ivor

After many years of relying on “a version” of Memory Map for plotting walk routes, I’m venturing into new territory. Richard has been banging on for ages about something called Tracklogs, and I had no idea what he was on about – I assumed it was a GPS thing. But I checked it out, and […]

Digital Mapping Read More »

Almost 4 weeks since I could be bothered to cut the lawns, and the back one has rapidly turned into a meadow! Still a bit reluctant to do so, because there’s a bumper crop of buttercups which looks quite good. Along with the usual clover and daisies, and an increasing “infestation” of hawkweeds – both

Better Cut The Grass Again… Read More »

Used 1stchoice1stclass taxis to get to Manchester for the first time. Very professional service all the way from the booking phone call, and just £65 one way. Driver had just come from the airport over Woodhead and reckoned it was not worth going that way, so opted for the old “Pott Shrigley” route. Except that

New Way To Manchester Airport Read More »

With the world increasingly being governed by the incompetent and downright thick, I was wishing there were a word for this. And there is: kakistocracy.     A kakistocracy is a system of government that is run by the worst, least qualified, or most unscrupulous citizens   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kakistocracy That just about nails it.

There’s Always A Word Read More »

Just been looking at the notes we were given for the school trip to Paris in 1964. It seems that the French then charged different amounts to send a postcard to the UK depending on the number of words: 20 centimes for five words or fewer, 30 centimes for more than five! Mind boggling. I’d

Words Are Heavy Read More »

What a week for the Premier League! All four finalists in the Champions and Europa League are English clubs: Liverpool v Spurs; Arsenal v Chelsea. This is the first time that one country has provided all four finalists, and is really pissing off fans from certain continental clubs (especially Milan and Juventus)! The surprise omissions

Full English Read More »

Must say, I’ve been impressed by the quality of reporting of the two Champions League semi-finals by the New York Times (apart from their using the 3rd person singular for verbs associated with the team names). UK papers are often very similar in their reporting style and content, but the NYT has provided a refreshingly

Alternative Coverage Read More »

After being (undeservedly) beaten 3-0 by Barcelona last Wednesday, the impossible has happened: a comeback greater than that in Istanbul in 2005 – and Liverpool again! I watched both, but this latest one was just unbelievable (a word used by all players – and Klopp – in post-match interviews). The best I expected was a

What A Comeback! Read More »

Wow – actually had a tweet “liked” by Private Eye! In response to their “Private Eye is £34 for 26 issues and you do not get a ticket to an evening with Michael Gove” I replied “Could you possibly make that two tickets? The wife doesn’t want to go either.” Silly, but nice to get

Fame At Last Read More »

Sheffield United 2 Ipswich Town 0 – and the mighty Blades are on their way to the Premiership! Unless, of course, Leeds can get a GD of +14 in their final two games… One of which is against Aston Villa, who are on a 10-game winning streak… It’s been a long wait, but 2 years

COYRAWW! Read More »