tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-195109352012-01-05T20:52:59.704ZSome stuff that reflects my interests, amuses me, as well as me rambling on about things.Bob Watthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04494166353165641950noreply@blogger.comBlogger801100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19510935.post-64908439769475988642012-01-05T20:50:00.002Z2012-01-05T20:52:59.717Z

We were listening to the Mike Harding folk show on BBC Radio 2 last night and he mentioned that Chumbawamba were doing a "Big Society" show at Leeds City Varieties Music Hall (where they used to film the "Good Old Days" for TV). Once the show was over, we went on-line and now have two tickets and a hotel booked for a weekend away in Leeds in February. Hurrah! Should be fun as they have got Phil

Bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13303322075936627900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19510935.post-52929304530792190192011-12-31T19:31:00.003Z2011-12-31T19:31:36.235Z

It's nearly 7.30 on NYE 2011 and I'm typing in the study instead of getting ready to party. Not going to make it out tonight as I have been given some sort of cold/flu bug by someone over the Xmas holidays. If I find out who it was I shall thank them by shaking them gently by the throat until theirs is as sore as mine! So, apologies to Martin & Nic who are hosting the party we are supposed to

Bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13303322075936627900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19510935.post-81367329972864297612011-09-18T21:39:00.000+01:002011-09-18T22:10:23.540+01:00

I have been going through some of my old blog posts and spotted the map that showed how many countries I had visited, so I thought I would bring it up to date... visited 11 states (4.88%) Create your own visited map of The World or website vertaling duits?

Bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13303322075936627900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19510935.post-14615386176366250222011-09-18T20:54:00.000+01:002011-09-18T20:54:09.018+01:00

As I am going to be 50 years old on 5th May 2012, I've been asking myself a few questions... Assuming I want to celebrate it, and I think I do, the conventional approach is to have some sort of social event. Will this be a party? If so, what sort? If not, what instead? Who would turn up? Where would it be held? My initial thoughts are that, as my birthday will be on the Saturday of May Day

Bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13303322075936627900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19510935.post-23511944042451218662011-09-13T22:09:00.000+01:002011-09-13T22:20:29.259+01:00

Well, here goes... Click on this link and turn on your speakers... Ah, that didn't work as I expected, it just sends you to the page so you can download the song yourself...not what I wanted to do at all! So i've removed the link and will start again later.

Bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13303322075936627900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19510935.post-44194402476559690482011-09-10T21:21:00.001+01:002011-09-10T21:21:47.870+01:00

Turns out that the hard drive waited for 1 year and 3 weeks after purchase to fail. So had to buy a new hard drive to go in the PC and reload all the software. Luckily had made a back up on the 1TB storage drive but it was still damned inconvenient! Seems to be just about back to normal now but still some wrinkles to iron out.

Bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13303322075936627900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19510935.post-7176387060839939982011-07-24T19:38:00.001+01:002011-07-24T19:38:05.060+01:00

Having to type this on the mobile phone as the PC was infected with a virus that crashes the PC and then, once you reboot from your start up disc, it tells you the hard drive is going to crash and you must click on a pop up box to make a back up. I decided to make a back up myself via the Control Panel, yet the pop up box kept reappearing! Took the PC to the shop who took one look and said it wad

Bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13303322075936627900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19510935.post-32257618244946514322011-06-01T22:23:00.001+01:002011-06-01T22:23:14.307+01:00

The other recent change is the purchase of a San Francisco Orange Android phone. It lets me post things like this via an app.

Bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13303322075936627900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19510935.post-77635156455458554092011-06-01T22:08:00.003+01:002011-06-01T22:17:30.960+01:00

It's been some time since I've posted on here. I've been busy with Flickr and Facebook, Sonia got me a turntable at Xmas so I can convert my vinyl collection to digital, and it's been a bit hectic at work what with the team I manage being cut from 10 to 5.Hopefully I'll keep this a bit more up to date.And there should be a new holiday blog for our forthcoming trip to Sardinia...we'll be staying

Bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13303322075936627900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19510935.post-66812712420162326972010-08-02T20:39:00.000+01:002010-08-02T20:39:58.604+01:00

Well, I've written up our adventures in the South East of England as a Rye Holiday 2010 blog And I've posted the photos on Flickr

Bob Watthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04494166353165641950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19510935.post-71319834770820904322010-04-07T21:29:00.002+01:002010-04-11T17:01:18.328+01:00

Well,it's official. The General Election will take place on 6th May 2010 (the day after my birthday) and after the "phoney war" of the past few weeks, the main parties start their campaigns by trying to prove who can swing the biggest axe on public services. I'm not inspired by the prospect. Someone needs to explain to me why I should vote for any party that is in favour of threatening my job.

Bob Watthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04494166353165641950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19510935.post-75453454822026751502010-01-26T21:50:00.003Z2010-01-26T22:01:18.623Z

Eliza Carthy had an article in today's Guardian in response to an article listing the musical tastes of "the world's most evil men" that suggested Nick Griffin was a fan of English folk music. You can read her article here. It includes links to the original article. Her final paragraph is a pithy response to the article..."At the moment I'm touring with the Imagined Village, an English folk band

Bob Watthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04494166353165641950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19510935.post-44440723807519105752009-11-14T19:11:00.002Z2009-11-14T19:42:14.689Z

Today saw the opening of the new art gallery. It officially opened to the public at 10 am. The local press warned of major queues and roads being closed. We went along at 10.30 and walked straight in. The gallery was crowded but not so much that you couldn't see the art works on the wall.I enjoyed the David Hockney stuff and will probably go back for a longer view. Frances Stark's combination of

Bob Watthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04494166353165641950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19510935.post-10563460383735693362009-11-04T17:52:00.003Z2009-11-04T18:13:27.231Z

We've had tickets for ages to see Mitch Benn do his comedy/music thing at the Lakeside, so it was shame that Sonia came down with a headache that afternoon. Luckily, it was my nephew Edward's birthday and he had no plans, other than getting to a new level in some on-line game that the young people distract themselves with these days.I dragged him along (he didn't take much persuading) and we

Bob Watthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04494166353165641950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19510935.post-73990202854924213592009-10-27T17:12:00.007Z2009-10-27T23:28:11.271Z

We had our usual autumn break in the little Shropshire village of Ironbridge, yet another World Heritage Site. We stayed at a wonderful Bed & Breakfast called The Library House for 3 nights to give us two full days to visit most the museums in the area. WednesdayWe arrived late on Wednesday morning to be greeted by Lizzie who helped us unload and gave me a residents' parking pass for the local

Bob Watthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04494166353165641950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19510935.post-74555607472499339122009-10-12T21:52:00.004+01:002009-10-12T22:28:28.942+01:00

Well it's been a few days now and I think I can remember what a good time I had, based on feedback from others...Friday night was wet on the outside so I met up at 7.30 with Bill and Chris to get very wet on the inside, thanks to the nice people at Nottingham CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) and the City Council. We paid our £10 which got us into the festival at Nottingham Castle, a souvenir half

Bob Watthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04494166353165641950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19510935.post-60951492490191234042009-10-06T21:48:00.002+01:002009-10-06T22:06:49.111+01:00

It has been busy few days for going out. After the comedy of Marcus Brigstocke, we returned to the Nottingham Playhouse to see The Bad Shepherds play their brand of punk songs in a folk style.Lots of fun was had by some of us playing "spot the intro", trying to work out what the song was going to be. Those of us of a certain age recognised the songs before others in the audience. The intro of The

Bob Watthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04494166353165641950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19510935.post-55304260931106498802009-10-06T21:31:00.003+01:002009-10-06T21:48:13.044+01:00

A Sunday seemed an appropriate night to go to see a debate about religion disguised as a stand up comedy routine. I really enjoyed Marcus Brigstocke's "God Collar" as did the reviewer from the Nottingham Evening Post. His ability to insult so many groups with humour would probably upset those of a nervous or overly religious viewpoint, but the audience was ready to put aside their prejudices and

Bob Watthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04494166353165641950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19510935.post-76607286516475943292009-09-27T16:18:00.003+01:002009-09-27T16:22:50.664+01:00

100 miles to LondonOriginally uploaded by bob wattDereham, the town where I grew up and went to school, is in the middle of Norfolk. I still return to visit my family, and we headed over there back in August for my Mum's birthday.This year, the celebrations were combined with Rowena's birthday. Surprisingly for an Aussie, she had never had a barbeque for her birthday because it was usually winter

Bob Watthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04494166353165641950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19510935.post-51944461993231331392009-09-27T15:55:00.004+01:002009-09-27T16:11:39.218+01:00

Lisbon Day 5 33 Torre De Belem front from boatOriginally uploaded by bob wattWe visited Lisbon for our summer holiday. Details can be found in the blog I wrote up afterwards: Lisbon Holiday 09.Tuesday 23rd June: getting thereWednesday 24th June: our first day wanderingThursday 25th june: cultural chilling...Friday 26th June: a day trip to Sintrasaturday 27th June: Parque das NaçõesSunday 28th

Bob Watthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04494166353165641950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19510935.post-89155671619324612992009-09-27T15:49:00.002+01:002009-09-27T15:51:34.608+01:00

Sunday 24 Tyne Bridges from Sage, originally uploaded by bob watt.19th April 2009 was the 4th Big UK Flickrmeet. This was held in Newcastle.We stayed at the Premier Inn next door to the old Tyne Tees TV studios. It was nostalgic to walk past the entrance that featured each week on The Tube. Memories of student life in Leicester and getting ready for Friday night out on the town...anyway, back to

Bob Watthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04494166353165641950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19510935.post-19278813308608511262009-09-27T15:23:00.002+01:002009-09-27T15:27:03.937+01:00

Bristol cranes 01 bw, originally uploaded by bob watt.Valentine's weekend was spent in the wonderful city of Bristol. We booked ourselves into a nice hotel overlooking the the Bristol Bridge and within easy walking distance of the shops, market and other attractions.We also took the opportunity to meet up with Rowena for the second time and had a meal with her at the Mud Dock cafe on the night we

Bob Watthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04494166353165641950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19510935.post-91276042697610881432009-09-27T15:10:00.003+01:002009-09-27T15:14:16.034+01:00

Well, so much for my good intentions back in February. I didn't manage to keep it up to date. In my defence I have been busy on Facebook and Flickr, as well as at work.I've just added he ability to post photo from Flickr onto the blog so that might help me post more often (assuming anyone will bother to read it). So the next few posts will be playing with the linking tools...

Bob Watthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04494166353165641950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19510935.post-30829555419746127022009-02-23T20:54:00.001Z2009-02-23T20:57:06.063Z

It's been over a year since I posted anything here. Have been busy with work and Flickr. Will have to do something about it.Watch this space.

Bob Watthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04494166353165641950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19510935.post-15100800241958900862008-01-30T20:22:00.000Z2008-01-30T20:28:02.094Z

Anyone familiar with the Monty Python film "The Life of Brian" will get the reference...It made me laugh.

Bob Watthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04494166353165641950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19510935.post-11627298137090055912007-11-15T19:29:00.000Z2007-11-15T20:30:42.356Z

The good news? I've got the promotion to become the Team Manager at long last.After taking the post on in a temporary unpaid capacity back in Sept 05, I've been covering all the duties except the line management of the team - organising the workload, sorting out IT issues etc etc.When the post was finally advertised a couple of months back I got an interview but they couldn't separate the two

Bob Watthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04494166353165641950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19510935.post-50603211103224056902007-10-26T16:39:00.000+01:002007-10-26T17:09:17.574+01:00

The last couple of weeks have been pretty manic at work. The Job evaluation scores came out on 17th October and people now know what the scores they got back in March mean in the pay packet. Those who have lost form a significant minority (that includes me) of just under 20% while 75% will gain and about 5% stay the same. Some of the losers have been very vocal in the anguish with personal

Bob Watthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04494166353165641950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19510935.post-64345083420153096382007-10-08T12:54:00.000+01:002007-10-08T12:58:41.113+01:00

We went along on Thursday night to meet up with Bill, and Chris & his kids. Took a load of photos, which got edited down to these on Flickr.com.Got another load to sort out from the Saturday visit with Stephen and Molly, and some more photos from the Sunday day out at the Leicester Space Centre and the Melton food show.

Bob Watthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04494166353165641950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19510935.post-67787029710869098022007-10-01T16:50:00.000+01:002007-10-01T17:19:26.709+01:00

Well it's been a while since I last posted anything here. I was drafting a write up of our holiday in Malta (for Flickr pictures: click here) back in March but have been busy on so many other things at work and home that I've failed to keep this up to date.Since then I've been taken away to Bowness near Windermere for my birthday in May (photos here), had my uncle Michael visit from Australia (

Bob Watthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04494166353165641950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19510935.post-36165801061481521732007-02-08T13:36:00.000Z2007-02-08T14:04:00.304Z

As part of our get fit regime for the new year, we have started to go out for walks on Sundays when the weather permits.The first stroll was through Sherwood Forest. I took a lot of photos as usual and you can see the results here. I had a go at using a long bow near the Major Oak. The long bow was taller than me by several inches. Managed to hit the target with most of my arrows.Last week we

Bob Watthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04494166353165641950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19510935.post-1168123868834090382007-01-06T21:54:00.000Z2007-01-06T22:51:08.930Z

It's been a hectic few weeks and this is the first chance I've had to post for a while.We went over to Norfolk for Xmas to see the family. Drove over on the morning of Xmas eve and the roads were very quiet so didn't take as long as the horrendous journey when we went over for Dad's birthday (over 4 hours). Walked round to my sister's after lunch and had a play on the Nintendo Wii. Edward was

Bob Watthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04494166353165641950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19510935.post-1166474780681167232006-12-18T20:22:00.000Z2006-12-29T11:14:10.796Z

Monday 11th December 2006The week didn’t start auspiciously. Sonia was off sick for the last two days before we left with a heavy cold, and had not had a decent night’s sleep for several days due to the coughing. So Monday morning meant packing and booking a cab from home to Nottingham station to make sure that we didn’t miss our train. We couldn’t miss it as we had booked first class tickets as

Bob Watthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04494166353165641950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19510935.post-1165070231806539572006-12-02T14:18:00.000Z2006-12-02T14:37:11.893Z

Usually I avoid the office Xmas party as it tends to be a lunchtime do and involves driving (and therefore no drinking). But this year it was different. A crack team of party organisers formed a clandestine committee and got on with the task of organising a very enjoyable event. Here's a picture of the heroes of the day...They booked the the Gedling Miners Welfare on Mapperley Top, sorted out a

Bob Watthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04494166353165641950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19510935.post-1163365696827114732006-11-12T20:53:00.000Z2006-11-12T21:08:16.846Z

It's been a while since I posted anything in the blog. I started doing a write up of a gig we went to in Sheffield back on 17th October, but that was posted on the One Day in History blog. Since then I've been very busy at work dealing with the restructuring of the County Council, budget cuts, case work, newsletters and even getting some surveying work done.Home life has been just as busy. We

Bob Watthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04494166353165641950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19510935.post-1160341569526933762006-10-08T21:48:00.000+01:002006-10-08T22:06:09.543+01:00

Thursday night saw us wander down to join Chris, Bill and Chris' kids Rosa and Alex to wander round the Goose Fair. Each year we wonder if this will be the last year that the kids will permit us to come along as they grow up into teenagers and we become too uncool to be seen with. If they do, we'll need to find another excuse to go along. But while they need their Dad to pay for the rides, I'm

Bob Watthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04494166353165641950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19510935.post-1159822404252274902006-10-02T21:17:00.000+01:002006-10-04T12:15:57.723+01:00

Tuesday morning's sunrise was beautiful and promised a good day.We hit the road south to Seahouses where we got on board Glad Tidings and set sail for the Farne Islands. The trip took us out to the Longstone lighthouse and around the other Farne islands before a drop off at Inner Farne to visit the lighthouse and St Cuthbert's church. One of the islands had the original lighthouse/beacon from the

Bob Watthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04494166353165641950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19510935.post-1159792726185122432006-10-02T12:35:00.000+01:002006-10-02T21:17:17.300+01:00

We spent last week in a wonderful cottage on the banks of the Tweed in Berwick. It was a great week - no e-mail, no work phone calls, just us having a relaxing time together. We found it via Northumbriacottages.com and can recommend the Old Lifeboat Cottage for any couple who want a quiet holiday. The holiday snaps are online at http://www.flickr.com/photos/bobwatt/We travelled up on Friday 22nd

Bob Watthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04494166353165641950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19510935.post-1157279065915427152006-09-03T11:20:00.000+01:002006-09-03T12:17:20.750+01:00

Sunday morning I awoke to the hounds alarm again. Yet another bacon butty breakfast.We popped into Helmsley, planning to get the paper and then head out for a drive. When we saw how packed the town square was by 10 on a Sunday, we decided to hang on to our parking slot and explore. We wandered into the castle as there was a display of medieaval life. There are more pictures on my Flickr

Bob Watthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04494166353165641950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19510935.post-1157278033213451822006-09-03T11:05:00.000+01:002006-09-03T12:00:45.126+01:00

Saturday morning's alarm call came courtesy of the local hunt's hounds welcoming their feed at about 6 a.m. It's amazing how far their howls carry across the fields. After a breakfast of bacon butties and mugs of tea we set off for Pickering to go on the North Yorks Moors Railway. This is a steam train service that runs along a valley in the moors from Pickering to Grosmont (and back again). We

Bob Watthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04494166353165641950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19510935.post-1157026862530227472006-08-31T12:44:00.000+01:002006-09-03T12:00:04.080+01:00

We went away last weekend to the North Yorkshire Moors. We pitched the tent at a nice quiet campsite near Nawton and Beadlam called Wrens of Ryedale. Arriving at lunchtime on Friday gave us an afternoon to familiarise ourselves with the area. A drive up to Gillamoor took us to a small church with a short steeple and a view across the dale. A short drive across the dale took us to Hutton-le-Hole,

Bob Watthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04494166353165641950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19510935.post-1156444502344517782006-08-24T19:21:00.000+01:002006-08-24T19:35:02.356+01:00

I've filled up my Flickr allowance for August by the 24th. Normally not a problem but I've just produced 4 sunset photos from Monday evening. I hope that people share my modest opinion that they are very good photos. So I've posted them here until I can get them into my Flickr account...or I might have to think about paying out $25 for a Pro account...

Bob Watthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04494166353165641950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19510935.post-1156421938637526242006-08-24T13:16:00.000+01:002006-08-24T13:27:18.046+01:00

Just found a website that lets you create a map of the world showing the countries you have visited. I thought I would have a go and so here's my map:create your own visited countries map or vertaling Duits Nederlands

Bob Watthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04494166353165641950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19510935.post-1156189639353615142006-08-21T19:39:00.000+01:002006-08-21T20:47:19.496+01:00

Spent last weekend in Norfolk with Mum and Dad. Not that I need a reason to visit but it the weekend was a chance to celebrate two events - Mum's birthday on 15th and Gemma's A level results on 17th. I'll not say how old Mum is, but it's been a few years since she got her bus pass.With an A at English, a B in Art, and a C in Maths Gemma's results were what she needed to go to College at Lincoln

Bob Watthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04494166353165641950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19510935.post-1155902929817405532006-08-18T12:55:00.000+01:002006-08-18T13:08:49.826+01:00

I joined the Nottingham Flickr Group yesterday evening and posted a load of my photos from around Nottingham. Have already had several positive comments about the pictures I took back in March 2006 (that can be found in this blog at Sunny Sunday Morning in Nottingham and More Sunny Sunday Photos).I also added a Flickr mozaic to this blog after I got back from Cambridge. If you can see a photo you

Bob Watthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04494166353165641950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19510935.post-1154462312227799502006-08-01T20:34:00.000+01:002006-08-09T18:20:01.726+01:00

Sunday morning was as fuzzy as Saturday...I had to wander down to the corner shop to get some cash and a paper. After a morning sitting around reading the paper and waiting for the world came back into focus for some of us, we headed into the arena for the final day's music where we met up with Helen and Phil plus a couple of their friends who had day tickets. It was a very international line

Bob Watthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04494166353165641950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19510935.post-1154460806870638422006-08-01T19:43:00.000+01:002006-08-09T18:13:34.546+01:00

Saturday dawned with a fuzzy head. It may have been the heat as the sun rose higher in the clear skies but we didn't move much from in front of Stage 1 once we had settled into position at lunchtime. I put it down to the wonderful music and the proximity of food and drink vendors. Some of us enjoyed them more than others...While some people wandered back to the campsite for BBQs before setting

Bob Watthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04494166353165641950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19510935.post-1154456630853184292006-08-01T18:38:00.000+01:002006-08-09T18:08:31.396+01:00

There wasn't much chance to post any more over the weekend, given the access problems for the free internet - too many teenagers and too little time - so I'm doing a series of posts now I've got home and downloaded the photos. My "reviews" are based on the notes I scrawled in my programme after each set - the writing is clearer earlier in the evenings (I blame the bar staff for selling me Badger

Bob Watthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04494166353165641950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19510935.post-1154106342902395672006-07-28T17:52:00.000+01:002006-08-09T18:05:53.296+01:00

We arrived early, having left home before 8, and were in the site and set up by 10.30ish. Found Chris, Bill and the kids with Steph and Rob and set up together in a little encampment round the back of the toilet block near the big pine tree - not as bad as it sound because we are away form the routes travelled by drunks on their way back to their tents via our guy ropes.Mel and Mark arrived about

Bob Watthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04494166353165641950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19510935.post-1153654237503120942006-07-23T12:17:00.000+01:002006-07-23T12:30:37.516+01:00

I've finally bitten the bullet and bought a digital camera: Fuji Finepix F11, I'm going to give it a go to see if it as good as my SLR. Was in the sale at Jessops for a good price but found that I needed to buy an extra memory card...The first picture taken was out of the living room window on Saturday afternoon at a couple of birds on the rockery by the garage.I then played around a bit more to

Bob Watthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04494166353165641950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19510935.post-1152468771053246482006-07-09T18:57:00.000+01:002006-07-09T19:12:51.066+01:00

Friday afternoon was spent in the company of friends as we celebrated Liz and Geoff getting married. The legalities were dealt with at West Bridgford Registry Office and we met up with everyone at Yianni's Restaurant on Hayden Road for a late lunch and a few drinks. The food was excellent and the wine flowed.After the meal, we all headed over to Liz and Geoff's house, with their daughter Lilith

Bob Watthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04494166353165641950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19510935.post-1151411789067517742006-06-27T12:46:00.000+01:002006-06-27T13:45:19.246+01:00

We had a long trip away for Father's Day this year. As my Grandfather has just moved into a care home, we went up to see how he was settling in (and to see how my grandmother was coping with not having him around the house).Mum and Dad came over on the Thursday afternoon and stopped the night with us. Dad and I watched England scramble a win against Trinidad & Tobago and shared a couple of drinks

Bob Watthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04494166353165641950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19510935.post-1149781994832812732006-06-08T16:49:00.000+01:002006-06-12T12:51:44.096+01:00

I've just got into Flickr and have been posting some of my old holiday snaps. At the moment, my favourites on public view are from our holiday in 2004 in NW Scotland. Here's the view that greeted us as we walked down to Balnakeil beach on a warm August afternoon.Balnakeil Beach 01Originally uploaded by Bob WattIf you click on the picture you get redirected to a larger version on my Flickr pages

Bob Watthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04494166353165641950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19510935.post-1149009080282260952006-05-30T18:00:00.000+01:002006-05-30T18:12:32.640+01:00

It's the Tuesday after a Bank Holiday weekend at end of May and the rain keeps coming. All plans to paint the flat roof have been put on hold as the roof is never dry long enough to sweep the dust off let alone apply the special paint.So the day has been spent pottering around Dereham, watching the rain fall, watching Roman Holiday on DVD. The positive outcome was the purchase of a couple of

Bob Watthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04494166353165641950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19510935.post-1148935030480013342006-05-29T21:08:00.000+01:002006-05-29T21:41:03.070+01:00

Things never quite turn out how you plan. In the end we didn't go to the party or to the Arboretum. Instead, Saturday was spent doing laundry and a bit of shopping for birthday presents etc. Sunday was a different matter. I woke up and decided to finally swap the sitting room and dining room round as Sonia had suggested before Xmas.First problem - how to move the TV, NTL box, video and DVD?

Bob Watthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04494166353165641950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19510935.post-1148669866152457702006-05-26T19:11:00.000+01:002006-05-26T19:57:46.230+01:00

The Bank Holiday weekend is in the balance - quiet or rowdy? Wet or dry? Whatever the weather I'm hoping of a relaxed weekend as I'm recovering from a small visitor. A stomach virus came to stay with me for a couple of days so I've been off work and have spent my time on the sofa catching up with the backlog of Lost videos in between dashing up stairs...slept through for 10 hours on Wednesday

Bob Watthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04494166353165641950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19510935.post-1147697603370754612006-05-15T13:40:00.000+01:002006-05-15T13:53:23.380+01:00

It was a quiet weekend, just a birthday party, a cup final, a haircut and some tickets.Chris had his 54th birthday bash BBQ. We started at about 7. The rain held off most of the evening as the dozen or so of us sat around chatting and making sure that the kids didn't get too near the hot charcoal. Sonia is starting to convince Rob that they are distant cousins. Lots of lovely grub and drink, then

Bob Watthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04494166353165641950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19510935.post-1146813406917870672006-05-05T07:41:00.000+01:002006-05-05T08:16:47.810+01:00

I woke up this morning with a smile on my face. Not just because it's my birthday and Sonia was there beside me but because of the Bragg gig last night.So why am I smiling about a gig? Let's start with a big thank you to Helen and Phil for doing the driving so I could have a pint, which meant I was relaxed when Bill came on stage at 9.He opened up with The World Turned Upside Down and kept the

Bob Watthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04494166353165641950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19510935.post-1146420883811350172006-04-30T18:46:00.000+01:002006-04-30T19:14:43.833+01:00

The tickets for Cambridge Folk Festival went on sale today. Like hundreds (or maybe thousands) of others who wanted to camp on the main site, I was on the phone on the dot of 10 when the box office telephone lines opened.Despite ringing simultaneously on both the house phone and my mobile, I started to enter the zen zone of: hear engaged tone - hang up - hit redial - hear engaged tone - hang up -

Bob Watthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04494166353165641950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19510935.post-1145994026112895002006-04-25T20:01:00.000+01:002006-04-25T20:40:26.156+01:00

It's spring so it must be time for another family wedding... Graham and Ros finally tied the knot after being together for 22 years. It was a quiet do (for a Godfrey wedding) near Bedford. Wedding at the Registry office followed by a reception at Wyboston lakes. We were all asked to get to the Reception so that we could welcome the bride and groom as they arrived. As we stood around drinking the

Bob Watthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04494166353165641950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19510935.post-1144697952885173662006-04-10T20:07:00.000+01:002006-04-11T12:14:00.030+01:00

It's that time of year when you start looking at the list of festivals and dream about sunny days listening to good music with a couple of beers inside you. I've not volunteered for the Workers Beer Company for a good few years, so that rules out the likes of Glastonbury (if it was going ahead) or Reading. Looks like I'll have to pay.The middle weekend of July sees the TUC festival at Tolpuddle

Bob Watthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04494166353165641950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19510935.post-1144410818634300762006-04-07T12:32:00.000+01:002006-04-07T12:53:40.890+01:00

Billy's song about Rachel Corrie, who was killed in Gaza trying to help Palestinians, is available as a free download from his site.A play created from her words due to be performed in a New York Theatre was cancelled. This was condemned by Alan Rickman who co-directed the London shows of the play.The Lonesome Death of Rachel Corrie was written on Billy's recent tour of the USA, and recorded at

Bob Watthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04494166353165641950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19510935.post-1143893642435776132006-04-01T13:05:00.000+01:002006-04-01T13:14:02.453+01:00

Billy Bragg has released a new song - Bush War Blues - for free download.He recorded the song at a radio interview in Ann Arbor, Michigan, during his US tour at the suggestion of his new American record label, ANTI, who really liked it when he played it at the South By South West hootenanny.'Bush War Blues' was recorded at Big Sky Recording in Ann Arbor by Geoff Michael, Gregg Leonard and Chris

Bob Watthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04494166353165641950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19510935.post-1143669103789936832006-03-29T22:02:00.000+01:002006-03-30T12:37:01.356+01:00

Well, it has been a long and hectic couple of days. Yesterday I was one of nearly a million local government workers on strike to defend our pensions. I was up at about 5 a.m. to get ready for the picket line. Got up quietly to make sure I didn't disturb Sonia. After a healthy breakfast of porridge and a banana, left the house at about 6 and drove through a quiet Nottingham to set up the picket

Bob Watthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04494166353165641950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19510935.post-1142283052615916452006-03-13T20:37:00.000Z2006-03-14T13:42:40.053Z

Heard this evening that I have at least one reader: Hiya Mark down near Bristol!Glad to know that someone reads the blog. Hope it doesn't bore you too much, and that Mel enjoys the news you pass on. Here's a link to your longwhitecloud.org website for anyone else to see what you got up to on your world travels.I'm sure that you are only checking in occasionally during your lunch breaks or at the

Bob Watthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04494166353165641950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19510935.post-1142163354365628712006-03-12T10:46:00.000Z2006-03-12T11:45:39.500Z

Legendary English fiddler Dave Swarbrick has a new trio called Lazarus with Kevin Dempsey and Maartin Allcock.Better known as Swarb, he received a new pair of lungs in October 2004 after years of debilitating emphysema. Famously, the Daily Telegraph printed his obituary in April 1999 which Swarb regularly signs when fans produce a copy.Now he is able to play live again, his first gig was Friday

Bob Watthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04494166353165641950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19510935.post-1141832708819107962006-03-08T15:13:00.000Z2006-03-08T15:45:08.876Z

As well as the previous posting, I took some photos of the Victoria Centre clock tower (and flats) while the Trinity Square Car Park was no longer in the way. I regret not taking pictures of the Guildhall while the Forman building was down, so I wasn't going to miss this chance of clear weather and minimal traffic.The first photo is the view from the middle of the road by the Students Union

Bob Watthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04494166353165641950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19510935.post-1141592389092337862006-03-05T20:20:00.000Z2006-03-07T21:16:52.460Z

Spent an hour or so this Sunday morning finishing off a film that had been in my camera since Xmas. As it was clear (but cold) day I wandered into town. Parked down by Nottingham Trent University. So here's some photos of a cold but clear Nottingham Sunday morning...First up is the Corner House rotunda, as seen from the Royal CentreThe light that morning was so good that the Corner House and the

Bob Watthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04494166353165641950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19510935.post-1140899915720526072006-02-25T20:36:00.000Z2006-02-25T21:10:14.923Z

When people ask me who is my favourite author (and they rarely do, but I'm going to tell you anyway) I'm torn between Christopher Brookmyre, Robert Rankin, and Jasper Fforde. These are the three authors whose books I am always willing to read regardless of reviews (if/when they are).Brookmyre's "tartan noir" appeals to the Scot in me. Not a sentimental shortbread box lid image of Scotland, but

Bob Watthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04494166353165641950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19510935.post-1140254489515827052006-02-18T09:21:00.000Z2006-02-18T09:21:29.540Z

As I said in my previous post, I've got Broadband but have had problems with using my existing e-mail account. The technicians seem to be awake and answering calls at this time on a Saturday, and thanks to Anthony Wright (NTL Technician), I identified where the problem was and fixed it. I can now send e-mails from my old Freeserve account. I've sent the uncompressed version of the Xmas family

Bob Watthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04494166353165641950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19510935.post-1140209564635390712006-02-17T20:52:00.000Z2006-02-17T20:52:44.686Z

Got hooked up to 1mb broadband this afternoon, so far so good apart from being unable to send messages from my old Freeserve account. Am trying to sort out settings but have had my first experience of NTL's version of "shortly" as in "a technician will reply shortly to your enquiry". Five goes so far and each time I've given up after about 10 minutes, only to find when I log on again that there

Bob Watthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04494166353165641950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19510935.post-1140034655701830182006-02-15T20:10:00.000Z2006-02-15T20:17:54.493Z

It's amazing what you get up to in your lunch time on Valentine's Day...just me and a few people and a 6ft card. There's no prizes for picking me out

Bob Watthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04494166353165641950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19510935.post-1139167941662208962006-02-05T19:23:00.000Z2006-03-13T20:36:18.340Z

We travelled up to Sandbach on Friday afternoon to see Sonia’s aunt Julia and her husband Jo. They kindly put us up for the night Jo did the driving into Manchester.The evening started with a bit of sleb spotting at Wagamama restaurant. While we were eating Matt Lucas and David Walliams (Little Britain) wandered in. Waited to be seated without a fuss and then enjoyed a quiet meal while about half

Bob Watthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04494166353165641950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19510935.post-1138711971148259912006-01-31T12:41:00.000Z2006-01-31T12:52:51.160Z

Good news: Sonia has won a month's free membership of a gym for her and the person of her choice. Yet more good news: I'm the lucky other person!As with all free offers, there are some hidden costs. I've had to buy a pair of trainers and some jogging bottoms as my old kit is "not presentable"...We started on Friday 20th Jan and have been going 3 times a week. I'm enjoying the cross trainer and

Bob Watthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04494166353165641950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19510935.post-1137262713271801832006-01-14T18:30:00.000Z2006-01-14T18:18:33.293Z

It’s Saturday night and the TV is full of slebs. They’re live and they’re taking over!The run up to Xmas was bad enough with dancing slebs versus wannabe singing slebs to fill the Saturday night schedules but now, in between adverts containing slebs trying to sell us stuff, there’s soap slebs singing at us followed by slebs on ice.But now it’s not just Saturday night TV, during the week we have

Bob Watthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04494166353165641950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19510935.post-1136382184288059822006-01-04T13:31:00.000Z2006-01-17T11:35:03.983Z

Yesterday was the first day back at work after the holidays and it's business as usual with a full set of "ins":e-mail in-box,in-tray andin-desk for those who don't know how to put things in an in-tray.Lots of jolly stories from colleagues about snow and Xmas and what they got up to on hogmannay.Afternoon was a not enjoyable as went to meet departmental management to discuss potential budget cuts

Bob Watthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04494166353165641950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19510935.post-1135972283309073352005-12-30T19:44:00.000Z2005-12-30T19:55:31.763Z

I realise that many in Scotland will laugh at what passes for deep snow down here but the hill outside our house has been the scene of many balletic displays of driving as people realise that they are not going to get up it as their usual short cut. They slide back down and then do a pirouette before gingerly driving back out to the main road.I can't gloat too much as my car slid off the drive on

Bob Watthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04494166353165641950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19510935.post-1135780836728698832005-12-28T14:24:00.000Z2005-12-28T14:40:36.740Z

Here's a few snaps from this Xmas to amuse you all.First off is the family all gathered together at one end of the living room after the presents had been opened and they are all still smiling. I'm not in my smart clothes after a slight altercation with a glass of bucks fizz and tiddliwinks golf.After a few drinks had been imbibed, some of us let our hair down - others had to borrow someone

Bob Watthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04494166353165641950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19510935.post-1135547684962929252005-12-25T21:54:00.000Z2005-12-25T21:59:11.506Z

Xmas evening, and I'm full of food and alcohol.Have spent the afternoon dozing through Shrek and Toy Story 2, starting with bucks fizz at 9.30 a.m. might explain some of it but the wine and port with lunch certainly helped.Everythings gone a bit quiet: niece disappeared about 7 with her boyfriend to see his family, my sister, brother-in-law and nephew went home just after Dr Who, Mum, Dad and

Bob Watthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04494166353165641950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19510935.post-1135018125051898712005-12-19T18:46:00.000Z2005-12-20T12:42:11.436Z

Rampaging Santas take too much Christmas spiritA gang of drunken Santas has caused mayhem in Auckland, New Zealand, throwing bottles, robbing stores and assaulting security guards in protest at the commercialisation of Christmas. Three men were arrested on Saturday night for disorderly behaviour and possessing offensive weapons. Police said that identifying the troublemakers was difficult as the

Bob Watthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04494166353165641950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19510935.post-1133514933360732672005-12-02T09:12:00.000Z2005-12-05T13:44:11.506Z

Welcome to my blog.I'm planning to put up links and photos that reflect my interests or just amuse me as well as rambling on about things.Hope you enjoy it.

Bob Watthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04494166353165641950noreply@blogger.com0