Speculative look around a small flat in Ashcombe Road. Close enough to town to be practical, far enough away to be a little quieter. Meets space requirement and seems like a pleasant spot. Decide to apply and set wheels in motion. Much nervousness and disbelief among all concerned - but everyone seems pleased that I'm going to have more freedom, heating and independence. Everything crossed - but concerned about staying on the net.
First day in new job. Feels strange to move only 20 feet or so but have such a different role. Things go reasonably well - lots of new information to get to grips with, which hopefully will eventually sink in. Off to Bristol afterwards for a talk on Historical Gardens of Gloucestershire by Tim Mowl. As ever, entertaining stuff with some fascinating historical facts and anecdotes thrown in. Quick pint at the Highbury Vaults. Too sleepy even to check email.
Tiring weekend. Yesterday we did the bulk of the house clearance, particularly getting damaged beds and old furnishings down to the dump, and sorting through the collected papers and photographs of a lifetime. Distracted by little glimpses into a past which became more and more complex and interesting as we went on. We all had little bits of knowledge to fit into the puzzle too - which made for a really pleasant but exhausting day of work and rememberance. Later, out for a very large (but welcome) dinner, then to the much busier than usual Brit. Pleasant evening - became very sleepy somewhere in the middle. Today, up late and off to Burnham. Beautiful frosty views on the way. Submitted my modifications to zenity to make the calendar useful to me, localised and more versatile. Did washing dating from a week ago. Having put to bed one very long, strange week - I feel like another is beginning...
A beautifully bright winters day. Spent the morning preparing, learning exciting ways to tie a tie knot, and playing with zenity - the gdialog replacement. Visit around lunchtime, with a surprise gift of very good single malt. Later, arrived in time to meet people prior to procession to service. A very sad, but somehow quite uplifting service with the massed ranks of the Royal British Legion Women's Section in attendance. Off to The Cliffs tearoom for a quiet tea overlooking amazing sunset views. Rallied somewhat later, and managed a pleasant chat over dinner at the Bengal Raj - relieved today went as well as it did.
Lost::MikeGTN
I've had a home on the web for more years than I care to remember, and a few kind souls persuade me it's worth persisting with keeping it updated. This current incarnation of the site is centred around the blog posts which began back in 1999 as 'the daylog' and continued through my travels and tribulations during the following years.
I don't get out and about nearly as much these days, but I do try to record significant events and trips for posterity. You may also have arrived here by following the trail to my former music blog Songs Heard On Fast Trains. That content is preserved here too.
