty. Gill woke me at 6 telling me that I could come down for tea and watch Scrapheap Challenge with the boys, but had to deal with eldest son's bad behaviour and talk to him about why he'd been told off by Mum. He has a lot of anger and needs a lot of loving and tolerance and explanations. He did eventually calm down and eat his tea, I ate mine and spent an hour and a half planting out some beans and courgettes and sunflowers, and did a load of weeding in the raised beds.
Came in after 9 and did a bit of email stuff and aimed for an early night.
I felt quite grotty and didn't get up, so watched Countryfile and did a bit of washing up after lighting the stove, then lunch and I lay around and watched the Grand Prix on TV (I don't know why I like this, as it is not something which contributes to sustainability and I don't like cars). Then listened to Gardener's Question Time on the radio, and after that went to bed as feeling well grotty. Gill woke me at 6 telling me that I could come down for tea and watch Scrapheap Challenge with the boys, but had to deal with eldest son's bad behaviour and talk to him about why he'd been told off by Mum. He has a lot of anger and needs a lot of loving and tolerance and explanations. He did eventually calm down and eat his tea, I ate mine and spent an hour and a half planting out some beans and courgettes and sunflowers, and did a load of weeding in the raised beds.
Came in after 9 and did a bit of email stuff and aimed for an early night.
Saturday, 26 May 2007
Saturday 26th May 07 Working in Ripon
A full and tiring day, entertaining in Ripon.
Got up at about 8am and got my costume and circus stuff ready for loading onto the bike, and breakfasted. When I got the bike out, I found one of the logpiles next to the house had fallen down, the warm weather has shrunk the logs and this causes the pile to shift... logpiles always move and inevitably some fall over, especially the unsupported ones I make. These don't even lean against the house as they might cause a 'moisture bridge' and allow rain into the solid walls of the house, not a good idea. Also having a gap between the wall and the woodpile allows better drying. So moved the strewn logs to our side of the driveway and got off to the bus station.
Got the 9.44 bus to Ripon which took an hour and 20 mins as it went all around the villages, very pretty. The square in Riopn was filled with Robinson's Funfair, I met Stewart the boss who was deep inside a lorry engine, which powers the dodgems when working. I talked to several other people about my pitch, which was originally next to some loudspeakers and an engine so I elected to work with my back to the central market cross or column thing. Got changed in Gregg's the Baker's loo and got started for 12 midday and was busy with members of the public for the next four hours solid. Did 3 hrs of circus workshops and an hour of balloons, and then got paid and got the 4.15 bus home, arriving back at about 6, tired but happy the weather had held and the good people of Ripon had enjoyed what I'd done as part of the funfair.
Enjoyed several TV programmes and did blog and emails. The best programme was 'The Seven Ages Of Rock', which was about some of my favourite bands, The Pink Floyd, The Velvet Underground, Roxy Music (featuring my musical hero, Brian Eno). Later on, Gill and I watched 'The Station Agent', a film starring Peter Dinklage, and we both loved it. Quirky, no violence, just interesting relationships.
Got up at about 8am and got my costume and circus stuff ready for loading onto the bike, and breakfasted. When I got the bike out, I found one of the logpiles next to the house had fallen down, the warm weather has shrunk the logs and this causes the pile to shift... logpiles always move and inevitably some fall over, especially the unsupported ones I make. These don't even lean against the house as they might cause a 'moisture bridge' and allow rain into the solid walls of the house, not a good idea. Also having a gap between the wall and the woodpile allows better drying. So moved the strewn logs to our side of the driveway and got off to the bus station.
Got the 9.44 bus to Ripon which took an hour and 20 mins as it went all around the villages, very pretty. The square in Riopn was filled with Robinson's Funfair, I met Stewart the boss who was deep inside a lorry engine, which powers the dodgems when working. I talked to several other people about my pitch, which was originally next to some loudspeakers and an engine so I elected to work with my back to the central market cross or column thing. Got changed in Gregg's the Baker's loo and got started for 12 midday and was busy with members of the public for the next four hours solid. Did 3 hrs of circus workshops and an hour of balloons, and then got paid and got the 4.15 bus home, arriving back at about 6, tired but happy the weather had held and the good people of Ripon had enjoyed what I'd done as part of the funfair.
Enjoyed several TV programmes and did blog and emails. The best programme was 'The Seven Ages Of Rock', which was about some of my favourite bands, The Pink Floyd, The Velvet Underground, Roxy Music (featuring my musical hero, Brian Eno). Later on, Gill and I watched 'The Station Agent', a film starring Peter Dinklage, and we both loved it. Quirky, no violence, just interesting relationships.
Friday, 25 May 2007
Friday 25th May 07
A warm day but spent much of the morning cooped up inside doing various paperworky stuff including several letters to people who have booked Professor Fiddlesticks, sending cheques, agreements and other stuff. Also did some York Green Festival blog and phone calls. Found out that food stalls are allowed and only commercial ones need a street trading licence. This is good news, but we still have to meet up with the Rowntree Park Cafe person to get permission to have any food stalls.
Lunch and then a little while outside before collecting the boys who have a week off for halfterm so I made them go and find assorted lost clothes and I think most stuff came home.
Collected the compostables before tea, and whilst cycling through town was accosted by a woman struggling with about 10 bags who called out to me, I half recognised her so I stopped and asked if she was OK. She said she was waiting for a taxi but it hadn't come so she had to go to the taxi-rank and get one, and could I help, was I in a hurry? I told her that I was on my way to Out Of This World for a compostables pickup but could help her, and I said I recognised her but couldn't remember her name. She told me she'd lost lots of weight and she was Janet R, and if I helped her she'd give me a home-made ice cream... well that clinched it so loaded up my trailer and she started to take me to the taxi rank, but the one she'd booked arrived so unloaded into the boot. I think she'd been doing a charity do of some sort.
Collected from OOTW and Hes Rd on the way back. and when I arrived back Gill had created a veg stir fry which was awaiting a veg haggis which I'd brought back with me. Also a cherry pie which used a pile of reject cherries brought back yesterday.
Lunch and then a little while outside before collecting the boys who have a week off for halfterm so I made them go and find assorted lost clothes and I think most stuff came home.
Collected the compostables before tea, and whilst cycling through town was accosted by a woman struggling with about 10 bags who called out to me, I half recognised her so I stopped and asked if she was OK. She said she was waiting for a taxi but it hadn't come so she had to go to the taxi-rank and get one, and could I help, was I in a hurry? I told her that I was on my way to Out Of This World for a compostables pickup but could help her, and I said I recognised her but couldn't remember her name. She told me she'd lost lots of weight and she was Janet R, and if I helped her she'd give me a home-made ice cream... well that clinched it so loaded up my trailer and she started to take me to the taxi rank, but the one she'd booked arrived so unloaded into the boot. I think she'd been doing a charity do of some sort.
Collected from OOTW and Hes Rd on the way back. and when I arrived back Gill had created a veg stir fry which was awaiting a veg haggis which I'd brought back with me. Also a cherry pie which used a pile of reject cherries brought back yesterday.
Thursday, 24 May 2007
Thursday 24th May 07
I got up early but not as early as Gill who had got up and fixed the flat tyre which happened last night, and I cycled the boys to school.
When I got back I went into the garden to construct another pallet compost bin, or rather re-construct it in a different place, and refill it with fresh stuff (fresh is the wrong word of course).
At 11, as pre-arranged, Toby an English Student from University of York came round and we talked about my 'green' lifestyle and then had a walk down the garden to see the fruit trees and composting systems. He's having a 'green week' and writing about it for the student newspaper.
After lunch bombed into town and got a trailer load of compostables and visited the Building Society to get several cheques out, and got back in time for picking up the kids.
Several people are leaving York whom I will miss, including a lovely Oriental Brazillian lady who I chat with who picks up a child, not her own, and she gave me her and her husband's contact details back in Sao Paulo, also an Oriental family from Austraila are leaving, and we will miss them too.
Back at home I refilled the newly constructed compost bin and gratefully accepted Gill's offer of home-made Pizza and potato salad for tea, and then got ready for the York Green Festival meeting.
I picked up the Space 109 keys from the Blue Bell and let myself in, a good meeting was had, very fruitful. Afterwards, after giving the keys back, found a load of cardboard tubes which I thought shouldn't be landfilled, so brought them home to put on Freecycle. Re-Use is so much better!
When I got back I went into the garden to construct another pallet compost bin, or rather re-construct it in a different place, and refill it with fresh stuff (fresh is the wrong word of course).
At 11, as pre-arranged, Toby an English Student from University of York came round and we talked about my 'green' lifestyle and then had a walk down the garden to see the fruit trees and composting systems. He's having a 'green week' and writing about it for the student newspaper.
After lunch bombed into town and got a trailer load of compostables and visited the Building Society to get several cheques out, and got back in time for picking up the kids.
Several people are leaving York whom I will miss, including a lovely Oriental Brazillian lady who I chat with who picks up a child, not her own, and she gave me her and her husband's contact details back in Sao Paulo, also an Oriental family from Austraila are leaving, and we will miss them too.
Back at home I refilled the newly constructed compost bin and gratefully accepted Gill's offer of home-made Pizza and potato salad for tea, and then got ready for the York Green Festival meeting.
I picked up the Space 109 keys from the Blue Bell and let myself in, a good meeting was had, very fruitful. Afterwards, after giving the keys back, found a load of cardboard tubes which I thought shouldn't be landfilled, so brought them home to put on Freecycle. Re-Use is so much better!
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