End Of my Summer Holiday, August 31st 2010

Having finally recovered from my birthday, and the weather being sunny, the car and I ventured forth for more sights to see and pictures to be taken, the first being local to test out a new filter for my camera. A polarizer is supposed to bring out colour and reduce reflection, so what the heck, off I went to see what could be achieved with it.

Witton Park, Blackburn

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42nd Birthday

This year as it would be my 42nd birthday it was decided that I would have some kind of do, that do being a fancy dress do, and a do to be held at St Albans club in Blackburn. Some people did ask, why 42, and the obvious reply was, well it's the meaning of life isn't it. To which I would be issued with a puzzled look and a brief shaking of the head. Many of my friends embraced the idea and came in some kind of Pythonesque attire, even Michelle flew over from Spain for the weekend, just to join in with the crazyness.

As the venue had to close around midnight, and not wanting to transform into pumpkins, we ventured into the night and sought refuge in a local drinking establishment, The Napier. A few heads were turned, but some patrons saw the joke and kindly got into the spirit of it all. In all a splendid night was had by all, a few old faces made their current faces visible. Images of such have been digitally captured for posterity and made available by the wiggle and click of a plastic mouse.

Thanks to all those who made it a night to remember.

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Yorkshire Sculpture Park August 25th 2010

Well considering I have 2 weeks off for my summer holidays, and a car in which I can drive to places, I decided to go visit something. Gillian had mentioned she had visited this place recently and suggested I should go and take my camera with me. So off I went, guided by my sat nav, having great day, with plenty of walking and wonderous sculpture to behold.

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Yorkshire Sculpture Park Website - Here

Kasia is going home

As with most things, they have to come to an end, and so Kasia has decided to go back to Poland. A job opportunity has arisen and it would be foolish to pass up such a great offer, sure beats what she had been doing for the last few weeks. It's just a pity that the weather had not been that good, and chances of outings being few and infrequent, but despite that we did get out a few times, and obviously a few pics taken to document the occasions.

Corporation Park June 20th

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Corporation Park July 4th

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Entwistle Reservoir July 30th

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And so on Saturday 31st July I drove Kasia to Liverpool Airport for her flight home. It was wonderful having her here, and to stay at my house for the duration. Both me and my cat Q kinda got used to her being around, but alas she has gone home, hope all goes well in her new job and she gets a nice flat, well it will give me somewhere to stay when I go and visit.

My first car

As alluded to in previous posts, something that I had started back in October came to fruition on June the 4th, that being, starting driving lessons and passing my test first time. In the last couple of week I had been looking for a car to purchase, and on Saturday 12th June myself and Graham went a hunting for cars, and luckily we found such a thing, and made a downpayment. The following Wednesday, we returned to pick up said car and made probably the scariest drive in my life.

and here it is

Kasia visits from Poland

June the 11th saw Kasia fly to England for an extended visit, for how long she would stay, who knows, but for the next couple weeks, she would be squeezing into the small room at the back of my house. Starting work back at Mellor Electrics allowed her to earn money, but flat hunting would be one of the first things she would attend to. In the interim we would get out whenever possible as long as the weather permits.

June 2010

Friday the 4th of June saw the payoff of what I started back in October 2009, but more of that later.

5th of June was The Damned in Manchester Academy, so myself Lee and Kieran met up with Julie Windle and set fort on the train to Manchester for beer and merryment, and was had with aplomb. Since we spent time in the bar consuming pints of golden liquid, we missed the support bands, but as soon was available we set forth and entered the room of delight.

The Damned never dissapoint, always a great show, and quite often as tonight was the case, play some old songs from their ever expanding catalogue. The delight's they played tonight were, Fan Club, Fish, Gun Fury, Bad Time For Bonzo, Limit Club and Thanks For The Night. Great banter between the band and the audience punctuated the set, as as the good Captain remarked, we (Manchester) were a better audience than the previous night (London). Well we Northern Scum do appreciate good music when we hear it.

Microphones had been placed on the sides of the stage, maybe they were recording, they did record the Machine Gun Etiquette DVD here, so maybe we have been recorded for posterity.

Anyhow, didn't take my camera with me, but some kind person did, so here is a link to what they took - Kevin Ruscoe's pictures, here is one of those mentioned, not taken by me pictures for you to enjoy.

May 2010

May brings the annual pilgrimage to Spain, for the Spanish Grand Prix, so avoiding the ash that has been plaguing many flights in and out of the country, I managed just that and had a great time. Fortunately Michelle had many day's off, so for all of my visit we were able to spend our days walking the dogs, doing a bit of gardening, checking out the fast cars, and take a crazy amount of pictures as per usual. Only get delayed by 6 hours to get home, damn that ash.

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and the day of the fast cars

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April 2010

April, bathroom is pretty much finished now, hurrah you may say, and what took so long, well, I didn't want to rush it and make mistakes (that's my excuse and am sticking to it). Actually a few distractions needed to be not so, and my focus had to be shifted for a few weeks to ensure those distractions where completed (yes I am being cryptic, but nevermind).

As the weather is beginning to improve it means more days out in the outside. New camera needs new bits, so new lens has been purchased and needed to be put through its paces. So a nice wander around Entwistle Reservoir with Gill was undertaken, and a few nice pictures taken to prove it.

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Of course having a new lens I had to venture back to my local park and snap some more.....

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February & March 2010

February and March, pretty much the same, work, bathroom (yes still on it) few walks in the park, when it was not raining and free of snow and the continuation of the something mentioned earlier.

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and even more pictures